#I just don't want to offend anyone

[multicolour-ink]

Do you think Mario and Luigi make "twin jokes" to each other?

Something like:

I'm only shorter because Luigi sat on me in the womb!

Well I'm only skinnier because YOU stole all the nutrients!

[hobiebrownismygod]

Hey!! Would you be open to writing east asian female reader x hobie??

Sorry, I don't write any readers other than fem, gn, or desi :(

I don't want to write a character that I personally wouldn't understand because 1. I don't want to offend anyone and 2. I don't feel like I'd be able to write them to the best of my abilities

I'll add that into my introductory post because I just realized I don't have that written lol

[lucykuoart]

I thought about this for a long time and decided to joke

[ntj2pj]

[aleespace]

Alrighty but the amount of people who genuinely believe the show will have the bad ending???? Like fr? This is really what you think? I'm sorry you've seen too much shows with bad endings and it left impact on you that you now don't trust anyone but I promise bd absolutely is not going that way

Look at eps 7 and 8! This is the most angst we got untill now and they both ended on a good note, Kazuki finally moved on from his past and came home and saw his new family sleeping holding hands this was so sweet! And Rei, after this f*cker send him to kill his own mentor in his own birthday! Still in the end Rei is back home with his family where his daughter sang him a birthday song and his partner made him birthday cake and all kinds of food Rei likes i meaann

From what i can tell this show sticks to idk Disney movie principles? Yes there will be some angst but in the end they get their happy ending. That's what VAs were talking about!

"Here's how things would go in real life" In real life two hitmans would NOT get happy ending in real life it would probably end bad! But it won't okay? It won't! Also take a look at this

You have to think about what director really wanted convey through this series and how the ending suppose to reflect that thought! Bad ending wouldn't make sense!! At all! Because the main thoughts of the show is that everyone deserves a chance to be happy, you can build your own family and that the blood family isn't always right THESE ARE THE MAIN THOUGHTS THESEE

So yeah you can bite me and throw rocks at me if I'll be wrong but i will not be wrong i have faith in the bd crew

[i-eat-deodorant]

i'm sure you know this already but:

COTL ISN’T DELETING THEIR GAME.

1) in terms profit they'd pretty much shoot themselves in the foot with that decision, and as protest it's not very effective to make unity listen.

2) if they were, there would've been a much bigger announcement than a twitter tweet.

3) they confirmed they're not in both the discord and the twitter. after the deletion tweet went viral. which...ok.

4) it's probably a scare tactic to take advantage of the unity news to get more people to buy their game.

5) it probably worked.

so many people are focused on the unity issue that i don't think it's often talked about how much of a shitty pr stunt that was by the social media manager. people are fearmongering, sure, but the initial seeds were planted by that twitter post that really should've gone through some extra foresight.

hope they enjoy their extra revenue.

[valyrfia]

This may be a controversial opinion, but honestly - I am a ride or die lestappen fan, I love nothing more than the fantasy of seeing them end up together.. but if I think with my logical, realistic brain, I honestly think if any drivers were actually dating, lestappen is more fantastical than other ships.

Like if Charles were to one day actually reveal that he's in a relationship with another driver? I think it would probably be Pierre.

And if it was Max, it would be Daniel.

I love lestappen more than those two ships, but I acknowledge that Piarles and Maxiel have more real life chemistry lol

It IS controversial anon and you're brave for saying it in this economy! That being said, I fully disagree with you.

Max and Daniel are extremely close and comfortable with each other, obviously enjoy each other's company and like joking around. Pierre and Charles have known each other for ages, are very close friends who care greatly for each other. Both of these dynamics are great, with great chemistry–but I look at them and see only platonic. Not to negate the importance of them in the slightest! The vibes are just not there.

Lestappen on the other hand, feels different because there's something resembling romantic chemistry, which can feel more stilted than platonic chemistry at times because of the inherent tension. I also just personally prefer Lestappen over Maxiel or Piarles because I think the Max and Charles combo has the greatest potential for a partnership. There's a different compatibility required for romantic partners than there is for friends, and I think the Lestappen dynamic captures the essence of it. If Charles were to win a WDC, him and Max would basically be two of the only people to fully understand each other and their lived life experiences, there's a bone-deep intimacy in that. I very much advocate for a romantic partner being an equal, and Max and Charles match each other well in that way. Inevitable and predestined, etc. It's also quite obvious from interviews that the two of them love racing in a way the rest of us mere mortals don't entirely get, Max logging ridiculous hours on the sim, Charles staying up til midnight before a race working on strategy. I think the two of them would compliment each other well as romantic partners and there is a deep respect between them (moreso than Max with Dan and Charles with Pierre). So yes, I disagree and think if we were in an ideal utopia where everyone dates everyone and no one gives a fuck, Lestappen would be the most likely.

[kanonavi]

2023 XVX Fic Recs!

Hi, all, I hope you're having a lovely holiday season! Around the beginning of this year, just for fun, I decided that I would record all of the fanfics that I read this year, and during the summer I had the idea to take some of the best fics I read in 2023 and compile them at the end of the year into a rec list. Since xiaoven was the ship I read the most fics for, I've decided to just do a rec list for them this year, but maybe in the future I'll branch out more!

As with any rec list, please take note of the ratings and the tags for any given fic! Just because something suited my taste doesn't necessarily mean it will suit yours, please take care of yourselves. Now, here are 10* fics that I read this year and think that other xiaoven fans should read too! (Also uh. Sorry for how much I'm about to talk in the reviews lol)

*Keep an eye out for a few bonuses that I've peppered in ;)

~

We Creatures of Fate, by Wackachu

[Ongoing, Teen, 57.9k, 7/?]

Xiao is a weapon forged from red, carved from the hearts of weeping souls and etched into the memories of grieving mothers. While free under the care of a new God, he finds salvation, yet feels as trapped as the day the chains first clamped down onto his wrists. Venti is a God, one born from the wishes of others as opposed to his own. After losing his loved ones, he can't help but feel lost, high on a throne all alone, built upon all things he despised. The two find each other by chance, yet the rest can only be described as fate. ---------- A telling of Xiao and Venti's story with a hefty load of lore

If there is any fic on this list that should be read, it’s this one. I am an absolute sucker for speculative lore when it comes to Genshin, and the picture that the author has assembled of Archon War-era Liyue is absolutely masterful. Within the threads of that beautiful tapestry, they’ve also been interweaving Xiao and Venti’s developing relationship all the way from when they were a newly-freed Adeptus and young Archon respectively. They have a long journey ahead of them (the burn is slow, folks), and I think that said journey is an absolute must-read.

~

Extra Recs: Wackachu has also written two other xiaoven one-shots, which I highly recommend for more bite-size pieces of their excellent taste!

~

the holy light of your single lantern, by boxofcrows (@miralia)

[Complete, Teen, 34k, 6/6]

“Long divided by river and sea, For years we two have failed to meet – And suddenly to find you seems like a dream.” Thousands of years of silence, broken by a single visit.

This fic wrapped up recently, so it’s a great time to go and show it some love! One of my biggest sorrows is that xiaoven is rather lacking in really good canon universe fics compared to other Genshin ships, but this fic managed to fill that hole in my heart. The author does a fantastic job of capturing the way that Xiao and Venti’s conflicting natures and ideals can cause friction between them, all while maintaining the undeniable magnetism that they feel towards each other.

~

Relax In My Arms, by alphaparrot (@aparrotandaqrow)

[Queerplatonic XiaoVen, General Audiences, 5.9k, One-Shot]

As Lantern Rite arrives, Xiao is found exhausted and spent by Qiqi of Bubu Pharmacy, who brings him back to Liyue. Upon awaking, Xiao quickly makes his exit and returns to Wangshu Inn, where Venti is waiting for him on the balcony. Xiao isn't in the mood to party, but maybe a chill hang-out would help him relax. Venti knows just the thing to help Xiao relax and recuperate, and as they both get comfortable, they begin to reflect....

Author's Original Promo Post!

Queerplatonic xiaoven was a flavor of their relationship that I hadn’t tried before this fic, but it really sold me on it. What I’ve always loved about xiaoven so much is the inherent intimacy that can be achieved between them once all of the emotional barriers between them have been stripped away, and I think that those ideas are explored very beautifully here. Xiao and Venti trust and love each other so deeply here, and it shows in every word and touch that they exchange, and I think that it’s a must-read for anyone whose brain chemistry was altered by the ‘Endless Suffering’ trailer (so basically, every xiaoven fan ever lol)

~

i can not save us (but you can), by anemowisp (@sillygirl19)

[Teen, 19.4k, One-Shot]

two boys figure out what the hell they're doing

In the midst of one of the most turbulent times in my life, one particular line in this fic really hit me where it hurt, and it’s one of the few times that I’ve actually cried reading a fic. In my xiaoven-enjoying friend groups, we sometimes call Xiao and Venti old men with teenager problems, which means they don't always work when turned into actual teenagers/young adults with those problems, but I think this fic pulls it off really well.

~

what queer sins stain thy soul, by Anonymous (@sincerelyandyourstruly)

[Mature, 3.2k, One-Shot]

In which Xiao, long-established asexual, learns that identity is not as stable as he’d like to believe.

As an ace person myself, I feel it’s so rare to find a really good asexual character study where the asexuality is actually one of the central focuses of the intimacy taking place (if anyone has any recs of that variety please hit me up!), but I think that this fic pulled that off really well. It also delves into that particular vibe of when one’s identity might be shifting, which can be a really scary thing, but Xiao in this fic is lucky enough to have someone he loves and trusts to support him as he explores his new desires, which was really comforting to read about.

~

Where Words Fail, by kavvueh (@kavvueh)

[Complete, Teen, 34k, 12/12]

Author's Original Promo Post!

"You're Barbatos," Xiao repeats breathlessly. The young man in front of him nods. "Yep." "But..." Xiao cuts himself off and tries again. "You're the God of songs and poetry." The Anemo Archon nods his head sagely. "More or less." Xiao fixes Lord Barbatos with the most incredulous look he can manage. "... You're failing Music Theory."

As someone who was also suffering through music theory alongside Venti as this fic was publishing, all of the attention to detail in the musical aspects of this fic absolutely tickled me. But all of that was merely a foundation for a lovely story about a pair of souls finding their partner in a new life. The musical connection that xiaoven have is one of the essential tenets of the ship, and this fic did a beautiful job of using that idea to its fullest potential.

~

Extra Rec: kavvueh has recently started publishing a new xiaoven fic with a similar setting, so if you enjoy these kinds of fluffy modern aus, give that one some love as well!

~

The Stars in Teyvat are a Lie, and So Is the Sky, by yueyunn

[Complete, Teen, 148.2k, 13/13]

There were several issues that Xiao immediately took with Ningguang’s proposition for him to produce for Barbatos: his other artists had upcoming comebacks and year-end stages that required his attention, he was overworked enough as it were already, and Ningguang was not exactly someone he was looking to do any favors for. While her persistence to overlook all this was one matter, nothing aggravated him more than Ningguang completely ignoring the obstinate fact that he. doesn’t. work. with. idols.

Perhaps I was a bit like Xiao in this fic at the beginning of this year, because I approached the two idol/celebrity aus on my to-read list with open skepticism, and then ended up absolutely adoring them both. What I loved about this fic the most was how much care was put into actually translating the character’s canon backstories into the modern idol au setting. The author clearly has so much love for the characters, and it really shows through in the way that everyone has their chance to shine, even the side characters. This fic also updated recently with 15k words of extras, so it’s a great time to visit or revisit it!

~

Extra Rec: gold rush, by underthethousandstars was the other idol/celebrity au I read this year and really enjoyed, so if those aus are up your alley, I highly recommend it!

~

low-key (no pressure!), by windrise (Twitter - @/wyndrise)

[Ongoing, Teen, 75.7k, 11/?]

Following his friend’s questionable suggestion, Venti partners with Xiao—the resident grouch of his early morning stats class—for his music project.

If you want to sit down with a fic that will give you the warm fuzzies, this is definitely the one to pick. As alluded to previously, I don’t really go for modern aus as much, but this fic absolutely blew my expectations out of the water. I was getting the ‘squee’s as I read about Xiao and Venti growing closer over the course of working on Venti’s project, as the author has an excellent grasp of the deep inner kindness that the two of them hold, and how that kindness would naturally draw them together.

~

bouquet of lies, by underthethousandstars (Twitter - @/zhongliorder)

[Complete, Mature, 85.9k, 12/12]

In a world where humans can use elemental magic, Xiao uses his to move through the shadows becoming Liyue’s phantom killer. Known to the public as Alatus, he is their most notorious assassin. One day Xiao secures his biggest job yet: kill the Crown Prince of Mondstadt, Venti. Harbouring no love towards any royal family Xiao pulls off his mission with success. Or so he thought.

This fic falls solidly on the darker end of xiaoven stories (the ‘Dark Fantasy’ tag is there for a reason!), so if you happen to like your ships with an enemies to lovers flare, this is definitely one to check out. This is one of those stories that really managed to pull me into the world of assassins and political intrigue that the author has crafted, and on top of that it puts a fun spin on exploring Xiao and Venti’s individual guilt and the way that it affects them as people. The first fic in the series is finished, but the second installment is currently in progress, so I highly recommend checking that one out as well!

~

every morning in the dark, by magicites (Twitter - @/bribird_wings)

[Complete, Mature, 77.1k, 34/34]

Stuck in a time loop where he succumbs to his karmic debt, Xiao struggles to see the point in moving forward. Venti struggles to save him.

While by far the heaviest of any of the fics I’ve recommended so far (mind the warnings and the tags!!), if you can stomach the subject matter, this is one of those fics that I would refer to as XiaoVen Essential Reading. The author has a pitch-perfect grasp of what makes xiaoven, qualities which are pushed to their limits as the two of them struggle to break free of the loop that they’re trapped in. I took severe emotional damage while reading it, but my only regret was that I hadn’t read it sooner. It’s definitely A Lot, but it’s so, so worth it for anyone who really enjoys this pairing.

~

And with that, we reach the end of the list! If you've made it this far, thank you so much, and I hope I've given you some fics to add to your to-read list for the coming year! I tried to incorporate some newer fics with some classics, so hopefully there's something here you haven't heard from before.

With that said, I'll hopefully be back next year with some more xiaoven or other Genshin fic recs! <3

[alwaysbethewest]

Do you ever find yourself liking a character less because of their fandom? 😕

[clayteland]

OI Doll. Wanna hear a joke?

What is my mom that you aren't?

.....

Oh yeah my Moms dead.

Hahaha Comedy

Fun fact. She also doesn't have a mother, so she's already used to this type of jokes.

[nuks]

u know what i am sick of making all my muses nice... we need some meanies

[schmweed]

Succession | S02E02

[absolutebloodychaos]

I find it so funny how different the comments on like Wattpad and like AO3 or Tumblr are for these guys

Like on Wattpad it will be something like: oh my gosh, I love him so much, he's so sweet, I want him to be my boyfriend so bad

But like on AO3 and Tumblr it will be like: oh my god, I love him so much, he's so babygirl, he's my wife/girlfriend, I want to lick him from head to toe, I want that man to step on me (or I want to step on that man) or something

[monty-glasses-roxy]

Ya know, I said it offhandedly in the tags of the last post but I'm wondering what a Chica themed cookbook would include now. Pizza is the obvious one, same with cake and cupcakes. She has some canon stuff with something about chowder, Chica chug, Chica bites, uhhhh the uhhh skinny taco from Help Wanted 2, lemon Chicabars, the blendee, and whatever else she normally has I dunno. Her Fizzy Faz flavour is pink lemonade so there's that too...

She's then got the whole mazercise thing, so fruit smoothies and just general stuff with fruit is probably gonna work. Obviously she's a chicken, so there's that too.

Honestly, I can see her having a cake section where she tells the recipes to her friend's favourite cakes. So the obvious would be carrot cake for Bonnie then I dunno a lemon lime cheesecake for Monty or something?

I think the thing about a Chica cookbook is that it's just so easy to visualise and work with that it would be kind of hard to get it wrong, and yet, this isn't a real thing that exists for some reason??

[mx-misty-eyed]

ik its not that serious but its a little upsetting to be constantly excluded and like, insulted, by phans on twitter cuz I'm apparently too young to like dan and phil

[benshakir]

wish i had friends :/

most of my closest friends from school/work have graduated and moved across the country and we barely keep in touch. and when we do it feels like i'm always the one to initiate it which feels bad.. and soon that will be me too and then i'll Really have no one and starting over like that is so scary!!

and as much as i love interacting with you all on here, it mostly feels superficial and only happens every so often

having friends in my phone is fine if we actually talk regularly and know each other well etc, but what i really need are friends i can get a beer or a coffee with or go hiking with and who i can spend time with when i'm feeling down (like now) and who make me feel recharged because of it, or at least wanted and heard, but making close friends like that is so hard