#theherocomplex

[bettydice]

Descent into Solavellan Hell, Mixed Media 2025

(shoutout to @theherocomplex and our beautiful discord chatlog)

[loquaciousquark]

Happy birthday!! I hope it's an absolutely lovely day, full of everything you want to eat, friends, peace, and warmth. <3 <3 <3

It absolutely has been! I was able to take the afternoon off, but this morning when I got into work early my preclinic coordinator had set up a lovely little birthday surprise in one of the lanes! And she got me this beautiful kalanchoe! It was honestly the sweetest thing, and started my day off so extremely well. ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you!

[deadlyflan]

For the TMNT ask game:

1, 6, 7, and 23

1.) What was your first exposure to TMNT? My grandma bought a three-pack of VHS tapes at Costco. One, Two TMNT videos for her two grandsons. And with a shrug for the only girl in the group, the third one for me! What could it hurt? ...nearly 40 years later and still obsessed. Thank you, Grandma. <3

6.) Do you own any TMNT merchandise? Ohh hohohoho! Yeeeaaaasssss. I doooooo. It's not well-displayed right now, because I'm still unpacking from my most recent move. But the entire guest room is a TMNT shrine. Art, comics, statues, action figures, plushies, posters, a gumball machine, a spinning turtle yard sprinkler for the hose... you name it, I very well may have one. When I get it all unpacked and properly set up, you know I'll post pictures. :D 7.) Which iteration is your favorite? Gotta stand by my mans. turtles. turtles mans. 1990s Movie TMNT are my patron saints. They're so young. And so determined. And they love their dad so much! They try so hard! [*weeping*] They're just... such... GOOD BOYS. Also, I spent a solid 2 decades writing fanfic for them in my head. So like, I've imprinted on them completely. Like a newly hatched baby goose. 23.) What is one of your favorite TMNT fics? You're asking me to pick a favorite star from the heavens. You know that, right? Just one? How-- I. Look. I'm going to tell you one, not because it's 1,000,000% my absolute favorite--It IS a capital A Absolute caps lock FAVORITE--but like. I have a whole wall of Absolute FAVORITES. My Wall of Absolute FAVORITES is visible from space. Furthermore, my Wall of Absolute FAVORITES is studded with every possible flavor of gem. AUs, Romances, Mysteries, Canon divergence, Kink, Horror, Comedy, OC x Canon, Canon x Canon, Upside Down, and Over Under. If the writer writes it well, I will follow like a puppy on a string. I'm a genre slut. For the right write? I'm the right reader. All that's to say... I'm gonna recommend anything by @goblincatkc-blog, Crowdog, @hummerhouse, @plothooksinc, @suthnmeh fireworksinthenight, or Benma. They all write wildly different stuff! But it's all know-it-in-your-bones, I-would-love-you-even-if-you-were-a-worm, my-soul-recognizes-yours-across-a-thousand-lifetimes TRUE TURTLES. For the specific Fic Rec... Here's a glorious series by @theherocomplex. (Don't be shy, it's a bunch of smaller stories that you just read like it were one big fic with chapters.)

"Guitar & Video Games"

It's a Multi-Dimensional Tug-Of-War between ANCIENT GODS. Powerful Forces haul on the Hamato Clan as their tortured rope and destroy NYC, their ruined, muddy field.

INSANELY WELL-WRITTEN. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

<3 BROTHERS. FAMILY. APRITELLO. TRUE LOVE OF ALL FLAVORS. <3 Also pants-shittingly intense villains!!!!!!!

[haveyoureadthisfanfic]

Summary: Didn’t she know what he was? Were the talons and teeth not enough of a warning?

Author: @theherocomplex

[llycaons]

🌕🕸 Wei Wuxian birthday fic recs 🎃👻

For Halloween, I wanted to contribute by highlighting some of my favorite fics from the reclist that focus specifically on wwx, that are set during Halloween, or that have a general spooky vibe or monster elements. I picked a lot of feel-good comedies and romances (yes, there's monsterfucking dw), but there are some more difficult ones in here too - he's a character involved in both joy and the grief, after all. ♥🖤

*NIGHT HUNTING* by detention_notes

summary: in a universe otherwise without magic, wwx and lwj start being haunted (around halloween!) by mysterious references to cql canon. some drama but mostly lighthearted references and shenanagins. jc is hilarious in this one, and so is lxc. one of my old faves - spooky, tender, and silly. a perfect halloween read. cql characterizations work issues: none author issues: none

*Tie Your Heartstring Up Tight by athena_crikey

summary: non-cultivation AU where lwj is a wu, something like a shaman who spiritually interacts with nature to provide guidance for his sect and balance to the world. he’s asked by jc to find a missing wwx, so he leaves his isolated little home in gusu to go on a journey with a strangely intelligent black hare he takes as a familiar this work is a real treat. so atmospheric! fantastically evocative descriptions of winter landscapes, wonderfully fun relationship banter and chemistry, a unique and yet authentic and well-researched setting, a satisfying little character arc for lwj as realizes the error of his ways and works to account for his mistakes, a thematically appropriate story for our main characters, smooth writing and a clean, fresh style. somber and grounded and sincere for the most part, just as lwj himself is, with wwx’s bright playfulness and sense of humor bursting through now and then. work issues: ngl this xue yang was literally a homophobic stereotype author issues: omegaverse, forced courtesanship….egg-laying? just thought I’d mention that one but honestly I don’t even mind, uh one where wwx has to provide a dowry. like. ugh, why?

*second person* by theherocomplex

summary: this is one of the most stunning and beautifully written fics I’ve ever read. in one timeline, wwx is grappling with being in mxy’s body, slowly healing and coming to terms with his traumas while traveling solo after leaving CR. in another timeline set some time in the future, a wwx reunited with lwj races to save his life after an assassination attempt both parts of the story interweave with each other; at times aching, at times terrifying, at times introspective. with a wonderful ending after an intensely compelling showdown. the second person pov was so engaging and unusual. cql for most things except wwx being in mxy’s body. I dislike when the post-temple travels are longer than a year, but the characterizations are so good, and the writing is so gorgeous, and the time for healing is needed so clearly that I don’t mind see author notes for warnings. wwx’s new body is written as if it’s a discrete entity from him and they are both talked about as if they have their own desires and goals. there are some allusions to wwx’s suicidal ideation early into his travels, as well as a semi-graphic description of torturing a character to death work issues: none author issues: xicheng, 3zun, dubcon, and sex pollen

*And you must keep your soul/ Like a secret in your throat by athena_crikey

summary: vampire wwx! modern AU where he’s living peacefully in the boonies and cultivator lwj approaches him for help on a case against the wens. fairly good romantic development, and once the author decides to make it rated E, a LOT of sex scenes. great characterization and exploration of trauma, and an utterly devastating take on the canon yunmeng sibling situation. avoids a lot of the more cliched vampire romance tropes - actually quite unpredictable in a lot of ways. satisfying and fun work issues: none that I recall except they made wlj kind of booby a la the donghua and wwx kind of rude about it. yeah we get it you’re gay author issues: omegaverse, forced courtesanship….egg-laying

*The Shape of Your Love (is Horny) by Vamillepudding

summary: demon influencer wwx meets and then tries to romance mortal lwj without knowing much about how humans work, despite having lived on earth for years and watching a lot of demon porn about humans. just really silly and off the wall. they nail lwj being a weirdo and this makes him really compatible with non-human wwx. the way they had instant chemistry and fell right into a relationship was so low-drama and sweet. based on the title you'd think there are weird sex things going on but it's actually rated just T. nhs is great and there's a ton of really funny lan family moments and jc stuff too. work issues: unfortunately the other main couple is jgy/lxc author issues: see above - xiyao

*somewhere they live, somewhere they multiply by perilously

summary: one of the few horror fics I’ve enjoyed. postcanon wwx struggles with his past and some parts of his life in CR, and the gift of a large, creepy mirror exacerbates issues. the quasi-argument between himself and lwj is quite raw and feels well grounded in their characterizations, and the atmosphere is extremely well-crafted work issues: none author issues: none

*hold the fire in your palm by oogenesis

summary: wwx is an infamous demon a la bartimaeus, and lwj is a demon hunter. they’re mistakenly, magically bonded together when wwx is summoned to the human world, and have to figure out how to send him back to the demon realm while keeping his identity a secret. the better lwj gets to know wwx, the more he has to face his assumptions and principles regarding demons. the plot is really interesting and the romance is wonderfully developed. action scenes are a bit shaky but I think the worldbuilding and tantalizing mysteries more than make up for it. another sadly discontinued work, but I think it ends at a nice place anyway. novel characterizations, but not for the bad stuff there’s some discussions of homophobia, so mind the notes work issues: none

*No Charming Smile, No Violet Eyes by mossymossy

summary: granted I've only read the first chapter, but I was a wreck. wwx's emotional journey of dying and then waking up alive again...it's about grief and loss and slowly coming to appreciate being alive despite the pain. *screams* really good emotional writing and incredible cql characterizations. literally just like watching the show. work issues: none author issues: none

ordinary bodies by messier45

summary: a moody and introspective fic where postcanon wwx dwells upon his dissatisfaction and grief involving his new body, and the things he never got to do with his old one. not very warm and fuzzy, but cathartic and very raw and I really liked the way it handled wwx’s body issues. the romance in this was not the main focus, but it was excellent - even though the grief and discontent there was a lot of love and gratitude, which feels more realistic and honest than ‘wwx is married and everything is happy forever!’ trans author! work issues: none author issues: none

*Odd Geometry by maziodyne

summary: sunshot AU where wwx was not adopted by the Jiangs, and is instead a healer in Yunmeng, using his unusual qi powers to treat the community for no fee. elemental magic co-exists with cultivation, resulting in a unique and complex magic system. the lead-up to and entirety of the sunshot campaign - and indeed the entire fic - is extremely well-researched, the characters are on-point, the ocs are super fun, the action scenes are heart-poundingly exciting, the romance is gentle and tender, the pacing clips along, and the relationships are teased out with incredible heart. absolutely a must-read. mixed canons with characterizations leaning towards cql. it's here because it's SPOOKY baby work issues: none! author issues: none! my mutual wrote this and I beta read it!!

an hour of sunshine by astrolesbian

summary: very short work, either canon but I feel cql. modern AU wwx, easing into mental health and listening to his body. attending a silly halloween party, experiencing the love of his friends and and kissing lwj on a balcony. really sweet and low-drama. bit corny but I just like it when things are nice for him! also jc is funny work issues: none author issues: genderbends

your light in the mist by seularen

summary: postcanon, wwx just has a really good day. although not very plot-heavy, I do love the language in this fic, and I think the way jc and wwx are written post-temple is extremely satisfying. novel verse work issues: none author issues: I’ve read a few of their other fics and found them quite good otherwise, but the sex scenes are incredibly weird in the way that novel-faithful fics tends to be (cnc). xiyao as well

*end the rises and the falls*  by eeriemedusa

summary: postcanon and married, a still-recovering wwx attempts to use kink unsafely as a coping mechanism for his residual trauma. one of the most nuanced portrayals of a character’s relationship with sex that I’ve ever read. compassionate and loving. novel canon, but it doesn’t matter too much. the atmosphere in this one was built up SO well wwx is triggered during sex - see notes work issues: none author issues: none

*see you yesterday* by glyphic

summary: oh, boy. modern AU with cultivation, and set on halloween - a russian doll-style death timeloop set in new york city following a wwx (believed to be dead) and lwj (studying for his doctorate) a few years after the roughly-canon adjacent events of nightless city. there’s some memory manipulation involved to make wwx and lwj forget each other after the war, but it’s easiest to just read it and see how it all comes together. the novel-inspired worldbuilding is absolutely incredible, and I was also impressed by the more cql-leaning characterizations and the wonderful relationship development. absolutely lovely descriptions of the characters falling in love and finding joy amidst some of the darkest lives I’ve seen them live. this is a very angsty and difficult version of the story and I did have to fight back tears more than once, but it was so worth it. currently unfinished but the last chapter took a year to come out so I’m holding out hope expect everything that happened to the wens, wwx, and mama lan in canon, plus child death. see notes for each chapter’s specific warnings; this is not a lighthearted or easy work work issues: none author issues: none

a bite of a vow, a taste of the truth by occultings (microcomets)

summary: kind of a guilty pleasure tbh because this is schlocky and tropey but modern AU wwx and lwj are cultivators who are assigned a case on the disappearance of all these couples and they have to pretend to be a couple in order to infiltrate and…yeah there’s succubi involved they have to ‘prove’ they’re a couple. so they pretend? but there’s no actual sexual activity forced by situation or under the influence of magic when they do eventually get together I thought it was really sweet. the characterizations are good, there’s fun interpersonal drama/angst, and the ending made me smile a lot. I also liked the exploration of wwx’s backstory and I thought it tied in well with canon. what can I say work issues: several allusions to wwx’s cnc fantasies. the actual sex scene isn’t very appealing imo but nothing terrible author issues: allusions to cnc, genderbends, sex pollen

*Vagabond by xantissa

summary: postcanon, wwx returns from a year of travels to a mysterious illness plaguing the region. he, lwj, and another investigator work to solve it while he and lwj navigate their feelings. I liked the oc a lot - lwj has a friend! I don’t want to give more detail because the mystery is so compelling and the plot twist was a genuine surprise. there were a lot of little details that didn’t make sense, but I loved how sweet wwx was with wen ning, and the romance was so satisfying it’s kind of up to interpretation but there is arguably in-universe homophobia and consent to sex under a false identity also, one lan has romantic feelings for another one, but based on how it’s treated I really don’t think they’re related work issues: PM mountain kiss is talked about and it’s not made a big deal of 🙄 author issues: lxc/lwj is the big one. also nhs/nzh, niyao, xiyao, 3zun, dubcon

empty as the sky by incendir                

summary: lwj and wwx investigate a cursed pot, which sends wwx into another reality in which he holds a powerful political position, retained his golden core, and is still in the lives many of his loved ones, some of whom don’t even exist in his old life. his subsequent dissatisfaction pushes him to reflect on his original life and where his true happiness lay. I really like stories where canon wwx interacts with alternate versions of his story, and this is a nice examination of a world that wouldn’t be out of place in a fix-it fic, but with a balanced and thoughtful portrayal of what that would still be lost in that world as a result. there were joys and sorrows in both lifetimes, which imo follows the themes of canon well. cql verse, except wwx is in mxy’s body. lwj isn’t actually there for most of this fic, but their relationship is ever-present work issues: bit of ableism treated poorly? a wheelchair user’s chair is grabbed without his permission in the style of wwx’s boundary-pushing in CR. other than that..wwx is nicer to jc than he would be in canon imo but this is years after the temple showdown and they appear to have reconciled author issues: nhs/nzh, sl/xxc/xy, jl/lsz

[thievinghippo]

🥑 ⇢ you accidentally killed somebody, which mutual(s) do you text for help? 🌿 ⇢ give some advice on writer's block and low creativity ☁️ ⇢ what made you choose your username? (I've always been curious)

you accidentally killed somebody, which mutual(s) do you text for help?

Paging @theherocomplex. She'll help me figure out an alibi and probably a really creative way to dispose of the body

give some advice on writer's block and low creativity

This is a rough one. I think having some sort of item on you that allows you to jot down ideas at anytime is really important. Either a small notebook, or even an app on your phone. So that way, if you do manage to come up with an idea, you're able to capture it

I also really love @theherocomplex's idea of 'no thank you helpings' when it comes to writing. Maybe you really want to write but you're not in the right mindspace. Start writing (I like 23 minute sprints) and then after that, if you're still not feeling it, say 'no thank you' and move on with your day. But a lot of times, if you just start, once that timer ends, you'll want to keep going!

what made you choose your username?

So when I originally rejoined fandom in 2013 after a six-year break, I had absolutely no plans on writing. I wanted to offer comments and reblogs and support people who were creating. Which would not be me. (looks at my 1.5 million words posted on Ao3 and laughs) So I decided I wanted a username that didn't give much away about myself. My previous username had my first name (kerrymdb) and I wanted something anonymous. I liked the idea of an action verb with an animal combination. Quickly settled on 'thieving' and then wanted what would be the funniest thing I could pair that with. And thievinghippo was born!

[big-ass-magnet]

ten first lines

@queenofbaws tagged me thank you :* let's see what we've got

rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern.

Stop. Talking. 'The consorts are fighting again.'

Helpful, in a Heterodyne Sort of Way 'No.'

Twist the Knife Zog had never been one for airships.

Ruined “You ruined him!”

Summer's Heat in Winter's Heart Guillermo liked the park, he really did.

Whatever it is People Go Away For It began—no, it ended—the beginning of the end was Laszlo entering the living room, where Simon was sitting with his feet on the coffee table, and saying “I heard something interesting today.”

Rosary Beads "Guillermo?"

I Accept “Wait—Wait, you’ve decided to get married but you don’t know who you’re marrying?”

A Change in Perspective The witch tilted her head back and smirked, her eyes half-lidded and dark with contempt.

Would You? "Guillermoooo."

Ok this was actually fascinating and it made me go through a few more of my fics to confirm. While there are a handful that open with longer expository descriptions, I do tend to start my writing with a short hook -- a single sentence, usually dialogue! I guess I think of a hook as something designed to pull you in quick haha

[Now I kind of want to do the same thing with the last sentence to see if there are patterns there, too lol]

tagging @jay-auris @phasmama @theherocomplex and all my other writers I can't think of right now!!!!

[faejilly]

Unusual Muse Associations

tagged by @shadoedseptmbr like a month ago? Because what even is time. No-pressure tagging anyone who'd like to blame me and uh... @quilleth @awaylaughing @angstmongertina @thievinghippo @theherocomplex

Weaver Shepard I guess, since I have half-a-fic about her I attempted for sept's b-day that's still not done 😅

Seasoning: all of them! possibly all at once until no one can eat the thing she put them all in! but it smells good! (to her at least)

Weather: yes! (it's a lovely relief from stations/ships)

Color: green

Sky: with atmosphere when possible?

Magical Power: morning person

House Plant: she gives other people spider plants because almost anyone can keep them alive (she mostly prefers things like swaths of clovers and garland daphne and fruit trees and trellises of full-sized veggies, which means she visits a lot of community gardens in different postings over the years)

Weapon: [ic she would have a very precise answer to this, but I don't remember my options well enough to manage anything beyond something sniper-y]

Subject: whatever the future sci-fi equivalent of shop is, probably

Social Media: Sure! Lots of pictures of the current nerdery! Very little actually social conversation

Makeup Product: BB cream! very good for still feeling like a person when you take your helmet off :D

Candy: pop rocks

Fear: existential abandonment/betrayal? Slightly less metaphorical, uh... cilantro? Food should not taste like soap. It disturbs her.

Ice Cube Shape: no preference. cronchy is good.

Method of Long-Distance Travel: whichever the Alliance will pay for?

Art Style: pretty classic art deco; clean lines, machines are neat, shiny

Mythological Creature: Would a retro-future-sci-fi robot count? Because that's the first thing I thought of after writing the art style one 😅🤖

Piece of Stationery: Either a blank page ripped out of the back of a tech manual OR hand-made-pressed-flower-paper with like NOTHING in between

Three Emojis: 🌼🎯🎛️

Celestial Body: I feel like she'd make a joke about how she IS a celestial body all on her own, and she's not really serious but she's not wrong either, she's kind of stupidly pretty

(and a copy-paste version of the question list under the cut for y'all if anyone's interested)

SEASONING

WEATHER

COLOR

SKY

MAGICAL POWER

HOUSE PLANT

WEAPON

SUBJECT

SOCIAL MEDIA

MAKEUP PRODUCT

CANDY

FEAR

ICE CUBE SHAPE

METHOD OF LONG-DISTANCE TRAVEL

ART STYLE

MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE

PIECE OF STATIONERY

THREE EMOJIS

CELESTIAL BODY

[sasskarian]

@theherocomplex

[bettydice]

OC MEME

tagged by @nelsynoo

GENERAL

Name: Mango Lavellan

Alias(es): no; 'Inquisitor' I suppose

Gender: Female

Age: 46ish during Veilguard

Place of birth: somewhere in the Free Marches

Spoken languages: Common tongue, Elven, some Orlesian, Tevene at that point, probably

Sexual orientation: Bisexual

Occupation: Inquisitor dragged out of disbandment (at the time of Veilguard)

FAVOURITE

Colour: dark red

Entertainment: [imagine me just staring into space going 'does she have fun'] sitting somewhere quiet and staring at the landscape, I think she likes listening to music

Pastime: tinkering with magical artifacts, book binding, swimming, hiking

Food: she'll make sure she's sufficiently fed; just enjoys good bread and cheese; chocolate raspberry tart

Drink: water; herbal teas; enjoys wine with her bread and cheese or a whiskey

Books: non-fiction (history, language, magic, fade, spirits etc etc); she doesn't read much for fun, she prefers to use her hand(s) and be active

HAVE THEY

Passed university: never went

Had sex: yeah, she has had quite a few lovers, as she enjoys sex as a stress release (though infrequently)

Had sex in public: yes, but unnoticed, or at least unrecognized

Gotten tattoos: her vallaslin, but she doesn't have them anymore; I don't think she got others

Gotten piercings: her ears

Had a broken heart: Well, there's Solas. I don't think she'd have ever considered her heart broken though, just deeply injured

Been in love: Well, there's Solas. Maybe someone before, definitely no one since.

ARE THEY

A cuddler: Mhm. She enjoys physical intimacy with her lovers and she's not shy about it and she'll seek closeness when alone together. But more like - standing/sitting close enough to touch and hold hands; she's not really a hugger

Scared easily: No.

Jealous easily: No.

Trustworthy: Yes, but I think because she is quite direct and has strong convictions, people can feel betrayed because she acted differently than they thought she would and she's not apologetic about it

FAMILY

Sibling(s): no

Parents: She never met her father, he was from a different clan. Her mum died when she was in her teens.

Children: no, none, never

Pets: no

tagging @loquaciousquark @thievinghippo (you have so many OCs, you could do 500 of these) @mistressandry @theherocomplex @silksieve @servantofclio

[loquaciousquark]

Tagged by @wufflesvetinari! Y'all, I am loving this ask game resurgence, I'll tell you hwat.

Rules: Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it. Tag as many people as wips.

HOO BOY this is where I confess that I hardly ever have more than one WIP at a time, and my WIP docs are always called whatever Word suggests (usually the first sentence up to the first punctuation mark). I regret to inform you therefore that my only current active WIP is in fact:

It

However, I do have a handful of other ideas! They just...haven't been started yet. Feel free to ask about any of the following too!

tav's den (lady ague)

warding bond ring fic

tav confronts herself after araj

the horror of hunger

domination fic

Some of these are more fleshed-out than others, but I have strong ideas for all of them that I'm happy to talk about! :D Askbox here!

Tagging: @jadesabre301, @faejilly, @mystery-moose, @theherocomplex

[ao3feed-erha]

Even Unseen Stars Still Burn by theherocomplex [Podfic]

by Rhea314 (Rhea)

The jokes about soulless, unfeeling AIs are in pretty bad taste. Mo Ran's always thought so. They've got the full range of emotions that comes with sapience — and, yeah, he knows what that means now, he looked it up. AIs just…process those emotions differently. Faster. In dimensions made of pure computational matter. Anger and happiness, all made of math. 

There's nothing that says AIs can't cry. It's still a shock when Mo Ran comes around the end of a row and finds Xia Sini crying under the haitang tree. 

 

*

Mo Ran learned a long time ago exactly how little Chu Wanning thinks of him, and he's given up trying to change things. Still, hating his teacher doesn't mean he can't be friends with Xia Sini, Chu Wanning's newest AI, right?

...right?

Words: 26, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: 二哈和他的白猫师尊 - 肉包不吃肉 | The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Meatbun Doesn't Eat Meat

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: M/M

Characters: Chu Wanning, Mo Ran, Xia Sini

Relationships: Chu Wanning/Mo Ran | Mo Weiyu

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Science Fiction, Artificial Intelligence, Romance, Mutual Pining, light body horror, Implied Self-Harm, Canon-Typical Self-Loathing, Non-Graphic Violence, Light Cosmic Horror, Podfic, Podfic Length: 1.5-2 Hours, Audio Format: MP3, Audio Format: Streaming, Audio Format: Download

via https://ift.tt/Aqjpw8P

[krastbannert]

5 and 11 for the fic writer asks?

5. Do you like constructive criticism?

I don't mind it. I don't share writing for criticism (obviously) but I'll always listen and at least consider it.

11. Link your three favorite fics right now

This doesn't say whether these are to write or to read, so I'll do both.

To read: to play at being human by finalizer (an incredibly beautiful story of secrets and lies and what it means to figure out who you are after losing everything, and arguably the best Azula redemption story I've ever read), Arsonist's Lullabye by silveriris (a steamy, angsty, emotional, heartbreaking Dragon Age story of humanity, love, and the idea of redemption and being more than we are - as told by the bad guys - and out of these three I would say read this one, even if you know nothing about Dragon Age; it says more in 36,000 words than I've said in 200,000), and those wings in your spine by theherocomplex (an Erend/Aloy slow burn, mutual-pining-except-one-person-doesn't-realize-it's-mutual love story that's simultaneously a coming-of-age story and about overcoming alcoholism and anxiety).

To write: not with a whimper (but a roar like thunder), a Dragon Age AU where history plays out a little differently, and the elves decide to fight for a people that isn't theirs and a home they don't know; free from my soul's condition, a Skyrim story focused on the Dawnguard storyline, and overcoming self-doubt, depression, and becoming more than we thought we ever were; and Brave Soldier Girl, an Azula-redemption story focused on the idea that we are never too far gone to find ourselves (and yes, this story is a pain in the ass to write but it's still one of my favorites to write).

------

Asks came from this ask game!

[haveyoureadthisfanfic]

Summary: What if the protocol on reunions was a bit more...detailed?

Author: @theherocomplex

Note from submitter: Very good ♡

[llycaons]

Hello, anon!

Are you there? Last week you asked about fics that I would like to see as real books (and also for high-quality recs), and I'm able to answer you now! I wrote a lot so it's going under the cut

Honestly I mostly rbed that post out of a brief amusement over a hypothetical bc I don't think fanfic and original stories really scratch the same itch or even draw on the same skills so I am happy to keep them separated. And if I love a work for being about wx, I don't think I'd like it if it was revamped to be about original characters. I don't think most fanfic authors (who are primarily hobbyists) have the writing skill to craft really good original fiction, and that's fine! I do know for a fact at least one writer whose fics are in my rec list IS a published author and I know that her book sucks. it has got to suck with prose like that

BUT. if there was one who DID write well enough that their work could be published. Glyphic of See You Yesterday fame I have absolute faith in. The worldbuilding, while based off canon, is complex and well-developed, the plot is drawn-out but absolutely riveting, the character work is rich enough that I can see them creating compelling original characters, and the prose is gut-wrenching. If that author released a real book with a premise I had interest in, I would buy it and expect it to be good bc that fic is so delicious and I have complete faith in their ability to create original content. and it would be a finished product so I could FINISH IT without FALLING INTO DESPAIR unlike my current relationship with syy

And yes it is in my fic rec list! Each fic has a little summary and I usually say whether it's decent quality or not, plus my favorites are starred. I'd say check out Section One for all the best wangxian stuff, but See you Yesterday's entry is in Section Four

But for specifically high-quality wx/excellent writing, here are the highlights. Please keep in mind I prefer happy endings but I do tend to gravitate towards dark content since I think it captures canon themes the best, so many of these comes with hefty trigger warnings that you can see under their entries on my rec page. ALL of these are wx unless specified otherwise

From Section One:

*second person* by theherocomplex - gorgeous writing, cool concepts, lots of coming to terms with stuff. wx more at the end but really good

*fish & wild geese* by impossibletruths - little forest AU so perhaps not the most original but BEAUTIFULLY written lwj pov and a very sweet romance

empty as the sky by incendir - a casefic where wwx is transported to a universe where he still has his mother, his sister, social status, and his gc, but never fell in love with lwj. really lovely wx even tho lwj is mostly not present

*feast and famine by luckymarrow - extremely high-quality writing, including wx writing, but huge tw for sexual assault. like. that's the plot of the fic

*places under the sky by narie - lots of wwx family backstory! it hurt me so bad is all and I can never read it again

*总有一天; a place to hide (can’t find one near)* by yiqie - shaky and corny writing here and there, but overall a lovely story with some geniunely riveting passages. one of my older faves. tw for suicide attempt

*As a Shadow, As a Dream* by balmandbitterness - some creepy magic post-nghtless city keeps lwj and wwx in contact. spooky, but tender and comforting even so. and I love the ending

*somewhere they live, somewhere they multiply by perilously - spooky! let's get this married couple some therapy

the low sky, raining over by chibilwj (thelogicoftaste) - very unusual fic, this one. postcanon kidfic but the kid is maybe cursed

*Close Your Soft Eyes* by timetoboldlygo - just REALLY lovely and mature wx

Where the Lonely Ones Go by CSHfic, VSfic - really cute postcanon casefic with a haunted baby girl wx sort of adopt

From Section Two:

his hands keep turning to birds and flying away from him (him being you) by zerodignity - the first part of a series where wwx isn't cis but also doesn't have the words to describe himself. the wx in the second work in this series rules

From Section Four:

*hide fox, and all after* by blackfeather (oogenesis) - not wx, but I AM in love with the worldbuilding and I think the attention given to a tertiary character (mxy) shows a strength in original writing that you wouldn't necessarily see if someone was only writing main characters who already have personalities, backstories, etc.

*a tide in two seas by occultings (microcomets) - this one was wild

counterpart by queensmooting - similar concept to the above. also wild

*strangers on the shore by seularen - spy fic but not a bootlicking kind, just really well-researched and tense and elaborate

From Section Five:

*To Love Mountains* by HerenorThereNearnorFar - not wx, but the backstories of all the parents is SO fascinating I love you cssr

*Marital Prospects* by Vamillepudding - not particularly high-quality writing in any sense except for the fact that this author has posted some of the funniest things I have ever read and that's got to count for something. see also The Shape of Your Love (is Horny) (found in section six)

From Section Six (heed warnings abt the authors!)

*A Lot of Edges Called Perhaps* by hansbekhart - honest to god obsessed with the wx in this one

*Out of the darkness, into the day by ilip13 - a long postcanon get-together. fantastic wx

*all the depths of us* by northofallmusic (tofsla) - also great wx!

*here’s to upright men by isozyme - an nhs postcanon study

The Good That Won’t Come Out by raisedbyhyenas - postcanon wx angst/dealing with stuff. neat worldbuilding and compelling original characters

*Vagabond by xantissa - quite frankly this fic was insane to read. the wx blew my mind

*grave goods* by luckymarrow - less focused on wx and more on death and grieving. really well-done tho, and the wx IS there and important

[underthechinaberrytree]

i12bent:

Fairport Convention: Autopsy (Sandy Denny) - from the album Unhalfbricking, 1969

(via theherocomplex)