#tka fanfic rec

[rose-tinted-vision]

Fic rec masterlist

The bllk-hq-knb-op-gi fic rec list

The sgdlr-bsd-tgcf-tka fic rec list

Qiubing CN fic rec (will be live updated)

Qingye fanart/fanfic rec (will be live updated)

The Double fanfic rec (will be live updated)

My ao3 | My writing tag

[cywscross]

I just got into king;s avatar, do you have any good fics to rec? anything with ye xiu in it would be awesome.

I can rec you some of my favs! A few have ships but most are gen or just the usual AllYe vibe.

A Documentary by Kisalot

Su Muqiu was always convinced that Lord Grim and the Myriad Manifestations Umbrella would one day become the best creation in Glory history. He wanted to document everything in preparation for that day they became a legend.

After retiring from Happy, Ye Xiu finishes it and posts it on Weibo.

For you, my old friend. With this, our dreams have been made complete.

-0-

The Story of the Mary Sue Character the Excellent Era Captain Made Up and Ships Himself With by Kisalot (Su Muqiu/Ye Xiu)

The story of regressor Su Muqiu missing his best friend who still hasn't appeared yet, recreating his One Autumn Leaf first server legend for him, and telling everyone stories about his star-crossed soulmate-bff of a past life.

And the story of how most everyone thinks Ye Xiu is his imaginary crush or chuunibyou delusion for many seasons until the man himself appears and causes chaos on Weibo and in the pro circle. And maybe makes everyone think that he's their dream come to life too.

-0-

Completely Self-Indulgent by SudeniShindeIru

As Ye Xiu is going through a hard time because of Excellent Era, he receives a call that Ye Qiu had gotten into a car accident and fell into a coma, leaving his two kids behind. Ye Xiu retires to return home and take care of Ye Qiu's illegitimate kids, and as he does so, he begins to heal and enjoy things he once never thought he could enjoy before as well as the things he once thought he had, but now was beginning to fall in love with all over again.

tldr: Ye family reconciliation and fluff, Ye Xiu being a dad, Ye Xiu going to All Stars and later rejoining the Pro League, and Pro player chats and shenanigans

-0-

It Starts with a Dream by Autumn_Rain

In a collaboration with Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Glory Professional Alliance hosts an event in Shanghai so that the children could meet their idols and heroes. It was a normal publicity stunt and charity event until it stopped being one. Trust Ye Xiu to always derail the Alliance's plans, but this time no one could blame him, or Han Wenqing, for that matter.

Who would expect them to be so good with kids?

-0-

Awaiting Your Reply by Autumn_Rain

From the start, Ye Xiu has never cared for reputation or fan opinions. But even if Ye Xiu disappears from the public eye, 'Ye Qiu' still continues to exist in the eyes of the fans, and no amount of evasion can change how powerful and damaging a public image can be.

When Su Mucheng realizes just how much tension lies simmering beneath Excellent Era's surface, she decides to fight a war before the first shot is even fired and sets out as Ye Xiu's unofficial PR manager to make him the nation's darling.

The end results are quite unexpected.

-0-

Brother is on the case by Silvera_M

No one is allowed to mess with his brother. No one. And Ye Qiu will make sure to punish any idiot who even attempts. (Ye Qiu finds out what is happening. He is not pleased. And people suffer.)

(Set during season 7)

-0-

in carnage i bloom (like a flower in the dawn) by paradisetrain

Excellent Era is counting on Ye Xiu’s lack of social media presence to make the Glory fans forget him. Ye Xiu had always avoided social media, and for a reason. But Mucheng has this wonderful idea - he can have socials and not expose his true identity at the same time.

Ye Xiu had never played Glory for the fans, but it sure is more fun with them.

The following contains the events of QZGS/TKA from the perspective of the official Ye Qiu Weibo. It’s cryptic. It’s confusing. It’s infuriating for pros and fans alike.

Honestly, did you expect anything less?

-0-

Baozi was a bouncer by Ourliazo

Ye Xiu keeps getting into trouble. Thankfully, Baozi was a bouncer for his last job.

-0-

Piercing Gold by ShootMeDead

Ye Xiu left behind in Excellent Era a piece of himself. As he walked in the streets, the hollow space within him burned with a frozen fire, colder than the weather, colder than dry ice.

Sun Xiang wondered, for just a moment, if Ye Qiu had broken the account card out of spite.

-0-

less drowning, more land by jenwryn (Wei Chen/Ye Xiu)

Wei Chen sometimes feels like he's parenting the team right alongside Ye Xiu: all of the work of being-married-with-kids, but none of the bedroom perks.

Or, the one where Team Happy holidays on a beach in northern Australia, and Wei Chen finally ends his dry streak.

-0-

At Home (With You) by TheDefenestrator (Wang Jiexi/Ye Xiu)

Soulmates spend their lives together, learning preferences and circumstances from shared snacks and tiny mementos, never farther from reach than an object passed across a table.

By the time they meet in person, they'll know exactly what it is their partner is looking for.

-0-

Quest Fulfilled by Invidia_Envy

In a meet and greet event, Ye Xiu is forced to hang around despite not joining the event at all. Whilst loitering around, Ye Xiu met a fanboy and made an unlikely friendship with the kid. Accident happened and the boy can't join the meet and greet, Ye Xiu decided to take his place.

The pros are all speechless, why is Ye Qiu lining up in Tyranny's booth?

-0-

Safeguard by Invidia_Envy (Han Wenqing/Ye Xiu)

Since he was young, Ye Xiu was always used to watch out when he crossed the road. His parents had nailed it to his head to always look left and right when crossing the road and always make sure to hold Ye Qiu’s hand while at it.

So it became a habit. Holding Ye Qiu's hand, holding Su Mucheng's hand. Until one day he held someone else's hand while being absentminded.

“Sorry, Old Han, I didn’t realize it was you.”

“No worries.”

-0-

telltale heart, beating like a drum by Synoshian (Ye Xiu/Yu Wenzhou)

Smiling eyes regarded him. “Don’t you think we’re moving too slow?”

“No,” Ye Xiu replied, “but you would know, I guess.”

-0-

World Champions by TheDefenestrator

At the end of season 4 of the Glory Pro Alliance, the government finally receives the information it has been waiting for: The other players have caught up.

Or,

In which Glory has been a government recruitment ploy for remote-piloted mecha operators all along.

[arvion-creates]

(Alt text: a header reading "Kinky Fanfic Rec List" above a kink bingo card, some squares marked off with a star.)

Hello all, and welcome to my kink bingo rec list! I bring you 16 fics from 11 different authors, written from 2018-2021, with ratings from general to explicit, with a word count from 2k to 15k words.

All are kink-centric or otherwise kinky oneshots from the Quanzhi Gaoshou / The King's Avatar / 全职高手 fandom. (All adaptations are considered.)

Sound like fun? Good! This will be long, so join me under the cut to get started.

EDIT: Tumblr has been preventing non-logged-in users from viewing the entire post. If that is you, click here (URL under the cut) for a copy uploaded to the web using Google Docs. (The link does not collect your Google login, and neither I nor others can see who has viewed it).

Here is the URL for anyone having trouble with the GDocs link above: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTs8H91R-FMqcvW8-tpDwQfNyG1HyVx948mK8m8coeUZzrI3MCqgvE8J3y8vtKY8emUuMQd64dirr0g/pub

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Glory- Based Sex Wagers  the same as always (https://archiveofourown.org/works/30902807) GeniusCactus   @geniuskaktus

Han Wenqing/Ye Xiu Heart 7k

A 5+1 fic starting in Season 2, in which Ye Xiu and Han Wenqing made a bet that the championship loser gives the winner a handjob. Here’s the thing: YX and HWQ are Glory gods, not sex gods, and this fic portrays them as the teenage virgin gamers they are. It’s endearing, it’s sweet, it’s funny, it’s at some points intensely secondhand embarrassing. Ye Xiu feels distinctly live-action flavored, so if you liked him there, give this fic a shot.

Player/Avatar never once more (https://archiveofourown.org/works/28535274) lynne_monstr   @lynne-monstr

Swoksaar/Wei Chen Gut 5k

Wei Chen and Swoksaar fuck over a desk while trying to one-up each other. Now, my fondness of this type of power dynamic is in kink territory even on its own, so it as part of actual sex is a treat. And it’s good sex, too! Wei Chen is so obviously into the rough handling, and it’s both hot and funny to watch him complain when he’s so clearly enjoying himself. Bonus points for hidden knives with a happy ending.

Handjobs/Fingering powered by horny (https://archiveofourown.org/works/33104620) BlueberryAsh @ghostgum

Dai Yanqi/Liu Fei Heart 2k

Dai Yanqi and Liu Fei meet up in the corridors before their post-match press conferences. I enjoyed this fic’s balance: one part the connection of being women in a sexist field, one part comfort, and one part kinky sex. Dai Yanqi fingers Liu Fei under her skirt, right there, before the conference. There’s a dash of hurt/comfort thrown in as well. 

Dual-Core, Captain/VC  Following Instructions (https://archiveofourown.org/works/21025952) eloboosting

Han Wenqing/Zhang Xinjie Head 2k

A slice-of-life with Han Wenqing and Zhang Xinjie together, including sex. I enjoy this piece because of the way the author leaned into Zhang Xinjie’s characterization. now I’m not saying it’s the autism, except that I am. In the novel, we don’t get to see Zhang Xinjie so personally, so this is a treat for ZXJ Appreciators (of which I lead the fanclub). Their relationship isn’t a traditional TV romance (nor is it, arguably, a romance at all) or a fanfic-shipper’s-special, and I like the piece all the more for this. The way they’re together feels right. Additional mention for dom/sub.

Praise Kink one big exhale never did me no good (https://archiveofourown.org/works/24758542) UndeadRobins   @undead-robins    

Xiao Shiqin/Sun Xiang  Gut 2k

Speaking of power dynamics that are inherently kinky, *gestures vaguely to Sun Xiang*. In this fic, Xiao Shiqin instructs SX through some arena matches while properly motivating him to obey. Sun Xiang not only listens to directions but enjoys it. A combo of narrative tension and sexual tension that had me metaphorically on the edge of my seat. Especially notable for the dom point-of-view. 

Free Space  Self promo lol  @arvion-creates    What Happens At All-Stars (https://archiveofourown.org/works/28100205)

Huang Shaotian/Everyone 3k Gut

Free space, time to plug my own fic. I like characters being turned on in situations where they can’t immediately take care of it, and I like Huang Shaotian and his energetic spirit, so these two appreciations are at the heart of this piece. Other self-indulgences include exhibitionism, a strong network of intimate non-romantic relationships among the pros, and Huang Shaotian literally managing to talk himself off. If these also seem enjoyable to you, you might just like my fic!

Sex Toys solongfuturelover pink like blossoms (https://archiveofourown.org/works/30530190)

Tang Hao/Zhang Jiale Heart 2k

Zhang Jiale makes up with Tang Hao after a fight, including an unorthodox gesture of reconciliation (this is where the “sex toys” bingo square comes from). ZJL’s characterization is a highlight here– he really seems like he’s let go of much of his tension. Now, I am always a big fan of sexual tension and hatefucking, so TH/ZJL is a great pairing, but this one, despite the odds, manages to be a relatively healthy relationship! Congrats to them! lol

Tentacles of unusual size (https://archiveofourown.org/works/29759712) lynne_monstr   @lynne-monstr   

Zheng Xuan & Blue Rain 2k Heart

Some teen-rated tentacle fluff. Everybody has tentacles, and Zheng Xuan spends time with his team and revisits his boundaries for his tentacles. Part of the “Blue Rain as Family” tag. It’s both thoughtful worldbuilding to make tentacles just an everyday thing and heartwarming team fluff.  

Kink Exploration Shadaras   @shadaras    thrill of the night (https://archiveofourown.org/works/33495397)

4k Tang Rou/Sun Xiang Gut

It’s in some ways ironic and in some ways fitting to classify this as a “kink exploration” fic, given that the author mentioned they chose not to tag it as such in part “because sx is not self-aware”. In this piece, Tang Rou and Sun Xiang have sex in a back alley, and Sun Xiang likes it much more than he expected. Sun Xiang’s characterization manages to nail that confidence that I’m so proud of him for discovering, while still a hot dose of “embarrassed but I like this”. Tang Rou’s lack of self-consciousness, too, is attractive.

Ritual Sex try to keep each other afloat (https://archiveofourown.org/works/32814805) Synoshian @synoshian

Fang Rui/Ye Xiu 7k Head

In this setting, team captains have sex with new team members as a form of bonding. After Fang Rui transfers to Team Happy, he and Ye Xiu get to know each other better. Now, sex can be about so many more things than satisfying arousal, and this fic speaks to a part of human emotion that isn’t often seen in fanfic. There’s discussion of asexuality, and they both enjoy the sex they’re having. This is one of the more unique pieces on the list. If you want an unconventional read, give it a shot.

Junior/Senior devils all around you (https://archiveofourown.org/works/17137115) Synoshian @synoshian   

6k Sun Xiang/Ye Xiu Gut

Set during the China Glory training period, Sun Xiang is so desperate for Ye Xiu’s approval that he digs himself into a hole (and keeps digging). Of course, this is not how *he* sees the situation, because he hates Ye Xiu, and that’s all there is to it, of course. It’s like a high-suspense trainwreck of “can he make this worse?” Fun fact: this fic inspired me to try writing fanfiction, because I simply Could not stop thinking about it. I will read (and almost certainly enjoy) anything with Sun Xiang praise kink, and this is a classic.

Dom/sub Crown of Faith (https://archiveofourown.org/works/29021757) Shadaras @shadaras 

Zhang Jiale/Zhang Xinjie 3k Gut

Zhang Xinjie experiments with doing Zhang Jiale’s hair. This one’s a nonsexual kink piece that creates such a vibrant mood. It’s a good comfort read. I am generally very much in favor of Zhang Jiale relaxing and receiving kindness, and this hits that spot. (As well as the “zhang xinjie dom” agenda.) This piece was made to be enjoyable even if you aren’t familiar with canon, so if you’ve forgotten who Zhang Xinjie is (Tyranny’s cleric, master tactician) don’t let that stop you!

Magic Used for Sex/Kink blood and weed and bones (https://archiveofourown.org/works/27955286) BlueberryAsh @ghostgum

2k Qiao Yifan/Ye Xiu Head

Qiao Yifan, magically bound to Wang Jiexi, is tasked with killing Ye Xiu. The “magic used for sex/kink” may not be the kinkiest aspect of it– to me, that’s the power dynamics, but you all know I’m biased. The worldbuilding in this short little piece is soooo vibrant, too. The setting’s a bit fucked up, the ship is QYF/YX, and QYF starts by trying to kill him, so what more do you really need?

In-Universe Fanworks AND Biting Fayah  @unrivaled-super-hottie A Case Study in Demonic Courting Behavior (https://archiveofourown.org/works/17906363)

Han Wenqing/Ye Xiu (Desert Dust/One Autumn Leaf flavor)  Head 2k

Ye Xiu, a mage titled the Battle God, challenges Desert Dust, demon and the King of Fighting, for world-typical stakes for the winner. I love pieces with more of a story than we see, and this piece leaves me with a dozen questions and a desire to see more. There’s magic and rules the magic operates on, and the context of their motivations gives you a fascinating little glimpse into what could easily be a rich and exciting long story. Of course, the worldbuilding isn’t to the detriment of the smut; the two go hand in hand.

Femslash For the Girl Who has Everything (https://archiveofourown.org/works/31536923) madmaenad  @madmaenad

Chu Yunxiu/Dai Yanqi 2k Heart

Dai Yanqi propositions Chu Yunxiu for a hookup. Dai Yanqi is such a sweet, energetic young woman in this one, which is a nice complement to Chu Yunxiu’s weariness. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she gets Chu Yunxiu eager and into it. It’s nice to see the two of them have an uncomplicated good time! The spice adds definition to the sweetness.

Monsterfucking in whom we rest (from whom grows the grass that feeds us) (https://archiveofourown.org/works/36044218) BlueberryAsh @ghostgum   

Wang Jiexi/Other, Fang Shiqin/Wang Jiexi 15k Heart

Here’s another intriguing sex worldbuilding one. All Glory teams have a patron deity of some sort. Naturally, a deity demands offerings, and the captain gives the most. There’s no Hurt/Comfort tag on this fic (there are, however, “Extremely Dubious Consent”, “Multiple Penetration”, “Sex Pollen adjacent”, and “Forced Orgasm”, among others) but it feels… hurt/comforty, somehow. This fic takes place in that world of difference between “saying yes” and “wanting it”. Although this piece bruises him up a bit, it bandages the wounds at the end.

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That's all, folks! This rec list is my submission for Kink Bingo 2022 (https://archiveofourown.org/collections/QZGSKinkBingo2022). Our kinky writers don't get nearly enough appreciation, so if you enjoyed any of these fics, consider leaving a nice comment. If you enjoyed lots of these fics and want to see what I'm up to these days, you can find me at this tumblr or on Ao3 as Arvion. Have fun and happy reading!

Thank you to @pyrrhicprose for the support and feedback!

[selenuntius]

AU fics for DMBJ/Fic Thoughts (Chinese)

I can’t really imagine them. Some AUs go along with some parts of the original setting, which are ok, but a complete AU never really attracts me the way it might in another fandom. It’s not reasonable for a character to have the same personality as Xiaoge without his crazy backstory, and he isn’t interesting to me in the same way.

This is in stark contrast to, say Huang Shaotian from TKA. I love him in AUs and I absolutely buy his character in any AU, so long as he’s got some kind of talent. His character traits can very well manifest in any setting and it doesn’t have to be vidya games (competitive). But Xiaoge by virtue of his character just wouldn’t exist without that crazy backstory.

I love seeing him written with some fundamental differences from normal people (or even not really normal people like Wuxie and Pangzi) but also very human at the same time, with likes and dislikes, limits and talents. That’s why today I’m here to tell you about the sponsor of this post a great fanfic I read recently (in Chinese).

怯观音 (Fearing Guanyin): a pretty long fic (12k words) with very little ship content but is Xieping according to the author. In summary, rain village wants to hold a religious thing and someone needs to dress up as Guanyin for the day. Xiaoge gets chosen via lottery and he’s... amazing. Narrated by Wuxie in a very authentic voice. Xiaoge fits my criteria of both being more than human and very strongly human at the same time. Both Pangzi and Wuxie are so nice to him. Of course, with this length, it also talks about other things that happen between Pangzi, Wuxie and him. Very sweet, a bit sad but very sweet.

Note that in Chinese depictions, Guanyin is female because she can bless childbirth and is overall a “nicer” god but there’s no feminisation.

A loosely translated quote from the fic: “This is his typical method of expression. It’s straightforward, simple and impossible to argue against. He’s telling us to not fear, that he’ll be fine alone, that he’s always been alone. But we don’t want him to be alone.”

Or of him playing Guanyin: “He kept his poise and elegance. His expression was a mix of patience and distance, so impossibly different from the person who’d buried his head in dinner as Pangzi and I debated. This calmness definitely wasn’t just acting, and I couldn’t help but doubt that this wasn’t his first time participating in something like this. Perhaps it was some ceremony of the Zhang clan, or a ritual for the Feikun Balu god... Or perhaps, he’s simply too used to quietly shouldering expectations and fervent prayers.”

God it’s so good and my translations are so bad. This isn’t a fic rec but rather just my thoughts after reading (and rereading it).

Edit: I just found out the whole thing is a Liangzhu reference. Liang notices a piercing on Zhu’s ear and questions why she has one even though she’s supposed to be a dude. Zhu says she used to play Guanyin during their village’s festivals. Liang eventually thinks to himself? that after that, he didn’t dare look at Guanyin (tying back into the title here!). There’s a Xieping edit on bilibili that plays off that line and it’s short but good! Highly recommend consuming both together.

Btw the author says in the endnote that they think Zhang probably has a piercing so maybe we’ll get more Liangzhu referencing Xieping fic from this amazing author??

[arvion-creates]

Fic Rec Bingo

[Image description: a bingo card for fic recs, I will discuss the contents in the post]

Hello y’all!  A friend in the TKA discord posted this bingo, and I thought it looked like fun. Went through my bookmarks and found a lot of fics that I’m enthusiastic to recommend.  This post will be long, so click under the read-more to see my recs.

A fic you love without knowing the source material Remedial Jedi Theology by MarbleGlove on Ao3 Star Wars, 51k, Teen, genfic, Obi-Wan centric

I must admit that I have very little first-hand knowledge about Star Wars. I saw one of the movies and all I remember was that BB-8 was involved, and I saw half of one of the ones with Darth Vader but I got bored halfway through.

This fic is a lovely piece which focuses on characterization and development of the Jedi as characters. It’s an introspective piece which explores the meaning of the Jedi code, as well as general morality on right and wrong. I feel like this piece made the Jedi order seem rich and vibrant in ways no other Star Wars piece I’ve read has. It’s a very peaceful read that’s paced well to be engaging, and I would recommend it especially to people who like strong world-building.

A fic with a premise that shouldn’t work but does Whispers in Corners by @esamastation, esama on Ao3 Harry Potter / Sherlock crossover, 64k, Teen, Mycroft/Harry

Out of “fics with wild premises”, I think Esama’s works have to take the cake on this one. In this one, an adult Harry Potter lives in the Sherlock unverse. As the Master of Death, he can use the Ring to talk to ghosts, so he becomes a medium to make some money and ends up investigating cases. I’m not sure what to say about this fic except that it works in the way Esama’s pieces tend to. Recommended in general to folk looking for a good time.

A fic you’ve reread several times I set a fire (just to see what it kills) by @wordsformurder , pprfaith on Ao3 Inception, 23k, Not Rated but very nsfw, Arthur/Eames, character study?

I’ve certainly read this fic enough. It’s one of the rare pieces that feels extremely polished and condensed. It’s told through a lot of short scenes over the course of years, and each scene seems carefully picked to include the most meaning in limited paragraphs. Each time I read it, I find something that I overlooked the prior times. There are recurring motifs of lines that gain more and more meaning each time, and the characters are extremely well done.

This is one of the pieces that convinces me that there’s no hard line between “art” and “smut”. It is nsfw and largely centers around interactions between Arthur and Eames. The characterization is spot on for both of them, and they feel dynamic over the course of the story. I highly recommend this piece If you’re feeling up for it. As Inception fanfic does, the characters have some atypical ideas on death and are pretty fucked up. This fic is enticing because, not in spite of, that. I don’t think you’ll need any familiarity with Inception.

A fic you still remember many years later Space Electric series by icarus_chained on Ao3 Marvel, 45k, Mature, JARVIS & Tony Stark-centric, space opera AU

I bookmarked this in 2018, but it’s on my oldest page of Ao3 bookmarks, so I’m inclined to count it.

Sometimes one is really in the mood for AI characters, and sometimes one finds exactly what they’re after with Icarus_chained’s works. I really like the characterization in this series- JARVIS is as much a well developed character as the rest of them, and his thought process is very fitting to him being a sentient AI. Recommend to folk who like AI characters, although you might want to heed the tags.

A comfort fic Sollux: take iit ea2y by @eye-of-orion-lmao , cryogenia on Ao3 Homestuck, 10k, Teen, Sollux <3< Roxy; Sollux <> Aradia, and Sollux &/ Tavros

This is absolutely comfort fic that I’m quite fond of. I’m not sure what I can say about it except that sometimes one really wants a perpetually-stressed character to get to Relax and be happy, and here’s 10k of it.

This piece involves background relationships with Sollux and background worldbuilding, and it’s incredibly well done. The premise is that Roxy brings Sollux to a massage, and Sollux’s ideas of how that fit into his worldview with the quadrant system was a focus of the piece. The author also has an interesting and refreshing take on pitch relationships. Recommend as a comfort piece if you’ve read Homestuck.

A cathartic fic where there’s a will by @captainkirkk, aloneintherain on Ao3 Harry Potter, 8k, Teen, genfic Golden Trio friendships, exploration of death

We can all agree that making a grade schooler responsible for the fate of the Wizarding world and having his friends die around him is perhaps Not Ideal, and this fic explores Harry’s understanding of death through him drafting wills and planning for after he’s gone.

It’s a reflective piece that feels like giving Harry a space for processing all that goes around him. “Cathartic” is really a good description. It isn’t fluff, but neither does it leave me feeling drained. Recommend to those who are fond of the reflective pieces.

A fic you’d print and put on your bookshelf a girl in the forest of moss and bone by @the-formerone, theformerone on Ao3 Naruto, 66k, Teen, gen, Sakura-centric

Here’s another of the “Sakura gets badass” pieces !! This one’s if Tsunade offered Sakura the opportunity to attempt to become a slug summoner. I say “attempt” because this fic is about the trials Sakura must face in order to be found worthy. I chose this fic for the “would print” category because it has a strong structure to it and I think the format mirrors a novel; it’d take well to printing. Recommended for those who like long character growth pieces!

A fic you associate with a song A deadman’s gun by NohaIjiachi on Ao3 Boku no Hero Acadamia, 65k, Teen, gen, Midoriya mentored by Stain

I read this piece first and then listened to the song it’s titled after, and the song fits really well. It fit the theme of the story and Midoriya’s growth.

It’s a canon-divergence piece in which Midoriya unintentionally gets mentored by Stain, the Hero Killer villain. I really like how the author shaped Midoriya’s character. His core tenants of wanting to help people are all still here; his means are just different. This piece is easy to get invested in and it made me emotional at the end. Highly recommend to folk who like the longer pieces.

A fic that inspires you follow these roads to where your heart goes by @cloud-piercer, halcyonine on Ao3 The King’s Avatar, 21k, Teen, Zhang Jiale / Sun Zheping, road trip!

This piece has a really lovely atmosphere to it that I’m not sure how to describe, except that it seems like a piece of healing. When I first read it, I hadn’t thought much about Zhang Jiale, but this piece set such a strong mood immediately. I’m not sure how the piece inspires me, but it feels right to say that it does. It’s certainly given me an Appreciation for ZJL. It’s just one of those pieces that is good for the soul to read. Highly recommend to those who like atmospheric pieces and also are familiar with The King’s Avatar, I don’t think I’d pick this one if I were unfamiliar with the source haha.

A fic that brought you on board with a new ship Scarlet and Bible Black by @paratactician, paraTactician on Ao3 Homestuck, 12k, Mature, Rose <> Sollux, Rose beating grimdark with help

This fic immediately got me on board with Rose and Sollux moirallegiance. It largely takes place inside Rose and Sollux’s consciousness, as Sollux teaches Rose how to fight the manifestation of the grimdark inside her brain.

I really like the interactions between the characters. Even though the situation is tense, the characters still banter about the plural form of “lusus” using technical/historical grammar precedents and are clearly enjoying one another’s company. Also has some interesting ideas on the quadrant systems. I’d recommend this in general, it’s an all-around quite nice piece. Do give it beyond the first chapter if you try it, though, the two interact starting chapter 2.

A fic you wish could be a movie Yesterday Upon The Stair by PitViperOfDoom on Ao3 Boku no Hero Academia, 424k, Teen, mostly gen, Deku sees ghosts

Another prompt I didn’t think I’d fill, but here we are. For what it’s worth, I prefer this piece as a fanfic, but I think it would take decently well to a movie because there’s a lot of action which would be fit for visual storytelling.

In this piece, Deku sees ghosts, but mostly says he’s quirkless because nobody believes him that it’s a real quirk. I like that Deku stays kind and caring. Recommended for folk who want a long read but a chill one.

A fic that led to you making friends with the author devils all around you by @synoshian, Synoshian on Ao3 The King’s Avatar, 5k, Teen, Sun Xiang / Ye Xiu, Unhealthy Relationship

Another fic that’s... very much unhealthy relationships with fucked up characters. Sun Xiang is clearly trying his best, but he’s.... well, struggling. To me the main “obstacle” in this piece is Sun Xiang’s pride and his confidence, I think he acts arrogant in order to try to hide a lack of confidence from himself, and that.. well. Causes issues. It’s a piece with Sun Xiang fixating on Ye Xiu. He’s the source of all his problems and also the target of his jealousy and desire.

Not a happy piece and I’d recommend only to folk who are fans of unhealthy relationship pieces. I certainly liked the piece- I like it a Lot, which led to Synoshian and I chatting haha. And there’s a sequel now! It’s really well done but dark pieces are not everyone’s cup of tea so be mindful.

Free Space Subject: A Comprehensive Report by BonesOfBirdWings on Ao3 Boku no Hero Academia, 78k, Teen, gen, analyst!Deku !

I’m quite fond of pieces which aren’t entirely narration, and this is one of the pieces that tells a story in “multimedia” snippets. Emails, newspaper articles, excerpts from books and essays, interview transcripts, and more (plus a touch of narration). Plus, Deku is an analyst! Which is a career choice that I tbh think suits him better than canon. Recommended in general, it’s a nice piece.

A fic you’ve gushed about IRL Victory Series by @somewherefarfromvictory, ewfte on Ao3 Naruto / BNHA crossover, 96k, Mature, gen, Todokashi!!!

Here’s one of my all-time favorites. The premise is that Kakashi from Naruto is reborn as Todoroki from Boku no Hero Academia, keeping all his memories but having to adjust to a new life.

This fic does really well at characterizing Todokashi, taking into account Kakashi’s trauma from the past life and all the shit Endeavor did to Todoroki. Todokashi feels highly developed and like he drives the narrative. Also, for those of you who like badass protagonists who overwork themselves, here you go.

I know crossovers sometimes require a leap of faith, but this piece is incredibly worth it. Recommended for anyone who knows either BNHA or Naruto (you don’t need both), or, I guess, someone who just wants a good time.

A fic you associate with a place Lotus Bloom translated by @syncogon, Syncogon on Ao3, and sunsetfire on Ao3 The King’s Avatar, 10k, Mature, Sun Zheping/Zhang Jiale

This is such a lovely piece that I am really fond of. It’s one of the atmospheric pieces where setting really feels like a part of the piece, so I associate it with Kunming, where it takes place.

This is perhaps my favorite SZP/ZJL fic that I’ve read so far, and it got me Emotional about the pairing. It’s just such a lovely piece- soft, pining but not like the dramatic kind, the casual intimacy between the characters is So nice. Highly recommend if you’re familiar with The King’s Avatar.

A fic that made you gasp out loud The Northern Caves by @nostalgebraist, nostalgebraist on Ao3 Original Work, 52k, Teen, gen

This fic.... is hard to describe. It’s an original work, but it’s so innately twined to fandom culture that I absolutely think Ao3 is the right place for it. The story is about a group of characters on an online forum who are trying to make sense of a nonsensical draft for the next book in a series published after an author’s death. The story is told through online message boards and narration and takes the form of a write-up after the events have occured. The formatting was incredible and it really felt like a message board that could exist out there! It felt really authentic to how fans interact! It also made me nostalgic for the days of message boards that were just on the way out when I was old enough to be online haha.

This piece is intense. It builds really well and the tension is exceptionally well done. Highly recommend to everyone who’s prepared for the intense read that it’ll be.

A fic that you found at the right time not even a blade of grass could grow  translated by @dtriad, Dayadvham on Ao3 The King’s Avatar, 6k, Teen, Tang Hao/ Zhang Jiale, unrequited attraction

I’m not entirely sure how to take this bingo square, but I don’t think I would have liked it as much as I did if I weren’t in the fandom. I found the piece under circumstances for me to really enjoy it, surely that counts.

This piece... well, I have an appreciation for unhealthy relationship fics, and this sure satisfies. The main character of the fic is a forgettable, kinda rude background character in canon, and in this fic he’s contentious but believable. As much as I’d dislike Tang Hao in person, his characterization in here makes me understand his attitude. Would recommend to people who like fics that are exploration pieces of the characters being a mess. Not a happy piece but definitely an engaging one.

A fic that made you laugh out loud Shadowbound AU series by @curlicuecal​, CurlicueCal on Ao3, and @rollerskatinglizard, LaughingStones on Ao3. Homestuck, 140k, Teen to Explicit, Gamzee/Dirk, really cool AU

This series takes place in an AU that I’m not familiar with, but I could easily follow what was going on and key points were explained as needed. It follows a relationship between Gamzee and Dirk (and other characters! The two are committed but not exclusive, which is nice to see in fic). What’s really well done about this piece is how in-character everybody feels. They have Gamzee’s voice down incredibly well, and the pieces are funny! Recommended in general, do be aware there’s a lot of nsfw (and it’s really well done and in character, so).

A fic with a line (or two) that you’ve memorized won’t even plant a garden by ShanaStoryteller on Ao3 Good Omens, 4k, Not Rated (slightly nsfw), Crowley-centric

The Absolute Banger of a line is “She says, “Adam ate the fruit I gave him. He knows what I want him to know.””, because like,,,,, man, that Makes Sense, and give Eve agenda 2k20.

A reflective piece about Crowley over the years, starting with Eve just after the Garden and ending with Aziraphale. Genderfluid crowley who get she/her pronouns when she’s a woman! I’m not sure how to describe this piece, but it’s nice. Recommended for those in the mood for a quieter piece.

A fic that embodies something you value Thoughts of Slytherin by RiaZ on Ao3 Harry Potter, 5k, General Audiences, gen, OC for Slytherin values

Not to vaguepost @ jkr but did you really need to make a quarter of 12 year olds the “evil house”? This piece fixes that. Shows the anti-slytherin prejudice present in the Harry Potter universe while displaying such fierce positive values that make Slytherins proud to be Slytherin even with the prejudice. Takes place during the war. It’s a nice piece, I recommend it.

A favorite AU These Hues Yet Hard to Hold by sprx77 on Ao3 Naruto, 4k, General Audiences, gen/multi, platonic soulmates !!!

I am a Really big fan of platonic soulmate pieces and this fic did it so well! Premise of “everyone influential in your life leaves a mark the first time you touch them”, intensity dependent on how important they’ll be to you. This piece is told in snippets around the varying soulmarks that the main character cast has, and it shows a lot about the relationships between the characters. Really lovely fluff, I recommend even to folk who aren’t normally big on soulmates.

A fic you stayed up too late to finish reading One Man’s Hero by @mataglap​, mataglap on Ao3 Overwatch, 99k, Mature, Hanzo/Jesse

So I’ll start this off by admitting that I haven’t played Overwatch. A friend recommended this fic to me and I’m glad she did because it’s a great piece. I don’t know how much of this is canon and how much is an AU, but the characters are well developed and their interactions feel authentic. It’s one of the really fun “sexual tension” pieces, with a high energy mood, so give it a shot if you like that.

A fic that made you feel seen all the words of time and space by kagshina on Ao3 Haikyuu, 47k, Teen, Iwaizumi/Oikawa, online friends!

This is a really lovely feel-good piece. Oikawa and Iwaizumi meet as kids as internet friends, and the fic follows their friendship as they grow up. I read this piece when my best friend was someone I’d never met in person, and it feels authentic to the... way someone can integrate into your life with today’s technology. A lovely fluff fic, I recommend in general.