#qaf fic recs

[winderlylandchime]

May I ask what are your favorite Britin fics? 🥺

Hello dear sweet anon!

I am always happy to share my QAF/Britin fic recs. I keep a collection going of my bookmarks at AO3 and try to keep them pretty well tagged. You can find that here but I’ll pull out a few that I find particularly enjoyable:

Pulse Point - a complete AU with trauma surgeon!Brian and EMT!Justin. By Xie

Unfold Me - a S5 canon divergent fic which honestly solves a lot of my issues with S5. By mornmeril

Monogamy - another S5 canon divergent fic which takes an entirely different approach and is full of the feels. By frayach

The Love Song of Brian A. Kinney - a post canon classic, one shot. By ipoiledi.

Counting Dollars - a gapfiller for between S3 and S4, one shot. Also by ipoiledi.

Catalepsis - lovely S3 canon divergent fic, lots of delicious hurt/comfort. By @lostcol

Forward - post canon one shot focusing on Brian. By @kinnenvy

Glowing Rooms - canon divergent at 122 - Brian moves to NYC and doesn’t go to prom, Justin is bashed anyway. One shot. Amazing. By ohmyjetsabel

Only Time - post canon series, honestly could be S6, absolutely brilliant. Also by Xie

Homecoming - honestly, you cannot go wrong with this writer but her main series (The One Where Justin Loses His Hearing) can be intimidating. These are two parts of that series that can be read as a standalone fic (two chapters). By LaVieEnRose

If you want some fantastic PWP, I highly recommend devil_on_your_shoulder27384

Also all of ivysunna’s fics are incredible but I love their canon fics such as we’d still worship this love (S2, canon compliant, outsider POV which is always fun for Britin) and their newest the heat of your electric touch (S4/cancer arc gapfiller, canon compliant).

Wait - set during S3, Justin has an HIV scare (open ending). By @thissugarcane

Also, if you are new to fic in QAF, I would be absolutely remiss if I didn’t direct you toward Myrna’s four part fic that is canon divergent after the end of S2 and is delicious hurt/comfort and alternating POV. It is partway down this archive page. Look for If You Needed Me (If You Needed Me / I Would Come to You / I’d Swim the Seas / For To Ease Your Pain). I encourage you to save it as PDFs because it is hard to track down.

Overall, I tend to bookmark fics where the premise is interesting (bonus points for hurt/comfort), the characters and their growth are central, and the characters must be in character (any changes to their character must be explained by growth or AU circumstances but honestly I love these characters and I want to read about them), and the writing is good. I don’t enjoy fics that are anti-character. I know those are popular in this fandom and I’m not going to yuck anyone’s yum, but I generally find every character on this show has something redeeming about them and they are all flawed. It’s far more interesting to me to explore that rather than have an outright villain. More than any other fandom, I tend to enjoy canon-based fics rather than complete AUs (I say as I’m partway through writing a complete AU).

Happy reading! If you read anything that you enjoy, come back and let me know your thoughts (from this list or anything else).

[atlasshrugd]

Hi there. I found your big QAF fic rec list on a random search the other day and I was hoping you might be able to help me find a fic? I saw it on another rec list on an author website and the link doesn't work anymore. And the author has made their live journal friends only and I don't have an LJ account. Anyways, it's called "In Between Days" by rachel anton or sparkledark, that's the LJ account name. Thank you in advance!

You have come to the right place! Honestly, I didn't have high hopes on finding this one as the only link has expired (being from 2005), but I FOUND IT on the wayback machine, where it had been captured once in 2008.

Here is the link:

https://web.archive.org/web/20081019123727/http://hometown.aol.com/ranton1013/inbetweendays.html

I'm putting it on my list! Hope you enjoy it! :)

[thoughtsickles]

2024 Year in Fic

I read so much great stuff this year. Found several new fandoms I'm insane for, wrote a ton (I will publish.... at some point!) and went through pages and pages of A03 search results looking for those few gems... and I found some. Here are some faves:

you're in love (true love) and all's well that ends well to end up with you and i wanna be your endgame by orphan_account Brian Kinney/Justin Taylor (Queer as Folk US)

oh the pain of finding a new favorite author who's orphaned all their fics... luckily they titled all of them with taylor swift lyrics so you can pick them out from doing a ship search on A03 with orphan_account as author. they are all fabulous but these are my particular favorites. hijinks/misunderstandings, hot sexy scenes, beautiful character moments... they've got it all! I come back to these over and over again because they're just that good.

Of Cowardice and Frog-shaped soap by sakesushimaki Randy Harrison/Gale Harold (actor RPF)

finally some good fucking RPF!!! the yearning, the drama, the románce

every single one-shot by sakesushimaki Brian Kinney/Justin Taylor (Queer as Folk US)

the YEARNING... the sex-as-religion... the beautiful characterizations.... date last posted 2012. I reach through time to praise this author and politely ask if they are writing anything else lately. just wondering.

Taking Care by MB (Sidney_Allison) Brian Kinney/Justin Taylor (Queer as Folk US)

killer concept--what if Brian and Justin met during the cancer arc when Justin is hired as Brian's caregiver?--and killer execution. A beauty of a fic.

Lola by misomadness Tim Bradford/Lucy Chen (The Rookie) WIP

you know how sometimes the entire fandom of a ship seems overtaken by people who want to put them into an ooc suave dom/giggling schoolgirl kind of AU and you're out here like where are the Lucy/Tim understanders... where are the actual good reflections of their dynamic... well misomadness gets it! it's a WIP but c'mon, we aren't weak here on thoughtsickles.tumblr.com. we are willing to play the long game. we are willing to read WIPs with the proper matching of each other's freak in hopes it will be continued. and how can you resist an undercover op story?

(you are) my very best thing by portraitofemmy, stormcoming Quentin Coldwater/Eliot Waugh (The Magicians)

beautiful fwb to lovers romance about growing up, finding your family, letting your dreams evolve, letting yourself grow and become changed.

A More Perfect Fall by cinnaluminum Carlos Reyes/TK Strand (9-1-1: Lone Star)

missing moments? tender!dom Carlos trying-to-play-it-cool pov? sign me up!

[wildlydone]

Top Tier Britin Fic

A character study of Brian from his Guardian Angel's perspective (AKA Vic Grassi). This is honestly the best representation of Brian I have ever read. This fic runs through Brian's childhood, canon events, and after Justin leaves for New York as they try to maintain a long distance situationship. But Brian is in need of an emotional intervention when he starts spiraling and what better way to knock some sense into him than Vic punking him?

10/10 fav Britin fic absolutely 💯

(such emotion, such angst with comfort, excellent character study, so beautiful)

[sophsun1]

do u have any good qaf fic recs that takes place after the show ended. either bri going to nyc to see justin, or justin coming home

Hey anon!

These are some of my most favourite fics to read for britin in this qaf universe, I have tagged one story but please check out their story archive to see what else they've written. Some are continuing on from canon and some become AU. All these wonderfully talented writers capture their voices so, so well and for me it feels very realistic and true to how their story would continue. So I wish you well on your reading endeavour and make sure to give these amazing people lots of love in their comments because fic writing and all writing in general is such an art form and definitely not something I could do!

I would also suggest checking out the writers bookmarks where you can find other stories and fellow writers they love so you discover new stuff that way also.

I'm actually so behind in reading myself as I'm usually too busy giffing them I haven't had time to catch up, so I will be flooding their comments as soon as I can. I will tag some of the writers that I know are here on tumblr and if anyone else has any recs or wants to plug their own stories please do!

@ivysunna

@winderlylandchime

@lostcol

https://archiveofourown.org/users/orphan_account/pseuds/orphan_account

[mariunnnn]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Queer as Folk (US) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Brian Kinney/Justin Taylor (Queer as Folk), Melanie Marcus/Lindsay Peterson, Ben Bruckner/Michael Novotny Characters: Brian Kinney (Queer as Folk), Justin Taylor (Queer as Folk), Michael Novotny, Debbie Novotny, Emmett Honeycutt, Lindsay Peterson, Melanie Marcus, Gus Peterson-Marcus, Jenny Rebecca Novotny-Marcus, Jack Kinney, Joan Kinney, Claire Kinney Additional Tags: there's mentions of sex, and some kind of super powers, it's a superpower au i think, let me know if there's anything else I should tag Summary:

"justin kissed him softly, his hand grabbing onto brian's hair, tightening slightly..

and the tv shut off.

brian's hands held onto the front of justin's shirt and he barely put any distance between them to get a quick look at the tv.

"piece of shit."

justin snorted unattractively and all the lights in the flat went out with a high crackling sound."

a superpower!au

[bisexualdawnsummers]

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! Spread the self-love 💞

Thanks! I can't say that these five are my favorite fics I've written, but I'm pretty proud of them.

Warm (due South, fraser/vecchio) My first due South fic! I posted this last year for Ray Vecchio Day. I wrote this fic backwards, knowing I wanted to connect the ending to the episodes They Eat Horses, Don't They? and Pizza and Promises with Ray finally allowing Fraser to warm him up. And also reference the 'picture 'heat me up' postcard from Burning Down the House.

Where you belong (qaf us, brian/michael) I've attempted to write something for this pairing many times over the years, this is the first one to come together and I still like how it turned out. I'm very happy to have contributed something to one of my fave, tragically underrated otps.

A Mountie Under the Influence (due South, fraser/vecchio) I love a silly inebriated love confession. It was a fun way to get Fraser to let his guard down and open up.

What Were You Doing New Year's Eve? (due South, fraser/kowalski) More intoxicated shenanigans in this one. This was a last minute, burst of inspiration fic that I wrote the night before. I think it turned out pretty fun. It has a fun romcom vibe.

Parting Gift (Interview with a Vampire, daniel/armand) I enjoyed writing my own take on Daniel's turning. It was fun playing with Armand and Daniel's complex dynamic and possible past entanglement. I think it turned out pretty well!

[perotovar]

Erin, I have a question inspired by your latest Shane/Tim fic! It completely blew me away and I know I’m going to keep thinking about them 🖤

Have you ever watched the show Queen as Folk? It was one of my absolute faves growing up, written by Russel T Davis, with Aidan Gillan and a (very) young Charlie hunnam? It’s set in Manchester in 1999 and although it’s a very different story is gives suchhhh vibes of Bloody Kisses that i think you’d really enjoy it?

You might be the like, Al of course I’ve seen QAF or it might absolutely not be your thing.

Much love,

Al

omg i love you for this 😭

i’ve seen a couple of episodes for the american version of the show but never a whole season/series! i should probably watch some to get some more of those late 90s/early 00s vibes!

thank you so much for the rec!!

[lostcol]

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 💜

Ooh fun! Okay I'll pick a few from the different fandoms I've written in. The Great Poxing of 2013 - sterek, 6k, Stiles gets the chicken pox and is exactly as dramatic as you'd expect. Derek takes care of him. I actually just reread this one the other day. It's my only sterek fic (to date), and it was so much fun to write.

Family - qaf, 4.8k, this is a fic set within the world of LaVieEnRose's deaf!Justin series, and it centers around an OC so it doesn't really stand on its own. BUT! If you haven't you should absolutely check out her series, then read the three fics I've written in that world. In this one, the OC has a nightmare bc of his insecurity around his place in their relationship, and Brian and Justin deal with that.

A Knight in Shining... Clubwear? - qaf/britin, 8.4k, set during s3 when justin's with ethan, justin goes home with the wrong trick and brian saves him. heed the tags!

best cure for a bad game - tknp, 5.8k, TK has a bad game, so Patty helps him let off some steam 😏

SANTA?! - charmie, 5k. LISTEN. okay. I know this one is ridiculous. I wrote it for a friend, and she loved, and I love it, and that's what matters. It's technically charmie, but all the smut is armie/hot santa. Like, actual Santa. Who's hot. I'm not sorry.

[queerascait]

Find me a fic? I've been working through Ao3's supply of Britin fics, and I came across Strangers in the Night by Tammy, which had been imported in as part of the preservation of The Brian/Justin Archive (link in comment so hopefully Tumblr won't hide this post).

It's a S2 fic where Brian has been assaulted, but he's blanked out a lot of the details. A prominent gay lawyer was murdered - there's a bit about Brian's DNA found on the scene but it's suspicious af - and it leaves off with Carl getting an anonymous tip to look into Ted. It's not finished on Ao3, but I was wondering if anyone knows anywhere it might have been finished? Thank youuuu :)

[winderlylandchime]

I need ALL of you’re britin recs! 🥹

Oh hello, hello, hello lovely anon. Buckle up for my list of Britin recs. I’ll try to be organized…

Some of my favorite canon-divergent fics are:

Catalepsis by @lostcol - Canon divergent in S3 and follows how Brian and Justin may have reunited in a different way. Lots of delicious hurt/comfort.

The One Where Justin Loses His Hearing by LaVieEnRose - Canon divergent sometime in S5 (before the break up) and follows Brian and Justin as Justin navigates losing his hearing. Before you balk at the 800K+ word count (yes), remember that it’s a series. There are a few story arcs but generally the fics do not end on cliff-hangers and you can pace yourself. The first 26 fics (all of which start with The One Where) are the original series and I would start there. I tend to like my fics rated E and the T ratings initially put me off of this series. If you’re like me, give it a chance anyway. LVER is an incredible writer (she’s published IRL) and there’s a reason this is a modern classic.

Homecoming this is part of the TOWJLHH series but is also published as a stand-alone fic. It’s two chapters exploring how else Brian and Justin may have reunited in S3. You don’t need familiarity with the rest of the series to enjoy this.

Glowing Rooms by OhMyJetsabel - Canon divergent in S1. Brian gets the job in NYC and Justin gets bashed at prom anyway.

If You Needed Me by Myrna (halfway down the page, non-AO3 link) - Canon divergent after S2. Told in four parts: Ethan, Michael, Brian, Justin. An alternate version of Brian and Justin getting back together and Justin has a brain tumor. This is classic, classic, classic QAF fanfiction.

Some of my favorite gap-filler fics are:

A Real Fucking Legacy by @evermoresx - Gap filler for 2x07 when Justin wants to go without condoms. Brian’s POV.

Counting Dollars by Ipoiledi - Gap filler for between S3 and S4 when Brian has lost everything but the loft to defeat Stockwell.

Wrist by LaVieEnRose - Gap filler for 2x14 when Justin narrowly escapes Sapperstein’s party.

We’d Still Worship this Love - Not strictly gap-filler but definitely canon-compliant, set sometime during the first half of S2. Michael’s POV. (Orphan account)

Some of my favorite post-canon fics are:

The Love Song of Brian A. Kinney by Ipoiledi - Brian’s POV when Justin asks to take a break from phone sex.

Only Time by Xie - Alternating POV and it’s written so perfectly it’s canon to me now.

I have all my QAF bookmarks in this collection. Some of them are locked to AO3 registered users and I didn’t include them in this list for that reason since I don’t know if you have an AO3 account.

And all the QAF fics I’ve written are here.

Thanks for this ask anon!

[atlasshrugd]

Hello! I used to be very into QAF when it was on TV. I was looking for a piece of fiction wherein Brian and Justin engage in double penetration and I can't seem to find it. Was it by burnitbackwards? I cannot for the life of me find it. Let me know if you could possibly recommend. I appreciate it!

Hi! I'm sorry for the late reply. I have searched for a fic like this by burnitbackwards but I can't seem to find it. However I did find this fic by rhiannonhero called 'Incarnadine.' Is this the one you were looking for?

Link: https://rhihero-fic.livejournal.com/47908.html#cutid1

Hope this helps!

[fanfictionlibrarian]

I’m new to QAF fanfiction and I really needed to share the best series I’ve read from the fandom. 

The One Where Justin Loses His Hearing by LaVieEnRose

It is 121 parts (currently) and Its about Justin losing his hearing and Britin moving to New York City. The author develops all of the incredibly complex original characters and it was a joy to read. If you haven’t found any good QAF fics (or you have but want more) I definitely reccomend!

[winderlylandchime]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of those fics I have saved as a PDF *just in case*

This fic is a must read for any britin fan it made me laugh, the humour is incredible. Made me cry it's so well written and the characterisation in my opinion is spot on. I could hear the dialogue in their voices and having it from the pov of each character was inspired. What a talented bunch of writers there's been in this fandom across the years 💛

If anyone wants to read it link is here titled - If you needed me

Ty to @winderlylandchime for putting it on their rec list where I found it!

[sitp-recs]

woah, a fellow brazilian :) do you happen to have any recs where they fight or hurt each other emotionally or just yk, are imperfect? thanks <3

Hello friend! 🇧🇷 that’s an interesting ask - I’m usually soft about my angst in the sense that I don’t really enjoy mean characters hurting each other intentionally. That being said, depending on writing and context I love myself a nuanced bumpy enemies-to-lovers or complicated get together. Here are a few fics that come to mind:

An Emerald In The Sky by MA (2022, M, 6.6k)

The hardest part about shagging an Unspeakable is that they’re not allowed to speak of anything. All Draco knows is that Harry works in Time. Harry works in Time, and while he’s out there in all of that time, it is as unforgiving to him as it is to anyone.

Kissed by potteresque_ire (M, 11k)

Draco Malfoy was attacked by a rogue Dementor on the night of his Azkaban release. He self-exiled to Muggle London and opened a late-night chocolate shop called Kissed.

I'll never be your chosen one by @andithiel (E, 15k)

Draco doesn't know what exactly he’s doing with Potter, he doesn't know how their unspoken agreement even started, and doesn't know where it will end. The only thing he knows is: he's not in love.

Vanishing Cabinets by Romaine (E, 18k)

Take one Wizarding Family Values politician who has a secret life, and add one Auror who detests discrimination of any type, but becomes a bit obsessed with said politician, and you have enough sparks to ignite a Beltane fire. (EWE)

Don't Stop It Before It Begins by mischieviolet (M, 19k)

“I don’t understand how this is of any concern to you, Malfoy,” Harry said, crossing his arms over his chest. Draco blinked at the use of his last name, something that Harry only used with him in jest these days. “I’m merely spending time with my Auror partner, who is from another country, and has no one here. I would do the same if it were you.”

Exposure by GallaPlacidia (M, 27k)

When Seamus uncovers Draco Malfoy's camboy profile, he, Harry and Ron decide to anonymously book a private show so as to humiliate him later. Fascinated by Draco's confidence, Harry keeps booking private shows under the disguise... Self prompt: Draco is a camboy. Harry betrays him.

Your Place or Mine? by loveglowsinthedark (E, 27k)

"This person is so much harder to hate. And I’m supposed to hate Malfoy. How the fuck else am I supposed to limit this to just sex?"

All Roads by korlaena (M, 36k)

Draco hates his job at the Prophet. He hates it even more when he’s assigned to write an article on Harry Potter, who left the country three years ago after their falling out. Draco doesn’t want to face the truth about himself, but he’s stuck between Harry and his duty, and he’s out of options.

Rush (For A Gap That Exists) by sleepstxtic (M, 42k)

A story of love and loss that grew amidst the most infamous rivalry in Formula One history: the story of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter.

The Boy Who Only Lived Twice by lettered (E, 54k)

Harry Potter is an Unspeakable. Draco Malfoy is the wizard who shagged him. Adventure! Intrigue! Secret identities, celebrities, spies! It's all right here, folks.

Temptation on the Warfront by alizarincrims0n (E, 180k)

Draco Malfoy is forced into hiding with the Golden Trio and dragged into their search for horcruxes. What ensues is a journey of redemption, unexpected friendships and an unwanted, turbulent romance with Harry Potter. Warnings for swearing, sexual content, and dark themes.

Bonus: I haven’t read this QaF AU but I see it being recced quite often:

Harry Potter Gives a Shit by talithan (E, 58k)

“Where are you headed?” “No place special,” Draco fumbled, and flushed further. But then: “I can change that,” said Harry Potter.

[bisexualdawnsummers]

Do you still ship Brian Michael from QAF?? I just finished watching it last week and right from the rooftop scene they became my OTP. After finishing I came in search of blogs, gifs, fics and found that literally no one ships them. How is that even possible. They have insane chemistry with each other. In fact most people hate Michael… how?? I am baffled.

Yes! I absolutely still ship Brian and Michael. Always have, always will. It's like my # 1 ship of all time. I completely agree with you about them having great chemistry. And since Michael is my fave character from the show, I am also baffled by the overwhelming hatred for him. Brikey was never the most popular ship in the fandom but it used to have a fairly good following back in the day. All the brikey shippers seemed to have moved on a long time ago though, and most of the Brian/Michael fansites have shut down. So sadly, there isn't a lot of content available anymore. I watched the show for the first time in 2013, so I was lucky enough to get in just before the brikey fanfic site shut down. I know there were plans at the time to move all the fics over to ao3 but it never happened. :(

There are still a few good fics available online though. I've actually been meaning to make a rec list of my fave fics that are still online. If you're interested in fic, this site is a good place to start. The author has several really good Brikey fics there, including one of my faves, So come and Dance with Me (which I think is quintessential reading for any brikey shipper).

Anyway, welcome to the wonderful, painful life of a brikey shipper. Feel free to message me about them anytime. Also, if you have any particular gif requests for them, you can send them to me, and I'll do my best.

Thanks for the ask! It genuinely makes me so happy to talk to other brikey fans. :)