#go give these authors lots of love🫵

[eliashirsch]

God Tier Top Gun Fanfictions. A Masterlist. (1/3)

As of 15th May 2024, these are some of the BEST stories I have read in the fandom. Of course, this is completely subjective and there are many personal factors as to why I crowned them God Tier. 

Mainly:

Reading it for the first time: ‘Oh, this is really good, I’m going to be thinking about this for the rest of my life’

When compiling the list: ‘Oh my god, this fic, man, this fic!!’

There are many other fics that match the first criteria, but for it to be on this list, I needed to have these two reactions.

REMINDER! READ THE AUTHORS' TAGS AND WARNINGS!!! They’re there for a reason. PLEASE make sure you understand where the story is going to be before reading!!

Without further ado, I present to you, my roman empires:)

Winner Categories:

1. Best of the Best Authors (1/3)

2. Best of the Best Series (2/3)

3. Best of the Best Fics (3/3)

4. Honorary Mentions (4/3)

Best of the Best Authors

Authors that I trust with my life, whose work are ALL incredibly well written. 

COMPACFLT @compacflt

They’re the first person to pop in my head when I was thinking about making this list. No amount of time and words will be enough for me to describe how good their work is. Seriously. It’s on a level I’ve never seen before for fanfiction. The world building, the characterization, the prose, everything. COMPACFLT has a way of understanding these characters, it makes so much sense and fits so well with canon. I’m just at a loss for words. Genuinely the reason I converted to Icemav supremacy.

When We Get Around to Talking About It 

Goose has been dead for a week and a half when Iceman loses his first wingman in a dogfight with six Soviet MiGs over the Sea of Okhotsk. Goose has been dead for thirty years when Iceman loses his second wingman to a surface-to-air missile on the tail-end of a mission he's responsible for: he's sent his family on a suicide mission to destroy a uranium enrichment facility in Russia's Far East. This is the story of those thirty years in the middle. (Or: Tom Kazansky rises through the ranks while trying to stay a good man. If he ever was one to begin with.)

This was the first story I’ve read from them. And it’s so… I don’t have words.  It’s told from Ice’s perspective, filling the gaps between TG and TG:M with added Icemav and Hangster. In my mind this is canon:D

Debriefing (& Other Stories)

"We can start here, I guess. If we're talking about us," Pete says. "Nineteen-eighty-six. The first thing I thought, when I saw you in that O-club, was: Iceman is off-limits. Capital O, capital L." Despite himself, despite the fear, Tom laughs a little. "Oh, yeah? Why's that?" "Well, first off, we were competition. And yeah, you were attractive, but then you opened your mouth and I swear. You were just an asshole. Goose is trying to introduce you to me and here I am thinking about how much of an asshole you are. Shut up about Cougar, asshole." "It was supposed to be a friendly competition!" "Yeah, right. So that's what I was thinking: he's attractive, clearly doesn't know how to talk to other men, might be into the proposition if I framed it the right way. But he's an asshole, so this competition is just gonna be friendly." Pete pauses. Then he says, "Ice, you wanna get married?" And that's how they start talking about it. (Or: they finally get around to talking about it. Plus a couple extra stories for good luck.)

Sigh and send COMPACFLT a loving look. This Maverick's POV adds so much to the story without being repetitive. COMPACFLT deliberately tells their story like puzzle pieces, and they complete each other—just like Icemav, if you will. 

The Slider oneshot is truly something else. I was so eager for the upload and kept an eye on their account for updates religiously. To flesh out a character that barely has any source material is an incredible skill to have. And the Bradley oneshot… Omg… My favorite characterization of Bradley, period. 

Tremors & Aftershocks

They both come back to their senses and stop openly crying again eventually. The stitches fall out of the thirty-year-old wounds and the scars fade back to skin-color. Life stops being so painfully raw after a couple weeks back home. You get used to miracles the way you get used to anything else. One day at a time. [Or: 40 years of extras, from 1982-2022. Some true love, some heartbreak, some miracles.]

To me, this one has a different feeling from the other two. More focused on Ice and Mav’s relationship as opposed to the whole plotline. It’s tender and bittersweet and feels like being hugged for the first time and then told that you wouldn’t get another hug in thirty years time.  

What impresses me most is that, if you go to COMPACFLT’s Tumblr account, you’ll see the thought they’ve put for these stories are INSANE. They’re so educated on the military and its history and it adds so much to these characters. I’m not American and all my writing for Top Gun will always stem from google searches and other fics. If you’re a nerd like me and like to read about other’s analysis about topics they know nothing about, I suggest you go to their account and have fun.

COMPACFLT, you have captured my soul with your writing. Thank you for your service and I wish you well in life.

AortaArgent @aortaargent

If you’re looking for an author who can write smut like nothing else, go to their profile. Better yet, click here, and scroll down to the threads they made about girl!Mav and get horny real quick. It’s a shortcut to heaven really. (And yes, I’m still upset that they seem to have left the fandom, but I still hold the stories they’ve left behind close to my heart:)) My favorites:

like a shotgun (needs an outcome)

“Ice gave me a handjob when we did this,” he argues. “Oh, that’s what gets you moving? Seeing who comes first?” With that, Slider takes hold of him, wrapping his hand around and keeping his fist steady. “Go on, baby girl. Fuck it like a good little -” He squeezes Slider’s balls a little harder than he’d imagine is necessarily pleasant. For Slider. It's definitely nice for him. “Fuck,” Kerner chokes out, weakly. Ice sounds like he’s trying not to laugh. “I told you he bites.” In which there are multiple realisations, improbable numbers of pilots hanging out in a shared shower, volleyball games and verbal tennis. Yes, it's compulsory to wear your dogtags in the shower - never know when you could need identification. (Only kidding, it's for added fuckability.)

It’s so hot... but believable at the same time. BDSM is just one of those things where you read about it and can tell if the author has experience or is just extremely well-informed. 

Eye to Eye 

“Maybe it’s not just us looking to get a piece of you,” Wolf says. He’s right by Maverick’s head, and a shiver rolls down his shoulders in a sweeping tide at the soft click of each word against his ear. “Maybe we offered. You’re so pretty, Mav. It’s not a hard sell.” His hands twitch with the effort of not reaching up to tear off the blindfold and find out if they’re telling the truth or just winding him up. It’s possible. Occupied, blindfolded, he might not have noticed the door opening. More guys could have been in the showers. Two hands circle his ankles, firm over his boots, and hold him steady. Someone else has his left hand, kneading the tendons down the back of it. Anyone and anything is plausible. A continuation. Finally.

HOT DAMN. That’s all.

AortaArgent portrayed Ice and Mav’s relationship as absolute and secure while having fun with Mav’s dynamic with the other guys. All of their works are mind-boggling and simply amazing!

thecarlysutra @icemankazansky

Need I say more? Carly’s one of the most prominent members of the Top Gun fandom. Actually, I trust any member of the Top Gun Old Guard. With Carly, there’s something about their writing that makes me think of discovering an old box of CDs you used to watch relentlessly, dusty and worn, but the nostalgia rushes back and it’s achingly familiar. You can tell they’ve been writing for Top Gun for so long the characters kind of became their own. And when you click on any fic they wrote, you can fall and trust they’ll catch you. My favorites:

and i promise, you're the locksmith

“Is something going on in your neighborhood?” Maverick asked. “Like … a pest problem or something?” “You could say that,” Ice said. “Like … a coyote or something?” “Suitors,” Ice said. Maverick's attempts to woo Iceman are somewhat complicated by the promise Ice has made: Anyone who wants to marry him must catch his cat, which wears the key to his house around its neck on a silver chain. Inspired by the Tumblr legend.

This one’s so cute!!! Ugh, I’m never going to get tired of reading Icemav fall in love over and over again. 

Dreams of Impact

Maverick's trip in Darkstar takes him further than he ever imagined possible.

Sigh for the second time and send hearts Carly’s way. Basically, Mav gets transported to another universe and weird things happen. I love fics that dabble with the universe, the what-ifs, the what could’ve been. Do you ever have that moment when you make a decision, look back and wonder how life would be if you chose differently? Click on the link and read 🫵

aelibia @topgunreacts

God. aelibia’s just too good. It’s like banger after banger after banger. If you’re looking for an author whose work is a guaranteed good read, click the link and it’ll show you magic. They have Icemav ranging from tender and soft to angsty, portraying all different sorts of love and a way of writing explicit sex that I’ve never found anywhere else. 

I can’t even pick which one’s my favorite because they’re all my favorite. Especially the series they wrote, oh my god. I love them all. However, one that I reread religiously and being giddy over is this:

Wine Dark Sea

Raised by a selkie mother bound to a human man, Ice returns to the human world as a teenager with a singular purpose: to find the source of human strength, and claim it for himself. But after a careless mistake binds him to another human man, Ice is forced to reconsider his most fundamental beliefs: What is the meaning of strength? And what is the cost of freedom?

It’s so silly at times and heartbreaking most of the time. I especially love the later chapters where the evil is defeated and Ice is just being a silly seal while Mav’s being the supportive partner that he is. This fic is the SOLE REASON that my favorite animal is a seal. Thank you for opening my eyes to something that has been so obvious from the start, your majesty aelibia.

I also humbly present these seal drawings because the image of Ice galumphing around a Navy base, complete with wet smacks and people shrieking in horror makes me laugh everyday. That, and the scene where Mav is surrounded by four fat harbor seal pups and reading a story to them. Eleven out of ten. 

This one’s my favorite:}

[daddycassie]

Welcome to my blog! 🐝☀️

It’s been a while since I’ve done an official introduction for my blog, so here is the new an updated one~

I’m Casper, you can call me Cas or Cassie <3 👻🎃

I’m an author, and I write for tbosas, aka the hunger games trilogy! I’ll write platonic headcanons for characters, x readers(fem or gender neutral, but mostly fem), ship headcanons, ship fics(snowbaird, coralbaird, dovecrane, dovecranebaird, dovebaird! Yes I know — odd selection, don’t be afraid to ask about any of them) Note that I do also write very specifically for Anthea from Shazam fury of the gods, and Maria from west side story 2021, I just love Rachel Zegler a lot <3

I keep requests open most of the time and try to get to them within a couple days but it really depends on how motivated I am, so sorry if it takes me a while to get to yours!!! 😭🫶

I write fluff, nsfw, and angst, don’t shy away from giving me your headcanons either, I love to hear from you guys!!!

I run two other accounts; @dearlucygraybaird and @barbazurebairdtrue ! These are character blogs that I am generally very active on, don’t be scared to say hello <3

Other characters include: @tamamberoffically @clerkcarmineclade @billytaupeclade @officialmaudeivorybaird @justlucygraybaird @s-plinth @arachnecrane @coralfisher @officallaminamason

If you wanna join in, any spot not listed here should be open!! We’d love to have you as a part of the fun.

Speaking of @ ing, these are some of my favorite people that you MUST follow!!!

@torturedcoveydepartment @sparklebear11 @sleepy-gee @noooooooop-e @lettersfrompanem @officialelioperlman-deactivated (may you rest in peace)

my wife @losingmymindrn gets their own spot because I bit her 😔 ILY FOREVER BABY

He is the CEO of Coralbaird and I’m her secretary ✏️📋

———

More about me ~ 🌼🌙

I was born on February 7th, making me an Aquarius ♒️

My MBTI is INFP ✨

my irl name is like covey 🌹

my favorite colors are yellow and pink 💛🩷

I go by all pronouns, but I am a lady ☺️

I am an out and proud lesbian who occasionally loves fictional men!!! But am currently smitten w/ Rachel Zegler and her characters so good luck dragging me away Coriolanus Snow 🫵

Some of my favorite things include; my moots, My dogs, Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Crystals, the hunger games series, my wife, origami, the moon, writing/literature, bugs(especially spiders and beetles), candles, Halloween, Pumpkins very specifically, sweettarts, stuffed animals, old creepy things, stickers, Sanrio, card games, movies, pop figures, quilts, my quote books, pickles, theatre, TAYLOR FUCKING SWIFT!!!! (this list goes on too long I love too many things)

For now this is all I have… I’m sure I’ll add more so stay tuned pumpkins 🫶

[suzyq31]

Example of what Harmony authors face

Hi,

I know a lot of you who follow me or are mutuals in this space are more Jily writers/readers. But I just want to share an example of the reasons I'm no longer comfortable engaging in the main Harmony fandom space run by HMS Harmony. I'll be blocking and deleting this user/commenter. I did however want to post this here as a concrete example of why it is that I'm not eager to continue and will be focusing on writing other pairings.

Also want to reiterate that I am not against discussion of fics, I just think entire post dedicated to talking about what we dislike about a fic in public fandom spaces don't adhere to a culture of kindness or respect. Fandom is about having fun, engaging with something we all love. That doesn't mean we all have to like the same things. But I also think we can do better about treating each other decently. I have not sent a single person after this user, or to attack any moderators of these groups. But again, this is the response and while I haven't been there to see it, I do know that I'm being dragged on there. Which does make me afraid to speak up, but sometimes we have to do things or speak up even when we feel anxious about further retaliation.

One last thing about fandom culture/critique. I saw a post on here that I'll try to find again that basically said that fics aren't a meal at a restaurant where you pay and specify what you want. They are more like a home cooked meal. If you don't like it that's fine, don't eat it, but you also don't need to throw it back in the person's face. So anyways, this wasn't the best way to start my morning but I'm going to focus on the positives in my life, like going to a job where I get to plan Harry Potter themed activities for kids ❤️ Hope you all have a lovely day!

The comment can be viewed below:

Let me say this as clearly as possible and hope you don’t construe this as disrespect for the sake of disrespect.

Get over yourself. Really, do that.

Your entire author note is self contradictory to the point that it makes me laugh. You said it wasn’t meant to cast blame but you posted the link to the thread I made on reddit. You said you don’t always expect the internet to be a safe space yet you’re trying to make it that way by not only brigading your friends and supporters against the mods but making an author note to air your own grievances about a thread that did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to rip apart publicly and regularly.

If you think I’ve ripped apart BFL with that thread then I shudder to think what you’ll think when you see something actually being ripped apart. What I did was voice my confusion and frustration at not being able to understand what that story was trying to accomplish. What I did was seek out others to either see if they felt the same or see if they felt different to me. You conveniently ignored that latter part.

And now you’re giving yourself time and grace to make a decision on what you want to do in the fandom. So with all due respect again, GET OVER YOURSELF. You post a work into a public space and expect it not to be critically discussed? The absolute worst thing I could have done was “RiP aPaRt” BFL directly in Emerson’s thread but I didn’t. Instead I went to reddit and sought out others in the community to try and understand. The fact that she ended up seeing that and then announcing that she’s leaving the fandom just to put heat on me is crazy but I’ll let it slide.

I honestly do not know what I could have done better other than shutting my mouth and saying nothing but the truth is that I was a fan of the author and I absolutely refused to believe the story she put out was what it was. Do I regret offering up a discussion on Reddit? Hell no. I wanted to understand so I sought understanding.

Another contradiction. You said you were no God but you are a human but yet you’re asking others to change the subreddit to what you 🫵 want it to be. You want it to be changed to an echo chamber where sensitive people like you won’t be exposed to criticism or discussion of your work. The same bloody work you posted on a public site to hundreds, thousands, of readers. Give me a break.

If you’re so afraid of negativity, as you call it, then may I suggest a policy of perhaps not being on Reddit and not seeking out posts that discuss your work? It’s either that or get over yourself and roll with the punches.

Discussion isn’t always going to be complimentary or kind. If your work is controversial, best believe it will be discussed. And make no mistake, I DISCUSSED BFL. Never once did I levy harsh accusations or insults just because I didn’t like the story. The fact that it has 41 upvotes and counting echoes that. So many people agree with me and I love it. I think that’s what Reddit is about. Promoting discussion and understanding of things.

Once again, please either get over yourself or adopt the fanfic author’s sacred mantra: “Don’t like, don’t read.” You don’t like the way your work is read and discussed, then leave. Join a new subreddit that is the echo chamber you want it to be. Or even leave the fandom like your friend Emerson did. Join the Dramione community because apparently their subreddit is better than Harmony’s according to all yous. Or even join the Nevmione subreddit, I’m sure they could use a few more authors and are “nicer” than Harmony.

Make a note of how stupid and unfair it sounds when I tell you to do all of those things. Make a note of how you feel when I say them. And then ask yourself why “don’t like, don’t read” is a bullshit rule. You can’t just decide to fully dislike a story without reading it all the way through. Stories get better and they win you over as you read them. The fact that BFL didn’t do that after I read it 8 odd times is a testament to me trying to find some positives because that is who I am..

That being said, continue to give yourself time and grace after you read this. Give yourself both of those things which, honestly, could have saved BFL if Harry was given some of it.

[coffeeshib]

Hi! I’ve recently visited your page again, after a longer tumblr break and saw your posts about people’s comments on your fics. It made me both sad and angry. Sad because they’ve managed to take away your joy for writing Supercorp and angry that people feel like they can type out any hurtful thought that goes through their head, for a thing that is absolutely free and made with so much passion and care. 😒🤬

For what it’s worth, I always loved the way you write both of them. AND the fact that you don’t ignore Kara’s trauma and struggles. “i’m spilling all my words (but you keep 'em to yourself)” will forever be one of my favorites. Thank you for the hours of joy and fun you have given us! I hope you know that for every entitled commenter there are ten times more people who love your works! 🫵🏻🤘🏻

ahh thank you so much, i appreciate this. i have to say, sc still has me by the neck, i do plan to finish that fic & maybe write some more but it won't be anytime soon. i had hoped that the fandom would calm down with the kara hate after the show ended but i was wrong, it still hasn't changed.

when you've been writing for sc for so long, the frustration builds up, & there have been many times where i felt like i needed to (& did) restrict myself when writing them. it stops being enjoyable when people are constantly calling kara 'stupid' & insult her in many different ways for not being the happy sunshine kara danvers who takes care of lena all the time.

personally i love reading & writing the reverse situation (lena who's being the patient loving one & also the shoulder for kara to lean on) because the show didn't give us enough of that. unfortunately, people don't respond well whenever kara is struggling with her issues & lena isn't the one who's being comforted.

i write what i like & that's what i'm always going to do, but this build up of frustration over the past years & always anticipating kara hate every fic/chapter killed the joy a lot.

i've seen some authors speak about this too & it's genuinely sad to see! people can like & dislike whatever but it's important to note that there are readers out there who don't realize that their personal feelings against kara also affect authors & their love for writing supercorp

[pillowfriendly]

YOU! 🫵 GIVE ME INFORMATION! ABOUT YOUR WRITING EXPERIENCE!

5. Books or authors that influenced your style the most / 6. Favorite character you ever created / 7. Favorite author

Best regards,

AAAH OK

Answered 5 before so we do a little copy pasting hehe: I WANT this answer to be Shirley Jackson. And it probably is, to some extent. The way she blends characterization into her really atmospheric style and plays with tone is sooo inspirational.

But GRRM, Robert Jordan, and Tamsyn Muir have all Done Things to me. Currently trying to rip apart Gene Wolfe's prose with my teeth and eat it so that I may be able to regurgitate it in some way. If you see me getting real overwrought with it, you'll know it worked.

6. Unironically Neave, a character I play in a tabletop pathfinder campaign. I tried to make a little sunshine cleric, sweet boy, never done anything wrong ever in his life. He never even lies! He has alive, loving parents and everything! A year of playing him later and I accidentally have one of the most layered and interesting little guys I've ever made. Oops?

And not to be cringe (who am I kidding) but I've been writing a lot of my WoL, Kethry, lately for a longfic and I'm pretty goddamn attached. My silly rabbit catgirl who I'm going to put through the Horrors.

7. This changes often... Currently Tamsyn Muir (Harrow the Ninth rewired my brain, Nona had me experiencing shrimp emotions). Gene Wolfe is newish to me and I'm still working through his stuff, but I think he may be taking one of the top slots. Nabakov has a permanent spot in the rankings; his prose makes me insane. Gonna read Pale Fire next and proceed to go even more insane probably.

[snowthornes]

|| TAG GAME ✦

Thank you @yuuugay for the tag!!! I swear I meant to do this, but. Well. I forgor <//3 first semester of uni is kicking my ass, as you can see. Anyway, here's my answers, please don't dock my grades due to the late submission :DD

I shall tag @corvusasteris , @aylaaescar , and @styrofoamgardentragedy ! Do tell me if you'd prefer not to be tagged!! 🦖🦖🦖

Favorite color: Purple and blue! Though to be more specific, I really like these types of forget-me-not purple and cornflower blue. Yes, those names are kind of made up. 😔 I've been trying to design my OC's formal attire, and trying to write actual descriptions of their colors, shapes, and accessories (i.e. everything) is kicking my ass.

Currently Reading: If we're counting IFs, I'm currently (re)reading Duskguard by @rainstormwrite ! If you've been wanting to pick up a new IF lately, do give this a try! It's really really good! The amount of variations and flavor text hidden within the story is insanity 🫵🏽🫵🏽✨

But, if I had to give a book or novel... I'm rereading the Dork Diaries series! Younger me collected every single book from that series religiously — figured I'd reread it now for sentimentality's sake. 🦖 Nikki Maxwell's a lot more dramatic than I remember, but it's been fun!

Last series: I've been bouncing back and forth between rewatching The Babysitter's Club and finishing Heartstopper because I have the attention span of a squirrel locked in a pirate's vault. I really, really like these series, though! I'm just sad (and a bit upset) that Netflix cancelled TBC — I genuinely loved that series. I still reread my TBC books from time to time 😞

Sweet, savory, or spicy? If I have to pick one, savory!! But I really like a mix of savory and spicy — I'm a big fan. Very big fan.

Currently working on: The Shepherds of Haven MC template!! Doing it has been oodles of fun, though trying to figure out what my OC actually looks like has shaved years off my lifespan — I'm not a very visual person. TT_TT But I'm using my practically-first and oldest OC as my main shoh MC, so I'm really excited to introduce him in some form of writing!

I've also been working on learning Twine and have been tossing around multiple IF ideas like a cat with a particularly bouncy ball of yarn, but. Those are still a long ways away. I have been working on their plots and expanding them, even writing a few snippets, but — I still have to pick a story I want to focus on. Plus, if I ever do become mad enough to actually release an IF, I'd probably only do it once I had at least 4 or 5 chapters safely completed! I think that feeling — knowing that someone is waiting for me to finish something — would make me go hasdhghdhghhgd. I don't know how IF authors do it. Or artists. Or any creator out there who releases their work for the public to consume, actually. You have my utter respect and admiration 🫡