disastrousrecs

[disastrousrecs]

With more and more Ao3 authors restricting their works to the archive (due to AI scraping), they're going to be losing guest interaction. And probably generally feeling down because. You know. AI is stealing their hard work.

So! Now is a great time to stop by your favorite authors/stories and drop them some comments! They really appreciate it!

[disastrousrecs]

the sundance kid squares up with middle age

by emileesaurus on ao3 | @emileesaurus

once upon a time in hollywood | rick dalton/cliff booth | post-canon | rated m | 5.7k

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Officially, Cliff had never been Rick's handyman. On paper, he was, just like he'd always been, Rick Dalton's stunt double. The way Cliff saw it, his job consisted of three parts:

One was to do pretty much whatever chore Rick came up with to justify keeping him around;

Two was to keep Rick from drinking too much and blowing his brains out when a role went to somebody else;

And three was to play more or less dumb about parts one and two.

Every once in a while somebody else would pay him to get set on fire or hit by a car, but these days those gigs came fewer and further between.

**

this is one of my favourite fics of all time. THE nonlinear fic that got me into nonlinear, believe it or not. gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous fic, so well characterised, SO well immersed in the world of the film. i read it in 2022 and loved every moment of it, the prose is so eloquent and gorgeous while being so down to earth and perfectly settled in the characters voice. i can’t recommend this fic enough, if you’ve watched the film, read this fic!!! it’s worth it

favourite excerpt:

Anyway, Cliff couldn't remember a time when he wasn't in love with Rick, so he figured that was probably how it happened.

**

have you read this fic? if yes, leave kudos, leave comments, give it a bookmark. if you haven't, go read it! interact!! show the author just how amazing their writing is!!

[disastrousrecs]

Fun Story to Share.

I got my (now 18-year-old) daughter into Ao3 back in 2021. I taught her she should always comment - even if the fic looks old or abandoned or whatever. She did.

Well - she got this email this morning:

The fic was written in 2014 and essentially abandoned.

Bethy read and reviewed in 2021 (and was actually the only person who had commented at all).

Today in 2025 - the final chapter was posted by the author and this was her reply to Bethy’s comment.

———

Never question whether a fic is too old to comment on.

[disastrousrecs]

it’s war show wednesday on the fic rec blog!

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little talks

by blood_mocha_latte on Ao3 / @blood-mocha-latte

band of brothers | george luz/joe toye | post-war | rated e | 150k+ | series

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George Luz and Joseph Toye, in five acts. From Aldbourne to Georgia; from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island.

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a series rec! very exciting. i thought about recommending each part of it individually (which i may still do in the future, because this is always a joy to revisit!) but for right now, i wanted to rec the series as a whole. little talks is regarded by many as THE luztoye fic, and it’s probably one of the first ones read by most new luztoye fans. if the fandom impact doesn’t speak for itself, then i’ll say it plainly: little talks is incredible. the author commands words, characters, and dynamics in a way that i don’t see very often. it’s all presented in the most amazing vocabulary, the setting is used like a character in the piece, fitting all of the story elements together and transitioning beautifully from one place to another. i can’t recommend this fic enough!! especially if you’re new to the fandom, or new to the pairing, THIS is one of the best of the best.

favourite excerpt(s):

(considering this is a series, i’m picking one from both parts)

part 1 - when i fall asleep

Instead, he just shifted against Joe, closing his eyes and pretending he could block out anything that wasn’t in a hole in the ground and the body next to his own.

He wouldn’t be able to stay. They both knew that. Even if they could, and wouldn’t arouse any suspicion, it wouldn’t work. If not because of the radio, then because of something else. If not this, then that. George wondered if that made him a coward.

He wondered if that was because Bastogne would become fractionally less of a frozen hell if he could stay like this, pressed to Joe with his eyes closed, safe in the ground, safe away from everything else. Almost a deadly sin.

part 2 - an old voice

But Europe was far away, now, and he was returning to Georgia, and Joe was still hurt and he remembered that more than he remembered anything else before Foy. More than foxholes, or an almost false warmth, or a sense of being alone surrounded by twenty other men.

He could still feel Joe’s hands, at his back and hands and neck and forehead, if he stayed still for long enough. If he was tired enough. But that would be different, too. Almost certainly, he was sure.

**

have you read this fic? if yes, leave kudos, leave comments, give it a bookmark. if you haven't, go read it! interact!! show the author just how amazing their writing is!!

as always, if you have a rec that you’d like to share with the blog, drop it in the askbox!

[disastrousrecs]

If you read the fic, leave the kudos. Leave a comment too, if possible. Just do it. It takes a few seconds of your time and it means the world to the writer.

Sincerely, me who just got told that my writing feels like watching a blockbuster movie. I don't care if they were sincere or not, I'll be thinking about that comment for the rest of my life and every time I feel bad about my art, I'll remember that someone once liked it.

[disastrousrecs]

happy trans visibility day! for today i’m reccing trans-centric fics!

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empty spaces (waves and particles)

by kathkin on Ao3 / @penny-anna

back to the future | emmett “doc” brown & marty mcfly | trans marty au | rated g | 7.6k

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It was done, he told himself. Whatever change had occurred in the timeline, it was already in the past, irreversible as any other event. And after all, he’d known Marty for only a week. It was irrational to think of him as a friend. It was wildly irrational, to mourn something that had never existed.

After hearing about the birth of the McFly family's second daughter, Doc Brown can only conclude that the worst has happened and that Marty has somehow been erased from time. He resigns himself to being alone, but when he crosses paths with the new McFly kid he can't help but make a friend

**

what a fic!!! one of the only back to the future pieces that i’ve ever read, and honestly it’s SO worth it. a beautiful look at the trans experience viewed from the outside. it’s heartwarming and so so sweet. if you’re looking for something light, easy, and soft to get your trans visibility day started, this is the fic for you!

favourite excerpt:

For a moment, at the look on Marty’s face, he wasn’t sure how to say; but then, there was really only one thing he could say. “Well – if you want to be a boy, then be a boy.”

**

have you read this fic? if yes, leave kudos, leave comments, give it a bookmark. if you haven't, go read it! interact!! show the author just how amazing their writing is!!

as always, if you have a rec that you’d like to share with the blog, drop it in the askbox!

[disastrousrecs]

wassail, wassail

by darthnickels on Ao3

downton abbey | thomas barrow/edward courtenay | canon divergence | rated g | 50k

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mid-December, 1920: Robert discovers one of Sybil's former patients is living in York, and invites him to spend Christmas at Downton. Things go as well as one might expect.

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GODS, this is one of the most amazing fics i’ve read in my LIFE. the series that it comes from, the trees sweetly blooming, has other absolutely incredible moments and is absolutely worth a read, but wassail, wassail was the first installment that i read, and to be honest, i don’t think i’ve ever actually gotten over it! this is probably the essential edward courtenay/thomas barrow fic, if i was an authority on the subject! if you know me, you’ll know that I’m usually more into barris than his relationship with courtenay but my FRIENDS this fic is the exception that proves the rule. if you’re going to read ANY edward/thomas fic, please please please read this one. it’s such a beautifully developed look at the downton cast, thomas character (pre series 3 levels of sassy-ness) and giving a short lived character like edward a chance to be characterised so so well. the dynamics between all of the characters are so new while maintaining all of the original magic that you’ll know and love from downton abbey

favourite excerpt:

Thomas,” Edward breathed. “It’s absolutely perfect. I love it—I’ll use it every day— you’ll be sick of me telling you the time—”

“How could I be sick of it?” Thomas rested his chin on Edward’s shoulder. “What time is it now?”

**

have you read this fic? if yes, why not give it a comment, bookmark, and kudos! if not, go read it! share this with others and let the author know how amazing their work is!

as always, if you have a rec that you’d like to share with the blog, drop it in the askbox!

[disastrousrecs]

Normalize leaving unhinged comments on ao3 fics you like. I'm tired of being the only one brave enough to write "I am chewing on this fic" in the comment section. Be weird. Authors will love you for it

[disastrousrecs]

in the morning, when i wake

by roaroftheninth on Ao3 / @almost-a-class-act

justified | raylan givens/tim gutterson | domestic mornings | rated t | 1.9k

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Tim always comes awake like a light coming on – immediate.

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what a fic!!! <- me with every single post on this blog. it may surprise you to see me reccing a givenson fic, but i read this last summer and adored it. so i tracked it down again to reread just recently and GAH what a perfect piece of writing. if you’ve been poking around on here, you know that i loved this author’s band of brothers work knit us together (and there are a few more recs to come!) but this one. THIS ONE. i barely read for justified because i haven’t actually finished justified, but this is one of those fics that’s worth the risk of spoilers, incredibly gorgeous in every which way and so so wonderful. if you want good pacing, characterisation, thematic presence and just really really good writing, give this fic a go!!

favourite excerpt: (honestly i wanted to just copy-paste the whole fic here)

“Is this so I can hear your heart beat?” Tim asks, trailing his fingers through the gaps between Raylan’s ribs with a light touch at odds with the note of sarcasm in his voice.

“It is,” Raylan says. 

**

have you read this fic? if yes, make sure to comment, bookmark, and kudos! if not, go read it! share this with others and let the author know how amazing their work is!

as always, if you have a rec that you’d like to share with the blog, drop it in the askbox!

[disastrousrecs]

it’s war show wednesday on the fic rec blog!

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lifer

by reservoirbetweenus on Ao3 / @coldarena

the pacific | andy “ack ack” haldane/eddie “hillbilly” jones | post-war au | not rated | 39k

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Eddie stays with the Marines. Andrew goes home.

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this was another fic recommended to me by @krakerjaksstuff, a beautiful rendition of the heartbreaking andyeddie storyline that makes me emotional every time i read it. non linear narrative done gorgeously! (and if you’re at all familiar with me, you’ll probably know that i’m a huge fan of non-linear writing, so take this from an Expert on the subject, of course, lol) the author of lifer manages to explore post war life, in both the civilian and military aspects of the pairing, the way life can’t go back to normal after their experiences in the PTO, realising feelings, developing relationships… honestly, if you’re looking for a hilldane fic with all of the wonderful hilldane-ness you could imagine, but you’re also looking for 1950s sociopolitical nuances, this is the fic for you!

favourite excerpt:

There’s a stillness to this moment, like this is the sacred centre of his world. His palm resting flat on Eddie’s bare ribs. Neither of them moving. Just the shallow sounds of Eddie’s breathing, and the faint movements of his chest, as he lets himself be manhandled. Allows his Skipper to openly run a hand across his skin. Dusty, golden sunlight glows within the tent; he inhales the sweet smell of the tropical sunset to come and the cool night it will bring.

**

have you read this fic? if yes, make sure to comment, bookmark, and kudos! if not, go read it! share this with others and let the author know how amazing their work is!

as always, if you have a fic you’d like to rec to the blog, the ask box is open!

[disastrousrecs]

decidedly unfriendly reminder that fanfiction is written by real people with real feelings for free in their free time. it's a labour of love and something to cherish. if you come across a fic that you don't enjoy, that's totally fine, but it is your due diligence as a fellow fan and decent human being to click away. leaving mean comments, absurd rating systems or harassing writers in their inbox while hiding behind an anonymous icon is not an acceptable manner to behave in any fandom and online space ever. it's disgustingly entitled, wildly disrespectful and only serves to discourage people from sharing their writing in a community that is meant to be fun and supportive. the next time you read something you don't enjoy, stop reading it and move on with your day. read something you like and leave kudos and a nice comment there instead. have some common sense and don't be a fucking asshole. it's not that fucking difficult.

[disastrousrecs]

bound by the things we choose

by winterkill on Ao3 / @kurikaesu-haru

asoiaf | jaime lannister/brienne of tarth | fake marriage au, post-canon | rated m | 30k

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Jaime's pretty certain he would remember standing across from the dour, hulking Maid of Tarth and swearing to be with her until the end of his days.

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gosh!! this fic. a whirlwind of emotion, the perfect braime post-canon, i’d call it, even! i’ve read this probably… five, maybe six times all the way through? it’s ABSOLUTELY worth it. fake relationship done in a plausible and realistic manner for the characters that fits so so well into the setting. a wonderful way of executing “tropes” without making them seem obvious, or even like they’re even there! bed sharing, friends to lovers… this fic has it all!!

favourite excerpt:

Brienne opens the door leading outside and places the lantern on the stone railing. “I used to come here when I wanted to be alone.”

“So you brought me?”

“I wanted to--” Be alone with you. ‘ I wanted to show you something that’s mine.”

**

have you read this fic? if yes, make sure to comment, bookmark, and kudos! if not, go read it! share this with others and let the author know how amazing their work is!

as always, if you have a rec that you’d like to share with the blog, drop it in the askbox!

[disastrousrecs]

okay but there is something disquieting about this urge to cast fan writers as altruists. they give us all this for free!! well, no.

they’re sharing

it’s a key difference in perception. fic isn’t given. it’s shared. it’s part of a fandom community— in which readers are also an integral part.

it’s probably inevitable mission creep from the increasingly transactional nature of the internet and fandom-as-consumerism, which was always gonna happen after corps worked out how much bank there is to make from those weirdo fan people

but like. fandom is sharing. i think we’ve lost that somewhere.

[disastrousrecs]

tears in waves

by rovardotter on Ao3 / @r0vardotter

asoiaf | theon greyjoy/robb stark | canon divergence | rated t | 1.3k

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His lord father had told him to take care of his mother and his brothers, to listen to the Maester's counsel, to train diligently and to tread honourably. He had said nothing of hacking Theon's head off.

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this fic is a gut-punch of emotion, strong, painful, and so so well written. if you’re thrown off by small word counts, then i suggest you take a look at this beautifully structured and wonderfully paced piece. it’s a masterclass in all things short and angsty. one of the best major character death fics you could possibly get your hands on, read it if you’re ready for a good cry!!

favourite excerpt:

"At least you would get to choose," Theon said, and they looked at each other for a long time, the silence growing thick between them.

"Aye," Robb finally said. "And choose I will. Sleep well, Greyjoy. I shall come back at dawn." And he bent over and kissed his friend on his brow, tasting the salt of sweat and fear on his skin.

**

have you read this fic? if yes, leave kudos, leave comments, give it a bookmark. if you haven't, go read it! interact!! show the author just how amazing their writing is!!

as always, if you have a rec that you’d like to share with the blog, drop it in the askbox!

[disastrousrecs]

the tie that binds us (is an unbreakable rope)

by wick_de_la_vela on Ao3 / @wick-de-la-vela

good omens | aziraphale/crowley | human edwardian au | rated t | 20k

**

"One of Crowley’s eyes is a startlingly clear amber, like a bottle of whiskey set out in the sun. The other is half-shut, as though Crowley means to spare him the sight of it, the jagged group of scars that cut from his brow into the hollow of his eye socket and over the delicate swell of the eye itself, leaving streaks of red through the iris.

Something warm and familiar twinges in Aziraphale’s chest. He disregards it."

Summary: The year is 1905. Lady Beatrice Morningstar and Mr. Gabriel Worthington are set to tie the knot after a week of festivities at Worthington Manor. Naturally, their respective cousins, Crowley and Aziraphale, are invited, and certain things are brought to light (or dragged into the light, kicking and screaming all the while.)

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this is one of my all-time favourite fics, and honestly i’m due for a complete reread of it pretty soon. i don’t interact much with the good omens fandom, and i haven’t for a while, but this fic has persisted in my bookmarks and in my mind, and of course in my heart. it’s a beautiful telling of aziraphale and crowley’s relationship amidst gender and sexuality woes. if you’re looking for a cathartic, beautifully written piece that builds upon itself and unfurls like a flower in bloom, this is for you!!

favourite excerpt:

“I’d only thought to bring it out here to read to you. It’s a good day for it. Or, er,” he rambles on, “you could read to me? Or there could be no reading. This was stupid, wasn’t it?”

“I wouldn’t go quite that far,” says Aziraphale. He’s thinking of another time, another poem, amber eyes filling with tears so many years ago. Before it can really take root in his mind and ruin his afternoon, he stubbornly beats back the memory and the misery that accompanies it. “I would be honored to have you read to me,” he admits, only a little shaky.

**

have you read this fic? if yes, leave kudos, leave comments, give it a bookmark. if you haven't, go read it! interact!! show the author just how amazing their writing is!!

as always, if you’d like to rec a fic to the blog, the askbox is always open!

[disastrousrecs]

three more stories

by besselfcn on Ao3 / @besselfcn

house m.d. | greg house/james wilson | unconventional format | rated m | 1.1k

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The first time it happens is (New Orleans, 1991 | Albany, 2009 | Augusta, 2012) and they are (drunk | sober | out of time).

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yet another gorgeous fic recommended to me by @krakerjaksstuff. it’s been a few years now since i read this for the first time, and it’s still just as stunning now as it was then. i was hesitant about the “unconventional format” tagged, but my friend convinced me that it was worth it, and— well, certainly, she was right. this is such a unique writing style, combining possibilities a d timelines so seamlessly. as an author i still can’t quite figure out how someone could come up with and execute such a stunning and inventive concept. this author deserves any and all praise given. give this incredible fic a read!!

favourite excerpt:

His hands do, though—his hands are clutching everywhere they can find, on the sheets, the collar of House’s shirt, the hair against his scalp. Like someone drowning, House thinks—the way they grab at the people trying to save them, pull both of them underwater. He can feel the water rising around him too, anyway; he wants to reach out just as desperately, twist his fingers into the (soft | starchy | ragged) cotton of Wilson’s shirt, but he can’t. He’s the lifeguard, now. He’s keeping them both afloat.

**

have you read this fic? if yes, leave kudos, leave comments, give it a bookmark. if you haven't, go read it! interact!! show the author just how amazing their writing is!!

as always, if you’d like to rec a fic to the blog, the askbox is always open!

[disastrousrecs]

do you want to be considered a 10/10, just like all these fics i rec? it’s easy!

1- open your favourite fanfic

2- (if you haven’t already) make sure you’ve left kudos!

3- write a comment! it can be as long as you want, or as short as you want. to any author, seeing something in their ao3 inbox is a GIFT, no matter how jumbled or incoherent you think your thoughts are