#rec:october2024

[beatlesficrecs]

fic: To Nobody

by skua / @eveepe

link

summary:

It was a month after John died that he started showing up in Paul’s house, which was just fucking typical of him.

what i like about it: this fic packs so much emotion into such a small word count! despite the inherent angst that one might expect from a ghost john concept, it still manages to be so charming and sweet and fresh that you come out of it feeling warm and awash with all the love that was written into it. ghost!john is so perfectly john - bothersome, and funny, and so soft when he needs to be. and i love the way linda was included in this, and her unconditional loyalty and support for paul.

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[beatlesficrecs]

fic rec: Two Kinds

by Lollytree

Link to fic

Summary:

John and Paul during the filming of Magical Mystery Tour.

Why I like this fic:

Another great John POV; and a story about an interesting, fraught time for the Beatles and J/P. This one has an *excellent* John-Jim moment, too, and does a great job overall folding the past into the present. The sex is especially hot this close to disaster, but the story ends just in time for weaklings like me to dream of a fix-it.

I re-read this one after a long time, and it holds up. Check it out if John’s voice, John vs. Jim, and Magical Mystery Beatles are your thing!

[beatlesficrecs]

October 2024 - fic recs master post

now and then (there's a fool such as i) by stonedlennon

The Spirit of Hospitality by whereitwillgo

love like ghosts by mynamesbetty (waltwhitmans)

Through Your Window by with_eyes_closed

(Just Like) Starting Over by dollylux

Mr. Eastman by cocoon (teenagedirtbaglku)

we are two by verger_de_pommiers

Huddersfield, 1963 by Desaumarez

oh darling, pardon me (can you help me remember?) by inherownwrite

i thought i knew you, what did i know? by moeexyz

To Nobody by skua

here and there by blobfish_miffy

Two Kinds by Lollytree

and when i touch you by milaway

Paris, 1961 by whiteisthewarmestcolor

Double Fantasy by javelinbk

Paul in the raw by javelinbk

Opposites by Selena

Just for tonight by strwbryfeels

Pillow queen by georgeharrisonswizardhat

[beatlesficrecs]

Fic: now and then (there’s a fool such as I) by @stonedlennon

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/9297575

Summary: John and Paul on their trip to Caversham, Berkshire. April, 1960.

Why I like this fic: I just reread this today and fell in love all over again. Their shy simmering obsession with each other is so palpable. They flirt, they circle each other, but they can’t quite come out and say anything — until they do. I like that it’s clearly a potent mutual attraction; Paul wants John just as urgently as John wants him, and their teenage newness to these sorts of feelings runs all the way through it. And the kiss scene is to die for!

[beatlesficrecs]

fic rec: Paris, 1961

by whiteisthewarmestcolor

Link to fic

Summary:

In October 1961, in a city thrown into political turmoil, a young Parisian woman meets two British musicians staying at the Montmartre hotel run by her family.

A fictionalized reinvention of John Lennon and Paul McCartney first Parisian visit.

Why I like this fic:

(First of all: do not let ‘not actually unrequited love’ tag mislead you; it does not refer to John and Paul!)

I love Outsider POV stories about John and Paul, and this one connects their Paris escape to world history without losing the intimate, tender tone that feels so appropriate to the trip. The narrator has her own, interesting story, and it intertwines with John and Paul’s in a way that brought a big smile to my face in the end. I know this blog isn’t about declaring the “best” fics, but to me, this one is up there with my favorite Outsider POV's—and it deserves more love!

[beatlesficrecs]

(Just Like) Starting Over

dollylux

my summary: John and Paul try songwriting again in December 1980 and they have a happy ending <3

Why I like it? It's a sweet balm for the heart and does not get the love it deservesss. It has everything I love in a fix-it fanfic, reading it always makes me tear up. For a divergence from the canon it doesn't get too complicated and I like that, sometimes I just need it to be resolved with love and cuddling. The mature rate isn't there for nothing!

(Just Like) Starting Over - dollylux - The Beatles (Band) [Archive of Our Own]

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[beatlesficrecs]

fic rec: Double Fantasy

by @javelinbk

Link to fic

Summary:

John owns a flower shop. Paul is his beautiful and painfully shy customer. Returning customer. Frequently returning customer. So many good reasons to buy flowers…!

Why I like this fic:

I’ve been thinking about this one again lately. Why? Because it’s funny and warm, and it captures the butterflies of falling in love, and the anxiety of wondering if it’s requited. Because John and Paul are beautifully in character, even though it’s an AU. Because they both love music and just being together, even before quote unquote anything happens, in other words: you can tell why they’re each other’s favorite person. Because it has Paul vs. Stu. *g* And because I can’t forget the moment between Paul and the Venus Fly Trap! This is a series with three parts: John’s POV, then Paul’s, and finally an epilogue. Just lovely. 

[beatlesficrecs]

Fic: Huddersfield, 1963

by @dovetailjoints

Link to fic

Summary:

What happened before the legendary John/Paul "boyfriends" photograph (the one on which John is wearing a thick towel/scarf, and Paul doesn't wear a shirt under his sweater)? Pic included!

Why I like this fic:

It's sweet and short and hot, and it does a very, very, very good job with textures and with leaving things to the imagination. Simply adorable for an extra mclennon shot in the arm (or wherever you prefer them).

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[beatlesficrecs]

Fic: love like ghosts

by @backbenttulips

Link to fic

Summary:

"When Yoko marries John and moves with him into a grand house in the country, she doesn't expect the ghost of his old flame to follow them. A Rebecca AU."

Why I like this fic:

Perfect for October! The story of JohnandPaul vs JohandYoko works so well as a haunting—! And, starting from the first sentence, the Yoko POV is excellent. This story is seriously scary. The ending in particular is difficult to shake. I love a good re-imagining/myth crossing, and this one is rich and deep and satisfying. So impressive.

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[beatlesficrecs]

Fic: oh darling, pardon me

by: inherownwrite

Link to fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/36734302

Summary:

Mid-eighties. John and Paul are together. Paul is nervous about their new album coming out, and John soothes him using the tried and true method of combing his legs...

Why I like this fic:

this writer is so good at writing J/P middle-aged and old men love. This story is so warm and real and comforting---and the sensuality of the leg combing is to die for! John's POV. (And let's face it, we all want to see John alive and happy and dealing with his skittish man Paul like no one else can.)

Thank you @alameda444 for leading me back to this story! 🪮💕

Link to fic

[beatlesficrecs]

the title of the fic

we are two

the link to the fic (doesn’t have to just be on ao3!)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59205169

a brief summary of the fic

This is a very short fic from Ringo's POV. It's set during Get Back and John and Paul tell the others they're together.

what you like about the fic, or why you think others might like it

George's reaction, and Ringo's reaction to George's reaction, are perfect. I love the ending. It's a short fic so there's no time for lots of detail, but the atmosphere is set really well, and the idea didn't need more space. Very uplifting!

Link to fic

by verger_de_pommiers

[beatlesficrecs]

Fic :Opposites

By Selena

https://archiveofourown.org/works/281667

Summary

On bargaining with your husband's former partner, losing and gaining, war and peace, and the difference between art and a child. Eleven glimpses at and by Yoko Ono.

Why I like this fic

This is hauntingly beautiful and immensely heart-breaking . This here definitely explores Lennon's scorned ex behaviours post-breakups in a beautiful way and gives it so from an interesting pov too. That makes it even more of a good read. This fic makes me wholeheartedly believe, much like Paul himself, maybe in another life if he was born a woman or if they were born in different times , they wouldn't have broken up ( not the Beatles just J&P cause the band will break up in every realm out there )

Link to fic

[beatlesficrecs]

Through Your Window

By with_eyes_closed

the soft look of a deer, George has the knock-kneed one of a foal. All elbows and eyelashes –

http://archiveofourown.org/works/41951568.

Summary

1962. Brian detours while driving George home, and things come to a head. Loosely based on the story from Bob Spitz' biography.

Why I like this fic

A Beatles fic that just explores the dynamic in the band during the early days through the eyes of Brian with platonic John and paul . Yep love that. The way the author writes Brian and George's budding relationship (platonic) here and how they both gain each other's trust is so interesting. Of course the bits about Paul and John's protectiveness over George is very endearing too.

Link to fic

@with-eyes-closed

[beatlesficrecs]

fic rec: Paul in the raw

by @javelinbk

Link to fic

Summary:

Early days. John spends his first night at Paul’s place, and discovers something about Paul’s sleeping habits.

Why I like this fic:

It’s a short & sweet early days fic, with the perfect balance between budding attraction and banter. You can feel them opening up to each other—and perhaps more. It’s just always lovely to see them in the beginning of everything. Just two boys in love, sharing a bed.

[beatlesficrecs]

fic rec: and when I touch you

by @forthlin

Link to fic

Summary:

Early Days: John and Paul compare hand-sizes

Why I like this fic:

I love early days J/P, and this one nails their upsetting and deep, unspoken attraction (Paul POV). The moment their hands touch feels as intense as any kiss.

It’s about more than holding hands…but, in a way, their complete love story is also contained in their hands. If this doesn’t make sense: don’t fret; read it and find out.

[beatlesficrecs]

fic title: here and there

link!!

@blobmiffies (this is the author's writing blog--they haven't been active in a while however in both this blog and their main)

summary (copied from the fic):

He opens his eyes slowly, blinking rapidly until everything comes into focus. The wet asphalt shines like a mirror, reflecting the grey sky above, and it’s eerily quiet. Across from him looms an empty, dark Lime Street Railway Station. The city, gloomy and grey, smells like wet stone and exhaust fumes despite the obvious lack of vehicles. He’s alone. *** Paul's here. Not there. All of time is at his disposal, and he can do whatever he'd like. It is his afterlife, after all.

why i like this fic: it's such a beautifully written fic and the author's take on the afterlife is something i've never read before. It's unique and comforting and it honestly shifted my perspective on death and what comes after. I also love how the author characterizes each beatle; (and this honestly goes for all of their works tbh) how they talk and behave and their dynamics with each other that still remain the same even after decades spent apart.

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