#cs rec

[ohmightydevviepuu]

fanbinding: the reason birds can fly

the story: the reason birds can fly by philthestone

genuinely i sometimes wonder if i am the only person who has read this little gem of a fic. canon-divergent post-s5 finale and an absolute delight of absurdity and ... reality from Henry Mills' POV as he heads to college after everything he has survived.

the binding: sewn boards paperback legal quarto. designed to look like an american school kid's composition notebook. took me ages to line up the notebook lines and then they didn't print that way so i had to trim it pretty much by hand using a guillotine. speckle design from stock imagery printed on sparkle HTV. modified spine with bookcloth, no backing, to give it that rounded feeling. in retrospect, i might have made a few different choices; if i ever print it again i might try black kraft paper with white sparkle HTV so the feeling of negative space is different. but this bind has been in progress over a year and i'm happy just to be holding it in my hand.

yes, the first page is on the wrong page. yes, i (mostly) did that on purpose. lol.

[ultimatelyre]

CAPRI OFFICE AU / ficrec part II

For all your inappropriate workplace LAMEN needs ;)

Favourite -- 💕 Smut -- $ minors DNI Incomplete -- ***

Boss Damen

End of day $💕 Perfection. The best combo of soft and sultry. Would also recommend: Receipts and reciprocity by same author (sugar baby Laurent w age diff)

HR! I wanna complain about your boyfriend! by me! hehe i tried a thing Nicaise has had enough of Damen chickening out of asking Laurent out on a date so he takes things in his own hands

Coming to terms $ Multichapter

Made for the job $$$ Pure smut, very much feminized Laurent

New bitch $$ *** sugar baby/PA Laurent

Boss Laurent

Boiling the ocean series $$$💕 I don't like explicit smut usually but I loved the dynamics and the pure sexual tension in here

Expensive pet is live $$$ surprisingly adorable, camboy & boss Laurent, both of them whipped for the other

The most wonderful time Secret Santa, this should actually be in fluff/crack section

Come hell or high water $$$ the author is a capri smut cult fav i think

Luminous bright orange $$ This also has auguste/damen so yeah

Rival companies

just to sit outside your door $ and they were roommates lowkey, delicious setting

FLUFF and CRACK (in most of these they dont work at the same place)

Stop trying to make Lamen happen

The art of (war) proposing by @metalandmagi 💕

Have yourself a merry little Christmas 💕 Snarky Nicaise is a treat

Satellite

Costume contest by @metalandmagi Pissy, competitive laurent is always a pleasure

MISC

A suitable companion $$ I'm sure you've already read this, author is a CAPRI fic powerhouse

Ivory and Gold *** Corporate Laurent, Adoptive son Nicaise, Teacher Damen, Lots of pining

crosstalk *** based on the novel crosstalk, 2/36 chapters as of now, interested to read it

all worked up $ toys at work, they dont work together

Arles Penitentiary $💕 Prison guard Damen x prisoner Laurent, not an office AU but the power dynamics are handled similarly

Please suggest additions in comments! thank you and enjoy :D I have tagged the authors who have shared their social accounts on AO3 so pls lmk if I missed any :)

⭐ part I (popular ones) 💼part II (workplace AU) ��part III (Auguste lives & Nicaise lives) 🦾part IV (rare pairs)

art credit : Polish book cover art by the amazing @littleulvar

[hollyethecurious]

Can you add me to your tag list? Part 1 is great, can't wait for Part 2!

Of course! Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed Part 1. I am diligently working on finishing Part 2, so I hope to have it ready for y'all soon.

I also want to congratulate you on being the first person added to my 2025 Curious Crew Tag List! Each year I start over with my tag list, allowing people who may have moved on from the fandom to gracefully exit the list.

So...

Look alive, ya filthy bilge rats! It's time, once again, to sign up for me crew!

It's a clean slate for the new year, so if you'd like to be tagged in my 2025 fics/updates, then please comment on this post, send me an Ask, or slide into my DMs.

I set a writing goal for myself of an average of 300 words per day, which will give me just over 100k words this year, and believe me... I have at least that many words of ideas in me!

Just a reminder, though. I do not do individual lists for each fic. I have one tag list for all updates and new works, so if you asked to be added you'll get notifications for everything. However, you can exit the list at anytime by just shooting me an Ask (I won't post it) or a DM. No worries at all.

Finally, I have made the decision to no longer post on FanFiction.net. I'm sorry for the inconvenience this may cause for some of you, but the site has become so burdensome. Going forward, you can find my fics here on Tumblr and on AO3. I am HollyeLeigh over there.

I look forward to sharing my works with y'all. If you're curious as to what I'll be working on this year, feel free to send me an Ask. I love talking about my ideas and having it out there will keep me accountable, lol!

Thank you to those who have been with me both this past year and the years prior. Your continued support and encouragement means the world to me!

Tagging the 2024 Curious Crew so they can decide weather to come aboard.

(add to tag list)

@kmomof4 @jrob64 @zaharadessert @laianely @booksteaandtoomuchtv

@the-darkdragonfly @undercaffinatednightmare @killianxswan @mie779 @motherkatereloyshipper

@jennjenn615 @jonesfandomfanatic @anmylica @superchocovian @caught-in-the-filter

@winterbaby89 @wyntereyez @stahlop @resident-of-storybrooke @gingerchangeling

@exhaustedpirate @cocohook38 @donteattheappleshook @lfh1226-linda @teamhook

@jackieorioncat @paradiselady19 @snowbellewells @earanemith @ultraluckycatnd

@pirateherokillian @calmjoonie @unworried-corsair @tiganasummertree @captainswan-kellie

@soniccat @kday426 @djlbg @fairytalepretzkle @maggiegreenvt

@natascha-ronin @ilovemesomekillianjones @iamstartraveller776 @deckerstarblanche @shadowsaur

@qualitycoffeethings @idristardis @phoenix-untamed @bluewildcatfanatic @bananachickens

[austenwazright]

Yeah we don't know a lot but here's what we do know:

Sarcean and Anharion were into each other for a long time

Sarcean was an important member of the Sun Court

When in the parade he makes a snark commentary about how the Sun Court wins may be celebrated in the light but are all won in the dark (shady

Sarcean and the Lady had a one night stand

Sarcean and Visander also had a one night stand

The first time that Sarcean and the Lady met she's talking about the Dark General in third person but like let's be honest for a second here how many pale hot white guys with long dark heir in dark armour do you think there were walking around the Sun Palace?? Bet you she was playing dumb

When Sarcean was called back to the palace by the Lady there was mentions of a mob, I myself am very pro mob

In that same scene when she accuses him he says something like "is that what you were told?", well if that line doesn't make you believe that there's more to it I don't know what will

He wanted to be trapped and he's loyal to those who help him, but apparently his plan to getting out was being helped, bet he made it thinking anharion would be the one to do it

There's a collar that in theory takes alway anharion/james free will, even tho we were in his mind when it went on and it didn't go completely blank we have to assume it does something, what does it do??

Sarceans power is in theory control and death, and he used it the meanest way possible, or so we're told, but the Light did win and the winner always gets to write hystory so we don't actually know what's true and what isn't

He did kill everyone in the Sun Court but Visander and the Lady, even tho we don't know hes motive (I'm assuming he has one) it's still kinda drastic don't you think?

He can make weapons and use the mark but we never saw him wielding the shadows (he may be able, but also he may not be

Will has no acess to his power but he gets things done cause he's smart and charismatic, even tho they paint the dark king as someone who could only gets things done when controlling people I bet part of his powers came from those qualities as well, we've seen Will using the mark, it drains him, he couldn't possibly control everyone all the time

Sinclair presents the mark as a ceremony, as a reward, when it would be easier to just brand people by force what maybe tells us that it has to be willing

Anharion was the one to say "I will always find you" maybe the obsession goes both ways???? Besides james remember the feel of him and, as far as he let us know, it's not like bad

Now its just an hypothesis but sarcean may only be able to use his powers through objects (and yes I'm putting the reborns and the returners as objects to make a point sue me), that's the reason of the mark, and the cup, and the collar. I mean why make a fucking cup that turns people to shadow if you could just do it yk (here comes in the acceptance again, people have to be willing to drink), and like maybe, just maybe, the collar also allows james/anharion to use his magic (as in sarcean's) in a more weaponized way??? As in he can use it without draining himself, kinda borrowing it

We also know sarcean's fine as fuck, so far that has been very relevant to the plot since he fucked basically anyone of the old world we know by name

Something I keep forgetting is Will is Sarcean but hey Sarcean is also Will, and even tho we don't know a lot about the former we just spent two books in Will's head, that being said maybe Sarcean killed the whole Sun Court as some king of vengeance for someone he loved/was loyal too, that's like a super Will move

I'm gonna put this in bold letters here so no one forgets: SARCEAN IS WILL, WE'RE READING ABOUT THE SAME PERSON

"I cannot come when I'm called to fight so I'll birth a child"- or however that one goes it's been a while and I don't recor the exact words hahaha- why can't she come??? Like she can't or does she just doesn't want to?? I mean she's clearly able to send someone, she can make the returners, why not return herself??? I'm thinking that it's bad, maybe you lose part of yourself? I mean Visander didn't seen to loose anything (besides the obvious mental blow and all) so WHYYY can't she return??? The only reasonable explanation is that there's a bigger catch then we imagine

Sarcean canonicaly did no wrong, yeah, that's a big thing we know now!!!!! I just need context I just need all the context and I need it rn

More will be added

[kmomof4]

12 (Actually 13 14) Days of Captain Swan Fic Recs!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I LIED!!!!

Sorta...

As I said on Day 1 of this fic rec series, the last 13 days have featured fics that are my comfort fics that I return to over and over and over again, but they are by no means the only fics and authors I love!!! So now, I'm reccing all the other authors that I love to read. Most of these authors are still active in fandom, but many have moved on. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this (REALLY) last day of my CS Fic Rec List and also find some new to you authors!!!

So without further ado, here we go!!!

@myfearless-love @jonesfandomfanatic @searchingwardrobes @seriouslyhooked @wordsmith-storyweaver

@belovedcreation @donteattheappleshook @the-darkdragonfly @goforlaunchcee @mie779

@xarandomdreamx @ohmakemeahercules @hookedonapirate @wefoundloveunderthelight @bromfieldhall

@4getfulimaginator2022 @eddisfargo @cs-rylie @exhaustedpirate @laianely

@kazoosandfannypacks @cosette141 @lenfaz @grimmswan @shady-swan-jones

@sotangledupinit @elizabeethan @booksteaandtoomuchtv @anmylica @veryverynotgoodwrites

@undercaffinatednightmare @motherkatereloyshipper @flslp87 @shireness-says @welllpthisishappening

@thesschesthair @pocket-anon @doodlelolly0910 @demisexualemmaswan @courtorderedcake

@ilovemesomekillianjones @duathadun @iamstartraveller776 @cocohook38 @kazoo5480

@stahlop @pirateherokillian @alexandralyman @everything-person @let-it-raines

@xerxes-rises @gingerchangeling @gingerpolyglot @snidgetsafan @teamhook

@sailtoafarawayland @apiratewhopines @nachocheese-itsmycheese @justanother-unluckysoul @resident-of-storybrooke

@branlovestowrite @ohmightydevviepuu @swanslieutenant @beckettj @deckerstarblanche

@darkcolinodonorgasm @laschatzi @singingisfun @qqueenofhades @wyntereyez @caught-in-the-filter

And that is all I've got!! Merry Christmas everyone!!! For real this time!!!

[laur-the-cat-prince]

more sketches inspired by this fic. T-T

[snowbellewells]

🎃~A Little Bit Spooky Seasonal Rec List ~🎃

Hello there!  Seeing as it’s nearly Halloween, I thought I would post this themed list of fics I absolutely love that fit the season of thrills and chills, or have at least a hint of the supernatural about them. (Most do anyway, there are a couple that are just full of fall things and autumn coziness.) This is by no means extensive - no matter how much I read, I’m sure I’ll never catch all of the amazing stories our Ouat/CS fandom has to offer!! Still, here’s hoping folks may find a few "new to them" favorites for the season! Enjoy!!

**I originally made this list in 2020, so none have been taken away but more have been added in since that time.**

In no particular order...

“High Spirits” by: ReaperWriter  This story is older, but it features Emma as a former detective forced into early retirement and Killian as a medium (of sorts?). They end up investigating the rumored haunting of an old manor house in Louisiana. Thrills and chills, genuine bittersweetness and melancholy, and emotional connection ensue.  13 Chapters, Complete

“Of Dreams and Darkness” by: @oubliette14  This one is another I’ve know about for some time, and read and re-read more than once. It reminds me a little bit of the monster mash-up movie Van Helsing (though I actually like it more than that) and has Emma and Killian as vampire hunters, teaming up to take on the worst monster either has tackled yet... Long oneshot, Complete 

“Things That Go Bump” by: @brooke-to-broch  This is just a fun, festive CS celebrating Halloween in their own home with all the hilarity involved in including their friends and family - with a bit of spicy goodness between just the two of them thrown in for good measure.  Oneshot, Complete

"Into the Light", "Hotel Neverland", "The Moon...Tells the Sea", "In the Viper's Den" and "Return to Me" by: @kmomof4 It will be clear if a person has read any of these offerings already that Krystal has a knack for the vampire fics in particular, her previous @cssns event offerings "Into the Light" and "Return to Me" are just my favorite examples of that. "Hotel Neverland" and "The Moon...Tells the Sea" also contain elements of the spooky or supernatural, but just very unique and unforgettable twists that you definitely shouldn't miss. "In the Viper's Den" isn't spooky or Halloween-themed, but it does have an autumnal feel to me for some reason. It's also one of my favorites of Krystal's stories, period. So there's that too. Various Lengths, all Complete

“An American Haunting” by @welllpthisishappening I just LOVE this story. I think it was around Halloween last year that I discovered it, and I think it’s one of my favorite of Laura’s stories that I’ve read. Emma, Killian (and several other familiar OuaT faces) work at an American historical park of sorts, and though technically “just friends” pine for each other all the while. Then, one of the historical stories comes a lot closer to their present than ought to be possible, and they just might be fighting for each other’s lives...  Two Shot, Complete

“Hope is the Thing with Feathers”, “Blackbird”, “Scarborough Fair”,  and “Ivory Runs Red” by @searchingwardrobes These are some of my favorites of Melanie’s (and that’s saying something, because each new thing she posts tends to become my “new favorite” for a bit!) At any rate, these offerings all have a bit of the supernatural or spooky to them, or they just feel like they should happen in Fall. There is some lovely CaptainCobra and CaptainBook brotp in a few of these too, along with the stellar CS writing.  Various Lengths, All Complete except “Scarborough” which is a WIP.

"Ghosted" by: @jrob64 This story was Joni's offering for the @cssns23 event - and wow, was it a doozy!! It has just the right balance of spine-tingling evil ghost/spirit haunting from a properly awful Neal, and yet sweetness and trust building throughout between Killian (as a ghost hunter of sorts) and Emma (as the woman next door being haunted by her ex). Not only that, but there is lovely support from Will and Belle as Killian's team (and a potential couple in their own right). I don't want to spoil any of the thrills and chills, but if you missed this as it was posting back in July and August, definitely check this one out!! 5 Chapters, Complete

“The Man Behind Glass” and “The Prickly Witch’s Guide to Magic” both by: @shireness-says  I do believe that both of these stories were written for the first @cssns event over two years ago now.  I love both of them so much - you really can’t go wrong in checking either of them out! One features Killian as a centuries-old pirate trapped within a mirror and discovered by one little boy with a heart full of belief, and the Prickly Witch fic is a great group friendship fic as well as CS - AND it has some heartwarming hints of Jeweled Beauty (Liam x Belle) one of my favorite underrated things in fic!  Both long oneshots, Both Complete

“A Charm of Powerful Trouble” by: @spartanguard I really love this short MC in which Killian is hit with a potion that turns him into a huge wolf. I love the danger, adventure, angst, and of course the triumph of CS’s True Love in this one. It’s my favorite of all of Kaitlyn’s writings (and I love all of her writings!) I love how the whole Storybrooke crew joins in to support Killian and Emma in this as well. 5 Chapters, Complete

"Witchy Woman" by: @booksteaandtoomuchtv This story was originally written for the @cssns23 event, and I hung on every word while each new chapter was posting. I seriously couldn't get enough of this adventure of a star-crossed witch and vampire in love but attempting to stay apart, even as they both served their greater community, and could never quite manage to forget the love they'd shared. This one is not to be missed!! 10 Chapters, Complete

“The Halloween Gambit” and “Friends with the Monster That’s Under my Bed” both by: @zaharadessert Both of these fics are Halloween themed, written for Halloweek at some point, if I remember correctly. “Gambit” is very pirate-y and adventure themed, and I loved Killian getting to make a dashing rescue and Emma’s bravery and loyalty to him in it. “Monster Under the Bed” is a one shot and includes some of my favorite characters who are no longer living in show canon ;p  “Gambit” is 7 Chapters, Complete; “Monster” One Shot, Complete

“Saudade” by: @apiratewhopines This fic is so insanely BEAUTIFUL that I can’t even properly express how much love I have for it. I love that it fixes things which definitely should have been handled just the way @apiratewhopines​ does in this fic, I love the tribute it gives to Graham (not to mention he and Killian getting to meet and have an understanding in how they care for Emma), and I’m incredibly flattered that it was written for me! <3 If you are someone who loves to see bits of the Underworld arc handled more gracefully, or even if you just love a gorgeously written, bittersweet fic, you have to read this one!!  Two Shot, Complete

“Arm’d with Hell Flames and Fury all at Once” by @darkcolinodonorgasm This fic was written for 2019′s @pupstravaganza and features the most endearing version of a hellhound I imagine you’ll ever read about! :) Emma and Kilian, along with a few familiar friends are monster hunters fighting feelings for each other, but when their newest hunt gets tangled up in Killian’s tangled past, all bets are off...  2 Parts, Complete

"Can I Be Your Werewolf?", "Cautionary Tales" and "Safe Passage" by: @belovedcreation All of these fics by @belovedcreation are pretty new - in fact, "Safe Passage" was just posted this weekend and I read it just last night! One is a longer, chaptered werewolf modern AU which I simply adore (even if I need to go back and do a better job commenting on it!), one is a three part vampire fic, and the last is a zombie-adjacent one shot! The fact that I even braved something at all related to zombies tells you just how much I love @belovedcreation's writing. Check all of these out!! All Complete stories

“Some Legends are Best Kept as Legends” / “Varcolac” / “Ghost in the Void” by @hollyethecurious Okay, so I know you are getting three stories for the price of one here, but I couldn’t choose between them. Two of these are from @cssns events: “Some Legends...” samples a bit of Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in inspiration, but going on it’s own decidely amazing course from their with Killian as a man out of time, the myth of the Dark One, and the power of a true believer’s heart; “Varcolac” blends werewolf and vampire characters and mythology in such an interesting way for a pulse-pounding story plot and a powerful love story. “Ghost in the Void” features a ghost (as you might expect) reaching from the beyond to connect with the lonely human tenet of “his” house for a story that will absolutely stay with you.  6 Parts, Complete (Legends) / 5 Parts, Complete (Varcolac) / Oneshot, Complete (Ghost)

“a house is never still” by: @capnjay21  Honestly, I don’t even know what to say about this story, or how to describe it without giving too much away.  I could say it’s a haunted house story on the surface, but it’s SO MUCH MORE than that. It gives us a young Emma and Killian and their friends and a heartwrenching backstory to set the scene, a truly haunting and spine-tingling mystery, melancholy and loss, and wondering if it can ever be made right.  It’s just stunning - and you really should check it out for yourself instead of listen to my floundering around trying to sell it. Plus, a sequel as just begun posting!!    6 Chapters, Complete

“the very witching time” by: @profdanglaisstuff Another @cssns entry originally this story features witch!Emma and her loyal and cunning canine companion, whom she took in and treated from a traumatic injury. Little does she know how much more than a normal dog he will prove to be... ;)  Not only that, but the atmosphere, the history, and the unfolding plot in this will just sweep you up and you won’t want to stop until it’s finished.  Don’t miss it!!  6 Parts (and a connected oneshot), Complete

“break me” by: @thisonesatellite Oh my goodness! How could I not list this story?!? I still can’t get over how much I love it (when normally I would have run the other way from all the scary baddies and monsters who go ‘bump in the night’ in this fic?) It led me to all the rest of Stephanie’s writing, and I really haven’t surfaced since! ;p There are vampires, werewolves, monster hunters, monsters I didn’t even know about, and in the midst of all that two people find each other and just might be the only inspiration that can help them fight to the other side of all the odds standing against them. 12 Chapters + an epilogue, Complete

“An Education in Southern Gothic” by: @searchingwardrobes Man alive, I almost missed this one! This entry into the @cssns19 event has just the right about of thrills and chills without becoming too much for a definite chicken like me. I honestly can’t resist Killian as a teacher/professor, which Melanie gives us here, and the mystery surrounding the school, as well as the still very real threat reaching its claws into the present will make you unable to stop reading this one until you reach the end. There’s friends to love, pining, suspense, supernatural danger, both Captain Cobra and Captain Book friendship, and just everything you could want in a fic really!  Two Parts, Complete

“Magical Rings and Mystical Doughnuts” / “Storybrooke Haunted Farms” / “Life Meant Nothing Until You Used My Toothbrush” by: @let-it-raines  All three of these stories are nice one shots with some length that you can really get drawn into and honestly never want to surface from! “Mystical Doughnuts...” will always have a special spot in my heart because it was the first story of Raines’ that I discovered and it lead to a lovely commenting and chat back and forth session and all her other stories that have made me smile so many times over since then! “Storybrooke Farms” is just a fun modern AU with yes CS but all the rest of the OuaT gang involved in humorous and adorable support, and then “Life Meant Nothing...” (originally written for a @csseptembersunshine event) is one of my favorite of Raines’ MANY awesome stories. I love the cozy small town feel of it, how it’s a bit of a mash-up with Gilmore Girls, and the friendship Emma and Killian have and the way it finally becomes romantic for them as well. :)  All oneshots, All Complete

“Happily Ever After” by: @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ There’s a lovely Fall Festival setting to this modern au, starring Emma and Killian as rival bakers - with lots of chemistry cooking beyond the kitchen! It’s as sweet as the apple desserts each are vying to make the winner, and you will absolutely be grinning and giddy with enjoyment by the end. :)  Don’t miss it!!   7 Chapters, Complete

"Not All Treasure is Silver and Gold (Sometimes it's Chocolate)" by: @stahlop This lovely one shot featuring Killian, future CS children, and adorable trick or treating in Storybrooke is simply irresistible! Incredibly sweet one shot you can read in one sitting, but without the calories of Halloween candy! This one will have you smiling from ear-to-ear, trust me! :) One Shot, Complete

“How to Carve a Pumpkin (Not Yourself)” by: @thislassishooked  This story is just all the sweetness and meet cute and perfection one could pack into a fall-themed or Halloween story!  I love the way Emma and Killian find each other in this, her friends pushing her and helping the possible match along, Henry’s involvement, the artsy pumpkins, the fun and small town humor - just all of it! And - bonus - if you aren’t ready to let go of this ‘verse when you finish, there’s a Thanksgiving follow-up!  Oneshot, Complete

"Fields of Asphodel" by: @anmylica This chaptered fic takes us on a journey through 5b and the trip to the Underworld that is gripping and unforgettable. I genuinely get so excited when it updates and can't wait to see what might be coming up next. This is still a WIP in progress, but don't let that put you off. It's wonderfully well done and much more what I would have liked to have seen - much more spooky and haunting and emotionally satisfying - than canon ended up being in much of that arc. 9 Chapters, WIP

"post mortem" by: @exhaustedpirate Oh my goodness, this fic!! I can't say enough about it, and I don't quite know how to explain the plot without giving too much away, but I really do adore it and want to give it a shoutout in this post. Killian is what I might refer to as a ghost whisperer of sorts - spirits/ghosts can contact him because he can see and hear them and help them try to settle their unfinished business. Emma is a ghost that needs his help. There's a fun school setting, Belle is a wonderful supporting character as the school librarian, and Henry is also used in this to wonderful effect. This is still in progress as well, but there's really only one more part to go. Definitely check this one out - you won't be able to get it out of your head!!! 2 parts of an intended 3, WIP

"A Crystalline Knowledge of Love and Magic" by: @xarandomdreamx The movie Practical Magic has always seemed like it would make for an excellent OuaT/CS AU and I adore Taryn for actually giving it to us. I love the OuaT characters she has chosen to include in the various roles, the way this story has begun, how everyone is characterized, just all of it together!! I'm a huge fan of her writing in general, and though this one is still in progress, I can already tell it's going to be a favorite!! If you love Practical Magic, or are just looking for a Fall-flavored fic with romance, magic, mystery and sisterhood, this is the one for you! 2 Chapters at present, WIP

Tagging: @jennjenn615 @xsajx @bluewildcatfanatic @ultraluckycatnd @lfh1226-linda @kday426

[lowkeyfalleninlove]

One thing i absolutely ADORE about captain swan is how open Emma becomes with Killian. Like you have this pirate that, for so long, only had the Jolly Roger and revenge to expect in his life, and when he meets Emma, is completely inthralled by her and is willing to show her that he will STAY. Not only that, he is determined too. And Emma, once she’s used to him being someone to rely on, comes to really be comfortable with him. And becomes a necessary part of her life. Then we have S5a with them in Camelot and they are just determined to hold onto each other while she’s experiencing the hardest times right now—

Anyway, all that to say that I completely adored them ever since me and my mom stumbled upon this crazy show and I miss them sm!

[uniasus]

Didn't See It Coming by constantconfusion14

Fic rec! 15K Carmen SanDiego

Summary: Given all the risks that came with working as an international thief's hacker, Player never considered the biggest dangers might not come from VILE at all.

Comments: I loved worried friend fics ❤️In this case, Player gets in a very normal car accident and it messes him up - physically and mentally with the sounds of car chases through the headset becoming triggering. But Carmen is there to support him. I swear, I love the friendship between these two.

[sainzsiren]

LIZ'S CARLOS SAINZ FIC RECS

rec masterlist

last updated january 23rd, 2025

FLUFF

real love by @mrsfancyferrari

six thirty by @23victoria

sfw alphabet by @jungwnies

to be loved by @monzamash

SMUT

glass table girls by @droolezz

keep going by @thef1diary

patrón!carlos by @gokyrts

ANGST

nothing yet...

SMAU

pr problem by @driverlando

[ohmightydevviepuu]

fanbinding: given the choice [part one]

well, this one has been printed, sewn and glued--complete with boards--for almost a year. i just hit a block with perfecting the final steps because it involved hopping between 3 different computers. worked out in my favor, though, because i was able to use the most beautiful bookcloth for the spine strip and push myself to finish something i'm really happy with.

the story given the choice by @iverna

one of the true classics. a season 3b divergence with no missing year but plenty of adventure. technically part one as this is a WIP and this is not even inclusive of everything that's been posted. just stopped at a natural stopping point so that i could enjoy it. and honestly--this story is so good that i'm just so grateful it stops at a natural stopping point and i have what is already written to enjoy as many times as i choose.

the binding half-letter folio sewn boards. cover art by @iverna printed inkjet on canvas and finished with a decorative gloss. titling in HTV glitter. bedazzled because of who i am as a person.

[princess-and-the-swan]

MC Fic Rec: Down the Primrose Path

By Nikolettan | Rating: M

Desperate times demand bold actions, and Emma Swan is about to pull off the ultimate gamble: faking an engagement to the elusive Duke of Hookshire to rescue her family from financial ruin. Her plan seems foolproof—until Killian Jones, London's most reclusive and mysterious nobleman, learns of his sudden engagement. Once a celebrated figure of society, a tragedy drove Killian into self-imposed exile. Now, intrigued by the daring woman claiming to be his fiancée, he steps back into the spotlight, determined to turn the tables. In a game where hearts are on the line, can a fabricated love affair turn real, or will the truth shatter more than just their reputations? WIP as of 06/04/2025

This fic is from the same author who wrote Too Well Tangled! Imo, no one does BAMF Emma Swan like this author. In this fic, we've got Emma somehow pulling off the ultimate heist in claiming she's engaged to Killian -- the reclusive Duke of Hookshire, who hasn't been seen in society in years. I'm so hyped for the next update!

Read it on AO3

[prentiits]

angry rant over. bookmarking cs fics again in the big year 2025 now

[thequeerbouquiniste]

Dark Rise Review

4,5⭐

I had to take a couple of days to be able to determine exactly how I feel about Dark Rise, because this book, especially towards the end, was a whirlwind of emotions. The ending was amazing and I have to admit I hadn’t seen it coming at all. This means that, when I finished the audiobook, I thought there would be one more chapter coming, one more chapter tying the first book together, and that when I realised this was, in fact, the end, I had no idea how I felt about this book. Was it a favourite, or merely a book I had really enjoyed? I was so engrossed in the ending and in trying to sort out my thoughts on this book that, if asked in the moment what I liked and disliked about Dark Rise, I probably wouldn’t have been able to answer.

Now, I can tell you that Dark Rise has a great, compelling plot, and even better characters. Both of them together worked to spin a story that isn’t extraordinary in its novelty but that hooks you in. As with any good plot, C.S. Pacat foreshadowed the plot twists well enough that I could guess at some of them in advance (and felt very intelligent when I did) and that while I was utterly taken aback by the others, they still made sense in hindsight. It’s one of these plots that keeps you hanging until the very end. You think you know where it’s going, but you overlooked important details and find out that, actually, the ending is going to be much different from what you had anticipated. It is well-paced, so we aren’t overwhelmed by a fast sequence of revelations, but I did think the story could have done with more relaxed scenes focusing just on the characters and their relationships. That was a little eclipsed by the plot, so that we are told more than we are shown that the characters have grown closer together.

Despite this, the characters were easy to like and get attached to. I liked their capacity for nuance and I especially loved how Will kept surprising me and uncovering new parts of his character which he hadn’t shown before. Because there were fewer scenes focused just on the characters, they were still a little distant, and I haven’t gotten as attached as I am accustomed to with books I greatly enjoyed, or as I did when I read the Captive Prince, also by C.S. Pacat. I’m hoping for this reason that the second book will split the focus between the plot and the characters themselves. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the characters, who embody the main theme of good versus evil, will be pushed towards a grey area when it comes to morality. In this book, though it’s obvious the author tried to introduce nuance in the dichotomy between good and evil, things were still pretty strictly good or evil, including the characters, but the ending teases at more nuance and I have faith that C.S. Pacat will develop morally-ambiguous or nuanced characters just like they know how to do.

[austenwazright]

Can we like just stop for a minute and talk about how brave and fearless CS Pacat really is?? Like everyone here knows how the system works, books are written to sell, and for that the main goal is to please the readers, that's where tropes get in, you already know what you want so you go for it like going to a specific shelf in a supermarket, but CS is like just writing the stories she wants and fuck it. Like, with captive prince (as in the first book) she made us hate Laurent, he wasn't just mean or spoiled he was cruel and I know people who dropped it cause of that (their loss) but it's still not something you do, you don't build up one of you main characters to be hated for like 300 pages, and she did the same with dark rise (spoilers!) killing all the stewards, going the unexpected way, making Will the reincarnation of evil, no one who started to read it just by the synopsis, specially if they didn't know her, expected that and like two of my friends who read said they didn't like. But anyways, in a world where books are a product she keeps giving us authentic stories

[kmomof4]

12 (Actually 13) Days of Captain Swan Fic Recs!!!

So a week or two ago, @hollyethecurious floated this idea about the 12 Recs of Christmas in order to rec your very favorite fics that new shipmates may have missed and to show authors holiday love. Of course, I literally cannot rec only twelve fics, so I've played with the rules a bit in order to rec favorite authors and fics. Sorry, not sorry, Hollye...

Now, the problem with 12 days is... it's only 12 days. So I had to severely limit myself... And, yeah, you might have guessed, I couldn't limit myself to twelve either. So you'll be getting 13 days. Sorry, not sorry, again...

All that said, the authors and fics I'll be reccing over the next twelve thirteen days are my comfort fics that live rent free in my head and that I go back and reread over and over and over and over again. The ones I couldn't live without if I were stranded on a desert island and could never read a new CS fic ever again. So I hope you enjoy this kinda drawn out fic rec list.

Since it was her idea, Hollye is the first author that I'll rec!! Several of her fics are on that desert island reading list and if you haven't read them, you should!!!

First and foremost is probably my very favorite fic of all time...

Dark Hook Comes to Storybrooke - Co-written with @winterbaby89 for my bday in '17, the premise is that Killian succeeded in getting his revenge on the crocodile moments before Regina's curse swept over the Enchanted Forest.

The Legend of Captain Killian Jones - Rated M -

CS Modern AU / CS Halloweek - Myths, Legends, and Fairytales: 

Cursed three hundred years ago to take on ghost form and haunt his family estate, Killian Jones receives a reprieve once every hundred years to take on corporeal form in order to try and break his curse.

A renowned restorationist, Emma Swan takes on the project of bringing the three hundred year old Jones Manor back to its former glory. A manor that is reportedly haunted by the notorious Captain Killian Jones. Good thing Emma doesn’t believe in ghosts.

Varcolac - Rated M - Written for the very first CSSNS back in '18. While heading home to prepare for the coming evening, Killian Jones happens upon a woman broken down on the side of the road. A woman who shifts the entire foundations of his being with just her scent. Killian Jones is a werewolf you see, and the unsuspecting lass has landed herself deep in werewolf country on the cusp of the first night of the full moon. Knowing he must get her on her way for her own safety, Killian offers to fix her vehicle, but things go awry in town when another wolf attempts to stake a claim on the stunning stranger. Now Killian must do all he can to protect the woman, Emma Swan, from a vengeful pack, all while keeping his true nature a secret from her. Turns out, Killian Jones is no ordinary werewolf.

In the Company of Demons - Rated E - After being in the wrong place at the wrong time, bounty hunter Emma Swan finds herself conscripted into working for one of Storybrooke���s most notorious crime families. Tasked with finding a rat that has infiltrated the Jones family enterprise, Emma tries to keep things just business between herself and the all-too-tempting Killian Jones. If she can unmask the rodent, she’ll receive not just a reprieve from the family, but her freedom and a hundred grand to start a new life. But what kind of life? One that exists in black and white, where there is a right way to do things and one must overcome their demons? Or the kind Killian can offer her, where one can revel in the grey areas while enjoying the company of demons?

A Harem of One Series - Rated M - Killian Jones, younger son of Prominent Turkish Businessman, Brennan Jones, meets Lady Emma during the height of the London season just a few weeks before he must head back to Constantinople to take over the family shipping business. Despondent over the fact that he had to leave the woman he loves behind, things get interesting when Brennan tries to give Killian a welcome home gift.

A Mutual Craving - Rated E - The Underworld was one of the seedier, less reputable establishments, even by black market standards. Every facet of the criminal element could be found here on any given night, engaging in all kinds of illicit activities. From the more mundane transactions, like drugs and conventional weapons, to the really shady and oftentimes dangerous dealing of occult, mystic, and poached items of a supernatural nature. Emma Swan was here for an altogether different reasons, however. She was casing the joint. Too bad all her research and intel had failed to prepare for an unusual security measure she had not planned for. One with pale skin, sharp fangs, and a thirst for blood. Her blood... and her body as well.

All of Hollye's fics are fantastic, but these are the ones that I couldn't live without and like I said, live rent free in my head 24/7. I hope you enjoy all these as much as I have!! See you tomorrow!