Sugoi monogatari, aniki.

tomomichi — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 08:57:14 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Continued from this post, which is a crossposting from dreamwidth, but I had to manually do this one because it was too big for LJ. Okay then. orz

AND ONTO THE RECS:

THOR: RAGNAROK FIC RECS:
✦ Future Imperfect by Soroka, thor & loki & tony & cast, 38.2k wip
    Getting his people to Earth is only the beginning of Thor’s problems.
    I am really enjoying this post-Ragnarok fic that takes a different path than Infinity War did, where Thor and the Asgardians make it to Earth, but that really is only the beginning of it all, where the fic isn't without hope or a misery-fest, but it sure as hell is exhausting and so very heavy in exactly the way it's meant to be. It's centered on Thor's character, how he's trying to find the best path for his people and what that means he has to give up, what it means he can't give up, and trying to do his best for as many people as he can, and it's really a satisfying read for that! I love the developing friendships, especially with Tony, I love how Thor is very much a god, but there's also something really human about him, as he tries to navigate the way Earth has changed, how he has to be so very aware of politics now, and the fic does a great job with balancing how exhausting that is with a sense of hope and humor. I'm loving it for all of those things, but also Thor, it's such a great read if you're a fan of his character, a really satisfying look at him and the plot shit he has to wade through.

✦ blóðflekkug by incandescent (lmeden), hela & odin & frigga, 4.5k
    "Hela, my child, do you know what it means to be firstborn?" he asks me.
    This is a really fascinating look at Hela's character, someone we really don't know that much about, and what might have made her into who she was. It's fascinating to look at elements of mythology and advanced alien technology being woven together, so it's not wholly canon-compliant, as well as it's definitely against Odin as a character (or, rather, enjoys him more as a fucked up character, I think!), but it's not meant to be about that, it's meant to be something of a story, maybe a little bit of a myth mixed with the truth, to tell of who Hela was and how she came to be, so I really, really enjoyed this a lot!

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR FIC RECS:
✦ if you love something, let it go by theprimrosepath, thor & avengers, infinity war spoilers, 14.5k
    By now, the Avengers are well-acquainted with grief. But grief is a companion that rarely travels alone, particularly not around a prince. Really, grief is the least of Thor's problems.
    A really gorgeously done fic that shows the sheer weight of Thor's grief, managing to make it feel actually heavy and like only a god could bear this much on his shoulders, while also still making Thor human. It does a wonderful job of showing Thor's various losses, all of the people who meant something to him, the way that's left its mark on him, but also that he is still Thor, he's always been the strong one. The scenes are told out of order, it took me a moment to adjust to that, but each one of them hits with the impact it's meant to, it's really a fic about Thor and, even if I enjoyed his scenes with Loki the most, that his relationships with Heimdall and the other Avengers and Asgard are all just as important. It's a heavy fic, but not an unhopeful one, it's cathartic in its grief, and just a really wonderful read for this character I love so much.

✦ Soft Shocks by stereobone, thor/loki & cast, NSFW, infinity war spoilers, 14k
    "And why," says Thor, "would I need to come with you to Jötunheim?" "Ah, well," Loki says. "They may be under the impression that we're married."
    For a fic that deals with Infinity War events, this fic is actually pretty happy and upbeat and thank god for that. It's so much fun, as Loki has grown up a lot and wants to actually be a decent leader for Jotunheim, while still having a complicated relationship with Thor, so many issues to work out, and just a whole lot of gleefully embracing the SO MUCH FUN FAKE MARRIED TROPE and then adding in some very nicely satisfying sex to it! I read this in pretty much one sitting because it was just such a goddamned delight!

✦ Promises by FelicityGS, thor & loki & gamora & cast, infinity war spoilers, 1k
    The dead have rules.
    A lovely sort of intimate, immediate feeling of how the dead react during Infinity War, how the fic nudges them towards fixing things, and so it's just this really neat very immediate feeling, but also sort of dreamy, hazy feeling, that works well together!

✦ But Tell It Slant by scioscribe, thor & loki & thanos, infinity war spoilers, 3.7k
    Thanos smiles. “You remain a liar.” “Oh, until the end,” Loki says. “I learned from the best. May I have my moment with my brother now?”
    Oh, I really enjoyed this a lot, that it was Loki being sneaky and distracting, that he's flying by the seat of his pants, but still manages to pull it off, largely thanks to getting Thor into the right place, who picks it up and runs with it, that Thor gets it and I love that this is exactly how I want them to work together, that Thor is still Thor, even as Loki is getting his moment in the sun, that they're about complementing each other, that Loki couldn't do this without Thor, yet that doesn't take away from the delightful dialogue for him or that he knows how to put his tricks to good use. A really fun fix-it piece that I enjoyed greatly!

✦ Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood by TheOtherOdinson, odin/frigga & loki, infinity war spoilers, 1.2k
    Valhalla isn't all it's cracked up to be for Odin Allfather. Frigga Allmother is making sure of it.
    This was pure joy to read, that Frigga was reading Odin the riot act in Valhalla, that you really kind of feel for him because her temper is legendary and she's so amazing that she cannot be denied, but then also the absolute hilarity of when Loki shows up and everyone reacts accordingly. It's light-hearted and hilarious, which is exactly what I needed after that movie! And I refuse to think Valhalla would go any other way!

✦ Soft Shocks by stereobone, thor/loki & cast, NSFW, infinity war spoilers, 14k
    "And why," says Thor, "would I need to come with you to Jötunheim?" "Ah, well," Loki says. "They may be under the impression that we're married."
    This fic isn't precisely Infinity War-related, but it does have spoilers for the movie (though, it's set in the future, with only brief glimpses into the aftermath) and so into this section it goes, especially when I really need all the fix-it fic I can get my hands on! It's a happier fic, it's pretty much 14k of pretending to be married fic, with sex and miscommunication that gets resolved fairly easily, which makes it very easy on my fannish heart, and just made me happy, it really is one of the author's best fics, I think. It's just so much fun, watching Loki get more settled into his skin, into the relationship with Thor, even as there's this world-shattering kind of upheaval going on with his realizations, there's something entirely warm and kind here, there's less poisonous anger here, and instead it's building towards something, it's fun and joyful and good. I read through the entire thing in two sittings because I couldn't put it down, it was just so damn charming and adorable/funny in all the right places, and the sex was ridiculously hot! All the things I could have asked for.

✦ To Never Have Loved At All by hitlikehammers, steve/bucky & cast, infinity war spoilers, 2.8k
    Steve will say they had work to do, and a universe to put to rights. They had people to find and hearts to unbreak. They had a mission. There was no time for any of them to mourn. Steve, as it turns out, says a lot of things that are mostly bullshit.
    I am a sucker for Stucky fic, I'm a sucker for Infinity War aftermath fic, and this fic just hit my buttons really well. There's a nicely done sort of intimate feeling to the messiness, that it's about feelings and the scrambled thoughts of someone who survived and lost the person they loved, more than it is about dialogue or action, it's about the reunion and fixing things, and that's exactly what I wanted.

✦ The Cruelty of a Brother by gaslightgallows (hearts_blood), thor & loki & cast, infinity war spoilers, 1.4k
    Asgard and her people are alive. One person in particular isn’t happy about that. Thor doesn’t care.
    More beautifully written JUST FIX EVERYTHING ALREADY fic, which goes right straight for the good stuff--Loki waking up in Asgard and not knowing what the fuck is going on, so wary and unsure, until Thor talks to him and helps him understand. There's all these little details of sparkling interaction ("Knocking just gives you an excuse to ignore me. How'd you know it was me, anyway?" "You're the only one who doesn't knock." -- DELIGHTFUL!) but mostly it's just something that really, really made me feel better. Whatever A4 brings, I will always have lovely fic like this to soothe my soul.

✦ I'm Here (Again) by hjbender, thor & loki & steve/bucky & avengers, infinity war spoilers, 1.5k
    At the end of it all, the victims of Thanos's universal genocide return to the world of the living. Thor waits for one in particular—one who, above all others, deserves a second chance.
    Another fic that is just a straight up fix it and ALL ABOUT THE PARADE OF HUGS that are needed by both the characters and me. As the author's notes say, it's pure sunshine and rainbows, which makes everything a little easier to process and wait out the long stretch of time between here and A4.

✦ hath no fury by Bundibird, tony & nebula & cast, infinity war spoilers, 2.1k
    [Or: After everything, on a silent planet of ruins, Tony’s hands shake as he stares at the dust that coats his fingers.]
    A really intense, great look at the sheer burning of the anger in Tony, which is a fascinating match against Nebula in the same scene, that the fic does a great job of it not needing to ever be about screaming or yelling, but instead it's a banked but furiously hot rage that's going to boil over eventually, while in the meantime it drives them both forward. It's awful and bitter and angry, which is exactly as it was supposed to be.

✦ as long as there's sun by triedunture, thor/loki, infinity war spoilers, 1.1k
    A short take on when Thor went to Nidavellir.
    As it says on the tin, it's a short fic about a moment Thor has on Nidavellir that's a moment of something half sweet and half bittersweet, a moment of intimacy and kindness but also painful for all that Thor has lost. A very nice read!

✦ take all you can carry by havisham, steve/bucky & cast, 2.4k
    Bucky Barnes reassembles himself to a reasonable degree and makes romantic overtures to one Steve Rogers. It's happened before and will happen again.
    A series of scenes across the span of their relationship, from pre-CA:TFA to Infinity War, the history of everything between them and the weight of what is and isn't said. It's a piece that fleshes out their interactions in a bittersweet but hopeful way that I enjoyed a lot.

✦ Happily Ever After by Loxxlay, thor & loki & gamora & cast, infinity war spoilers, 8.4k wip
    Thanos is dead, and the universe moves on. Nobody finds it easy.
    This is a lovely series of scenes set around Loki and his struggles to move on and recover from everything that happened, the complicated relationship he has with Thor, that's better but not free of tangles. It draws some parallels between the Gamora & Nebula relationship, in a nicely done conversation between Loki and Gamora about their siblings and how to approach them and what to do and how to move forward. It's more about emotional moments of intimate drama, rather than a big plot, and it's lovely for filling in the humanizing details for them!

✦ my reasons for defying reason by gaslightgallows (hearts_blood), thor & loki & valkyrie, infinity war spoilers, 1.9k
    All his life, Loki has only ever wanted one thing.
    Another Loki-centric fic that reminds me of why I fell in love with the character in the first place! The conversation he has with Valkyrie is sharp and perfect to both characters, but also, oh, when Loki thinks Thor is dead, the fic punched me in the feelings just exactly the way it intended to. And it's a great fix-it for IW in a way that made my heart so much gladder! Fixing things and beautiful writing, I can't ask for more.

✦ The Shining Sun by TheOtherOdinson, thor & loki, infinity war spoilers, 7.9k
    Death is not absolute. Not if Thor Odinson has anything to say about it.
    Oh, this was such a good fic! I'm not sure how to describe it, without spoiling some things that I think are better built up to (I wouldn't say it's a twist or anything, just something built up to, in the way it should be), but it's beautifully done, it got me right in the feelings place all over again, it's the right blend of bittersweet with hopeful, and it does exactly what I would want it to do. There's something so weighted here, something heavy and difficult, something bitter even as it's hopeful and good, an impossible to fully make right feeling that's done exactly as the fic intends. I really loved this version of Valhalla (getting to have Loki talk with his parents again, the way he interacts with the others already there, it was wonderful) and where this fic left the characters off by the end, that it truly felt like the end of a very long journey. Because the fic really conveys that as well, just how far they've come, how exhausting so much of that journey was, and how much weight they carried along the way. A wonderful fic I'm so glad we got to read!

✦ To Slip Away by MagicalGirlHell, thor & avengers & loki, 9.3k wip
    Half of everything is gone. The Avengers have lost so much, and now they're losing Thor.
    Another wonderfully done fic about the weight of just how much Thor has lost, how he's still slipping away even after the immediate danger has passed, because so much is pulling him away, but also he bears it better than nearly anyone else could, this is also a story about Thor's strength of heart just as much as he's strong in other ways. The scenes with the other Avengers are very nicely done and it's a fic that really kind of punches me in the feelings all over again, in just the way it's meant to.

✦ Run For The Shadows by obiwanjedi, thor/loki & hela, NSFW, infinity war spoilers, 10.3k
    Loki wakes on Helheim only to discover he isn't alone.
    A fun, Loki-centric IW fix it fic, where it's pretty much exactly what it says on the tin and is just a really good time! It's a cute semi-roadtrip fic with Hela and Loki sniping at each other, while Loki pines after Thor, and then eventual reunion with some very nice sex and myth stuff mixed in, all of which is very soothing to the soul! Another really fun feel good piece to read that I enjoyed.

✦ the devil is not the king of hell by ragnasok, loki & thanos, infinity war spoilers, 1.1k
    Thanos goes willingly to his death, expecting to open his eyes upon the face of his daughter. It is another who greets him.
    Thanos and the afterlife is not what he thought it would be. This is a lovely piece that's just the right amounts of satisfying and creepy, that sense of Thanos may have a physical power that others don't, but he'll never be a god, which doesn't always translate to the same type of power, but it's one that goes far deeper than he can never have. I really loved the way this sends a thrill along my nerves every time I think of that, "You will never be a god." line in the movie now!

✦ Watch Our Souls Fade Away by GloriousBlackout, nebula & tony & gamora & avengers & guardians & cast, infinity war spoilers, 61.1k
    Nebula and Tony struggle to come to terms with everything they've lost as they make the journey back to Earth. Takes place immediately after the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
    This was a solid, nicely long fic about what Nebula does after the events of Infinity War, which I am always here for. She's more unfocused here than she is in the movies, but the fic has a really solid, sure grasp of the characters and their interactions, the heart of what needed to be here is absolutely here. It's definitely a fic about the moments in between the action, it's about living with all that damage in the in beween spaces, it's about the friendships (no matter how bitter and caustic and damaged they all are, they still want something more) and the very slow burn towards friendship and something better in all of them. It's a fic that takes 60k+ for Nebula to find any kind of peace inside her own skin and even then it's not ignoring the amount of jagged edges she has, so it makes for a satisfying place to end for her. And I really love just how central her relationship with Gamora is here, give me all the space sisters fic!!

✦ nanna by biggrstaffbunch, thor & cast, infinity war spoilers, 1.4k
    Thor, after.
    A series of connected scenes that show Thor's loss and grief, the strength that he has to carry through that even as that grief hits like a goddamned truck. This one hurt to read, in exactly the way it was meant to.

✦ fix you in this moment by victoria_p (musesfool), steve & natasha, infinity war spoilers, ~1k
    "We're gonna fix this," he says, trying for that adamant certainty he's usually so good at and falling short to his own ears.
    A really lovely, intimate moment that looks at these two people's friendship and the slivers of comfort they can offer each other after everything that's happened. It's just the right amount of heavy-hitting and yet a little understated, as these two characters would be. Great for both their characters, but especially the solidity of the relationship between them, the heart of everything that's connected between them.

✦ He Was Born in Fury and He Lived in Lightning by Sendnukes, thor/loki, NSFW, infinity war spoilers, 6k
    A million little intimacies. or A lifetime between brothers.
    This is one of those fics you read when you want something for this ship, where everything about the two of them revolves around each other, as told in pieces across their very long lives, as they are each the definition of each other. It's one of those fics that I just sailed right on through because it was so easy to keep reading, and it satisfied my Thorki-loving heart, to see them cross all the choppy waters, that even if it ends where IW left us, there's something satisfying about it.

✦ All The Things We Ever Wanted by crowleyshouseplant, gamora & nebula, 2.6k
    This story takes place in between Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and Infinity War. It explores the dynamic between Nebula and Gamora, and how their relationship develops after their reconciliation.
    This is a lovely piece focusing on the relationship between these two, getting that balance of humor that this part of the franchise has and the weight of what's between these two characters, the pain that's not fully put to rest yet, but is better. With bonus moments of Nebula interacting with the other Guardians, which is always a delight!

✦ Goodnight, Sweet Prince by flute25, loki & frigga, infinity war spoilers, 2.1k
    In the end, there was darkness.
    Loki wakes up after the events of Infinity War and doesn't quite know where he is, but someone is waiting for him. There's this really lovely, unfocused, almost dream-like or maybe a touch of stream-of-conscience style to it that really works to show the confusion and fear Loki has in those moments, unable to trust what he's seeing. It's still clear what's going on, but that chaotic thoughts feeling works for what the fic is, when Loki's dead and wakes up somewhere else and meets his mother again--which is a wrenching, bittersweet thing that I really enjoyed reading. Just the kind of fic to punch you in the feelings but also soothe things that finally there's some peace for that nerd.

✦ Revival by longforgottenhymn, thor & loki & odin & frigga & asgardian cast, infinity war spoilers, 17.7k
    Thor refuses to believe that his people are truly lost. In a last attempt to set a stop to Thanos' plans, he rips the Time stone from its gauntlet and is sent back in time to change what he cannot accept and make peace with his inner demons.
    This is pretty much exactly what I wanted post-Infinity War, both as a fix-it and as a Thor-centric fic. It balances being about Thor's relationships with various characters and being about Thor himself, what he's had to face and what he's still facing, that it's really good at understated heartbreak when he finds himself traveling back in time to Asgard, on the day of his coronation, and trying to fix things. There's such a solidity and presence to his character here, that there's such strength there, even as Thor feels the weight of everything he's lost as he spends more and more time with Asgard, there's a really great building towards how this isn't really quite his place anymore, there's a great sense of building towards a breaking point (but not a broken point) in that wasn't overdone and thus made the scene all the more powerful for when it did happen. And, oh, seeing Thor interacting with a young Loki, with his mother and father, with his younger self, the contrast from where these characters started to where they are now, that this is Thor's journey, that it's a fix-it in exactly the way I wanted it (that what came before cannot be undone on a narrative level, otherwise it wouldn't have meant half as much as it does) and just really quality Thor characterization and lovely writing. I just want to vomit up feelings and this fic was perfect for giving me that in such a quality way.

✦ How Tony Stark Saved the World by dilatory, tony & avengers, infinity war spoilers, 8.4k
    (Wherein Tony takes it upon himself to save the universe from day one.)
    Another time travel fic that really scratched the id and gave me just what I wanted--time travel hijinks and dealing with feelings and clawing their way back to victory, all wrapped up in some nicely done Tony voice. It also does a really good job of balancing the large cast (though, it's definitely Tony-centric, but it's a really charming kind of Tony that I enjoyed a ton, the moment of Thor asking about Loki was kinda totally perfect) and takes the reader through all the Avengers movies, really tying everything together, the way IW itself did. I just really liked this one a lot, it was super satisfying and fun to read and soothed my heart when I needed it.

✦ these fragments by Wildehack (Tyleet), valkyrie & thor & loki & cast (& background loki/valkyrie), infinity war spoilers, 4k
    “Someone has to survive this day,” Thor grinds out, pressed briefly close to her by the fight. “Someone will,” she tells him.
    Half IW-based fic and half-Valkyrie centric fic, this is another one that was pretty much exactly what I wanted. I really loved everything about this one, the out of order scenes actually work well for the feel and point of the story, the characterization is spot-on for Valkyrie and the Thor/Loki/Valkyrie interactions (so much fun!), I really enjoyed the way the time travel happened, and it does a great job of blending together Ragnarok and Infinity War, using Valkyrie to thread everything together for the Asgardian parts of the story. A very, very good read!

✦ Nothing and Everything by Sholio, tony & nebula, infinity war spoilers, 3.5k
    Sometimes, keeping someone else going is all you've got.
    This is a gorgeous look inside Nebula's head after everything that happens on Titan, the balance between all these sharp, jagged, alien edges to her versus her care for her sister, that tremendous, aching loss, and this weird human she's been stranded with, the determination that burns in both of them to get up and keep pushing themselves, is really beautifully done.

✦ ready for a war (again) by owedbetter, shuri & t'challa & t'chaka & okoye & cast, infinity war spoilers, 2.4k
    You cannot fix death—even she knew that. She has tried.
    A gorgeously post-IW look at Shuri's character, struggling to bear up under the burden now on her shoulders, that of the Black Panther mantle and the loss of her family and now Wakanda turning to her. It gives her a few moments to grieve and then this sharp, bright hope that she can do something about this. It's a really great Shuri piece, but it's also a really great post-IW "I need some hope" piece!

✦ Small Pieces by gaslightgallows (hearts_blood), loki & cast, infinity war spoilers, 1.8k
    Small pieces play large parts, and small lies create large problems.
    This is one of those gorgeously written pieces that I would love to be true, that Loki was this clever and cunning and magical, that there was a plan that he was putting together to trick Thanos, so that he's still there and not, you know, dead. It does a great job of working with what's on the screen and making it more, it's a fantastic look at Loki's character and his trickery and his love for Thor, and it's a really cool theory piece that I loved reading.

✦ We Kill the Flame by jamestiqueeriuskirk, thor/loki, NSFW, infinity war spoilers, 2k
    His whole body had been regrown, as far as Thor could understand the science from the evasive, wandering explanation Loki had given him, and he was tender all over, but the neck must have, necessarily, had the hardest time of the regeneration process, and it looked angry for long ages after the rest of Loki had returned to relative normalcy.
    This is a really nice fix-it fic that's about the span of their lives and the meaning of touch between them, as well as it's about how it's just these two people in the world for this moment, and the fic really does that well, how they're the only two in this moment, centered around Loki's sensitivity about his neck and how they both do and don't push that. It's a great blend of being rough but also being incredibly gentle, that there's all these sharp edges to everything, but also such kindness and care and affection between them. The fic really sold me on them taking these moments for themselves and how Loki would push himself in this way and how they would reclaim the gesture--along with some very nicely done sexy times!

✦ Pick Up the Pieces And Go On by LtLJ, tony & nebula, infinity war spoilers, 1.8k
    Tony and Nebula, on Titan, after the end.
    I didn't know I needed Tony & Nebula fic when I started looking for IW fic, but once I started picking them up, I definitely wanted as many as I could find. I love the stitled feeling of the characters here, who are dragging themselves back up to do something, both of their voices felt spot on to me (Tony's sense of humor is sharp but not overdone, Nebula's distance alienness is perfect as well, how strange humans are to her) and it was just a really, really good piece!

✦ Coming Back by Emotionallyunstabl, entire cast (some steve/bucky), infinity war spoilers, 1.9k
    Fixing Avengers: Infinity War.
    This was just pure, straight up FIX IT ALL RIGHT NOOOOOW fic, where it's months after IW and they use magic to bring everyone back, and it's a series of different reunions (Steve/Bucky, Tony & Peter, Gamora & Quill, Thor & Loki, etc.) that are just totally fluffy and soft and warm-hearted. It was one of those that I read to soothe my soul after the heartbreak of the movie itself.

✦ How ya been, Buck? by dvorahbee, steve/bucky, NSFW, infinity war spoilers, 2.3k
    A fix-it for Bucky and Steve's reunion because I wasn't too happy with that half-assed reunion we had.
    Expanding on the Steve/Bucky reunion scene and it's just a nice bit of something good before everything goes to hell. We know that there was more to Steve and Bucky seeing each other, that wasn't their first reunion in the movie, but getting fic that actually gives us more is really nice to have.

✦ it's been a long, cold, lonely winter by ragnasok, thor/loki, NSFW, infinity war spoilers, 4.6k
    Loki never used to feel the cold. These days, it's in his bones. Thor does what he can to warm him up.
    This is another fic that does a great job with being about the aftermath of Infinity War, that once the big plot stuff is out of the way, there's a more quiet and intimate drama between the characters, as they attempt to put themselves back together and settle. There's something that's just the right blend of rough and gentle here, there's so many jagged edges after everything that's happned over the last few years, but also a sense of being settled into who they are as they know they love each other. Add in some very satisfying sex and this was a really lovely, wonderful post-IW fix it read!

✦ Reveille by Ark, thor/loki & rocket & cast, NSFW, infinity war spoilers, 12.5k
    “Are you a spirit?” “Dear Thor,” says Loki, looking delighted, and framing Thor’s face between his hands. “However do you make being dense so charming.” He shakes his head. “I’m afraid not, brother. This is all in your mind.”
    This is a fic where Thor is definitely all about Loki, you gotta roll with that when you pick it up, but I enjoyed it a lot, there's some great conversations with Rocket, there's a very nice sense of Thor getting some closure after the loss, there's a very nice sense of the weight of Thor's character, that this is something of a fix-it, but not necessarily a fluffy one. It's nice for me to get some closure as well! Plus, there's some very nice sex once Thor finally, finally gets to fuck into Loki and have him!

✦ and miles to go before I sleep by limerental, thor & loki, infinity war spoilers, 2.2k
    Instead of being snapped in Thanos' fist, Loki crash lands into a forested wilderness on Earth, followed closely by Thor. The forest offers a brief respite before the storm again swallows the both of them.
    This fic does take Thor and Loki away from the action, so pretty much all they do is have a quiet night in the woods, but there's a nice Loki point of view to go with it, some very nicely done brotherly bonding, and an ouchy conclusion that has a really great impact at the end, so I enjoyed this one a lot!

✦ see how deep the bullet lies by rudderless in an ocean of stars (the_space_between_stars), tony & nebula, infinity war spoilers, ~1k
    Tony Stark is left on Titan with an angry alien assassin and a handful of dust, and for some reason, she insists on keeping him alive.
    This is short, but I have really developed an interest in Tony & Nebula fic, and this one is sharp and bitter and hard but also dimly hopeful, all in the exact way it should be after their loss. I really like both of them there, there's something so grinding about Nebula and something so heavy about Tony, both really struck me.

✦ aftermath: wakanda by miraphora, shuri & okoye & m'baku, infinity war spoilers, 1k
    In the moments following the end of battle, M’Baku plants himself like a mountain and refuses to be moved.
    Some post-IW reactions from the Black Panther characters, about the aftermath and picking themselves up from the hurt and where they go next, the ache of those moments after their losses, is really beautifully done here.

✦ New Life by barryandiriswestallen, tony/pepper, infinity war spoilers, 1.3k
    Half of humanity is gone. Half of humanity remains. Tony returns to Earth to find out which half Pepper is part of.
    Listen, you'll never pry Tony/Pepper from me and I loved their brief moments in IW, so getting fic where Tony makes it back to Earth and falls apart all over her, because of all the shit that's gone down and the loss of the kid, is really good for me and this one was nicely done! It's more hopeful than I expected, but I don't mind because I want to be happy about things!

✦ helvegen by homovikings, thor/loki & cast, infinity war spoilers, 1k
    Okay, he thinks. Okay.
    This is a lovely piece about Thor in the aftermath of Infinity War, the brief moments of connections he has with the other Avengers, the thoughts he still has for those he's lost, the heaviness of that loss, even as he keeps moving forward, one mundane day at a time, even once those sucked into the soul stone have been returned, because Thor's losses aren't so easily fixed.

✦ hold some dirt with those hands by magdaliny, steve/bucky & cast, infinity war spoilers, 3k
    It had sent him to his knees.
    Steve and Bucky in the spaces between the movies, the moments of quiet intimacy and almost being out of time, as they recover in these stolen moments. Lovely and just the right amount of bittersweet.

RECS: 103 fic (Marvel, MCU, Thor, Avengers, Captain America, Black Panther, Iron Man)

tomomichi — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 08:54:39 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - It's been a year and a half, has it? I suppose that's not surprising, I've been going through some growing pains stuff re: how to post recs and I've never really settled on a style/method that's worked for me (the details of which are painfully inane and not interesting to anyone but me XD) and so I just kind of shove everything onto tumblr and say, "I'll deal with it later."

But I've been doing that for about three years now and I'm in the middle of shark week, so I guess it's as good a time as ever to go, "Taking on a new project is totally a good thing to do, sure." \:D/ I dunno how successful it'll be, I don't know if I'll update the old site or just start a new one (oh my god the effort I had to go through just to find my password since I'd changed computers!) or stick to social media sites or what. But wish me luck!

I'll start with the MCU recs because I definitely had some feelings about that! Post-Ragnarok and post-Infinity War, largely Thor-centric because I know what I'm about. :D

ETA: This post was too big, so it's continued here.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Marvel/MCU - 103 Fanfics (total)

THOR FIC RECS:
✦ The Lullaby Singer by TheOtherOdinson, odin & loki & thor & frigga, 85k wip
    Odin hasn't left Asgard in over a thousand years. When he finds out Loki is still alive and preparing to launch an attack on Midgard, he could send Thor to stop him. Or Odin could go himself.
    I don't even remember where I left off with this fic, only that I recently picked it back up again because I was ready to start reading in this fandom again, and promptly got sucked into it like you wouldn't believe. It's so good, it's one of those that's does justice to all the things it sets out to put into the story--balancing these four characters and their various motivations, being true to how none of them are perfect people, but they're genuinely trying, and breathing such wonderful life into Asgard's worldbuilding and history. It's a story that shows that Odin and Frigga made mistakes, but it's gorgeous for how it actually digs into Odin's character, understands him and why he does the things he does (he never does something without a reason, after all), and yet doesn't shortchange Loki's pain for it. And while Thor is not a central figure in this story, he's not without his motivations and presence as well, which is exactly how I enjoy my Loki fic. Well, Odin & Loki fic, it's really about the two of them at its heart, both separately and together. And it does a brilliant job of not softening the impact of either of their actions, while working towards showing the sympathetic reasonings behind them, which is my goddamned jam.
    One of the things that always stuck out early on to me is Odin's treatment of Sif and the Warriors Three, that when I first read it, it almost felt like it was trying to soften up Loki, trying to ignore the weight of his crimes--but the further the fic touched on how things unfolded, the more it showed why Odin did it, that there were deeper reasons, and I came around to actually agree with that decision. There's a moment where Frigga and Thor are discussing the secrets that have been brought to light and the things they have to still hold back, where she doesn't dismiss that the truth can be valuable, but that the reasons and purpose behind withholding something often have value as well, and she's right about that, it's not a black and white issue. That this is about all of the characters dealing with the fallout of Thor 1 and The Avengers and having to grow beyond it, which means it can't be a simple matter, it can't be a shallow one side is totally right and the other side totally wrong. That's why I love that this fic is already novel length and it's only beginning to have Loki start to soften towards his family, that it's still playing around with the bigger mystery of just what happened to Odin's mother Bestla, that it's not just about this part of the family, but the bigger family of their entire line. That it's a story slowly weaving in history in a beautifully done way, where I would happily read 300k of this fic and never get tired of it but also want to immediately know more right now!
    This is a fic that made me want to read in this fandom again (I give a lot of credit to this fic for getting me back into the world of the Asgardians!) because it's so nuanced and meaningful and has such impact. It's beautifully written, it has such great emotional impact (whenever someone goes to see Loki I always sit up a little straighter because I know something really satisfying is coming, and I love that my favorite is the Thor & Loki one, BUT ALSO this fic has probably my favorite Vili yet, I am SO IN LOVE with his dynamic with Odin, that they're such brothers), that it's still a fic that is very much aware of how the characters need to move forward (not just in their personal relationships, but Loki needs to learn to let go, Thor needs to learn to think more, so his attempts to go to the library or to take time to parse out his father's motivations or speak with his mother about secrets, all of it is geared towards giving Thor a quiet character arc that will let his natural goodness find its way out, just as it did in the arc of the movies themselves), and ALL OF IT IS JUST SO GOOD.

✦ Ultimatum by berlynn_wohl, thor/loki, NSFW, intersex!loki, 2.9k
    Loki decides to join the Greek pantheon. When Thor shows up to bring him home, Loki agrees...on one condition.
    This was entirely a pwp, where Loki has fucked off during his younger days and the only way he'll agree to come back is if Thor fucks him, the way he's always wanted. And he gets very, very thoroughly fucked over a couch, pretty much everywhere Thor can stick his cock, he does, and it's one of those that's just cheerfully filthy and fun and delightful for it! I read this in the middle of my post-Ragnarok haze and it didn't even matter that it wasn't set around the movie, it was just a really fun sex romp with these two.

✦ Territorial Pissings by peregrineMendicant, thor/loki, NSFW, rough sex, dub-con, 1.2k
    Thor needs Loki to understand that there are consequences for his actions.
    This is another pwp fic that's not going to be for everyone, but I enjoy some of these kinks, especially the spanking one as an outlet for emotional release, that someone like Loki would find it a good way to get past his resistance, his pride, and finally be able to let go of it, to feel like he can be punished and be forgiven. And at the same time be really, really turned on by it! But it's also just embracing being a pwp about cheerfully filthy sex and I always enjoy that, to go along with Loki being a mess.

✦ All Our Cyclic Games by j_gabrielle, thor/loki, human au, ~1k
    Thor introduces himself first. Loki offers his name up shyly after a beat. They aren't called Thor and Loki here, of course, but a soul knows a soul.
    This was cute and fluffy and really kinda sweet! It didn't need to be long to do what it wanted to do, showing little moments of Thor and Loki reincarnated into a new life, finding each other again with such ease, and everything is soft, kind, warm, and fluffy. SOMETIMES I NEED THAT. ♥

✦ The More Things Change... by TheOtherOdinson, thor & loki & odin & frigga & volstagg & sif & cast, 8.4k
    Loki ends up in restraints a lot. This isn't a new thing.
    This was a wonderful series of scenes of Loki getting tied up and various people helping him, a smattering of Norse mythology mixed into the movies and a whole lot of really great characterization to show how much people cared about Loki and yet I can see him building up this burning resentment for the situations he keeps getting placed in. I love every single one of these, TheOtherOdinson does one of the best jobs in the entire fandom at writing these characters, everyone is so sharp and well balanced, that this might be a Loki fic but none of the rest of them suffer for it, Odin and Frigga and Thor and Volstagg and Sif all get fantastic moments, there's such adventure and magic in this fic, it really feels like an epic, told in small scenes, and it's an absolutely fantastic read!

✦ Bound in His Bones by gaslightgallows (hearts_blood), odin/frigga & loki, 2.6k
    There is only so much that Frigga can do, for a starving baby that she cannot even touch.
    Oh, I adored this fic, it gave me such feelings about Loki with both his parents, that Odin was the only one who could touch him, so of course he was Loki's favorite, that Odin spent as much time as he could with him, clearly adored the baby, but had so many other things of importance, too. And Frigga unable to touch this child that she could see suffering from not quite fitting in yet, not quite settled yet, and it made me ache right along with her, for how much she loved. This fic does a beautiful job of blending something heartbreaking with something hopeful, something aching with something sweet. It's a really lovely story that gave me a ton of feelings.

✦ Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff by TheOtherOdinson, thor & loki & odin & frigga & various, 8.7k
    A collection of one-shots from my Tumblr blog.
    I almost wanted to recommend these individually, but I think they work better as a collection of various stories, which are always fascinating under this author's hand. I especially loved anything with Frigga--chapter #2 is probably my favorite, it's a headcanon/fic piece about Odin's first meeting with her, the utterly smitten way he has around her, an absolute dumbass about it, while she's sharp and intelligent and kind and warm, it just did my heart so much good! And chapter #4! With bb!Loki following kidlet!Thor around! SO MUCH CUTE! And chapter #5 with kid!Loki and Thor, after he was reborn! So heartbreaking, but also so sweet! Like, that's what this collection of ficlets is, a whole bunch of little scenes put together that just give me all the feelings, so totally worth picking up and reading!

✦ Inspection by berlynn_wohl, thor/loki, NSFW, medical roleplay, 3.1k
    Loki reminds Thor of a game they used to play. (Another take on the missing scene on the ship after Ragnarok.)
    A really fun bit of light-hearted medical roleplay kink that has some satisfyingly hot sex and banter between the characters, one of those that's just so enthusiastic about what it wants to do, that it carries me right along with it into just having a blast while reading it!

THOR: RAGNAROK FIC RECS:
✦ home through shadows journeying by Etharei, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 3.5k
    Life on the ship is a lot like being in limbo.
    This is one of the first fics I read in my post-Ragnarok haze and it's so good, the writing is lovely and it does a lovely job of balancing the weight of all that history they have with the more immediate intimacy and connection between them. It's one of my favorites of all that I've read for this movie so far, it's really satisfying and lovely sex, and just SUCH A GOOD READ for when you want fic based around those final scenes.

✦ I Want To Be More by ValkyrieShepard, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 4.4k
    When Loki comes to visit Thor after everything's been done, a hug leads to something more intimate.
    More fic based on the final scenes, more emotional porn to go with the actual porn, and wall sex, yes, thank you. It does well with that sense of how they're in a better place, they both understand themselves and the other person better, and even brings in Loki's Jotunn form (always a bit of a favorite trope) and some very nice sex to go along with it. A lovely addition to the post-Ragnarok collection!

✦ From The Ashes by IAmJustAlways (ThirtySeven), thor/loki & valkyrie & cast, ragnarok spoilers, 4.9k wip
    His people could now fit into a single hall in a space ship, and so many of them were children. Too many young faces would grow up without Asgard even as a memory. Of Asgard’s great, famed warriors there was only he and the Valkyrie left. How many healers with Asgard’s secrets resided in this hall, broken? How many of the mighty sorcerers? He had never cared much for books and things metaphorical, but in that moment Thor was ready to weep for all the knowledge lost in Asgard’s great Library.
    I think this might be the fic I'm most excited about seeing update, that it's the first one I've seen that may build up into something longer and more epic, something that builds from where the movie left off! I have been craving that, even as it was too soon to expect much from the fandom--but it's not just that it was the first I found, it's actually very nicely done. It works even just as this one chapter, that it's about the days immediately after they fly away from the ruins of Asgard, the slow process of trying to even begin to regroup, to try to figure out who should do what, how they're going to survive, where they'll go and how they'll get there, the details of worldbuilding that I crave, wrapped up in the exhaustion and terror of doing this without anyone to guide them. I love how much this fic gets into Thor's character, the balancing act the fic does with his soul-weariness after all he's lost and the weight that's been placed on his shoulders as the King of Asgard now versus that he bears up under this weight as only he can. It's a great look for all the cast and the details that come up woven into an interesting fic, but also great for how much I really, really fucking love Thor's character himself.

✦ gage by spookykingdomstarlight, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 3.8k
    “I don’t recognize the stars here,” Thor said after a pause so long Loki had thought he wouldn’t answer, would ignore him entirely. His voice seemed caught between rocks, spit out through sharp-edged pebbles that could only do what their nature told them to do.
    I'm not sure I'm going to be able to convey why this fic was so gorgeous to me, other than that it does something I've been dearly wanting--it's from Loki's point of view, but it's a fic that actually shows how he thinks about Thor, what he sees of Thor's issues, it shows Thor's struggles. It does so beautifully, there's such a weight to the characters here, such beautiful language and you feel the cost of everything they've been through, while still fitting with the tone of the movie. It's a beautiful fic about the complicated relations between these two characters, the issues that they both bring to the table, and a really great look at both their characters, it really does a beautiful job of Loki's view of Thor's character at the end of the movie. This sounds like a bland rec, but it really is one of my favorites of post-Ragnarok fic that I've read here!

✦ followed you down by homovikings, thor/loki & asgardians, ragnarok spoilers, 1.3k
    It’s Asgard but it isn’t.
    OMG YES. Fic where they land in Norway and start to rebuild, the sense of how this is Asgard, but also it isn't, the weight that's on Thor as the leader of his people now and the growth he's continued over the course of the film, all wrapped up in the broad details of the things they have to do to set up a new place for themselves. It balances something of a bird's eye view of a plot with that this is about characters and the places both of them, Thor and Loki, fit into in this new world for themselves, how Loki balances what he wants to be, how Thor balances what he needs to be, and it's just really good, ahhhh.

✦ Keep hoping, Keep fighting by will_thewisp, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 1.7k
    Because that's what heroes do. Thor gives Loki that hug. Post-Ragnarok (so, SPOILERS).
    I loved this fic, that Loki was so prickly and Thor was so soldiering-through-everything, but in a way that there was clear love and affection there, much like how it felt like... well, not quite like the days before Thor's failed coronation, they've been through too much to ever be that again I suspect, but something in that direction again. It was sharply written and delightfully fun and pretty much exactly what I wanted from the fandom after the film, with bonus really good banter!

✦ put out the flames by finalizer, thor/loki & avengers, ragnarok spoilers, 7.2k
    Thor has his doubts, but he takes Loki back to Earth. Somehow, it gets easier from there.
    Thor and Loki make it back to Earth and it goes about as well as anyone could expect it to. I enjoyed the banter here and how they're so much more united than they used to be, that Loki doesn't fit in easily with Thor's friends and there's still a lot of shit they have to work through, but the undercurrent beneath it is not an undertow anymore, there's something solid there that they can navigate. I enjoyed that this was a softening of Loki (though, it definitely focused on his issues more than anything) but not too fast or too quickly. It was a slightly longer read (for post-Ragnarok fic, that is) and yet it flew by, I'm really glad to have read it!

✦ Here and now by Chelidona (Hobbity), NSFW, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 1.9k
    Thor: Ragnarok spoilers! A missing scene for which I am sure there are already 100 fanfictions I will soon look for at the end of the movie, a scene that just begged to be expanded.
    Another lovely fic that gives me everything I want--hugs and resolution and porn! I thought this one did a very nice job of balancing the heavier and more serious feelings with that they're in a better place now, that it's obvious there's still a lot under the surface, but not in a festering way anymore, instead more of a long history and heavy weight that they can bear more easily now. And then the two of them coming together, the sex to reaffirm what they mean to each other, it was just really satisfying to read!

✦ two by homovikings, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, ~1k
    They move as one.
    This is a bit more of a direct pwp fic, but it still has lovely emotional intimacy to go with the physical intimacy, and some very nice imagery--that one of Thor laying Loki out on the bed and pushing his legs apart stuck with me for awhile and was very, very nice. Just a lovely bit of writing here!

✦ better stop and rebuild all your ruins by ohliamylia, thor & loki, ragnarok spoilers, 1.3k
    Thor and Loki regroup. Immediate post-movie tag.
    More banter and bonding between the brothers at the end of the movie, where they're speaking the same language a lot more, there's an obvious deeper getting of how they speak to each other, how each of them treats the other, which I thought did a nice job of following up on the movie's growing understanding from both characters, that it gave them the breathing room to really look at who each of them actually were now, to come to terms with that. And it's so much better here and a lovely little read.

✦ might as well be strangers (but oh, i don’t want to) by EllaYuki, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, ~1k
    as they make their way to commandeer a ship out of sakaar, loki and thor have a conversation in an elevator. (loki's point of view during the elevator scene.)
    A nice little companion scene to the conversation during the elevator ride (as it says on the tin) that shows what Loki's going through, the growing pains he tries to wade through during the course of this movie. I wish the fic had been capitalized, that might be a deal-breaker for some, but the feelings of the piece were nicely done and so I had no trouble reading it myself!

✦ Bookie's post-hug fic by thebookhunter, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 2.9k
    Thor has no intention to stop hugging. Fine by Loki. Like, really, *really* fine.
    Ahhh, I enjoyed this one as well! There's a satisfying shift in their relationship, especially from Loki's point of view, but also porn! With a brief bit of wall sex and then LIGHTNING PORN rather literally and, yes, I have been waiting for that and it was such a fun, satisfying fic for me, the porn and relationship both lovely to read! And I really do enjoy how much more settled they feel here!

✦ The Breath Between Regrets by Vera (Vera_DragonMuse), thor/loki & valkyrie & heimdall & hulk & korg, ragnarok spoilers, 9.5k
    The journey to Midgard should take a year and a day. Long enough for many things.
    Oh, this was such a satisfying read, the length was just right for the giving room for all the events between movies to breathe, to give it time to explore life on the ship, to explore the developing relationships between various characters, and I really enjoyed how well balanced it was between the entire cast. It's still a Thor/Loki fic at its heart, but it did a lot of bits of building those other relationships, Thor's friendship with Valkyrie and Hulk and Heimdall all got their moments, even as Loki was most important, that the progression of the Thorki dynamic was wonderfully done, the characterization sharp and fun and so solid. I read this whole fic like I just whipped right on through it, the time barely seemed to pass because I was so engaged with it, nothing about it dragged at all, and was just really damn satisfying for slife-of-lice stuff that I'm craving about their journey to Earth.

✦ What the Thunder Said by kyrilu, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, ~1k
    Days after the battle, Thor's skin is still sparking lightning.
    This was an absolute, utter delight to read, the banter is just a ton of fun, and this was really a fic about Thor coming to terms with everything, still wading through all the shit that happened, and it manifesting through lightning, as Loki pokes at him to help. It was lovely and super satisfying to read!

✦ the silver forked sky by powerfulsound, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, nsfw, 1.2k
    There is a storm, sparking under Thor’s skin. Attracted to it, a magpie to shiny things, Loki is helpless in Thor’s wake.
    Another lovely fic, this one more a collection of moments on the ship after the movie, little bits and pieces of characterization that show the progression of their relationship, that it's not easy and it's not a smooth path, there are still jagged edges, but they are absolutely moving forward. And I really liked this line especially, from Loki's thoughts: I would have never knelt for her, but I would kneel for this insufferable oaf-

✦ Reunion by riventhorn, thor/loki, nsfw, ragnarok spoilers, 1.3k
    After so long apart, Loki can't help being drawn to Thor.
    Another lovely post-Ragnarok fic that's all about their relationship and how they're drawn to each other and the new stage they're in, the new emotional intimacy that's something a little better than it was. Still a work in progress, but moving forward. A very nice read to pick up after the movie!

✦ Privilege to love by will_thewisp, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 2.6k
    He didn’t know why Loki felt the need to fight him on every ground, to hide things that had no business being hidden, but he was determined to meet him on every occasion. To Thor it seemed that Loki fought with himself as much as with Thor.
    Sleepy sex! And that's really what this fic is about, it's a pwp that's about showing the repaired connection between them and being much more light-hearted and good than things have been in ages. It's definitely fluffy, but in the way that I really enjoy and I thought worked with the tone of the movie and where these characters are at. Plus, really satisfying and super hot sex, playful and sleepy and just like sinking into a very nice warm bath, ahhhh.

✦ followed you down by homovikings, thor/loki & heimdall & valkyrie & tony & sif & cast, ragnarok spoilers, 5.3k
    It’s Asgard but it isn’t.
    I've recommended this fic before, but it's been updated and finished and so I wanted to do a new rec! I really enjoyed this fic, it sailed right along and it did a nice job of blending the movie events with those of the comics, of bringing Asgard to Earth, of reconnecting (or kind of not) with the other Avengers, of bringing Sif back to them, of showing that adjustment period where they figure out where to go next. It's a fic that's, at its heart, about Thor and Loki, but it does lovely worldbuilding and detailing, just as much as it shows the work they're continuing to do on their relationship and the better direction everything is heading in for them, after so much shit has happened. I also really, really enjoyed the Tony parts of the story, that was definitely a scream to read and I'd have loved for more of the Avengers to show up! But also, BUILDING A NEW ASGARD, yes give me all of that.

✦ drowning on your shore by psikeval, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 1.3k
    Loki, entirely solid, does not flicker and does not flinch.
    A lovely little coda piece for the movie, it's all about the intimate drama of the hug scene and everything they're going through then, how it cuts deeply into both of them, how much it means to both of them. And then adding in some really nice, satisfying kissing to go with that!

✦ In my Arms by wetdandelions, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 1.2k
    “I’m here,” says Loki. Set after the end of Thor: Ragnarok. PWP. SPOILERS.
    Another nice little coda to the movie about that scene that got so many shippers going, with some nicely done and satisfying for resolution sex to go with it! A nice pwp for when you like emotional resolution but sometimes you just need them to kiss and then fuck already!

✦ In the Flesh by hjbender, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, intersex!loki, 6.3k
    Loki stares back, gives the stopper a gentle toss. It sparkles briefly in the air before he catches it again. “There isn’t anything else you’d like to give me? Nothing you’d like to say? Because”—he spreads his arms and smiles invitingly, both hands suddenly empty—“here I am.”
    The beginning of this is a little unfocused/more about Loki than anything, but once they get past the initial awkwardness, I just got absolutely engrossed in this fic and sailed right through it because it's pretty much everything I love in this fandom--banter, issues, and porn! It's what it says on the tin, that it's a pwp fic with one long sex scene, set after the movie and lightly touching on the possibility of Loki getting pregnant, and it hit all the tropes of this fandom in exactly the way that does it for me, that makes them sharp and sparkling again. The sex is ridiculously hot, it's as enthusiastic as it is filthy, the way they both give each other shit and yet it's done with such obvious adoration on both sides, that both of them are genuinely funny, that endears it even further to me. This really was one of my favorites to read for post-movie fic, it's pwp but it's not quick or over too soon, instead it revels in it for just the right amount of time and was super hot, god bless.

✦ Nowhere Is Home Unless We're Both In the Same Place by Velocity_Owl87, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 1.3k
    After the dust has settled, Thor realizes the implications of Kingship and Asgard's future mean for him as the new King of Asgard. Thankfully, he doesn't have to grapple with the situation alone, at least.
    And another lovely post-Ragnarok coda that gives even more emotional resolution and intimacy between these two characters, something warmer and softer than we've had from them in years, those moments of breathing room they finally have after the movie that are surprisingly warm and surprisingly kind. Another that's like a warm bath to sink into after watching the movie!

✦ Heroes Run Towards Their Problems by Naiveandoptimistic, thor & loki & valkyrie & hulk & korg & cast, ragnarok spoilers, 1.6k
    Post-Ragnarok. Valkyrie is a drunken hot mess. Loki conceals, Hulk worries, and Thor gives some wisdom.
    A collection of scenes post-Ragnarok that focus on a variety of different interactions and I really liked pretty much all of them and the characterization here! I was especially charmed by what a mess Valkyrie is and how much I continue to absolutely love her pretty much forever. It was especially great to get some Thor & Valkyrie interaction, because I am D E S P E R A T E for more of their weird friendship! And this just did a lovely job with them and everyone together.

✦ Not an Illusion by janto321 (FaceofMer), thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, ~1k
    Loki and Thor find comfort in one another
    Another short but lovely and satisfying pwp fic that gave me both the sexy times and the emotional satisfaction I was looking for after the movie! It doesn't have to be long to be a lovely little read that I'm delighted to add to the collection of post-Ragnarok fics. ♥

✦ black sheep and mischief by grim_lupine, thor & loki, ragnarok spoilers, 3.2k
    A bird alights on Thor’s shoulder and pecks his cheek twice, hard enough to make him wince. “What are you doing?” it warbles in his ear. “Wondering what my brother is doing up at this hour, little bird,” Thor replies. “Will you go ask him for me?”
    Oh, this was a gorgeous post-Ragnarok piece, it does absolutely everything I wanted from a fic like this--it balances both Thor and Loki's characters, it keeps both of them sharp and funny and with narrative weight, while getting them spot on. This is a fic that really helped me see how Loki would fit into helping Thor to rule, given where he's at after the events of the last few years, that he's prickly and emotionally messy, but still somehow better. The fic really got that, while also understanding the heavy weight that Thor was carrying these days and how much his new role weighs on him, yet he carries on as he must. The way he feels tired here, weary and worn, but still ready to keep going is fantastic. And all of it is wrapped up in really fantastic banter, too!

✦ Never Doubt That I Love You by ValkyrieShepard, thor/loki & heimdall & valkyrie & hulk & cast, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 10.6k
    After Thor's proposal, Loki pulls away. As Thor is busy trying to rule his people, Loki finds him again, and the two of them scout a possible planet for their people where Thor tries to get through his brother's walls. There is much Loki has to work through.
    This is a sequel to I Want To Be More, which it would help to have read first! This is a fic that definitely embraces the softer side of the characters, yet I can put that together with where they are in canon and I certainly tore through this without so much as looking up from my reader while I was reading it! I love that it balances the Thor/Loki relationship with bits of slice-of-life onboard the ship, that Thor's learning what it means to lead his people now that they no longer have Asgard, while also furthering Loki's slow coming around and that it's not a simple, smooth path. There's also some lovely wall sex and then some "exploring a planet so of course they have sex where Loki rides Thor's dick like a thing possessed" and the pacing and length of the story was just perfect for what it was doing. It's well balanced between the two characters and it scratched all those itches my id wanted after the movie and was just a delight to read today!

✦ after you, i dont know what i believe in by CallicoKitten, thor/loki & valkyrie & bruce & heimdall & cast, ragnarok spoilers, 9.6k
    aka, the long road to midgard
    This fic was an absolute delight to read, there are some scenes where it has done the absolute best job of capturing the timing and feel of the movie's tone that I have yet read in this fandom, but it's also got plenty of serious moments, it gets in a bit of worldbuilding, it gets in some Thanos speculation, it gets in friendship building, it gets in Thor/Loki, it gets in people being disasters but still in a better place in their lives, it gets in Thor working to be a good leader to his people. It's honestly everything I could ask for from post-Ragnarok fic, that it's really an ensemble piece (if some characters get more focus than others), while also does justice to Thor's character, that he's not perfect, that he gets made fun of, but there's a gravitas to him when needed, that Valkyrie might make fun of him, but she obviously will follow him into hell, Heimdall is amused by him, but will follow his lead, Loki is a dick but you can feel the love he has for Thor as well. I love that there are moments when Thor feels betrayed by people, but he handles it in the way he does now--with a genuine reaction, while still being understanding and seeing their logic.
    I love that there are scenes like the group heading to Knowhere and, sure, Loki's the one with the contact, but the scene is about Thor finding ways to help his people, finding the best people for the best task, and when it goes sideways, it's about the King of Asgard's need to comport himself in a certain way, but without putting so much of a strain on the character that it breaks the story. That probably sounds like a weird thing to compliment, but it made it so satisfying, that it felt like this was a natural extension of the movie, that it got the balance placed on the various moving parts, and that this was a story centered on Thor himself. Each separate storyline running through this fic has its own weight and narrative importance, and it was just so satisfying. I admit, I picked it up because it was Thor/Loki, but I enjoyed it for the Thor focus and the ensemble focus and the plot focus, it was just exactly what I've wanted! Also, it was hilarious in all the right spots.

✦ Crossroads by kyrilu, loki & heimdall, ragnarok spoilers, ~1k
    As Loki leaves Sakaar with a shipload of former prisoners, Heimdall decides to 'visit.'
    This was a short but delightful fic where Loki is weighing his options after being picked up by Korg and company, with Heimdall's thoughts in his head. The banter does a hilarious job with the movie's sense of humor and timing, that once I got to the end, it felt like, okay, yeah, I could see this with the movie! Plus, it's just really funny!

✦ victory runes by spookykingdomstarlight, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 3.3k
    A snake couldn’t change its colors, try as he might, trust his own intentions as he wanted to. At this moment, legs braced on either side of Thor’s lap, he couldn’t imagine doing anything to undermine Thor’s rule, his wants, his needs. But tomorrow was another day and Loki’s whims were mercurial.
    I was a little wary of this fic because of the unhappy ending tag, but I don't think it's a permanently unhappy ending, more that this seems like a reasonable bump in the road along the way. But where this fic won me over is in the way Loki looks at Thor, the way there's such weight and presence to Thor's character, that he's impossible to ignore when he's in the room, that Loki's complicated feelings towards him, that mix of love and hate, is done with such a deft hand that I had so many feelings about it. It's an ouchy fic, but a gorgeously written ouchy fic that does justice to both characters and was a beautiful read.

✦ Laughing and Not Being Normal by etymologyplayground, thor & loki & valkyrie & cast, ragnarok spoilers, 5k
    The Revengers bum around.
    I really enjoyed this fic for being exactly what it sets out to do--the Revengers just kind of bum around the ship, because there's not much to do on a long journey and they're all stuck with each other. There's a nice touch of humor and something almost a little off the wall, in the way that fits with the movie's tone, and it's a great slice-of-life kind of piece, where it's just the characters hanging around and playing cards and being so themselves. The fic also really, really won me over when Thor got his moments to be the most obnoxious older brother just about ever in a way that was absolutely 100% Thor. It's a team piece, but it's got some great Thor moments and that is all I ever ask!

✦ How Far Away The Stars by Ren, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 4.4k
    "I can't be your brother. More than that, I can't be your lover." Loki still won't look at him. "Yet I can't stop myself from wanting to be both. You asked me why I am as I am, Thor: this is the madness that consumes me."
    Yes, more satisfying and hot porn, thank you! It's also more about the hug scene, it's more of that intimate drama that I vibe so well on, the touches and feelings between these two characters that have such weight and heft to them that they cannot be ignored, that there's something almost larger than life about them even as this is a quiet, personal moment for them. It's very intimate, it's face-touching and hair-touching and quiet words that they wouldn't be able to say elsewhere, it's all that history between them, and then it's satisfying resolution through sex, where it's almost easy to slide into Loki, to open him up with fingers first and then push into him, that mix of something almost soft now and the harder way they treat each other. It was a lovely piece that just hit the right notes for me for what I wanted from it!

✦ i brought a knife to a gunfight by paperclipbitch, valkyrie & bruce, 2.3k
    “I have questions,” Valkyrie says. “I don’t want to answer them,” Bruce replies.
    I loved this relationship in the movie and I'm sad I haven't seen more fic for it, but this one was absolutely delightful and really captures that sharp, funny tone from the movie! It's such a great buddy dynamic (but also I would totally be down for seeing them smooch) and there's such an irreverance and dark humor from both of them (even as Bruce is still kind of twitchy, in the way he should be after everything he's been through) that just worked beautifully, it's a great piece.

✦ The History of the Aesir by what_alchemy, thor/loki & valkyrie & heimdall & cast, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 8.5k
    "This Thor niggles at Loki like a forgotten word on the tip of the tongue, like a tooth hanging by a stubborn thread, like the skin around a wound that refuses to die." or Loki gets a hobby.
    I really, really enjoyed this fic a lot, it was beautifully in character and there's a great sense of a building something within Loki, something complicated and difficult to name, but that suited his character so very well, especially as he was maybe kinda sorta nice to the other Asgardians and didn't stab them in the back immediately and maybe even liked some of them, that his feelings on pregnancy (and his relationship with Thor being tangled up in that) and what he can even do for the future of Asgard was all nicely mixed together. I really loved the details of Loki's magic here, the limitations of it and the various uses of it, the sense of nostalgia for what they've all lost, but what they need going forward as well, the sense of Loki and what parts of him are Odin and Frigga's, what parts of him are Asgardian, and what always will be, versus what parts are Jotunn. It's a really beautiful look at the complications in all of it, as well as some very nicely done fleshing out of the Asgardians left on the Ark.

✦ the real banishment is the family we made along the way by scioscribe, loki & hela, 5.3k
    Hela did not ask for company in her sealed-up world, but evidently Odin is economical in containment strategies for his misbegotten children.
    I did not expect to become so engaged with a fic centered on Hela and Loki's relationship, as I'm more of a Thor fan, but, oh, this one worked so beautifully well. There's such a mutual bitterness here and the fic doesn't shave any of that off them, so much as it gently adds something else, bit by bit, nasty comment and broken bone by nasty comment and broken bone. What really got me--aside from that Loki wouldn't shut up about Thor, yes, give me all of that--is that they're not the same person, that there's something soft to Loki that's not there in Hela, yet even she comes around, but not in the same way as Loki. For all that they're themed similarly, they're very different characters, and this fic really gets that. But also it's just SUPER HILARIOUS as they spend years and years together in a magical prison that Odin tries to make kind, but it really isn't, and they swipe and snipe at each other, in that way that siblings do. It's a really, really fantastic piece!

✦ How long we were fooled by Ark, thor/loki & frigga & valkyrie & asgard & cast, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 28.2k
    Loki is not a good man, he knows; there is something rotten in the core of him; and even a much better man might let Thor kiss him, since Thor still tastes of sizzling lightning, like gathering rain, like a desire so fierce and so awful to him that when released it could bring Asgard to its knees.
    This is definitely a Loki story at its heart, but Thor has a really solid presence in both Loki's thoughts and when he's in the room! It's a fic that starts from when they were children in Asgard to when they were growing up to the events of the other movies, all the way through to Ragnarok, and it's so easy to read, I practically read the whole thing in just two sittings because I barely noticed time passing. It lovingly works on their powers, makes them truly gods in this galaxy that they live in, that Loki's magic is immense, but also, oh, Thor and his lightning, it's truly this heavy, huge thing that looms in the story, that shapes their lives because of the sheer power of it, of Thor. It's also a fic that's very much about being a little softer to these characters, that Loki's not ever really going to be a good person, he never was, but Thor loves him and Loki loves Thor and they do find their way towards something good here. And, oh, the sex is so satisfying, the first time they have sex on an alien world and what it says about the way they've finally come together, the brief moments they have together over time, and then when they finally come together again after Ragnarok, when Thor is both a storm and almost kind when he fucks Loki, when he holds him and thrusts into him, it's beautifully written sex that's as satisfying emotionally as it is pleasing to the id. Such a good, long, kind-hearted, warm, satisfying read!

✦ Say it right by yourfearlessleader, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 1k
    They don't talk about it. They've never talked about it.
    This is pretty much what it says on the tin--a rough sex pwp that's about the undercurrents of something better, something more put to rights, while Thor's hand his heavy around Loki's throat as he fucks him and it satisfying something in both of them. A nice bite-sized fic to help with that resolution we all want and give us some very pleasing sex to go with it.

✦ Intermission by tegary, thor/loki & hulk, ragnarok spoilers, 1.8k
    Loki tends to Thor after his fight with the Grandmaster's Champion.
    Another fic where Loki tends to Thor after the fight in the Arena while also having to deal with both the Hulk and his own feelings. It's definitely on the softer side, but in a way that I can see fitting with the movie, and I'm always, always here for Loki fussing over Thor in a way that I can absolutely see happening, too!

✦ victory runes by spookykingdomstarlight, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 3.3k
    A snake couldn’t change its colors, try as he might, trust his own intentions as he wanted to. At this moment, legs braced on either side of Thor’s lap, he couldn’t imagine doing anything to undermine Thor’s rule, his wants, his needs. But tomorrow was another day and Loki’s whims were mercurial.
    I was initially wary of this fic, as the tags made it seem like it might be brutal on my poor delicate flower soul, but I didn't actually take it that way, as completely, fundamentally unhappy! It's more that there's all this tension brewing between the characters, they're in a difficult situation and while much of the animosity has been cleared away, there's still going to be some and there's still mistrust and they are still who they are. There's a really solid weight to the characterizations of both of them, I love that it's a Loki POV but Thor has such weight and presence in the room, and that the fight really felt like one they'd have. I took it as a stop along the way rather than the epitome of the whole journey, and it really worked for me that way!

✦ Crossroads by kyrilu, loki & heimdall, ragnarok spoilers, ~1k
    As Loki leaves Sakaar with a shipload of former prisoners, Heimdall decides to 'visit.'
    This was short but absolutely perfect for what it was, a couple of little missing moments between Loki and Heimdall and all the history between them and how Heimdall watches over his charges. It's got a hilarious sense of humor that fits with the movie, enough that the flow towards the lines from the movie wind up really working for me! Just a fun little possibility of a fic!

✦ rebuild all your ruins by Lizzen, thor/loki, nsfw, ragnarok spoilers, 2.1k
    A simple expression of something, something like love. Post-Thor: Ragnarok, Hug Scene
    Not quite a pwp, but not quite plotful either, this was a lovely piece that sated my need for them to just kiss already--well, to just fuck already, too. It's all about the immediate, intimate drama rather than bigger scope, and there's this really nice feeling of kissing and kissing and kissing that really satisfied me, because sometimes a kiss is just as satifying as sex for when it comes to resolution and exploring what's between two characters.

✦ The opposite of love by ravenbringslight, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 1.1k
    Thor is weary.
    One of the things I really enjoy, after watching a movie that I'm deeply invested in, is coming to fandom to find these quieter moments that pick up on important scenes, that deliver me a sort of intimate drama and resolution, which this fic does very nicely. It's not about resolving everything, but instead about showing how much they've both lost and how that's drawn them back together and stripped so much else away that they no longer need. It's almost a tired piece, but a very hopeful and warm one, which fits the end of the movie perfectly!

✦ a land flowing with milk and honey by LadyCharity, thor & loki & valkyrie & cast, ragnarok spoilers, 11.7k
    After Asgard is destroyed, Thor is crowned king, and he cannot stop being afraid.
    I really enjoyed this piece a lot! The way it worked for me is that it's set immediately after the film, the long days of nothing to do but think and wait for them all to get where they're going, so thoughts of Asgard and Odin's history are darker than they were in the film, this Thor is harder on Odin than we saw from him in the movie, but it's a piece that's about exploring Thor's grief and loss, along with the relationships between the Asgardians who have to come to terms with everything they've been through. It's a heavier piece--not a soul-crushing one, it's not unhopeful, it's not dark, it's just heavier and in a more sombre place, but appropriately so for all they've been through. The writing is smooth and clean and I just zipped through the whole thing, it was a very lovely fic to read for that emotional aftermath I crave so much!

✦ "Oh my god, your brother pulled you off?!" by Foxleggs, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 1.8k
    On Sakaar, the brothers goad each other into a public sex show. Starring: Loki 'I'll do anything if you chant my name 3 times' Laufeyson & Thor 'I'll do anything as long as I can do it better than Loki and rub his dumb face in it' Odinson
    What got me with this fic is that it's all about how they are such brothers, that they're such dumb assholes who will put on a public sex show because god forbid either of them back down from this game of chicken. And it's so perfectly done, that Loki bites off more than he can chew, that he thinks he's got this in hand, but Thor AS HE ALWAYS DOES surprises him and just flattens him--all through Loki blowing Thor and then Thor rimming the hell out of Loki. It's hilarious and hot, it felt spot on to what I wanted from such a thing and was a great, great read.

✦ Here and Always by mokuyoubi, thor/loki, ragnarok spoilers, 1.1k
    Or my take on what happens during that cut scene in Ragnarok. You know which I mean. Where the brothers hug...and then some.
    Another post-Ragnarok hug scene fic and it's that same sort of intimate drama that I've become fixated on, where it doesn't need much dialogue, it's all about the touching and what's between them, like the rest of the universe is at a distance and they're in their own space where it's just them. It's short but a very lovely read for when I'm craving even more resolution for these two!

✦ How soft your fields so green by ravenbringslight, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoilers, 4.3k
    The Asgardians' ship stops for supplies. The price is not what Thor and Loki had expected; the aliens demand nothing less than a public royal fucking. Ok, it's not like it's the weirdest thing they've ever done.
    I'm not sure what I expected when I picked this one up, but I don't think I realized just how much of a screaming delight this scenario could be--because the fic captures this really great balance between nicely hot sex (well, it's sort of hot, it's also kind of hilariously not hot) and the banter between these two assholes the entire way. Like, yes, it's got the perfect tone for "this isn't even the wierdest thing they've ever done" while also still just being a real pain in the ass for Loki because WHY IS THIS HIS LIFE. So, so delightful and joyful and I'm smiling again just thinking about it!

✦ Illuminate by j_gabrielle, thor/loki, NSFW, ragnarok spoiler, ~1k
    Thor catches Loki in a kiss. A press of lips that becomes a parting of mouths, a brush of tongues and soon devolves into wet sloppy heat. A mimicry of what Thor wants to be doing.
    Another short but very satisfying post-Ragnarok sex scene that gives some resolution, that balances both the rough edges of their relationship with the better place that they're finally in. A very nice post-movie treat, I enjoyed it a lot!

✦ Some of the Stories are True by BlackEyedGirl, thor & loki & valkyrie & hulk & cast, ragnarok spoilers, 8.8k
    "Thor is used to his people speaking of him". Thor, Loki, Asgard, and the stories told after the fall.
    I really, really loved this fic a lot, the use of story-versus-truth, how both are important and how one flows into the other, is beautifully done. It's a fic that balances a lot of things, that bit of meta aspect, the ensemble cast, the building of Asgard wherever they go from here, that it's not a smooth path in any direction or sense, but that it is building somewhere. It's a fic that's about Thor at the heart, the characterization as he tries to settle into his role as King and deal with everything this fic has put in his lap, the use of Loki throughout the fic, the moments with Valkyrie and Hulk and Sif and the Avengers, the way Thor relates to them all or the way he sees them, is all really true to the spirit of the characters and is such a satisfying read!

✦ Conflict Resolution by TheOtherOdinson, thor & loki, 6.2k
    After Odin's death in Norway, Thor and Loki were left alone to deal with their loss and anger. Just the two of them. With no interruptions.
    This was SO SATISFYING. Because one of the things that got lost along the way is that Loki sped up Odin's death along with all the other shitty things he's done, that Thor's justified anger is something he's had to let go of, because there are bigger, more important things to deal with. But here, in this moment, there's nothing to distract them and Thor is angry at everything Loki has done and made excuses for and never taken responsibility for and done to deliberately hurt their family, and it's so satisfying to see that expressed. The fic doesn't forget that Loki is a sympathetic character, though, and I love that I hurt for him even while I was very firmly on Thor's side, that I love both of them, and I get why Loki does the things he does, that he was lashing out from hurt (oh, when he's so hurt that Odin didn't do anything about it, that's the heart of Loki right there, so much hurt he gives to other people because he's upset Odin wasn't paying attention to him, despite that Odin would have every reason to believe he was giving Loki what he wanted), all wrapped up in how Thor is this incredible, dangerous presence that Loki can never ignore, that it's not just that Thor is massively strong, it's also that Loki can simply never ignore Thor. And the ending is so damn cathartic that it brings back all my Loki feelings and all my Thor feelings, ALL OF THEM.

✦ through and through with fire by notbecauseofvictories, thor & loki & hela & valkyrie & cast, 4.3k
    It takes the combined strength of Thor, Loki, and Valkyrie to drag Hela onto the Grandmaster’s ship, though Loki gets a split lip for his trouble and Hela’s nails leave deep gouges in the leather of Thor’s vambraces.
    There's something so bitter and broken and aching about this fic, it really is a mournful piece, after everything all of these characters have lost. And I love the idea of Hela being dragged away from Asgard, kicking and screaming, almost hollowed out with the loss of everything and what she hasn't really gained, along with Thor and Loki and Valkyrie trying to deal with all of this. It's been awhile between my reading of this and the rec I'm writing, but I still remember that image of Hela mourning on the ship, just feeling that loss of all the Asgardians.

✦ Plow Around the Bones by scioscribe, thor & loki & heimdall & valkyrie & bruce, 11.5k
    “Loki Odinson, I have never known what you are. I still do not. I saw potential.”
    This is one of those Loki-centric fics that remind me of why I fell in love with the character in the first place, that he's this giant tangled ball of feelings and conflicting wants, that Heimdall may see potential in him but also he sees all the brittleness and venom in him as well. That Loki's relationship with Thor is complicated and they have a better understanding of who each of them are now, but that doesn't make it easy, they still have old habits (some good, some bad, mostly the better) and still need a ways to go. It's sharply written, there's humor in the right places, but mostly it's just a razor's edge of all that's jagged and cutting about Loki, but also all that's good about him, and is a fantastic read post-Ragnarok!

✦ rebuild all your ruins by ohfreckle, thor/loki, NSFW, 2.3k
    As Loki tries to settle into his new role on the ship, his thirst for his brother comes round to literally bite him in the ass.
    A cute fic set post-Ragnarok with some really fun banter (I love how much Thor just straight up laughs at Loki now) and then getting onto the good stuff, with Thor finding the right path between cheerfully jostling Loki out of his snit while also being genuine with him. And a very nice, very thorough rimming to shut Loki the hell up, which was ridiculously hot and fun!

RECS: 28 fic (Rogue One)

tomomichi — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 02:01:43 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Well, I definitely wasn't going to not at least try to read some Rogue One fic, so, here we go. :D

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Star Wars - 28 Fanfics

→ all the rest by tomorrowsrain, cassian/jyn, aftermath of torture, 8.3k
    Cassian and Jyn survive Scarif. Most days, she wishes they hadn't. It's never easy to keep on living after you expected to die.
    So, this is my other new favorite Rogue One fic, because it has such a harsh edge to it that the sacrifices made in the film still feel important and a heavy cost, nobody walked away without scars, and Jyn and Cassian especially feel so exhausting to read about (in exactly the way they should) after what they're put through at the Empire's hands and how wounded they are in body and soul because of it. Nothing about this is easy, it's bittersweet at best, and it really, really worked for me a lot.

→ Strongest Stars by Elfpen, obi-wan & qui-gon & chirrut & cast, 2.6k
    The Force works in mysterious ways. A few quiet moments in the dark create a touchstone spanning across three generations, two orthodoxies, a war, time, space, and the galaxy. A maverick meets a visionary and listens for a song. Spoilers for Rogue One, sort of?
    Oh, I loved this fic as well! Set pre-TPM, two Jedi (Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan) go to visit Jedha and the Guardians of the Whills' Temple and it's this really lovely, understated meeting that sows the seeds for so much of what we see in canon. I love the draw that Qui-Gon feels towards the Guardians' ways, that they're not Jedi and they're different, but he wants to keep an open mind and it's great to see where his interest in them came from, since it plays such a big part in later canon. I love that Obi-Wan is so much younger here, but you see the beginnings of the character we'll come to know in canon as well. But also that Chirrut is written in a really great way as well, that he's not quite as polished as he is in the movie with the way he moves, but you can see him getting there, you can see the serenity that's starting to layer over him while still being very human, and it's just a neat concept and a great look at all the characters!

→ heart in a headlock by andromeda3116, cassian/jyn & bodhi & cast, 12.3k wip
    They say that, when in doubt, you should always choose to live. But, as Jyn is learning, it's much harder to live for a cause than to die for one.
    This is one of the fics I'm going to be most interested in following in this fandom, because it's an interesting idea, the balance of character stuff vs plot stuff is nicely done, the writing is solid, and it has a great flow, and I'm just really interested in where it's going. The idea of Jyn, Cassian, and Bodhi just barely managing to make it off Scarif, but are forced to land nearby, which lands them on Tatooine of all places, and brushing close up against the fateful events that are about to happen there, but also OH MAN THIS JYN, THIS IS THE JYN I LOVE, who is so messy and rough and jaded and angry and burning and caring and all the things the novelization really gave depth to her with. It's only two chapters at the time of this rec, but it's long enough to satisfying/definitely worth keeping an eye on!

→ A Man Should Strengthen Himself by Annie D (scaramouche), baze/chirrut, 4.5k
    It’s only after the Jedi Purge that Chirrut Imwe gets to know the great Baze Malbus.
    I really liked this fic, told in the political struggles of even the Guardians of the Whills after the Jedi Purge, how they're familiar with the Jedi but still separate, and it's some lovely backstory, how Chirrut is like a thorn in Baze's side, yet also sparks belief in him again. There's just enough roughness and underlying anger to make it feel the right amount of harsh, in fitting with the tone of the movie itself, but still having hope, so I really liked this backstory for the two of them!

→ Burn It Down by GreyMichaela, baze/chirrut, NSFW, 2.3k
    Baze can't figure out what it is about Chirrut Îmwe that sets him so on edge. Chirrut's running out of patience.
    I didn't think I needed sexytimes for Rogue One. Apparently, I was wrong! I greatly enjoyed the chemistry between the characters here, the tension that was wound so tight it finally snapped and they had to fuck, there was something just the right amount of rough around the edges (as these characters should be) with hell yeah they're finally fucking, which made it super satisfying, very nicely hot, and just exactly what I wanted.

→ Beinahe by guineapiggie, cassian/jyn & bodhi, 7k
    (If she had to chose a word for Cassian Andor, it's almost.)
    This was a nicely long fic without dragging it out, about the characters being rough around the edges and that surviving Scarif doesn't mean they're happy or they fit in, that suddenly everything is great, they still have to figure out how to put themselves back together. It's definitely a moving-towards-happy fic, but it's still bittersweet and wounded enough to satisfying just what I want from these characters and the Jyn/Cassian pairing.

→ close quarters by iwritesometimes, chirrut/baze, 4.8k
    a jaunt, a fight, and a shared bunk: three times baze and chirrut got up close and personal. pre-empire era.
    This was a fun backstory piece, two teenagers who are that mix of monks and kids, a balance that just made me smile a lot, especially because they clearly liked each other and there was such gravitation there (physical and that sense of just enjoying being around the other person, even in annoying and frustrating circumstances) and that is entirely what I'm here for, that pull between these two characters, that sense of old married couple and banter and they're sweet in their own way and clearly in love. Just nicely filling in those details that I wanted more and more of.

→ Stay in Motion by ignitesthestars, nymja, starforged, cassian/jyn & baze/chirrut & bodhi & cast, 5.1k wip
    Short stories set in a universe where the Rogue One crewmembers survive.
    While technically a WIP, it's a series of separate short stories taking place in a universe where the Rogue One crew survives, as it says on the tin, and it's a lovely collection of working the characters into the Episode IV part of the Star Wars Saga. It's still very much centered on the Rogue One characters (rather than the OT characters) and has just the right amount of rough edges on them and that not everything with these characters is bright and shiny and happy. The cameos are fun, but I'm definitely here for the RO cast trying to adjust to living, both when not everyone did and what that even means for them, just what I'm here for.

→ Tastefully Arranged by nymja, cassian/jyn & bodhi & k-2so, 1.4k
    For the prompt: K-2SO interrupts Jyn and Cassian's attempts at a first date.
    I don't usually go for the fluffier things, but the charm on this one was enough to win me over (as well as there's still that sense of "how do we even go on after this?" that I like), that Jyn vs K-2SO is still super great and it made me love that droid even more.

→ every memory adds another piece by indoissetep, baze/chirrut, 1.5k
    Scenes from a lifetime spent together.
    Another fic that fills in the details of Baze and Chirrut's life together, told in short scenes across the years previous, including the moment of the Jedi Purge and the small part of it they witnessed, and it's a really lovely piece that made me that much more satisfied with this fandom. There's such a good sense of the draw between the two of them, the way they came together and how they connected, I love that.

→ Another Word for Hope by inkandpaperhowl, cassian/jyn & baze/chirrut & bodhi, 1.9k
    maybe (adv): 1. perhaps, possibly; 2. neither yes nor no; 3. allowing for hope where ‘yes’ or ‘no’ would deny it
    A story about how maybe the Rogue One cast might have lived and it's a good mix of bittersweet, rough edges, exhaustion, and that bit of hope that still shines on. Just the kind of fic you want to read when you want things to be a little better in this terrible galaxy of theirs.

→ Kyber Hearts by crowleyshouseplant, cassian/jyn & bodhi & baze & chirrut & cast, 1.2k
    After death, Rogue One lives on through the Force to see the end of their mission.
    This is one of those fics where it's just "I need this to make me feel better!" and just because it's not aligning with how Force Ghosts work doesn't matter, because it's all about feelings and getting closure and the Rogue One crew getting to see enough of how their actions and sacrifices were worth it. And it did make me feel better, it was a lovely piece for that.

→ Meditations by roselightsaber, baze/chirrut, ~1k
    There are so many stories of Baze watching Chirrut train and meditate. It's Chirrut's turn.
    A lovely background piece for these two with a really nice sense of banter mixed with utter fondess, something almost sweet and gentle there, but still rough around the edges, as these characters are. I really enjoyed this one!

→ firefly by peradi, r2-d2 & bb-8 & rey & finn & poe & luke & k-2so, 4.4k
    Humanity is infectious, Finn makes friends with droids, and K2 cannot get any rest: the story of how Rogue One flies again.
    This isn't really how SW canon works, but once I let go of that, the fic is so warm-hearted and cheerfully embraces how cute it is, that I just fell under its charms entirely! I have affection for this collection of droids and this was just adorable, one of those fics when you want good things to happen to the droids and it made me happy. ♥

→ Horizon Bright With Light by rosaxx50, cassian/jyn, 2.8k
    (Five times Cassian makes up or changes his mind about Jyn Erso, and one he doesn't.)
    A solidly done fic, probably best suited for when you really want more of these two, that mix of tension and rough edges and a certain something that's there, but there's only small moments in time for it. That these two have so little time to really understand each other, so it's picked up in quicker moments, where Cassian realizes several things about Jyn as they go along. A nicely done piece for these two.

→ climb, climb by peradi, jyn & cassian & baze/chirrut & bodhi & k-2so, 1k
    K-2SO: the droid with existential anxiety and a smart mouth.
    A series of short scenes with the asshole droid interacting with various Rogue One/Star Wars characters and it's just really sharp and fun, in that way K-2 won me over in canon and is continued on in this fic. It just put the best smile on my face to read this!

→ Steady as she goes by noelia_g, cassian/jyn & baze/chirrut & bodhi & k-2so, 3.5k
    In which they all live and Jyn Erso is on a quest to fix a droid. Rogue One in the aftermath.
    Awww, this was entirely feel-good fix it fic, where Jyn fixes K-2SO for Cassian and the group takes a few more steps towards becoming a family. Just entirely good for the fannish heart!

→ Set the Course by noelia_g, cassian/jyn & bodhi, 1.5k
    Post Scarif, the slow way home - a collection of scenes.
    Another fix it fix, in a collection of short scenes, as the characters (those that manage to survive, since this is a semi-fix-it fic) try to start moving forward. It's just hopeful enough to do good for the fannish heart, especially in the immediate aftermath of having seen the movie.

→ in the aeroplane over the sea by quadrille, cassian/jyn & baze/chirrut & bodhi & k-2so, 1.5k
    Home is not a place; it’s the people.
    A series of short little moments of missing scenes, just little added touches, set from Cassian's point of view and they do a lovely job of making me care about the characters with all their sharp edges and yet there's that something warm that drew them to each other. It was very easy to see these added little touches in between the fames of canon!

→ day after day by bodhirook, baze/chirrut, ~1k
    "I fear nothing," Chirrut declares. "All is as the Force wills it." "Funny, you seemed pretty fearful that time I tapped your shoulder while you were meditating."
    A really simple, but lovely and nice bit of banter and meaningful connection between these two characters, that it can be simple on the surface but have a depth of something more underneath, just how these characters should be.

→ you are one with the force (you are with me) by peradi, baze/chirrut, 1.2k
    Baze Malbus, ferocious young assassin, meets a cocky little blind shit. The rest, as they say, is history.
    Adorable banter and the first meeting between these two and how they're kind of hilarious and just immediately fall into a grumpy old married couple dynamic and it's delightful and perfect.

→ anything in stars worth saving by with_the_monsters, cassian/jyn, 1.5k
    They miss the part where the Death Star gets blown up. They miss everything, actually, apart from the inside of an imperial cell. And that’s not a thing you just come back from. Not even if you survive Scarif.
    Another fix-it, at least sort of, as told in short scenes in the aftermath of Scarif and how Jyn and Cassian aren't exactly happy and shiny afterwards, they're not unscarred by what happened there. The short scenes style lends a lot to the feeling of sharp and jagged edges, that something almost feels missing from these characters (in the way it should) or maybe ground down or cut away. Ouchy, but well done!

→ What comes after by IaMcHrIsSi, cassian/jyn & baze/chirrut & bodhi & cast, 2.9k
    Jyn and Cassian after everything
    I don't actually need fix it fic in the way I usually do, but somehow I can't help myself from reading a bunch of it and enjoying it, because sometimes you just need a kinder universe, where things aren't perfect, but they're at least nicer there.

→ love will lead us all to smithereens by poseidon, baze/chirrut, 1.8k
    "I’m going to die in your arms, you know." "Do you use that line on everyone you come across?" Baze asks. "No," the man replies with a smile. "Just you."
    More banter and background fic! Where Baze and Chirrut meet for the first time and it's both adorable and funny, while also being bittersweet, because we know how their story ends. There's a very nice sharpness and charisma to the writing, the characters sparkle just exactly as they should, and it's a very nice filling in the details fic!

→ Faces by stereobone, baze/chirrut, 3.3k
    This is what Baze learns before Jedha falls.
    Yet more banter and background fic! This further fills in the details of their dynamic and while a lot of the background details and timeline are off (especially in the Jedi vs the Empire stuff), this is a story that's about what these two characters go through, the loss and yet finding hope, about those who lose faith and those who don't, and it's really good for this relationship. Where it hits the mark is in the emotionally satisfying places, which is all I ask for!

→ you were my new home by katsumi, cassian/jyn & k-2so, 4.6k
    Before they can meet with Saw Gerrera, they have to find Saw Gerrera, and that takes time. On the search, Jyn and Cassian grow closer.
    A nice fic that's about showing a little more character-driven time between Jyn and Cassian, showing them growing closer and slowly warming up to each other (sometimes even literally!) while they run around trying to locate Saw Gerrera. It's a good way to fill in the details of their relationship, to show those moments the movie itself didn't have time for, and thus give a person even more feelings about these two.

→ A Sun Shines in Parallel by LadyBaelish27, cassian/jyn & baze & chirrut & bodhi & k-2so & anakin & leia & cast, 39.1k wip
    What happens when 'dead' isn't, strictly speaking, 'dead'? Jyn and Cassian find themselves standing on a peaceful beach with no trace of a battle, a base, a war. Then they find K-2SO... and Chirrut Imwe... and Baze Malbus... and suddenly the very definitions of time and space become completely muddled.
    I do have a couple of caveats about this fic--it's very much for those who are super shippy about Cassian/Jyn, as a lot of the fic is dedicated to their romantic relationship and almost domestic/fluffy moments. The other is that this Anakin isn't compatible with canon at all, this is an entirely opposite character with the same name/face (especially in how he treats his family and how he wants power for himself), but he's not really the point of the fic (as well as a separate universe they've hopped into!), just that this is a fic for Rogue One fans, rather than PT fans. That said, this is a long and quickly updated fic and it's good for those who really are super into Cassian and Jyn's relationship and for those who really want to dive into a fix-it fic where everyone lives and things aren't as jagged around the edges, with solidly done writing. I think it's one that benefits from wanting the things its putting forth (an everyone lives fic, a Cassian/Jyn feelings fic), but it's nice to have something longer to sink your teeth into, because the fandom is still so young yet!

→ Footfalls by GreyMichaela, baze/chirrut, ~1k
    There are mysteries about Baze that Chirrut wants to solve.
    A short little backstory piece for Chirrut and Baze, how they rely on each other as a team, how they're more together than apart, and also kind of like an old married couple. A nice little read!

This entry was originally posted at https://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/217848.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 19 fic (Star Wars)

tomomichi — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 00:27:43 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - I am just so completely and utterly hip-deep in Star Wars fandom that I've forgotten what it's like to not be completely gonzo over it. And everyone should join me. I just really have a lot of feelings (and get punched in the feelings) about the Star Wars characters and I want to shaaaaaare.
ღ - One of the things fandom really enjoys doing is Sith!Obi-Wan and I can't lie, I greatly enjoy the Soft Sith aesthetic and I enjoy the chance to see Obi-Wan's character without the restraints he puts on himself, so, here, have some recs!

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Star Wars - 19 Fanfics

→ wicked thing by imaginarykat, obi-wan/anakin, nsfw, sith!obi-wan, 53.8k wip
    There are rumours of yet another Sith Lord hiding among the Separatists. The Council sends Anakin to investigate. Anakin has a bad feeling about this. or, the story of how Anakin exists in a perpetual state of intense embarrassment, Obi-Wan is enjoying it a little too much, and everything is, generally speaking, a gigantic mess.
    Chapter 1 I have a great and intense fascination with the idea of Sith!Obi-Wan, the sheer amount of potential the idea holds, and I'm so hungry for fic on the subject, so of course I pounced on this one as soon as I saw it! And it does a lovely job of it, where Obi-Wan has always been a Sith, when Anakin runs into him for the first time he has no idea who he is, which is so much fun because he has no idea what to expect or make of this, while the fic does a fantastic job of keeping him on the wrong foot for the whole encounter. And that's what's so great about the potential of Sith Obi-Wan, how smooth and efficient and precise he is, how there's so much refinement to his character and seeing that turned towards the Dark Side makes me so damn excited about just what he could do, if he really let loose instead of holding himself back with the Jedi ways. But it's also Anakin, who is pretty hilarious to watch in his embarrassment, who really needs a good teacher, who has all this amazing chemistry with this Sith Lord even as he's still a Jedi, and what that could be molded into, if Obi-Wan truly wanted to. It's such a fun fic and has so many great moments that I'm really just in love.
    Chapter 2: This is an udpate rec, so I'll be focusing on the second chapter, rather than the fic as a whole, because I have feelings, okay. I was so intrigued by the set-up of the first chapter, the way Sith!Obi-Wan was written and Jedi!Anakin just had no idea what to make of him and how it was such a hilarious dynamic between them, even as there was something so genuinely sharp about it. That continues in this chapter, where they meet again and Anakin is kind of a mess and Obi-Wan is so smooth and precise, where they meet in a bar and there's a wild attraction there and Anakin is in just total "fuck my life, this can't get any worse, just let me die" mode. And the really great thing about this, aside from that it's hilarious and also really hot when Obi-Wan manipulates him so well, is that it's completely different from canon, but shows such insight into the canon at the same time.

Anakin is closest to his canon self (still a bit different, though), he's still a disaster, all the terrible choices he makes and the frustration he has with not fitting into the Jedi mold and like he's failing at everything, that his entire life pretty much sucks, that he feels... like he's a little bit adrift at sea, is the best way I can think to put it. And Obi-Wan reads him so well, that there's this undercurrent of danger to every line between them because this is someone who doesn't have Obi-Wan's Jedi morals, but instead who has all that brilliance and precision and gentleman demeanor turned to manipulating Anakin, to cutting through everything that should be screaming at Anakin because he's a Sith Lord and instead talking Anakin into leaving with him. And, oh, the sex isn't super explicit, but it's gorgeous, the way you see further insight into Obi-Wan's character, that once he's decided on a path, the way he knows how to overwhelm Anakin's mind, to undo Anakin until he's a mess and calling the man fucking into him Master. It's gorgeous because it's echoes of their canon dynamic, because that same connection and pull and ease of how they fit together, is there, but with less restrictions on how/where this could go. And, god it's also just so much fun to see where this is going, to see Anakin's terrible decisions and Obi-Wan's amusement as he takes advantage and yet is obviously genuinely interested in Anakin. I love the fic for the concept, but even more because, oh, my fanning for Obi-Wan's character is so satisfied here.
    Chapters 3-5: I've recommended the first two chapters of this fic before, so this will focus more on chapters 3-5 as an update rec. I continue to be absolutely delighted by this fic because it does several things that I love: It's just a great, fun, banter-filled fic, where both the Obi-Wan and Anakin bantering is great, but also Anakin's internal monologue is an absolute joy to read. It can be difficult to balance a snappy voice for the characters with how that doesn't always fit them, but this fic makes that work, I feel like this Anakin fits with the character who could have been trained by a Qui-Gon who lived, who is still Anakin Skywalker, who is still recognizable, but just a little different in a way that's great. Second, the fic is absolutely fantastic for the way Obi-Wan and Anakin play off each other, the way Sith!Obi-Wan is so insightful and so precise and so brilliant and so dangerous even as he's gentle and (mostly) honest and wants something good for Anakin. It's so incredibly satisfying to read about the way he teases Anakin, the way he's direct about his intentions to make Anakin his apprentice, the way he plays with Anakin because he's so much more dangerous, there's an undercurrent of genuine danger here, Anakin's right to be nervous, this is absolutely someone who would do terrible things, but also the kind way Obi-Wan treats him is genuine and often kind.

And third it's also satisfying just as a relationship fic, that it's not just Sith!Obi-Wan or this Anakin (though, those are both great to read the fic for) but the banter and the way Obi-Wan can read him so well and Anakin tries so hard not to be enthralled, but he is. The way Anakin is so off-balance is so great, it's fun to read about, but also there's this undercurrent of how well it suits him, to possibly have a Master like Obi-Wan, someone like Obi-Wan to follow, even as he flails around about what that would mean. It's so much fun and so charged to see the way Obi-Wan slips under Anakin's guard so easily and I keep thinking how much better off Anakin would be if he just gave in, just let Obi-Wan have him, how much fun that would be for me. Like, I am ENTIRELY HERE FOR Obi-Wan unleashed and the human disaster that is Anakin, I am just so very here for how ridiculous hot Sith!Obi-Wan is and how delightful flailing Anakin is, like I would read another 30k just of them being weirdly domestic and Anakin not knowing wtf to make of his life anymore and Obi-Wan having a plan that is slowly coming into shape. It's all I want out of life.
    Chapters 6-7: This is an update rec, so I'll be focusing on the most recent chapters! Chapter 6 alone was over 10k and, oh, I pretty much inhaled it all in one sitting because I couldn't put it down and because it's got such a beautifully written charm to it, in both the characterization and the execution, there's such charisma to Sith!Obi-Wan as he spends time with Anakin, how he's so sharp and precise and yet you can feel something very genuine there in his affection for Anakin, that this is an Obi-Wan who holds onto his feelings and wants, this is Obi-Wan who is recognizable as The Negotiator in the way that he speaks, but this is also an Obi-Wan who uses his skills and power in a much more dangerous way than Jedi Obi-Wan would, there's something genuinely dangerous about him when he fights, especially when Anakin refuses to see that he's trying to help this reckless boy and his actions were the only way forward. It's so easy to get lulled into a sense of complacency around the character, the fic does a lovely job of doing that for me (and by extension Anakin as well) until you remember, no, this man is dangerous and knows exactly what he's doing.

In contrast, Anakin is an absolute mess, but in a way that's so much fun to read about, he's so turned around and confused and can't see the bigger picture because his feelings get in the way, because he gets stuck on one emotion or another. It's fun and it makes me want to hug him at the same time, which is exactly how I should always feel about Anakin Skywalker--well, that and maybe kind of wanting to smack him just a little bit when he gets into one of those boiling rages. Because he doesn't stop to think, that's a core aspect of who Anakin Skywalker is, which is why Obi-Wan complements him so well and why I ship them so hard, and this alternate universe is no exception, because so many of the things that drew me in canon are still there, there's still that sense of Obi-Wan is someone who sees him, who would be a better guide for him, who would be able to set up boundaries and keep them when Anakin needed that, who already we see is able to teach him and help him become a better fighter. Even as this Anakin is different (because his circumstances are different) and what he needs is different, as this Obi-Wan is much less restrained, they still wind up complementing each other.

I loved getting some of that Master/Apprentice aspect in with the previous chapter, I love that it created a stronger sense of closeness between them, so when Obi-Wan talks to him in this chapter, the physical connection between them is absolutely felt. The sensual feel of their interaction was so good for me, I loved every second of them coming together for a kiss, every moment of Anakin climbing onto Obi-Wan's lap to kiss him, when Obi-Wan's arms come up around him and pull him closer, the way it felt like there was nothing else in the world but these two people in that moment is just exactly what I look for in fic, that sense of intimacy is worth more than anything. Like, honestly, I don't even need sex, it's more about the emotional relationship for me! There's other stuff that happens along the way (Anakin & Ventress scene that was totally fun, then Anakin vs the Jedi Council that was paving the possible way for Anakin to sway more towards the Sith side of things) but I'm content with the Obi-Wan/Anakin as it is now.
    Chapter 8: This is an update rec, so it will focus on this chapter. Ahhh, more of Anakin being just completely flustered and hilariously flailing around and Obi-Wan enjoying the whole thing and, honestly, I would read another 50k of just that, because that's what I'm here for and it's so very, very good. And! The fic is using a storyline from The Clone Wars, the Dooku Captured storyline, where this time Sith!Obi-Wan and Anakin have to go find the missing Dooku, which means they have to work together and that means Anakin really is fed up with all of this bullshit, while Obi-Wan is delighted by all of it. The whole thing is just absolutely a scream, from Anakin's being offended at a Sith impersonating a Jedi to the continual attraction he has to deal with when he's around Obi-Wan, who is this great mix of amusement and something more lethal hiding under the gentleman attitude, right up until Obi-Wan asks Anakin to run off with him and he's serious, there's something so genuine there between them even when they're on opposite sides, there's something that just pulls the two of them together, sometimes fate and sometimes just their attraction to each other. But also a whole lot of lust, which was very enjoyable when Obi-Wan blew Anakin up against a pillar because, yes, that's what Anakin's life is now. Yes.

But, honestly, it's the way Obi-Wan is so polished and precise and dangerous, yet still something so genuine about him, that he would run away with Anakin, that Obi-Wan finds both amusement in playing with his prey, in fucking around with him, but also that he genuinely likes Anakin and wants to help him be better, wants to train him, wants to love him. But also that the writing is strong enough to convey these things, to do justice to Obi-Wan practically laughing at the whole clusterfuck that is Anakin's dignity, while also being genuinely fond of him. And the way Anakin can have so much power and talent, but also be just such an utter disaster, how fun it is to read every bit of his despair at how his life is going, how it balances being hilarious without tipping over into too much crack to take seriously. It's just. A light in my soul, is what it is.

→ Finding Balance by moonstone (amythestice), obi-wan/anakin & luke & leia & han & yoda & qui-gon & cast, sith!obi-wan, 27k wip
    The Dark side clouds everything, even to eyes that should see through the murk with ease. Darth Sidious has miscalculated, drastically, and the waiting game for his enemies is now at an end, and Balance is at hand.
    I have a weakness for Sith!Obi-Wan, even as difficult as it is to get me to actually believe it. While this fic needs a bit of a scrub with the beta brush, I really, really liked the heart of what was here, the different aspects that the fic wove together--that this is Obi-Wan/Anakin and redefining what "balance" means when it comes to the Force. I think it works for me because the Force is different from Lucas' vision of it (but with Lucas gone, who knows where things will go, it's hard to pin these things down), that the Dark Side isn't evil, but instead the mirror image of the Light Side. It uses emotions, especially anger, but it's just as necessary as the Light Side is, which makes me able to see Obi-Wan as someone who would side with the Dark, especially given that he has a lot of intense feelings about Anakin.

But I admit it also hits my id in that it's got action scenes and a whole lot of long-term plotting from Obi-Wan and Anakin, that it's about them defeating the current Empire and about Anakin's utter and complete loyalty to Obi-Wan as his Master, that it gives him focus and emotional rewards to keep him from actually becoming Vader. I read the whole fic in about one or two sittings and found myself engrossed in the story, I wanted to know what was going to happen next, I was enjoying the tropes the fic used (loyalty kink + competency kink = so good for me) and while it's a wip and updates are slow, there's plenty of the good stuff along the way.

→ like a supernova by falloutgirl, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, sith!obi-wan, 6.6k
    Obi Wan is shaking, and burning, and coiled tight like a spring. He looks downright predatory, like he will eat Anakin raw. Anakin isn’t sure if he’d stop him.
    Oh, I am so very weak to Sith!Obi-Wan AUs and this was a lovely one, both for that concept and for how Anakin is just so desperately in love, that he's loyal to the person over the concepts that have been drilled into him, that he'd rather die than live without the ones he loves, that he'll follow Obi-Wan if Obi-Wan won't come home with him. This fic was so good for me because it's all about the feelings, the way they so desperately love each other, that Obi-Wan loves him but doesn't want to drag him into this, but Anakin will follow him into hell if need be, just wants Obi-Wan to be his Master forever, until they're so tied up in each other that they'll never separate. And the sex was an extension of that, that Anakin wants to be loved by Obi-Wan, wants to be filled up with those feelings, with everything of Obi-Wan, so by the time Obi-Wan has opened him up and is sliding into Anakin, he's entirely Obi-Wan's. I am so here for "the only person in the world for me" ships and Sith!Obi-Wan with Anakin fills that need nicely, because it's not necessarily meant to be healthy, but it certainly is hot and gets at my feelings. God bless this fic for giving me that joy.

→ I, Myself, In You, Together by calicokat + Compromised by cupiscent, obi-wan/anakin + anakin/padme + obi-wan/anakin/padme, sith!obi-wan, 4.3k
    Anakin returns from hunting Obi-Wan, and tears Padme's universe apart.
    There are two other fics in this series, but I think these are the two that should most be read together, they're the closest in timeline to each other, and one plays soon off the other. And, oh, I'm a sucker for Sith!Obi-Wan who is so mannered and polite and yet utterly dangerous, he knows how to cut to the quick of people, to both of these people (but, oh, especially Anakin, who wants to be angry and riled up, but this is Obi-Wan and instead he's paralyzed and just wants to give anything up to get back to where they were) and while it's not a fully fleshed out universe, it's snippets in a much larger storyline, what's here is so fascinating and good. I love that all three of these characters have such presence, that I found each of them fascinating, and I love how much it really hurt to see Obi-Wan breaking Anakin apart, doing so very deliberately to put Anakin where he wants him, then the lovely look at Padme's character as she thinks over the offer before her and what she sees and knows about her husband and the way his Master affects him, how she is actually a politican here in a way that's fascinating to watch. I really, really enjoyed these two pieces a lot!

→ Bread and Circuses by cupiscent, obi-wan/anakin/padme, sith!obi-wan, 2.8k
    The shape of Padme's life.
    This is set in the same universe as the above fics, but way far into the future, so you can probably read it as a standalone if you want or you can read them together. I enjoyed pretty much every single aspect of this fic, to the point where it might be my favorite of the entire series, because I do enjoy the look at Padme's character and how she deals with people as Chancellor, I enjoyed the sparkling moments she has with Anakin, and then the two of them with Obi-Wan as well. But, oh, it was the ending that got me, the sheer promise and potential of it, that it caught my imagination and wouldn't let it go! I love the three of them together, the way this universe has them rising to the top and there's this sense of something larger than life about them, yet it doesn't keep them from feeling entirely human together in hovercar on their way to a night out, the way they look at each other, tease each other, love each other. So many fantastic little details woven into the story that I'm just completely enamored with everything about it!

→ Gravitation by calicokat, obi-wan/anakin + obi-wan/padme + obi-wan/anakin/padme, NSFW, sith!obi-wan, 3.4k
    Obi-Wan enjoys a respite from his service to Dooku.
    It's a toss-up between this one and the previous one for what my favorite fic in this series is, because this one has exactly what I'm looking for with Sith!Obi-Wan stories--where he knows exactly how to strike at people to pull them apart and put them where he wants them. While the beginning has Obi-Wan/Padme and it is an important part of the greater dynamic, while she is necessary and part of the stability of these three, it really is even more about the effect it has on Anakin. This is somewhere in the middle of the greater storyline, where Obi-Wan still works for Dooku, there are only vague plottings for now, but groundwork is being laid, he is very firmly their Master now, and I love love love the dynamic here. That Obi-Wan deliberately winds Anakin up, then cuts him apart--by assigning him homework with a dangerous threat looming over him, by getting Anakin's jealousy going so that Obi-Wan can deliberately point out how he's behaving and then shove Anakin down onto the bed to fuck him and wind him back down. And, oh, I do love the scenes of the three of them together, the bits of the bigger story that wind their way in, the politics and philosophy and discussion, but. Obi-Wan pinning Anakin onto the bed, already having fucked Padme just a little while ago, but still ready to go again with Anakin underneath him like this, the rough edge to the sex as he pushes into Anakin without much preparation, enjoying him and making a point at the same time, oh, that is what I am here with Sith!Obi-Wan. Who clearly does love these two, Anakin especially, but with this sharp edge that almost hurts to read, even as it makes that love no less true.

→ Dubious Historicity by darthrevaan (Burning_Nightingale), obi-wan/anakin, sith!obi-wan, 3.4k
    After being sent to a remote Outer Rim world to confront a newly-discovered Sith Lord, Anakin discovers that the dark side isn't quite as clear cut as the Jedi make it out to be.
    Rec #1: Honestly, I would have thought Sith!Obi-Wan would have taken a lot of buildup for me to believe it, but... idk, somehow this wound up working for me! It's completely AU, you're dropped in the middle of it, but the fic sets things up well enough and it keeps this great dynamic of Obi-Wan being reserved and mildly annoyed, always neatly circling around Anakin, who is hot-headed and impulsive and tends to fall flat on his face, for all his massive talent. Like, I could have a blast with Sith!Obi-Wan as someone who's just minding his own business and gets dropped in on by a little shit Jedi, which the fic gave me nicely.
    Rec #2: I believe I've recommended this fic before, but there's been a new chapter and I have feelings, okay. This fic is probably going to be one that's best read when you have a bit more of a chunk of it to catch up on and also there's a killer cliffhanger at the end of ch2 that's leaving me champing at the bit for more of the fic soon (but I don't mind/enjoy being this way, so I like reading in progress fics!), because not much happens in this chapter, and yet... it's one of those fics where I just sort of sank into this part of the story (and it will work really well when the fic is longer!) and enjoyed Anakin poking around the Sith library he's found himself trapped in, the way he just has no idea wtf is going on or really how to get out of this mess and he's kind of a disaster waiting to happen.

→ Darkside Echoes Part 1 + Part 2 by esama, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon, sith!obi-wan, sith!anakin, 3k
    Qui-Gon stares, astonished and dismayed, at the scene taking place beyond the glass. Two Sith, imprisoned at the heart of the Jedi Temple – both of them painfully familiar and yet so very strange.
    This is a set of ficlets that are snippets of what may one day be part of a larger storyline, but are interesting just as little bits of other worlds. And I'm always here for Sith!Obi-Wan, I love seeing the different ways and interpretations of that, and this one is so well written, so... dark and dangerous and mean, but there still feels like there's internal logic working there, it still feels like there are rules there. I would have loved it just for seeing Obi-Wan's control and precision and brilliance turned to the Dark Side, but then the fic got me with the little details of Anakin, who is wound so tightly, who seems ready to explode at any moment, the only thing keeping him together is Obi-Wan's control over him, almost casually shoving him back down with a strong Force hold or the touch to Anakin's hair when Anakin is on his knees, almost gentle but not quite. The strength of the writing is one of those that gets my imagination going, it's satisfying for what it is, but also hooks me in and makes me wonder, in the way that really good, well-written, intiguing fic does.

→ Tenebroso by the_dragongirl, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, sith!obi wan, 1.4k
    In the aftermath of battle, Anakin gets a little bit selfish with one of his lovers. Obi-Wan really doesn't mind.
    This was a joyful fic to read, because honestly Anakin being all revved up from battle and saying, "I'm gonna ride you into the ground" + eagerly filling himself up with Obi-Wan, who clearly enjoys watching Anakin ride him and what Anakin needs to send himself over the edge is Obi-Wan's guidance and encouragement, that soft touch of affection and care, that it's so good to feel Obi-Wan in him but it's just not quite enough, not until Obi-Wan reaches out to him. I love that moment, because it says so much about Anakin to me, that he can be so wound up and wild, but what he really wants is that soft touch to turn towards, in addition to the very lovely imagery of the piece, this is just how I like my Anakin riding Obi-Wan's dick fanfic to go, god bless.

→ Spring the Trap by Morgyn Leri (morgynleri), obi-wan & anakin, sith!obi-wan, 1.2k
    Even if the whole thing is a trap, Anakin can’t not follow Obi-Wan; his brother needs him.
    I am so very into Sith!Obi-Wan, even if it's a difficult sell, I still will get sucked in every time and I really enjoyed the two things this fic gave me: An Obi-Wan who you just feel how dangerous he is when he puts all that brilliance into something truly dangerous, even as he doesn't actually do anything to hurt Anakin here, I still absolutely felt that power and danger. And, two, Anakin having to be the one to chase after someone who went to the Dark Side, someone he desperately wants to bring back, yesss, I want that so much. This is a piece from a larger universe, but it works as a lovely snippet that I enjoyed quite a lot.

→ Sharp and Bright and Vicious by TheFreakWithTheWings, obi-wan/anakin/padme + palpatine, sith!padme, ~1k
    Padmé's plans have accelerated. It is time to rid the galaxy of Darth Sidious.
    I have a weakness for any and all Sith AUs and this one was really charming and entirely fun! I love the elegance of the character, as Padme faces off against Palpatine, that she's entirely willing to straight up murder him because he touched what was hers, that he tried to take Anakin from her. I'm just really charmed by the images this put in my head, the way it caught my imagination for how would Padme try to poach Obi-Wan from the Jedi, because Anakin wouldn't be entirely happy without him? How would their Empire look, once Palpatine was gone? I love stuff like that!

→ Apprentice and Padawan by Morgyn Leri (morgynleri), obi-wan/anakin, sith!obi-wan, 2.1k
    After Geonosis, Anakin wants to know when Obi-Wan turned to the Dark Side.
    This was a really fun, interesting Sith!Obi-Wan piece and what I really liked about it (other than my weakness for Sith!Obi-Wan that fandom thankfully indulges) is that he still felt like his canon self, he was kind and gentle and had the same smile, as well as you could feel Anakin's gravitating towards him, how much he cared about Obi-Wan and felt pulled towards him, even when he should be recoiling because of the revelation he just had. Anakin is that mix of brash and malleable that is so ripe for a Sith to pick up on and turn, so I'm super into how Sith!Obi-Wan could use that and this fic hit on just the right amount of that to get my imagination going and taking off from here.

→ Ward of the Empire by Morgyn Leri (morgynleri), obi-wan & anakin & ezra, darker!obi-wan au, 1.8k
    Obi-Wan and Anakin find a scared Ezra Bridger.
    As the author's notes indicate, there's a lot of backstory that's not yet written here and the fic does drop you into the middle of things, but I found myself very quickly intrigued by the universe being set up and wanting to know more about it, the Empire with Dooku at its head and Obi-Wan and Anakin part of it, instead of with the Jedi. It's focused on interaction with a young Ezra who has been training as a Jedi and thinks they're Sith, mostly setting up that there's a difference between Darker Force users and Sith, that they're not what the Jedi have been taught. It's a snippet of something larger, but I definitely enjoyed what was here!

→ angels choking on their haloes by QueenWithABeeThrone, obi-wan/anakin & anakin/padme & ahsoka, sith!obi-wan, 2.3k
    Anakin hadn’t been lying, when he said he could never kill Obi-wan like he was being asked to, no matter what Obi-wan’s become. or: Mustafar, in reverse.
    This is a small ficlet of a larger universe but I loved that it was plenty enough as it was, the reversal of Obi-Wan and Anakin's fight on Mustafar, where Obi-Wan has been turned against his will and has no idea who he is, and the utter heartbreak of watching Anakin try to reach him. The fic does a lovely job of being a fusion of The Winter Soldier movie and the canon events of Reven of the Sith, some things are completely different, some things are entirely the same. It was also a great blend of punching me in the feelings but also giving me hope for something better eventually, which is all I can ask of Obi-Wan/Anakin and their complicated relationship.

→ Start of the Line by dogmatix, norcumi, obi-wan & qui-gon, sith!qui-gon + (eventual) sith!obi-wan, 4.2k
    Jedi Initiate Obi-Wan Kenobi is less than a month away from aging out of the Jedi Order. Sent to the Agri-Corps in disgrace for getting into a fight with another Initiate, Obi-Wan's last chance to be a Jedi is to convince Qui-Gon to take him as his padawan. But Obi-Wan is about to discover something that will turn his entire world upside down.
    This was an interesting look at Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's beginnings on Bandomeer and the start of their relationship, only tweaked a little to have Qui-Gon being a Sith, while Obi-Wan doesn't really know what to make of that at first, but then decides that Qui-Gon doesn't seem that bad, so maybe the Sith aren't what he thought. I have such a weakness for Sith AU fics, the way they can change the canon nature of them into something more interesting and I did really enjoy the way this one followed the canon events of the JA novels, but not quite the same and I'll be delighted to see where this series goes!

→ Shields by dogmatix, norcumi, obi-wan & qui-gon, sith!qui-gon + sith!obi-wan, 4.9k
    New Sith Apprentice Obi-Wan and his Master undertake new missions, their misadventures taking them across the galaxy from Bandomeer, to Gala, and finally the war-torn Melida/Daan.
    This is a follow up to Start of the Line, which should be read first to make sense of this one. This is the second in the series of Sith!Qui-Gon taking on Obi-Wan as an apprentice Sith, this time covering the Melida/Daan arc of the JA novels, with more things changing because their relationship is different, because the Dark influences Obi-Wan differently, causes him to look at things differently, and just know different hings, as well as his relationship with Qui-Gon isn't quite the same. It's a really interesting AU, a non-canon but super engrossing take on what the Sith are in this universe and it's very smoothly written, making it a fun romp all the way through.

→ Amber Burning by Rain1701, obi-wan & anakin + references to canon, sith!obi-wan, 1k
    When he had approached his former mentor regarding Chancellor Palpatine’s reveal as a Sith Lord, Anakin had not been expecting Obi Wan to suddenly go… so still, so angry. So possessive. Anakin certainly had never heard his Master snarl like that before, much less when it came to someone potentially hurting or using the younger Jedi.
    Do you know what my id cries out for? Fic where Obi-Wan metaphorically yanks Anakin back to his side, through whatever means necessary, and if he's secretly a Sith himself to do it, give it to me. Honestly, I was a little surprised that this wasn't labeled as a pairing fic, given the way Obi-Wan calls Anakin "dear one", so that made me even happier. This one just... hit the right spot for me today, I'm a sucker for Sith!Obi-Wan fic and one where he keeps hold of Anakin, so I was pretty much guaranteed to like this one!

→ Inquest by dogmatix, norcumi, obi-wan & qui-gon & dooku, sith!obi-wan, 6.1k
    As the council investigates the bombing and prepares to render verdict, students confer with teachers, and a secret comes to light.
    This is part of a larger series, where it would probably help to read them in order, especially because this is a different take on what it means to be a Sith. I really enjoy this series for the pre-TPM stuff, the bits of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's daily lives back when they were Master and Padawan, I enjoyed the bits with the other Jedi Council members, it's always nice to see more of Plo Koon and Tyvokka and Bant and more. I enjoyed this one for being an easy read and doing just that much more of the heavy lifting to fill out the PT era Jedi, as well as being interesting for showing Obi-Wan working through embracing his emotions a little bit more, I think.

→ Random Drabbles: Evil Mirror Universe III - Force Shenanigans by dogmatix, obi-wan/anakin/padme, de-aging, sith!obi-wan, 1.4k
    Anakin is hiding two kids from the entire Sith Order. Also one of the kids is a Jedi. Things are about to get complicated.
    This is a short AU ficlet that's just a piece of a larger story that doesn't really need to be more than what it is to be enjoyable. Because Anakin's "jfc I don't know what to do" panic is always great, but doubly so when Obi-Wan and Padme are now kidlets that he has to hide from an AU Sith Order and he's working on limited time because he's about to fall prey to it himself soon, too. It's a really cute and fun little piece!

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/217445.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 20 fic (Star Wars)

tomomichi — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 02:42:53 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Sigh, a month already? I could have sworn it was only like two weeks or so. No, that's fine. orz
ღ - BUT OKAY. Have some of my favorite Obi-Wan & Anakin gen and/or pre-slash fics this time. \:D/

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Star Wars - 20 Fanfics

→ Wake the Storm by bedlamsbard, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 75.4k
    Considering that he had picked up what was probably a Sith artifact, promptly passed out in the middle of a war zone, and apparently woken up twenty years in the future with Obi-Wan having taken up residence in his head, Anakin thought he was entitled to have a few questions.
    So, I pretty much sunk into this fic and didn't come out again until I'd read the whole thing, I just absolutely couldn't put it down! My only caveat is that, while the build-ups and suspense are stellar, you just kind of have to roll with that the fic is not as strong at reveals. The way the fic is structured, there's a lot of "omg when will Character A find out about Character b????" that don't necessarily happen or happen late in the fic or aren't pieced together when they should be or aren't dwelled on for long. I don't think this is a huge detriment, so long as you know what you're getting ahead of time, though, because what the fic is about (Anakin skipping around the timeline and other universes, dragging Obi-Wan along with him) is absolutely fantastic. The writing is incredibly engaging, it's the kind where I find this far more readable than a lot of professionally published books, that the plot structure and pacing of the scenes is all rock solid for me. (Tbh, probably the only reason any caveats occur to me at all is because the fic as a whole is so well written.)

The characterization is lovely and gets at the heart of what I wanted--where Anakin experiences the destruction and tragedy that happens, his horror at it solidified by the time he finds out his connection to it, as well as his interaction with Obi-Wan is strengthened up because of what Obi-Wan has been through and how he's seeing Anakin again and how much time he's had to think over the events of Anakin's future. The plot is interesting and the fic spends time with each world but doesn't linger and there has clearly been thought given to setting all of it up, but it blends into the story perfectly, like... you know those fics you can pick up and just read and read and read because they're so engaging and written with such good pacing that you don't want to put it down, that even when it shifts gears, you find yourself rolling right along with it because you want to know what happens next? That's what this fic did for me, I was so curious about where it was going next and how this was all going to affect them.

While this story itself is gen, you can tell that the story is heading towards Obi-Wan/Anakin/Padme, so it spends time building Obi-Wan/Anakin back up and shifting it to romantic instead of platonic, that it doesn't happen here at all, but you can feel how desperately Anakin loves Obi-Wan and how Obi-Wan has been given the time to really reflect on feelings and attachment and on Anakin in general, so that I believe it. Plus, I'm a sucker for all the little touches, like Anakin sleeping on Obi-Wan or the way he touches Anakin after he goes through a tough time, it got me right in the feelings place, to go along with the intriguing greater story. I am now going to proceed to dive right into the monster sequel fic and probably roll around in my feelings some more.

→ Bedside Manner by Spongyllama, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka, 3.2k
    Anakin falls victim to the common cold, and Obi-Wan is very lacking in his bedside manner.
    I think this is my favorite fic of the author's yet because, oh, is it ever perfect. It's an absolutely pitch perfect balance of humorous moments and the intensity of feelings I had about the characters! I love love love when one character is a whiny baby when they're sick, but I love it even more when the whiny brat is selfish and demanding about their favorite person taking care of them. And then I love it still yet more when that favorite person is a mix of NO SYMPATHY and genuine love. All wrapped up in hilarity and great comedic timing from the writing! Every moment of this fic was joy, from Anakin trying to avoid Obi-Wan because he knew he'd get in trouble for not resting to Anakin being whiny about no, Obi-Wan's special soup is only for him to not taking his medicine to wanting Obi-Wan to stay with him the whole time to Obi-Wan's complete and total terrible bedside manner to the ending when you see just how deeply they love each other. Oh, I was over the moon for this fic.

→ Fire and Ice by Yesac, obi-wan & anakin + padme & luke & leia & cast, 111.9k
    Anakin wins the duel on Mustafar, but doesn't kill Obi-Wan. Along with Padme, Obi-Wan finds himself living in a chaotic world where the man he thought he knew has become the thing he swore to destroy. Can Anakin be turned back? If so, what then?
    This fic consumed me for the last few days because it's something I had no idea that I wanted as badly as I did. The first half of the fic is about Anakin won the duel at Mustafar but his need for Obi-Wan's affection means he keeps Obi-Wan prisoner in his apartments instead, along with Padme. The characterization is gorgeous, where Anakin is unstable and volatile and explodes at unpredictable times, all while you can feel how convinced he is that he's right, that if Obi-Wan and Padme would just listen to him, they would understand, if they would just stop fighting him, stop being angry with him, then things would be good again. Obi-Wan's careful interaction with Anakin, cut off from the Force as he is, strides the balance between not giving in, but not flinging himself into a suicidal confrontation, either. And Padme is this lovely, steady, solid presence that made me fall in love with her even more, that she's so kind and caring but she also cannot get past this.

The emotional beats of the story are spot on, so by the time that Anakin breaks apart (as you know he will) and things crumble for him and he frees himself from the Dark Side, the confrontation with Obi-Wan is the most emotionally satisfying thing I've read in ages, it was exactly what my id wanted while also being brilliantly written. The second half of the story is about Anakin's redemption, as well as being... okay, the fic is entirely gen, Obi-Wan sees Anakin as a brother/son and Anakin sees him as a brother/father figure, but frankly they run off to Tattoine to raise Luke and Leia together and they practically revolve around each other. It's Obi-Wan/Anakin without any kissing, so it works on a gen level or if you're interested in more for them, even if the author doesn't intend it.

The pacing is perfect, the characterizations are fantastic (oh, this Anakin is one I was so in love with, but let me tell you about the stars in my eyes every time Obi-Wan was on the page), the writing is smooth and utterly readable, I could just get lost in the fic so easily. I read this because I love this relationship, how they're the most important to each other in the entire universe along with Luke and Leia (who are fucking precious and absolutely perfectly used) and the struggle between what it means to be a Jedi versus what they find along the way, and the build-up to the explosive scenes and the resolution of them, all of it was engrossing as hell and this is one of my favorite things I've ever read.

→ All But Name by Mirror and Image, obi-wan & anakin + padme & dooku & qui-gon & yoda & ocs & cast, 107.9k
    "You will be a Jedi, Anakin. I promise you. In all but name."
    Oh, let me tell you my feelings about this fic. By the time it was finished, despite that I'd just read a novel's worth of fic, I was so sad it was ending because it's such a great build-up and great characterization and great pacing and great story. When I first started reading, I was a little wary because Obi-Wan didn't entirely feel like himself to me, despite that I acknowledged that he was grieving and he was just post-TPM and hadn't had the time to progress yet, but by the halfway point of the fic I got it, I understood why the story made all the choices it did, why it put Obi-Wan into the situations and places that it did, because it absolutely was about a larger path that he was following and the Force needed him to be right where he was at those specific moments. By the end of the fic, you can see the care and thought that was put into the story, why everything happened the way it did, in addition to how much insight and care the authors put into Anakin's development as a young child still emotionally and mentally developing. It's not just that the writing is really smooth and easy to become engrossed in, it's not just that there's a plot happening (maybe not that many light saber battles, but there are some and it's a great balance between the quieter moments of their lives and the healing process they go through and the bigger, more epic moments of their lives), but also that I cared deeply about the characters.

It's a fic that's about Obi-Wan and Anakin's early days and how things are different when they're no longer part of the Jedi Order, how that subtly changes their dynamic until it's entirely different (and yet still entirely recognizable) from where they ended up in canon. It's one of my new favorite fics because it does justice to how those changes start small, how Anakin has more freedom to express his attachments and emotional instability because they're not at the Jedi Temple and because Obi-Wan doesn't have the support from others, so he can't be as strict about it, plus he too needs that emotional connection in the wake of his own losses, until they've grown close and found a better way for Anakin to deal with his anger and emotions, because they were nudged in just the right direction for it. It doesn't villainize anyone (not even the Jedi Order is villainized, thankfully! they're not perfect and some characters are furious at them, but they're still good people) but instead gives these characters a different path to follow, one that I could see the canon characters going down if they'd had these circumstances instead. That thought and care was given to how they would interact with each other, how each of their mindsets and motivations would affect their interaction, that Anakin's anger and restlessness aren't just swept aside, but instead tackled head-on, in a more subtle sort of way. Reading the author's notes really gave a look into how much thought was put into his development and I loved it for that.

But ultimately, at its heart, this is a fic about Obi-Wan and Anakin becoming much more emotionally available to each other as they both develop over the months they figure out their new lives, it's a fic about having only each other to rely on and that creates a more intense bond, even as it nearly threatens to drown them. It's a fic about Obi-Wan grieving his losses and struggling to hold onto what he can, dealing with depression and coming through it after a struggle, it's a fic about learning to accept help from those who care about them. It's about all those things, but it's also about how awesome Obi-Wan is, how brilliant a negotiator he is, about how morally unbreakable he is, about how he's amazing in so many ways, as well as just how much sheer, raw potential Anakin has, how he's such a caring little moppet even when he's a trouble magnet. It was a fic that I legitimately respected on a technical level, but it won my heart for giving me so much that pleased my id at the same time! And that's not even getting into how fascinating Dooku was in the last third of the fic, how I loved his addition to the story and every interaction he had with Obi-Wan was absolutely satisfying as hell. This is a fic that is really, really worth reading and this is why I got into the Star Wars fandom in the first place!

→ A Good Place to Die by Valairy Scot, obi-wan & anakin (pre-slash?) + some anakin/padme & yoda & bant & cast, some violence/injury, 115k
    Exhausted after over a year of fighting in the Clone Wars, our heroes are sent on another mission to a vacation paradise planet. This mission brings danger and the aftereffects may very well shatter the deepening friendship between Master and Padawan.
    This fic consumed me for the last several days and I am going to try to write a coherent rec for it, when all I really want to do is just keyboard smash like you wouldn't believe. I admit that the fic is OTT in places, some of the reactions aren't really earned, as well as I would say Obi-Wan would be less "this is all my fault" and more "get your shit together, Anakin" (in a supportive way), but at the same time, what the fic does is takes issues that are absolutely there in canon and puts them in a high pressure cooker and watches everything explode in the most satisfying for me way possible. This is 115k of Anakin absolutely losing his shit when Obi-Wan is near fatally wounded, in a really selfish and hypocritcal and emotionally messy way that is entirely, entirely accurate to his character. Anakin is a character--especially at this point in his life--where he thinks that he's ready to be a Knight, that he's ready to be on his own, then something happens and he has to actually stand on his own for awhile, and he absolutely cannot handle it, he swings wildly between various emotions, he's angry and hurt and terrified and desperately doesn't want Obi-Wan to die because he still needs his Master.

It's 115k of Obi-Wan's slow path to recovery and how he protects Anakin still, how he tries to make things easier on Anakin, how he tries not to burden his Padawan, tries to give him the space to be happy, how he just cannot take Anakin's happiness away, not even when he needs help. It's an exploration of Obi-Wan's struggle to accept help (instead of always giving it), to open up emotionally to Anakin, just as much as it's about Anakin's absolutely horrible reactions when something bad happens. It's chock-full of those moments that are an absolute struggle to get through to the other side of because they're both so terrible at communication, it's a fic that's all about how Obi-Wan tries to encourage Anakin's indepedence and respect his privacy, while Anakin just desperately wants Obi-Wan to shove him into a chair and make him talk about these things. It's a fic that's about how there's such affection there (all the little memories of how Anakin used to crawl into Obi-Wan's bed or curl up against his side when he needed comfort or the forehead kisses were so good for me), yet also you see how the distance has grown between them.

It's a fic that absolutely nails how much I want to just smack Anakin for his reactions, how much of a brat he is, how selfish and hypocritical and hurtful he is when he lashes out, how he was wrong in his reactions, but while also still completely loving him, that is exactly how I should feel about Anakin Skywalker. He's does and says horrible things and is selfish and hurts people who love him, but I still get why they love him and I still love him myself, I would still move mountains to help him. It's a fic where you get that Anakin really does need someone to grab him by the scruff of the neck and make him apologize for the shitty things he's done and to put him back in his place because he needs someone else to set the boundaries. There's even a moment towards the end that shows how Anakin loves both Padme and Obi-Wan, that he gets different things from them, and it's only a brief moment but it nailed how I feel about these two characters in his life. It nailed how he's so incredibly sorry afterwards, how much he hates himself, how Palpatine twists things around and makes Anakin's inability to trust in the love from others all the worse. It's a fic that also had some great Obi-Wan & Yoda moments, some great moments with Bant and Garen, that I could see undercurrents of Obi-Wan/Anakin to go with the textual moments of Anakin/Padme, it's a fic that's about how Obi-Wan and Anakin do love each other, how they can say it to each other, how they can finally understand a few more things about each other. It's long and just one id-satisfying amazingly cathartic read that left me entirely sated by the end of it.

→ Dooku Captured, Pt 2 by DarthNickels, dooku & anakin & obi-wan & palpatine & yoda, 16.6k
    Dooku is taken alive onboard the Invisible Hand, and Sidious' web is torn. The Sith Lord wonders if death might have been preferable to clumsy interrogation by Anakin Skywalker.
    I absolutely fell in love with this fic because it's a great balance of, as the tag says, Dooku being a cranky Sith grandpa and of his presence changing things just enough to avoid some really tragic turns. The writing is fantastic, the characterization is great, and it gets that blend of Anakin being the Chosen One, the most special, with that he's kind of an idiot sometimes/a lot of times. There's this sense of underlying humor about the whole thing, yet it doesn't sacrifice the drama of it, I never took it less than seriously, and the possibilities that it brought up and explored were fantastic, making it such a satisfying read. It's also a great look at a character that I didn't expect to be interested in, but absolutely was and honestly have a newfound appreciation for him, which is always nice to find in fic! All of it is absolutely so interesting and the author did justice to the concept of the story.

→ Unconventional Means by OverTheSeas, obi-wan & anakin, spanking, 21.7k
    Obi-Wan does not agree with Anakin's new chosen method of releasing his emotions and decides to take matters into his own hands.
    I admit, I didn't know how I was going to feel about this fic when I picked it up, but I have a weakness for spanking fic, even if I usually like it in my pairing fic instead. And I admit I skimmed a bit of the first chapter, intending to get to the more interesting stuff, but once I hit the second chapter, I found myself getting genuinely engrossed in the story. What works so well about this fic is that it works better as a platonic relationship, it's not quite parental but it's not quite friendship either but neither is it at all about sex, instead this is entirely about emotions and the incredible amount of catharcism that Anakin needs from this. He's wrapped himself up so tightly that he spills his emotions all over the place, he needs to vent them out and nothing else works, and the fic clearly enjoys the actual spanking part of this concept, but it's absolutely centered on the emotional release.

The heart of the fic absolutely nails the issues between Obi-Wan and Anakin, the painful things that aren't being said between them, that this breaking point that Anakin needs to be able to let go of his emotions is something that pulls out things that really needed to be said between them, so you can feel it shifting their dynamic into something healthier, no matter how odd or unconventional this is. And it's not just Anakin's issues that are at the center of this, the fic also understands Obi-Wan's issues and does a fantastic job with them as well, that he was raised as a Jedi, that this is something he doesn't understand, but he loves Anakin and so he forges ahead anyway. The conversations about what's happening, the way Obi-Wan is unmovable about how this is going to happen, the way Anakin is horribly embarrassed (but not in a way that hits my embarrassment squick!) and just wants to ignore the problem, the way this really is about a dom/sub relationship without sex, how Obi-Wan is like the single greatest dom ever and it allows Anakin to work through everything that's tangled up in him, oh, man, it was so good for me.

The fic lovingly takes its time with the aftercare, both in the way Anakin curls up on Obi-Wan and is able to cry, the way Obi-Wan's heart hurts through all of this but he's strong enough to guide them both forward, the way he doesn't like this any more than Anakin, but knows they have to talk about everything, especially about their relationship and how they need something different, jfc, I went into this fic expecting cheesy spanking fic to scratch my id, but instead I got emotional porn and I honest to god would have read 100k of this and I'm so sad I don't have more of this one. So, so satisfying.

→ The Storm is Here by Spongyllama, obi-wan & anakin, 3.2k
    Anakin tries to deal with his overwhelming guilt and grief in the wake of Obi-Wan's apparent death in the Deception arc of The Clone Wars.
    Oh, my heart. Anakin's grief after Obi-Wan's death, how he tries to hold it together and just can't, the way it feels like his emotional rug has been ripped out from under him, it's both the most delicious thing and the most painful thing for me to read. The fic does a beautiful job of showing how hard Anakin is trying here, but that his feelings are roiling up in him, until they finally spill over and it hurts so much, not even knowing Obi-Wan will come back makes this much easier to read, in exactly the way it's supposed to. Ouchy, but so good a read.

→ Hypothetically Speaking by skygawker, obi-wan & anakin + mentions of ahsoka, 1.9k
    Anakin poses a not-entirely-hypothetical question to his former master after Ahsoka chooses to leave the Order. Obi-Wan cannot quite understand why he asked it.
    Well, my heart hurt by the time I finished reading this fic, because it really is a bittersweet and spot-on look at a question that makes perfect sense the way the fic built it up here. And I appreciate how delicate a line that was to walk, to not be too obvious, that Obi-Wan would be suspicious about what Anakin means while not actually getting it, yet it's perfectly clear to the reader what Anakin is talking about. The line walked for that conversation was perfect, it was so easy to see and so easy to pick up on all the undercurrents and how unbalanced Anakin was and how much my heart hurt for the way things are going wrong, despite that these people care so much about each other and it could have worked out, even when I get why it didn't. This was a fantastic read tonight.

→ Trying to Connect by skygawker, obi-wan & anakin + mentions of obi-wan/satine, 2.7k
    Anakin tries to talk to Obi-Wan in the aftermath of Satine Kryze's death. It goes about as well as you might expect.
    Oh, I loved this fic as well, it was such a bittersweet and well-written fic about Anakin stubbornly trying to get Obi-Wan to talk to him about Satine, trying to get Obi-Wan to admit to his feelings, the undercurrent I felt of how desperately Anakin needed Obi-Wan to admit to them because of his own feelings for Padme and for his own feelings about Obi-Wan, as well as the way the conversation didn't go as Anakin expected it to. It was a painful moment and it ends well, but you can see the cracks in the foundation of Anakin's character, so even when it ends on a reasonably good note, there's such heartbreak in it because we know where this is all going. A really good read that I enjoyed a lot, for all that my fannish heart hurt afterwards!

→ Collapse by Susan Zell, obi-wan & anakin & padme (some canon pairing), 27.8k
    A diplomatic mission goes awry, leaving Obi-wan, Anakin, and Padmé struggling to survive an assassination attempt.
    This is one of those fics that I went into for a good old fashioned gen action/adventure + whump + Jedi badassery fic and got exactly what I was hoping for! The thing that really won my heart of hearts is that the fic was very into both Obi-Wan and Anakin being incredible with their skills and power as Jedi, that there's a bit of a rough start to the fic, but by the time they're outrunning the assassination attempt, it's just 24/7 hardcore Jedi powers. It's possibly more than they can do in canon, they literally hold half a mountain up at one point, but the fic doesn't overpower one over the other, you can tell the author is greatly fond of Obi-Wan's character, but never at the expense of Anakin or Padme, they're both absolutely wonderful and brilliant in their own ways as well! The other thing that makes it so satisfying is that that badassery comes at a cost, they seriously damage themselves and half of the fic is them being out of comission/too burnt out to do much more than collapse--but, again, the fic does so with care and thought to the characters, so that it's never about weakening them, it's never making them less than they are, it always leaves me feeling, "....whoa." even when they're hurt, because I just saw what they were capable of.

The fic is great about keeping all three characters involved and given focus, even if they don't always have something to do, them being there is important and they all obviously care greatly about each other, so as much as I enjoyed it for the plot, as much as I enjoyed it for the action and powers, I also enjoyed it for the characters themselves. It's one of those really solid pieces that just satisfied the itch I had for genfic, for Obi-Wan getting to do incredible Jedi feats, for Anakin being a fantastic Jedi warrior, for Padme being such a kind and insightful person. It's not terribly long, it's great for whump/iron willed characters, and great just for my gen-loving soul.

→ untitled by elfpen, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & rex, 1.5k
    Okay but imagine the Jedi finding like, holonet fansites about them.
    I read this entire fic with the biggest :D expression on my face, outright giggling at least twice, and now my face actually hurts because this is so goddamned precious and hilarious and great. The Star Wars universe with a holonet like our internet, with fansites and memes and message boards and of course Anakin and the clones will get in on that, Anakin especially so just to be an irritating little shit to Obi-Wan. And then they make it their mission to try to get Obi-Wan to actually smile on camera and it's the most hilarious, perfect thing with all their attempts and their plotting and just. I LOVE EVERYONE IN THIS BAR, is basically my feeling after reading this, it's so great.

→ Pro Patria Mori by brinnanza, obi-wan & anakin, 1.6k
    The planets are starting to blur together, and Anakin hasn’t slept on any of them.
    This was another lovely fic, not terribly long, and it's just a moment in time, where Anakin is utterly exhausted and so Obi-Wan gently forces him into bed, not letting him get away with winding himself up any further, even (very obviously, so Anakin knows it's coming) using a Force suggestion on Anakin to just sleep already and then stays with him when Anakin asks. It doesn't need to be anything more than that, it's one moment out of their lives and it's almost a quiet one, but comforting and one good thing in the crapsack of a war they're in the middle of. It was a really lovely read that I'm glad to have found.

→ Aftermath by zukoslover, obi-wan & anakin, 3.1k
    "Hatred, slavery's inevitable aftermath." --Jose Marti, Woman Suffrage
    Another lovely coda-style fic, this one about Obi-Wan's experiences on Zygerria and Anakin trying to get him to talk about it, which goes about as well as you'd expect, especially when Obi-Wan just wants to drink in peace and not think about anything for awhile. It's a blend of something almost light-hearted in that way they have with all the history and underlying weight that they also have between them, it has good moments and heartbreaking moments, just as these two always should. There's such an easy way between them, the way Anakin just plops down, the way they allow each other into their space, the way they touch each other, the way they talk to each other, it says so much about everything between them. I love that the fic doesn't try too hard, it brings some things to the surface, it exposes some of the cracks in these characters, it takes a good step foward, but it doesn't fix everything and we still know where it all ultimately ends up. It's a great between the scenes of canon fic, though!

→ Ashes to Ashes by Yesac, obi-wan & anakin, 5.3k
    A few months after the events of The Phantom Menace, Anakin is having nightmares about burning alive.
    This is a short but lovely piece about the early days of Obi-Wan and Anakin's training, which is sort of cute and seemingly harmless on the surface, but when you know what's coming, is super ouchy underneath that. I love that it's not cold-hearted, you can see the Jedi care, but you also just quietly understand where it all starts going wrong from the beginning, and the fic does that really well.

→ A Good Cause by 221B.B, obi-wan & anakin, 3.3k
    Not surprisingly, an argument with one's padawan doesn't do one good.
    No, but, seriously, if you give me a fic where Anakin practically curls up on Obi-Wan because he still needs comfort from his Master even once he's an adult and a Jedi Knight himself? I'm pretty much guaranteed to be yours. And this fic is lovely because it's just a touch of Obi-Wan being amused at Anakin having difficulties with his Padawan, just as Obi-Wan had with Anakin, but then when it actually happens, no, Obi-Wan loves him far too much to be amused, it's still far too soon from their own relationship for him to be anything but sympathetic and wanting to help Anakin. He doesn't fix everything for Anakin, he just cuts through Anakin's emotional spinning and then lets Anakin curl up on him a bit and it really, really worked for me and gave me all the bittersweet warm fuzzy feelings, just like I wanted.

→ From One Generation by Phosphorescent, obi-wan & anakin, 1.5k
    "What do you know about it, anyway?" Anakin muttered resentfully, scuffing a booted foot against the floor. "You were a perfect padawan, probably just like Ferus karking Olin." His Master’s eyebrows shot up nearly to his hairline.
    Yesss, I love moppet!Anakin stories and this was a lovely one, where Anakin has gotten in trouble and grumbles about how Obi-Wan wouldn't understand, so Obi-Wan tells him a bit about what he was actually like as a Padawan Learner. It's super adorable and easy to see as part of canon, both of them are absolutely spot on and the conversation has a great flow to it, especially for Anakin's mercurial temper. An absolutely delightful read!

→ Worthy by whereiismymindd, obi-wan & anakin, 1.5k
    12-year-old Anakin is upset because other Jedi think he isn't good enough. Obi Wan tries to help him, while dealing with some demons of his own.
    I am always, always here for fic like this, where I feel really badly for poor kidlet Anakin, but Obi-Wan is entirely there to help him back up, to say what he needs to hear, to care for him and protect him, even if it's just emotionally. I loved the moments of Obi-Wan talking about what he was like as a Padawan as well, but mostly it's just about Obi-Wan's utter dedication to how much he cares about Anakin and will protect him. My heart, okay.

→ Learning Curve by ruth baulding, obi-wan & anakin, 5.2k
    It is a poor student who does not thereby also teach his master.
    Two adorable scenes from early on in Anakin's Padawan days, both of which appeal for different reasons! The first is a fic where Obi-Wan has returned after a long delay on a mission and Anakin is upset about how long he's been gone, scared because he was so worried and it's set in an AU where Qui-Gon is still alive and able to help smooth things over a bit, but it's still wholly about Obi-Wan and Anakin's relationship and, ahhh, so adorable and heart-tugging! The second is a delight because you absolutely see the ending coming and yet it's no less great because absolutely Obi-Wan can be a bit of a dick on purpose when he wants to get something done. Two scenes from Anakin's early days as Obi-Wan's Padawan and it was a joy to read them both.

→ The Promise by Ripki, obi-wan & anakin, 1.4k
    Unwilling to leave, Obi-Wan waits beside his young padawan's sickbed.
    This is pretty much how I see the early days of Obi-Wan and Anakin's relationship, yes. That Obi-Wan cared about, grew attached to, and probably loved that little munchkin from the time he was just a year or two older than when we first saw him. I love that this fic did a lovely job of being about feelings, that Obi-Wan knows Anakin will get better when he's sick, but he just can't make himself leave, even though Jedi detachment tells him that he's not actually doing any good here. It's not denial about his feelings, Obi-Wan knows exactly what he feels, but Anakin is always different for him, there's such deep and understated affection and care here that it gave me all the right feelings. It was a fantastic read.

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/217232.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 14 fic (Star Wars)

tomomichi — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 01:25:08 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - I miss having a place for just recs, especially since I tend to spread them out over multiple tumblr accounts, and eventually I do want to get caught up. So I'm gonna start making a dent in them again! But I'll at least try to make them themed!
ღ - In that vein: TIME TRAVEL FIC. \o/

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Star Wars - 14 Fanfics

→ Shadows of the Future by stormqueen873, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast, 129.3k
    ObiWan lost the duel on Mustafar, but instead of dying, he finds himself on a ship leaving Tatooine, with his old Master and a familiar young boy. As events begin to unfold, can he stop the future he knows from occuring?
    I AM SO SAD THIS FIC IS OVER. I admit, the beginning is super fluffy and it takes awhile to get into the real tension of the piece, but when the fic delivers on the revelations, when Qui-Gon finally finds out what Obi-Wan knows, when Obi-Wan finally has to really let loose in a fight, when Anakin realizes what happened in Obi-Wan's future, all of it is so goddamned worth the wait. I do actually enjoy the fluff of this fic, I don't mean to indicate otherwise, because it's adorable and necessary, where Obi-Wan just loves kidlet Anakin so much and has the experience to be more open about it this time, the maturity to better handle everything, has Qui-Gon still alive to let up on his own grief, it's wonderful to read and soothed my heart and paved the way for the relationships being even stronger than they were.

But it's really in the second half where this fic becomes absolutely magical, where shit finally hits the fan and revelations have to happen and the plot cannot remain the same because Obi-Wan's not going to let things fall apart again. I absolutely could not put the fic down by that point, I was utterly engrossed and read practically the whole second half in one sitting because I kept needing to turn the page, just one more time, just one more time! The tension of how things unfold, Sidious and Maul's plots, the Jedi Council trying to figure out what's going on, Qui-Gon trying to figure out what the hell is up with Obi-Wan, Anakin bonding so fiercely to Obi-Wan, all of it ties together and culminates in a fine as hell epic fight scene that left me so damned satisfied.

The fic is absolutely focused on making things better, in fixing everything, but it never forgets that Obi-Wan is not who he was in the original timeline, because he's grown, he's healing here, but he's still a Jedi Master who has Seen A Lot Of Shit, that the second time around is necessary to be built on top of the previous one, which is how time travel fics work best for me. Plus, this has one of my new favorites of the duel on Mustafar, when Anakin won that duel and how he won it, how you realize it shapes so much of what happens between them. And the ending! MY HEART FEELS SO MUCH BETTER AFTER THIS FIC.

→ these are the good old days by QueenWithABeeThrone, han & obi-wan & anakin, 2.3k
    Han Solo, after being killed by his own son, wakes up as an eight-year-old on Corellia, then runs away from home. just his luck (or the Force) that his ride crashes on a world being squabbled over by the Republic and the Separatists. just his luck (or the Force) that he runs into Anakin Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi, too.
    Oh, my god, this was such a joyful ride, I could have read it for another 100k and eaten it up like it was nothing but delicious candy, even as it's just the right length for what it wants to achieve. It's such a great Han voice, the right amount of "wtf" blended with "well, whatever, this is my life now, I guess" feeling, the fic does a glorious job of those reveal moments that you know are coming, when he realizes just who he's run into, the hilarious shock of, oh, shit, it's kriffing Vader and oh, fuck, that's Obi-Wan Kenobi, but also they're not really what Han was expecting, either. The whole fic is an absolute scream, I never knew how badly I needed Han Solo to be the worst time traveler ever, to interact with Anakin and Obi-Wan in hilarious ways, to have his life just entirely fucked up by these Force users. But this was super great and everyone should read it, my face hurts from grinning just remembering reading it!

→ untitled by cadesama part 1 / 2 / 3, obi-wan & anakin & leia & rey & padme & finn & poe & cast, 2.7k wip
    A decade ago, Leia would have considered this a headache. Perhaps a nightmare. Now, she was mostly bemused.
    Oh, I am so charmed by this whole collection of ficlets, finally there is time travel fuckery that includes the TFA characters! And I am so here for Clone Wars era Anakin and Ahsoka plus TPM era Obi-Wan and Anakin and Padme ending up in the future, I'm so here for the hints of Anakin having to interact with Kylo Ren, I'm so here for there being two Future Darth Vaders lounging around their base and everyone Not Knowing What To Say about this, I'm so here for Rey's utter "wtf" reaction to all of this bullshit, I am so here for Leia just rolling with it because she always lands on her feet no matter how weird something is, and I'm just so here for the banter and the fun of all this collection of people from different eras and what a joyful, joyful clusterfuck this is. :D

→ of deserts and droids by songstress, rey & anakin, 3.9k
    Rey accidentally time-travels, and realizes that Jedi are even more weird than she had ever imagined.
    Oh, I love the tone this fic takes, it definitely is crack treated seriously, but it does it so well, it embraces and just totally rolls with the concept of Padawan Learners accidentally time traveling via the Force through meditation and is absolutely precious to see a young Anakin interacting with Rey, the way he's so chatty and charming and adorable and complains about his life constantly but Rey can absolutely read between the lines of what he says, he's just such a ball of energy and you instantly feel for Obi-Wan having to deal with that, but also you absolutely love the little shit because he's got such a charisma to him, but also this is a great piece about Rey and her early days of learning to be a Jedi. And then the ending hits and, wham, I had an attack of the feelings exactly as I should and it was just. A really easy read that I immediately got pulled into, had a joyful time reading, and then was quietly devastated all over again. Just what Star Wars fic should be.

→ Hollow by JennMel, qui-gon & obi-wan & anakin & others, 5.6k
    Obi-Wan has always had a secret. And Qui-Gon could not, must not, ever know. If he did, then they would never even make it to Tatooine, let alone deal with the rest to come. One perfect possible future, that's all Obi-Wan needed to achieve...that's all.
    I greatly enjoyed this piece, one that didn't need to be long to do some fixing of the timeline and having an interesting concept that it pulled off nicely. I love how it changes things, offers so much hope, but without making it easy or without a lot of pain and sacrifice, which makes the potential for something better all the more well earned.

→ Futurus (-a -um) by cadesama, anakin/padme + obi-wan/anakin/padme + luke & leia & mon mathma & ahsoka, mildly nsfw, 53.2k
    Cracked hyperdrive? No problem. Just hold it together with the Force. Time travel? Well. That could be a bigger problem.
    I have two caveats about this fic before I begin: It's a WIP that hasn't been updated in about a year, so I'm not sure if it will be. But it gets enough satisfying stuff in so even though it ends on a cliffhanger, I found it absolutely worth reading! And that it's very fast in the beginning, there's not much time to build up suspense before the reveals are already happening. This isn't a fic I wound up reading for the suspense or reveals by the time I got into the thick of it, this is a fic that's about the building relationship between Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padme. Previous to this fic, I'd never shipped anything but Anakin/Padme, so their relationship being strong here, being absolutely important to Anakin's pov, while the shifting nature of his relationship with Obi-Wan is slowly changing, works for me, it eased me in at just the right pacing and made me actually really, really want it.

What the fic does the most beautifully for me, though, is how Anakin is so beloved and so special and so brilliant, but he's also an obnoxious pain in the ass, the way Padme and Obi-Wan both love him dearly, but he's also a dumbass, oh, that worked for me because that's exactly it, that's how they relate to him. The plot part of the story was interesting as well, I definitely want to know where things are going, how this will affect history, and I love love love that the PT characters were the ones thrown forward into the OT's time, that's where my heart really is, and this fic just completely and totally charmed the hell out of me! I especially appreciate that it gently eased me into shipping this OT3 in a way that worked for me and got me to be able to actually see it.

→ Threads of the Past by Magier74, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & xanatos, 37.8k
    Obi-Wan and Anakin make an unexpected detour returning home from a mission.
    Another fic that I found myself getting sucked into before I knew it! It's Obi-Wan and Anakin traveling back to just before Obi-Wan became Qui-Gon's Padawan and of course things do not go smoothly, but in a way that ultimately winds up being really satisfying to read. I do wish there had been a bit more filling in of details (the revelation scene was sadly missed) but ultimately I don't mind because it still gave me so many things I was here for: Anakin getting a better understanding of Obi-Wan for having seen him as a less controlled child, being kind of freaked out because if Obi-Wan dies then he won't be there for Anakin, the getting to actually see Qui-Gon instead of placing him on an idealized pedestal, as well as Obi-Wan seeing Qui-Gon again and learning how to really work through that grief. But also beyond that the timeline changes and that means plot changes happen! Xanatos becomes more important to the grand scheme, it means Obi-Wan and Anakin are closer when Anakin's life goes to hell, it means the events of the galaxy shift into a better gear bit by bit. It's not a terribly long fic, but it was suitably epic in scope and utterly satisfying by the end, it balanced the bigger plot stuff with the smaller human moments (Obi-Wan helping Anakin through his mother's death is a scene that really stuck with me) in a way that really made me happy. Another example of why I read time travel fic, god bless.

→ Lost Reflections by esama, obi-wan & ben, 30.k wip
    Obi-Wan didn't become Qui-Gon Jinn's apprentice, and Ben didn't exile himself to Tatooine. On Bandomeer the two meet.
    Holy shit, I got sucked into this fic hard, despite that I really did not expect to. I was wary because my heart hurt at the idea of Obi-Wan never becoming a Jedi Knight, that Qui-Gon passed him over and never changed his mind, and the lack of other characters around them. But I've always enjoyed this author's work whenever they write something and the fic quickly engrossed me and eventually I realized why it's perfectly set up--it's not about the big, epic events of the greater storyline, but it's about Obi-Wan Kenobi. It's set from the younger one's POV, as a strange possible Jedi named Ben Kenobi shows up on the farming world he's been assigned to, so you can guess at so much of what Ben's been through, but you don't know the specifics and it works so well for that, especially because you can feel that bone deep weariness of soul and heart, even as he still has such care in him. It's perfectly set up because it's interesting, the ways that they use the Force in the AgriCorps that's different from how a Jedi Knight uses it, it's genuinely impressive what they do and it strengths their abilities in different ways.

This isn't a time travel fic about fixing the timeline, it's about Ben Kenobi finding healing because he needs to find himself. It's about slice of life moments, it's about nothing being hurried or frantic, but about Ben doing something wholly good again and lessening the hurt of those he's lost (especially Anakin's fall). And, oh, it's a fic with gorgeous characterization, I love how different these two characters are, yet they are both Obi-Wan Kenobi, that deep well of caring and strength of personality and rightness of heart, even as there are absolutely feelings of anger and bitterness that young Obi-Wan works through. And Ben is perfect, even as the fic slowly reveals the wounded parts of his character, he still the absolute epitome of a perfect Jedi, he's always composed and refined and graceful. He's such an incredible teacher (of course, it helps that he knows exactly what he needs), always patient and yet not without humor and finding amusement in frustrating his apprentice at times, that he is so good for younger Obi-Wan, who grows so much with this guidance. It's not about big reveals, it's not about greater plot machinations, but instead about the slice of life moments that build (or fix) the foundations of both of the characters. It's a WIP, but it doesn't really matter because everything you're getting out of this fic is present in the chapters that have already been posted and, honestly, while I would read 100k more of this (or at least like to know the ultimate ending), it's also entirely satisfying the way it is. I got sucked into this and read it all in one sitting just about because it's exactly the balm my soul needed, too.

→ Soldier, Poet, King by Glare, obi-wan/anakin & qui-gon & cast, sith!obi-wan, 14.4k wip
    Second chances are very rarely given, but the Force smiles upon two of its favorite children and returns them to a time before their actions have met their consequences. Anakin Skywalker, also known as Darth Vader, seeks redemption while Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi, disillusioned with the Jedi Order and its Code, falls to the Darkness. Trapped out of time, Master and Apprentice must once again work together to stop Sideous’ plans from reaching fruition and bring Balance to the Force—all the while dodging the Jedi, the Sith, and their feelings for each other.
    I very badly just want to vomit my feelings up everywhever for this fic because I love it more and more with every chapter that's put out, it's just so interesting and is doing so many things I love! Time travel fuckery with Obi-Wan and Anakin! Sith!Anakin traveling back to the past, his motives not entirely clear just yet, but he's got something in mind and he's adorable and charming and sort of clear-headed again, sort of not, but his interaction with Padawan!Obi-Wan is delightful! And then Sith!Ben hiding in the shadows and watching over all of this, you know he's going to start some shit eventually and when he does, it's not long (not so far, not with only 4 chapters as of the time of this rec) but it's so satisfying, even just seeing Anakin's reaction from Padawan!Obi-Wan's eyes! Who is totally confused about what the hell is going on here. And it's just. It's this glorious tangle of various versions of these characters all in the same timeline and both the building up towards reveals and the beginnings of the reveals starting to happen and my satisfaction at yet another Sith!Obi-Wan fic that works for me and finally a time traveling Anakin fic that works for me and just--! I'm having a little trouble writing a coherent rec for this one.

Because I delight in just what this author is doing, the way Sith!Ben is dangerous and powerful and has unleashed himself, the way Anakin feels a bit more settled but still is a little out of his mind, the way I love everyone here and the writing is so charming and the plot has absolutely caught my attention, I want to know what's going on with the Sith holocron, I want to know what's going to happen with Anakin, I want to know what Sith!Ben's plans are, I loved the scene where he (sort of) showed himself and proceeded to knock Anakin on his ass (physically and emotionally! my favorite thing!! I love when smug Anakin gets knocked back down, so good for me, especially when it's done with such care, in its own way), I love how well he knows certain things about Anakin, I love the mentions of the bond being back in place between them, and just. So many things. I am completely useless at writing a rec here because I'm just having way too much fun with it.

→ One Day More by CalaisKenobi, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & cast, 31.2k
    Obi-Wan is given the opportunity to make some changes in his past. With the help of some old friends, and the hindrance of some old enemies, the Galaxy will be forever changed.
    I am an absolute sucker for time travel fic and it's nice to see one that's finished and kept fairly short! Obi-Wan is so beloved by the Force (always a way to get me to click on a fic, lbr) that he gets three chances to change different days in his life and the fic isn't really about the lengthy details of the changed timelines, but instead more about using one or two moments in those changed times to highlight how things could have done differently. It's really a fic about how selfless a character Obi-Wan Kenobi is, how he would never sacrifice someone else for his own gain or happiness, that's just not who he is at all, that he will always put himself in danger before anyone else. It's a fic about how dearly he loves the people he cares about, Qui-Gon and then Anakin later (though, the first section is lighter on Obi-Wan's love for Anakin than I would have thought) and the ways he comes up with to save them.

It's a fic that blends a lot of elements, the time travel/chance to redo things that I love, the explanations Obi-Wan eventually gives because suddenly you have a Jedi Master in a Padawan's body, the emotional charge of losing those he loves again (because you know it's not going to go right until the third time around, so the second time around with Anakin was just all the feelings place ouchies for me), and the fic floating the idea that I rather largely agree with, that Anakin does bring balance to the Force, that the Jedi Order had become stagnant and the Force wanted change, however that came about. But, ultimately, it's a fic about giving Obi-Wan a chance at happiness without sacrificing the things Obi-Wan will always do, that saving the galaxy doesn't have to be about those rare bigger moments, but instead it's about the everyday joy and love for life that pulls the galaxy towards something better. And all of that was just exactly right for me, centered around Obi-Wan's character as it was, it's everything I want from this fandom.

→ Conversations at the Intersections of Time by Sentimental Star, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon, 5.2k wip
    What happens when a thirteen-year-old Anakin Skywalker and his twenty-nine-year-old Master get snatched back in time, only to come face to face with a fifteen-year-old Obi-Wan…and a very much alive Qui-Gon Jinn?
    I am entirely a sucker for time travel fics, especially ones that are about both Obi-Wan getting to see Qui-Gon again and about Anakin seeing a young Padawan Obi-Wan. The fic does drop you into the middle of things (which I'm fine with, all the sooner to get to the good stuff!) and has an epithet problem, but it has young Obi-Wan and young Anakin bonding together and talking about the adults and even if this is just two chapters (so it's more like a snippet out of a larger story, if you want to view it that way) I had fun with it and am very glad I read it. I will always read adorable Padawans trying to figure stuff out, especially when Anakin starts to understand Obi-Wan better because of it.

→ Tumbling Star Wars by esama, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & padme, 4.9k
    Various Star Wars snippets. Some crossovers.
    These are two separate fics and I loved both of them dearly and would have read 100k for each of them, even as they stand well enough as snippets on their own! The first one is a time travel fic that, oh, just absolutely punched me in the feelings over Obi-Wan's life and how much he loses post-ROTS, but also the chance he has for things to be different when he wakes up again! It's one of those that I really would have loved more of it, but am happy with what there is, the little moments that were worked in, how much he cares deeply about Luke and Leia already, the moments he spends with Anakin and you can feel all the undercurrents there, even as they're simple moments, the way his younger self looks at him and the determination he has that his younger self won't have the same future as him. It might have been short, but it was a great piece for Obi-Wan! The second is an AU of ROTS, where Anakin doesn't turn in quite the same way and so instead sneaks off at the end and the Republic is left cleaning up the mess, and this one is much more of a moment of what would be a fascinating larger AU but ahhhh it captured my imagination so well that I loved it dearly. Both are such great concepts with really neat execution that I heartily enjoyed them both.

→ Wake the Storm by bedlamsbard, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 75.4k
    Considering that he had picked up what was probably a Sith artifact, promptly passed out in the middle of a war zone, and apparently woken up twenty years in the future with Obi-Wan having taken up residence in his head, Anakin thought he was entitled to have a few questions.
    So, I pretty much sunk into this fic and didn't come out again until I'd read the whole thing, I just absolutely couldn't put it down! My only caveat is that, while the build-ups and suspense are stellar, you just kind of have to roll with that the fic is not as strong at reveals. The way the fic is structured, there's a lot of "omg when will Character A find out about Character b????" that don't necessarily happen or happen late in the fic or aren't pieced together when they should be or aren't dwelled on for long. I don't think this is a huge detriment, so long as you know what you're getting ahead of time, though, because what the fic is about (Anakin skipping around the timeline and other universes, dragging Obi-Wan along with him) is absolutely fantastic. The writing is incredibly engaging, it's the kind where I find this far more readable than a lot of professionally published books, that the plot structure and pacing of the scenes is all rock solid for me. (Tbh, probably the only reason any caveats occur to me at all is because the fic as a whole is so well written.)

The characterization is lovely and gets at the heart of what I wanted--where Anakin experiences the destruction and tragedy that happens, his horror at it solidified by the time he finds out his connection to it, as well as his interaction with Obi-Wan is strengthened up because of what Obi-Wan has been through and how he's seeing Anakin again and how much time he's had to think over the events of Anakin's future. The plot is interesting and the fic spends time with each world but doesn't linger and there has clearly been thought given to setting all of it up, but it blends into the story perfectly, like... you know those fics you can pick up and just read and read and read because they're so engaging and written with such good pacing that you don't want to put it down, that even when it shifts gears, you find yourself rolling right along with it because you want to know what happens next? That's what this fic did for me, I was so curious about where it was going next and how this was all going to affect them.

While this story itself is gen, you can tell that the story is heading towards Obi-Wan/Anakin/Padme, so it spends time building Obi-Wan/Anakin back up and shifting it to romantic instead of platonic, that it doesn't happen here at all, but you can feel how desperately Anakin loves Obi-Wan and how Obi-Wan has been given the time to really reflect on feelings and attachment and on Anakin in general, so that I believe it. Plus, I'm a sucker for all the little touches, like Anakin sleeping on Obi-Wan or the way he touches Anakin after he goes through a tough time, it got me right in the feelings place, to go along with the intriguing greater story. I am now going to proceed to dive right into the monster sequel fic and probably roll around in my feelings some more.

→ I Found You by KeeperofSeeds, obi-wan & shmi, ~1k
    A pregnant Shmi makes it to the Jedi Temple and immediate seeks out and finds the boy who was (will be?) her son's Master/brother/teacher/friend. The boy who became the man to sacrifice himself for her grandchildren. The One who shared her Visions.
    It didn't take long for me to fall in love with this fic, because I love love love the set-up of it and how it was done and how eager I am to know more about this universe. I love time travel fics, I love when there's more than one person who lived the original timeline, I love the chance to do things over, I love that this fic cares how much Anakin meant to Obi-Wan, BUT ALSO SHMI SKYWALKER, who has visions of everything that was Anakin's life. There is SO MUCH POTENTIAL here that I'm just ridiculously excited about where it could go and what it could do!

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/217015.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 35 fic (Star Wars)

tomomichi — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 23:32:41 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Reading SW fic still takes up the majority of my fic reading time and everyone should join me because it's an old enough fandom that it actually has a lot of the good shit I'm looking for and a lot of it! This time with a bit more variety rather than just the PT. o/

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Star Wars - 35 Fanfics

→ legacies by lupinely, rey & luke, 6.1k
    (Rey and Luke, immediately following the events of Episode VII.)
    A gorgeous look at the immediate days after TFA, where Rey and Luke first start to move forward, to figure out what comes next. The amount of emotion laid down here, the lovely look at both of these characters, and the beginnings of exploring Rey's abilities, what they mean for her, are all exactly what I wanted from fandom with these two characters. It's a perfect coda to the movie, touching on all that came before while still moving towards the future, making me so eager for the What's next? that I turn to fic for.

→ bleeding out your days in the river of time by arestlesswind, leia & everyone, 1.5k
    She never had the chance to say goodbye. To any of them.
    There's a line in this fic--How easy it was for everyone to leave. Leia always stays.--that sums up everything about this fic and this character, how she stays strong and keeps being this solid pillar, all while this huge weight of loss and pain and everything else is placed on her. It's a heartwrenching look at Leia's character after the movie, yet another thing that I came to the fandom for exactly this.

→ Visiting Hours by TheDarknessFactor, rey & poe & finn & leia & kylo, 6.6k
    They all have their ways of recovering. Rey uses her hands to build and repair. Poe flies away from his dreams. Kylo Ren sits in a cell and tries to ignore the woman who calls herself his mother. Post-TFA, AU.
    I didn't know I needed this AU so badly until I got it. Where Kylo Ren is taken back by the Resitance and everyone just tries to keep moving after everything that's happened. The amount of tension here, the sheer weight on all of these characters, is beautifully done, it's so heavy but without being melodramatic, it fits with the movie itself. The scenes between Leia and Kylo are absolutely perfect, but so is absolutely everything with Rey as she figures out where she's going next and she's just so very Rey. It's a look at the moments in between the bigger events, the aftermath and the slow beginnings of whatever comes next, and it's so very, very satisfying for that.

→ when i see you again (when i'm greeted as a friend) by queenofthestarrrs, rey & luke, ~1k
    She's so small.
    I am super onboard with the theory of Luke being Rey's father and this was both precious and bittersweet. The sense of new beginnings, of so much promise and potential, such wee little lives (baby!Rey, kid!Ben, my heartttt) makes knowing what's coming all the more achey, but in a way that I wouldn't change any of the sweetness at the start.

→ Advice for Those of You Just Starting Your Heroic Journey by igrockspock, leia & everyone, ~1k
    Leia can think of a lot of things a budding heroine ought to know. Like if you feel a strange, inexplicable connection with a man you just met, don't kiss him. He might be your brother.
    A fun Leia piece that does a lot to sum up just how much shit she's been through, her experience serving as a warning to those just starting out, but also maybe not, hell, everyone's journey is their own. A delightful fic to read!

→ 5 Times Anakin’s Ghost Gave Unsolicited Parenting Advice by Callioope, anakin & luke & everyone, 2.1k
    Anakin is very opinionated when it comes to the care of his beloved granddaughter.
    Another fun piece, one that's a mix of fluff and angst, as Anakin tries to give advice to Luke between the movies and it goes about as well as you'd expect. Oh, Skywalkers.

→ watch me stumble over and over + i never liked the quiet before by QueenWithABeeThrone, anakin & kylo & luke & leia & han, 4k
    "You tried," says Leia, flatly, when Anakin shows up to tell her of his efforts after telling Luke, "to hit my son on the head." or: Anakin Skywalker during The Force Awakens, the not-completely-serious edition.
    You know what I need a ton of? Fic that makes me laugh, that makes the movies just a little easier to bear, especially all the pain these characters have to live through. Anakin's Force ghost tries to kick Ben back onto the right path, but it's still Anakin, so it goes about as well as expected, then you add in Han's ghost and it's totally silly but also totally great. I needed the laughs, but it's also sweet at the right moments, they're all a family and sure they're super fucked up, but they're also full of love and I totally would read a dozen more of these fics!

→ Pretty Good: 5 Times Han Solo Came Home by Dorasolo, han & everyone, 2.3k
    Han knows that his life is flashing before his eyes and he lets it, lost in memories, hopefully just the good ones. His brain starts playing tricks on him, unspooling like a highlight reel of days gone by from an ancient holofilm. He is 65 years old and he feels every beat of every dance he’s done with death over his life, too many to count, blood pounding through his veins.
    Another bittersweet piece about the moments in Han's life over the last thirty years, contributing to how I felt like... Han's story had an arc, it felt like a good ending point, it felt narratively satisfying, and this helped further flesh out the details, helped to show that there were so many good moments that mad everything worthwhile, even when there's so much heartache in the canon itself. Fluff and angst side by side, both worth reading for.

→ The First Steps by taramidala, rey & luke, ~1k
    The first steps are not Rey's alone.
    A short piece, but I'm enthralled with the potential for everything around that final scene of the movie, there's so much to Luke's character and what he does/doesn't know, what he can sense. This is just the beginning, but it gave me that sense of how things are moving, they're shifting into gear and there are so many things coming, which is a really good feeling.

→ Lonely In Your Company by Darkmagyk, leia & sola, 2k
    “We were very close.” Sola says, and Leia smiles her politician's smile in response.
    This is a pre-TFA piece that mentions some of the EU elements (like Jacen and Jaina) but it's also a really beautiful look at Leia's character and the family of her mother and how she doesn't really fit in there, how the disconnect there cannot be breached, even when it's not like they're terrible people. She's just too distant from them and it's such a lovely piece for it.

→ Lucky by cyaneidae, kylo ren & everyone, 1.3k
    5 times people tell Ben Solo how lucky he is, and 1 time he actually believes it.
    This is one of those fics that I've been itching to read--just little snippets of his life growing up and a good future for Ben. The ways he was born into a lucky life, the way it built an anger in him, and how he eventually came around. It's very short, I'd have loved to have seen it expanded more, but this is definitely the vein of fic I'm looking for in the fandom, bless.

→ No New Thing by Lisse, rey & anakin, 1.3k
    Rey dreams of a dead man. No, not that one.
    I loved this piece so much, it's a beautiful look at Rey's character after the main events of the movie, just before finding Luke, and how so many things are different for her now, as well as it's a piece about old ghosts that are newly haunting her. The tiny moments all strung together here paint a picture of something that's all connected and yet... Rey is still finding her way and, oh, it's just a really good piece.

→ Rey/Luke - Rey thinks she owes him sex by Anonymous, luke & rey, 3.6k
    They need a Jedi. She tells herself that over the long hours in hyperspace, turning it over and over in her mind, and when she recalls the lost fleet and the capital, the necessities of war, all the rest of it seems very simple.
    Oh, what a beautiful look at Rey's character and the beginnings of her relationship with Luke. It could have been difficult to put a universe like the Star Wars movie together with the idea that sex is an obligation, especially with a character like Rey, but it works beautifully well here, she feels so entirely true to her character and how she would look at the world. There's a lovely lack of second-hand embarrassment as well, just... a whole lot of "oh my heart I love all of you" feelings for everyone.

→ we are a woven thread, find the strand by averita, leia & everyone, 1.4k
    Five futures Leia Organa could have had.
    I adore Leia's character and I love what-ifs and I love the connected web between all these characters, so this was entirely satisfying. It was a lovely piece, especially #3 where Ben wants to be like his mom, so they don't send him away, and my mind started twirling about with the possibilities of such an AU. But also #5. That's all I want in the world. ;__;♥

→ A cup full of questions by victoria_p (musesfool), rey & luke, 1k
    "Lesson number one: This weapon is your life. Try not to lose it."
    I didn't expect so many Rey & Luke fics, I'd hoped for just three or four of them, a small handful, but I've gotten more than that and they're all lovely, just as this one is lovely, too. It's a short piece, just the beginnings of their relationship starting from where the end of the movie left off, just the right touches of a little bit awkward and something starting to click into place, just as it should be.

→ heroes and fools (heroes are fools) by cywscross, han/leia & kylo ren & ocs & everyone, 4.1k
    Han Solo doesn’t die. Instead, he wakes up in medical with his wife beside him and his long-lost daughter’s voice still echoing in his head.
    I didn't think I would need much OC fic in this fandom, at least not this soon, but I was intrigued by this fic and I wound up really adoring what the author did with it. A sister to Ben, one that was loved but overshadowed by just how much presence Ben took up in their parents' lives, who left to find herself, and everything is... difficult and a little bitter/resentful/awkward but also so much love and I liked this OC and the relationships she had with the people around her. It helps that it's a bit of a fix-it, just a little, and that both Solo children are brilliant and complicated, the characterization of Han and Leia was great, and this fits together with the canon really well. I'd absolutely read more from this universe!

→ strike me down by Merricat_Blackwood, kylo ren & han & obi-wan & others, 6.2k wip
    wounded by his loss and haunted by an old foe, Kylo Ren deals with the fact that his father is dead, but not gone.
    Obi-Wan's Force ghost haunts Ben Solo and then drags Han Solo along to haunt him as well and it's just... a great digging into the angst of Kylo Ren's character, just how hard he tries to ignore the light inside himself and to deny that Ben Solo still exists. It's everything I wanted after walking out of the theater, it's everything I love about this emo trash child that I love so much, because he's such a child in his view and yet the fic doesn't shy away from that he's doing legitimately horrible things, it really satisfied me for how determined he is to walk this path, how angry he is, without being too over the top about how ridiculous he is. The two chapters (at the time I read it) captured the feeling of the character from the movie, exploring the struggle in him that I'm still super hungry for. I absolutely want morrrrrre of this one.

→ Try Another Day by nymja, rey & kylo ren + luke + snoke, 3.8k
    A meeting between two disciples of the Force.
    Oh, I loved this so much. I'm never quite sure how to articulate what I want from fic that deals with Rey and Kylo, but this fic really hit on whatever it is. There's a connection there, one that's both good and bad, it gets across that there's something there, but it's not really easily labeled, that this isn't about a pairing and not really precisely about family (though, Kylo's family is obviously deeply ingrained in him), but some other Force-drawn connection that works so well. There's so much anger at her and, oh, Rey, standing up in the face of that, determination to stay on her path, the incredibly solidity of her character, how difficult this for her at times, but she stays on her path, it's all just gorgeous.

→ where the current and the heavens collide by plinys, kylo ren & force ghosts, 2k
    Five ghosts that visit Ben Solo, and one that cannot.
    I want so many Force ghosts stories, even if they break my heart like this one did. Each little scene is heartbreaking in its own way, as little Ben Solo grows up and winds his way down the path to Kylo Ren. These people he doesn't really know, some trying to help him and some not trying to help him, are all lovely to read, but that last one is just a real kicker and gave me so many ouchy feelings.

→ in the arms of a hurricane by Spineless, finn/rey & luke, 1.3k
    She misses Finn like a phantom limb. Training to be a Jedi is not easy; she experiences so many new things so quickly, she wishes she could share them with him.
    A lovely look at Rey's training with Luke, while she adjusts to everything that's happened, adjusts to being on such a green, rainy world, adjusts to missing Finn more than she expected. It's a good look at her character, especially with all that rain around her suddenly, and it reminds all over again just how much I love Rey and everything about her.

→ left me blind by ZeGabz, kylo ren & rey & luke & poe & finn, 14.5k
    A scavenger turned Jedi and the Sith acolyte desperate to surpass her in power. Theirs is a tale of tragedy, darkness, and family. Their stories are the same. The endings have yet to be written.
    This is a series of four fics that I'm recommending together (despite that I loved them all enough to have recommended them separately) that look at the connection between Rey and Kylo Ren, that look at her journey to becoming a Jedi, and it's all wonderfully written. I could hardly tear myself away from the series until I'd finished it, especially the gorgeously tense meetings between Rey and Kylo over the years, the heartbreak of seeing what they could have been like if things hadn't gone to shit, the balance between family and enemies. Rey finding her way, finding her family, that it's never easy, her father and her cousin are such intense presences, but she's more than a match for those presences, and I just. Really, really loved this series.

→ Keep Trying by nymja, luke & kylo ren, ~1k
    The first training session between Master and student.
    SO MUCH CUTE. I never knew how badly I wanted bb!Ben beginning his training with Luke so badly, not until I read this and just fucking melted over the whole thing. So goddamned precious.

→ legacy by apricots, kylo ren & han/leia & luke, 14.4k
    Two questions followed him his entire life: What is wrong with him? Why is he like this?
    I was a little wary that this fic would end up woobifying or justifying Kylo Ren's atrocious actions because of his horrible childhood with uncontrollable Force sensitivity and how he couldn't stop the terrible things from flooding into him as a child, but I honestly didn't get the sense that the fic was saying what he became was justified or okay. It definitely piled on the angst and showed that Ben Solo was failed by a lot of people, but using that to show what a monster he became and not try to soften the edges of that, was absolutely worth the read. It's an ouchy piece, but I have Ben Solo feelings and this fic knew exactly how to get at them, by piling on the physical and emotional whump like it was going out of style, which I ate up like delicious candy.

→ i couldn't see; i was blind 'til my eyes were opened by r1ker, leia & kylo ren, 3k
    mother and son, together at last.
    I am absolutely a sucker for Leia & Ben interaction, especially when it focuses on the first few tenative steps towards redemption, which I want because Leia Doesn't Deserve This Shit.

→ Generational mistakes by owlet, leia & kylo ren & rey & luke & cast, 17k
    With all the loss Leia Organa had known, she did not expect to feel to completely gutted by the sight of her son in chains.
    I feel like, yes, this is the fic I have been waiting for ever since I saw the movie. Ben Solo comes home and it's not easy and there's so much hurt and anger and pain wrapped up in him, but it's hopeful at the same time, it's balanced between not being too easy but not breaking my heart along the way, either. The fic is centered on Leia, so of course it's also centered around her relationship with her son, but I got such a strong, solid presence of her character here, even beyond her relationship with Ben and it was so, so good to read for this character that I've loved for so long. The other characters (like Luke and Rey especially) are there as well, even if we don't see those scenes as much, that it takes all of them to start putting things back together again. But where the fic really shone for me was in the way it didn't shy away from how much hurt there is for everyone here, that these are complicated characters all the way around, that mistakes were made but in the way I believed for each of the characters.

I'm so hungry for "Ben Solo comes home" fic, but it can't be easy, it can't be other people's fault too much, but neither can it be inexplicable what happened to him, I desperately want it to balance the new characters with the old characters, and this fic achieved all of that. It achieved it and maybe made me mist up once or twice during the emotional parts because I could feel the absolute weight of all their grief, it was such a solid hit to my feelings place that, yes, this is everything I wanted. It's redemption for Ben Solo in the way my heart wants and my head will accept, which is not an easy thing to do, but this did it.

→ but for the cause by newsbypostcard, han/leia & kylo ren & luke, 6k
    The dark side takes its damned share, but it can never take from her the cause. (Or: five things Leia Organa has lost; something she keeps; and something she gains back.)
    A look at the span of Leia's life, all that she's lost over the course of it, and the few things she's gained back. The sheer strength and iron will of her character to keep enduring is lovely, the connections she keeps forging, all of it reminds me exactly of why I love this character so much. I want all the Leia fic and this absolutely helped further that!

→ a light beckons home by todreaminscarlet, luke & rey & kylo ren & leia & snoke, 6k
    It ends in flashes of light, and in the wreckage, hope is found. // or, the final battle between the dark and the light, and the immediate fall out
    Oh no feelings. This was a bittersweet look at a possible final showdown with Snoke, between him and Rey and Kylo Ren and Luke, one that felt like I could believe it would go this direction in canon, especially with the gains/losses that happen here. That's what SW is for me often times--it's not all dark, but there's always loss to go with the victory. I got swept up in this one, just as I was supposed to and basically just had a lot of feelings about it.

→ Trial by nymja, rey & luke & kylo ren & anakin, 3.1k
    Luke takes Rey to face The Cave.
    Oh, I loved this look at Rey facing the visions and how she deals with that and what it says about her and the tangled web she's been caught up in. I love the strength of character, I love her connections to Luke and Ben and Anakin, I love the themes, the presence of desert and sand around her and the other she sees, I love how beautifully this further weaves her into the fabric of Star Wars and it feels right. So, so satisfying.

→ Second Chance by rollingturtle, leia & rey, 1.2k
    "Leia braids/styles Rey's hair for her (because if that flashback was any indication, Rey's been wearing the same style of updo for years). Rey absolutely melts under the gentle touch, so Leia starts finding excuses to pamper Rey and give her those little comforts." - SWKinkMeme
    I am absolutely here for more Leia and Rey interaction, whether they're related or it's only hinted at or not or whatever. Just that someone touches Rey gently and with care, just to braid her hair or comfort her, in that way that Rey probably never had nearly enough of, so that she builds yet another good connection in her life. Seeing that happen with Leia, especially after all Leia has lost and how isolated she could have become, but still keeps reaching out, oh, it does many things to my fannish heart.

→ To be a Good Dad by Yunagirlamy, han/leia & ben solo & anakin & luke, 7.7k
    Han takes his son, Ben, on a trip with him on the Millennium Falcon. Things start off well, but then Han puts the ship on autopilot so he and Ben can get some rest. Ben can't sleep, though... and things just go downhill from there.
    I am starving for pre-TFA fic with bb!Ben and his parents, so I snatched this one up to find something that was really, really cute, with Anakin never having gone Dark Side, so their family is much more domestic and it's fluffier, but in that way that I really wanted. Especially because little Ben is still a bit of a terror, he still throws tantrums and trashes things and explodes in a nasty way, but he's a little kid and maybe this universe might be different for him. So, it was this really solid combination of domestic fluff (GIVE ME ALL OF IT) with how Ben still felt like Ben to me and that's all I can ask of fic.

→ the voices speak too loud by todreaminscarlet, ben solo & han/leia & luke, 2.5k
    Ben honestly can’t remember a time when the voices didn’t rattle in his brain. OR, Snoke speaks to Ben early, and the voices grow increasingly harder to ignore.
    Another pre-TFA fic where Ben hears voices through the Force in his head, ones that slowly manipulate him in ways that he's vulernable to, that isolate him from his family by making him suspicious of them, by encouraging his worst traits, by preying on a kid who is weak to him. And it's a lovely fic in the way that everyone really is trying, there's no villains in here except the obvious one, but you can see exactly where this is all going, and it's sad to watch.

→ Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story by muggles, leia & family, ~1k
    Leia takes a moment to grieve for all that she's lost.
    Another short but lovely piece and I will read all the Leia fic, as she grieves and hurts for all that she's lost, yet still finds the strength of character to soldier on. I have such strong Leia feelings and this just made them stronger.

→ disturbance by Merricat_Blackwood, han/leia & ben solo, 2k
    “I was scared, Dad,” he says in a confessing tone, as though even at four he feels he shouldn't be afraid, that he should somehow be bigger and better than all the things that scare him.
    Yes, give me all the pre-TFA fic that doesn't 100% break my heart. Just. Like. 50% breaks my heart. Wee little bb!Ben having nightmares and his dad comforting him in the middle of the night, talking to him about things, and making it better and it's lovely for that, it was wonderful and sweet, but then you remember that it's not going to be enough and nothing is ever not sad again. Just as it should be.

→ If Somehow I Could Just Rekindle That by Duck_Life, anakin/pame & luke & leia, ~1k
    Vader gets a glimpse at what could have been.
    A short fic based on a vision Anakin has (you don't need further context than that) for what his life could have been, which doesn't need to be long to be bittersweet and hard for what could have been but will never be.

→ Stars to Guide You Home by Sholio, rey & luke & finn & poe, 3.6k
    Rey gets migraines. Back in the desert she used to just put up with them.
    I enjoyed this one a lot, too! Rey with terrible headaches that she soldiers on through, I love the balance of her being an iron woobie but in a way that's not overly dramatic, it just felt like Rey to me. All the more so because she's such a solidly good person who is ready to make emotional connections and she actually does lean into those when the chance comes up, making me love her all the more.

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/216796.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 20 fic (Star Wars)

tomomichi — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 02:17:01 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - I, uh. Thought it had only been about six months or so? Turns out a bit longer than that. But, well, I always get a kick in the pants to start crossposting recs when I dive face first into a new fandom and I'm here in Star Wars hell, so, let's go then.
ღ - I've posted these recs to tumblr already, but it's nice to have an archive on DW/LJ, it's much cleaner and more organized here.
ღ - So, I saw TFA and I liked it a lot, I was really impressed! I walked out of the theater totally wanting fic! And then... something... happened... idk how to explain it. There's such suffering and terrible endings for so many characters I just want all of it fixed and to really fix everything you pretty much have to go back to the beginning and fix everything about Anakin Skywalker's life.

And so I started reading fic for that. And from there it was like "No, I don't ship anything, I just want gen fix-it." --> "Whoa, this is a really hot suitless Vader fic with really excellent Padme characterization!" --> "So, look, I don't ship it, but I love time travel fic, so I'll read this Obi-Wan/Anakin + Anakin/Padme fic --> Obi-Wan/Anakin/Padme fic." --> "Okay, so maybe I do ship Obi-Wan/Anakin a little, at least as an OT3." --> "NO, I AM IN OBI-WAN/ANAKIN HELL, I'M NEVER GETTING OUT, LEAVE ME HERE WITH MY FEELINGS, THIS SHIP IS RUINING MY LIFE."

And there we go. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Star Wars - 20 Fanfics

→ Wake the Storm by bedlamsbard, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 75.4k
    Considering that he had picked up what was probably a Sith artifact, promptly passed out in the middle of a war zone, and apparently woken up twenty years in the future with Obi-Wan having taken up residence in his head, Anakin thought he was entitled to have a few questions.
    So, I pretty much sunk into this fic and didn't come out again until I'd read the whole thing, I just absolutely couldn't put it down! My only caveat is that, while the build-ups and suspense are stellar, you just kind of have to roll with that the fic is not as strong at reveals. The way the fic is structured, there's a lot of "omg when will Character A find out about Character b????" that don't necessarily happen or happen late in the fic or aren't pieced together when they should be or aren't dwelled on for long. I don't think this is a huge detriment, so long as you know what you're getting ahead of time, though, because what the fic is about (Anakin skipping around the timeline and other universes, dragging Obi-Wan along with him) is absolutely fantastic. The writing is incredibly engaging, it's the kind where I find this far more readable than a lot of professionally published books, that the plot structure and pacing of the scenes is all rock solid for me. (Tbh, probably the only reason any caveats occur to me at all is because the fic as a whole is so well written.)

The characterization is lovely and gets at the heart of what I wanted--where Anakin experiences the destruction and tragedy that happens, his horror at it solidified by the time he finds out his connection to it, as well as his interaction with Obi-Wan is strengthened up because of what Obi-Wan has been through and how he's seeing Anakin again and how much time he's had to think over the events of Anakin's future. The plot is interesting and the fic spends time with each world but doesn't linger and there has clearly been thought given to setting all of it up, but it blends into the story perfectly, like... you know those fics you can pick up and just read and read and read because they're so engaging and written with such good pacing that you don't want to put it down, that even when it shifts gears, you find yourself rolling right along with it because you want to know what happens next? That's what this fic did for me, I was so curious about where it was going next and how this was all going to affect them.

While this story itself is gen, you can tell that the story is heading towards Obi-Wan/Anakin/Padme, so it spends time building Obi-Wan/Anakin back up and shifting it to romantic instead of platonic, that it doesn't happen here at all, but you can feel how desperately Anakin loves Obi-Wan and how Obi-Wan has been given the time to really reflect on feelings and attachment and on Anakin in general, so that I believe it. Plus, I'm a sucker for all the little touches, like Anakin sleeping on Obi-Wan or the way he touches Anakin after he goes through a tough time, it got me right in the feelings place, to go along with the intriguing greater story. I am now going to proceed to dive right into the monster sequel fic and probably roll around in my feelings some more.

→ Fire and Ice by Yesac, obi-wan & anakin + padme & luke & leia & cast, 111.9k
    Anakin wins the duel on Mustafar, but doesn't kill Obi-Wan. Along with Padme, Obi-Wan finds himself living in a chaotic world where the man he thought he knew has become the thing he swore to destroy. Can Anakin be turned back? If so, what then?
    This fic consumed me for the last few days because it's something I had no idea that I wanted as badly as I did. The first half of the fic is about Anakin won the duel at Mustafar but his need for Obi-Wan's affection means he keeps Obi-Wan prisoner in his apartments instead, along with Padme. The characterization is gorgeous, where Anakin is unstable and volatile and explodes at unpredictable times, all while you can feel how convinced he is that he's right, that if Obi-Wan and Padme would just listen to him, they would understand, if they would just stop fighting him, stop being angry with him, then things would be good again. Obi-Wan's careful interaction with Anakin, cut off from the Force as he is, strides the balance between not giving in, but not flinging himself into a suicidal confrontation, either. And Padme is this lovely, steady, solid presence that made me fall in love with her even more, that she's so kind and caring but she also cannot get past this.

The emotional beats of the story are spot on, so by the time that Anakin breaks apart (as you know he will) and things crumble for him and he frees himself from the Dark Side, the confrontation with Obi-Wan is the most emotionally satisfying thing I've read in ages, it was exactly what my id wanted while also being brilliantly written. The second half of the story is about Anakin's redemption, as well as being... okay, the fic is entirely gen, Obi-Wan sees Anakin as a brother/son and Anakin sees him as a brother/father figure, but frankly they run off to Tattoine to raise Luke and Leia together and they practically revolve around each other. It's Obi-Wan/Anakin without any kissing, so it works on a gen level or if you're interested in more for them, even if the author doesn't intend it.

The pacing is perfect, the characterizations are fantastic (oh, this Anakin is one I was so in love with, but let me tell you about the stars in my eyes every time Obi-Wan was on the page), the writing is smooth and utterly readable, I could just get lost in the fic so easily. I read this because I love this relationship, how they're the most important to each other in the entire universe along with Luke and Leia (who are fucking precious and absolutely perfectly used) and the struggle between what it means to be a Jedi versus what they find along the way, and the build-up to the explosive scenes and the resolution of them, all of it was engrossing as hell and this is one of my favorite things I've ever read.

→ Shadows of the Future by stormqueen873, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast, 129.3k
    ObiWan lost the duel on Mustafar, but instead of dying, he finds himself on a ship leaving Tatooine, with his old Master and a familiar young boy. As events begin to unfold, can he stop the future he knows from occuring?
    I AM SO SAD THIS FIC IS OVER. I admit, the beginning is super fluffy and it takes awhile to get into the real tension of the piece, but when the fic delivers on the revelations, when Qui-Gon finally finds out what Obi-Wan knows, when Obi-Wan finally has to really let loose in a fight, when Anakin realizes what happened in Obi-Wan's future, all of it is so goddamned worth the wait. I do actually enjoy the fluff of this fic, I don't mean to indicate otherwise, because it's adorable and necessary, where Obi-Wan just loves kidlet Anakin so much and has the experience to be more open about it this time, the maturity to better handle everything, has Qui-Gon still alive to let up on his own grief, it's wonderful to read and soothed my heart and paved the way for the relationships being even stronger than they were.

But it's really in the second half where this fic becomes absolutely magical, where shit finally hits the fan and revelations have to happen and the plot cannot remain the same because Obi-Wan's not going to let things fall apart again. I absolutely could not put the fic down by that point, I was utterly engrossed and read practically the whole second half in one sitting because I kept needing to turn the page, just one more time, just one more time! The tension of how things unfold, Sidious and Maul's plots, the Jedi Council trying to figure out what's going on, Qui-Gon trying to figure out what the hell is up with Obi-Wan, Anakin bonding so fiercely to Obi-Wan, all of it ties together and culminates in a fine as hell epic fight scene that left me so damned satisfied.

The fic is absolutely focused on making things better, in fixing everything, but it never forgets that Obi-Wan is not who he was in the original timeline, because he's grown, he's healing here, but he's still a Jedi Master who has Seen A Lot Of Shit, that the second time around is necessary to be built on top of the previous one, which is how time travel fics work best for me. Plus, this has one of my new favorites of the duel on Mustafar, when Anakin won that duel and how he won it, how you realize it shapes so much of what happens between them. And the ending! MY HEART FEELS SO MUCH BETTER AFTER THIS FIC.

→ A Trip to Forget by amber75, obi-wan & anakin, 14.8k
    ObiWan and Anakin's latest mission starts off on the wrong foot and gets worse from there!
    I usually prefer a little later in their relationship, but I got pulled into this fic and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it, because it was a lovely, solid story about Obi-Wan and Anakin on a mission, how things aren't perfect, they're not a seamless team yet, but you can see the beginnings of it, you can see the rough edges between them, the lack of understanding, but also see how they bridge those gaps, all while trudging through a jungle. It's self-contained and perfectly paced, I enjoyed every inch of their mutual discomfort as various bits of jungle decided to make their day terrible, but most of all the building of the relationship between them was perfect.

→ Sleeping with the Enemy by Imadra Blue, obi-wan & anakin, 1.9k
    While Qui-Gon is in a Council meeting, Obi-Wan is left with the care of young Anakin. Anakin's irritating, but much like a tumor, he grows on Obi-Wan.
    SUPER CUTE. Obi-Wan and kidlet Anakin forced to spend time together, where the fic balances that tension between them, because they don't know each other yet and Obi-Wan has no reason to care about him yet, with that there is an instant connection there, an instant fascination that Anakin has with him, a very quick affection that Obi-Wan develops for the little moppet. It's super cute and fluffy without being too sugary and I may have done a bit of hand clasping after having finished it.

→ can't carry it with you by irnan, obi-wan & anakin, 2.2k
    So oneness with the Force is found in a field now?
    So maybe I got a little emotional while reading this fic. But it's after Anakin's death, where he meets Obi-Wan in the Force again and it takes an unexpected form and eventually all that's between them, all that Anakin kept wrapped up, finally starts to spill out and I just. I had a whole lot of feelings about it and this was beautifully written, just the right amount of painful to go with the healing.

→ Dooku Captured, Pt 2 by DarthNickels, dooku & anakin & obi-wan & palpatine & yoda, 16.6k
    Dooku is taken alive onboard the Invisible Hand, and Sidious' web is torn. The Sith Lord wonders if death might have been preferable to clumsy interrogation by Anakin Skywalker.
    I absolutely fell in love with this fic because it's a great balance of, as the tag says, Dooku being a cranky Sith grandpa and of his presence changing things just enough to avoid some really tragic turns. The writing is fantastic, the characterization is great, and it gets that blend of Anakin being the Chosen One, the most special, with that he's kind of an idiot sometimes/a lot of times. There's this sense of underlying humor about the whole thing, yet it doesn't sacrifice the drama of it, I never took it less than seriously, and the possibilities that it brought up and explored were fantastic, making it such a satisfying read. It's also a great look at a character that I didn't expect to be interested in, but absolutely was and honestly have a newfound appreciation for him, which is always nice to find in fic! All of it is absolutely so interesting and the author did justice to the concept of the story.

→ Futurus (-a -um) by cadesama, anakin/padme + obi-wan/anakin/padme + luke & leia & mon mathma & ahsoka, mildly nsfw, 53.2k
    Cracked hyperdrive? No problem. Just hold it together with the Force. Time travel? Well. That could be a bigger problem.
    I have two caveats about this fic before I begin: It's a WIP that hasn't been updated in about a year, so I'm not sure if it will be. But it gets enough satisfying stuff in so even though it ends on a cliffhanger, I found it absolutely worth reading! And that it's very fast in the beginning, there's not much time to build up suspense before the reveals are already happening. This isn't a fic I wound up reading for the suspense or reveals by the time I got into the thick of it, this is a fic that's about the building relationship between Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padme. Previous to this fic, I'd never shipped anything but Anakin/Padme, so their relationship being strong here, being absolutely important to Anakin's pov, while the shifting nature of his relationship with Obi-Wan is slowly changing, works for me, it eased me in at just the right pacing and made me actually really, really want it.

What the fic does the most beautifully for me, though, is how Anakin is so beloved and so special and so brilliant, but he's also an obnoxious pain in the ass, the way Padme and Obi-Wan both love him dearly, but he's also a dumbass, oh, that worked for me because that's exactly it, that's how they relate to him. The plot part of the story was interesting as well, I definitely want to know where things are going, how this will affect history, and I love love love that the PT characters were the ones thrown forward into the OT's time, that's where my heart really is, and this fic just completely and totally charmed the hell out of me! I especially appreciate that it gently eased me into shipping this OT3 in a way that worked for me and got me to be able to actually see it.

→ Happily Ever After by Imadra Blue (imadra_blue), imadra_blue, Luthe, obi-wan/anakin & luke & leia & cast + past anakin/padme, 30.4k
    When his children run away to save the galaxy from endless war on their own, Anakin Skywalker must embark on a journey across the galaxy to bring Luke and Leia home -- a journey that partners him again with his old Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and leads them into a relationship neither expected.
    Oh, man, the thing about this fic is that it gives excellent mutual pining, that building up to explosive resolution and satisfying aftermath. When Anakin's children go missing, it puts him back into contact with Obi-Wan and they have to go save the galaxy while they're at it, but also deal with feelings! Yes, give me all of that. The fic is nicely paced and a satisfying length to read and was just really solid all the way around. Obi-Wan is a little different from how I usually see him (less insightful/compassionate) but it made sense to me, given the set-up of the universe and Anakin's influence on his life wouldn't have been the same, since he left so much earlier. I loved the way it balanced that Anakin is such a central character to the epic events unfolding in the Star Wars plot, that Luke & Leia are important, that Obi-Wan was central as well, so it felt balanced to me in the way I had hoped to read.

There's also some really lovely porn as Anakin's been dying for Obi-Wan to just fuck him already and it's good and heart-warming and right when it finally does, further making this one of those fics that's just... solid and satisfying and absolutely what I wanted to find in the fandom. It's complete, I felt resolved after reading it and that's something I cannot say enough good about!

→ Immutable, or, Five Times Obi-Wan Kenobi Compromised His Jedi Ethics for Anakin Skywalker by bedlamsbard, obi-wan/anakin & anakin/padme, 1.6k
    "I think that I would betray my vows for him."
    I love this fic so much because it fits with how I see Obi-Wan, who is such a model Jedi, who truly believes in the Jedi way, but who also deeply loves Anakin, who might have thrown it all away in just the right circumstances, for Anakin. You can feel in each scene how much Obi-Wan loves him, you can feel just what Obi-Wan would do for him. It's just the right balance of solid morality of the character with the undercurrents of darkness that could be there, if everything went pear-shaped in just the right way, that I see with Obi-Wan.

→ Confined (to Quarters) by Kaylie Malinza, obi-wan/anakin, 4.4k
    Anakin's a bastard, Obi-Wan's a prude.
    WELL. So I cackled my way through this fic. I am delighted by this one, where Anakin is such a teenaged brat, who is a total mess of hormones, with Obi-Wan who is trying to be an adult and be dignified and doesn't want to have to deal with this, all the more so because Anakin may be an obnoxious little shit, but he's an attractive obnoxious little shit. It's scene after scene of Anakin trying to deal with being a hormonal teenager and Obi-Wan trying to be serene, which ends up with Anakin saying the most terrible things that left me honest to god giggling into my reader. I love it because there's absolutely nothing mean-spirited about it, instead it's just pure hilarity of dealing with a teenager who really, really wants sex. Beautiful.

→ Betrayal: A Love Story by Shiny_n_new, obi-wan/anakin, 2.7k wip
    A week after he kills Obi-wan Kenobi, Vader realizes he is being haunted.
    The intensity of this piece is heartbreaking, the sheer amount of sharp-edge and deep anger that's almost suffocating from Darth Vader after he learns about Luke Skywalker and how angry he is with Obi-Wan's Force ghost, while still having the echoes of what used to be. It was a painful read but gorgeously done and I'm almost afraid of the second chapter of this, it could ease things or it could end even more brutally, I honestly don't even know.

→ Replaceable by amarielah, obi-wan/anakin, mildly nsfw, ~1k
    He buries hands of flesh in thick, auburn-colored hair. He knows this is a dream.
    Oh, my heart, this was both perfect and awful. Anakin's fury over everything as Vader, how much he hates, it's painful to watch, especially as he hates himselves just as much as anything. The way Anakin tortures himself with a dream of Obi-Wan who never loved him, who would so easily replace him, even as dream!Obi-Wan is fucking him, oh, it's such a perfect capturing of the giant emotional mess that is Anakin/Darth Vader and so gorgeously written.

→ First Watch by amarielah, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 1k
    Missing scene from the episode "In Search of the Crystal". After Obi-Wan goes to sleep following their awkward fire-side chat, Anakin broods on all the things he wants but cannot have.
    Oh, another fic that's just so heartbreaking and perfectly written, that Anakin is such a mess and he loves so intensely and wants so much, but he can't bring himself to reach out. The way he sees Obi-Wan, loves him so much and knows that Obi-Wan would never give him what he wants so badly, not out of cruelty but because it's not Obi-Wan's way, it has such a sharp-edged hurt to it that's absolutely perfect, even as I'm crying about not wanting to be punched in the feelings anymore. I loved the brief moments of sex, the way Anakin touches himself and thinks of how he wishes Obi-Wan would fuck him, how it's hot and painful at the same time, that it satisfies my porn wants while also making me way to lie down and stare at the ceiling for how difficult everything must be. Gorgeous.

→ Fever Mate by generale_kenobi - part 1 / 2 / 3 / 4, obi-wan/anakin & anakin/padme & obi-wan/anakin/padme, NSFW, fuck-or-die, soul bond, 14.7k
    Het! Anakin helps Het! Obi-Wan during a moment of need, but it leads to unexpected complications.
    You don't even know how badly I have been wanting Fuck Or Die fic for this fandom and having Obi-Wan basically going into rut every so often because of his biology, when accidentally trapped with only Anakin, it nudges them into a relationship that they wouldn't have otherwise developed. This fic is pretty much everything my id wanted--from the frantic Fuck Or Die fic that Anakin realizes, oh, maybe he sorta kinda likes it when Obi-Wan fucks him, to the inclusion of Padme and that Anakin genuine loves her and enjoys sex with her, to the soul-bound that makes everyone's lives difficult, to the way the fic balanced the three of them together. I picked this one up for the porn (which was very satisfying as well!) but I think I stayed around just as much for all the tropes the fic threw in and knew how to write with such enthusiasm for them that it made my heart just happy to read it. I love how this fic is pretty much everything I ever wanted, like if you looked into my soul, this is pretty much what you'd find, because it has such a delightful charm to everything about it. Also, Obi-Wan/Anakin and Anakin/Padme and Obi-Wan/Anakin/Padme porn. This is my treasure now.

→ A Sky Full of Stars by rubberbird, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 15.7k wip
    True love never did run smooth.
    Initially, I had little desire to read modern AU fic for Star Wars characters, but apparently photographer!Obi-Wan with model!Anakin is one of those times where I have absolute no resistance. And I'm really glad I did, because I enjoyed how well the characters were transplanted into this AU, where Anakin especially is just a goddamned mess and yet Obi-Wan still falls in love with him anyway, because he still has that certain charm that draws a person to him. The fic also does a really lovely job of the pining between them, where it's set from Obi-Wan's pov but it's one where I believe his side of the relationship, because it's balanced between being the stable one and yet having his own issues, as well as how it's very clear that Anakin has feelings for him in return.

I would have read this just for the delicious mutual pining alone, but then the fic also had Anakin eagerly riding Obi-Wan's lap because he so desperately wants the other man and then this just utter mess of a second time where he's an emotional wreck and he's completely turned around and doesn't know up from down, just that he desperately wants Obi-Wan in him now, that he desperately doesn't want Obi-Wan to hate him even as he pushes him away, while Obi-Wan cannot turn him away, because he loves the bratty little shit. It's this utter mess of a thing and I am completely and totally into sex that reflects just how gentle Obi-Wan is with him but still getting across the intensity of just how hard Obi-Wan wants to fuck him. It's not the kind that breaks my heart, but it does make it hurt a little for what a mess this is, and that's exactly what I want.

→ Hollow by JennMel, qui-gon & obi-wan & anakin & others, 5.6k
    Obi-Wan has always had a secret. And Qui-Gon could not, must not, ever know. If he did, then they would never even make it to Tatooine, let alone deal with the rest to come. One perfect possible future, that's all Obi-Wan needed to achieve...that's all.
    I greatly enjoyed this piece, one that didn't need to be long to do some fixing of the timeline and having an interesting concept that it pulled off nicely. I love how it changes things, offers so much hope, but without making it easy or without a lot of pain and sacrifice, which makes the potential for something better all the more well earned.

→ Passing Dreams by Yesac, obi-wan & anakin, 2k
    The first time that Anakin has a nightmare about his mother, he and Obi-wan are coming home from an assignment.
    Oh, my heart. The way Obi-Wan and Anakin just don't quite understand each other emotionally, especially as Anakin is worried about his mother and just cannot cope in the way Obi-Wan does, all of that blended with how they try and find a way to at least connect, to come together and Obi-Wan may not be perfect, but he's there and he makes it clear that he cares. You can still see Anakin's road coming, but you also see why his relationship with Obi-Wan is so intense. A wonderful fic.

→ locked up tighter by sinosei, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 1.4k
    For all that Anakin was the Chosen One, it was easy enough to wrestle him face-down into the bedspread.
    Another straight shot to my id, because I love it when Anakin is such a brat sometimes that Obi-Wan really enjoys just wrestling him down and fucking him, all while Anakin keeps struggling because he can't not and because it makes it all the more satisfying when Obi-Wan finally has him pinned down and is pushing into him. The sex is super satisfying, both for intensity and tone, but it's also the dynamic between them that I love here. It's pwp but exactly what I'm looking for, because there are just times when Anakin really needs to just be held down and fucked until he's not such a mess anymore. And bless this fic for giving that to me.

→ This Makes You Mine by temple_mistress, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 3.5k
    Anakin needs help remembering a lesson, and Obi-Wan is more than willing to teach.
    I will always be here for Anakin being a brat and turning that up another notch to get Obi-Wan to put him back in his place. That he really is an insolent little shit, unable to stop mouthing off, to banter even as he knows it will (and wants it to) bring Obi-Wan down harder on him, riding Obi-Wan's lap until he's finally so thoroughly fucked that he can't really think anymore. It's just the right mix of love and a heavy hand that Anakin so desperately craves and that I enjoy in fic, combined with very satisfying porn, to make this a delight to read. So very, very good for me.

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/216231.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 35 fic (Daredevil)

tomomichi — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 23:50:58 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Dammit. The weekend comes around and I'm all, "eh, I'll wait until Monday" and then I forget and suddenly half the week is gone. But I think I'm still making progress on catching up on everything, so I'm not too worried. ♥

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Daredevil - 35 Fanfics

MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL - FOGGY/MATT:

→ Algolagnia by Xela, foggy/matt, NSFW, bdsm, 15.1k
    Leave it to Foggy Nelson to have to teach Matt Murdock that all pain is not created equal, and whatever he needs is his for the asking. OR: Matt is the worst baby sub, and for some reason everyone expects Foggy to lead him down the ~~primrose~~ BDSM path.
    Chapter 1: I tried really hard to wait at least until chapter two was out to write a rec for this fic (I wrote down my recs as each chapter was published), but I can't help myself, it hit so many buttons for me! Matt is the worst baby sub ever, always pushing too far beyond boundaries and getting himself hurt, so ex-girlfriend Elektra ropes Foggy into doing something about it. It's a really good balance of Foggy pov/voice and him learning about BDSM culture, and it's genuinely interesting, but also you can just feel how much he loves Matt, even if he is an idiot. Add in an Elektra cameo that I really liked and I'm super eager for the next part!
    Chapter 2: I suspect I'm going to end up writing a rec for each chapter of this fic, but I can't really be sorry about it it because this is hitting my emotional buttons something fierce. The author mentions how difficult it is to write a platonic BDSM scene, but it's done so beautifully here, where there's such care and structure in all the right ways! There's so much detail here, but it's never boring to me, it's not like reading a pamphlet, but instead like two people exploring what it is that Matt needs from this world and how much Foggy is doing this for him. There's shippy feelings in here as well, but it's also not just about that, it's this gorgeous blend of concept, character, and relationship, all three are wound together and inescapable. I read this as soon as it was posted and ate it up like candy.
    Chapter 3: Once again I dropped this fic on my reader as soon as I saw it was posted and curled up with it right away. it's something of a transition chapter, going more towards romantic rather than strictly friends, but is still lovely for its own sake as the fic gives Matt structure and the relief he needs through BDSM, it shows just how much Foggy loves him and is such a good person, without making him a saint. So good and I'm so antsy for resolution here, ahhh.
    Chapter 4: I know I wrote a rec for each chapter, but this fic really got me and this was when they finally got together! I don't always associate them with BDSM but this fic did a really great job of exploring them through it and making it super interesting to read. A very satisfying read all the way around, just so easy to get sucked into because it has a smooth and utterly readable style. This was a real treat for me.

→ Connecting by allofuswithwings, foggy/matt, 1.7k
    Foggy finds out Matt can ‘see’ what others look like through touch, and seems a little miffed that it’s never been offered to him. Matt acquiesces, but the results are not quite as expected. Set in their early college days.
    This was a really lovely look at Matt "seeing" Foggy's face with his hands, the balance between something more there but not tipping fully over into it yet was very nicely done. It's also got great undercurrents and dialogue and the dynamic between them is right on. A great read.

→ tossed my salad like his name romaine by anonymous, foggy/matt, NSFW, rimming, 1k
    Matt made a sound like he'd been drowning, stretched up further against Foggy like a cat, his grip on the sheets tightening.
    Oh, shit, this was so good for me. I mean, the dialogue and Foggy voice were great, just the right amount of humor and good-nature to make the fic sparkle, but Matt. Desperate and oversensitive and whining as Foggy slowly rims him, yeah, that, uh, does things for me. This was a delight and ridiculously hot, so very worth reading.

→ Pour yourself on me by R_Gunns, foggy/matt, NSFW, praise kink, 1.1k (for this chapter)
    The first time it happens Foggy doesn't take too much notice.
    I was just recently musing that I really wanted some praise kink fic with Matt because of all his issues and need for other people in his life. And then comes this fic and, oh, yes, that's what I was looking for. It's Foggy fucking him slowly, telling Matt how good he is, that he's good, that he's beautiful, and it's really satisfying sex mixed with praise and feelings. Because Daredevil is apparently a fandom where I kink on Matt feelings crying during sex when it's done as well as what this fic gives me.

→ I want you on all fours, show me how you crawl by R_Gunns, foggy/matt, NSFW, some rimming, 2.4k
    "Dude, where have you been hiding that ass?" Foggy says, and Matt blinks, flushes, almost drops his towel.
    One of the best things about Daredevil is that Matt has an amazing ass, so fic that's all about how great it is, done in a sparkling Foggy voice, I am all here for that. I was in love with the dynamic between them, the slightly bewildered and then really turned on Matt pov, how cheerfully genuine Foggy is in his appreciation for Matt's ass, how scorching all the sex is. I can't pick a favorite aspect of the fic or even a favorite sex scene (I was very into Foggy fingering him open while Matt was whining and desperate and beautiful, but also Matt being overwhelmed while Foggy rims him, BUT ALSO spanking that they are both super into--!), all of it was like a straight shot to my id. Matt has an absolutely fantastic ass and this fic does justice to it, fucking bless.

→ the nature of causality by sir_not_appearing_in_this_archive, foggy/matt, 5.6k
    Karen catches Matt and Foggy sneaking around and keeping secrets from her. So, naturally, she investigates.
    These two fics read best together, I think, the first where Karen suspects something with Matt and Foggy, the second where they get resolved. I really enjoyed the Karen pov because there's a solid sense of her character here, how she relates to them, how her own issues shape her views and fears. The second is more of a Matt piece, his friendship with Foggy turned on its head after the reveal of feelings, how much Matt counted on him, and his own feelings towards Foggy in return. It's a solid, lovely set of fics that are everything of why I got into the fandom.

→ Soft Things by Xela, foggy/matt, 1.9k
    It’s not the things that make Matt soft. It’s just one thing. One person, against whom Matt has no defenses.
    As much as the canon scene was perfect, of course I'm going to go for the "yes, but what if Foggy told Matt he loved him and they kissed instead?" fic. The fic made me hurt for Matt, made me love Foggy for being Foggy, made me love Matt being kind of an idiot, and then kissing! My soul needed this.

→ A really long phonecall by theoracleatlasvegas, foggy/matt, NSFW, phone sex, 1.2k
    Fill for a kink meme prompt requesting phone sex. Foggy calls up Matt while he's at the office with Karen.
    Filthy phone sex about all the terrible things Foggy would do to Matt and, look, shark week needs porn and this really hit my id something fierce, bless the author.

→ Somewhere between fear and sex passion is by anonymous, foggy/matt, nsfw, 2.7k
    Foggy's seen the videos - the ones Karen gushes over with Matt "flipping all over" - and he's not impressed, really, he's not, and he's only watched them a few times, anyway.
    Two things about this were really great! One, no matter how badass he can be, Matt Murdock is still a complete dweeb, god bless. And, two, Foggy's choice is pretty great, especially as he wars with hatting what Matt does as Daredevil but also finding it really hot. Add in that they can always laugh at each other and this was delightful.

→ Not A Catholic Thing by Little_White_Lie, foggy/matt, NSFW, 7.1k
    That one where Matt’s senses make sex hard.
    This is one of those fics to read if you really like sub!Matt, because that's the focus here, how his brain goes into sub mode when he needs this and Foggy provides it for him. I love that Matt is still a cranky nerd around Foggy much of the time here, I love the way their friendship usually is, but I also really enjoyed Matt being able to let go, to put himself in someone else's hands so he could be free to plead for what he wanted. Add in dealing with his over-stimulation and really satisfying sex and this was a really good read for me. I suggest going in for the kink, but it's really good kink, mmm.

→ Audio Tracks by GoggledMonkey, foggy/matt, NSFW, 2.9k
    Foggy and Matt watch porn and Foggy narrates (badly). Written for the Daredevil Kinkmeme
    The amazing thing about a character like Foggy is that this set-up would likely have given me second-hand embarrassment with anyone else, as he does audio commentary on a porn dvd, but somehow it's delightful here! Even the awkwardness is delightful! There's just such a charm and sparkle to both of them here, it was such a sharp read that I loved all of it.

→ And now you're satisfied by sp8sexual, foggy/matt, NSFW, some praise kink, 2.9k
    They fuck. Enjoy, you godless heathens.
    God, I needed this and it was really satisfying porn with all of my favorite things, especially a desperate, writhing, over-sensitive Matt who really, really is wrecked by all of this. There's an intensity to the fucking on both sides, it's so easy to feel how much they love each other, how much they want each other, how well they fit together, and that was pretty delicious, too. But, oh, man. Foggy opening up Matt with his fingers, overwhelming him and making him come before Foggy can work into him, then again after a bit when Matt gets on his hands and knees so they can fuck? The desperate edge to Matt and all his issues lurking in the background, but so completely loved and wanted in the moment? The scorching porn? Yeah, this fic was a blessing for me.

→ Academic Integrity by anonymous, foggy/matt, nsfw, 2.4k
    "You are not getting my vibe at all, Matt. They don’t call me Foggy ‘Lots of Small But Cumulative Seductions’ Nelson for nothing." Matt smiles and lets Foggy nudge his knees open to come closer, hands drifting down his sides.
    This fic was pure joy to read, because the Foggy voice is excellent, I loved Matt dearly, their dynamic was spot-on, and Foggy totally blew Matt while spread out all over Foggy's academic paper. This fic does a fantastic job of capturing the fun these characters have, the way they make each other (and me) laugh and work together and, seriously, Foggy cheerfully pulling Matt's clothes off and blowing him and clearly adoring the hell out of him is so fucking charming that I can't stand it.

→ The Ballad of Matt and Foggy by enid_salt, foggy/matt + marci, 3.3k
    A literal meet-cute: Franklin is bored kid until a new neighbor moves in next door, named Matthew Murdock.
    Nooooo, this was too damn cute! Kidlet!Foggy was all kinds of joy to read, like a miniature version of his adult self, that combination of charm and humor, especially as he meets new kid on the block Matt and it's like the younger version of their college meeting. It was a charming as hell read, just pure delight to have picked up, balanced between the cuteness of kid versions of them with still being genuinely sharp and interesting, and I fucking loved it.

→ Arrhythmia by samyazaz, foggy/matt, soulmates au, 5.5k
    Matt's heart skips a beat when he meets Foggy Nelson.
    I will read every Soulmates AU in this fandom that I can get my hands on, especially if they come with Matt being a dumb asshole, Foggy getting pretty pissed about that (eventually), but also loving Matt and telling him so, dragging all the better things out of him. It's a solid fic all the way through, but it's really the resolution (after Foggy's been kidnapped and Matt rescued him and then feelings were had) that's so damn satisfying.

→ Fearless by Evening_Bat, foggy/matt, ~1k
    Everyone is scared of something.
    The thing about Matt is what this fic gets at--he's capable in everyday life or when in a fight with someone trying to kill him. But when personal feelings are involved? He's nowhere near as put together, he's guilty and fearful and an amazing mess. So this hit me really well!

→ I can see clearly now the rain has come by bawolfling, foggy/matt, 1.2k
    "We’re in the middle of a thunderstorm and you wanna stop and feel the rain?"
    A short piece about Matt and Foggy in the rain, how it affects Matt's senses, and just something comfortable and put right between the two of them, some gentle banter and just... nice. I enjoyed this.

→ (Smile) Like You Mean It by anonymousdaredevils, foggy/matt, 2.3k
    So Foggy tells Matt he loves him a lot, because they are that kind of friends, and Matt is used to Foggy's heart being totally steady and honest when he says it. Which is why, sometime after the Daredevil reveal, it breaks his heart when Foggy suddenly starts sounding like he's lying when he says it.
    This fic made me happy in my soul because it's so many things I love: Matt being terrible at feelings, thinking Foggy doesn't love him anymore, slowly breaking apart because of it, and eventual confessions. It's one of those fics where I came out of it just completely in love with the asshole that is Matt Murdock because he's so well-written here. The relationship with Foggy also sparkles, because he's spot-on as well and the ending was a joy in my soul.

→ It Broke the Ice by sp8sexual, foggy/matt + marci, 5.4k
    In which Foggy and Matt meet in a bar, Foggy's brain-to-mouth filter is nonexistent, and Matt is not only hot like burning, but adorable, too.
    Chapter 1: Oh, man, this was charming and sparkling as hell, in another universe where Foggy and Marci are friends and she pushes him to go talk to the cute guy at the end of the bar and Foggy is Foggy about it. The fic works far better than I might have expected from the concept! They're both awkward around each other and fucking adorable as fuck and the cutest thing ever, which put such a fucking smile on my face. So, so worth reading!
    Chapter 2: I read the second chapter of this fic with the most ridiculous smile on my face, the kind that hurts afterwards, because there was so much pure, concentrated adorable in this chapter. Matt and Foggy go on a date, they're both complete nerds and awkward and adorable around each other and it was so much pure fun to read that it almost hurt.

→ untitled by theladyragnell, foggy/matt, 1.6k
    Prompt: Nelson and Murdock, falling asleep on each other?
    This may go up on AO3 later, but I couldn't wait that long to read it because it's several scenes of Matt and Foggy falling asleep on each other and I pretty much wanted to vomit rainbows after reading this. Each scene is wonderful, they're sharp and well-written, showing the depth of care here, but also just being entirely warm-hearted and the kind of fic that had me flailing from OTP feelings.

MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL - MATT & FOGGY:
→ Avocado-Awesome by ALittleWhosthis, matt & foggy, humor, ~1k
    Foggy finds his new favourite reading material. Matt may never live it down.
    A short and cute fic about Foggy finding some great fanfic on the internet and is utterly delighted in teasing Matt about it. It made me smile pretty ridiculous and was just fun.

→ Reciprocity by Sholio, matt & foggy, 2k
    Friendship is supposed to be a two-way street. And sometimes (Foggy realizes) it's easy to see the trees and not the whole forest.
    Foggy and Matt's friendship gives me so many feelings and this fic is no exception, especially as Foggy adjusts to the new side of Matt he's seen, how they fit together, how he's needed in their friendship. And when Matt's injured, all of that tumbles around Foggy's head, making this a really good exploration of character and relationship.

→ Hug Drug by DJClawson, matt & foggy & karen, 9k
    Matt and Foggy decide to tell Karen about Daredevil, but in the worst way possible.
    You sort of have to go into this fic being willing to roll with it, because Matt and Foggy spend most of it stoned out of their minds on E. What got me about this fic is how good the comedic timing of it is, how the set-up is used (in a controlled and monitored situation, done because Matt really needs to relax), and how the friendship between them has all this history and chemistry, even as they're just rolling around being high together. I can believe this destresses them, I can believe they would, and it was just a charming as hell fic that had me laughing out loud at several points. I loved it and totally recommend it!

→ Everyone Deserves Good Things by casophon, matt & foggy (possible foggy/matt pre-slash), 4.2k
    Foggy is protective of his new roommate and tries to make life easier for Matt... preferably without making an ass of himself in the process. He mostly succeeds.
    Oh, I read this entire fic just pretty much entirely in love with Foggy Nelson as he does his best to figure out how to help Matt without being too overbearing about it because he gets that Matt would hate that. The fic strikes all the right notes, that Foggy struggles with this, there are a lot of mistakes made, but they slowly get the hang of each other and it's good. This fic also beautifully balances being genfic with hints of something maybe more, along with really spot-on characterization. It's everything I wanted from college-era fic and it sparkles like hell and it's so good and I'd have read at least 100k of this.

→ Pokes, Prods, and Superheroes by pathera, matt & foggy + foggy & marvel characters, 1.1k
    Foggy Nelson's first reaction to an unconscious superhero is to poke them.
    God, I was nearly in tears by the end of this fic, because it was so beautifully done, how Foggy keeps coming across unconscious or battered superheroes and calls Matt to come pick them up. The surreality of it, Matt's bafflement as it keeps happening, the utter perfect hilarity of each different super hero and how they wake up. All of it was pure gold that I cackled my way through.

→ No, Siri by pathera, matt & foggy, ~1k
    Siri is decidedly unhelpful, Matt is not amused, and Foggy finds it absolutely hilarious.
    This was super short, but it was a collection of moments of Siri not working at all for Matt while Foggy finds it funny because that's what Matt gets for abusing his phone. I laughed the whole way through this one!

→ It Is Not Flesh and Blood by BlueFennec, matt & foggy, ~1k
    Matt has serious abandonment issues, and Foggy runs right into them
    I was/am entirely on Foggy's side over his hurt at all the lies Matt told him, but I'm also 100% here for Foggy running straight into Matt's abandonment issues and how truly terrible Matt is at feelings. I lvoe that Foggy's not sorry about his anger at Matt, because he shouldn't be, but he is sorry about how it happened. Add in Matt being a mess and emotional resolution and this is exactly what I wanted.

→ Nelson and Murdock by pseudonymitous, matt & foggy, 1.5k
    Foggy and Matt one-shots, as they go from law students to the best avocados in New York.
    A collection of Foggy and Matt in college scenes, as they get to know each other and hit it off. There's a chemistry between them and a rhythm that feels very true to the show and so it's slice of life stuff that was a joy to read.

→ Nelson vs Murdock: Foggy stays by anonymous, matt & foggy, ~1k
    Foggy gets to the door, the actual door and has his hand on it ready to go.
    I 100% understand why Foggy left that night and do not blame him for, but I also can't like, I'll still read every version of "Foggy stays" fic that I can find. Especially when he doesn't just cave completely, he's still hurt and angry, but he loves Matt, and the balance struck here was really well done.

MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL - FOGGY & MATT & KAREN:
→ Click Click Click (Goes The Sound of Matt's Life Falling Apart) by anonymous, matt & foggy & karen, ~1k
    Karen has just returned from her lunch break and Matt is contemplating taking his, when Foggy suddenly barks a laugh and says, "Dude, Matt! The internet thinks you're fucking Daredevil!"
    I was hoping for something cute and mildly amusing when I clicked on this, but what I got left me fucking weeping from start to finish. Characters finding fic of themselves is a staple of fandom, but this had the comedic timing to pull it off in a genuinely hilarious way, both for Foggy's utter amusing/Karen's fainter amusement and Matt's complete unamusement. Christ, I'm laughing again already, what a perfect fic with every single moment of it being fucking grand. Seriously this was so great and Foggy is my most favorite ever and my kindred spirit. Also, I would read those fics.

→ What Matt Lacks by DJClawson, matt & foggy & karen, 3.3k
    Matt makes no apologies for what he lacks, but it doesn't make it disappear.
    This fic was utterly fantastic, it absolutely nailed the characters' voices and had me laughing at all the right moments and putting a hand over my heart at all the other right moments. It's slice of life stuff, but it's so incredibly sharp, nearly every line is a treasure for the humor or insight into one of the characters. And, god, Matt and Foggy's friendship is pure, pure sunshine and gold and joy. This was a brilliant fic.

→ The Amazing Karen Page (and her educated attorneys) by moontyrant, matt & foggy & karen, 3.5k
    A surprising amount of work goes into taking care of Nelson and Murdock, but the amazing Karen Page is up to the task.
    This was a stunning look at Karen's character, sharp and funny and painful and good, all in the right places. The way she treats Foggy and Matt both is perfection, the sense of family and loved ones so strong, but also this fic hits that undercurrent that took me awhile to put my finger on in the show itself, that Matt and Karen are parallels in a lot of ways. It's not obvious, but I think that's why I value their friendship so much (as opposed to the way Foggy fits against their jagged edges) because they both have the devil in them. The fic has such a light, deft touch and it's gorgeous.

MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL - OTHER:
→ Devil Horns by shyday, matt + foggy + father lantom, physical/emotional whump, 14.9k
    'Oh, Matthew,' a weary voice says above him. 'What have you done to yourself now?'
    Ahh, yesss, Matt whump fic! I'm not usually one for a lot of whump fic, but Matt seems kind of made for it and the author writes it beautifully, as well as the second half of the fic is all about Foggy and Matt's friendship. It's all the things it needed to be, you see Matt's determination and motivations and there's a steady undercurrent of how none of this is easy, for either of them, that it's not okay at all, but it's also not the same as when Foggy first found out, either. It's one of those heavy lifting fics that shows the transition, as well as being a really good showcase for Foggy and Matt's friendship. So very satisfying.

→ Favorite Mistake by Sholio, foggy & marci, 1.5k
    Foggy gets a late-night visitor, and not the one he's expecting.
    I really do enjoy Foggy and Marci's dynamic, how they can be antagonistic towards each other, but absolutely are friends when it counts and this is a lovely exploration of one hard night that shows it.

→ It Can't Read Emoji's by DustySoul, matt & natasha + matt & foggy, ~1k
    He get’s a text form Natasha, who has put herself in his contacts under “Comrade”.
    I had no idea how much I needed MCU!Matt and MCU!Natasha to interact until this short fic, where Natasha deliberately sends Matt confusing and weird texts because she thinks it's funny. It's only a small collection of scenes, but it was enough to make me pine for them.

TOTAL GOAL: 205/1,200

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/215921.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 35 fic (Tolkien, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings)

tomomichi — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 22:52:49 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Whoops. I meant to just take the weekend off and then somehow that turned into almost a week off. Ah, well, as long as I don't go a full week without posting, I should be fine. :D

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Tolkien/The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings - 35 Fanfics

→ Battles Won by daw the minstrel, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 7.1k
    Little Legolas's older brother comes home on leave, and they engage in battles both physical and emotional.
    I've read this fic before, but it was a good re-entry point for me with this author's series, where it's about bb!Legolas and his middle older brother coming home again and spending time together after their mother's dead. The OCs are ones that I can immediately pick up again and enjoy, they have such life and love to them, they're such family here, and this fic is always good for me because it shows the way elflings are such little shits sometimes, but always with a core of goodness. Thranduil and sons sparkle here as they play in the snow, so much joy and love in Legolas' life, even with the tragedy.

→ Legolas's Begetting Day by daw the minstrel, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 28.3k
    Legolas is turning 20 about 8 in human years. His friends spend the night and his family remembers the day he was born.
    This is a bit longer of a fic, but I swear that I tore through it no less quickly because it's more of exactly what I want in this fandom! I admit that I skimmed over the flashbacks from before Legolas was born/the ones without canon characters in them, but they're small scenes against a greater whole in a fic that has bb!Legolas bringing field mice in as pets (which goes over about as well as you'd expect it to) and his older brother sending him on a treasure hunt (which is adorable) and mixing in background plot machinations that are sure to come up again later. It's a lovely story for everyday life, even as the plot moves, and I want all of bb!Legolas and his joyful childhood, even when he's sometimes a bit of a stinker.

→ A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes by Tanis, thranduil & legolas, 5.7k
    It's the night before Mettarë and a very young Legolas has a wish Thranduil has no hope of bringing to fruition.
    This was a beuatiful fic and the language of it is just as lovely as the emotion! It's rare that I go for a more poetic style in prose, but this author knew how to use it and didn't try too hard, it had a natural flow when I was reading it. But the best parts were Thranduil with bb!Legolas, both still mourning after the loss of his mother, the way I felt such intense emotion even as the author kept that levely serenity about them, those aspects were fantastic. There's a ton of lovely detail and such presence from both characters that this was a gorgeous read.

→ A Balrog in the Closet by Tori of Lorien, thranduil & legolas, 5.5k
    Balrog hunting, warm tea, and a misplaced book is not how Thranduil expected to spend his night. But when Legolas' true fear comes to light, he sees how the loss of a loved one has impacted both of them.
    Oh, man, you don't know how much I am here for bb!Legolas and father!Thranduil fluff, especially when it may have genuinely punched me in the feelings by the end. The writing is a little stiff, but the heart is there and I had such a smile on my face while baby Legolas kept Thranduil up all night with just one more request before going back to sleep! It has angst in it for the loss they're suffering, but it's also good and about the beginnings of healing and Thranduil taking care of the precious little elflet. ♥

→ The Shadow Rising by Morpheus626, thranduil & legolas, 1.5k
    Just a general Thranduil and Legolas father and son fic--Legolas is a sweet elfling unintentionally causing his father worry; and Thranduil is a newly-single parent, doing his best to rule his kingdom and take care of his young son. Of course, it would be like Legolas to get himself stuck in a tree and need his Ada to rescue him.
    Oh, this was so good for me, with headstrong bb!Legolas and still grieving Thranduil doting on him, it's a combination of angst and fluff that worked wonderfully for me. Legolas being too much for the advisors to handle, so Thranduil comes out to get the toddler and then carries him back, yessss, this is what I am in fandom for!

→ Hidden Agenda by sheraiah, thranduil & legolas & aragorn & gimli & arwen & elladan & elrohir & hobbits & others, 42.6k wip
    A female elf is brutally murdered in Minas Tirith. Is this just a random act of violence or does the killer or killers have much more in mind for Legolas, Thranduil, and the king and queen of Gondor?
    Holy shit, yes, this is what I have been looking for in this fandom! Post-ROTK plotfic with a heavy focus on Thranduil and legolas, which would have had me at that alone, but everything about this fic is spot-on to what I've been craving. I'll warn that it's a wip and hasn't been updated in two years, but the author is still in the fandom and, most importantly, it leaves off in an excellent place and you get a ton of resolution in this 40k+ fic. The father and son dynamic is probably the heart here, but Legolas' friendships with the others are never neglected, he adores everyone and they adore him, along with one of the best depictions of Legolas and Gimli's friendship that I've seen, it sparkles in this author's hands!

Everyone is spot on though, from the best Arwen I've read (she is perfection here and I found so much affection for her!) to Elladan and Elrohir to the hobbits to Aragorn to Gimli and, best of all, to the gorgeous way Thranduil and Legolas are written. They are elves through and through, so much of that culture is woven into the little touches, but also Legolas' life is full of joy and Thranduil is terrifying as fuck one moment and gently kissing Legolas' forehead the next and it's not a contradiction at all, it's just the character being exquisitely written. Also of particular note was the fantastic scenes between Thranduil and Arwen! I didn't know I needed that until I had it and, wow, was it satisfying.

There are moments of humor and so much physical expression of concern and love that my id was nearly rolling around in it like catnip, every time Thranduil would pet Legolas' hair or put an arm around him or Legolas would lean against his father to rest, the easy love there, even as this was never sugary, but instead about elves. All of that was so, so good for me. Plus Thranduil's interactions with others (Aragorn and Gimli especially) are spot-fucking-on! This was an amazingly well-written fic and gave me everything I've been craving in teh fandom and I'm only sorry that I tore through it in one day.

→ Elrond's Most Forgettable Birthday by TreeHugger, thranduil & legolas & elrond & glorfindel & other canon characters & some ocs, fluff, cracky, 70k wip (minutes author notes)
    Prince Legolas must choose something for King Thranduil to send to Lord Elrond for his birthday-something quite forgettable!
    There are a couple of notes before getting into this fic--the length is more like 70k when you take out author responses, it's a wip that will likely never be finished, and it's a style you need to just roll with. The fic is obviously familiar with Elven lore, there's lots of detail worked into it, but it's entirely silly and cracky, the hijinks everyone gets into and how they react/talk are all in that vein. But the author is very good at writing in a light-hearted style and making me genuinely fond of all the characters here, so I can sit down and read 20k without feeling like much time has gone by. It's long, but nothing ever really drags and it's just easy to read and was entirely comforting when I want fic about elfling Legolas getting into trouble or Thranduil's scary as shit temper despite that he's an openly loving father. It's just such a warm read that's full of silly affection that engrosses me and I'm sorry to have read nearly all this author's work now. ):

→ Interrupted Journeys: Part 5, Journeys in Mirkwood by ellisk, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 58.4k
    A series of stories exploring Thranduil and Legolas's lives through the Third Age until they go West. Part Five: The Shadow is deepening in Mirkwood, causing Legolas and his cousins to learn a hard lesson.
    This is part of a series that should largely be read in order (at least from part 3 on).
    I've read parts 3 and 4 of this series and this is a continuation of those, so I was able to jump in here when I started reading in this fandom again. I love a lot of the world that fic authors set up with the Mirkwood characters, but I think this author has my favorite world they've created because everything fires on all cylanders for me. There is a living, breathing world here, one that is full of joy, but one that also knows sorrow, there are OCs that you care about and feel just as vibrant as the canon characters, even as the author keeps focus on the canon ones very nicely. Legolas especially tends to be the focus, but these fics are also great for me as a Thranduil fan! My attention never wanders during scenes, because those canon characters are always around, even if the story isn't put on them as the center all of the time.

The prose is so easy to read, there's narrative consistency, and this author is stellar at what I'm looking--elflings getting into trouble, scary Elven King with a terrifying temper, but who actually communicates with and teaches the children, who openly and easily loves his son and the other children, he's fair to them, yet it's so much fun when they get in trouble and have to own up to it or get caught. Everything I'm looking for in a fic is right, which is why I read this in one day and would have sworn it was only half this length because it just few by me. Even the heartbreaking stuff just flew right by and had me diving right into the next story of the series!

→ Bathtime by AilciA, thranduil & legolas & some ocs, fluff, 7.5k
    A little insight into Thranduil's sometimes-overlooked love for his youngest son. We also learn about Legolas' homelife and family.
    I admit that I skimmed over the opening info dump to get to the actual story part of the fic (which the author suggests doing, if you want) and found an absolutely delightful precious, spoiled bb!Legolas fic! ♥ The sheer joy in the charming little shit who shrieks and struggles to get out of bathtime and the way Thranduil hauls him over a shoulder to tickles him was just pure delight and sparkle! It's such a happy-making fic and I loved it dearly.

→ Storms by Ramoths Own, thranduil & legolas, fluff, 3.6k
    You are never too young or too old to accept responsibility.
    This was pure fluff of the kind I am looking for, always. Little bb!Legolas is scared of the thunderstorms and runs away so Thranduil must find him and comfort him, but also show him why this was bad and it's PURE FLUFF and loads of cuddles! It's super sweet and hit me right in the id and just made me happy, ahhhh.

→ Take Your Place by Coriel, thranduil & legolas & ocs + brief appearances by ingwe & celeborn & galadriel & elrond & finarfin & finrod & melian, valinor/post-rotk, 33.6k
    Tirion. Rounding the bend, Thranduil stopped impulsively, awe-stricken by the supernal grandeur of the White City that rose before them upon the mighty green hill of its foundation, standing vigilant watch over the Calacirya.
    I have been pining for fic about Thranduil in Valinor and the politics of the place and the question of how that's going to work when the power structures were so different and complicated in Middle-Earth already. And this is the fic of my heart, even as I could have easily read something twice as long as this was! Thranduil's arrival in Valinor, the reunion with friends and family, seeing his wife and son again, the adjustment to it from Eryn Lasgalen, all are done wonderfully. But this is a fic about what happens next, about the structure in Valinor, now that they have peace and the Sindar are leaderless.

The way Thranduil must give up power, as things are different here, the way he accepted that even before he sailed and yet still struggles with it, the way he holds himself in the discussion with Ingwe (and later Melian), how he is far from emotionless, how he is so young compared to them, yet still holds his dignity and strength of character is gorgeous to see. He has been a great king for thousands of years and yet is not arrogant about it (stubborn, but honest and fair), so I loved this fic for the way he fits into Valinor politics, the role he accepts as King of the Sindar, as much as I love this fic for the characterization.

I enjoyed the more domestic scenes, when first arriving and reuniting with loved ones, but the council meeting with the higher elves, putting Thranduil in a room where he's one of the younger ones and knows it, yet does not ever lose his stateliness, does not ever lose his sense of self... that council meeting where they recount much of the history he's seen and the things he's done and what he does/does not regret... all of it was such an intensely good read, for the sense of history and for the characters and just because I enjoy seeing Thranduil in elven politics. This is 100% now my headcanon for how Valinor goes from here on, I am not kidding.

→ Swordplay and Swimming by cliodna_bright, elladan & elrohir + elrond/celebrian + thranduil, 3.6k
    A light-hearted story, in which the young twin sons of Elrond run away from home and are discovered by a delegation of Woodland Elves, led by none other than King Thranduil himself.
    Oh, this fic absolutely had me at what a pain in Elrond's ass Oropher must have been, according to Glorfindel, as recounted by Elrohir. I lost my shit at that and was forever gone on this fic, but there was even more than that! The twins are perfect and adorable little shits, but it's thranduil who is stunningly perfect here. He's scary as shit, but deeply caring and full of joy and intensely insightful and has this magnificent presence. I never knew I needed Thranduil fic with Elladan & Elrohir, but, wow, did I ever. This was accurate to Elven politics, pitch-perfect characterization, and gorgeously written. A MUST READ.

→ The Silmarillion Rewrite by Jenavira, the silmarillion elves, a fuckton of elves, and fuckin' melkor, humor, 28.5k wip
    The Silmarillion Translated from the Elvish by Professor J.R.R. Tolkien Translated from Professor Tolkien's Handwriting by Christopher Tolkien Translated Lovingly from the Tokienish by jenavira
    More than once I have tried to read The Silmarillion, but I can never get past the beginning with the Ainur and into the drama with the elves, which was a tragedy because I love me some fucking elves, especially if half of them are batshit as fuck. Then along comes this amazing retelling of the book which has clear and deep affection for everything, but also knows when to laugh at this shit because it's hilarious. And, wow, did I laugh until I just about cried--more than once! Like, it's genuinely useful as a way to get a better grasp of the history of the elves and these characters, it's a much easier read to follow along with, but the humor is where it got me. I had to honestly put my reader down and shove my hand over my face at Maedhros and Fingon on the cliff, I just fucking lost it at that point, because, oh, my god, elves.

The fic isn't finished, half of everyone is still alive after all, but the fic still serves as an amazing way to get introduced to most players, to understand why Feanor fucked up on an epic scale, to understand (some of) why the Teleri/Sindar are pissed at the Noldor, to understand the scale of the Noldor soap opera. All while being a beautiful, beautiful fic that had me weeping at every turn. And, oh, my god, Melkor is a treasure, okay. And Feanor! I love that asshole. Everyone is amazing and everyone should read this, if you are at all interested in the history of these fucking elves.

→ Games People Play by Evergreene, aragorn & legolas & the fellowship, humor, 15.8k
    Legolas is rather puzzled by the behaviour of the hobbits. Aragorn does not help. It's a long walk to Mordor...
    Oh, this fic was a find today, because the author has absolutely mastered what a joyful dick Legolas is. Well, they all are, this is a lovely Fellowship piece where they're all terrible to each other in that perfect way friends are, but Legolas shines the most. While this is an ensemble piece, it's got Aragorn & Legolas at its center, which it does beautifully, so the ridiculous smile never left my face, unless it was during one of the parts where I was giggling madly. I never wanted this fic to end, it's the perfect kind of daily life meets road trip fic that I love and Legolas is such an elf about everything and he and Aragorn are thick as thieves one moment, then throwing things at each other the next, then climbing up a tree together the next, and it's perfect. The characterization is exquisite, I am all aglow after reading this, and, oh, every situation they all got into fit, everything had such a natural flow and the ending had me cackling aloud because fucking elves, for real.

→ The Scruff Factor by JastaElf, legolas & aragorn & elladan & elrohir & arwen & elrond & other elves & other dwarves + some background aragorn/arwen, humor, 40.8k
    How DID Aragorn come to be neat & tidy for Elrond's Council? Ch. 7, The Long Awaited Scruffilogue: in which a squirrely evening is had by all, Dwarves learn not to drop eaves, and Legolas courts doom by going to bed early.
    I don't know why it took me so long to sit down with this fic, because it's fucking amazing. It's beautifully written and such sharp, hilarious comedy of the kind I've been looking for! This is my Legolas, who is an absolute and utter little shit of a spoiled rotten elf who knows exactly how he appears to others and his quicksilver moods, agile and fast thoughts, his ability to outplay others, and his deep and true love of fucking with people is written exquisitely here. His friendships with the children of Elrond are all perfectly written, they're all characters I have affection for here (it's lovely how the twins have seperate personalities yet are a package deal, how Arwen is utterly charming, how Aragorn is put upon and amused and stubborn in turns). And there is such a great current of these characters being such fucking elves, both in the history woven into the story and in how batshit they all are.

There's also a great current of Legolas as an Elven prince, the son of Thranduil, and how amazing that makes him at everything, even as it's Legolas himself that is perfection at the same time, that his father doesn't outshine him, even as it's important who Legolas' father is. And, oh, lord, every time the fic described how impossibly beautiful he was or how charming he was I lost my shit, because it was always layered over and contrasted against what an utter little shit he was and his perfect, innocent face may have been brilliant, but he was still a spoiled fuck about it. This is perfect to how I see Legolas, because it's never at the expense of how he truly cares, how he can be serious, just... he's such a fucking elf!

I loved this fic for the humor, that at least a dozen times it had me cackling aloud, but it truly has my heart for being humor fic that gets at how I see the characters and making me love each and every one of them completely. Another absolute MUST READ for me!

→ A Bit Green at This by Kereea, dwarves & tauriel & legolas + thorin/bilbo + implied kili/tauriel + thranduil + aragorn + bard + other elves + some ocs, 53.1k
    While the Company rested at Beorn’s, Gandalf appraised the deterioration of Mirkwood and decided the best option was to call in a favor for a little extra help in guiding the dwarves through the forest. And so Legolas Greenleaf was dragged into the quest for Erebor.
    This was an interesting fic! Basically Legolas and Aragorn stumble over the dwarves earlier, Legolas and Tauriel join the dwarves on their quest, and tragedy is averted. As an action fic, it's a lot of fun and keeps up a snappy pace so that it never drags--even if I wound up skimming by the end, if you're more invested in the dwarves than I am, you'll probably enjoy every bit of it! The author does very well with balancing an ensemble cast and letting everyone have some character moments and building friendships and making their voices pretty distinct. I admit, I wish there had been more Thranduil and Legolas interaction (because that's what I'm personally here for), but there's a lovely scene by the end when father comes to get wayward son, in a way that I was glad to see, because it shows that, yes, this relationship is a healthy one, for all that sometimes Thranduil was overprotective of his precious youngest son. (Even if I did kind of want him to actually drag Legolas home by the ear, this way was better.) There were some great moments any time Aragorn was on-screen, there was some neat OCs for Legolas' brothers (because I will always see him as the youngest of three kids, it explains a lot, imo), there's a good amount of resolution here, and it's a fun piece to read for Legolas' character! Don't let the wip status put you off, almost everything that needs being resolved is!

→ An Ada's Kiss by 17seconds, thranduil & legolas, ~1k
    Little Legolas is hurt, but an Ada's kiss fixes everything.
    This was short, but so very good for me, as the author shows the facets of both scary Elvenking and doting father, as seen through human eyes. I love both aspects, how genuinely unsettling he is and how the love is undeniable, both are good for my id, but it's in showing that it's not just one or the other the humans see, that they're not jagged edges jammed together, but instead both are entirely true of Thranduil, they're parts of a the greater whole. Yesss.

→ Where Fault Lies by Evergreene, aragorn & legolas & thranduil, humor, 2k
    Aragorn believes that Legolas is at fault. Strangely, Legolas does not agree.
    I cackled my way through this fic, let me tell you, because I am here for this so hard. Aragorn and Legolas return to Mirkwood bruised and battered, bantering the whole way, and each absolutely ready to sell the other out to a stone-faced Thranduil. Every part of this was a delight, especially what amazing dicks Aragorn and Legolas are to each other. Also Legolas' guileless face when speaking to his father, that spoiled rotten little shit is amazing. This is a great fic for my id and for when I needed a good laugh!

→ Growing Under Shadow by daw the minstrel, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 56.7k
    Shadow continues to spread through the Woodland Realm Legolas gets his first adult bow.
    I've been reading this fic over the last several days and then finally stayed up far too late last night to finish it because I could not put it down! It's everything I want from this fandom on an intellectual level and an idfic level! There's a mix of elflings being elflings and a plot happening, which come together in a really satisfying way and I enjoyed the author's notes/responses, as they shed light on the world-building and character insight, all of these things are as good as they always are in daw's stories! But where this fic went into high gear for me (as much fun as the plot with the Men and the Dwarves absolutely was, as much fun as the elflings learning to hunt was!) is when Legolas can't help doing things that will get him in trouble and it's so satisfying when he does!

This author's Thranduil is perfect, where he's very loving and caring and raises his children in joy, but his temper is not an idle threat, he's terrifying when furious. When Legolas is caught, it's so good for my id, because the author makes it clear that his fury comes from love, even if there is an edge of demanding respect as their father, in just the right mix. And it's always followed up by talking with Legolas and teaching him and loving him, so I'm just so completely done whenever I read a fic by this author, all the more so because it shapes the character I see in the canon, with all the good that he's had in his life. Just, such a good fic, ahhhh.

→ My Nauglamir by Jodlet, thranduil/legolas' mother & legolas & others, 24.1k
    Thranduil had met her before, before he had travelled over the Misty Mountains with his father and joined the Silvan Elves. The oldest daughter of a high elf lord, who was an adviser if he remembered correctly to King Thingol, he'd stopped and stared when he'd first saw her. His father, Oropher, had laughed at him and given his shoulder a gentle shove – 'She would have you jump through hoops, my son.'
    I admit, I skipped to chapter 4 in this fic, because that's when Legolas was added to the story and where my interest is at its highest. That still leaves half the fic to read and, oh, chapter 4 is PURE JOY as Legolas is an angel-faced little demon and Thranduil loves him all the more for what a precious little shit he is. The OC for Legolas' mother is lovely, she fits very well into the story, with a strong personality and yet never crowds out the canon characters, it's a great balance! There are loads of father & son bonding moments, as well as the fic spans the years up to the events of The Hobbit and was such an engrossing read this morning. If nothing else, chapter four is a MUST READ for me!

→ Paths Taken by daw the minstrel, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 35.7k
    A practical joke goes wrong and Legolas and his oldest brother learn something about confidence and courage.
    This is a direct follow up to Growing Under Shadow, which should probably be read first, but both are well, well worth the read! As someone who has a child in their life at about Legolas' maturity level, oh, this fic nailed that feeling of the transition process betwen child and adult, how it's like your sweet baby was replace by this little goblin monster who will just not listen. And this does not make Legolas bad, he is still recognizably himself, just... caught between growing up but not and adult yet, caught between an incredibly busy father and brothers and yet they are over-protective of him. He's also recovering from having been in trouble, but as teenagers are wont to do, they jump right back into it again!

The author does a gorgeous job of hitting my wants (Legolas getting in trouble and his father or older brothers finding out, danger lurking around corners that eventually strikes) with how everyone truly wants to help and understand each other, they all pull back and reassess when necessary, and that's so satisfying on an emotional level!

→ Hunting Ada by sheraiah, thranduil & legolas + brief oropher & thranduil, ~1k
    The elven version of hide and seek in Mirkwood,
    Short, less than a thousand words, but it's a fluffy and cute as shit game of hide and seek between elfling and father on a rainy day. It's pure sweetness with bonus Oropher and bb!Thranduil flashback, too!

→ Escape by fanged geranium, feanor & sons + most other important elves in valinor post-rotk + valar, humor, crack, 21.6k
    Fëanor plots to escape from Mandos.
    You don't know how much I love the Feanorians because of how they fuck things up for everyone, so a humor fic about how they finally talk their way out of Mandos' Halls (who is tired of dealing with them) is AMAZING, especially when it goes as well as any rational person would expect it to go. The amount of canon detail and characters that into into this fic are great, but my favorite is how batshit each of those seven shits is, in their own way. Whether beging ridiculous levels of stabby or just not being bothered by things that are terrible or just having an awful temper, they are all a delight. I cackled my way through this fic and I am happy what's here of it, because the Feanorians fucking everything up and people just flat-out leaving the room when seeing them is HILARIOUS.

→ Ready by Lomelindi, thranduil & legolas + thranduil & oropher, fluff, 3.8k
    The passing of power from father to son is never an easy one. Angst and some shameless warm-fuzzy moments for Oropher, Thranduil and Legolas.
    I picked the link for this fic up from mirkwoodfamily's recs and it's a lovely piece about readying a prince to take his father's place, about the contrasts and similarities between both. The situation Thranduil was in with Oropher is not the same as Legolas is with him, you see the differences, and yet also see why the connections are there, which is very well done! But it's Legolas' reaction and the clear and deep love between father and son that really shone here the most--so good!

→ The Three Hunters and the Elven King by JediSapphire, thranduil & legolas & aragorn & gimli & elladan & elrohir, humor, 7.5k
    The War is won, Sauron has been defeated, and Legolas is finally returning home in the company of his friends. They have a furious Elven-king to face.
    I read this early on in my fic reading for this fandom and yet I can't find any rec I wrote for it! Which is a shame because it's one that influenced what my heart really wants with these characters--a perfect balance of hilarity, genuine love, and also a legitimately scary Elvenking when he thinks anyone will harm his son. Aragorn's amusement and genuine fear, Gimli being all "ugh fuckin' elves" and yet legitimately wary, the twins just being flat-out terrified, and spoiled little shit Legolas? All pulled off beautiful and exactly what my fannish heart cries out for. It's a humor fic, but it also has a ton of heart that's absolutely wonderful!

→ The House of the Golden Flower by vericus, thranduil/oc & glorfindel & gil-galad, 42k
    Those of the House were always noble. But Gondolin, and those who held loyal to it, were doomed first by Morgoth, and then the sons of Fëanor...
    I initially picked this up for how a Thranduil & Glorfindel fic would go, my curiosity roused by the idea, but found that it was really just as much about the politics of Gil-Galad's court and about Thranduil/his future wife. It was an engrossing read the whole way through, from the mystery surrounding two unknown elves to the entirely satisfying reveals (even if it's obvious from the summary and what we know of Glorfindel's return, it's still entirely satisfying when you get there!), to the every day but surprisingly interesting lives of elves, especially a younger prince Thranduil (who is a Sinda, even if this fic calls him Silvan) in a Noldorin court, not quite a king yet, but you can see how he will be.

This rec is terribly boring, I know, but the fic was such a find recently, the writing so smooth and lovely, and the characters all sparkle. This is one of those OCs that I was genuinely fond of, she was special, but in the way that all the characters are, the writing does her justice--as it does with all of them. So many of them are such large figures, Glorfindel and Thranduil and Gil-Galad, so the fic does justice to that as well, that they're epic characters, even as I fell in love with them on a personal level. I really, really recommend this one a lot!

→ The Black Arrow by ziggy3, thranduil & smaug & legolas & gandalf & ocs, 19.6k
    Thranduil enters the dragon's lair; it is not gold that he seeks, but something much more precious.
    This is a fic about how the black arrow came to be back in Bard's family's possession and a story about an Elven King doing what he needed to for the good of everyone and it's so good a fic. My one caveat is that the last chapter is completely disconnected from the rest of the fic, it has no bearing on anything and was like it was from a completely different fic, to the point where I think it would have been better dropped off/the reader to skip it. Otherwise this was a fantastic piece about Thranduil going to see Smaug, the careful politics that kept everyone safe and things stable, right down to the precise and careful language used, where each word said was chosen with such care, in the way that does justice to the enormity of these characters. It was a fic about a king protecting and leading his people. It was about a loving father who had three strong-willed sons (and every mention of Legolas was perfect and spot on) and how Thranduil is brilliant and strong enough to keep all this together. There are moments of humor, moments of such love, moments of terror, but mostly this is a fic about what a great king and father Thranduil is. It's spot on for everything I wanted, ahhhhh.

→ Odd Reunion by Grey-Rain-Cloud, thranduil & legolas, fluff, ~1k
    Seven of the Fellowship travel to Mirkwood, and six of them observe something they do not understand.
    I am 100% here for scary Elveking rage fits over Legolas joining the Fellowship and how that phases everyone but the elf himself. Short and charmingly silly, I honestly smiled my way through the entire fic.

→ Watch This! by daw the minstrel, legolas & ocs, 2.5k
    Little elves fight boredom with shields, a stairway, and a phrase dreaded by the parents of boychildren of all races.
    I am absolutely weak to young elflings unable to help themselves from getting into trouble, especially when they're just so full of energy that they're practically bursting, so this fic was a joy in my soul. The adorable playfulness was charming and yet it still contributed bits of world-building and was clearly written in reference to that scene in the movie, making it a short but wonderful read!

→ Blessed by Ilúvatar by White Wolf1, thranduil, 3k
    It has been many long years since an elfling was seen and heard in the halls of King Thranduil. Is that about to change?
    A short piece on loss and love and joy and sorrow in Greenwood that I really enjoyed as a showpiece for how children can bright lives, as well as hot it just makes utter sense to me that Legolas is a youngest child and so joyful.

→ My Brother's Keeper by daw the minstrel, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 32.3k
    An adolescent Legolas wrestles with decisions over how far his care for another should go.
    daw's OCs are probably my favorite elven OCs (and in the running for overall favorite OCs) and I find them to be so well-crafted that they feel like canon characters, especially Legolas' brothers, they're perfect. This fic was one of those that I can barely convey how satisfying it was for me, how it hit my idfic wants (young Legolas being a good-hearted trouble magnet and his father's loving but firm hand with him, oh, it's so good) but was also fantastic for how it relied on misunderstandings that I believed. Legolas is young yet, so he's not told everything about what his brother is doing and he wants to protect his brother, so he says nothing, either. No one is overly dumb, but instead their choices are all understandable and came from caring, so it makes it all the more satisfying to read!

The balance of canon and original characters is perfect, I was never far away from Legolas or Thranduil being in a scene, even as I was legitimately interested in the brothers' stories, too. The way these are elves is also perfect, and, oh, when Legolas gets in over his head and gets caught, it's so perfect there, too. As is Thranduil's reactions when talking to him afterwards! This is an Elvenking who is scary when he's furious, but there is zero doubt that he loves his children more than anything. This was such a satisfying and genuinely good read, the author has such care and thought put into everyone and everything.

→ The Life & Times of Greenwood the Great by Adere, thranduil & elrond & gil-galad & celebrimbor & others & ocs, 107k wip
He raised a crown weaved of the vine and autumn leaves and placed it on the king's head. "You will be our King," he said softly, "King of Greenwood the Great."
I admit, by the last third or so of this fic, it had lost a lot of steam and Thranduil was too special with too many powers. But the first 70k or so were absolutely fantastic and some of the best fic I've read in this fandom! It's an AU where the Silvan elves ask a Sinda from Gil-Galad's court to unite them and be their king, the fic being about their journey to establish their kingdom and how engrossing a read it was. The sheer amount of personality in Thranduil and these elves, that you can see why they chose him, you can see the great king he turns into step by step, each situation that he prepares for and yet has to handle the surprises that come along, all of it being immensely satisfying.

It's a long story, so there are many events in it, the span of the story is years (at least half a century, if not a lot more), I really felt that scope and the way elves measure time (and how they don't measure time, too). It's a world-building kind of story that puts all the necessary effort in, so that watching them figure out where they're going to have their kingdom, watching the crowing ceremony, watching their perilous journey to their new home, all of it is legitimately interesting to read. The early scenes are really sharp and you feel the steel and fire in Thranduil's character, yet you understand how much of a loving elf he is at the same time, so you get why they asked him to lead them, you get why this is a kindgom that you know will last a very long time. All of it is just a great read!

→ ...No Matter How Tall by MissFaust, thranduil & legolas & oc, 2.3k
    Thranduil is the King of the Woodland Realm, he has fought in the Battle of Dagorlad, has faced orcs and spiders. He is a redoubtable warrior and a respected negotiator. But to tell a tiny elfling "no" might prove to be out of his league. Alas, he must, he must!
    Spoiled, precious elfling Legolas is my favorite thing, where he is nearly impossible to resist and has a good idea of it! So, it's both completely understandable and completely hilarious when he wants an oliphaunt because he was promised a reward. and it's hard (or almost impossible) to say no to him. He's such a good-hearted child and so love and his parents are so perfect that this was just a complete joy to read.

→ The Origin of the Swag Stag by ladydragon76, thranduil & legolas, 1.8k
    When Legolas rescues a young fawn from the spiders, he can’t possibly just abandon it alone in the woods.
    A short, but adorable story of Legolas getting lost in the woods, finding a Great Elk fawn and just having to help it when it's in trouble. It's all my favorite things--bb!Legolas being adorable, his family worried over him, exasperated at his well intentioned antics, and warm-heartedness all around!

→ Celeborn's Gift by Karri, Celeborn & Legolas, 1k
    Celeborn gives Legolas a gift.
    I admit that I nearly turned around at the author's notes (despite that I didn't want it to be slash, either), because that attitude prickles at me, but I know that fandom was something of a different place ten or more years ago. And I otherwise enjoyed this fic so much, as it's a gorgeous piece about Legolas' arrows and the history of elves and the connections between these two Sindar elves. I love the idea of Celeborn giving Legolas this gift, why these two would have this connection and what the gift meant, as Thranduil had lived through Doriath. Lovely, lovely piece!

TOTAL GOAL: 170/1,200

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/215660.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 26 fic (Thor)

tomomichi — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 00:18:47 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Oh, man, I don't even remember where I left off with the Thor recs, this is probably going to be a disaster. OH WELL HERE GOES ANYWAY.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Thor - 26 Fanfics

THOR/LOKI RECS:
→ Familiarity by karuvapatta, thor/loki, NSFW, dub-con really bordering on non-con, 6.7k
    This quest was a chance for Thor to spend time with his brother and to mend the distance between them – but Fates laugh when gods make plans, do they not?
    Holy shit, this fic was fucking gorgeous! I have spent the last week and a half grumbling to myself about how little Thor there is in the Thor/Loki I've found lately, how so much is centered around Loki or just... doesn't understand Thor. Then comes this fic and it packs such a punch! From the opening dub-con (well, non-con, but it's obviously more complicated than it first appears!) scenes to how Thor faces that guilt directly, he doesn't run from it (oh, man, that was Thor) to his anger when he finds out the truth to how he deals with Loki every step of the way, how he loves him but doesn't let Loki off the hook when he doesn't deserve it. The directness of Thor's character, the weight of him, the emotions here (anger and nobility! but also that he's such a steamroller!) are just so fucking on-point. This made my night more than you know and that's even aside from the tasty porn!

→ No Further Proofs by karuvapatta, thor/loki, nsfw, human au, 1.7k
    The Universe might have hated Loki, but the occasional one-night stands almost made up for it - so long as they came without any pesky complications. Human AU.
    Oh, man, this one may have been short, but it was fantastic, where it had that special sparkle that I love to it, with cranky!Loki who is super attracted to Thor, this huge and powerful and angry guy who can bring down a heavy hand. Except then he's nice and smiles at Loki and cuddles him after fucking Loki into the mattress face first, which means Loki's life is so hard, you ugys. And I'm in love even if there's never more of this. ♥

→ What Once Was Mine by SapSorrow, thor/loki + other asgardians, NSFW, post-thor 2, 29k
    "In the aftermath of it all Thor’s feet return him to this place – treacherous feet, marching him like gaolers to what is left of Loki’s cell. As if he has not mourned enough, no less painfully for it being in silence, his heart must bring him here to break loudly in his chest. For no, he cannot mourn enough; nor, he suspects, should he ever stop."
    I'm going to have a bit of a tough time talking about this fic because it's complicated in that... I do have caveats about it, that you have to let go of some logic and Thor's character is off, especially in how he's more observant than this, instead of not really doing much. I mention this because it stands out more for thow the writing really is lovely, the author does some beautiful turns of phrase, creating an elegant atmosphere that works with faux-Shakespearean characters, without getting too carried away with it. It's also a bit of a post-TDW plot fic and I have been craving those so badly and this helped satisfy that as well!

I read this fic and enjoy so much of it, the experience of reading it (for lack of a better word) was lovely and I don't mean to give backhanded compliments over it! The Thor characterization was off, but I'm serious that it stuck out more for me because I took the rest of the story so seriously. Plus, it was an interesting take on Ragnarok and I enjoyed this Loki a lot! It's a great fic for curling up with when you want a medium length one to just sink into for a few hours!

→ Of Size by DictionaryWrites, thor/loki, NSFW, intersex!loki, size kink, ~1k
    Request: Thorki, size kink: I'm just in the mood for something dirty involving Thor fucking Loki, and them both getting turned on by how big Thor is.
    Jesus, this fic ruined me for the night. It might be short but it was not playing around with how hot it was as Thor and Loki were both turned on by the size of Thor's cock next to Loki's hole and how it was going to feel. Add in Thor being Thor, how he's such a steamroller and how capable he is around Loki, even as he loves his little brother, as he sees Loki's natural state and fucks in. That balance is what I'm looking for every time and this was so good for it.

→ Audience by DictionaryWrites, thor/loki, NSFW, intersex!loki, voyeurism, ~1k
    Loki fantasizes, not knowing he has an audience.
    Loki conjuring a Thor double to order Loki to spread his legs and then go down on his cunt? While Loki is demanding and double Thor laughs and licks him open and the real Thor watches? Add in some tasty porn and, yeah, I was ruined for the night at all the right balances of porn and characterization here.

→ untitled by izazov [ mobile ver. ], thor/loki, secret relationship, human au, truth or dare, 5.1k
    This is a bad, terrible, dangerous idea, and Thor knew it from the start.
    I have a great weakness for human AUs and for truth or dare fics when done right and this is a fun one to read for Loki and the way the Thor pov tries to read him, the way Loki uses truth and dares to twist them around. He's a lot of fun to read about here and the forbidden relationship aspect is also nicely done! The prose is lovely and it was a good fic to pick up and read tonight, just the right pacing and length to put me in a good mood right before bed!

→ Prisoners by dorkylokifan, thor/loki + odin, NSFW, evil!odin, post-thor 2, pregnant!loki, fluff, 2.8k
    Post TDW AU: Loki is tossed back into his prison cell after helping Thor and Jane defeat Malekeith. Thor is denied his request to return to Midgard and Loki loses his sanity while in solitary confinement. Warnings for suicide attempt, do not read if this is a trigger for you. Thor does the only thing he can to save Loki, he joins him in his cell. Happy ending. I promise.
    This is one of those fics you're reading for the sheer fluff and id-need-scratching that it gives you. Loki goes mad in prison, Thor joins him, Odin is evil, they spend a year together, Loki confesses love, they fuck, Odin dies, Loki's pregnant, happy ending! \o/ This kind of fic isn't for everyone but I have fun with it and this was fluffy and a bit of porn for me that was a balm when I needed it.

→ Forbidden by queenslf [ mobile ver. ], thor/loki, mildly nsfw, secret relationship, ~1k
    It is wrong. It does not take a bright mind to realise that.
    This was short and bite-sized, but a fun secret tryst sort of fic where they have to keep their relationship hidden and yet cannot stay away from each other. There's a brief flash of wall sex and it was a nice read in my collection tonight!

→ Suitable Toys by DictionaryWrites, thor/loki + loki/mjolnir, NSFW, intersex!loki, dom/sub, toys, rough sex, 2.2k
    Loki wishes to play with Thor for the evening. Mjölnir becomes involved.
    Oh, jesus, this was good for me, because Loki wanting and loving the heavy hand of Thor, the way he gets off on Thor hauling him around and pinning him into place and wrecking him is just perfect here. The fic is that blend of maybe a little fucked up, but not in a cruel way, even with the dirty talk, because it's clear that they both enjoy this. Thor setting Loki down on Mjolnir and then fucking him roughly was delicious, but my favorite was what a little shit Loki was because he craved Thor giving him no quarter, he craved the dom/sub aspect, the perfect meeting of need and want in him, as well as Thor who does not sit idly by, he gets in there. So good and so hot.

→ A Hand for Victory - Snippet by Runie (Runic), thor/loki, NSFW, jotunn!loki, intersex!loki, arranged marriage, 1.4k
    Laufey announced a competition for his son’s hand in marriage, and Odin sees the perfect chance to steal away Jotunheim’s most powerful sorcerer. Thor, however, is not so happy about his new mission, until he realizes he has actually fallen in love with Prince Loki. Now he just has to defeat the hundred other competitors who also want Loki for themselves.
    This may have been short, but it was both delightful and delicious. Loki being a manipulative little shit, making sure his life will be what he wants, rather than what someone else chooses for him, so he makes sure Thor will be his husband... I would read 100k of that just about every day. And I enjoy when there could be more of this or it could just be self-contained, either way it was a tasty read tonight, mmm.

→ As if he were the Sun by ohfreckle, thor/loki, NSFW, human au, russian nobility au, historical au, 9.9k wip [update rec]
    Thor is a Russian nobleman and Loki is his spoiled rotten consort who’s drenched in jewels and furs and is constantly whispering conspiracies and scandal into Thor’s ear.
    Yesss, I was waiting for the next chapter of this fic and it was so good for me. I love the set up so much, where Thor is a wealthy Russian noble and Loki is taken in and despite that this isn't a good political match, Thor doesn't care and Loki is sharp and good at ways to help him. There's tension in the fic, they should be careful, but it's about polite society and this situation isn't overdone and that makes it really well balanced and also genuinely pleasurable to read! It keeps a sharp edge but without me ever rolling my eyes at things feeling forced, instead it's far more engaging for being the right mix of "walk carefully" and "things are going well here"!

The fic has a ton of little details of the time period worked in in natural ways, and I lvoe that Thor is so openly affectionate with Loki who has trouble sometimes, who needs to be reassured, as well as Thor is absolutely ready to fuck Loki just about in public and, oh, intercrural sex can be difficult to write well, but the edge of desperation here, the way Loki wants that cock in him now, but they can't here, yes, that was scorchingly hot, mmm.

→ Chained Freedom by Runie (Runic), thor/loki, war prize!loki, jotunn!loki, 1.3k
    Sometimes love does not have the power to conquer all.
    This was such an interesting fic, as Thor and Loki meet in Jotunheim and begin to fall in love, but their homes are fated to be at war with each other and there's no easy, happy way out of this situation. I love that both of them are so perfectly in character here, from Loki's brattiness and anger to the mix of good cheer and resolution and hard anger of Thor's. For all that this isn't really a happy fic, the sharpness was so good for me.

→ untitled by thisdorkyblogthing [ mobile ver. ], thor/loki, pregnant!loki, fluff, 1.6k
    TL;DR- Thor: loki, i can see pregnant people. and ur one of them. Loki: lol Thor: no, seriously, we’re gonna have to have a really weird talk with mom and dad soonish. Loki: … what.
    Oh, this was another delightful fic to read, as Thor can see a literal glow around pregnant people and suddenly sees it around Loki. Which makes for a bit of an awkward conversation, let's just say. The fic is light-hearted and fun and easy, just the kind of thing I wanted to read tonight! Bless this author, for real.

→ Stolen Relics (aka Don't Leave Unattended Children in the Yard) by 5ofSpades, some thor/loki + loki/others + brief thor/sif + other asgardians + other marvel characters + loki's kids, pregnant!loki, sort of jotunn!loki, 13.9k wip
    The one where: How King Býleistr saved an Æsir babe from terrible heat exposure, and Þrúðr, daughter of Thor, grew up the strangest Prince of Jötunheimr. And how once upon a time Loki saved the world, saved his name and reputation, gave up custody of his living children to his frost giant brother, and was given a state funeral by Odin King without Loki himself attending.
    I admit, I sometimes had trouble following this fic, it's not always clear what's going on where or when, but I greatly enjoy the author's style and the world being built here and bringing in a mythology sort of feel and so many of Loki's kids that get up to epic antics themselves. I think that's my favorite part of this fic, that they're not just props, but instead part of the plot and the symmatry of Asgard and Jotunheim's clusterfuck going round and round with each other, that it's fun reading about Thrudr and Vali getting into shit together, and about how everything with Thanos shook out in this world!

→ Interlude I by appleseason, thor/loki, nsfw, human au, ~1k
    A small snapshot into a day in the life before I delve into the nitty gritty. Can be stand-alone or read along with Easy, Not Sleazy.
    This was short but pure fun and had some lovely porny imagery, especially Loki riding Thor's cock like a demon possessed and the shower fucking where Thor holds him up because Loki's legs gave out. This was a very nice way to wake up this morning!

→ something that feels like home by jellyfish, thor/loki, pregnant!loki, nesting!loki, fluff, 1.2k
    Loki is in the final stages of his pregnancy and his body is telling him to get ready for the birth. Naturally, Loki builds a nest.
    Oh, man, this was pure fluff and so good for me, where Loki is pregnant as fuck and nesting, I am just so ready for that. Sorry not sorry. :D So he builds himself a literal nest with all his furs and some of Thor's clothes and curls up in the middle of it! I am here for this shit, I ate up this like tasty candy omg.

THOR & LOKI RECS:
→ Apothecary by Mythtaken Identity (Shadowland), loki + thor + verity + america, loki: agent of asgard, 616, 4.8k
    He isn’t the Loki who went before although his head carries all of his knowledge packed in nondescript boxes to which he can’t relate. He isn’t the first owner of this body that feels stretched and pulled out of shape. He’s something new, and fluid, and strange, seeking to fill them both and take their form, but this container is cracked and misused: fluid leaks and solids don’t fit and everything aches into the core of him.
    Gods don't get sick like mortals do and the way that's played with in the story, the mysterious ways of gods and why Loki doesn't feel well, are beautifully done. It's not about a mystery to solve, it's about the feeling of it and his interaction with others, which are also beautifully done. The scenes with Verity were lovely and just what the fic needed, but I definitely have to admit to being partial to the Thor & Loki scenes that tugged on my heartstrings most of all. The bittersweetness of just... everything they are, at this complicated point in time, is perfectly done here.

→ Labyrinth by Mikkeneko, avengers + minor bruce/tony, silent hill crossover, horror, gore, action, casefic, 68.2k
    A strange metaphysical disturbance has taken over an isolated rural town, and it's up to the Avengers to find out what's happening and stop it before it engulfs the rest of the country. And get out alive -- if they can.
    Well. Once I picked up this fic, I had trouble putting it down because I was so engrossed in it and really wanted to know what happened next! The world really felt like a combination of the Avengers and Silent Hill, where it seems almost over the top when you pick the fic up, like all video games do as well, until you've been in the story for awhile and you acclimate and shit starts going wrong degree by degree, until it's legitimately disturbing and unsettling! The length was perfect, long enough to satisfy, long enough to tell the story, but not dragged out.

It's a case fic, in a way, but also horror fic, both blended together so well! But it's also a team fic that highlights the characters and their fears and their choices and who they are. Steve and Natasha are probably the two that get the most emphasis and they're both such interesting characters to focus on in hellish circumstances like this! The choices they're both forced into (or can't be forced into), the way they both look at things, sometimes similarly, sometimes differently, they make two fascinating characters to parallel and contrast, in my mind.

And, hell, by the time I was at the final chapter of the fic, there was no way you were tearing me away from it, I was there to the end, and this fic has excellent pacing for that. It was a great read, one I'm so glad to have in the fandom and it felt true to the spirit of both worlds it was pulling together, the kind of fic that left me feeling a little disturbed in exactly the way the fic intended.

→ The Uninvited by Mythtaken Identity (Shadowland), thor & loki, 616!universe, road trip, supernatural, 22.2k
Thor and Loki make it a little further this time, arriving as far as Gallup, New Mexico. Although it isn't advertised, Loki is pleased to discover – in his Internet searches – that Gallup is in the perfect geographic location for tales of the weird and strange. He's less thrilled when the weird and strange start showing up on the door step.
Sometimes I want to sit on this author's fic and hoard it because it is always gorgeously written, both in characterization and in structure, the story within a story aspect one that they utterly nail every single time. I want to hoard them because, no matter my level of involvement or investment in the fandom, whether I'm super in or super out, these stories always leave me riveted and this is no exception. The balance between creepy monster story, road trip fic, bb!Loki fic, and brotherly bonding is exquisite, each and every aspect is worth the read alone!

But, oh, the way this Thor and Loki are gods, the sense of history they have, yet they're on a road trip and staying in cheap motels, and it's all so interesting, I could read 100k of that just as easily as I would read 100k of Thor fighting demons or Loki thinking his way out of a jam. The playing in the hotel pool, the food they eat, the tv they watch, the way Thor is so huge and so powerful and terrifying and yet safe and Loki is so loved, that is another thing the author nails. This is one of those fics that is satisfying to me on every level, the things my id wants and the things that are more intellectually good, this fic is gorgeous for all of it. I'm serious that all I ever want out of fandom is more of this author's work, they are a goddamned gift to me.

→ Life of the Party by TheOtherOdinson, thor & loki + other asgardians, 2k
    When the God of Mischief is bored, he has to find some way to amuse himself. If only his brother would stop being such a killjoy.
    This fic was fantastic, so gorgeously written and so pitch-perfect in characterization, as Loki entertains himself at a dull political party and Thor tries to get him back in line. I'm biased because it was based on a headcanon of mine, but the magic of this piece and the spot-on details are all completely the author's own and so legitimately great. This fic utterly sparkled and nailed the sharp sides of all the characters in it and is absolutely, 100% true to everything of all of them. It's SO GOOD, READ IT, OKAY. ♥

→ And All I Got Was This Lousy T-shirt by eLJay, thor + darcy + other marvel characters, humor, friendship, 1.4k
    Jane isn't the only one looking forward to Thor's return. Darcy's even got a present for him.
    Oh, this was so much better than I was wary of it being! It sounds like it could be trying too hard, but instead the author has the skill to pull it off and make it honestly sharp and charming as hell! Darcy is used really well here and I love how this fic treats Thor, that he's someone to be respected, both for what he does as a hero and because he's their friend. As told through Darcy's delightful acquisition of novelty t-shirts!

→ Crash by Lise, steve & loki, loki whump, 6.6k
    Steve is Loki's escort on a mission to investigate some kind of magical disturbance somewhere in Alaska. Things go wrong before they even get there. For once, it's not even Loki's fault. It's ostensibly a story about a plane crash. It's also kind of a story about other things.
    I am forever into fic like this, where it's some delicious whump fic and throwing two characters into the wilderness to survive and get at so many of the those tangly issues of their characters. As always, Loki is a goddamned mess and Steve is a good foil for that with how straightforward he is and Loki can't deny that. I read this in one sitting because it sailed along so smoothly and it was a great read that gave me such a delicious embracing of its trope and understanding how to make it actually good.

→ All Great Quests Start Small by TheOtherOdinson, thor & loki, kid!thor + baby!loki, pre-movies, fluff, 2.7k
    Thor and Loki plan to venture out together on the greatest of quests. But first they need to escape their nursery.
    This author is becoming one of my instant faves in fandom for how utterly charming and spot0on their fics are. This story balances the cuteness of two sweet little rascal princes with still being sharp and clever, where Thor's protectiveness and adventure seeking are perfect, where Loki's attachment and charm are perfect. The images (so many details that made me flail!) are wonderful and this was just such a sharp joy to read and the ending was so good. It was perfectly easy for me to imagine this as actually happening in the movies (if on the softer side, but it's so good) and it's just a gorgeous fic all the way around.

→ Art Class by Rynfinity, thor & loki + other marvel characters, post-thor 2, 2.3k
    "It sounds like you need to find yourself a new hobby," Darcy tells Thor gently. That, of course, is true.
    The concept of this fic is one that could so easily have been trying too hard, but the author uses a light touch, so it's almost a hazey sort of atmosphere, which works for a mourning fic. The loveliest thing about this is the way others react to Thor's grief, how they obviously care and yet are separate from it. It's also a lovely post-TDW fic and I've been craving those again, so this hit the spot for me.

→ Please Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Bifrost by TheOtherOdinson, thor & loki + odin & loki + frigga, 5.5k
    Odin wakes up in a cold sweat and realizes the events of Thor, the Avengers, and the Dark World were all just a horrible nightmare. Worried it was a prophetic dream, he takes action to make sure the events he saw never come to pass. Loki doesn't know why his father suddenly wants to spend so much time with him. Thor is certainly no help.
    I cannot express how much I sat up in interest at this fic or how much I enjoyed it and am clammoring for the next chapter. It's such a great idea, to give these characters a chance at fixing things and already there's been a great moment of the good stuff--Odin realizing that Loki's still home and going to check on him and maybe doting on him just a little. Oh, man, yesss, so good for me. As a bonus, w hile he's not the focus of the fic, Thor's role is preserved in the background instead of being sacrificed to Loki! That balance, that Thor is still wonderful in his own right, while a narrative hand is held out to Loki, that is so good for me.

→ A Twist in the Threads by TheOtherOdinson, sif + volstagg + tanaleer tivan + loki, post-thor 2, 1.7k
    When Sif and Volstagg visit the Collector to bring him the Aether, they find something they did not expect.
    The build up and suspence of this fic is masterful, the way just one tiny little thing can unravel so much is beautifully done. The sense of pure anticipation I had while reading this, the delightful reveal moment, all of it was so satisfying!

TOTAL GOAL: 135/1,200

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/215395.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 40 fic (Daredevil)

tomomichi — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 23:21:12 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - These are actually current recs because, idk, I thought that would help me better keep track of what I have/haven't posted. And all were read in the last week, in addition to the Hannibal reading I've been doing. Someone save me from this hell. ;__;
ღ - No, wait! I mean, look, you want to join me in Daredevil fandom, you doooooo, joinnnnn meeeeeee and appreciate Charlie Cox's very fine assets he brings to the role.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Daredevil - 40 Fanfics

MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL - FOGGY/MATT:
→ leverage by kay_cricketed, foggy/matt, nsfw, 1.7k
    There's bad nights and then there's nights where Matt can't stand to be in his own skin. There's careless and then there's sneaking into Foggy's apartment to breathe on him. Matt reaches the point of intersection.
    I am forever a fan of gorgeous fic that does a beautiful job with just how much of an absolute mess Matt is. The descriptions here are lovely and get across just how much weight he puts on his own shoulders, how he nearly bows under the assault of it sometimes, and how steady Foggy is. It's just the right amount of hurt and comfort both, as Matt desperately needs it. Gorgeous fic.

→ Honesty Hour by dontkillbirds, foggy/matt, 2.1k
    To get even on the always-knowing-when-Foggy-was-lying thing, Foggy suggests Matt shares some of his white lies. It turns out Matt still has a few things left to admit.
    Oh, this was absolutely wonderful, I want all the fic in the world here Foggy sits down with Matt and wants to know all the truths, since Matt can tell when he's lying, fair is fair. It's hilarious and the character voices are great and the balance of friendship and attraction is perfect, especially when Foggy won't let Matt out of the conversation and then realizes just how big of an idiot this adorable nerd is. I could read exactly this kind of fic for hours, all the little touches were so perfect.

→ Hands by Asidian, foggy/matt + matt & stick, 1.4k
    Matt has a whole pile of issues. Foggy puts a few to rest just by being himself.
    Ahhh, this was so lovely and good, the different hands Matt has known in his life, the different feels on his own hands. His father, the orphanage, Stick, Foggy, they're all different and there's a deft subtleness to the writing that's hard to describe, but it definitely left and anche in my heart in the way it was supposed to. The quiet but utterly deep yearning Matt has for kinder touches, the expectation of pain, the way Foggy is good and there, jesus, just punch me in the feelings, why don't you.

→ Daddy Issues by szm, foggy/matt + jack, 1.5k
    "When I met him at parents day he told me to stay the hell away from you, or else. He’s probably planning some kind of ambush as we speak."
    Holy shit, I want approximately a dozen fics based on this premise, because this was delightful for me. Jack Murdock lives and is overprotective of Matt, who used to have terrible taste in partners, and Foggy wants to make a good impression but is maybe a little terrified. So great for me. Especially every time Matt thinks his dad is too much and gets that stubborn look on his face or when they kiss because they haven't seen each other for a few days and of course Jack comes across them and would like Foggy to get his hands off his son. It's one of those fics that just made me smile the whole time and now I want more. Fucking bless.

→ Matt/Foggy, edging by anonyous, foggy/matt, NSFW, edging, ~1k
    Prompt: I just want to see Matt begging Foggy to let him come and Foggy drawing it out as long as possible.
    This is short, more a snippet of a piece than anything, but it's super goddamned not and does my favorite thing--where Matt is so worked up and so close to climax that he's not thinking of anything else, he's so desperate for it that that takes up all the room in him instead of the usual bullshit. Add in how well Foggy sees him, knows him, and this was so very good for me. Matt's gorgeous like this and I needed a minute after this one.

→ When The Day Met The Night by goldstandard, foggy/matt, time loop, 6.1k
    This is your typical, average, Groundhog Day AU where Foggy has to re-live the day he discovers who the Devil of Hell's Kitchen really is.
    I fucking love Groundhog's Day fics and this was amazing for me, having Foggy relive the day he found out about Daredevil over and over, funny in all the right places and ouchy in all the other right places, I read through this totally caught up in it. I loved the FML feeling from Foggy and, god, every time Matt started to cry because Foggy knew, I ate it up like delicious candy. The fic did a fantastic job of keeping the reveals fresh, while still making them hurt, no matter what it was still devastating to Matt, even as Foggy had time to with it, that each time moved them forward. There were so many great touches, so many ways Foggy told Matt he knew, so many moments that were about dealing with this. I totally would have read a fic twice as long for this, but it was so great for me.

→ Drunk & in Love with You by KateLouisaRose, foggy/matt, 1.1k
    Drinking turns into kissing.
    Short but super cute and fluffy fic of Matt and Foggy being drunk and that leads to kissing. It's one of those fics that is great as a bite-sized snack and helps scratch the itch I have for these two, especially with kissing. Warm-hearted and nice, which is a thing I will always want more of with these two.

→ Without Fear by anti_ela, foggy/matt + some foggy/marci, alternate universe, android!matt, 2.7k wip
    "If you fuck this up for me, Foggy Bear, I'm going to send that video to your mother." "Marci! I'm wounded; I would never. Look at my freshly-laundered shirt and silken, brushed hair! I am the very picture of a science-thinker and math-doer right now."
    I don't know what I expected when I picked this fic up, but I certainly fell in love with it quickly enough. The opening scenes with Foggy and Marci are a joy, I absolutely love the dynamic between them, that's complicated and sharp and fun and wonderful, but you also kind of see why it wouldn't work long-term, even as they adore each other. And then Foggy meets android!Matt. And that sparkles as well! I'm not sure I can explain this better than that, especially as it drops you into the middle of the world, to a degree. But it's sharp and super engaging and I want more of it!

→ good luck, bad luck, survival by meltokyo, foggy/matt, 1.5k
    it's so cold in this country, every road home is long (Foggy gets kidnapped)
    I admit the beginning of this was rough, but once Matt and Foggy got home, it was charming as hell and made me have a ridiculous smile on my face. Foggy knowing Matt would try to break up with him out of guild and maneuvering Matt into being forced to admit that not everything is his fault, Matt being kind of a mess and Foggy the stable one and some really cute banter? That's everything I could ask for.

→ Shadows by sanctuary_for_all, foggy/matt, 1.1k
    The less he reminded Foggy of the devil inside him, the longer he would be able to keep him.
    This is a short piece, all about Matt's issues and self-worth and something a bit like self-hate, the way he sees himself as having to hide. The way Foggy doesn't let him, the way he holds Matt and tells him that he's staying, the way Matt curls into the hug, shit, that's why I'm here. To get fucking feelings about that nerd.

→ world on fire by ShowMeAHero, foggy/matt, 3.2k
    Foggy feels like he is living through an everlasting baptism, where his entire world is being cleansed and someone has started watching over him. He can feel Matt’s presence at all times, greater than any God Matt might whisper to at night, and it feels like church. More than that, it feels like home. It feels like loving the Devil with the Lord’s blessing.
    This fic is a lto more poetic in style than I usually read, but it won me over by being solid about it, the fire vs water imagery used really well and showing that sense of... just how deeply connected these characters are. It especially makes sense for Matt, whom I can see thinking in this style, but it was one of those reads where I loved it for both of them, the heavy weight they both have with each other, the way it's like burning or drowning when they need each other so desperately.

→ Building Up Speed by ShowMeAHero, foggy/matt, alternate universe, 1k
    Foggy lives a pretty ordinary life, until the bank he's in gets held up, and he gets saved by a blind guy who's apparently a really, really cute ninja in his free time.
    This was cute and charming and a really adorable meet cute where Foggy and Matt are stuck in a bank robbery together. Somehow I can totally believe those two nerds would flirt during such a tense situation and be ridiculously cute at each other.

→ You Better Believe It's True by goldstandard, foggy/matt + some foggy/marci + karen, 1.1k
    Foggy's heart flutters for Matt until one day he finds out who the Daredevil really is.
    My heart actually kind of hurt after reading this one because it's a straight shot to what makes my heart turn over for these nerds--Matt desperate for Foggy not to leave him, leaking emotion all over the place, Foggy's still angry, but Matt's wounded duck face is strong. This fic didn't need to be long to really have my heart.

→ you make me feel by assbuttsinlove, foggy/matt, ~1k
    matt can't save everyone. sometimes, he needs someone to remind him.
    This was very short, but it was nice and comforting, the way it touches lightly on Matt's issues and the way Foggy cuts through them because Matt has a lot of issues. It was bite-sized fun!

→ The Man Without Fear by Avocadou (roserising), foggy/matt, 1k
    Today he isn't "the man without fear." Today he isn't even Daredevil. He's Matt Murdock, and he's scared out of his mind that his best friend might be dying, and there's nothing he can do about it.
    This is a sort of combination of comics and TV, where Foggy has cancer and Matt tries to deal with it, in his usual messy way. It's short but gets at the way Matt really kind of needs Foggy and was really good for me in that way.

→ Bess Will Outlive (and Outsmart) Us All by Mytay, foggy/matt + bess, 4k
    Foggy and Matt have been neglecting to visit Bess Mahoney, the toughest, wisest cigar-smoking old lady in Hell's Kitchen. Bess is not happy.
    This was a really cute and sweet fic from the POV of Brett's mom, as Foggy and matt come over for dinner and she happily mothers the hell out of them. As well as gently nudges them towards finding someone, which leads to discussion of how they're obviously into each other and it was light-hearted and warm and fun!

→ Underground Kitty Litter by starsthatburst, foggy/matt, ~1k
    Foggy finds a cat. He wants to keep it.
    This was short, but it was super cute and I just enjoyed a lot of the imagery in it. Bite-sized but a very fun, cute read!

→ Daredevil: A New Musical by His Very Own Hell's Kitchen by bluerosele, foggy/matt + karen + claire, 1.6k
    Matt has made a few compromised decisions in his life. Season tickets to Hell Kitchen’s theater company was possibly worse of them all. He never anticipated his fame reaching media outlets, and for that outlet to be one that Foggy was some emphatic about.
    Things I love: people laughing at their friends because they love them and their pain is hilarious. So when there's a musical based on Daredevil, of course Foggy thinks it's the greatest thing ever and he and Karen never stop laughing at all of it. The fun thing is that Matt is both FML about it, but also laughing with them, so I enjoyed it all the more for that. Basically, I grinned my way through this entire fic.

→ Till Death (Or Denial) Do Us Part by TeddyLaCroix (ReadyPlayerZero), foggy/matt, fake marriage, 2.7k
    Prompt: At 18, best friends Matt and Foggy come up with a foolproof plan for going through college together, being assigned roommates, scoring better tax returns, and starting a law firm together: get married, of course! It doesn't have to mean anything... right?
    This was fun and cute, where Foggy and Matt get married for the benefits (saving money, being able to room together, etc.) and I am very firmly in favor of getting married because of reasons fic and it turning real. I want a dozen fics like that stat and this was was a really cute place to start!

MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL - MATT & FOGGY:
→ Sunshine and Cupcakes by tj_teejay, matt & foggy, 5.3k
    Apparently aggression is Matt’s go-to reaction when he’s braved the icy waters of the Hudson for too long. Unfortunately it’s Foggy, armed with a blanket and only the best intentions, who finds himself on the unfortunate receiving end of Matt’s fist.
    This fic has so many of my favorite things, where Matt is an idiot who gets hypothermia, where Foggy loves him but is also still hurt and angry underneath that, and it's all wrapped up in sharp, beautiful writing. I sank into this one right away and could have read 100k of it without stopping, even though as it's satisfying as it is. Foggy's voice is especially well done, the way the fic keeps his humor, but there so much more there, how it's impossible to miss the anger or the love, the solid person there even when he's freaking out. And, of course, I had feelings about their conversation aftward, a perfect balance of hurt and comfort, just like I like.

→ Deal With It by Ceebee, matt & foggy, 2.2k
    Matt calls Foggy against his better judgement. It turns out to be the right decision.
    Oh, yes, more fic where Matt's senses are way too intense for him and he's fucking miserable and I really feel that in this fic, the way I can practically feel the headache and the nausea. But at least he has the sense to call Foggy, because he's so overwhelmed and hurting, and the fic achieves that balance of the hurt and the comfort being important. I will read a hundred ficcs of Matt whump and Foggy just being there makes it better, when it's written as well as this.

→ a kiss with a fist (constitutes assault in all fifty states) by Ahavaa, matt & foggy, 3.9k
    what the hell kind of Fight Club shit was coming out of Matt's mouth this time? Or: now that Matt's not keeping secrets from them, Foggy picks up on some worrying habits of Matt's.
    Oh, god, this was so good for me. It's a beautiful combination of hilarious dialogue, on point "wow, this is a fucked up situation to be in", excellent use of Matt's being kind of a mess but also a nerd, and the beautiful and perfect friendship here. Seriously, there are so many lines I would love to quote because they're clever and funny but also show, jfc, Matt is awesome but also he seems to think he deserves to be hit and he has no idea what to do when Foggy doesn't or Matt doesn't how to communicate like a human being. And yet! The good moments are genuinely good! Nerds who are best friends! Just have my heart already.

→ Beer and Blood by shyday, matt & foggy, 12.2k
    Foggy doesn't think he's ever been farther from amused.
    Two things about this fic: One, make sure to have something happy onhand to read afterwards because you'll need it to put your heart back together. And, two, I'm on Foggy's side in this and kind of felt that Matt was hypocritical (or something like that) because I think Foggy was right to stop him, however it could be done. So that part hurt my heart, because I felt for Foggy, but I think he was right and Matt put him in a really shit position, that Foggy should have been pissed at him. But I'm also probably biased, I admit. *g* That said, the fic certainly gave me feelings and this author writes gorgeous Matt whump that really knows how to hurt in exactly the ways it's supposed to. I ate this up like it was delicious candy, the writing was so lovely and absolutely did justice to the concept it was using.

→ Bless Thee, and Keep Thee by telm_393, matt & foggy + foggy's parents, teenage au, 12.1k wip
    Matt Murdock is a sixteen year old runaway, and no matter what brings him down, he always gets up and keeps going. Until he finds a person he might want to get to know, and a place where he might want to stay.
    I admit that I skimmed some of the solo stuff in the first chapter a bit because I was so eager to get to the Nelson family stuff (though, it's good Matt whump if you enjoy it!) and I cannot regret that decision when it's so goddamned good for me. Teenage Matt as a runaway ends up at Foggy's house, who hides him from his parents and they somehow become instant friends, because of course they do. The conversations they have, Matt drawn out despite himself and his issues, Foggy being such a goddamned good egg, all of it captures everything that's wonderful about their friendship. There are only two chapters so far (as of this rec, anyway), it ends on a cliffhanger, and I desperately want the next chapter, but what's here is totally worth reading already! I love how much like their adult selves they are, while still being teenagers, as well as, yessss, give me all of the scenes of Matt thinking he doesn't deserve kindness and Foggy casually blowing right past that.

→ celestials by Handful_of_Silence, foggy & matt, alternate universe, 4.8k
    Do you want to fly, Franklin? Foggy swallows. Nods. “Yes,” he says. Wherein Foggy has a few secrets of his own.
    I didn't expect to enjoy a fic about superhero Foggy as much as I did, but I really loved the way it showed how deeply good Foggy is and how he wants to help people. It was a cool, delightful piece all the way around, I really enjoyed the way Foggy's powers came to him, but I think what really got me was Matt's hypocritical reaction when he found out, fucking bless this fic for that. Plus, I guess I'm just a sucker for Matt and Foggy working together in this fic, it was really good for me.

→ In Which Everybody Regrets Their Life-Choices by Klara_Blum, foggy & matt, 1.6k
    A kink-meme prompt: For some reason, all the weirdos with magic just keep turning Matt into animals. Matt hates it. But Foggy hates it even more.
    I had no idea how much I needed a fic exactly like this until I was reading it and it was hilarious. The different animals, the way Foggy is both amused and frustrated by all of this, I was giggling through the entire thing. The uses of the animals and the way Matt had trouble with them still has me laughing, especially because if anyone can make an animal look guilty, it's Matt Murdock as one.

→ Out Of The Black by Giggles96, matt & foggy, 4.5k
    Wherein Matt has a crippling fear of thunderstorms and Foggy builds a fort. Set college-era. One-shot.
    The beginning of this one is a little rough, it's not quite relaxed enough,, but once the dialogue starts, oh, man, this was good for me. Matt has a thing about storms, they play hell with his senses and Foggy notices, not letting Matt's bullshit keep him isolated. It's so very satisfying as Matt tries to remain stubborn but Foggy shuffles him into the fort anyway and is perfectly fine as Matt ends up curled up in his arms, less miserable than usual. There's a great conversation afterwards as Foggy is so great with Matt, the way he cuts through all the bullshitis perfect and just. Yes, give me all the fic of Matt crying on Foggy, trying to be inhumanly strong about it, and Foggy making him a real person anyway.

→ Hugs Fix Everything by nhasablog, matt & foggy, ~1k
    Foggy notices that Matt is clearly in need of a hug.
    I am 100% on the side of Matt Murdock Needs More Hugs, especially ones where Foggy is all, yeah, you haven't been hugged nearly enough yet, we're not done, when Matt tries to let go. This was short but a lovely combination of feelings of silliness that I enjoyed greatly.

→ Broken by NohaIjiachi, matt & foggy, 3.8k
    Matt couldn’t say when it all started. Maybe when Foggy finally walked out the door, smelling of tears and deep sedated sadness, breath itching in his chest at every sob that never made it out his throat.
    This is one of those fics that just goes balls to the wall with the concept and revels in the emotional whump with Matt, where he doesn't think Foggy will ever forgive him, where something is cracked and brittle in him, but he carries on like he deserves it. And the resolution is all about both Foggy and Matt crying at each other, what an utter mess Matt is, and I am just really here for the feelings that gives me.

→ Five Times Matt and Foggy Fist Bump (Mostly) Before He Becomes Daredevil and One Time After by KleineElfe92, matt & foggy, ~1k
    Prompt: Because it's freaking adorable and the way Foggy's face lights up every time Matt offers one I can't.
    This was more pure joy to read, each scene was a lot of fun and sparkled, so I was left with anotehr huge smile on my face by the end, especially at the last one. Matt and Foggy's friendship gives me life and this really did justice to that.

→ Guesswork by prepare4trouble, matt & foggy, 3.3k
    "I was just thinking," Matt said. "You’d actually be worse at IDing a criminal than me." "Yeah, but a jury’d be more likely to believe me than you," Foggy told him. "Ridiculous, right?"
    I was skeptical of the concept of this fic, but decided to give it a try anyway and was utterly delighted with the characterization and how much everything sparkled here. What really won me over was Foggy and Matt's friendship, which was a joy to read about in every scene and was true to the tone of them in the show. It's a bit issuefic, but the kind that works and felt spot on with the characters and how hilarious they can be. Absolutely worth reading!

→ I'm Blind not Invisible by anonymous, matt & foggy & avengers, 1.5k
    It's days like this Matt almost wishes he didn't live in New York.
    Fics where the Avengers are surprised by Matt's blindness/how capable he is can be tricky to pull off, but this fic felt like it was more about joyfully celebrating how awesome Matt is and giving him a really cool moment that was just fun, for both him and Foggy. So this one really made me smile to read and was totally cute!

→ Gosh, I Love Heroes by TeddyLaCroix (ReadyPlayerZero), matt & foggy + foggy & avengers, 3.7k
    In which Foggy collects superheroes (and they collect him back).
    Oh, man, yes, more of Foggy with various Avengers in a fic that's delightful and charming and I just tore my way through it. It's Clint and Natasha and Bucky, each of them crossing paths with Foggy and friendships-of-sorts being made and it's the kind of writing that leaves me with a huge smile on my face afterwards. God bless and I could have read 100k of this!

→ An Act of Abandonment by Asidian, matt & foggy + jack murdock + stick, 2.3k
    Matt's face tilts toward the scene, unconsciously: the shapes are strange and indistinct, the liquid trickle of flame or the creeping grains of sand through an hourglass. The boy on the swing shrieks laughter, and tips his head back, and he leans into the up-swing like he's not afraid to fall.
    This is only the first part as of the time of this rec, but it's promising to be quality Matt hurt and it's already bittersweet as hell, with Matt and his dad and how much they both hurt and yet it's still good right then. Give me alllll the Matt hurt, okay.

→ American Made by goldstandard, matt & foggy + karen, 1.5k
    Five times Matt had to handwrite a note and one time he didn't.
    This was short but a total delight as Matt tries to leave handwritten notes sometimes and is just absolutely terrible at it. It's cute and shows Matt's failings without being terrible to him, instead it's just cute and fun.

→ In Sickness and In Health by whitchry9, matt & foggy + claire, 3.2k
    Foggy's getting a little tired of Matt not showing up to work. At least this time it's not related to his vigilante-ing. Probably.
    I will always love fic where Matt is an irresponsible asshole and gets himself sick and Foggy takes care of him. T his was actually pretty fun, for all that Matt's in very bad shape and Foggy isn't really all that sure what to do, it ends up being one of thsoe where you can see the affection and friendship that lasts between them even through hard times.

→ Folie à Deux by shyday, matt & foggy, disturbing/violent imagery, 4.2k
    At first glance, the end of the alley is all fire.
    I admit, I skimmed to the ending notes to know the details ahead of time, but I'm glad I did, as it let me enjoy the fic more than I would have otherwise. I always look forward to this author's fic and the emotional wringer the characters go through, all the little ways that this life is hard on them. But it also comes with a much-needed (and satisfying) hug that made this a really, really good piece for me.

→ we're so fancy by anonymousdaredevils, matt & foggy + bad blood crossover, ~1k
    Catastrophe and her crew invade Hell's Kitchen.
    This was short and drops you right into the middle of the crossover, but it's deeply fun and really works well and has some great lines in it. I love the Bad Blood characters casually giving Matt some advice because, christ, someone needs to.

→ Who the Heck is Franklin Nelson? by enthusiasmgirl, matt & foggy, 1k
    Matt knew Foggy for two years before he realized that Foggy was only a nickname. He should have known better, and feels like an idiot when he realizes the truth. But at least Foggy feels like one too.
    This was short but totally adorable as Matt never really thought about Foggy's name and it throws him off when he's surprised. The banter and friendship is just completely fun and joyful here, it totally put a smile on my face today.

→ No Foggy, No! by anonymous, matt & foggy, ~1k
    It starts within a week of Matt meeting Foggy.
    This was sheer joy and now my face hurts from smiling my way through the entire fic, as the scenarios chosen were perfect and I am 100% in favor of excited Foggy and Matt having to be the one to reign his ideas in. The thing the fic does beautifully is that they're both laughing, it's not Matt being a we blanket, but instead they're both joyful to read. That's what put me over the moon with this one.

TOTAL GOAL: 109/1,200

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/215100.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 25 fic (Avengers/Age of Ultron, Mad Max: Fury Road, Legend of Korra)

tomomichi — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 02:03:32 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Doubling up this time in order to better catch up. Also, if you haven't seen Mad Max: Fury Road, I really really want to encourage you to do so because it was awesome and looked amazing on the big screen and it was just so fucking good omg. Also, Legend of Korra was super good for me, since I avoided most of the fandom drama and just focused on what I liked about the show itself. I'm learning how to do fandom good now! \o/
ღ - Have some bonus Mad Max: Fury Road links!

Mario Kart: Fury Road (Parody Trailer)

The Unbreakable Furiosa

Yakety Max

Mad Max Fury Road - Benny Hill

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Avengers/Age of Ultron - 9 Fanfics
Mad Max: Fury Road - 5 Fanfics
Legend of Korra - 5 Fanfics

AGE OF ULTRON - FIC RECS:
→ What The Post Credits Scene Should Have Been by neonheartbeat, thor & steve & tony, post-age of ultron, humor, ~1k
    I WANT MY POST CREDITS SCENE. I AM A GREEDY, GREEDY WOMAN. Fuck you, Joss Whedon.
    This was an absolutely perfect scene between Thor, Steve, and Tony, dicking around with Mjolnir in a way that was great for all the characters. I loved every single character voice here, each of them had at least one great moment (more like two or three) and there was such a sharpness to the writing, yet so much fun, it was absolutely exactly what I wanted. ♥

→ Foil Skin by HerenorThereNearnorFar, ultron & pietro & wanda, age of ultron, 3.1k
    "They were made of the same stuff, the three of them, Ultron reminded himself."
    This was an interesting look at Ultron's character and his way of seeing the world and how he also saw the twins. The fic ties together the threads of his character, the seeming genuine affection he had for them, his fascination with humanity, in a way that really worked for me.

→ Heliocentrism by tismabel, pietro & wanda, age of ultron, ~1k
    Wanda knew deep down that she was simply staying still so her brother would have something to keep him grounded, an earth to his spinning satellite.
    A short but lovely piece on Wanda and Pietro, as they've always been and how long they've been entwined with each other. It's just the right amount of the twins being separate and one at the same time.

→ Rough Day by ozhawk, aou cast & aos cast, age of ultron, 2.8k
    "Rough… day." Clint collapsed to lie beside the body of young Maximoff. He hurt. Like hell.
    A nice fix-it fic using the spaces between the frames of canon and the elements of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to fix the ending in a way that the movies absolutely leaves room for and I would be at least somewhat surprised if they didn't go down this route.

→ Run by SecondSilk, bruce/natasha, age of ultron, 1.4k
    Eventually, Natasha tracks Bruce down.
    I've definitely been wanting post-AOU fic that deals with Bruce and Natasha, that's about the complicated dance between them and this was lovely for that, a lot of what I want from the movie fic!

→ When It Matters by Fire_Sign, age of ultron, 1.7k
    Officially, SHIELD is not looking for the Hulk. Natasha is, when she has the time, but that is strictly off the record. When Steve gives her a far too knowing look, she shrugs. He's still chasing ghosts of his own.
    I've been wanting pretty much exactly this fic for Bruce and Natasha after AOU, where it's a continuation of both their journeys and issues with how they see themselves and how they interact with others, letting them in and letting themselves be there, too. It's got the deft touch needed for these two complicated people and it was so satisfying for me.

→ Beyond The Horrors by amyfortuna, bruce/natasha + previous bruce/betty, age of ultron, 1.1k
    Nat and Bruce work through what's been left to them, to find a way beyond the horrors of their pasts and the horrors inside them, the missing and the broken parts.
    Another beautiful fic about Bruce and Natasha and the loss of humanity, not just about the loss of having the choice to have kids, but something deeper than that. It's painful and good and perfect, a great followup to AOU that gets the issues between them.

→ Jumping the Uncanny Valley by Echo, tony & vision, age of ultron, 1.9k
    Tony and Vision talk about AIs and paradoxes. And JARVIS.
    A short but very interesting look at a conversation between Tony and Vision, about JARVIS and Ultron, artificial intelligence, paradoxes, and relationships, that I really liked.

→ melodies of life by ninemoons42, steve & sam & natasha & wanda & bucky, age of ultron, 1.7k
    In the aftermath of Ultron's rampage, Steve -- and others -- pick up the pieces. Even if that means going away for a while.
    This is a connecting piece, more aftermath of AOU and what comes next for Steve, needing to find Bucky again. I liked the interaction between him and Sam, then him and Wanda and Natasha, a lot here.

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD:
→ Aftermath by kaasknot, 4.7k
    It's one thing to stand and scream "We are not things!" It is something different to sit down in the quiet that follows and find what that means.
    This is the first fic I read after seeing the movie and it absolutely set the tone for what I wanted out of fandom and is the fic I would recommend if you're just getting started or if you only want to read just one fic. It's a gorgeous look at the characters and what they want to do next, the lives the wives settle into are especially fascinating and fitting and satisfying. Such a good, good fic.

→ Dust and Fire by xyphe. 2.7k
    The first ones show up three months after.
    I really liked this as a look at Furiosa post-movie, the people that Max sends their way and the connection between them. It's a fic balanced between these things and has a sense of growing, of people making connections, doing this together, as is at the heart of this movie.

→ The First History Man by DarkAllie, 1.4k
    This being the true accounting of the rise and reign of the first Impress of the Fury Road, Furiosa the Defiant.
    This was such an interesting fic! It's told as a legend of the events of the movie and afterwards, focused on Furiosa, but also everyone else. Given that the Mad Max series has leanings of being told as a story within the canon itself, this was a really cool piece to come across!

→ As Long As The Tale Is Told by DarkAllie, 2k
    The WarBoys need new myths to believe in, after Immortan Joe is dead and torn apart. That's how it begins.
    You can read this as a sequel to the previous fic or on its own, as it follows the Citadel post-movie, the new traditions and ways of life they create, how it's difficult there but good. The lives the characters forget together, the sense of community here, is perfectly matched to the movie as well.

→ The Things Men Do by palimpsestus, 51.5k wip
    These are the things men do. They steal and they hurt and they kill the world. But they love and they cry and they kiss their babies too. These are the things men do.
    This is a fascinating look at the women of the movie, especially the wives, and what they know of men, what they don't know of men. (Or at least as of the time of this rec!) It fits the movie so very well, it's lovely writing to go along with the character insight, making it really good.

LEGEND OF KORRA:
→ the next six months by swapcats, korra/asami, post-series, 4.3k
    Vacations in the Spirit World don't last forever. The first six months of Korra and Asami's relationship.
    Oh, this was a wonderful post-finale fic with all the super adorable awkwardness of navigating a new relationship and telling other people. It's all the right amounts of humor and joy and nervousness and how everything is finally working out, told in a really sparkling way. A perfect fic to read after the series!

→ In Quiet by exmanhater, korra/asami & pema & tenzin & katara & meelo & ikki, 5.7k
    Days and nights at Air Temple Island, after the poison.
    This was so good. So good. It's post-Book 3 and is a really gorgeous Asami pov that blends her elegance and humanity and thoughtfulness so wonderfully and I was just so in love with her here. The way she looks at Korra and falls in love with her, the way she's just so emotionally there in her graceful way, the structure of all the little moments, it's just such a gorgeous fic! So perfectly characterized!

→ Sleep by clarias, korra/asami & tlok cast, 14.3k
    Korra deals with the aftermath of her fight with the Red Lotus, with a lot of help from her friends.
    I read these three fics together (as they're part of a series) and they're a lovely post-Book 3 look at what Korra's recovery could have been like and how a relationship with Asami could have developed here. There's a very nice sense of time being much of the key here, even as it's the little steps day-by-day that are important, that the road is not smooth and there are bad days, too. It's a series that is about exploring what dealing with injuries like Korra has means, both in body and spirit, what that kind of exhaustion means when it stays for so long. There is no quick fix, but she is very much Korra through all of it and the relationship with Asami is lovely. I wish there had been more of the other people in Korra's life, but this is a great fic for the pairing!

→ not there for the noise by amillionsmiles, mako/korra + kids, 2.6k
    Mako and Korra show up to support their daughter during her championship probending match, and, afterwards, celebrate with a night in town.
    I'm not sure how I got sucked back into reading Makorra fic, since I thought I'd outgrown it, but, well, apparently not. And this was really lovely future fic, where their daughter has gotten into pro-bending and is doing well and their son is at that surly age, but they're still a family and all love each other and it was just a really lovely, satisfying fic.

→ Restitution by BobLoblawLawBlog, korra & tonraq & tenzin & jinora & mako & bolin & asami + some mako/korra, 24.5k
    A series on Korra's recovery process told from the perspectives of many different characters.
    Oh, shit, this is the fic I've been pining for, because I recently caught up with Book 3 and wanted recuperation fic that was about all of the people who cared about Korra. So much shipping fic has left me restless, because it focuses on only the romantic ship and I wanted everyone and then I found this fic and it's absolutely gorgeous! Every character feels pitch-perfect, every single one of them has been given thought and care and consideration, so you understand where each of them is coming from, each of them feels like a fully realized character.

But it's more than that, too! It's how sharp and clever everything here is, how I had no trouble seeing all of these characters in my mind's eye, how this felt entirely true to the world these characters inhabit. The interactions with Korra are all superb, especially as she deals with such a debilitating illness and how she has good days and bad days. Even when she's been knocked down, she's still so very Korra, dealing with having no energy, that she can't do things for herself, that she feels like a burden, and wants to fight, but is so very tired. Oh, this was Korra through and through, right down to how she has trouble letting others help her, yet she loves so openly and truly. The author nails both the characters and the impact of such an illness and it's an incredible fic, it's everything I wanted after Book 3.

TOTAL GOAL: 69/1,200

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/214843.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 25 fic (Tolkien, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings)

tomomichi — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 00:28:01 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - So, I went through this phase (and may well be drawn back there, if the extended editions give me something to work with) where I tore through the Tolkien fandom. And as soon as Daredevil lets me go, I'm going back there. But, good lord, the amount of Elf fic I read was ridiculous. Shit, the amount of reading I did on canon about the Elves was ridiculous. But I love them so much, they're so goddamned weird and hilarious and tragic and epic and dumb as shit sometimes and brilliant at others and just. Elves are the people of my heart, okay. (But especially the Greenwood ones.)

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Tolkien/The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings - 25 Fanfics

→ Battles Won by daw the minstrel, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 7.1k
    Little Legolas's older brother comes home on leave, and they engage in battles both physical and emotional.
    I've read this fic before, but it was a good re-entry point for me with this author's series, where it's about bb!Legolas and his middle older brother coming home again and spending time together after their mother's dead. The OCs are ones that I can immediately pick up again and enjoy, they have such life and love to them, they're such family here, and this fic is always good for me because it shows the way elflings are such little shits sometimes, but always with a core of goodness. Thranduil and sons sparkle here as they play in the snow, so much joy and love in Legolas' life, even with the tragedy.

→ Legolas's Begetting Day by daw the minstrel, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 28.3k
    Legolas is turning 20 about 8 in human years. His friends spend the night and his family remembers the day he was born.
    This is a bit longer of a fic, but I swear that I tore through it no less quickly because it's more of exactly what I want in this fandom! I admit that I skimmed over the flashbacks from before Legolas was born/the ones without canon characters in them, but they're small scenes against a greater whole in a fic that has bb!Legolas bringing field mice in as pets (which goes over about as well as you'd expect it to) and his older brother sending him on a treasure hunt (which is adorable) and mixing in background plot machinations that are sure to come up again later. It's a lovely story for everyday life, even as the plot moves, and I want all of bb!Legolas and his joyful childhood, even when he's sometimes a bit of a stinker.

→ A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes by Tanis, thranduil & legolas, 5.7k
    It's the night before Mettarë and a very young Legolas has a wish Thranduil has no hope of bringing to fruition.
    This was a beuatiful fic and the language of it is just as lovely as the emotion! It's rare that I go for a more poetic style in prose, but this author knew how to use it and didn't try too hard, it had a natural flow when I was reading it. But the best parts were Thranduil with bb!Legolas, both still mourning after the loss of his mother, the way I felt such intense emotion even as the author kept that levely serenity about them, those aspects were fantastic. There's a ton of lovely detail and such presence from both characters that this was a gorgeous read.

→ A Balrog in the Closet by Tori of Lorien, thranduil & legolas, 5.5k
    Balrog hunting, warm tea, and a misplaced book is not how Thranduil expected to spend his night. But when Legolas' true fear comes to light, he sees how the loss of a loved one has impacted both of them.
    Oh, man, you don't know how much I am here for bb!Legolas and father!Thranduil fluff, especially when it may have genuinely punched me in the feelings by the end. The writing is a little stiff, but the heart is there and I had such a smile on my face while baby Legolas kept Thranduil up all night with just one more request before going back to sleep! It has angst in it for the loss they're suffering, but it's also good and about the beginnings of healing and Thranduil taking care of the precious little elflet. ♥

→ The Shadow Rising by Morpheus626, thranduil & legolas, 1.5k
    Just a general Thranduil and Legolas father and son fic--Legolas is a sweet elfling unintentionally causing his father worry; and Thranduil is a newly-single parent, doing his best to rule his kingdom and take care of his young son. Of course, it would be like Legolas to get himself stuck in a tree and need his Ada to rescue him.
    Oh, this was so good for me, with headstrong bb!Legolas and still grieving Thranduil doting on him, it's a combination of angst and fluff that worked wonderfully for me. Legolas being too much for the advisors to handle, so Thranduil comes out to get the toddler and then carries him back, yessss, this is what I am in fandom for!

→ Hidden Agenda by sheraiah, thranduil & legolas & aragorn & gimli & arwen & elladan & elrohir & hobbits & others, 42.6k wip
    A female elf is brutally murdered in Minas Tirith. Is this just a random act of violence or does the killer or killers have much more in mind for Legolas, Thranduil, and the king and queen of Gondor?
    Holy shit, yes, this is what I have been looking for in this fandom! Post-ROTK plotfic with a heavy focus on Thranduil and legolas, which would have had me at that alone, but everything about this fic is spot-on to what I've been craving. I'll warn that it's a wip and hasn't been updated in two years, but the author is still in the fandom and, most importantly, it leaves off in an excellent place and you get a ton of resolution in this 40k+ fic. The father and son dynamic is probably the heart here, but Legolas' friendships with the others are never neglected, he adores everyone and they adore him, along with one of the best depictions of Legolas and Gimli's friendship that I've seen, it sparkles in this author's hands!

There are moments of humor and so much physical expression of concern and love that my id was nearly rolling around in it like catnip, every time Thranduil would pet Legolas' hair or put an arm around him or Legolas would lean against his father to rest, the easy love there, even as this was never sugary, but instead about elves. All of that was so, so good for me. Plus Thranduil's interactions with others (Aragorn and Gimli especially) are spot-fucking-on! This was an amazingly well-written fic and gave me everything I've been craving in teh fandom and I'm only sorry that I tore through it in one day.

→ Elrond's Most Forgettable Birthday by TreeHugger, thranduil & legolas & elrond & glorfindel & other canon characters & some ocs, fluff, cracky, 70k wip (minutes author notes)
    Prince Legolas must choose something for King Thranduil to send to Lord Elrond for his birthday-something quite forgettable!
    There are a couple of notes before getting into this fic--the length is more like 70k when you take out author responses, it's a wip that will likely never be finished, and it's a style you need to just roll with. The fic is obviously familiar with Elven lore, there's lots of detail worked into it, but it's entirely silly and cracky, the hijinks everyone gets into and how they react/talk are all in that vein. But the author is very good at writing in a light-hearted style and making me genuinely fond of all the characters here, so I can sit down and read 20k without feeling like much time has gone by. It's long, but nothing ever really drags and it's just easy to read and was entirely comforting when I want fic about elfling Legolas getting into trouble or Thranduil's scary as shit temper despite that he's an openly loving father. It's just such a warm read that's full of silly affection that engrosses me and I'm sorry to have read nearly all this author's work now. ):

→ Interrupted Journeys: Part 4 Journeys of Discovery by ellisk, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 124.5k
    A series of stories exploring Thranduil and Legolas' lives through the Third Age until they go West. Part Four: The Woodland Realm through the eyes of elflings.
    This is part of a series that should largely be read in order (at least from part 3 on).
    I've been reading this fic over the past couple of weeks, in bits and pieces, because it didn't matter that was 120k+, I already knew that this was going to be the LOTR/The Hobbit fic of my heart and I didn't want it to end. But don't let that length put you off reading this fic, because it's structured so that it's sort of like a series of day-in-the-life of smaller stories within a larger narrative about Legolas' childhood, which means there are plenty of excellent stopping points if you only want to read for a short while on any given day. That's not to say that the fic doesn't have a coherent overarching narrative because, boy, does it, as well as a beautifully structured background world around the characters! The author has clearly given a lot of time and care and thought to the characters woven into these stories, who never take focus away from the canon characters that we know, but who aren't just flat scenery fillers, either. Every one of Legolas' cousins or friends that he plays with as a child or doesn't get along with, they each have their own distinct personality and become genuinely interesting for their reactions and their point of view and their thoughts/motivations.

They're so well written that they feel perfectly natural to the world being built for Legolas' childhood, to the point that, if I hadn't known better, I may well have assumed they were canon characters. The author also does a beautiful, beautiful job of working in all the history of the elves (especially the Sindarin elves versus the Silvan elves) without making it a big history lesson--instead, it's just part of the day to day life the characters face and that Legolas slowly learns about as he grows up.

And this is definitely a story about Legolas growing up! For all that I love it for childhood exploration and all the feelings that come with that (the cuteness of the elflings, the hilarity of the shenanigans they get into, the heartbreak as they learn about the world around them and the Shadow that's creeping up on them), what I love dearly is that these characters are a family and that the parents are genuinely teaching their children. When the elfings get into trouble or do something wrong, it isn't just about punishing them, it's about talking with them and helping them to understand the situations they're facing and giving them better tools for next time. Do you know how much I love that? To write that kind of story and genuinely make it interesting? To take ALL OF THESE THINGS (the history, the children, the world building, the characters, etc.) and weave it into one tapestry? All of this on top of absolutely exquisite characterization? Ugh, it's so good. This series is easily my favorite in the entire fandom and I am so desperately glad to have stumbled over it.

The reason I went with #4 in the series is because it's where Legolas is at the age where he's just starting to really explore the world and understand adult concepts, which means he has some autonomy but also still gets into trouble and, I can't lie, I love it when he's just such a curious little thing that wants to know about things that he does something he shouldn't and then has to go and face his furious father. This fic has such excellent, excellent interaction between Thranduil and Legolas that I'm 100% serious that I feel like I could read it forever and ever. I am semi-satisfied with this fandom, now, if it's given me a fic like this.

→ Interrupted Journeys: Part 5, Journeys in Mirkwood by ellisk, thranduil & legolas & ocs, 58.4k
    A series of stories exploring Thranduil and Legolas's lives through the Third Age until they go West. Part Five: The Shadow is deepening in Mirkwood, causing Legolas and his cousins to learn a hard lesson.
    This is part of a series that should largely be read in order (at least from part 3 on).
    I've read parts 3 and 4 of this series and this is a continuation of those, so I was able to jump in here when I started reading in this fandom again. I love a lot of the world that fic authors set up with the Mirkwood characters, but I think this author has my favorite world they've created because everything fires on all cylanders for me. There is a living, breathing world here, one that is full of joy, but one that also knows sorrow, there are OCs that you care about and feel just as vibrant as the canon characters, even as the author keeps focus on the canon ones very nicely. Legolas especially tends to be the focus, but these fics are also great for me as a Thranduil fan! My attention never wanders during scenes, because those canon characters are always around, even if the story isn't put on them as the center all of the time.

RECS: 25 fic

tomomichi — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 03:09:52 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - I had trouble deciding where to start with posting recs, I'm so out of practice that the choices seemed a bit overwhelming. Start from the older ones? Start with the newer ones and work my way back? How many to each post?? Eventually, I decided on Daredevil because that's where I spend a lot of time my these days and because it's a relatively recent fandom, so I figure, hey, if I'm trying to be current with my journal, that's the way to go.

I never expected this show to eat me as hard as it did, but I'm well on my way down the rabbit hole and not coming out any time soon, I fear. Not even for the new season of Hannibal, SIGH.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Daredevil - 25 Fanfics

→ not so daring by theappleppielifestyle, foggy/matt + karen, 5.8k
    "Foggy, you need to calm down, this isn’t a big deal, it was in college, it’s not like you’re still in love with me.”
    I let out about five ridiculous heartfelt sights while reading this fic, god. But it was the perfect starting place for me, because it caught the character voices and personalities perfectly and made this absolutely perfect transition from the show to relationship, the bridge I needed to fully convince me. But also just. Feelings and moments where I had to put my hand over my heart and utter perfection. Fuck.

→ jump, check parachute by augustbird, foggy/matt, nsfw, 11.9k
    Foggy Nelson: good at law, terrible at feelings.
    Well, I hate this up like fucking candy, let me tell you. It was such a joyful read, Matt and Foggy in college, from friends with fucking to just friends to figuring out their feelings, all wrapped up in a fantastic Foggy pov. The character voices are great and I loved pretty much everything about this, god bless. I needed something good and happy in my life and this provided.

→ untitled by theappleppielifestyle, foggy/matt, 2.6k
    Here’s the thing: Foggy doesn’t get hit on if he’s with Matt.
    Another charming, funny fic that does so well with the character voices and dialogue that I was in love all over again. Plus! Foggy almost dating someone else! It clearly drives Matt up the wall! The fic has the deftness to pull it off and make it sparkle! Everything I could ask for.

→ Ex Delicto, De Novo Ad Infinitum by scarletjedi, foggy/matt + karen + marci + father lantom, NSFW, 12k
    From a transgression (consequences of a crime), anew (a restart) to infinity (continuing on forever) / Matt and Foggy get back up again.
    Another fic that I just absolutely tore through and it was so good, both for being a really solid fic in the first place as well as building up the relationship with fanastic characterization. I love that it's one of those fics that helps cement the relationship for me, but also scorching porn, how answers don't make everything all better, about Matt as well, the right amounts of humor, but a story about the slow, painful but good process of Matt and Foggy getting back up again. And then there's Matt teaching Foggy the basics of boxing! Repairing their friendship after the reveal! Learning how Matt works! It's not easy, but they iron it out and figure each other out and just, ugh, feelings all over the goddamned place.

→ Say You'll Still Be By My Side by lady_ragnell, foggy/matt, 7.2k
    Bless me, Foggy, for I have sinned.
    Another medium length piece that's all about the repairs Matt and Foggy need to make, the hurt that needs time to fade between them, and the way the writing made me just ache for both of them. But in a good way, that it was building towards something, especially because it sometimes feels like the slowest process in the world, as a fic like this does justice to. There's so much that made me just ache for both characters here, how betrayed Foggy feels, but also Matt, jesus. I just felt how much he loved Foggy and hwo much this was killing him and this was perfect all the way around.

→ I See Said the Blind Man by latbfan, matt & foggy, foggy & claire, 7.1k
    Starts as the missing Scene from Matt's apartment between "Speak of the Devil" (1.9) and "Nelson V. Murdock" (1.10), or Foggy finally meets Hotty McBurner Phone, and continues to add missing/extended scenes as Foggy comes to grips with Matt being the Devil of Hell's Kitchen.
    Set between episodes 9 and 10, this is a fic about Foggy dealing with his spiraling thoughts and meeting Claire and, oh, it's so very, very good. I read the entire fic with a genuine ache in my chest for how much this hurt, how much Foggy loves Matt and the creeping anger and hurt that grows and grows. The interaction with Claire is stunningly perfect, how he resents her and is jealous of her, this thing she already knew about Matt, that she shared with him, and yet it's so clear he would have liked her in other circumstances. But what really killed me was Matt and Foggy, how even an unconscious Matt clearly loved Foggy and that just made everything worse. God, this was so painful and so good and so everything that happened in between.

→ the space between fingers by afterism, foggy/matt, NSFW, 2.8k
    This is not the face-touching incident that Foggy remembers. This is the other one.
    To balance out all the painful stuff in this fandom, sometimes I need cute college-era antics, where they're friends and everything is new and good and hopeful! And then Matt's climbing over Foggy to sit on him and they're getting each other off and it works, it's so happy and right on and a great read.

→ you're safe now so come on back where you belong by assbuttsinlove, foggy/matt, ~1k
    "Can I ask you something?" Foggy asks quietly.
    This is short and fluffy but good for my heart because of it. Well, it's also a little achey, Matt and Foggy are still working things out, but it's heading towards good and that's what I needed.

→ Nelson's Anatomy by el_spirito, matt & foggy, 3k
    Or, How Foggy Nelson Practically Became an MD / If Matt's going to keep getting into trouble, Foggy's going to learn how to help.
    So good! Such great Foggy characterization as he tries to deal with Matt being Daredevil and all the injuries that come with it. I lvoe the little touches here, the way Foggy dras a promise out of Matt, the way Matt is kind of an asshole about it, but keeps his word, the way there's such a depth of feeling here. It's hard but it's also full of so much love on both sides. So good.

→ now if we're talking body by queenofthestarrrs, foggy/matt, mildly nsfw, 2.5k
    It all starts because he trips, and if that wasn't the lamest way to start a relationship, Foggy's not entirely sure what is.
    College-era cuteness and fluff and flirting! I just read the whole thing with such a :D expression on my face because I needed happy for these two nerds. It sparkled the entire way and was delightful.

→ Snowblind by sivib, matt & foggy, 2k
    "I hate snow," said Matt.
    More cute college-era fic that was just the right amount of fluffy that I wanted and made me love Foggy all over again. Warm and fuzzy all the way through.

→ Devil In The Details by ChuckleVoodoos, foggy/matt + karen + marci + claire, nsfw, soulmates au, 10.9k
    Franklin Philip Nelson is born with a bright smile and the word Devil burned over his heart.
    I'm not sure what I was expecting when picking up a Soulmates AU fic, but Christ if it wasn't pure joy to read. Both for the concept itself and for how stupid in love these two nerds were, what idiots they were over each other, how over the moon Foggy was for Matt and how completely and wholly Matt loved him back. The fic echoes canon events, but things are slightly changed and it sails smoothly along and is sparkling the whole way through. There were moments when I practically had to put it down because of feelings (especially when Matt climbs into Foggy's hospital bed because he's just so wrecked after the bombings, that he needs it, and it sounds ridiculous, but god I was just so there for it, it hit me really hard and worked so well), and it's just all around charming, the characterization is spot-on, and it's perfect for them.

→ Clearly Now the Rain Is Gone by dancinbutterfly, foggy/matt, NSFW, fingering, prostate milking, sensory overload, 1.3k
    Matt just needs someone to help him shut his brain off. Luckily, Foggy always has his back.
    It was my shark week when I read this and during shark week you need filthy porn, okay. And this was a straight shot at my id, as Foggy fingerfucks a desperate Matt into sensory oblivion combined with just enough of a great Foggy voice that it was perfection. Goddamn, I needed a minute after this.

→ Marshmallow Matrix by ChuckleVoodoos, foggy/matt + oc, 12k
    "So, nothing? No, like, latent homosexual urges? No subconscious pining that is only now coming to the surface in light of these revelations? Nothing?" Sometimes it's not as easy as saying 'I love you'.
    You know how reading some fics leaves you wanting to do nothing so much as vomit feelings the entire time you're reading them? Yeah, that was me with this fic, practically tripping over myself because I wanted to get to the next line and then the next after that, because I was so deeply ensnared and was enjoying the entire point of the fic. It has Foggy being completely in love with Matt and being found out! Trying to move on and sort-of dating someone else while accepting and being okay with that he's not going to stop loving Matt any time soon! Matt being the dumbest nerd ever and clearly seethingly jealous! Foggy being the greatest person ever! Friendship and lust between these two nerds! Mutual pining fic needs a deft hand to do it right, but when you get it, it's the tastiest fucking thing in the world and this was a goddamned gem.

→ De Facto Stupido by Fourteenpavanes, matt & foggy + karen, sick!matt, 1.9k
    When Matt trips during the Clements hearing, Foggy bites back a groan.
    Two of my favorite things! Friendship with banter and sickfic! Matt's senses being dulled when he's sick, so he can't do his usual super ninja thing and Foggy both teases him for not admitting he's sick and takes care of him. The dialogue and banter are joyful and this is everything I wanted from sickfic!

→ One More Step by Little_White_Lie, foggy/matt + karen, NSFW, stripper au, 7.8k
    Foggy Nelson is an awkward potato and the Daredevil is the hottest thing he’s ever seen. That stripper AU with feelings that no one wanted.
    I had no idea that apparently I needed a stripper AU in my life as much as I needed this fic. It has a great Foggy pov/voice and is incredibly charming to watch their friendship develop and these two idiot nerds fall in love. There are so many little moments where Foggy is just so wonderful and they're both so spot-on, and this AU somehow works, and it's all great. But also porn. When they finally admit they like each other and want to fuck and it's sweet as all get out but also really, really hot as they just have fun and Matt is so gorgeous and so ready and desperate and Foggy loves him so much and then finally is fucking Matt and it's just. A stripper AU gave me feelings explosions, watching them fall in love and being sharply adorable, okay. It's a great read.

→ keeping by anonymous, foggy/matt, 1.6k
    Matt dreams of houses covered in linen, an entire city shrouded and still. He's hoping that if he can cover enough windows, the people won't see him walking down the street without his mask on.
    When you read proposal fic, you go in expecting fluff, not to get your heart ripped out by gorgeous and bittersweet fic. But, god, it does such a perfect job with Matt's character, how he is and what he sees and what he knows about the people around him. The guilt and determination, it's just so Matt. Heart-wrenching and gorgeous and perfect, this fic was fantastic all the way through.

→ untitled by theappleppielifestyle, foggy/matt, ~1k
    "Excuse me, is this room 312?"
    A short but delightful retelling of Matt and Foggy's first meeting, going just a little differently. It was entirely charming and wonderful!

→ Popeman and Altarboy by Xela, foggy/matt, NSFW, priest kink, 1k
    Matt is trying not think about the fact that all he's wearing is a (borrowed) cassock and his boots.
    Time for blasphemous fic? With Matt torn between feeling guilty and really hot when Foggy blows him while he's wearing nothing but a cassock and then Foggy fucks him over a table? Where Foggy is delightfully, charmingly into the whole blasphemy thing? That is my jam, okay. God bless.

→ Dizzy Drunk and Bleary-Eyed by pathera, foggy/matt, 1.1k
    Foggy is pretty sure that he's dead. Like, 95 percent, because it's not possible to be alive and in this much pain. He's also in a very tiny bed and there's someone next to him and--oh, it's Matt. Naked Matt. Well this is awkward.
    College-era morning after sex last night plus terrible hangovers that keep them from moving. Pure charm and delight and it just made me happy all over, so adorable, these nerds in love.

→ Say You'll Still Be By My Side by lady_ragnell, foggy/matt + father lantom, 7.2k
    Bless me, Foggy, for I have sinned.
    This is a gorgeous fic about the painful slow repair of Foggy and Matt's friendship, the sharp edges to their conversations, the awkward moments after apologies where there's no way to entirely fix it yet, adding in the transition from friends to levers and even kidnapping shenanigans along the way. This is one of those in between, heavy lifting fics that do the show hard work of one step at a time and does it gorgeously here! It felt so true to the show, so true to the characters and everything they're going through and even the struggle of Matt trying to be honest and explain about himself when Foggy asks him questions. The characters are spot on and my heart hurt the entire time I was reading this. And it was fucking worth it.

→ you're bent over the altar, and the neighbors are complaining by anonymous, foggy/matt, NSFW, blasphemy, 1.4k
    This is going to be what sends Matt Murdock to hell.
    Well. Foggy and Matt fucking in the confessional, that was ridiculously hot and bless the author for writing it. It was just the right amount of rough sex + Matt punishing himself + both of them being genuinely happy + fucked up + super hot to make it a fantastic read. This one is sticking on my reader for awhile, goddamn.

→ Simmer Down (And Pucker Up) by joidianne4eva, foggy/matt, NSFW, 2k
    "Okay, I take it back. This is a bad idea. This is a horrible idea and you should never have let me do this. Why did you let me do this?" Foggy demanded and somewhere to his left he swore he could hear Matt laughing at him, that faint husk of a sound that only emerged when Matt was trying to be polite…or sneaky.
    One of the delightful things about htis pairing is that Matt and Foggy are great friends, so even when they're flirting and kissing and fucking, they're still bickering friends. This fic had great dialogue for them both and my heart wanted to burst with affection for them both, especially because I want them to get back to that place. And also blowjobs, thank you.

→ Five Times Foggy Nelson Cried, And One Time He Didn't. by Avocado, foggy/matt + karen + marci, NSFW, 3.1k
    To be honest, it was probably because he was incredibly drunk. For some reason it was seen as the “normal” thing to do for men to repress their feelings (what asshole came up with that anyway?), but Franklin Nelson had never done so.
    Yes, fluff and porn, just what I needed during my shark week! It's definitely one of those where everything works out, even the angsty stuff is building towards the happy end and it had the charm to just pull me in. Fluff and fucking, that's what I was looking for. ♥

→ untitled by theappleppielifestyle, foggy/matt + karen, ~1k
    The first time Karen meets them, she’s more than a little freaked out about the whole being framed for murder thing, so she doesn’t notice it at first.
    Just a really cute, fun fic about Karen watching Matt and Foggy, slowly getting to know them and figure them out, in an AU where they got together in college. So charming. ♥

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/214397.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

Update + No, I'm totally gonna do this!

tomomichi — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 16:47:18 GMT

Shit, it's been awhile, I know!

And maybe I should probably have waited until the beginning of next month to start this, make it a nice, even six months thing, but I figure this will give me a chance to post some of the recs I've been doing elsewhere.

I was eaten pretty hard by tumblr, of course, and a lot of my fic recs have been going over there, since that's where I spend most of my time these days. But I do that thing where I split my time across multiple blogs, since I work better with more focused tumblrs, and I've been complaining to myself that I don't have a single place for all the recs in an organized way that I like.

So, okay. I'm going to gather them all up and start crossposting them to my journal (and hopefully this will make me actually post the ones I've been sitting on for ages, too) and while I'm at that, I'm gonna do an old-fashioned recs goal for the year.

I don't know how many I've done this year so far, but it's been a fair amount, so I'm setting myself with the goal of 1,200 recs by the end of the year. This will include the ones I've already done, because I'm not that much of a masochist, but I'm hoping that means I'll only have 600 left for the rest of the year.

My main fandoms have been the Marvel Cinematic Universe (mostly Thor stuff, but now Daredevil as well, and occasional Avengers-in-general stuff) and Tolkien fandom (well, lbr, the Tolkien Elves, mostly the Greenwood ones) and occasional trips into stuff like Mad Max: Fury Road or Legend of Korra or Sailor Moon.

I also started updating my archive site even! Though, christ, that thing's way out of date and this is going to take me forever. But idk it feels kind of good to be productive, too, and hopefully this will give me a good way to see how much progress I'm making.

Also, I really, really want to talk about feelings about stupid nerds in love on Daredevil, god, I need everyone to watch this show with me.

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/213788.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 7 fic, 2 fanvid, 2 fanart

tomomichi — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:58:56 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - More scarf sharing that is totally baww-worthy.
ღ - Another beautiful scarfporn piece, with slight SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.
ღ - I'm not sure what to do with all of this, either, but I found this post's theorizing to be super interesting! Obviously there are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.
ღ - Sherlock and John postcard that's amaaaazing, oh my gosh.
ღ - Maybe I shouldn't laugh, but I kind of shrieked a bit at this. [SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.]
ღ - "Why would I want to have dinner if I wasn't hungry?" is a great photoset. I like that it's not about being the same point, but just about being interesting.
ღ - Sherlock and Tintin is very cute.
ღ - Absolutely adorable chibi Sherlock with pretty colors. *coos*
ღ - Sherlock with black wings and I have needs, okay.
ღ - Yes, thank you, fandom, for more Sherlock/John kissing, which I need in my life.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Sherlock - 7 Fanfics
Sherlock - 2 Fanvids
One Piece - 2 Fanart

Sherlock: A Messy Business by KCS - OH MY GOD KIDFIC YES. John is turned into a kid through some handwaving, because it's not about that, it's about watching Sherlock interact with kidlet John and, oh my god, it is the most delicious, satisfying thing ever. It's told in short 221b (221 words, final word starts with a 'b') format, so each chapter is actually very short and it's not as long as it looks (probably about 5-6k or so) but they're all in a row and they're all beautifully done and, oh, I love that Sherlock rises to the occasion, because that actually fits with my view of the character and that I think he probably had a good childhood. This is endless amounts of cute and hilarity and just... everything you want out of kidfic, the reasons you read it in the first place, this fic does. And it's worth reading even if you don't usually read kidfic, because it's so good. (This is gen, obviously, but will likely be of interest to Sherlock/John fans, too.)

Sherlock: that thing you like by misspamela - I suspect I may have read this fic before, parts of it felt familiar, but! Even if I have, well, it's been awhile and it deserves a re-recommendation, because, oh, it's a lovely piece where Sherlock invites John to his house for Christmas and, yes, I do wish a bit more time had been devoted to the Holmes family, but Mrs. Holmes was amazing for what she was in it. There's a scene in particular--you'll know it when you get to it--that was just pure, utter perfection. I love the characterization here, both felt so spot-on, especially for digging into Sherlock's home life and the bits of his past that come up (though, that's not really the entire point) and how they both deal with the obvious something between them. Plus, hilarity and spot-on voices! This was an excellent read, with a satisfying build-up to the sexytimes that I could believe. ♥ (Sherlock/John, NSFW.)

Sherlock: Never Too Late by KCS - [Note: This fic is a continuation of A Messy Business, which would help to have read first.] After having finished A Messy Business, I pretty much leapt right onto this one and tore through it in one sitting because, oh my god, Sherlock with kid!John is amazing and delicious and perfect. The author does an absolutely brilliant job of making it sweet and hilarious, but also hitting me right straight in the feelings. I love love love that Sherlock is actually rather good at taking care of John as a kid, you almost wouldn't expect it, until you see it and, oh, of course it makes perfect sense and fits with my view of the characters. But there's also a chapter where the near-inevitable happens, when you're writing kidfic, that John gets lost and the ensuing events afterwards are so incredibly satisfying, for all the characters and their reactions, that it was like the most delicious candy ever. The characterization is just absolutely spot-on, for Sherlock especially, but also wee!John who still somehow manages to evoke the feeling of adult!John, even when he's been regressed. Basically, I want to roll around in this fic forever. (This is gen, obviously, but will likely be of interest to Sherlock/John fans, too.)

Sherlock: Christmas Interlude by KCS - [Note: It would help to have read A Messy Business by this author before reading this fic. There are also SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] More kidfic! I wanted to ration this one a bit, because it's such a delightful arc, but as soon as I started it, nope, I couldn't put it down again. The author continues to strike this gorgeous balance of pure fluff and something more serious, something that genuinely makes me want to just curl up in my feeeeelings and sob for a bit at how much I love everything. But also! There are kid-sized snowball fights that left me howling with laughter! So many bawwws at the latest chapter! (Chapter 8, as of the time of this rec.) Like, punch a person in the heart bawws! And, oh, I love the use of Sally Donovan, who slowly starts to warm up to the reader and to the other characters, but in a way that lets me still believe that this is a natural character growth for her. Ugh, so many feelings for all of this. (This is gen, obviously, but will likely be of interest to Sherlock/John fans, too.)

Sherlock: The Road Trip Series by stupid_drawings - Oh, this series was entirely fun! I wound up really liking the structure the author used, that style of short snippets, just a few quick lines with timestamps on them, to show the passage of time and that works really well with ROAD TRIP FIC. A series of road trips with John, Sherlock, and Lestrade. Of course I was going to pounce on those! And I love it for the three of them being stuck in a car together, the way they get on each other's nerves, the way Sherlock is so batshit while John just sort of rolls with it and Lestrade is the WHY IS THIS MY LIFE guy who gets sucked into the batshit despite himself. It's so charming and made me fall in love with all of the characters all over again and satisfied that need I didn't realize I had for roadtrip fic. Totally a fun way to spend some time this afternoon! (Some implied Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Transition by scribble55178 - [Note: This was written long before The Reichenbach Fall, but I'm still going to put a SPOILER warning on it and this rec.] I feel like I've been running out of fics that deal with the immediate aftermath of Sherlock's return post-The Reichenbach Fall, so this was a wonderful find this afternoon. It was written back in 2011, well before s2 even started airing, so the details are different, but it's remarkably spot-on for the emotional aspect--John dealing with seeing Sherlock again, the way he feels torn in so many different directions, the way it's so difficult to process any of it, the absolute heartache of it all, was deliciously satisfying. It's definitely one of the better ones I've read in the last couple of days, for this specific trope I wanted. (This is gen, but should be of interest to Sherlock/John fans.)

Sherlock: As Though His Heart Were Breaking by veronamay - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] So, I've spent awhile now mentally thinking, oh, I want to find more post-The Reichenbach Fall fic that'll really punch me in the feelings! Apparently, this fic decided to grant my wish by punching me in the feelings until I thought I might tear up a little. There is something so masterful about the build-up of this piece, where John is very careful to not react, to try to just make it through the afternoon when Sherlock shows up again, to work through it and understand that he's sure Sherlock had his reasons. But there's an undercurrent that you feel right along with him and, when that dam breaks, it kind of took me along with it. Heartbreaking, but in a good way. (This is gen, but should be of interest to Sherlock/John fans.)

Sherlock/House/Fourtysomething Fanvid: Cat's in the Cradle - anenko pointed out the link for this and, whoa, I did not expect a multi-fandom crossover vid to be so amazing! The clips the vidder chose are spectacular, the amount of shots that mirror each other, between House and Sherlock, seem almost fated when lined up like this (even if it's just the law of averages and them being similar-ish characters) and it's just... I'm rather speechless at how amazingly well this works. Just. Wow! (No warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Make It Go Away - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this vid and this rec.] Oh, this was just... it was a really lovely, sad look at the Sherlock/John friendship and how much it hurt when Sherlock jumped, how much John hurts after it. The song is so sad and the video clips are beautifully chosen, they work wonderfully with the music and the dialogue from the show is wonderfully woven in as well. It's definitely one of those sad, sad videos that I revel in because I'm still sad, too, but also love because, ugh, all the feelings inside me. (Sherlock/John.)

- One Piece - [ Pixiv Account ] - I was looking for OP art again this afternoon and I've probably seen this artist's work a few times before, but I'm not sure if I've recommended their art properly? Eh, well, either way, even if I have already, it deserves mentioning again because, good lord, this art is gorgeous. Ace and Luffy and Ace and Luffy again and Luffy and one more of Ace and Luffy are probably my favorites and a good selection to give you an idea of this artist's style. The colors are absolutely stunning, these warm and nearly glowing peaches and soft oranges, very warm sunset colors that are just, ugh, totally in my wheelhouse. But also the basic lineart is stunning and, oh, of course I'm all over the art on a character level--D kyoudai-centric art with the occasional Ace or Luffy standalone? All over that. Really stellar art here and I'm glad to see a fair amount of it is recent, so maybe there'll be moooooore soon. *__* (This is gen, but Ace/Luffy-centric.)

- One Piece - [ Pixiv Account ] - I stumbled over this artist again for their recent-ish (at the time of this rec) Roger and Rouge with baby Ace piece that's just gorgeous, beautifully colored and hitting a straight shot to my fannish heart. And then I realized, oh! It's the artist who did one of my favorite OP pieces ever--Dragon, Luffy, Roger, and Ace!! Their faces are all amazing in that image, in addition to being beautifully drawn and colored, because, oh, god, Ace's life is so hard. So this artist became one of my favorites ever for gorgeous Roger/Rouge and kitty heartbreak family (with little kitty ears Ace's face being the most hilariously rageface ever) and, seriously, Rouge and Roger with naught but a sheet to cover them. This is everything I want--OTPs, perfect families, and gorgeous art. (Mostly gen, some Roger/Rouge.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/185749.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 3 fic, 5 fanvids, 4 fanart

tomomichi — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:03:20 GMT

Sherlock Fanvid: Slow Life - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this vid and this rec.] I definitely like this vidder's style, the way the clips were chosen and edited together. But what really killed me was realizing the use of color and what it represented here, that was such a neat little touch. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Arrival of the Birds - [Note: There are some SPOILERS for series 2 in this vid and this rec.] This is one of those vids that had me taking a deep breath afterwards because of all the feelings it gave me on Sherlock's character and the Sherlock/John friendship. It's instrumental music put together with brief clips from the show, from especially important lines about Sherlock and the people he has (or doesn't have) in his life, the editing is gorgeous, but it's the story that it tells that's really the highlight of it. It's one of those that, after having watched it, I'm just as in love with the characters as ever, sigh. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Remember the name - [Note: There are some SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this vid and this rec.] This is a very short vid, just a minute long, but it's such a deftly edited piece and the beginning is so fantastic that I had to include it. BBC Sherlock's version of Moriarty took time to grow on me, but it's vids like this that make me remember that there's a lot I really do like about this version and his psychotic badassery. (No warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Hey Na Na - Okay, so this video was kind of amazing. It's very light-hearted and about the more hilarious moments of Sherlock just being completely outside the usual social norms, using a great selection of clips and keeping things moving with a fast pace. I loved that the vidder put text on the screen often times because, even if I remember the line, it somehow emphasizes the hilarity of those moments. Hell, I even love the song, it's absolutely catchy and somehow fits everything here perfectly. I've rewatched it a couple of times now (because it's incredibly rewatchable) and I think my favorite thing about it is that it's actually a really great representation of Sherlock's character, so incredibly badass and capable and not giving a fuck and totally batshit. Beautiful! (No warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Jim Moriarty - The Seven Nation Army - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this vid and this rec.] I've had trouble with BBC Sherlock's version of Moriarty at times, but every once in awhile, something comes along that really wins me over and this vid is a gorgeous one for the character, it really captures the dangerousness of the character and the unpredictablity and brillance of him. That's the best part of the video, that feeling of impact when you realize the depths of this character, but the video is also beautifully edited and the song/clip choice are gorgeous as well. Just. Ugh. Jesus, what a vid. (No warnings/pairings.)

- One Piece - [ Pixiv Account ] - I wasn't intending to do a whole lot of pixiv browsing yesterday, just gathering up a few pieces to rec on tumblr, when I stumbled over this artist's work, of Zoro and Sanji in bed, the blanket wrapped around them the only article of clothing they had. And it was so gorgeously done that I had to follow the artist back to the rest of the gallery and! Oh, my. She doesn't have a ton of OP images here--probably about nine total--but they're all so pretty that I can hardly resist! My other favorite is Zoro and Sanji in bed with Zoro's arms wrapped around Sanji while he sleeps or maybe Sanji wrapped around Zoro while they glare in each other's faces, both are gorgeous works, with the artist's eye for beautiful colors and brushstrokes style. Ugh, every time I think I'm out of this pairing, artists like this pull me back in. (Some Zoro/Sanji, some gen.)

- One Piece - [ Pixiv Account ] - This artist doesn't have a whole lot of submissions to the gallery, but! Yeah, sorry, I'm weak to Zoro/Nami art, because it's semi-rare (in comparison to the rest of the fandom, that is) and this set of images with Nami leaning back in Zoro's lap while they watch tv, just totally casual-like? Ugh, my heart. But I also like the artist's series of sketched kisses that have a messy sort of style that really works for the images, because I really do love smooching a lot, especially when it's pretty like this. This is a site for those who are already ZoNa fans, I suspect, but if you are, it's a very nice treat. (Zoro/Nami, Marco/Ace.)

- One Piece - [ Pixiv Account ] - Speaking of ZoNa artists appearing to make me happy! I first stumbled over this artist by their newest (at the time of this rec, of course) series of Zoro/Nami images where Nami is lounging on Zoro's back as she plays on a ds lite and I was like, awwww. The second image in that series, the close-up of them dancing, definitely had me intrigued, too. And then there was the full-sized image of Zoro and Nami dancing in black formal wear and, holy crap, so pretty! I am totally a sucker for beautifully designed clothes, but the characters look gorgeous as well, and oh shit my fannish heart--! So, I was pretty well gone at that point, but Nami dancing among the flower petals in another beautifully done black formal dress sealed it for me. There's not a lot of art here and a lot of it sent me over the moon because I was in a ZoNa mood, but! This artist does some absolutely beautiful work and I'm so glad to have found her. (Zoro/Nami.)

- Pokemon - [ deviantART Account ] - Apparently, like a lot of people, I stumbled over this artist through their fantastic Disgaea-esque Battle Cuts and was all, ooh, shiny! over them. My favorite is probably still the Kanto starters, but they're all pretty fantastic. Then, the more I went through the account, the more I stumbled over interesting pieces like Gengar and Clefairy that cannot be unseen or an awesome one of Lugia (whom I have a real fondness for) or Ho-Oh. It was an interesting, fun stop this afternoon that produced a lot of really neat, fun images to look at and a couple of really epic ones, especially of the Legendaries! *__* I can't ask for more than that. <3 (No warnings/pairings.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/185451.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 10 fic

tomomichi — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:30:10 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Sherlock and John and back of the neck kissing, yes, thank you.
ღ - John and Sherlock lounging on the sofa together.
ღ - Naked almost kissing (which is somewhat NSFW but I also wouldn't rate it above PG-13) is very nice.
ღ - "Did you almost start to wonder if I was real?"
ღ - The Sherlock characters baking cakes is adorable.
ღ - I'm not sure I want this to be the reaction, but certainly I would enjoy it forever if this happened in the new season. [SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.]
ღ - Sherlock as a pirate is absolutely a thing I needed in my life.
ღ - Everything about this gif set just makes me laugh. From Sherlock being immature to Mycroft's "jesus, my little brother is a dick" face to John's amusement at the whole thing. As much as I love Sherlock and John giving each other shit, I also love it when they delight in teaming up to give other people shit.
ღ - NO. NO. Why would you do this? [SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.]
ღ - Oh, lord. Kid!AU with Sherlock, John, and Moriarty that is all kinds of adorable. And also has pretty colors. And Potterlock is adorable, too.
ღ - Well, this is rather sob-worthy. [SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.]
ღ - "#clearly that’s the appropriate reaction to your little brother breaching top security systems of the british army" = I love the tags on tumblr so much.
ღ - Tags hurt me. Tags always hurt me even more. [SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.]
ღ - I just love all their faces so much. SO MUCH.
ღ - Oh, lord, this Sherlock fanart piece is just gorgeous.
ღ - Black&white Sherlock and John is really pretty, too. And I like this artist's Mycroft and Sherlock and the style of it, too. Oh and! This one of John coming back home to this batshit flat of theirs. Finally, one last one from that artist--Sherlock and Doctor Who.
ღ - I really think this Molly piece is stunningly pretty. (Possibly a bit Sherlock/Molly?)
ღ - Okay, this is one of those rites of passage for a fanart fandom: Magnet!Sherlock/John. Of course this exists. Of course. And probably, like, ten people are even into both fandoms.
ღ - A gorgeous collection of Moriarty and Molly images, which is especially welcome as I just finished reading The Anatomist. Also, his and hers crowns is lovely.
ღ - "Every fairy tale needs a damsel in distress." [SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.]

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Sherlock - 10 Fanfics

Sherlock: Alone on the Water by MadLori - I don't know when I became a person who reads deathfic, but this one had so many reviews (and I've heard good things about the author's other fic), so I decided to try it. And, despite my not usually being one to read such fics, this one pulled me in and wouldn't let me go, even when I couldn't bear to read it all in one sitting. I had to take little breaks from it because it was just so unrelentingly heart-wrenching in a rather undramatic way, almost pragmatic about it, and that's what made it hurt all the more. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous fic and one that pulls out so much from this relationship between Sherlock and John, one that plucked the strings of my own dealings with grief and loss, but in a way that didn't leave me resentful, but instead glad that I had read this fic. The point isn't about making the characters suffer, it's about examining them in times of suffering, and that makes it one of the most impactful reads I've yet found in this fandom. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Marriage by Ryssabeth - I love that this fic starts out with Sherlock practically able to read John's mind, which is hilarious, but also really kind of sweet. I loved this fic for being humorous without the point being comedy, that it was just... a light-hearted, yet insightful and meaningful, look at the relationship between Sherlock and John, where they're not friends, but they're not lovers, but something that's much harder to define. It's a short piece, but it's lovely. ♥ (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: The Case Of The Suicidal Brother by Jennistar1 - Oh, this author. I was a little hesitant to read this fic, because I wasn't sure I could see Mycroft as being suicidal, but I quickly realized that that wasn't really the point of this fic. Instead, it was about how Sherlock sees his brother, how he dislikes him just as much as he idolizes him in his own way, that Mycroft is nearly invincible. This author is quickly turning me into a greedy thing for all things with the Holmes brothers, by writing their relationship as complicated and understated, yet giving me intense feelings bombs, because, oh, the ending of this fic just lay waste to my fannish heart. (No warnings/pairings. Maybe a bit Sherlock/John background, but it could just as easily be gen.)

Sherlock: Action Man by thesardine - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This is one of the first Mycroft pieces I read on my spree over the last few days, one of the ones that tipped me even further into being interested in his character and the way he interacts with his younger brother. This is a beautiful look at their childhood and their adulthood, how Sherlock was so self-centered and spoiled and impossible even then, putting a burden on poor little Mycroft and yet... it's not all bad, you can see why he cares about Sherlock and, oh, the scenes from when they were children are gorgeous. It's a dark look at these characters who have darkness in them (but not beyond what's in the series itself) and some of the scenes--especially those with Moriarty--are downright chilling. (No warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock: Other People's Sleeves by fourthduckling - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This is another gorgeous look at Sherlock and John's relationship, set through the lens of Sherlock's interaction with other people. Mostly it's a conversation with Irene Adler, set just after A Scandal in Belgravia, these two incredibly sharp characters who have such presence in the scene. And I love that it achieves that balance between a Sherlock/John relationship and yet maybe being gen or just... something in between the two. The final scene of this piece, especially with Moriarty's line about burning the heart out of Sherlock, and the killer final line, are all gorgeous. An excellent read. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Anything by babydragon7 - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] There are times when I want the immediate aftermath of 2x03. There are times when I want the reunion period, post-Reichenbach. And then there are times when I want a bit of time to have passed, so that there's still a thread of tension, but it's mostly forgiven and they've moved on, even if it's still occasionally a sore point. And this was such a delightful piece, Sherlock prodding at the wound in his usual obnoxious way, but you get why he does it, and just. The things John has gone through for him. Hilarious. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: I’ll show you mine… by babydragon7 - This was fun! It was fun for the slashy situation (where Sherlock needs to see John's cock for a case, which John is like UH NO but Sherlock is Sherlock about it) and even more fun for the way it becomes about boundaries and what John lets Sherlock get away with and what that says about him. I love that it wasn't just pure fluff, that there was a lot of seriousness in here, but without it being a darker fic, which made it hit all the right notes for me. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Bottles by Ryssabeth - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I liked this one because it was short and messy, most scenes barely more than a handful of lines, but that helped with the intimacy of everything these two felt and said and didn't say during the s2 finale. It's almost chaotic, the way it's all tangled up together, which worked so well for this piece. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: The Anatomist by rosa_acicularis - I've had this fic on my to read list for probably a year now, but it wasn't until my latest foray into the fandom that I finally sat down with it. I'd started it previously and found it amazing, but I wasn't quite 100% into the fandom yet (despite adoring the show). Well, this time my fandom excursion has gone better (obviously), so I sat down to start over with this fic from the beginning and couldn't put it down until I was done. It is a gorgeous look at a, "What if?" scenario (well, it was written during the hiatus between s1 and s2, which made it canon compliant up to the end of the first series, but it still stands as an amazing "What if?" story), where Molly Hooper is actually Molly Moriarty, the twin sister to James. It's a gorgeous look at the twins and why they do what they do, not just making them raging psychopaths, but they're actually quite different, even when many of their goals are the same. It's a gorgeous exploration of Molly's character, who is recognizably the character we see on-screen, who makes sense with the character we see on screen, only with all these extra layers of twistedness.

The relationship between her and Jim, the way they casually nearly kill each other constantly, the way their childhood flashbacks are so disturbing and woven together with their disturbing present, the way they nearly balance each other (Jim being so flashy, Molly being quiet and detail-oriented, Jim in the spotlight, Molly in the shadows) is stunning. The way Molly manages to fly under Sherlock's radar works so well, her interest in him is beautifully done as well. And the ending is nothing short of perfection! I definitely wish I could write a better rec for this fic, because I loved it so much, it's one of the most satisfying Molly pieces I've read, it's one of the best Sherlock pieces I've read, just for the sheer cleverness of it and how it works with the canon. One of my must-read fics. (Dark themes, hints of incest, violence.)

Sherlock: Before I Sleep by Watcher.mine - Ahhh, I clicked onto this fic almost at random, not sure what I would be getting, and so I was a bit wary, of course. And then I just sort of sunk into this fic, which is a series of three scenes on a snowy day, with Sherlock, John, and the people around them. The first is just them, the second is an amazing visit from Mycroft, and the third a lovely visit from Lestrade. Each of these scenes is wonderful for showing bits of insight into the characters and just being really charming! I have to admit, the middle scene is my favorite--Mycroft spending a few hours in the flat with Sherlock and John is amazing, even when nothing major happens. I would read that kind of fic all day long, especially when written like this, which is really excellent writing. (No warnings/pairings.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/185103.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 16 fic, 1 fanart, 1 fanvid

tomomichi — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:47:41 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - LOLOLOL, BEST NEW USE OF THE BAFTA MEME EVER, CRYING NOW. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - C-R-Y-I-N-G at this Sherlock cosplay, oh my god, that is AMAZING.
ღ - *gasp* SUPERLOCK IS SOMETHING I WOULD WATCH THE SHIT OUT OF. THAT GIF IS AMAZING.
ღ - So, a Sherlock/Pushing Daisies crossover would be kind of amazing, too.
ღ - Oh, jeez, this fandom. The montage may have gotten me just a bit.
ღ - I like this gifset because of what the post points out--in whatever way you interpret it, their body language is most definitely that of a couple.
ღ - Oh, lord, this Molly Hooper portrait is utterly stunning. Also, winged Sherlock and John with quotes from Good Omens.
ღ - So, I'm looking at this gif from A Scandal in Belgravia and it takes me a moment to stop looking at John's adorable, so proud of himself and his quip smile, to notice that Sherlock smiles in the background when John makes his joke to Mycroft. UGH, FEELINGS.
ღ - How that scene should have gone definitely made me smile.
ღ - Goddammit, if I start following Mark Gatiss' twitter for tweets like these, I am going to have a tantrum.
ღ - Oh, god, urban camoflage (possibly hilarious to me because of the ending of the second Sherlock Holmes movie) and now I'm crying from laughs. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - Oh, jesus, crying at Sherlock's gift on Valentine's Day.
ღ - NO. THIS IS NOT OKAY. NO. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - AHHHH SO MUCH CUTENESS with Sherlock and John sitting in their usual chairs!
ღ - Ugh, more feelings at chibis holding hands as they walk along.
ღ - Oh, christ, I think I laughed for a minute straight, too. I don't know who I love the most, the fandom or Mark Gatiss or or or EVERYONE. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - "We can't giggle, it's a crime scene!"

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Avatar: The Last Airbender - 1 Fanfic
Cardcaptor Sakura - 1 Fanfic
DCU - 1 Fanfic
Final Fantasy VIII - 2 Fanfics
Kamen Rider Kabuto - 1 Fanfic
One Piece - 1 Fanfic
Sherlock - 7 Fanfics
Tiger & Bunny - 2 Fanfics
Sherlock - 1 Fanart
Sherlock - 1 Fanvid

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Stories by jesuisursine - This is a lovely piece set post-series, on Sokka's memories of Yue, as seen through Suki's eyes. I love it because there's no jealousy there, not really, instead it's bittersweet and beautiful, both for what was, what wasn't, and what is in their lives. I love the sweetness of his family as it is now, without taking away from that some part of Yue always stays with him. Just. Ugh, my heart. (Sokka/Yue, Sokka/Suki.)

Cardcaptor Sakura: asking for the taking by torch - Touya/Yue! It's been forever since I've read Touya/Yue fic! And I liked the way there were small, tiny parallels and similarities between Yukito and Yue here, the way Touya doesn't quite see them as the same thing, but they're not separate people, either. I love the way Yukito and Yue are part of each other, what one side feels, so does the other, and that's sort of the point, but sort of not. And I really do like how... feline Yue is here, it suits his character well. ....blah, I am writing a terrible rec, but this was a really lovely fic! Touya/Yue and itchy feathers and scratching Yue's back and Yukito being darling and sweet and Touya really loves him and, ugh, my CCS feelings are back now, too. (Touya/Yukito, Touya/Yue, slightly NSFW.)

DCU: Behind the Mask by cinaed - This is a lovely piece with Bruce and Diana, with both characters exactly how I enjoy them--these two incredibly strong presences, each able to hold their own with the other, even while having a rather simple conversation in her hotel room. I love this Diana, who is entirely self-posessed even in such a short piece! I love that it's such a mutual attraction and flirtation, the slight bit of humor to their interaction, and just... well, everything. (Bruce/Diana, slightly NSFW.)

Final Fantasy VIII: feel warmth as we feel love by Renay - I'm going through a bunch of my backlogged links, stumbled over this one, and realized OH HEY PORN I HAVEN'T READ YET and immediately tore into it. And it's so good, the kind of back and forth banter, the kind where you want to punch Seifer in the face, where Zell is a total shit, and they both clearly enjoy it? So hard to find! Especially when it comes with excellent porn! Renay has a fantastic grasp on these characters, writing them in that way that I can believe and writing them as just so-- perfect, really. Also, there are up against the wall handjobs and those are super hot here. (Seifer/Zell, NC-17.)

Final Fantasy VIII: Wild Animals by Laylah - Well, as long as I was on the archive and on the Seifer/Zell tag.... So, I read this one and it's more of that same dynamic that I love--where they both banter and snarl and hurl insults at each other, but in a way that is clearly acknowledged as them both enjoying it. Zell's point of view is such a fun one to read about, because he's so sharp and fast, which is reflected in his sparring style as well here, and then he punches Seifer in the face and APPARENTLY that is a turn on. God, I love this ship. (Seifer/Zell, NC-17.)

Kamen Rider Kabuto: Atarashii by Circe - I was going through my pile of links and stumbled over this fic and realized that I'd never properly reccommended it, which is a damn shame because, oh, it's perfect. I love the way Kagami and Tendou spend the minute up to Tendou's birthday, the way there's something so quiet and understated about them here, yet the waters run deep. Circe's writing is lovely and, the way she writes it, just the simple act of one's hand in another is enough to make me do that heavy sigh of FEELINGS BOMBING that I get. So, so many feels for these two, still. (Kagami/Tendou.)

One Piece: Orange Rind by inkstone - There are times when I forget how much I really love Luffy/Nami, because it's not impossible to write, but it is difficult sometimes, and then along comes a fic that makes it seem effortless and I get mad at fandom for denying me fic all over again. I absolutely adored this fic for the tension between the characters, how both were wonderfully themselves and I always feel that level of unresolved tension between them, so this felt like a natural contuination of that, but also taken up to another level. Nami's point of view was perfect, I love her so much and I love the feeling of... I love how much love for Luffy is there, not necessarily in a shipper sort of way (though, there is that, too) but just because... just because he's Luffy. It's hard to explain. Bascially: This fic made me feel all the feelings Luffy/Nami does in canon, but also was all kinds of super awesome sexytimes flirting, which is exactly what I wanted. ♥ (Luffy/Nami, a bit NSFW.)

Sherlock: (Un)Predictable by elfin - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Hounds of Baskerville in this fic and this rec.] This was a fun little piece set mid-2x02, that's just a touch angsty, but mostly kind of fluffy and cute. I enjoyed it for being about John's side of the relationship and showing the bits of progress he needs to go through before anything could happen and... it's fluff, so it doesn't take a long time, but it is nice just having fic that focuses on his side of things. And it plays on the emotions of The Hounds of Baskerville quite nicely! (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Returning by elfin - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] Another short but nice read! And it was yet another new way for John to react to Sherlock's return that I had yet to read before this one (though, of course, I'd seen it mentioned before, but never written) and I liked the way the story was told in short, quick scenes from different perspectives. This fic also had a fun scene with Lestrade at the end and, hell, as much as I'm totally focused on the Sherlock/John part of these fics, sometimes it is nice to see other characters' reactions, too. This was fun! (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: A Guilty Man by Jennistar1 - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] Oh, jeez, this fic. This is pretty much my perfect Mycroft fic, especially my perfect post-The Reichenbach Fall Mycroft & Sherlock fic. The anger boiling under the surface, the guilt that's eating away at Mycroft, the ache that I felt for this damaged relationship, all of it was brilliantly done. This Mycroft, who is so refined and reserved, who has so little in his life that he actually cares for, the way you feel the genuine emotions underneath the polite surface, the way he reacts to Sherlock's anger, all of it is heartwrenchingly good. This fic also did an amazing thing--it had me actually doubting Mycroft for a moment, doubting his true motives, and I loved it for that. And I loved it for not being a tragic fic ultimately, but not pulling its punches, either. It was gorgeous all the way around. (Some implied Sherlock/John, but it's not really the point.)

Sherlock: Bleeding Alone by Jennistar1 - This fic is labelled as probably having spoilers for both series, but I don't recall anything that would be spoilery in them. Still, watch out, I suppose? This fic sort of... almost exists in a vacuum, in a sense, where there's no real lead-up or follow-through, it's just a moment in time, and I found that I liked it a lot when viewed through that lens. Mycroft lives a dangerous life, even as far away from the direct action as he is, and when he's dying, of course he thinks of the one person he actually cares about--Sherlock. It's such a sad piece, for the irrepairable relationship between them, one that they'll never have time to mend, and this fic really hits hard on that. It's angsty, but sometimes I just want to really dig into an angsty scenario like this, especially when it's well done. (No warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock: Homemade Biscuits and Homemade Deceptions by Jennistar1 - Oh, this was such fun! I have a great love for fics that play with the idea of Moriarty, especially with established characters, and I love how well this fic made me jump right into the idea that Mrs. Hudson could have been behind it all. The author balances her sweet, gentle persona against the dark things that Moriarty does, weaves them together wonderfully, adding in just how bored she gets sometimes, as well as remembering the bits about her husband. And, oh, I love love love that it's John who nearly figures her out because Sherlock doesn't think to look, never really considers her, while John is suspicious of everyone, and it just is all so good! (No real warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock: Shift by Ryssabeth - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This is a short piece, not that much over 300 words, but! It's from Lestrade's point of view on just something that feels different about Sherlock after everything that happened in 2x03 and the small insights as he figures out what the change is. It made me smile for the way Sherlock notices Lestrade watching him, of course he does, and both their reactions. Short, but just what I wanted. (Implied Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Reunions, Rowdiness and Phone Calls by Jennistar1 - Oh, jesus, this fic. I don't even know how to begin writing this rec, because I'm sure I'll never do it justice. Everything about this particular fic was amazing, from John's high school reunion to him getting drunk to him drunk dialing Sherlock to Sherlock's reaction, which is, in turns, amused and annoyed, to basically absolutely everything about this fic. Each phone call John made was a thing of pure delight and laughter--I had honest-to-god tears in my eyes from the giggling I did while reading this one! And, oh, Sherlock getting bored without John there, so he tackles London's 101 most unsolvable cases on-line and of course that goes the way it does! Just. Oh, this was pure perfection. (This is gen, but it could also be Sherlock/John.)

Tiger and Bunny: Silence Is Golden by Lirillith - With a summary like [ After a lifetime of social isolation, Barnaby craves physical affection, especially with Kotetsu. ], of course I am going to be both intrigued and wary. I love the idea! So much potential! But also so much potential to be horrible to Barnaby's character! But I wound up liking this fic rather a lot, because it's not about mocking or over squishifying the character, rather just about simple physical touching and I really liked the way Kotetsu just sort of... rolled with it, because he got it. (Barnaby/Kotetsu.)

Tiger and Bunny: Let It Snow by Lirillith - The writing of this one is a bit tell-rather-than-show, but! It is about the heroes of Stern Bild in a snowball fight and, of course, using their powers! It's not easy to juggle an ensemble in a piece like this, but the author does a good job of mapping the scene out and working with the characters' personalities and likely targets. And it's just such light-hearted fun that I couldn't help adoring it! I would totally have loved more scenes like this and I could see it going down in the series just as it does here. (No warnings/pairings.)

- Sherlock - nooneexpected [ tumblr Account ] - Oh, no. I got sucked back into the Sherlock fandom on tumblr, which feels even more immense than the fic archives or devART. This will not end well for me. But... I can't resist! Not when I find new artists like this one (and, oh, I wish tumblr had a way to let me sort my likes into folders like devART does with faves, I would go on such a spree) and enjoy their work so much! Like, Sherlock with an enjoying expression or John and Sherlock back to back through a door that might just be my favorite of the artist's or a gif of Sherlock and John watching a movie that is adorable or YES SCARF SHARING--!! Or, goddammit, John in a ridiculous and adorable hat that made me grin like a bit of a loon. Or the world's most adorable attempt to get cigarettes and how it's not going to end well for John. Or else it'll end as THE BEST. And that's what this artist does for me, the work here just puts a smile on my face and want to spin around the room a bit at how beautiful the coloring is and how adorable the scenarios are. ♥ (Some NSFW art on the tag occasionally. It's mostly fine, but there is at least one porny image, so be careful! Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Dead Island - [Note: There are SPOILER for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] jesshelga pointed this vid out and, of course, it sent me off on a spiral into tumblr that took me ages to climb back out of, yet I'm still thankful for because this is a gorgeously edited... trailer?, I guess?, for The Reichenbach Fall and the entire Sherlock/John relationship to date. There's especially one moment, a little more than a minute in, the way the artist wove the clips together, that took my breath away just a little bit (and did so again, the second time I watched it) because it was such a gut-wrenching moment and realization when I understood what it was getting at. The entire video is lovely, though, and gave me a severe case of feelings, I cannot recommend it enough. (Sherlock/John.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/184963.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 11 fic, 2 fanvid

tomomichi — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:25:58 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Ugh, jesus, all the feelings for this kiss animation (or the tumblr version if you'd rather) gives me so many fucking feelings.
ღ - Speaking of things that hurt my heart, this three page comic is amazing: Fresh Blood pg1 - Fresh Blood pg2 - Fresh Blood pg3 [SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.]
ღ - alicexz has done a couple more gorgeous pieces: Rift and Rift II (tumblr) and she also has a new e-card of hilarity.
ღ - ....oh, motherfucker. Why did I click that link? Why? Sherlock art on pixiv, goddamn. I am never escaping this fucking fandom.
ღ - Amusement at Sherlock smoking again while John tries to stop him.
ღ - Another poster-style image for the show. And also harsh kissing fanart based on Chamelon.
ღ - There is nothing about John's face that I don't love. Or Sherlock just wrapping around him like that.
ღ - I liked blankets for shock a lot, too.
ღ - Don't make people into heroes, Sherlock is a really beautifully done piece, too.
ღ - Fairly Odd Detectives made me smile this morning, too.
ღ - No! Why would you do this? Sob. [SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.]
ღ - Sherlock playing the violin.
ღ - Shipping Sherlock and John is adorable.
ღ - Sherlock and John from The Reichenbach Fall (so SPOILERS) in that gorgeous manga-esque style that I'm weak to.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Sherlock - 11 Fanfics
Sherlock - 2 Fanvids

Sherlock: Their Law by Jennistar1 - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I'll admit two things upfront--that I think this fic falters in the second half, telling more than showing, and that I'm not sure I quite buy this portrayal of Sherlock and Mycroft, even working within canon as it does. That said! The first half of this fic is absolutely wonderful, with Sherlock and Mycroft as children and, oh, it hit all right right notes in the quick scenes of them growing up and the laws they work with and make up for themselves. I absolutely adore their relationship and it's wonderful to find a good writer who focuses on it, making this piece so satisfying. (No real warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock: Sherlock minifics by Jennistar1 - This was a series of five smaller fics put together, nothing that really connects them, other than just little different ways of looking at the characters. And I found them all interesting and I liked that the author was good at writing a short fic and each of them didn't really need to be any longer or shorter than they were, which is not always an easy thing to achieve. Plus, I was fairly instantly fond of this author's balance between Sherlock/John friendship and maybe something more, which is exactly what I'm looking for out of fandom right now. <3 (This is gen, but could also be read as Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Dear John by Jennistar1 - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] The summary reads: On his Hiatus, Sherlock writes John letters. Well, half letters. and that is exactly what this is--a series of half-written letters from Sherlock while John thinks he's dead, letters that he never intends to send, letters that hardly say that much, yet say so very much, because this is Sherlock. I like the way they're half-finished, because I can buy it from a series of letters that Sherlock has no intention of sending and how much they reveal about him, even in just small, short bursts. I enjoyed this a lot! (This is gen, but you could also read it as Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Sixteen Words by kim47 - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This is one of those fics where... sometimes I just need kissing and something that's not quite angst, but not quite fluff... fluffy angst? idk, but whatever it is, every so often, I need a fic that's just all about Sherlock and John kissing a lot and being all, yup, I'm in love with this jerk, ugh, I love him so much and I'm sorry everything went to shit for awhile. Sometimes I just need to revel in how much I feel with these characters, to seek out a fic that is all about pulling those emotions out and rolling around in them. This fic satisfied that urge for me, with some very solid writing, and some very nice kissing. Bless. *__* (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Time To Choose A Side by arobynsung - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] As much as I'm usually focused on the Sherlock/John aspect of post-2x03 fic, sometimes it's nice to find a Lestrade-centric piece, especially one that deals with the tough choice he had to make there and how it would have affected him. I like the way this one is short flashes of scenes, just enough to make it really hurt and make me remember all over again why I actually really love this character a lot. (No warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock: Pieces of Eight by sheffiesharpe - I go back and forth on needing sexytimes fic with Sherlock and John, because sometimes I really want it, but if I read too much of it... suddenly, I'm left feeling dissatisfied with the fandom and nearly start to wander off. I read this one several days ago and put it on my list of fics to be recommended, because it's one of those that I made an exception for, one that I really rather liked. But, honestly, the best part was the hilarity I got out of Sherlock and John arguing over Robert Louis Stevenson and how they were both so... themselves about it. (Sherlock/John, NC-17.)

Sherlock: Penny Rolling Up The Walls by cosmicrubric - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I'm always a little wary of reading Lestrade pairing fics, especially if it breaks up Sherlock/John, but I gave this one a chance because the summary super intrigued me--though, only the first chapter has been posted at the time of this rec, but I like what's here already--and, so far, it feels in line with what was I hoping for: That, at the heart of it, it's still about Sherlock/John. And, oh, this fic just hurts to read, because John is so devestated and such a wreck and there's such anger simmering under the surface, all beautifully, beauifully written and yet he's still a good man. I am so very looking forward to more of this, especially once Sherlock returns. (Lestrade/John, eventual Sherlock/John, NSFW.)

Sherlock: Shudder Down by cosmicrubric - It's difficult to pull off a fic like this, a lot of the time. Where it's not really about a particular thing happening, but more about introspection and insight into characters, especially the darker impulses of John's that come up around Irene Adler. There's something very sharp here that I found very intriguing, something very violent that worked in the space of this particular fic. It's... hard for me to describe why it intrigued me better than that. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Hold On by Jennistar1 - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I put this fic off for a bit, because the summary was a bit misleading--that John knew all along. Which he didn't, he only knew when he saw Sherlock in the cemetary, which actually works for me so much better. I mean, when I got to this line: John opened his mouth to make some sort of quip, because it was the British thing to do, to make some dry, ironic joke at the very point when things were most strained, something like 'well, that was a waste of coffin then', but nothing came out. He would have been happy, or he would have been angry, except that he knew Sherlock had done this for a reason, was doing this for a reason, and that was why he looked so awfully grave and sad., well, that's when I knew I was going to just sink right into this piece. And I really did--the author does a gorgeous job of bringing out all the feelings in me, of getting me to feel John's heartbreak right along with him, that Sherlock is leaving, that there's this emptiness that's growing (my words to describe it are terrible, this fic is not), and in balancing that relationship they have, that's not just friends, but maybe not traditionally romantic, either. It was a wrenching fic all the way around and beautifully written, I think this might just be my favorite of the author's pieces so far. (This is labeled as friendship, but I think you could read Sherlock/John into it if you wanted.)

Sherlock: Fire Dreams & The Fire and The Rain by Jennistar1 - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] There is something about this fic that just got to me. The intesnity of John's dream, despite that I'm not usually one much for reading about fictional characters' dreams, it's so hard to do them well, something about the imagery and the intensity of it in this author's lovely writing, which is followed up by a post-2x03 reunion and an intense as hell kiss, the way these two halves of this fic fit together with the imagery of fire, that just... I may have let out a little sigh at the end. Ugh, so many feelings I have right now. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Goodybe Kiss by Jennistar1 - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] Oh, yet another fic by this author that I greatly enjoyed! I love the idea of it, the way it weaves kissing together with the high-octane style of life these characters live and without trying to really define how their relationship would change. It felt like it was the same as the show itself, just with a bit of extra kissing that we never saw, the way it was fun and enjoyable and a little bit of a competition and put the best smile on my face. You know, until the end of the fic, when I was metaphorically curled up on the floor over my post-Reichenbach feels again. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock Fanvid: King of Anything - I have to admit, I'm not 100% wild about the song choice for the relationship between John and Sherlock, because the song is more about telling someone that they're not that important, whereas Sherlock rather is that important to John. But! It's also a song about telling someone that they're way too full of themselves and the vidder does an absolutely lovely job of editing the clips together and making them look utterly gorgeous. I watched this entire thing with a ridiculous smile on my face because it was such a blast to sit through! The clip choices were really great, the matched up with the lyrics in a delightful way, and just, ugh, this vid gave me a lot of feelings and happiness, okay. I feel as though I could watch a hundred videos that were all about telling Sherlock to fuck off because he's so obnoxious. (Sort of Sherlock/John, sort of gen.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Oh No! - You wouldn't guess it from the title, but this is actually a really great song for Sherlock's character, because it's all about... well, everything that makes up Sherlock, that he knows who he is and what he wants and how he drives himself, with a really catchy beat. The pace of the vid is excellent as well, everything kept up a really good clip through the whole thing, and I liked the way it was edited. And, really, the song is a fantastic choice for Sherlock! (No warnings/pairings.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/184699.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 7 fic, 2 fanvid, 11 doujinshi

tomomichi — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:17:20 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - I know it's terrible of me, but this "Inconveniece" made me laugh kind of a lot.
ღ - Another fondness of mine: Scarf sharing.
ღ - And then more scarfporn.
ღ - "So what did you say about dark swimming pool and your clothes?" Yes, good.
ღ - Bloody Sherlock should not be this good-looking.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Parks and Recreaction - 1 Fanfic
Sherlock - 6 Fanfics
Sherlock - 2 Fanvid
Tiger & Bunny - 11 Doujinshi

Parks and Recreaction: Nights and Days at JJ's by htbthomas - I had the most intense internal flailings while reading this fic because it so very, very wonderfully captures Leslie and Ben and their relationship, all with a selection of scenes from their times at JJ's Diner. I love the details and thought that went into this, the way Leslie smiles and the way it's described or the way she keeps texting Ann (sweet, beautiful Ann) and Ben is just so... he clearly loves everything about her and it's all so absolutely wonderful and all the best things about their relationship. I can't even be coherent because it's too sweet and wonderful and brilliant and perfect. (Ben/Leslie.)

Sherlock: If convenient... by faerywhimsy (persephone20) - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I'll warn ahead of time that this fic seems to only be the first chapter of a multi-chapter fic? And the ending is quite the cliffhanger, of course. But it's a sparse sort of writing that I liked, the kind that lets you feel the emotions of the characters all the more because the author isn't trying too hard with them. And I enjoyed that this is yet another new way for the reunion to happen (well, for Sherlock to let John know about it)(as far as I've read in the fandom, of course, which is hardly that comprehensive) and the way John's panic sort of creeps up on him. I look forward to more. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: this last of you by Krystalicekitsu - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] Oh, well. My heart is now bruised and aching. The author does a really marvelous job of the chaotic feel of intense grief, the way everything whirls around together and you can't really be coherent about it. I imagine this fic worked well on me because I empathized with pieces of it, recognized some of my own grief in there. But I also really loved this fic for helping with something that I've been going through with this fandom--John's side of the physical aspect of their relationship. I completely buy the emotional part of it, but a physical attraction to Sherlock and his being okay with it has eluded me rather a lot, but this fic... it's complicated and jumbled and undefined and tragic and no real answers come out of it, just... the loss of possibility. That really works for me here. (Sherlock/John, a bit NSFW, but I'd still say PG-13.)

Sherlock: Web Blackout Caused by Holmes' Supporters says British Government by Krystalicekitsu - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This was a neat, clever little idea with a really neat execution! It's a fake article from a newspaper about an internet blackout that carried a certain message, set in-universe, and even has some nifty pictures of the article clipped out of a paper and tacked to a bulletin board, along with other little pieces of evidence, all part of a larger puzzle. I thought it was terribly cute. (No warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock: Equilibrium by augustbird - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Hounds of Baskerville in this fic and this rec.] I was browsing the Sherlock/John tag (which I know I shouldn't do, I should never run straight out into the wilds like that!) and happened to see a summary for a fic that was a fusion with Flowers for Algernon. I literally gasped out loud and whispered in horror, "No!" because I could not believe someone would do that! I clicked on that fucker immediately and then saw it was augustbird (who wrote some excellent kidfic that I ate up like it was delicious candy) and I was like I AM PREPARED FOR EXCELLENCE. Bless this author, for real, except for the part where oh jesus my heart. It's brilliantly, beautifully written, from the science aspect to John's brilliance and the way he knows so much more now to the utterly heartbreaking emotional intensity of it that is written the way I wish all Sherlock fics would be written--understated, so it makes it hurt more. Both characters are perfect, the way it isn't easy for either of them and the way there's such anger simmering under the surface for so many reasons, it's absolutely stunning. The author balances the plot and the emotion, doing both absolutely deftly, and leaving me feeling like this is a terrible rec because I wish I could say so much more about it. I was so wary of someone not being able to do the concept justice, but, oh, this author had the ability in spades and did not disappoint. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: An Avalanche Of Detour Signs by gyzym - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I don't even remember how I came across this fic--possibly browsing bookmarks? Maybe just checking out the general Sherlock tag? I'm not sure. But I saw it was a fairly popular fic, it was a long one, and the summary of it (In which Molly Hooper gets a job, gets a degree, breaks a heart, has her heart broken, falls in love, keeps a secret, saves a life, runs a morgue, falls apart, pulls it together, and finds exactly what she didn't know she was looking for--not necessarily in that order.) intrigued me terribly, because I do like Molly. I only meant to start a bit of it before bed the first night, certainly I wasn't going to read all 56k+ words right away, but the beginning was very good. And, suddenly, two hours had passed and it was far past bedtime and I could barely force myself to put it back down. The next day, I inhaled the rest of the story because this fic is so good and does exactly what I had hoped it would do--breathes even more life into Molly's character, works with the canon as a background, and then just has her flourish as a character.

The author weaves a wonderful background for her and this amazing personality that fits together with the canon Molly and yet is so much more. She has this entire life going on that we never see because we only see her interaction with Sherlock and, oh, her friendship and eventually falling in love with Lestrade? Bestill my heart, for I have a new diehard ship! The writing is brilliant--it's gorgeously smooth and sharp and, oh, so very funny when it needs to be! Molly's interaction with Mycroft (seeing as he eventually realizes the debt he owes her because of her help to Sherlock) is absolutely priceless! The bits and pieces of Sherlock and John wandering into Molly's world here are pitch-perfect as well! The way her friendship with Lestrade starts out with such terribly delicious UST and then eventually resolves itself? The way the author takes Molly through everything in the canon, certianly not forgetting her role in everything with Jim Moriarty and how that must have affected her? All of that changed my view on the character and everything to do with her. It's the kind of fic that fanon is built on, because it's so lovely and brilliant and detailed and sharp and good. An absolute must read in the fandom. (Lestrade/Molly, Moriarty/Molly, one-sided Sherlock/Molly, implied Sherlock/John in the background.)

Sherlock: Kindred Spirits by fabrega - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] After having read two longer fics, it was almost sort of nice to follow it up with something that was just under 1k words. But mostly I liked this for the stealth crossover and the way John's mourning took shape, the way he felt as though he were moving on, but was he really? The way grief isn't always a steady thing, sometimes it hits you all over again when you think you're beyond it. It was a surprisingly bittersweet, almost cute read that I liked a lot. (This is gen, but you could maybe read Sherlock/John into it.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Are You Watching Closely? - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] Here's how you know you're still in the middle of a whole boatload of intense Sherlock feels: You watch a video with the speech about a magician (something you've seen applied to the fall before, but the vid maker helpfully supplies the links again for the fanart and tumblr posts) from Inception and, by the end of it, you have your hands pressed over your mouth because you're trying to keep yourself from doing something embarrassing. Because, oh, this video was beautifully done and the audio is perfectly used and the clips perfectly chosen to illustrate what the artist is getting at. By the time it was done, I felt a bit like I'd been run over from feels all over again. Gorgeous. (No real warnings/pairings, aside from spoilers.)

Sherlock Fanvid: Smooth Criminal // Moriarty vs. Sherlock - Well, as long as I was on the vidder's youtube account, I figured I'd check out some of the other ones and this one appealed to me straight off. I enjoyed it a lot, it's a song that fits this Moriarity, of course, and the editing is lovely. It's a short video, not even a full minute long, but it's enjoyable and I really liked the way the clips of dialogue were woven together with the song--that's something that rarely works for me, but here it added to everything beautifully. (No real warnings/pairings.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (raw): Heart - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be easily joinable.] Oh, jesus, this is pretty much what I didn't know I was looking for, but clearly wanted. I was initially going to go look for porn, but, eh, I love the ship and of course I want fluffy things, too! Especially when the artist draws both characters looking very nice and has a really solid style that could be professional with just a bit of time (well, really, it's better than some official manga I've read, too). But what I really loved about this? KOTETSU DRAGGING BARNABY ON A DATE TO THE PARK. YES. There is eating of ridiculous foods and grabbing Barnaby by the hand to literally drag him onto the next place and getting spotted in public and adorable smiling at each other! UGH, MY HEART. The second half of this book is a weird one, with Kotetsu literally running away with Barnaby's heart, but it's super sweet, so I enjoyed that one, too. (Barnaby/Kotetsu.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (scanlated): Usotsuki Alice - Oh, this doujinshi. It's another one that's not really about the porn (despite that that's what I intended to find in my searching!) but it's about Kotetsu wanting Barnaby to say that he loves him, keeps asking him, but Barnaby never says the words, until it's too late and Kotetsu realizes that he has to end this. It's cliche and silly and predictable and it ripped my heart right out because, ugh, I just want them to be in love and happy and kissing forever. I love it because it made me feel the emotions right along with the characters, because it's such a Japanese thing to do, to sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of the other's even when you're wrong about how they don't want to be with you, and for the look on Barnaby's face in pretty much every scene he's in and, oh, my love for Kotetsu knows no bounds, and I love it for the gorgeous cover and the really good interior art and even the extra nice bit of sexytimes. Just. Everything I was looking for this evening! (Barnaby/Kotetsu, NC-17.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (scanlated): Blow Job - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be easily joinable.] I... don't really even know how to describe this one? I can't quite tell if it's meant to be crack or if it's just a humor that's not quite my usual type or what, but... I do think I wound up enjoying it enough that I would recommend it. I liked the art (even if I did skim a bit in the middle, which is weird because I usually am happy to read about blowjobs) and I can't lie, I did enjoy the hilarious WTF WTF WTF at the contents of Kotetsu's fridge and Barnaby's complete and total inability to be normal when faced something weird as shit. I guess that's what won me over eventually--both of these dudes are morons sometimes. (Barnaby/Kotetsu, v. v. NC-17.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (scanlated): Book of Kotetsu Celebrating Bunny's Birthday Naked - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be relatively easy to join.] Oh, screw you if you don't understand my love for this doujin! Because it's totally fluffy and sweet and cute and porny and adorable and made me coo at the two stupid idiots in love--yeah, it's one of those that's "Wahh! Promise you'll always love me because I'm so much older than you and I don't want you to throw the old me away!" but sometimes that just comes with the territory. And I enjoy seeing Barnaby actually further along in becoming a real person, it's sweet to see him be the supportive one sometimes. Plus, hey, porn! That's pretty much what I was looking for. :D (Barnaby/Kotetsu, NC-17.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (scanlated): Tenori Neko Oji no Hon - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be relatively easy to join.] Oh, god, crying now. Crying. This book is kind of amazing for the sheer level of "wtf did I just read?" and hilarity for that. Basically, it's Barnaby's birthday, he gets a miniature sized Kotetsu with tiger ears and tail... and then it turns porny. I just imagine this doujinshika sitting there and cackling to herself as she drew this because I'm pretty sure that's what I did the whole time, too. And then the ending was even weirder than Barnaby blowing a miniature-sized Kotetsu! If that's possible! But the art is pretty and there was hilarity, so onto my list it goes. (Barnaby/Kotetsu, NC-17 and weird.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (raw): mog mog - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be easily joinable.] So, this doujinshi contains Barnaby and Kotetsu both having really embarrassing photos on their phones and the both of them being adorable idiots about it and then there's smooching on the couch! The book doesn't really get past a PG-13 rating or so, but I wasn't necessarily going for porn here, instead I was going for the cute fluff! And the art is very nice and I appreciate beautifully drawn pictures of pretty people sleeping. :D (Barnaby/Kotetsu.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (scanlated): FiftyxFifty - So you know what this doujinshi starts out with? Agnes deciding that Barnaby and Kotetsu need to work on their friendship/teamwork, so she HANDCUFFS THEM TOGETHER to force them to work out their bickering! A++++ CONCEPT, WOULD READ A HUNDRED DOUJINSHI WITH THAT PREMISE. The rest of the doujishi is less about the hilarity and more about the progress of their relationship, how they fight and bicker until they say something a little too hurtful and that forces Barnaby to actually admit his feelings and then there's sexytimes, which is also pretty A+ with me. It wasn't as quite as feelings bomb intensive as some of the other T&B doujinshi I've read tonight, but it did have an excellent confession scene and I was pleased with the porno and the art style grew on me--definitely a good, solid recommendation. (Barnaby/Kotetsu, NC-17.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (scanlated): Otoko Darake no Onsen Ryokouki - This is another doujinshi where you just sort of have to accept that... it's cracky and then roll with it or gtfo. The art is lovely, though, the doujinshika draws very nice characters and has an excellent amount of detail and an eye for the layouts, even if the plot is a bit more... well, it does tend to skip forward a little fast. But that's all right, since that's part of the humor. And, yes, I do love Barnaby being a total social weirdo who nosebleeds every time Kotetsu does pretty much anything, but, oh, Sky High is amazing in this doujinshi. Absolutely amazing. Bascially, it was a light, fun thing all the way around. ♥ (Barnaby/Kotetsu, I'd say about an R. Definitely NSFW.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (scanlated): Tiger & Bunny - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be easily joinable.] Sometimes I pick up a doujinshi just for the artwork and the porn, which is pretty much why I snagged this one. The artwork really does look fantastic, both in the layout and details and just in the attractiveness of the characters, but still manages to get a lot of goofy facial expressions in, too. And I really enjoy that both Barnaby and Kotetsu are pretty built, as this allows me to find them both super attractive here! The sexytimes scene was also very nice (thank you, doujinshika!) and I love that the final shot of them was back at the gym and squabbling with each other, each with their respective animal ears. Of course that's how it ends. :D♥ (Barnaby/Kotetsu, NC-17.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (raw): Patience x Pleasure - Wow, the OP was not kidding when she mentioned that Kotetsu was pretty aggressive from the bottom in this doujinshi--because, boy is he ever. The art is really nicely done, though, and I always enjoy when a character knows what they want and go for it like this. There... is really not a lot more to say about this one, it's pretty much just pure porn and about a very specific way of going about it. A rare treat for the fandom! (Barnaby/Kotetsu, NC-17.)

Tiger & Bunny Doujinshi (raw): Strawberry Utopia of Hell - This is another one by Zenda (nue), who did the previous porny doujin (though, this one is very pg-rated) and I was intrigued by the summary--through some magical circumstances or whatever, Barnaby is turned into a teenager again. Intriguing! AND THEN. There is Kotetsu being gleeful about it because Barnaby is adorable and there is SKIPPING on Kotetsu's part and then they go to work out with the other Heroes and, when Ivan came in to show teenage!Barnaby what his future self looked like, well, I WAS FUCKING SOLD. It's a great concept, the doujinshika does a fantastic job with hitting all the right tropes in just the way I wanted them, and the art is really fantastic--you can tell that she's a regular mangaka from the strength of her drawings, everything looks nicely professional. But also! There is the sharing of a bed for sleeping that takes up an entire page and you'd better believe I totally cooed over that. And how hot Barnaby is when he's back to his normal self and looking down at a sleeping Kotetsu. Bless you, Japan. (Barnaby/Kotetsu.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/184344.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 9 fic, 3 fanart

tomomichi — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:37:41 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - I will never get tired of this Valentine's joke. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - Noooo, stop it, stop drawing chibis, they are too cute...! And this one is just mean. (Possible SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall? I'm not sure.)
ღ - Sherlock: The Finale Tale is a really cool piece of art. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - I rather liked this Sherlock and John and I keep thinking I should find manga-style Sherlock art weird, but then, nope!, it's pretty great.
ღ - SHRIEK, OH MY GOD, YES. Sherlock/Professor Layton fusion, YES YES YES. I HAVE BEEN WAITING.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Sailor Moon - 1 Fanfic
Sherlock - 8 Fanfics
Okami - 1 Fanart
Sherlock - 2 Fanart

Sailor Moon: where the air is tight by tosca1390 - I've been touching on Porn Battle lately, but I'd left it for a couple of days until anenko pointed out, oh, hey, Sailor Moon porn! And I rushed over pretty much immediately to read it, because I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author--this fic being no exception. The porn was lovely, of course, but it's also got that sharp, intense edge to it that fits with these characters, the depth of everything between them, the way the rest of the world disappears when these two are together because their attraction to each other is so immense, and it's just so... it has that feeling I get when I read about them in the manga, I'm not sure how else to phrase it. It's a beautiful fic and I loved it. *__* (Sailor Moon, NSFW.)

Sherlock: The Morning When I Woke Up Without You by cityofpaper - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] So, of course, as soon as I get done saying that sometimes I just don't want to be crushed in the soul, I go out and read a soul-crushing fic that maybe threatens just a little to bring a mist to my eyes. Shut up. But, oh, lord, John going through morning after morning brought out all these feelings I've had, especially the long, long drudge of gray days I've been through when mourning a loss like this. It's so painful because it's understated and subtle and I don't need to be told every little detail to feel everything right along with John, which made this all the more powerful a piece. Sigh, ow. (This is gen, but you could read Sherlock/John into it.)

Sherlock: Everyday's Another Chance to Bury My Regret by cityofpaper - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] Well. It was hard for me to read this fic, about John turning to drinking to deal with Sherlock's death, partly for the hurt of it and partly for the complicated issues it raises that a ~3,500 word fic can't address, but... that wasn't the point, really. It was about how awful and how difficult and how heartbreaking the three years they spend apart is, how John slowly kills himself for Sherlock, how Sherlock locks his heart away because he has a mission to do first. The emotion of this piece just hit me right in my fannish heart in all the ways it intended. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Illogical, Dead and Walking by toestastegood - I feel a bit weird. My reason for diving back into fandom was to read an endless amount of post-2x03 fic, fic that deals with what's in canon, and so then I... go and read zombie apocalypse fic? What? In my defense, this fic is absolutely fantastic, though! It's told through short, sparse scenes that illustrate everything they need to, creating an atmosphere of terseness and tension that aids the situation they're in. And yet! It's not without its humorous moments (at least two of which got irl laughs out of me) and a bucketload of feels at the end. It's about 1.5k and it's just a perfect little fic to read in the afternoon. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: you have suffered by lazulisong - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I really do enjoy understated, more subtle fics set post-Reichenbach, where you feel the grief in these characters, but there's no one specific place to point out where exactly it's told to you. And I especially enjoyed the way John's words to Mycroft here, who's come to give John Sherlock's will, have just a bit of an edge, that bit of sarcasm that's so very John Watson, while also being rather painful because you know it's filled with so much grief. Just. Ugh. So many feels. (This is gen but is also Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Ginger by she_burns1 - I was actually browsing around devART when I came across this picture of Sherlock with red hair and was curious about the fic it had come from, so I clicked on the link, followed it back, and found an utterly delightful piece about Sherlock having dyed his hair and having trouble getting it undone. Which is a fun premise, but what I really loved about this fic was the way John handled it, the amazing balance between finding it hilarious and being willing to honestly help Sherlock with not that much grief. That's the thing about their relationship that I love so much, that of course they enjoy bickering sometimes, but there's also a very real, very important relationship there and this fic does a lovely job of it, with very solid writing and dialogue. My face kind of hurt from the smiling after I was finished with this fic. :D (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Tomorrow is a Long Time by thebombardier - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I've spent a bit of time away from post-2x03 works in the few days between the recs I've written, but I decided to start in again this afternoon, choosing this one and, shit, I'm right back to feeling everything all over again. This fic ached while I read, all four chapters of it were painful and understated in their suffering, making it all the better, fitting with the series so very well. The first and final chapters are the worse, the beginning of the separation and then the reunion, the freshness of the wounds all over again. The writer does a gorgeous job of keeping an undercurrent to a fic, making you feel it along with the characters, rather than straight out telling the reader, so by the time the resolution came, it was nearly a physical thing for me. Though, it says it's 4/6 chapters, so there should be two more and I'm curious to see where they go. As it stands, though, the first four chapters were wonderful. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Your Heart is a Weapon the Size of Your Fist by moonblossom - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I'll admit that I thought this fic was a little too... it felt like its focus was a bit too wide for the length of the fic (that it would have been better to narrow its timeframe down a bit or to fill in the reunion details more) but that's a small quibble and I gather that this fic was about working out some writing issues from the author. Taken in that light, I can appreciate it for what it is and enjoy that the beginning especially really made me ache for John's character and I liked that John's reaction was one I hadn't yet seen much of in fandom, despite how many post-2x03 fics I've read. I'm very glad I picked this one up and would like to see more from this author. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Sentiment by bodysnatch3r - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I usually prefer a bit more of a sparse sort of writing in this fandom, so the imagery in this fic didn't hit me as hard as it might with others, but I still found myself unable to put this fic down, the surprising... not quite calm, but almost something like the eye of a storm, after Sherlock comes back and John sees him again for the first time, the way the author writes an intimacy of that moment, all of that really worked for me. The ending was really lovely as well, making my heart hurt all over again. (Sherlock/John.)

- Okami - [ Pixiv Account ] - I was browsing the Okami tag and came across this fan comic of little baby Waka landing in Nippon and the absolutely stunning art in it and meeting Shiranui and being a tiny little thing and a;sdlkfjalskj all of these feelings just exploded everywhere in me. It's a 38-page thing, a complete doujinshi by itself pretty much, and I would have recommended the artist's account just for this one alone, because it's so perfect. But there's also a beautiful wallpaper style image and several more comics and, oh, man, do I want endless amounts of art from this one! The art is beautiful and really looks detailed and professional--the kind of artist that I would love to see have some actual manga because everything looks so pretty in it. And, okay, sure, I mostly came to this artist for Waka and Amaterasu, but the Issun-centric comic also just got me, too. (No warnings/pairings.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - I probably shouldn't be justifying a rec for a seven-page comic, but--! I really love it and the art is really fantastic and it hit all the right buttons with me, so, screw you guys, I loved it. You can find the first seven pages of Winter's Solace in the artist's Sherlock gallery and I'll warn that the most recent page was back in June of 2011, but I like what's here so far. Sherlock pushing myself beyond his limitations and getting sick, so John practically has to sit on him to get him to stop for a minute and, yes. Yes, please. That is a thing I greatly enjoy. I also like the art and the level of detail in each page, I like that this could have been a tie-in comic that was put out for the show and, of course, I definitely wish the artist had done more of it. XD Also, there's Sherlock Holmes content mixed in with the Sherlock art, but they're pretty easy to tell apart. (Leaning towards Sherlock/John, I'd say.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - Goddammit. I meant to clear out some of my tabs and then go read fic this afternoon. Instead, I find myself sucked back into more Sherlock fanart because this artist drew the young Holmes brothers and Sherlock and genderswapped Sherlock and Sherlock/John makeouts on the sofa. They have a very messy sort of style that may not work for everyone, but I found it interesting and I liked the sense of everything being so goddamned tall and messy on Sherlock, which worked well here. (Sherlock/John.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/184128.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 12 fic, 10 fanart

tomomichi — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:17:17 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - Sherlock and John up against a wall, not actually doing anything but, oh, intimacy and heartbreak. With bonus fic links in the comment field! But, oh, look actual kissing! Clearly, I am ready for kissing times with Sherlock/John now. I knew it was only a matter of time.
ღ - Harry Potter and Sherlock crossover that is ridiculously cute. And, eeeeee!, BABIES!!
ღ - Sherlock minis are adorable!
ღ - Sherlock borrowing John's phone in the most obnoxious and adorable way possible.
ღ - The Sherlock version of corny Valentine's.
ღ - "My brother has the brain of a scientist or a philosopher, yet he elects to be a detective. But, initially, he wanted to be a pirate." (Mycroft Homes)
ღ - I like this style. Also, Sherlock's face. And this one. Oh, goddammit, more faces! ....and Christmas.
ღ - Two Sherlocks and I don't normally get so into genderswap in this fandom, but fuck if this fandom isn't making it pretty awesome.
ღ - Oh, jeez, COLORSSS. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - The wizard and the knight. Ugh, fuck you guys, I love fantasty stuff. And more magic-using!Sherlock.
ღ - I really like these sketches of all the genderswapped Sherlock characters. This one is pretty hot, too.
ღ - I seriously burst out laughing at this reference to a scene from The Baskerville Hounds because, oh, shit, that is my new headcanon for that scene.
ღ - This would be hilaramazing if it were to ever happen. A slightly more serious version.
ღ - Sherlock and John playing Clue, yes.
ღ - I have yet to tire of the jelly joke.
ღ - YUP, MORE KITTY EARS BECAUSE FUCK YOU ALL THAT'S WHY.
ღ - You know what else isn't getting old? The comparisons to sheep. Not the funniest (the one where John mistook the sheep for Sherlock while Sherlock was like "....." with a beautiful wtf look on his face was the funniest) but very pretty!
ღ - OH MY GOD ALPACA SHERLOCK AND CORGI JOHN AND THE NOISES I JUST MADE.
ღ - NO. STOP IT. THIS IS TOO MUCH CUTE, I CAN'T HANDLE THE CUTE SWEATERS. (Also, lol.)
ღ - Oh, look, more Harry Potter art with Sherlock and John.

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Parks and Recreation - 2 Fanfics
Sailor Moon - 1 Fanfic
Sherlock - 9 Fanfics
Katekyou Hitman REBORN! - 1 Fanart
Sherlock - 9 Fanart

Parks and Recreation: A Well Respected Man by Hoshigatta - I'm not sure what made me decide to look up P&R fic this afternoon, but whatever the reason! I'm glad I did, because this is a really great Ben piece, six scenes of his life, both before and during his time in Pawnee, six things he doesn't talk about. And it does such a great job of capturing Ben, his life, and his feelings, especially towards Leslie. As much as I love the characters by themselves (and, oh, I do), Ben/Leslie is one of those ships that just instantly drew me in and I love it so much from both sides. And I love the history for Ben here, it fits with his character so very well. (Ben/Leslie.)

Parks and Recreation: Can't Seem to Wipe This Smile Off My Face by rose_griffes - Any fic that begins with the summary [ Making out at the movies. Because apparently they're fifteen now. Not that he had made out at the movies when he was fifteen. ] I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy. And, boy, did I! It's such a delightful piece, for the way Ben looks at Leslie, for the joy that they both feel when they're around each other, the silliness that they can't help when they're together because they're just kind of... giddy with how much they like each other. The author also did a wonderful job of making me laugh (especially at the end!) with how... how very P&R it was at times. (Ben/Leslie.)

Sailor Moon: Like Shooting Stars by sugar_fey - I really liked this one. Despite the feeling that most of the Sailor Senshi express in the rightness of discovering their Sailor Senshi selves, surely, there have to be times when they hate the burden this places on them as well. The flashes of Michiru's childhood, the way everything about her here is graceful and elegant, the way she wonders, almost dreamily, but with real emotion underneath it, it's all lovely. I really love the way she and Haruka talk to each other here and the subtle quality of everything just fits with these characters. This is one of those fics that really intrigues me about these people and their lives! (Michiru/Haruka.)

Sherlock: The Uncanny Mrs. Hudson by kay_cricketed - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] Mrs Hudson knew precisely what kind of person she was offering tea to. The assassin, however, did not know what she'd added to the tea. Oh, this was fun! I liked that the author kept Mrs. Hudson's voice down really well, it made it a lot easier to picture this, and I loved it for drawing on a few little details from canon (like her husband being a murderer, so of course she was hardly a stranger to these things) and the brief touches on her friendship with Sherlock were lovely as well. :D (No warnings/pairings.)

Sherlock: Full English by kay_cricketed - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] When I read the beginning of this fic, I briefly wondered at John's reactions, how they fit together with what I saw in the character, but... as the fic rolled along, I quickly felt the emotion under the surface and the author does a beautiful job of writing him. It's such a heartbreaking piece in a very quiet, subtle way that I have trouble putting my finger on, the sense of something very not quite right here. And then the ending. Oh, feelings. Sob. (This is gen, but you could read Sherlock/John into it.)

Sherlock: Mirrors ihavebeensherlocked (ckasjfbfksbj) - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This story is short and it isn't about resolution or reunion (of which there isn't any), it's just three short scenes, three moments after Sherlock's death that both of them live through. It's about living through grief and being tired (for John and then Sherlock respectively) and it's about the experience of that. And, of course, depressing the hell out of me. (This is gen, but you could read it as Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: The Second Law of Thermodynamics by entanglednow - I know, I know, I should be reading post-The Reichenbach Fall fic! But, sorry, I had to stop for this one because there was a delightful summary [ In which there's no heating and there's a dead owl in Sherlock's bed. ] and even more delightful writing! There is bed sharing and quite possibly my favorite bit of banter from Sherlock: "You could take a wild stab at it," John offers. "John, if I just made wild stabs at things I'd be Wikipedia," Sherlock protests. I laughed pretty much forever at that! The fic does a marvelous job of balancing all the tropes that I picked it up for and actually making a really excellent dynamic between Sherlock and John, playing with the possible asexual nature of Sherlock's character and yet whatever it is between them. All in a very Sherlock sort of way. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: The Art of Negotiation by entanglednow - [Note: This is the second in a series, it would greatly help to have read the previous one first.] The second fic in this series is just as delightful as the first, because the perfect banter between the characters continues, but the relationship also progresses at a pace that fit perfectly with what I wanted out of them! The second piece is also set from John's point of view, which is a good story choice, because he's the one that needs to adjust to the idea of whatever this is between them progressing into whatever it's going to become, getting him to slowly come around. The author also does a fantastic job of getting Sherlock and John to share a bed for a second time while justifying it in a believable way to these characters! So, you know, progressing relationship + amazing banter + more bed sharing = why, thank you, fandom! (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: The Definition of Insanity by entanglednow - [Note: This is the third in a series, it would greatly help to have read the previous ones first.] This fic contains the best description of John venturing into Sherlock's room (for reasons) for the first time: The first thing he notices is that the room looks like an explosion of information. Like Google threw up everywhere halfway through a search. I may have lost it for a bit at that. Which is one of my favorite things about this series, that the banter and even the descriptions are just so sharp and perfect! But, also, everything about the previous two fics holds true for this one as well--it's interesting on its own, for the pitch-perfect dynamic between them, but it's even more fascinating as part of a series that progresses the relationship between the characters. One of my favorite things about this specific story is Sherlock being cold in a way that's not overstated, that's subtle, and perfectly in character, that you have to reason out the why for yourself, because it's not directly stated. Showing, not telling! Sherlock being so... Sherlock in what are and aren't his motivations! What does John get out of this arrangement because, no, it's not all about Sherlock! All delicious, delicious things. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: The Rules by entanglednow - [Note: This is the fourth in a series, it would greatly help to have read the previous ones first.] And, then, finally, the conculsion! I was a bit wary of reading this because the previous fics had balanced Sherlock's possibly asexual nature with the growing physical aspect of their relationship very well, but this needed resolution at the same time, and I often enjoy the build-up more than I enjoy the resolution in Sherlock/John fics. But I actually really, greatly enjoyed this final piece, it fit with everything the author had built up to that point, for both characters, and the way they worked it out... worked for these two characters in this specific relationship in this fic. But also I just love this author's version of both characters, such amazingly pitch-perfect dialogue and John's thoughts are amazing and Sherlock is just so terribly clever and I love, love, love that there's background stuff going on (with Sherlock texting various people) that John doesn't really know that much about, nor does he really want to, and that just-- just lets this fic feel even more in line with what I wanted from it! Ugh, I'm only sorry I've finished it now. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Out of Sight by mazarin221b - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] Sometimes I just need happier, fluffier pieces. Sometimes I just need things to not be totally soul crushing. Not that it's not heartbreaking in its own way, because it is still about dealing with John's grief and about him starting to get over it and then Sherlock popping back up in his life, but it's not a fic that... it's not a fic that lingers on the hurt so much as it focuses on the getting better and the reunion. ....I think I'm saying this badly. But I did very much enjoy the fic and I'm glad to have stumbled over it! (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Sally's Choice by marysutherland - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This fic is very short (221 words exactly ♥) and ends abruptly when I think it should have been a bit tweaked at the end, but! What I really loved this piece for was giving some perspective to Sally Donovan's point of view and explaining her actions, giving a depth and shades of grey to her that the canon itself couldn't, but I'm sure was there. I can easily see this for her. (No warnings/pairings.)

- Katekyou Hitman REBORN! - [ deviantART Account ] - I was actually looking for Sherlock and Naruto art this afternoon, but stumbled over an image or two from this artist and was instantly looked. What I love about this artist is twofold--one, the the style of the characters reflects Amano's art really, really well! The colors are shinier and more vivid, but the style works well with the canon look. Second! Dino/Hibari, Dino/Hibari, and Dino without a shirt on. This artist does beautiful work and knows how to get straight to my fangirl heart! I also appreciated the occasional piece of other characters, like Byakuran or Mukuro--but I was definitely mostly here for the beautifully done and beautifully colored Dino, Hibaru, and D18. *__* (Some gen, some Dino/Hibari.)

&nbps; - Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - I came across this artist via the John in Afghnistan piece, but quickly moved on to the up against the wall piece and the absolutely delightful Harry Potter crossover and then there was the young John and Sherlock piece and well. By the time I got to kissing times and BATHTUB SHARING (there should be bathtub sharing in every fandom ever), I was pretty well gone on this artist. It's a cute style, it's solid and fun, with a lot of touching between the characters and some of that kind of picture where I just... there aren't normal people sorts of noises anymore, it's those dolphin squeak sort of noises that fly straight past mere incoherency and into some weird new level of i can't even. ....shut up, I realize how that sounds, but this artist's style hit me just right for this fandom! (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - [Note: There's at least one spoilery post-The Reichenbach Fall image here, so be careful when browsing!] I honestly meant to just lightly browse this artist and move along (because I had nearly a hundred tabs waiting for me) but I kept stumbling over things like this one. And this one! And then Christmas adorableness! And, finally, a series of sketches that include Sherlock holding an umbrella over the both of them and John sleeping on Sherlock's shoulder and faaaaces and, shit, I was pretty well done for. And post-The Reichenbach Fall feelings all over the fucking place. I really enjoyed so many of this artist's pieces and I loved the clean lines and colors and so much hilarity (in the final one with Sherlock and John squeezed together, c-r-y-i-n-g now) and just... so much fun here!! I can hardly write a coherent rec for this artist because I was too busy greedily inhaling each next piece in the gallery. :D (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - So often, there's a handful that make me weak and then one that just makes me totally cave. It's a cumulative thing and, fuck you, I love artists that have a bunch of art that slowly chip away at me because that usually means, bawwww, feelings! And, fuck you, I'm weak towards things like Sherlock and John sharing an umbrella or chibis for Christmas where Sherlock is playing the violin and John is wearing an amazing sweater and the skull has a Santa hat on. And there's adorable Molly art! I'm not sure the anime-esque style is going to be for everyone, but I'm perfectly at home in the style, so Sherlock and his violin and Sherlock etc. in Hogwarts are like delicious candy to me. :D (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - Goddammit! I told myself, OKAY, NO MORE SHERLOCK FANART RECS, YOU ARE HERE FOR THE ART, but then this fucking artist comes out with this piece of Sherlock falling backwards and John jumping after him and, fuck, I'm gone. And then she followed it up with the single most hilarious genderswapped Sherlock cast bit (oh god the ending, I laughed so hard) that's also super pretty! Or! Kidlet Sherlock with Mycroft, so adorable! And I know I should be ashamed of enjoying princess style carrying but, fuck you, those colors are gorgeous and omg starsssss. I guess that's what I love about fanart, the way it makes me feel all these really intense feelings over things, even if it's rage that the artist is making me feel all squishy inside because their stuff is cute as hell and I love it so much. p.s. fuck you, this is adorable to the point I can hardly stand it. (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - No, seriously, fuck this fucking fandom! Why are you doing this to me?? I had shit to do! Instead, I am cooing like you wouldn't fucking believe over John falling asleep in his chair while Sherlock gently touches his face and knowing that I have no fucking dignity anymore. Or Sherlock leaning on John after the first season. Or sexytimes. I really like the artist's style (it's sort of manga-esque, so of course I do) because her lines are clean and sharp and lovely, but also she knows how to draw a pose and doesn't shy away from intense hugging, which is the entire reason I go for fanart. I feel all these feelings while looking at the art, I want to go find more more more more because it gives me that high on these characters that I crave so much and just... makes me fall in love all over again. I eat this stuff up like I can't even say. *__* (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - No, really, I honestly tried to stop myself! (No, I didn't.) But, COME ON. Alpaca!Sherlock and Corgi!John is the greatest fucking thing I saw all day! And this piece is AMAZING and I WOULD READ THAT FIC, HOLY SHIT, it would be hilarious! And then there's bed sharing! And then there's sexy hugging time! And, when I've picked out about five pieces I want to share and I'm not even done going through the gallery, well, that's when I know I'm having a shitload of intense feelings and that, of course, I'm going to wind up recommending the artist. I really enjoy her work a lot and she also rewards me with hilarious crossovers. (No, wait, this crossover is even better--!) I could hardly ask for anything more! ♥ (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - I suspect this artist's style isn't going to appeal to everyone, at least not unless you've got a strong background in manga fandoms, but if you're like me... well, you love this kind of style, like it could have come straight out of a manga or doujinshi. I was first attracted to this artist's work through the Sherlock and Doctor Who piece that I thought was super cute, but then there was Sherlock in the guard uniform and almost kissing and neat poster-style images for episodes and, ugh, so many feelings for The Reichenbach Fall (which is vaguely SPOILERY for 2x03) and I just... quietly (or maybe not so quietly) came away from this artist's work that much more in love with fandom again. Because I love this kind of thing. (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - I have broken through to the other side of my new addiction to Sherlock fanart and made my peace with it. But, then, it's a lot easier to accept my addiction when it provides me with things like Sunday Crosswords in bed that I would seriously read fic for because that would be amazing and hilarious. Or when it provides me with almost kisses and then more almost kisses and then some really lovely colors as Sherlock and John sit back to back to each other. There's not a ton of art here, but I really enjoyed what the artist had up, I really liked the colors and style of these pieces, and I am at peace with myself. For now. :D (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - [Note: There will be one or two slightly spoilery images for The Reichenbach Fall on this account and in this rec.] I was going along, enjoying this artist's work, liking the clean lines and airy feel to the art, when I got to Wake up, Sherlock, where John is leaning over Sherlock, trying to kiss him awake and crying, and I was just, "....why would you do that?" and then tried not to cry oceans of tears. But then there's also John with black wings and John sleeping while Sherlock peers at him and the two of them handcuffed together and eventually I was pretty much just, "fuck, I give already!" and caved. (Sherlock/John, Mycroft/Lestrade.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/184047.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D

RECS: 10 fic, 5 fanart

tomomichi — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:40:11 GMT

SHARING TIME:
ღ - There will be a lot of SHERLOCK SPOILERS on this post! I mark everything as best I can, but you'll have to scroll carefully.
ღ - Sherlock/Alice: Madness Returns in a beautiful flash animation!
ღ - Mild spoilers for The Reichenbach Fall, but this Sherlock art piece is beautiful, too.
ღ - Oh, okay. More feelings.
ღ - Yeah, okay, gross sobbing right about now. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - Also awesome is Sherlock and John, poster-style.
ღ - Oh, feelings.
ღ - No, no, why would you do this? Why would you hurt me like this? Sob, I love you. (SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall.)
ღ - I was trying to stop linking all these in the sharing section, but goddamn. Vampire!Sherlock and Werewolf!John and then--AND THEN Sherlock/John cuddling, holy shit, I'm done, just leave me here to die of feelings.
ღ - Also, I can't leave out more girl Sherlock art because this is a trend I approve of, given how SUPER HOT lady Sherlock is, too.
ღ - If I start a tumblr just for Sherlock things (which I'm not going to do, because I would just abandon it in three months), I am seriously going to choke something. There's just so many feelings on tumblr, though! And so much amazing fanart!
ღ - To borrow from tumblr again for a moment, there is a post that I feel is the best GPOY I can make:

AND ONTO THE RECS:
Sherlock - 9 Fanfics
Star Wars - 1 Fanfic
Harry Potter - 1 Fanart
Sherlock - 4 Fanart

Sherlock: Alone with Your Ghost by ihavebeensherlocked (ckasjfbfksbj) - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] To be fair to me, I have just spent a lot of time browsing devART and tumblr for all things Sherlock-related, which has put me in a bit of an emotional tizzy. So, when I'm in that frame of mine, a fic like this coming along to nearly get my eyes a little misty, well, certainly that's not my fault. Nope, not at all. I was a little hesitant about John's reaction to seeing Sherlock again, but I kept reading as the scene unfolded, going the way I feared, building and building, until there was this burst of feelings like a dam being broken open and, for all that this was a very short piece, I found it very satisfying to read. It's not about the plotful details, it's about the lovely writing and heartwrenching hurt they're both going through. Though, of course, now I want more. (This could be gen, but it could be Sherlock/John, too.)

Sherlock: Add, Rinse, Repeat by medie - I wasn't sure what to make of the pairing here, a threesome with Sherlock and John and Mary, since (at the time of this fic and this rec) we haven't been introduced to her yet, but I decided to give it a whirl anyway. And this version of Mary in the BBCSherlock world is so much fun, I love how much life is breathed into her here, how much fun she has with these two, how she fits right in. I really enjoyed that this was a series of scenes of Mary bailing Sherlock and John out, each time a little more loopy than the last, and it's just. One of those perfect montages like the series has done before. Delightful! (Sherlock/John/Mary.)

Sherlock: Make Believe by Melandria - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This is a Molly piece, set post-The Reichenbach Fall and I did feel like perhaps it was a touch angstier than need be on Sherlock's part, but the focus of the fic wasn't really on that, it was on Molly's view of the whole situation, and that was absolutely lovely. This Molly, who has desperately wished for Sherlock to notice her, to see her, who has always wished for certain things and, yet, is still strong of character, she's absolutely fantastic. The way she doesn't really understand why it's John Watson of all people, someone so ordinary that captures Sherlock's heart, yet it's not about blaming him or being angry with him, she just doesn't know John like she knows Sherlock, it's also beautifully done. There's a lot of emotion in this piece and I find myself appreciating Molly's character all over again. (Sherlock/John, but it's only sort of the point.)

Sherlock: Acceptable Risk by astolat - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I have read a handful of fics now that are about the reunion post-2x03 and they've all been very satisfying. But what this one did was very interesting--it wasn't about the initial reunion, it skips over it alltogether, instead it's about a slower process of winning John back over, after the initial burst of anger becomes more of a slow sizzle again. And it was so satisfying to have to see Sherlock work at it here, to have his brain working overtime to try to fix things, not really quite getting all of this emotional stuff, so much frustration and insults on his part, yet so much desperation to get John to come back with him. It's satisfying because, as much as the audience may or may not understand Sherlock's reasons, there is going to be a lot of hurt there and it's always nice to see Sherlock actually having to pay attention to what John is going through instead of the other way around. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Hidden Inside My Head by guns_and_poses - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] There are moments in this fic when it starts to slide towards being a little too over the top or silly, but... then the author follows it up with Sherlock pulling himself out of his thoughts (as the summary is: Five ways Sherlock imagined his and John's reunion to be, and the one way it actually went down.) and manages to justify it. I think that's a lot of what I wound up really appreciating about this fic, that it was satisfying for giving multiple reunion scenarios, and then... I found myself rather liking the actual final (real) one for being a rather mixed bag. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Minds Like Ours Dream Up by BlackEyedGirl - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I'm not sure I really even know how to properly write a rec for this fic, because I feel like there's so much I want to say about it, seeing as it's probably the most satisfying post-2x03 fic I've read yet. And, by 'satisfying', of course I mean that it ate my tears like they were delicious candy. This fic is beautifully written and it did something that was achingly brilliant--it conveyed Sherlock's presence without him stepping foot into any given scene, without leaving anything tangible behind. The scenes where John just feels him in his place, the nocturnal visits that you never really know if they're real or phantom, this author did masterfully. But it's also about John not being able to let go, the way he digs in and working on cases, the feel of emptiness that permeates everything even as life goes on. But it also has a satsifying ending and is one of the few I've found (so far!) that shows the Yard's reactions a bit, too! Excellent, excellent piece. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Reignite by augustbird - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] I did not realize that I needed this fic until I started reading it! I was a little wary of it at first--after Reichenbach, there's a falling out, John and Mary have a kid, Mary dies, John's in dire straits and needs to move back in with Sherlock, which prompts Sherlock and the kid getting on surprisingly well--but the writer is so good that I was sold rather quickly. It's that perfect blend of everything I wanted, especially that John has to have some time taken to really forgive Sherlock. And then there's bonus domesticity without being cliche, but instead it's so heartbreakingly sweet and I adore the way the kid was woven into the story, and so much of this just felt so very genuine to me. I also, um, may have gotten a bit misty by the end. Quite possibly my favorite of the spree I went on tonight. (Sherlock/John, background John/Mary.)

Sherlock: hours before midnight by augustbird - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] This fic is several small scenes strung together, several moments in the days just after the second season finale, and the way the author writes is beautiful. John's grief isn't overdone, it's almost subtle in a way, but it's in absolutely every word of this fic, it's so tightly wound that it hurt a little just to read. There are moments that are like being sucker punched all over again--particularly the moment with the phone, you'll know it when you get there--but, oh, the feelings the ending gave me. Beautiful. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Tremolo by what_alchemy - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec.] The language of this piece is so very beautiful. The summary is a good quote from the fic as well: Regular people, normal people, people like good, warm, tea-making, hair-stroking John, they have visible pulses, pulses that slow and quicken, pulses tied to their emotions and their brains and their life forces. Pulses attached to whatever animates them. Sherlock has no such time-keeping. If you're a little confused about a third of the way into the fic, keep going, the author slowly unveils what she's doing here and it's this gorgeous progress of Sherlock becoming a real person with real emotions and a real heart, both before and after Reichenbach. The Pinocchio aspect of this piece is gorgeously done, I really wound up loving this piece. (Sherlock/John.)

Sherlock: Dismantle the Sun by what_alchemy - [Note: There are SPOILERS for The Reichenbach Fall in this fic and this rec. This is also a sequel to Tremolo and that one absolutely needs to be read first.] Everything I said about the first one--the Pinocchio theme, the progress of Sherlock, the gorgeous writing--all continues here. This is the second part of the series and it expands the viewpoints of characters, especially to John during his grieving post-Reichenbach, and it's almost ugly to watch at times, much like real grief is. He's so angry and self-destructive that it was painful, but, oh, another satisfying reunion and a killer ending. I could hardly ask for more from this sequel. (Sherlock/John.)

Star Wars: The Scourge and the Sword by Carmarthen - There is one thing I will still go back to Star Wars fandom for: Leia and Vader fic. This is a short piece, but it's a fascinating one, a moment from her childhood when she's brave enough to directly ask Lord Vader for help and something in him isn't entirely rotten. The writing is lovely and I really liked how well this characterized both of them and, oh, all the feelings I have for neither of them knowing their relation to each other. (No warnings/pairings.)

- Harry Potter - [ deviantART Account ] - I don't even remember how I first stumbled over this artist's work, but I was immediately attracted to the James and Lily gallery because I still have such a dear soft spot for the two of them. And this artist does some fantastic art of the two of them, some of them just lovely pieces in the snow or adorable teasing each other as they study or MOAR SNOW or wrestling around in the snow (I'm weak to snow, shut up!) or Lily is beautiful when she's angry or a beautiful gif or a beautiful one of them in bed together and, yes, all those links were necessary because that's what this artist does to me, they get at that squeeful shipper part of me. I love the warm, beautiful colors the artist uses and I love the (forgive the turn of phrase) magic you can just feel between these two and you can see why Harry Potter was such a popular fandom when you see how much fun this is. Plus, I just really always love James/Lily and this artist captures that feeling for me. ♥ (James/Lily, half gen/other as well.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - [Note: I will avoid them in this post, but there are some images in this gallery that are SPOILERY for The Reichenbach Fall.] This artist had two pieces that really just completely hooked me in. An Alice: Madness Returns flash animation piece that was gorgeous and a season two cast image piece (no real spoilers) where I just utterly loved the colors of it. The whole gallery is a lot of fun to go through, lots of crossovers or fusions or interesting concepts for pieces, some adorable or exciting, some absolutely heartbreaking, but all of it very interesting and very cool to look at. Also, there's young Sherlock, which, yes, thank you. (It's about on the level of canon, for everything.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - I guess I'm in a mood for art this afternoon. I stumbled over Sherlock and John tangled up together and clasping hands and the intimacy of it got me as much as it was a lovely drawn piece. And then the artist followed it up with Sherlock in a suit that was kind of super hot. And then there was tango dancing and I want to be strong, but, oh, jesus, that hit me right in the fangirl heart. So, this was a fun account to wander my way through this afternoon and it definitely gave me that much more of an urge to find All The Sherlock Things. (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - There's less than ten images to this artist's account, but! Cozy spring mornings and happy forehead touching and not quite kissing in the kitchen all conspired against me to give me tremendous amounts of feelings, so I'm hardly going to pass this one by. I really needed something joyful and bright and happy, which this artist delivered to me wonderfully. ♥ (Sherlock/John.)

- Sherlock - [ deviantART Account ] - I swore that I was only going to do a few art recs, then I would be done. Just... a little more browsing on devART, just to put a few more faves in my folder... and then I found Victorian Sherlock and then Sherlock with CAT EARS and, holy shit, it was only spiralling off into the distance at that point. I am all the fuck over an artist like this, who does this really beautiful colors and this amazing style and makes the art look like watercolors, but also who gives me Sherlock and Mycroft in Chinese clothing. I hit the fave button so fast oh my god. But also pirates!!! But also miniatures and giant hourglasses! Ahhh, this was fun. (John/Sherlock.)

This entry was originally posted at http://tomomichi.dreamwidth.org/183772.html. I'm fine with comments here or there, whichever. :D