#it's probably more gen than shippy though maybe hhh

[queensbrother]

FFXIVWrite | 3. Tempest

[f!wolexarch if you squint | shadowbringers era | word count: 471 | Rating: G]

[also based on this gpose vn I did last year]

To say the Warrior of Light is reserved was something of an understatement. 

She is quiet, not much for words. Almost stoic in appearance, were it not for the way her eyes would light up, or the small smile tugging at the corner of her lips when taking up any task set before her. One that only few would notice, if they dared to look close enough. 

It was rare that she would hesitate when the impossible was asked of her. Rarer still, for her to speak her mind or show if she had any doubts. She would act, because it was the right thing to do. She would use her strength to help those without. 

And she took everything in stride, with a calm patience few could match. 

At least, that’s how the Exarch remembers her. And how she is depicted in the legends of old. 

But now, a storm swells beneath the surface. Her once patient demeanour cast aside. Brow furrowed and head bowed, squinting up at him out of the corner of her eye. She has been eyeing him like this since their meeting outside the gates.

“If you are asking me to be a weapon for you, I would prefer that you just come out and say it,” she snaps quietly, arms crossed over her chest and a finger tapping impatiently. 

It is a defiance he has never seen or heard before. 

“Not for myself, no. I had only hoped to ask—” 

Her head snaps towards him suddenly, glaring directly at him now. A tempered rage swirling in her eyes like a tempest. “Just to ask?” she scoffs. 

“You attempted to summon me to fight against this Light. To save this world, and now mine own as well.” She raises her voice, fists clenched as she steps towards him. It takes everything in him not to shrink back. 

Realistically, he should have expected this. 

“Just to ask if I would do it? All while my life and the lives of those closest to me are in danger? You dragged my friends to this world trying to get to me and it’s all because—” 

She stops. Jaw set before she closes her eyes. Willing the storm to calm— though he isn’t sure that calm is the right word when she opens them again. But she had… suppressed it. Pushed it down and away, as she swallows her pride with a deep breath. “...because no one else can do this,” she concedes quietly. 

Part of him wants to reach out and comfort her. Knowing the world could not have not been kind; that the trials she faced more harrowing than any story could properly capture, for her to change so drastically from the kindhearted soul he once knew. 

Instead, he grips his staff tighter, keeping the distance between them.

[chromotps]

Hello! Been in the OP fandom for more than a decade (i miss the days where ace/luffy were a normal ship) and finding fics have been difficult.

Do you have any luffy/ace fic recommendations? Wishing you a good night!

hello! I wish I had been around for early acelu days... I was reading OP fic back then, but it was mostly zo/san 😅. I get what you mean, it's tough to find stuff for them these days that's not just luffy-harem stuff (which is fine! just not what I'm looking for) or ooc

I prefer fics that are mostly sweet and not too angsty, so my list won't include some of the ones that are really bittersweet/dark/endgame-tragic, even though they're beautifully written. I'm sure if you ask another acelu fan, you'd get a completely different list... I'm just a big weenie! 😭😂

I'm also really disorganized, so I'm probably forgetting a bunch!!! I need to keep better bookmarks omg

SFW Fics:

spinning on that dizzy edge by to-a-merrier-world (wayward_wolves) fav fav fav (helps that this was sort of a gift? based on some art I drew;;? hhh i love it so much) A sweet!!! and playful, relaxed scene between Luffy and Ace—who's joined the Stawhats!

this short fic by 002yb a really lovely, atmospheric piece of writing about the boys just being cute and speaking through touch

forget me not by 002yb a touch more bittersweet, but I loved how insightful this little look at Ace's last night with Luffy in Goa was

to be deserving by 002yb (after acelu week I need to have a separate section for 002yb!! tbh consider this a blanket rec for all their fics) adorable!! very nuanced, quick look at some courtship (or lack thereof) (but hope for some in the future?) between ace and luffy in an omegaverse AU

Bridesmaid Blues by Anonymous so much fun!! a rom-com style take on Luffy and Ace eloping in canon. Hilarious, and just makes me adore all the characters even more

In Your Heart Shall Burn by kayura_sanada oh my god. so it's a fix-it fic that involves a mysterious mirror and wishes. the tone feels just like canon with maybe a hint more bittersweet hopefulness, and the heartfelt moments between ace and luffy in this MELTED ME INTO PIECES. this will be one of my forever favorites.

oxytocin by ruche Gen fic but the author has other great shippy acelu work; this one is, post-marineford-ace-lives scene with Ace being worried and grateful for Luffy... the characterization is amazing

Near Death Experiences by monch_monch (WIP) This is a reincarnation AU, and it's got one of my absolute favorite acelu scenes in one of its flashbacks... I love everything about this fic—the way the other characters are brought in, and how cute and heartfelt Ace and Luffy are... I can't compliment it enough

The Same As You by PeachyStud (WIP) (jksgfhd oops i put this is sfw when the latest chapters have some messing around in it, but... i'll just leave it here) This one's a very sweet and fun modern AU—I reread it when I just need some feel good acelu fluff.

Next Stop, Everywhere by NewWonder This fic is the 2nd part of an "Ace lives and sails with Luffy" series, but it's my favorite of the 3 parts because it focuses a lot on Ace getting to work through his heartache 😭

Together Again by Swinky Swanks (SpobSpucci) A sweet, short piece about when Ace visits Luffy in canon

I'll Always Want You by PeachyStud This is part 1 of another "Ace lives in canon" series—this fic focuses on Luffy asking Ace to join his crew during their 2 years training and is SO cute and lovely. Part 2 is also a treat (and rated M 👀)

Arrangements by Sully-van I feel a little crazy for including an FF.net story on here, but this little royalty/arranged marriage AU just made me smile.

Find the Hat by authenticaussie  funny, slightly bittersweet AU where luffy's a ghost in ace's university library. i know, unusual concept, but a quick, fun read

(Ir)Responsible by oumriel (WIP!!!!! probably permanently from the looks of things) okay I have to recommend this one—it's a modern AU with drama/slow burn, and some incredibly heart-warming moments and really interesting characterizations. it does end on a heart-breaking cliffhanger, but... acelu seems to be a little bit cursed with WIPs, in the end, haha

Sleeping Habits by RainyCatharsis surprisingly fluffy soulmate AU where a soulmate who's died stays in their partner's dreams until they're both ready to move on. short and sweet!

on brotherhood by LadyCrimsonAndBlack another gen fic; age-swap! older Luffy runs into Whitebeard and makes sure Ace is happy on his crew

Lock; Key by Anonymous (SFW.... for now. since there's only 1 chapter up) very interesting modern, omegaverse AU with cool worldbuilding

NSFW Fics:

Hatchling by Anonymous good old-fashioned "not too loud or dad will hear us" modern AU incest. haha. really, this one is a nice mix of cute and dirtyhot, with a looooot of teasing smug ace

and what do they say about dreams by ruche uhh. a smut fic that... focuses on Ace's narcolepsy? it's surprisingly cute and funny—mind the tags, but I really enjoyed it!

Tearjerker by necroesthe OKAY so I love a lot of Necro's acelu fics... They do tend to skew darker, so that's a good thing to remember if you go browsing. This fic, though, is an adorable and fun and hot modern AU, with Ace thinking Luffy looks cute when he cries.

for the asking by irrelevant  another modern AU, I love the relaxed dialogue and vibe of this one. There's something about Ace and Luffy acting like dumb brothers while also being devoted to each other that gets me every time.

You're Built from Motorcycle Exhaust, Cigarette Smoke, and Starlight by Novicecomics Modern AU, really atmospheric story about biker!Ace and Luffy going on a little adventure and being in love

born hungry by ruche hard to summarize... i guess, modern AU, drunk/troubled ace has surprisingly sweet sex with luffy. this author always captures such a like, darkly funny, wry attitude with ace, and their luffy is a treat. still good to check the tags!

the blood of my brother by fizzyren another maybe odd one. uh. short summary is, acelu period sex with trans luffy. i'm not usually into those kinds of fics but this one got me down, what can i say

Lake Pontchartrain by necroesthe definitely read the tags for some of these dead dove recs i'm sneaking in here. anyway uh. the first chapter in this is, modern au, preteen luffy catches ace watching porn aaaaand then there's fallout

Virtue by necroesthe ditto above w the tags. um. 15yo luffy wants to ride ace. i'll add, necro's darker fics are more psychological-hot to me than like, silly-yummy-smut hot? if that makes any sense haha

I'd also like to recommend my own Once Piece fics... I think they're all pretty sweet, and not too bad if I do say so myself. :3c

Anyway!! Hope this helps! And pls feel free to tell me your thoughts on any of em............. 👀

[watermelon-converse]

answer all of them then! no reason to restrict yourself if you wanna do them all 👀 (if you feel like it ofc)

hErE wE gO /pos

1. From one to five stars, how would you rate your writing? (No downplaying yourself!)

hmm, three? four if I’m being serious

2. Why do you write fanfiction

because I’m bored as heck and have way too many ideas

3. What do you think makes your writing stand out from other works?

I get super into it and plan everything out before I start. is insane actually

4. Are there any writers that inspire you?

all of them. Lex, in particular, @your-local-hurt-comfort-junkie-1 , is so good at writing I can’t even TvT

5. What’s the fic you’re most proud of?

an undisclosed Tangled AU that took me two years. It’s not shared yet lol

6. What element of writing do you find comes easily?

banter, no question. It just comes lol

7. What element of writing do you struggle with most?

action omg. I can’t do it XD

8. Which character(s) do you find easiest to write?

happy characters or ones in pain. No inbetween.

9. Which character(s) do you find most difficult to write?

evil characters are hard hhh. I want to make them nuanced! Have depth! If I’m writing fic with a character who doesn’t have that, I’m tempted to put it in, even if I don’t plan to have them in for more that a chapter.

10. What’s your favorite genre to write for?

f- fluff?

11. Who or what do you find yourself writing about most?

tangled heh

12. Tell us about a WIP you’re excited about.

doing a tangled band Au actually 👀

13. First fandom you ever wrote for?

Ramona and Beezus, I was six. Yes no that’s the truth

14. What’s your favorite fandom to write for?

I want to discover more than tangled lol, I’m getting into amphibia fic now

15. What’s the weirdest fandom you’ve ever written for?

ramona and beezus probably

16. Any guilty pleasure trope(s)?

cheese. Anything that is cheesy, be it fluff, drama, etc. you will cringe as you laugh/cry/pine

17. A trope you’ll never, ever write for.

centaur-ification? idk

18. Wildest fic you’ve ever written?

im working on it

19. Do you prefer canon-compliant, AUs, or something in-between?

AUs are so fun! They have so many possibilities while still being typical to the characters

20. Gen fic or shippy stuff?

both; shippy but plot-centric

21. Favorite pairing to write for? (platonic or romantic!)

:sob: cassunzel

and sashannearcy heh

22. Do you listen to anything while you write?

I usually have music on anyway lol

23. Do you prefer prompts and challenges, or completely independent ideas?

independent - it gives me more time

24. One-shots or multi-chaptered works?

one shots are fun and come naturally, but. Longer things call to me

25. Have you ever daydreamed about side adventures/spin-offs from your fic? Tell us about them!

omg yes! But it’s for the long one 👀 do i want to spend another two years doing that 👀

26. Is there anything you’ve wanted to write, but you’ve been too scared to try?

not really

27. What’s the nicest comment you’ve ever received?

once someone told me they would be heartbroken if I stopped writing 🥺

28. How well do you handle criticism when it comes to your writing?

pretty well! I need it lol

29. Have you ever gone outside of your comfort zone for a fic? How did it turn out?

writing for characters Im not good with is hard. I’ve always learned from it, though.

30. Tooth-rotting fluff or merciless angst?

F L U F F

31. Do you have any OCs? Tell us about them!

Nope!

32. Summarize a random fic of yours in 10 words or less.

The Crystal Gems (Old Skool, with Rose) play baseball

33. Is there anything you wish your audience knew about your writing or writing process?

I care so much about my fics - so much aaaaa

34. Copy and paste an excerpt you’re particularly fond of.

from my Owl House fic, Mad but Sad Boy:

“Is that … really a thing? Genuinely good people? People who would make Hunter, not mad or sad, but just … okay?

Maybe even … happy?

He notes how happily Amity Blight talked about Luz. How much laughter there was between the Owl Lady and her pet rat. How much … warmth Hunter gets from this tiny little bird.

“Dang it,” Hunter mutters.

The palisman looks at him gently.

“Wanna go watch some Steven Universe?” Hunter sighs, giving in to his heart for once. For once, all he wants is to feel warm with a friend.

His friend peeps in agreement.

35. Ramble about any fic-related thing you want!

LeX YouR fiC iS bReAkINg mE iN tHe bEsT wAyyYyYyYyYyYyY