I will simply NEVER shut up about how each of the Crows have a parallel character who then foils them in other ways.
Nina and Jesper are both outgoing, flirtatious characters who struggle with addiction. However, Nina’s addiction was something she induced to save herself and the others, and something she knew she would have to fight to overcome. On the other hand Jesper spends most of the books in denial of his addiction, and it has dire consequences (Inej’s stabbing and his father’s farm being put at risk.) They are both Grisha, something that has had a devastating impact on both of their lives, however, Nina was able to grow up learning to harness her powers and Jesper was taught to fear his instead.
Matthias and Inej are both faith-driven people with strong beliefs. However, where Inej’s beliefs have made her stronger and positively guided her decisions, Matthias’ have made him full of hatred and eventually lead him to his death. Their respective romances cause them to go against part of their beliefs, or, in Matthias’ case, completely unlearn them. They also both arrive in Kerch a captive and spend their first few months there imprisoned in some way.
Wylan and Kaz are the only characters who grow up in the same country, and while their class differences mean they begin their lives in very different ways, this does not stop them from arriving in the same place. Both of their stories in the Barrel begin with them narrowly escaping death, dragging themselves out of a canal and simply making the decision not to die no matter what the cost. Morally they are starkly opposite, with Wylan being the only Crow to blatantly confront Kaz on his actions and motives throughout the series. They are both quick-thinkers and good liars. By the end of Crooked Kingdom, Wylan begins to match Kaz’ intelligence when it comes to ‘criminal mastermind’ thinking. They are also the only Crows who subvert expectations from their own POV, making you think they’ve failed when actually that was the plan all along. (They also have the same number of 'WANTED’ posters in that one scene in CK.)
Neil was struggling to breathe after a particularly hard check from the other team’s backliner. In his haste to get his neck guard off he forgot to make sure his necklace stayed hidden. Well, it was less of a necklace and more of an efficiency thing— a way for him to actually wear the ring Andrew bought him when they got married. The camera for the Jumbotron had started following him the same time as the backliner and was still on him when his ring was exposed to everyone.
Press duty after the game was what everyone expected from Neil Josten being in front of cameras— absolutely anarchy. There were so many questions about him being married and who his wife was, he just had to correct them.
“My Husband and I actually prefer to keep our private lives private, you know. I understand it’s such a wild concept to you vultures that not everything is just a grab for the next big news story, but just let us keep a little of our peace.” Neil walked right out of the room after that, tired after all the inane questioning and not willing to put up with anymore.
For the next couple months Neil was bombarded with questions about his husband. Most went ignored but every once in a while if someone asked how the husband was Neil would be inclined to answer them.
Neil thought nothing of this habit until press after his game against Andrew’s team. The only reason he didn’t think of it prior to the game was because all rational thought was overshadowed by his excitement to see Andrew in person again.
“So, Neil, how’s your husband? Did he enjoy the game?” One of the most tolerable reporters asked at the end of the meeting.
Neil smiled to himself— and a little at Andrew— before saying “oh he’s great. Always has a ton of fun at games as well.”
Everyone was so focused on Neil that no one noticed Andrew leaning towards his mic until he spoke, “now that is an absolute lie. I never have fun at these things.”
With that the two looked at each other, Neil grinning like a fool and Andrew slightly amused, and together they decided to stand up and walk out of the mess they just made.
Neil made fun of Andrew’s height a lot for someone who was only three inches taller. Yeah yeah Andrew’s 5 foot flat but Neil’s only 5'3. Neil sweetie neither of you can reach the top shelf without a step stool, get a new insult
Neil smiled, taking a rare drag. Before he could let it out, Andrew grabbed the front of his shirt lightly and pulled, stopping just at the burning end.
“It’s rude to steal, Neil,” he mumbled as he took the cigarette from Neil’s lips. “Or were you never taught?”
Neil held his breath, still for a moment longer before leaning against Andrew’s hold. He slowly breathed the smoke into his mouth.
I feel like we should talk about how key Neil’s asexuality/demisexuality was for Andrew. Like yes everyone talks about how painfully oblivious Neil was to Andrew’s interest and how that ended up being a bit infuriating (rip Wymack watching that car crash from the sidelines), but think about it. At no point does Neil look at Andrew with any heat or physical desire. Its all wow look at his strong shoulders that make me feel safe and like I can rely on him and wow look at the way the sun hits his hair through the windows in the back of the bus I can’t look away. As someone who had grown up with various instances of sexual abuse from multiple people, Andrew would have become acutely aware of how people looked at him. With Neil, never nada nope. All he saw was Neil looking at him like he was always paying attention, like he was the only one who wasn’t afraid of him after he went off his medication, and to then just looking at him adoringly?? To the point Andrew repeatedly tells him to stop looking at him that way?? Neil went from I see you, asshole to I see you and I am not afraid to all I see is you. THAT is what made Andrew feel safe. At no point did Neil want anything from Andrew beyond their deals and truths, he did not want anything without being willing to give something in return; playing by Andrew’s rules of engagement. He never would have unknowingly set off one of Andrew’s first warning signs ingrained since childhood, he would have always felt safe when Neil looked at him
Even as Andrew realized that his feelings for Neil had nothing to do with his medication, even as he fought tooth and nail not to care about this chaotic junkie timebomb who doesn’t swing to respect his boundaries, even as Neil looked at him like he was the only person in every room, even as he himself doesn’t know how to be loved, even then he would look into Neil’s eyes and feel safe
