#claraaeri

[clara-aeri]

Not trying to pry or pressure you or anything like that. Just out of curiosity, is Crown discontinued?

Hi! This past year has been nuts, a lot’s happened that’s kept me offline completely and from fanfiction.

HOWEVER recently my schedule has changed and I’ve started working on Crown consistently! 😄 I am excited to share more soon!

[eerna]

have you seen that roots by ClaraAeri has a sequel for totk now!!!!! actually yelling!!!

ROOTS GIRLIES WE ARE BACKKKKK

[dizzy-miss-lizzieeeeee]

I'm re-reading Roots by @clara-aeri and I think I have a crush on Link's dad

[airplanned]

Ah thank you so much!! I would love some author or story recommendations!! I’ve been away from tumblr/the fandom for quite a few years now, so much of what I was aware of have gone quiet now. I’m looking forward to jumping back in!! :)

Okay...oh, now IDK where to start. Everybody I link has more stories you should check out. And I really don't mean to leave anyone out, but most definitely will.

I'm going to start with some oldies that you might have read, but the first two are much less sweeping and modern AUs.

*Wavebreeze's Girl at the Museum (Modern AU)

*CrazygurlMadness' To Those Who Wait (TP modern AU), but they also have a Long BotW story

*Lyxie's Into the Woods (AU fantasy setting)

These are some pillars of BotW fic. The first tow are sweeping, but the last two are one-shots:

*Starkraving's Interim (post BotW, and Ganondorf is there. Note that this is incomplete)

*Meriandr's Rise (Pre-BotW. Unfinished, but still so good. I actually like their story Strand more tho.)

*Honest Ground's Practical Anatomy (post-botw funny smut. All their stuff is good)

*Advocaat's On Propriety and Unconventional forms of Communication (Post-BotW)

Some newer stuff that isn't getting enough attention:

*ClaraAeri's Bolt from the Blue (Post BotW. All their work is lovely)

*Wildly Breathless' Reckless (Post BotW with himbo!Link and Grumpy!Zeld)

And then here's a big list of authors who are cool people, and I'm out of steam, so go explore:

jenseits-der-sterne, bhujerbanwrites, intangiblyyourswrites, spacebeyonce, ashleyswrittenwords, SpicyChestnut123, deiliamedlini, OmegaZeta5, Embyrinitalics, Lonelylorena, Zeldaelmo, aquaticpal, drsteggy, snidgetwidgeon

Also, you should follow newtsnaturethings. They don't write fic, but they draw vine fan art. And mistress-light does rad mods and posts .gifs

[runtedfiction]

also do you have any zelink fic recommendations 👀

ah, i really need to make time to read more fic--my recs are basically the only ones i've read 😅 if you (or anyone) have any pls lmk!!

a bird in your teeth by rushvalleys (@mercymorns)

gorgeous. the amount of thought that must've went into crafting the recurring dog story and the interwoven timeline and the dialogue is crazy! i love how melancholy and loaded the zelda/link interactions are, and there's always something bubbling beneath the surface that eventually leads to emotionally payoff. also i love phoebe bridgers

a line that stabbed me through the heart is: "Imagine: you're the hero. Imagine you sleep for one hundred years, and still have something worth waking up for at the end of it all." (fk!)

All the Trashy Novels by socksock (@airplanned)

so fun and funny! the tension and the dynamic is dynamite, and zelda has such distinct characterization in it--love that drama queen brat. also the whole pulling-the-master-sword-hilt kiss (captured in this legendary art by @aquaticpal) is iconic. i stayed up late to read it and i hadn't done that for such a long time; it made me feel like a high schooler again.

there's a line referring to "it might have been from the souls of heroes past" that's so good. also the comments on part 28 are so funny they made me laugh out loud

Roots by ClaraAeri (@clara-aeri)

saw this fanart from @eerna that convinced me to start this one! i'm only on ch. 3 but i really like it so far; already this feels like it's going to have a thoughtful, fleshed out backstory, and sad but tender post-calamity moments. it gives me the same feeling as when i go through game of thrones lore. love link's dad and the description of his fighting skills and his time as a little twerp

great line: "When he looked up at the Deku Tree again he was awake, looming over him with a heavy sorrow."

[ezdotjpg]

Do you have good angsty fic recs :)))

some choice fics from my bookmarks:

1. His Stolen Heart Still Beats by Glau (Glaucus_Atlanticus) - I love this fic so much. I wish I could read it again for the first time. that being said I’ve read it like 5 times and it still gets me

2. Retreat Reverse Rewind by Sinnatious -I love this concept I want more fics with this concept

3. Lay Waste by Ort- this isn’t finished yet and it’s been a while since the last update but this is So Good. Really interesting plot and characterizations. I think abt this fic every day

4. your obedient servant by michpat6- made me cry about a sword

5. Coral and Rust by theScrap_Witch- also made me cry about a sword

6. Roots by ClaraAeri- not lu but this is a really cool retelling of botw’s memories with unique characterizations for link and Zelda I just love. an absolute gut puncher by the end, also made me cry

[omegazeta5]

'In the depths of ZDR, she finds she's not alone. She finds someone wearing the same armor as her. Someone she doesn't remember knowing.

But she does.'

My first writing foray into Metroid! And my first OC I've ever featured in a fanfic 😅

I really have to thank ClaraAeri so much, not just for feeding me the initial inspiration for this fic, but also for making art of my OC!! Here's James, everyone, I love the shit outta him

If you read, hope you enjoy!

[incoherentbabblings]

If you don’t mind, 20, 46, 70? Have a nice day 💕

Hiiiiiii! Thank youuuuuuu!

Fanfiction Writing Asks

20. Do you prefer writing AUs or canon fics?

Hmmmmmmmmmnn. I think AUs? But I'm including canon divergence in that. Completely off the wall AUs I've done a couple of times, and they are fun, but I'm also a big fan of what if... You know?

46. If you could only write one type of AU for the rest of your life, what would it be?

The New 52 never happened AU? Ha ha! As much as I love that it gave me the Rebirth stuff, I wish we'd gotten just a few years more out of Pre-Flashpoint. A lot of hanging threads to be explored!

70. Are you subscribed to any writers on AO3?

I am I am I am! Not a huge amount for DC, I'm only really interested in reading fics which have Dick as the focus, particularly with regards to his relationships with Damian and Bruce. I tend to just read as I find them, but a couple that I am subscribed to are:

partingxshot aka wufflesvetinari on tumblr

ScarlettSwordMoon

scpnightwing

vlrnlr aka batphobique on tumblr

I'm also subscribed to a bunch of Legend of Zelda authors, but embyrinitalics, intangibly_yours and ClaraAeri in particular are my three favourites of favourites.

Otherwise I'm a browser! Whatever takes my fancy really.

[clara-aeri]

Do you have any preference in POV? Link, Zelda, or something else? Ps. Your latest work is AMAZING

Ooooooof, this is a hard one. I enjoy Link a lot because I get to write some very flat humorous prose to match his soldier personality. But I have grown a soft spot for Zelda because she lets me write more flowery and also has a lot of baggage and grim memories that are perfect for angst 😂

But I wound up so used to Link’s POV after Roots that it definitely comes out more naturally lol and I prefer to default to it when I’m not feeling up to tons of editing, at least the specific way I interpret his character. I’ve seen some people interpret him to be much more sensitive and thoughtful instead of “bokoblin kill 👹” which is just as valid.

(If anything I’d love to emulate the way @jenseits-der-sterne portrays him in her work “Before and After” on Ao3 which is wonderful and everyone should read it. I would be using that POV nonstop if knew how to write in second person lol!)

But thank you!! I’m so happy to hear that 😭 I hope that answers your question!

[bokettochild]

Fic recommendation time!!!!! Roots by ClaraAeri. one of my absolute favorites. Please have a look if you've got time.

I think this is actually on my reading list, LOL

Thank you for the suggestion, Anon! I have it open now, and while it might take me a bit to get through all 28 chapters (school starts again next week) I will certainly give it a try and a taste!

[dizzy-miss-lizzieeeeee]

I read the fic for this illustration and omg how do I recover from something so beautiful?????

Molduga hunting from Roots by ClaraAeri! Zelink being little shits to each other was A+

[enduracarrotchips]

That feeling when your eventually-girlfriend steals your sword and yells at her dad about being a literal goddess...yeah I feel you link. (This is from Roots by ClaraAeri! I reccommend giving it a read!)

Ok I just noticed this lady in the backgrounds expression wth. I don't remember drawing this. Her name is Lady Felicia and I love her.

[legendofzeldasilentprincess]

I know that after Age of Calamity comes out I will be fully on a Zelink lockdown. Even if we only get very few content I will eat it.

ANON I COMPLETELY TOTALLY FEEL YOU LOL. I’ve been in complete Zelda mode basically spending almost everyday on this blog again LOL but yeah after Age of Calamity comes out, ZELINK FANDOM IS GONNA GO INSANE. I MEAN EVERYONE IN LEGEND OF ZELDA FANDOM AND OTHER SHIPS IN BOTW TOO LOL.

I don’t wanna get my hopes up too high but I mean- Zelda is canonly in love with Link and it was confirmed through Kass’ song in BoTW. We thought of how awesome it would be to see more detail of the story 100 years and they’re actually giving us a prequel for it. ALSO A SEQUEL. The team for Hyrule Warriors basically made the plot based on Zelink and with the BoTW team who created the story also hinting at Zelda’s feelings for Link, I’m positive there’s gonna be some amazing great scenes in Age of Calamity. 

ITS GONNA BE SO ANGSTY BUT WE HERE FOR IT LOL

and while we talking about Zelink I just wanna link (badum-tsss) this amazing fic I’ve been binge reading called Roots by ClaraAeri. Link’s POV during some moments 100 years ago leading up to Calamity Ganon (from what I’m reading so far lol) but my god honestly one of the BEST characterizations of each character. If anyone knows her tumblr pls tag her so I recommend her properly!!

but yes lol anon we’re gonna die when the game is out

[st-hedge]

You should team up with ClaraAeri on Ao3 and make her fic “root” into a proper book with full illustration like the one you made with link and Zelda riding the horse in snow field and Hyrule castle in the background. People would pay for that for sure 😊😊

If I get approached I'd consider it 🤷‍♂️ but it's not for me to chase down the client since I dont know anything about the fic for this to be like a passion project collab with the only payment coming from the sales

[daughterofhylia]

I am on my knees begging people to read Displaced by socksock and also Roots by ClaraAeri on Ao3

Displaced (And its sequel, How To Build a Bridge in Eight Thousand Easy Steps) picks up immediately after botw ends and goes through Zelda and Link recovering, getting closer, and attempting to rebuild Hyrule. Their characterization is incredible and this fic really embraces Zelda’s scientist side and it’s so fun to read. Displaced is finished and the sequel is in progress!

Roots is mostly a pre-calamity fic, and details Link’s childhood and his journey to becoming a Champion. The characterization is again phenomenal. The Champions are a joy to read and Link is the Most chaotic and Zelda is fascinating and just. ugh. it’s so so good guys. And it’s almost finished!!

both of these fics have made me cry on multiple occasions and I need other people to know about them

[bahbahhh]

I was so happy to find this thread! I can’t wait to follow it and bookmark(: I only have the one I’ve written to share but its had a grip on me for 5 years.

WIP, revisited after a long hiatus. The Killing Moon. Memory trauma, hurt/angst, botw2 theories. Rated E

As for top recommendations for zelink:

ANYTHING by @honestground if you want some good spice.

Interim by @punishandenslavesuckers is one of the best fan fictions I’ve ever read. Period. There are lines from this fic that still haunt me years later.

Calm Waters Run Deep by @marydragon. Literally *chef kiss* took the memories and diary entries and expanded them into a fic. It’s part of a 3 part series which also dives into memory trauma and ptsd.

From the Ground Up by fioreofthemarch. Brilliant take on post-calamity and the politics.

WHEN THE WAR IS OVER AND I AM LYING QUIETLY AMONGST ANGELS, WAITING FOR YOU TO FIND ME by perennials. Age of Calamity Hyrule Warriors fic. BEAUTIFULLY written, very unique

Advent by ClaraAeri. I’m EAGERLY awaiting the continuation of this one. Give me link conflicted, give me link needing to figure himself out. ✨ Angst ✨ also love Roots and the Undertow

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💖

Thank you for tagging me @deiliamedlini and @zeldaelmo! In no particular order:

there are many things that I would like to say to you (but I don't know how). I wrote this for Zelinktines 2022, for the "Galentine's Day" prompt. All I knew is I wanted Zelda having a good time in Gerudo Town with her friends, but not how to make it zelink. I was also watching the Zelda cartoon at the time and I think Cartoon Link and BOTW/AOC Link are two of my favorite versions of the hero, and that they would probably *not* get along. This was so much fun to write and I was doubly blessed by a lot of writing help from and artwork by @aquaticpal, which was a dream come true.

"Good. You're Finally Awake": this was a prompt for Whumptober 2021, and I had been inspired by something my pal @pastelsandpining wrote, an idea of what went on in Link's mind while he was in the Shrine of Resurrection. When I first started writing fanfic I was convinced I would be a whump writer, but I discovered I wasn't very good at it. But I am really proud of this one.

Sweet Little Lies: I don't remember what our conversation was about, exactly, but @alwaysunderwaterocean has a knack of giving me my best fic ideas. The idea of Zelda trying to retcon her pre calamity history with Link (without being truly deceptive or cruel) was very fun, especially if Link catches her out on her bullshit.

Every Time I Itch I Wind Up Scratchin' You: I have a feeling this is how I have cemented my legacy, as being responsible for Sex Ants. And it makes me so happy. I wrote this for the Kinktober 2021 "sex pollen" prompt. I struggled to find some way to write something similar without having to juggle the usual dubious consent aspect of sex pollen. I'm not sure why ant bites was it, but it worked in my mind. And now this includes original artwork!

Elixirs & Engagements: Last but not least! I was feeling a bit meh about my one-and-only long fic (so far), but my pal @farore-or-less just read it and left so many wonderful comments that I have a renewed appreciation for it! I was so surprised there were no other Regency Romance AUs for LOZ, and the way my brain continually comes up with them means I'll probably write a couple more. Probably not quite as wholesome as this one, though.

This was a fun way to revisit my works! I'm approaching my one-year anniversary of writing fanfic; I did not really see the path I would take, the WIPs I have abandoned along the way, and the dozens more that are still in play. Here's to another year! Thanks for coming along with me!

I'll tag @wanderingnightingale, @hyperphonic, @farore-or-less, @dawn-the-rithmatist and @alwaysunderwaterocean and anyone else who wants to participate!