ariwritessometimes

[ariwritessometimes]

Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens.

ENDLESS LIST OF PRODUCTIONS I LOVE: ↳ The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005) dir. Andrew Adamson

[ariwritessometimes]

Reblog if you’re grateful for your commenters <3

[ariwritessometimes]

Ahh thanks for the shout out! You've got some fantastic stories and authors on here, definitely a great rec list!

Maple's MacGyver Fic Recs

Now I know I'm very late to the party, but I'd like to think of it as fashionably *cough*5 years*cough* late :) This has been a work in progress for awhile, but the Cairo Day Q&A about favorite fanworks inspired me to finally post this- Hope you're all excited for a list of fics everybody and their dog has already read and loved LOL

If you enjoy angsty stories featuring whump and hurt/comfort as much as I do, you're probably gonna love these too. (As a reminder, always double-check the tags before reading! Take care of yourselves💕)

Palmful of Sunlight and Promise by OrionLady

Mac knows he won’t make it out of this latest abduction alive. Not with experimental chemicals being pumped into him in horrific doses. The hallucination wearing Jack’s face—who claims he never died—has other ideas about that. (Touch separated by inches is the greatest torture of all.)

Starting this list off right with what quickly became one of my favorite fics of all time- across every fandom I've ever been a part of. The perfect balance of angst and comfort, this is a beautiful story with a lot of care and heart that brings Jack Dalton back, and for Mac, just in the nick of time. I think I've reread this one more times than I could count- it really is that good. If you decide to read it though, I'd definitely recommend having some tissues handy.

[add'l warnings: non-consensual drugging, suicidal thoughts and actions]

Hello To The Night by gaelicspirit

Around S4 episodes 9 and 10. Turns out emotional trauma + concussions + experimental drugs don’t mix quite as easily as one might think. Mac’s dark side does more than toss him a creepy grin from the other side of a window when getting “lost in his head” is taken up a notch. And the only thing that is going to save him is the team coming together as a family-the whole team.

It was quite hard to pick only a single fic to recommend from this brilliant author (their whole Ambassador series comes to mind, which is definitely worth a read) but this one has everything I wished would have happened after 4x10. If you're looking for heartbreaking moments of Mac nearing the end of his rope, the team realizing how they failed Mac during s4, and a surprise fix-it to tie it all together, this one's for you.

Mac + Desert + Jack by @impossiblepluto

Turns out, escaping from the fallout shelter was just the beginning. Now they have to survive the aftermath, dehydration and the desert. Continuation from where episode 3x11 Mac + Fallout + Jack left off

Now I know we all already know how amazing ImpossiblePluto is, and I can't help but give this one in particular a spotlight. This is a fantastic follow-up to an episode I'm sure we all can agree ended way too quickly, and without much resolution. If that bothered you as much as it did me, this is genuinely a gift from the heavens; Mac has to grapple with the fact he shot his best friend, and after surviving the whole ordeal, the combination of exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and scorching desert heat makes those demons all too real. Time is running out for the both of them, but Jack is right there by Mac's side, even if his partner no longer knows it.

The Art of Showing Up (And Staying) by @lupinescribbler

“Hey! This is Jack the Dalton speaking. Probably couldn’t catch your call due to doing cool… bathroom tile salesman… stuff. Leave a message and I’ll hit you back up. Ciao!” “I don’t know where I am right now.” Mac mumbled. He was aware he was slurring, slightly. He felt like he weighed a million pounds, or maybe like he’d been welded in place into his car. Immovable. Lethargic. His skin felt damp, he didn’t know if he was sweating or bleeding. He felt too cold to be sweating. “But I need help. Can you…” Mac closed his eyes. Can you what? Find me? Not leave me? Just talk to me? The voicemail beeped, marking an end to the message. Mac redialed.

I've already recommended Reichenbach on here (and I still definitely do) but if you're not a fan of AUs, this one is well worth the read. Delicious whump, snapshots of Mac and Jack's time downrange, and insightful commentary on how their relationship has evolved over time, this one is very sweet! (and also features amazing art from both LupineScribbler and Lilituism! Ooooh you wanna check it out so bad. I know you do. And while you're at it, Lupine's got a bunch of other wonderful fics for you to read, too.)

[add'l warnings: car accidents]

Veisalgia by @lilituism

The Phoenix Foundation was invited to a charity gala and Matty sent Mac and Jack to attend. No one had invited Murdoc, but he showed up anyway.

I was originally going to recommend The Darkest Hour (and still do, if you're down for something a bit darker) but if you're not in the mood for something that heavy, then this one is a real treat. Featuring Murdoc and our boys at a gala, things take a turn for the worse when Mac is slipped a fast-acting poison. If reading about Mac being in pain gives you butterflies, you'll love this one (as well as all their other fics!)

Broken Trust by @bloodfromthethorn

Even now, hours later, he couldn’t shake the memory of Jack’s shoulder driving into his sternum, a too-tight grip on his bicep forcing him sideways as the man he trusted more than anyone else in the world physically moved through him rather than listen to what he had to say. Tag to 2x02. Mac didn't walk away from his encounter with Jack as unscathed as he might wish to appear.

Another quite difficult one to pick, as every MacGyver fic from BloodFromTheThorn is excellent (go check out Part of the Job if you're in the mood for some whump with intriguing plotlines & scenarios) but Broken Trust is definitely one I go back to read often- I feel that this one is the aftermath of 2x02 that was so sorely needed. We all know Mac gets lost in his head, but what happens when his partner is the one causing his heartache? (This is also one I have personally needed tissues for on certain nights, just fyi)

Some Truths Are Hard To Define by @altschmerzes

There are a number of conflicting theories, among various and sundry members of the Dalton family tree, on how exactly the young blonde man they have concluded has to be Jack’s kid came to be. Seeing as he can’t have just sprung forth unto the earth fully formed, there has to be an explanation, and since nobody met him until he was out of high school, the explanation has to be something good. (or, the one where jack finds out after five years of bringing mac to family reunions that his family thinks he has a son)

Incredibly heartwarming story about Mac being "mistaken" for Jack's son. Spot-on characterization, and adorable moments of Mac being the greatest cousin ever to the kiddos, nieces, and nephews of the Dalton family. Also, I think I'm just going to add a caveat to each of these that every story by these authors is worth checking out (you won't regret it, especially with Gav's fics, here!)

Gaslighting + Blame Game + Optical Illusions by @m0ns00n53

Tammy doesn’t understand why such a quiet, intelligent man keeps getting stood up on his Friday lunch dates. She’s understandably a little terse when his neglectful son finally shows up one day, after weeks of disappointment. Luckily, Jack is there to clear things up.

This was another hard one to pick (Sergeant + Specialist is a must-read in my book, but due to it's subject matter being on the heavier side, here's something a little different) I'm such a sucker for Jack being there for his boy, as well as any older person within a 50-mile radius falling for Mac's charm and wanting to adopt him as their own. A lovely little follow-up to 3x04 that's a whole hell of a lot better written than that episode was, I assure you. With fantastic characterization, attention to detail, and fun fleshing out of background characters, I hope you all like this one as much as I did!

Flour + SAK + Landline by Sapless_Tree

Whumptober No. 4 + ALT 1 Prompt: hostage + losing control Somehow, things were blurry again, looping and swirling and doubling. Mac furrowed his eyebrows and blinked hard. “Now, isn't that better, Angus?"

In the mood for some Mac torture at the hands of Murdoc? Me too. This one's a fantastic fic that kept me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath the whole time. Really delightful despite maybe because of? the subject matter, and adds a healthy does of Protective!Mac, as well as his fear of heights. I certainly enjoyed reading this, and I'm sure you will too. (P.S. check out Nightcall for some incredible sickfic whumperflies)

[add'l warnings: non-consensual drugging, torture with a swiss army knife]

Lost Cause + Voicemail by @ariwritessometimes

Jack is dead. Jack is dead, but Mac still calls his phone. Leaves an occasional message, as if it’s just any ordinary day and Jack just happened to leave his phone off. When a field op turns fatal, Mac makes a phone call to Jack’s voicemail just to hear him one last time. Little does he know, there's someone listening on the other end.

I adore this one (and not only because Jack lives and gets reunited with his kids) but also because I feel like it could be (and should have been, if you ask me) an episode in of itself. Each part of Ari's Phone Calls series is phenomenal, and if you want to read a devastating take on how Mac deals with Jack's absence, you'll love it.

Truth Serum + Failed Rescue + GSW by @rosieblogstuff

There had always been the possibility that Jack just wouldn’t get caught, or that he’d shoot his way out if he did. Otherwise they would have both gone in. Mac would have insisted on that, because he hates it, absolutely hates it, when the entire plan is for Jack to put himself between Mac and danger. That’s not how partnership should work. Mac, with his blue eyes and blond hair, can’t really pass as a local, but Jack can pull it off just fine. The right jacket, some artfully placed smudges on his face, a cap from a very non-tourist part of the local market, combined with just the right swagger, and there’s a decent chance that nobody will give him a second glance. So maybe he can get in, grab the intel, and get back out without even being spotted. But of course it couldn't just be that easy.

A twist on 1x12 Screwdriver's cold open, with Jack drugged up before being rescued by Mac. Both of the boys get whumped in this one, and struggle to make exfil. I love how Jack's uninhibited inner thoughts are written, and how much he worries about Mac. (A runner up in a similar vein would be Lake + Stick + Fever, another gem that deserves to be recognized)

A Legend In One's Own Time by @appalachianapologies

A look at 1x08 and the lasting effects that would end up shaping Mac's choices in 5x14. Mostly, Loretta being the best mom there is.

A wonderful (and heartbreaking) story detailing Mac's feelings after the events of Corkscrew, as well as Mac and Loretta Bozer's relationship. I consider everything in this fic to be canon, honestly- It's quite good. Also, if you were hoping that in 5x14 she would have talked to Mac as well after figuring out what Bozer does for a living, you'll love this as much as I did. (Side note, I HIGHLY recommend Vi's Schrödinger's Sandbox series. It's another one I love to revisit time and time again)

If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too by @nativestarwrites

The first manhunt Bozer ever helped with was when he was twelve and Mac had run away after getting into trouble for blowing up the chemistry lab. This is the story of how he was found.

A lovely little fic with a dash of fluff and angst about little Bozer being the best brother in the world to his troubled friend. Short and sweet, with nailed characterization. (Check out Nativestar's Sleepy Softness series for some more wonderful fluff)

Rogue + Family + Home by @erinsworld

She knows how bad it looks, but this is Mac... He needs help, not to be hunted and she isn't about to turn her back on him and risk losing him forever.

A wonderful missing scene that we all so desperately needed in late season 4, and I'd say this is the canon we deserved. Incredibly touching and beautifully written (much more in-character than the writers were at the time, I might add) it also features a lovely little moment that I've added to my own personal headcanons. (If you aren't looking for a fix-it for the mess of later seasons, This Ain't Cairo takes an already great episode, Chisel, and adds some very good whump)

Petrichor by @paperxcrowns

He’s sinking back in, the mud refusing to relinquish its hold on him. A shudder runs up Mac’s spine as he drags himself out of the mud. Slowly, painfully, clawing at the earth trying to find a hold to use to free himself. Small roots and grass are ripped loose in his destructive wake of panic. Finally, finally, Mac’s legs pull free from the mud and scrambles back from the unmarked grave. The unmarked grave that almost became his.

I know some of my friends/followers are big fans of the buried alive trope (as am I) and this one delivers it in a BIG way. Incredibly suspenseful and emotional, this is another fic I come back to read time and time again. If you enjoy seeing Mac suffer, you're gonna LOVE this one like I did. Enjoy your time in the cemetery, buddy :) (Additionally, each one of paperxcrown's MacGyver fics is definitely worth checking out)

This Trophy Isn't Real Love by MaritimeSailorsCatherdral

AU end of Season 2: They find Mac's dad, and it goes differently. Tentatively, hoping for the best, Mac agrees to work on repairing and building the relationship with his father that he always wanted. Jack, though he doesn't trust James for a moment, keeps his reservations to himself. But as Mac grows distant and starts acting oddly, it becomes clear that it was more than overprotectiveness or insecurity that led to Jack's concerns. Something bad is happening to Mac, and Jack has a terrible feeling that whatever it is, James MacGyver is to blame. The truth is nothing he'd seen coming.

Ever read something where it feels like a warm fuzzy blanket while simultaneously stabbing you in the gut? This one is like that for me. Tears were shed while reading this one, and the character dynamics here are very special to me. This fic does contain abuse, but also a fair amount of comfort in the aftermath. I'd truly call this one a work of art, and I hope you all appreciate it too. While the author hasn't posted any other stories to this account, this one deserves so much love and more.

[add'l warnings: physical and emotional abuse from a parent]

- - -

Now I know there are many more that are near and dear to my heart that I haven't even mentioned yet, but this post is already getting quite long, so consider this a part one haha. Happy Cairo week everyone, and thank you to all of these very talented people who have shared their works with us to read! Go give them some love <3

[ariwritessometimes]

I think for me it has to be Seam Ripper, specifically that first chapter. With that chapter, I sat down and smashed out 7k in one sitting for what I meant to be like. A 4k one shot. And then I wasn't even done! It just kept hitting me over the head with team angst opportunities.

Cairo Day Q&A

What fandom work(s) of your own are you most proud of? Do you have a fanwork idea that you daydream about creating someday?

If you have participated in previous Cairo Days, do you have a favorite fanwork from that week?

[ariwritessometimes]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63270445

Bring Him Home

“I mean that he’s a wanted man, and he made a break for it when they tried to lock him up.”

“I’m sorry, he what? Who the hell--”

“Look, it all happened so fast, we didn’t have time to try to plan or talk it out together… But this is bad. Like, Five Eyes’ Most Wanted kind of bad.”

Ari's Cairo Catch-Up: 2021 Prompt "Murdoc"

Rosie's MacGyver FlashFic WriteAlong 2025: Day 1, Alternate Prompts "You're not paranoid if they are really out to get you." & "Fall from Grace"

That's right, I'm double dipping on the writealong and the Cairo Catch-Up 😂 We'll see how many of the FlashFic days I'm able to do!

@rosies-writealong

[ariwritessometimes]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63270445

Bring Him Home

“I mean that he’s a wanted man, and he made a break for it when they tried to lock him up.”

“I’m sorry, he what? Who the hell--”

“Look, it all happened so fast, we didn’t have time to try to plan or talk it out together… But this is bad. Like, Five Eyes’ Most Wanted kind of bad.”

Ari's Cairo Catch-Up: 2021 Prompt "Murdoc"

Rosie's MacGyver FlashFic WriteAlong 2025: Day 1, Alternate Prompts "You're not paranoid if they are really our to get you." & "Fall from Grace"

That's right, I'm double dipping on the writealong and the Cairo Catch-Up 😂 We'll see how many of the FlashFic days I'm able to do!

@rosies-writealong

[ariwritessometimes]

Oh yeah also fair warning, these are going to be entirely unedited zero drafts!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63270445

Bring Him Home

“I mean that he’s a wanted man, and he made a break for it when they tried to lock him up.”

“I’m sorry, he what? Who the hell--”

“Look, it all happened so fast, we didn’t have time to try to plan or talk it out together… But this is bad. Like, Five Eyes’ Most Wanted kind of bad.”

Ari's Cairo Catch-Up: 2021 Prompt "Murdoc"

Rosie's MacGyver FlashFic WriteAlong 2025: Day 1, Alternate Prompts "You're not paranoid if they are really our to get you." & "Fall from Grace"

That's right, I'm double dipping on the writealong and the Cairo Catch-Up 😂 We'll see how many of the FlashFic days I'm able to do!

@rosies-writealong

[ariwritessometimes]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63270445

Bring Him Home

“I mean that he’s a wanted man, and he made a break for it when they tried to lock him up.”

“I’m sorry, he what? Who the hell--”

“Look, it all happened so fast, we didn’t have time to try to plan or talk it out together… But this is bad. Like, Five Eyes’ Most Wanted kind of bad.”

Ari's Cairo Catch-Up: 2021 Prompt "Murdoc"

Rosie's MacGyver FlashFic WriteAlong 2025: Day 1, Alternate Prompts "You're not paranoid if they are really out to get you." & "Fall from Grace"

That's right, I'm double dipping on the writealong and the Cairo Catch-Up 😂 We'll see how many of the FlashFic days I'm able to do!

@rosies-writealong

[ariwritessometimes]

Seam Ripper, Part 3 (Final)

Recovery isn't as simple as a needle and thread.

[ariwritessometimes]

Seam Ripper part 3 incoming soon!

[ariwritessometimes]

Writers Truth & Dare Ask Game

🎱 ⇢ post your AO3 total stats  🍓 ⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction?  🌵 ⇢ share the link to a playlist you love 🕯️ ⇢ on a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you enjoy editing? why is that? 🛼 ⇢ describe your latest wip with five emojis 🥑 ⇢ you accidentally killed somebody, which mutual(s) do you text for help? 🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love 💌 ⇢ how many unread emails do you have right now?  🌻 ⇢ tag someone you appreciate but don't talk to on a regular basis 🐇 ⇢ do you prefer writing original characters, reader inserts, or a mix of both?  🧃 ⇢ share some personal lore you never posted about before 🎲 ⇢ what stops you from writing more in your free time?  🍄 ⇢ share a head canon for one of your favourite ships or pairings 🧸 ⇢ what's the fastest way to become your mutual? 🪐 ⇢ name three good things going on in your life right now 📚 ⇢ what's the last thing you wrote down in your notes app?  🍬 ⇢ post an unpopular opinion about a popular fandom character 🔪 ⇢ what's the weirdest topic you researched for a writing project? 🦷 ⇢ share some personal wisdom or a life hack you swear on ❄️ ⇢ what's your dream theme/plot for a fic, and who would write it best? 🌿 ⇢ give some advice on writer's block and low creativity 🥐 ⇢ name one internet reference that will always make you laugh  🏜️ ⇢ what's your favourite type of comment to receive on your work? 🍦 ⇢ name three good things about a character you hate 🥝 ⇢ do you lie a lot? what's the most recent lie you told? 🦋 ⇢ share something that has been on your heart and mind lately  🦴 ⇢ is there a piece of media that inspires your writing?  🍅 ⇢ give yourself some constructive criticism on your own writing 🐚 ⇢ do you like or dislike surprises? 🪲 ⇢ add 50 words to your current wip and share the paragraph here ☁️ ⇢ what made you choose your username? 🐝 ⇢ tag your biggest supporter(s) and say one nice thing about them 🌸 ⇢ do you have any pets? if you do, post some pictures of them 🎨 ⇢ link your favourite piece of fanart and explain why you like it 🧩 ⇢ what will make you click away from a fanfiction immediately?

[ariwritessometimes]

From the ao3 wrapped, how about 5, 15, and 20?

5. What work of yours got more feedback than you expected?

Ooh thats a tough one. Really any of my MacGyver stuff has surprised me. For such a small fandom, everybody is very active!

Overall, I'd say Mercury Switch + Whisper, probably. I did not expect people to like that one as much as they did!

15. What WIP are you taking into next year with you?

So many. So many. Even just of the ones started this year...

For WIP series I already had going coming into the year, that includes Song of the Sea: Sunsets and Black Sails, A Peculiar Fellowship, Cause of Death, The Final Experiment (we don't talk about that one, it's under construction), Time Will Tell, The Edge of Night, Larks Never Will...

Then series that were new this year:

Flowers Bloom in the Rain (rebooted, but it basically counts as new), Where the Wolves Run, All Burn Together, Seam Ripper, and of course, Meet Me in the Middle (When the Hourglass breaks)

...okay so I'm a WIP hoarder. Sue me. I'm gonna finish them all.... someday.

20. Which work of yours have you reread the most?

From this year, probably Seam Ripper, but of all time, I think has to be The Faded Portrait of a Bygone Era (the OC version, which is technically only on Quotev for now, but still). I was so emotionally invested in writing that one, it's always going to have a hold on me.

Thanks for the ask!

[ariwritessometimes]

ao3 wrapped [writers edition]

How many words have you written this year?

How many works did you publish this year?

What work are you most proud of (regardless of kudos/hits)?

What work of yours has the most hits?

What work of yours got more feedback than you expected?

Favorite title you used

If you use song lyrics, which artist’s songs did you pull from the most?

Pairing you wrote the most for this year?

Favorite pairing you wrote for this year?

What work was the quickest to write?

What work took you the longest to write?

How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year?

What’s your longest work of the year?

What’s your shortest work of the year?

What WIP are you taking into next year with you?

What’s your most common “Additional Tags” tag?

Your favorite character to write this year?

The character that gave you the most trouble writing this year?

What’s one pairing you want to explore next year?

Which work of yours have you reread the most?

How many kudos in total did you get this year?

Which work has the most comments?

Did you do any collaborative works this year?

Did you write any gifts this year?

Did you receive any gifts this year?

What’s your most common category?

What do you listen to while writing?

Favorite work you wrote this year?

Favorite line/passage you wrote this year?

Biggest surprise while writing this year?

[ariwritessometimes]

Meet Me in the Middle (When the Hourglass Breaks)

Mac loses his memory, and Jack and Riley have to help him navigate his current life while his mind is reset back to the countdown days of the Sandbox.

Ari's Cairo Catch-Up: 2021 Prompt "Army Days"

[ariwritessometimes]

Meet Me in the Middle (When the Hourglass Breaks)

Mac loses his memory, and Jack and Riley have to help him navigate his current life while his mind is reset back to the countdown days of the Sandbox.

Ari's Cairo Catch-Up: 2021 Prompt "Army Days"