#self-recs

[cacodaemonia]

Fic Self-Recs

Fic authors self rec! List your favorite five fics that you've written, then tag at least five other writers! Spread the self-love 💞

(Yes, this was originally an ask game, but I know some folks, myself included, have closed asks due to spam, so I guess it's a tag game now 😂)

Thanks for the tag, @elismor! These kinds of things are always so tough, haha (also, it could be kind of cool if there was an art version, since most of these tag things are focused on fics...)

My Heart's Red Muscle - (E, for one smut scene) I think this is probably my best fic, and also one of the longest. Cyborg!Waxer has no memories of his life before he came online. Paired with ARF trooper Boil, who doesn't seem to know what to do with him, Waxer has no idea how to fit in among clones when he's so very different. As he makes connections with those around him, he and Boil try to figure out who he might have been—and more importantly, who he is now.

Kinktober 2022 - (E, obviously) Set in the giant Open Skies AU. Where's that Trojan Horse smut post... Yeah so the fic is basically this for Waxer/Boil 😂

We Could Breathe Underwater - (T) What if shiny Waxer and Boil were both a bit Force-sensitive, and—oopsie, created a Force bond?

Interference - (T) Set in the RCAU/Open Skies AU, but it can be read as a standalone. It follows some OCs and canon characters as they figure out what Krell is up to on Umbara. The problem is that Torrent Company and Waxer's platoon are already on a collision course...

Fading Light and Cooling Space - (T, but heed the tags on this one) After Boil suffers through the horrifying events on Umbara, something nudges him to steal a strange necklace from Krell's body that teleports him to an even stranger place (and time?).

The last two fics are a bit older, so I'm sure they have a lot of room for technical improvement, but I still like them overall.

No-pressure tags: @lizardberries @theproblemwithstardust @come-chaos @valkeakuulas @whiskygoldwings

@marbled-polecat @petrifiedforests

[brandileigh2003]

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 (except me because obvs I have done it). Spread the self-love ❤

Ty for tag @lucigoo

1. Silence Between Us soft wolfstar falling in love, features Sirius dealing with anxiety, and remus who is deaf and has an adorable service dog.

2. Identically Pining A story of a very in love but oblivious and pining Remus and Sirius. Regulus decides something needs to be done to get the two together. (Fluff)

3. Inevitable: When you fall in love, you never expect that you'll have to lose them way too soon. Sirius isn't ready to let go but he does know that he'll cherish every day, every minute, every second of the time they have left. (Mcd, angst)

4. Memories of You: Exploration of Sirius' grief in two parts.First: in losing parts of the man he loves to dementia, and second: the grief after Remus dies and he's left to face the rest of his life without him. (Mcd, angst)

5. A New Chapter: Glimpses of the life of Remus Lupin: how his lycanthropy influences different aspects of his life, as well as a look into how his friendships, relationship with his parents, school, war, and discrimination takes it's toll. A story of how resilient Remus is and how being in love with Sirius Black affects it all. (Angst with happy ending)

No pressure tags: @lavenderhaze @daffodilsonaprettystring @just--vi @amethystheart2421 @blitheringmcgonagall

(everyone else who sees feel free to tag me and I'll check out your post)

[s-c-g-s-c-g]

Friday Fic Recs

Last year over the week of my birthday I rambled about some of my own fics. This year, I have a fic rec format! So, for this Friday Fic Recs I am self-reccing some of the fics I wrote in the last year of my life. Arranged in descending wordcount order and incidentally reverse posting order. Includes two fandoms.

No, I'm Not Afraid To Disappear (Star Wars)

Stass Allie time loop fic! Stass Allie time loop fic! Time travel fix-its have always been a favorite of mine and an outsider perspective? I love turning the plot of a super famous movie into an increasingly awful mystery for the main characters to unravel. Angst and trust issues and betrayal! Do note the tags! I mean them. Also, this is a big bang fic so there's lovely art as well!

This Is All Your Fault (Star Wars)

A fun one shot with Maul and Obi-Wan as little padawan rivals stuck in a bad situation. I like to think it's funny. There's plenty of bickering and troublemaking from both of them. Also, Mace gets a moment to shine as a good master.

What We Never Know (Batman)

Looking back on it, what would he say? This is the last one shot from this fandom to see the light of day back in September. It centers on Tim and Jack Drake's relationship, specifically Tim's emotions about his dad and the fact he never had a chance to tell him he's bi. This is mushing two continuities together for the sake of introspective queer angst and I'm happy with it.

[lugarn]

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 ❤

oh man oh man we're gonna have to go digging in my non-bl fic because there's a couple that i love and re-read often.

The Life I Choose (5472 words) Fandom: Dragon Age: Inquisition Relationships: The Iron Bull/Cullen Rutherford Characters: Cullen Rutherford, The Iron Bull (Dragon Age) Additional Tags: POV Cullen Rutherford, Dissociation, Kirkwall-related Trauma and Recovery, Lyrium Withdrawal, Character Secretly Has Tentacles, Tentacle Dick, Brief Hypnotism, Body Horror Cullen discovers in Bull someone to share parts of himself that he hasn't shared since Kirkwall.

I wrote this for an exchange but now it's genuinely one of my favorite fics to give a little re-read when I'm sad. I love it very, very dearly.

Yes, And (10393 words) Fandom: Our Flag Means Death (TV) Relationships: Wee John Feeney/Frenchie Characters: Frenchie (Our Flag Means Death), Wee John Feeney, Original Trans Character(s) Additional Tags: Meet-Cute, Pre-Canon, Non-Traditional Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Fluff and Smut, POV Frenchie (Our Flag Means Death), Molly House, Alpha Frenchie (Our Flag Means Death), Omega Wee John Feeney, Intersex Wee John Feeney, Queer Themes, Nipple Play, Male Lactation, Knotting, Mpreg, Coming Untouched, Casual Sex Work Sometimes life throws you something you aren't expecting. If you're Frenchie and Wee John, you roll with it.

You know when you write the fic that you love the most but nobody in the fandom really likes it? That's this fic. I have an entire long AU with these two in my head that this fic is just the beginning of. I love it so much.

Sweetest Downfall Fandom: KinnPorsche: The Series (TV) Relationships: Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham/Kinn Anakinn Theerapanyakun Characters: Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham, Kinn Anakinn Theerapanyakun, Khun Tankhun Theerapanyakun, Big (KinnPorsche: The Series) Additional Tags: Grief/Mourning, Angst, Pre-Canon, Under-negotiated Kink, Belts, Bad Ideas, Bottom Kinn Anakinn Theerapanyakun, Top Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham, Masochism, Sadism, Obedience, Anal Sex, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, POV Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham, the cock is only mildly healing, in spite of everyone's best intentions "Should I kiss you?" he asks.   Dark eyes turn away and Kinn's lips press into a thin line. Tears gather at the corners of Kinn's eyes. "No. Kissing is only for people we love."   After Tawan's death, Pete helps Kinn.

THIS STORY. it still wrecks me emotionally when I think about it and I think I wrote the best Kinn I've ever written right here. The cock really is only mildly healing.

ruining me completely (1562 words) Fandom: เล่นจนเป็นเรื่อง | Playboyy (Thailand TV 2023) Relationships: Phop Piphop Srikaew/Nuth Nuthakrit Varindr-Vachararodch Characters: Nuth Nuthakrit Varindr-Vachararodch, Phop Piphop Srikaew Additional Tags: Self-Discovery, Gender Dysphoria, Character Study "I've tried it," Phop says, looking at the marigold-yellow dress that Nuth holds out like it'll bite him. "Dresses and stuff. Dressing up. It never fits right."

Nuth doesn't know how to say that he wants Phop to try again for him, so he says instead, "I picked it out. It compliments your color, and it's cute. Flowy, right?" It was the style Phop said he'd wear, if he could.

Writing this fic gave me so many feelings and now re-reading it gives me many more. I want to cover this Phop in flowers and all the pretty things he wants but distances himself from. The only non-explicit fic on this list!

ball and chain (2459 words) Fandom: เล่นจนเป็นเรื่อง | Playboyy (Thailand TV 2023) Relationships: Prom Prompitch Ponglert/Nont Nontnapas Saktawee, Prom Prompitch Ponglert/Nant Nantnarin Saktawee, Aob Anand Aiemwilai & Prom Prompitch Ponglert Characters: Prom Prompitch Ponglert, Nant Nantnarin Saktawee, Aob Anand Aiemwilai, Nont Nontnapas Saktawee Additional Tags: Coda, Episode 2, POV Prom Prompitch Ponglert, Character Study, when you crack a character open and the horrors emerge, Drug Use, Captivity, Implied/Referenced Drug Addiction, Anal Fingering, Anal Sex, Choking, Masochism, Masturbation, Under-negotiated Kink, hoping your boyfriend's twin is the evil one, brief Jason/Prom While the boy who isn't Nant is still draped over Prom, clueless, a message pings Prom's phone. Prom shifts away and looks at the screen, and of course it's Nant. where? did you go?? it doesn't take that long to smoke prompitchhhhhh

I think I am most pleased with how this fic came out, of all the Playboyy fic I've written. I hit everything I wanted to hit and the mood is so cohesive and lovely.

Thank you @cryptidafter for the ask! this was fun!

[polutrope]

Self-recs (funny round)

I was tagged by @sallysavestheday @zealouswerewolfcollector @grey-gazania to rec 5 of my own fics, thank you! I love that this keeps cycling around, loving seeing everyone's recs. This time I'm gonna do a humour theme.

Five favourite funny fics by me:

Everlasting Darkness (E, 10.2k). After attempting to steal the Silmarils, Maedhros and Maglor are taken captive and sentenced to serve those they wronged. Earendil/Maedhros, Elwing/Maglor.

“Hmm,” Eärendil said, busying himself with the mooring lines. “I suppose I understand the fetters, but it seems a bit cruel, don’t you think?” He glanced over to where Maedhros knelt. “And I could really use another pair of ha– ah, another hand on board.”

The Magic Flute (M, 6.7k). Daeron wanders from Doriath and rebounds with a son of Fëanor. No, not that one.

“One of the Iathrim? Singing? By the river?” Caranthir didn’t turn away from the plans in front of him–designs for the reconstruction of Amon Ereb’s gates.  “Ah, yes,” Amras said, “something like singing. Hard to say amid all the weeping.” Caranthir grunted. “Sounds pathetic.”

Laughing All the Way (T, 3.2k). A Yule fic in which Maglor and Turgon get stuck with each other and have an unexpectedly good time. Also Finrod is wasted. Gen.

As if Turukáno would want to speak to him! They’d never exchanged more than four or five sentences. Small wonder – what could Macalaurë possibly have to talk about with someone whose favourite dessert was fruitcake? And it wasn’t even iced, he thought, feeling for the circular lump weighing down his left pocket.

✓ Seen (M, 1.8k). Daeron and Maglor read smut. About themselves.

“What’s unethical?” “Oh. Writing fanfic about living people.” “They don’t know we’re living. Or ever existed.” “Yeah, but we could be. We don’t die in canon.” “I think people should write what they want. Nobody is making you read it.” “You are literally making me read it.”

What Happens at Camp Eglarest, Stays at Camp Eglarest (T, 22.4k). Modern AU in which Daeron and Maglor go camping with Beren, Luthien, and Celegorm. Self-indulgent millennial satire and parody of canon.

“No, no, you’re not getting it.” Maglor slapped the steering wheel with his palm and flared his eyes wide at the road ahead. “The semiotics of harmonic categories do not allow for an epistemological analysis of tripartite theory–” “What the hell are you talking about?” Daeron shuffled in the passenger seat and tugged at his shoulder strap.

Keep the rec parade going @jouissants @meadowlarkx @imakemywings @warrioreowynofrohan @i-am-a-lonely-visitor @elennalore @welcomingdisaster @searchingforserendipity25, if you want!

[danpuff-ao3]

Happy Friday, friends! I'm deep in my feelings about my favorite of my own fics, so I'm going to reblog this with my nonsense. BUT I also wanna invite other people to share this and chat about their own works. Like....have you written your ultimate version of your OTP? Have you written the story of your dreams? Have you written a story you're stupidly proud of because "wow I didn't think I was capable of that, but look I did it!" Did you accomplish a big goal? It can be anything! Fanfic, fanart...songs, embroidery, origami, rec lists, meta, whatever, idc! Just something you did for fandom you're super proud of!

I love allowing myself to shamelessly celebrate myself, and I especially love seeing other people do it too!

[writtenonreceipts]

Surprise self-rec time! Pick 3 of your favorite things you’ve written and share them here, then put this in the inbox (anonymously or not) of your fellow writers to spread the positivity and help celebrate already written fics

Thanks friend! <3<3<3

Hmmm...let's see...I feel like this always changes haha. But I'm pretty sure this is a good representation...

>>>The Perfect Act, rowaelin >>>Chatter, rowaelin >>>Howling Moon, feysand

[perverse-idyll]

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 ❤️

Thank you to @yletylyf and @danpuff-ao3 for the invitation and reminding me to think about fic! It’s one in the morning, I had four hours sleep last night, and I’m going to entertain myself by seeing how coherent/interesting I can make this.

Anyone else want to play? @ac1d6urn, @writcraft, @liladiurne, @squibstress, @titconao3 - do you have favorites?

The first two picks are easy:

1. When the Rose and the Fire Are One - My first fanfic! Snape/Harry, my OTP before I knew what the acronym meant, my first experience of fandom, a love letter to the pairing and the Snape-centric LiveJournal community I had serendipitously stumbled upon. Written for the Snarry Games, thus finished on a (several times extended) deadline after pulling an all-nighter. I was talking shop with a writer friend recently about themes, as in “in 20 words or less, tell us the theme of your story,” and we agreed that it grows organically out of the writing and we have no idea what the theme is before we muddle through the first draft, nor do we care. (My friend writes pro fic, but she never condescends when I talk about my fanfic as if the creative process is the same - because it is in many ways, with the exception of professional editing in her case.) Well, I lied, because this fic was consciously and passionately written with the themes of freedom and beauty in mind. In canon, Snape is a character who never gets to experience adulthood free of masters; he signs up to be a pawn not once, but twice. I wanted to give him - for Harry to give him - that freedom, while at the same time presenting the temptation of a third master. The fact that Harry loves him by the end doesn’t make that beholden-ness less true. I was also determined to show that even someone raised in financial and emotional poverty, associated with ugliness, trapped in an ugly life, was capable of beauty under the right circumstances. Yes, I was up my own arse about this fic, but that’s okay because it made it more personal and intense. It was also, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, my first time writing a sex scene, and I jumped in at the deep end with glorious abandon. As one may gather from subsequent fics, I proceeded to make up for lost time and contribute to the mainstream perception that fanfic = smut.

2. The White Road - If there’s one fic I’m known for among Snarry readers, it’s this. Why? Because it’s set in Lily’s POV in the afterlife? Because it positions her as a voyeur, a mother watching the fork in the road of her child’s future, someone with the right to judge Snape? (The voyeurism aspect turned a lot of readers off.) Because it has a cracky premise treated seriously? Because it’s nonlinear? (No. For some, this was a bug, not a feature.) Because, as a recent bookmark proclaims, it’s “such a weird fic”? Mostly it was me wresting a different ending out of the ruins of Snape’s canon demise and the utter bollocks of the epilogue; it was a purgative experience. I think for Snarry readers at the time, in the year after the series ended, it touched a communal nerve. Snape fandom remained in turmoil for quite a while after the Lily reveal and Snape’s redemption by death (a redemption currently much disputed). At this point, 15 years down the line, perceptions of Snape have changed so drastically the fic no longer has that cathartic effect, if that’s what it was. Readers are less inclined to be consoled or sympathetic. But the chutzpah of putting Lily’s voice at the center - of turning her into a Snarry shipper, to be flippant about it - well, I’m still surprised I pulled it off. And this fic, like Rose & Fire above, vibrates with so much of my joy in fandom at the time, love for my OTP, for the stories being written about them, for the exuberant emotional engagement on all sides, that I'll always be able to dip into it and be transported back to that creative ferment and sense of belonging. I think it’s one of my best fics, but my love for it goes deeper than its relative worth as a story. It’s a memento of one of the best periods of my life.

Now things get tricky. I’m pretty sure the five, arrrgh, five WIPs I’m working on would be eligible for this list, but since at this stage only I can know what makes them favorites, I have to make other choices. And I haven’t written very many fics, you see.

3 & 4. In Infinite Remorse of Soul (Snape/Dumbledore, Snape/Harry-ish) and And Mine the Gall (concluding the Dumbledore arc from the earlier story, and going further with the Snape/Harry-ish mess) - I put these together because they were conceived as a single narrative, but In Infinite Remorse was written for a fest with a word count limit, so I posted the rest of it as a separate fic. Which turned out to be the right choice since the second fic is the darkest thing I’ve ever written. These linked stories were inspired by Dumbledore’s words to Snape in The Prince’s Tale - “You disgust me” - and how he condescends to and sometimes makes a fool of Snape in the books, when the poor bastard is simply trying to abide by Dumbledore’s expectations. Dumbledore is a fascinating character, but his lack of generosity toward Snape - his tendency to treat Snape’s moral worth as disposable when it’s clearly one of the things Snape struggles with throughout his life - caught my attention. It’s a counterweight to all the examples of Dumbledore’s wisdom, his concern for other characters. Even Draco has more charity and protection bestowed on him than Dumbledore ever gives Snape. And I decided to run with that idea because surely what Snape suffers and the loyalty he demonstrates deserves more than a “Poor Severus...” afterthought. What would it have done to his soul to never once be thanked, to have Dumbledore pass over his sacrifices while lavishing time and explanations on Harry? Yes, Voldemort’s defeat depends on Harry going back to fight. But what would Snape’s reaction be to learning that Dumbledore knew of a way for Harry to survive - counted on it, in fact - and lied about it to Snape’s face? From there I decided to chart Snape’s moral collapse and his “fuck it all” desire to go after something (someone) he wants for himself - destroying every moral gain he’d so painfully acquired because in the end the authority figure who was his role model took it so much for granted he even forgot to say “thank you.” And then I went for something twisted and frightening because I think a Snape who no longer believes in anything - who feels nothing he did in his life ever actually redeemed him - would be terribly destructive.

On a less dark note, I enjoyed writing a florid and heavily metaphorical prose for Dumbledore’s POV, mostly to suggest the complex and not always praiseworthy workings of his mind. He’s one of canon’s most intelligent characters, bent up into plot contrivances for the consumption of children, and I didn’t want to rehash his canon schemes because they rely too much on coincidence and authorial fiat. (Plus: word count.) I tried to show how his calculations and his roots in the Victorian era might influence his interior monologues. As for Snape? I just enjoyed letting his worst impulses off the leash. (Some readers haaate And Mine the Gall.) (Where is my evil grin emoji?)

5. Hmm, the last choice should be split between my creepy massage kink/character study Soft Touch, but I’m feeling rather listless about that one at the moment, so No Room for the Weak it is. Another oldie, functionally a gen fic with pre-slash Snarry vibes, it evolved from my interest in Snape’s mum Eileen. Snape fans often assume she’s dead in canon, probably because she’s not referenced past a certain point in his childhood and doesn’t appear in the Spinner’s End chapter. So I wrote this fic about Eileen trying to come to grips with her son’s violent death and all the contradictory rumors clouding his reputation. It was a chance to explore what kind of mother would produce a kid like Severus and to ponder how he seems to lack any instinct for distinguishing right from wrong. His upbringing left him morally deficient - in fact, clueless. I also tried to pull off a bit of a plot twist, just to see if I could string readers along. Also, tip o’ the hat to Joy Division. Best of all, IMO, I nailed the ending. I found exactly the words I wanted, and I’m pretty confident the story earned them. (Same with The White Road. And Mine the Gall … maybe.)

[noir-renard]

hiiiiiiiiiiiii :3

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 💕

Hi hi hi!!! Sorry to answer this (checks calendar) months after the fact, but better late than never, right??

What's a Spleen Between Friends

the 5+1 things Tim/Danny Isekai'd fic that started as a 9k story and got much longer

This Batfam animation I made and still love <3

I went through quite an ordeal getting this one unlisted as mature after it was incorrectly flagged because of Richard Grayson's name smh

Danny as Cardinal

Danny with fangies my beloved

my response to @tourettesdog's prompt

lots of good things in the notes in this one!

this prompt response to @orchardpotato I'm going to return to someday I swear

thank you for the tag Kate!!!

[kasasagi-eye]

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 ❤

I was actually considering making an author's favs collection several times, but. honestly it'd be so much easier to make "author vaguely dislikes and considers deleting" one as that covers majority of them. Just like Alexander Hamilton, I'll never be satisfied. BUT. I do reread some of my fics, so imma do the five I reread most often because I wrote them to scratch a particular itch of mine, and they still work in that way. So here are My Five Fics I Do Not Hate:

Heavenly Pillar Down (bingjiu): a winner by about five miles! I reread it when Im sad and have yet to find it cringy. A win! don't let them throw me away (liujiu, the whole series) this one is also quite satisfying. I especially enjoy the last installment Three Wishes: the only thing I don't like about it is that im sorta repeating myself because I shamelessly copied the premise of Misalignment here. But I really enjoy jiuyuan interactions here.

I (26m) drank my best friend’s (28f) breast milk: again, jiuyuan! another one I reread this when im down The last one is hard. Probably Pareidolie, a fic I wrote in Czech for a fandom of one (myself). I like how I succeeded in conveying what I wanted with relatively few words (1k-ish), that doesnt happen very often. ghost light's not bad either I guess.

Tagging if you want to play

@veliseraptor @aledono @xpityx @marquisguyun @shorimochi @brawlite

[schmem14]

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 💙

Thanks for the invitation, Lani!! My five current favs:

How to Catch a DILF (10k, COMPLETE): Albus Severus x Draco. The cat’s out of the bag—Albus has been in love with Mr. Malfoy for ages, and everyone seems to know about it except for the man himself. When the opportunity arises for him to make his fantasies a reality, will Albus have what it takes to seduce the DILF of his dreams? Written for the CMD fest 2023. Rating: E

One Small Eternity (10 k, OS):  Ron x Pansy- Pansy is back from a five-year stay in Paris. She hopes to renew her standing among the wizarding elite, only to find that Lucius Malfoy has a business proposition that could either spell success or disaster, maybe both.Through it all, Pansy finds love in the most unexpected place and with someone she can never have. Will the timing ever be right for them? Rating: E

A Merciful Alternative (4k, OS)- Draco x Lucius- Draco learns that there is no easy way out after his failure to kill Albus Dumbledore atop the Astronomy tower. The Dark Lord promises to humiliate the Malfoy family in every way possible before the night is through. Written for the HP Cest Fest 2023, mind the tags. Rating: E

Mastermind (10.7k, COMPLETE): Ron x Harry, Harry x Draco, Draco x Ron. Written for Dronarry fest 2023. This story features a dark, possessive stalker Draco who is determined to wheedle his way into the Golden Trio, first by dating Hermione, then by winning Harry and Ron over. Mind the tags! Rating: E

How to Care For Your Monster Book: A Guide by Rubeus Hagrid (8k, OS): Hagrid x Monster Book of Monsters- Hagrid finds many uses for his new course textbook... some of them may shock you. A crack canon compliant story detailing Hagrid’s first year of teaching and what really happened with that strange textbook he assigned. Rating: E

[brighteyedjill]

5 Self-recs meme

I was tagged (uh, almost 2 months ago?) by @bittylildragon to post 5 recs of fic I've written, so here we go! I'm tagging @jaune-chat @potofsoup (art or fic, whatever!), @rubynye, @some-stars, and @spikeface, plus anyone else who is rarin’ to self-rec. No pressure on any of you, tho!

1. We are not wise (and not very often kind) - The Witcher: Aiden/Lambert, Lambert/OCs. Lambert’s a pretty fucked up character (and he has every reason to be in this fic), but damn do I love to see a fucked up character being loved until they believe it. That’s what happens to Lambert in this fic, and I’m really proud of it.

2. The Only Animal - Captain America: Bucky/Steve, Bucky/Hydra. One element of the MCU that fascinated me was how charming, gregarious Bucky Barnes became the Winter Soldier. This fic details how Hydra went about breaking Bucky, and it is prodigiously cruel. 

3. I’d Take a Bullet Meant for Both of Us - Star Trek: Kirk/McCoy. This Mirrorverse fic may have more sex in it than almost anything I’ve written (sit down Witcher omegaverse!), but what I really love about it is the character relationships. The Mirrorverse is hostile to loyalty and affection, but these characters can’t help themselves. As @rubynye said of this fic, “love in the Mirrorverse is at its purest because of everything it has to exist against.”

4. In My Master’s House - Sherlock: John/Sherlock, Lestrade/Mycroft. I end up with a slave AU in every damn fandom I write in, whoops. In this series, I accidentally ended up with two relationships of roughly equal importance, and feel good about the way I wove in canon events and character development (and sex). Only took me 3 years to write!

5. What I Didn’t Know Before - Witcher, Coën/Lambert. This one-shot, about touch-starved Coen, was the fic I needed after Season 2 of The Witcher. Show me Coen glassy-eyed and clinging to a sex worker, and I spin a yarn about how desperate he is for human contact. 

[samwisethewitch]

Homemaking, gardening, and self-sufficiency resources that won't radicalize you into a hate group

It seems like self-sufficiency and homemaking skills are blowing up right now. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic crisis, a lot of folks, especially young people, are looking to develop skills that will help them be a little bit less dependent on our consumerist economy. And I think that's generally a good thing. I think more of us should know how to cook a meal from scratch, grow our own vegetables, and mend our own clothes. Those are good skills to have.

Unfortunately, these "self-sufficiency" skills are often used as a recruiting tactic by white supremacists, TERFs, and other hate groups. They become a way to reconnect to or relive the "good old days," a romanticized (false) past before modern society and civil rights. And for a lot of people, these skills are inseparably connected to their politics and may even be used as a tool to indoctrinate new people.

In the spirit of building safe communities, here's a complete list of the safe resources I've found for learning homemaking, gardening, and related skills. Safe for me means queer- and trans-friendly, inclusive of different races and cultures, does not contain Christian preaching, and does not contain white supremacist or TERF dog whistles.

Homemaking/Housekeeping/Caring for your home:

Making It by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen [book] (The big crunchy household DIY book; includes every level of self-sufficiency from making your own toothpaste and laundry soap to setting up raised beds to butchering a chicken. Authors are explicitly left-leaning.)

Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardust [book] (A guide to simple home repair tasks, written with rentals in mind; very compassionate and accessible language.)

How To Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis [book] (The book about cleaning and housework for people who get overwhelmed by cleaning and housework, based on the premise that messiness is not a moral failing; disability and neurodivergence friendly; genuinely changed how I approach cleaning tasks.)

Gardening

Rebel Gardening by Alessandro Vitale [book] (Really great introduction to urban gardening; explicitly discusses renter-friendly garden designs in small spaces; lots of DIY solutions using recycled materials; note that the author lives in England, so check if plants are invasive in your area before putting them in the ground.)

Country/Rural Living:

Woodsqueer by Gretchen Legler [book] (Memoir of a lesbian who lives and works on a rural farm in Maine with her wife; does a good job of showing what it's like to be queer in a rural space; CW for mentions of domestic violence, infidelity/cheating, and internalized homophobia)

"Debunking the Off-Grid Fantasy" by Maggie Mae Fish [video essay] (Deconstructs the off-grid lifestyle and the myth of self-reliance)

Sewing/Mending:

Annika Victoria [YouTube channel] (No longer active, but their videos are still a great resource for anyone learning to sew; check out the beginner project playlist to start. This is where I learned a lot of what I know about sewing.)

Make, Sew, and Mend by Bernadette Banner [book] (A very thorough written introduction to hand-sewing, written by a clothing historian; lots of fun garment history facts; explicitly inclusive of BIPOC, queer, and trans sewists.)

Sustainability/Land Stewardship

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer [book] (Most of you have probably already read this one or had it recommended to you, but it really is that good; excellent example of how traditional animist beliefs -- in this case, indigenous American beliefs -- can exist in healthy symbiosis with science; more philosophy than how-to, but a great foundational resource.)

Wild Witchcraft by Rebecca Beyer [book] (This one is for my fellow witches; one of my favorite witchcraft books, and an excellent example of a place-based practice deeply rooted in the land.)

Avoiding the "Crunchy to Alt Right Pipeline"

Note: the "crunchy to alt-right pipeline" is a term used to describe how white supremacists and other far right groups use "crunchy" spaces (i.e., spaces dedicated to farming, homemaking, alternative medicine, simple living/slow living, etc.) to recruit and indoctrinate people into their movements. Knowing how this recruitment works can help you recognize it when you do encounter it and avoid being influenced by it.

"The Crunchy-to-Alt-Right Pipeline" by Kathleen Belew [magazine article] (Good, short introduction to this issue and its history.)

Sisters in Hate by Seyward Darby (I feel like I need to give a content warning: this book contains explicit descriptions of racism, white supremacy, and Neo Nazis, and it's a very difficult read, but it really is a great, in-depth breakdown of the role women play in the alt-right; also explicitly addresses the crunchy to alt-right pipeline.)

These are just the resources I've personally found helpful, so if anyone else has any they want to add, please, please do!

[moonlightrafe]

⋆₊˚⊹♡

“Who is this gorgeous blonde in the front here?” Sabrina asks as the camera pans directly to Drew, showing him on the big screen on the stage. To no surprise, the crowd erupts into screams— no doubt the loudest screams heard all night.

“Ohhh,” Sabrina drawls seductively, “hey!”

You watch intently as Drew waves at her and you can’t help but blush watching her twirl the pink, fuzzy handcuffs around her delicate finger. The group of girls seated by you two are squealing and giggling loudly. You’re buzzing with excitement and you’re not sure who you’re more jealous of: your boyfriend or Sabrina.

“Well, this is kind of awkward,” she continues, “I’m not really into kooks…”

You didn’t know it was possible, but the sea of screaming girls gets even louder.

“If only there was a beautiful girl from the cut here,” she jokes with a pout, leaving you in awe; you weren’t even aware she watched the show, let alone knew the lingo. That’s when the camera instantly pans to you and Drew takes a step back, pointing at you enthusiastically.

“No way,” Sabrina begins, “there is!”

“What’s your name?” she asks you.

“Me?” You question, feigning innocence, “y/n!”

“Oh my God, my clothes just fell off, y/n! I was thinking about us,” she giggles into the mic while the intro to “Juno” begins to play.

“Will you be my Juno girl, y/n?” she asks as she passes the handcuffs to be given toyou.

You nod your head with enthusiasm as the crowd cheers and the lights begin to dim. Drew is back behind you again, his full weight pressed against you and his breath hot on your skin.

“Whatever position she chooses at the end, we’re doing it.”

You didn’t even know he knew about that. Tonight was full of surprises.

“Drew—” you giggle as he playfully grabs at your waist.

“I’m serious,” he says as his hand moves down to smack and squeeze the swell of you ass.

Best night ever.

[ibikus]

tumblr users when someone asks them what they did on april 1st

[qlossytbh]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeuQ8EA6/

I am obsessed with this edit!

Can you do a spencer reid x bau reader where she is very closed off emotionaly so he doesnt know if she likes him back or not until she does the little "tuck her hair behind her ears thing"?

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 - 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐝 𝐱 𝐛𝐚𝐮!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 you were someone spencer found very hard to read. that is until the day of your birthday, where you accidentally do the infamous double tuck

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 PURE FLUFF, my beloved awkward spence <3

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 2.5k

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 this is so sickeningly sweet. my heart is literally about to implode, they’re so awkward and wholesome. this request was so fucking cute i just had to do something with it

𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

"Garcia!" You smiled sweetly, immediately infecting those around with a mirror of your very smile. You held one of your favorite candles between your hands, tracing the glass beneath your fingertips— You had just been meaning to buy a new one.

Garcia beamed proudly, knowing she had nailed your birthday gift, a task many deemed imposible. It’s not that you were hard to please, not at all. You had always been closed off with those around you, opting to talk very little about yourself and allowing people to talk a lot about themselves, which is what people nowadays loved doing. As a profiler, you knew exactly how to prevent prying eyes from seeing anything past the depths of yours.

However, to Spencer particularly, it was absolutely infuriating to not be able to read you properly. Any hypothesis he made up in his head based on any of your gazes, your gestures, your small quirks and antics— only turned out being proven wrong since you'd completely redirect him in an opposite direction to what he believed you were thinking.

He was constantly thrown off by you, and Spencer wasn't the type of person who particularly enjoyed being wrong or not being able to perfectly calculate and analyze a situation. His job was profiling after all.

There was a single reason and he tried to remain completely oblivious. But he knew that the only reason as to why he wanted so desperately to know about you was because he liked you— he really liked you.

As in 'became a blabbering mess around you' liked you, as in 'couldn't formulate a coherent sentence around you' liked you— It was so hard for him to act normal around you. Anytime you appeared out of no where, asking how his day had been, and offering another one of those teeth-rottening sweet smiles, he'd go blank and feel utterly stupid. Every aspect of being a genius vanished into thin air when it came to you.

Morgan teased him persistently, being able to see his fuming crush from a mile away. Spencer sat down quietly, watching you hug Garcia happily as you sat the candle down onto your desk. When you pulled away, you tucked a single strand of hair behind one ear, smiling brightly.

"So, has she done it yet?" Morgan inquired, appearing right behind Spencer as he watched you silently from his own desk. Spencer flinched, turning immediately in his chair, looking over at his fellow co-worker and friend like a deer caught in headlights. He used his hand to push Morgan's face away from his with a shove. Garcia, who accompanied Morgan, stood by the side, bemused entirely by the situation .

Morgan lowered his tone, lacing it with implicit teases that flew past his familiar smirk. He leaned against Spencer's desk. "So how's the stalking going Lover boy?"

Garcia laughed to herself unwittingly while she mixed her coffee around in her mug with a spoon. Spencer glowered at the two of them.

"I'm not stalking," He defended matter of factly. "And stop with the 'lover boy'"

"But that's what you'd call someone who's head over heels for our dear little—"  Morgan began saying in a sing-song voice as he poked at Spencer's cheek, desperate to get a reaction out of his constant teasing. With a firm slap, Spencer shooed him away, blushing profusely.

"I'm not.!" He fussed. Garcia let out a soft snort, to which Spencer was not amused by. In the slightest.

"Really?" Garcia asked, almost in amusement. The only one truthfully believing what Spencer was saying was himself.

"I'm just looking t-to—" Spencer pulled his lips into a flat line, unable to come up with a plausible excuse quick enough. "—to figure out what she may want for her birthday."

Garcia and Morgan exchanged a brief glance before simultaneously regarding Spencer. He sputtered, still glaring at them.

"What?!"

"Oh nothing.." Garcia took a sip of her coffee with a smirk. "Has she done it yet?"

"I asked the same thing!" Derek turned to Garcia. They laughed together as if one big secret was being tossed around in front of everyone and no one else knew. Spencer furrowed his brows, looking at them oodly.

"Done what?" Spencer couldn't help but ask, curiosity tickling him.

"The double tuck," Garcia stated, looking back over at Reid. The furrow in Spencer's brow deepened as he opened his mouth to speak.

"The—what?"

Derek then proceeded to give a very specific demonstration of whatever it was Garcia was talking about. Derek batted his lashes, putting on the most innocent face he could muster and giggled nervously as he pretended to tuck hair behind both ears. Spencer cringed at his antics while Garcia let out a laugh.

"When she really likes a guy and gets nervous she tucks her hair behind both ears at the same time,"

Spencer looked back over at you as you handed a fellow co-worker a few files, talking aimlessly. You threw your head back laughing at something the woman who chatted with you had said and Spencer couldn't stop a small smile from creeping it’s way onto his face.

"She hasn't," He said, still looking at you intently. Garcia and Derek shared a look and with one more sip of coffee, she added.

"She will.”

"Watch out lover boy, she'll catch you staring—" Morgan whispered in Spencer's ear, which only caused him to reach back in protest and slap Derek away. He turned to glare at him while Morgan laughed.

You thanked Garcia one final time and turned your attention over at Morgan who was now laughing in a way that you felt intrigued enough to want to be involved in whatever it was the two of them were laughing at. You tilted your head slightly to the side, furrowing your brows with a smile.

"What's so funny over there boys?" Penelope asked, lips curving into a sly smirk while she crossed her arms across her body. Spencer froze, looking over at you immediately.

"Uh— we, uhm—" He stammered, cheeks beginning to buzz with heat. Before he could dig his grave any deeper, JJ and Emily walked into the room singing happy birthday with a tray of cupcakes in their hands.

You turned to them, eyes blowing wide. A nervous laugh erupted out of you, causing you to lower your face and hide it in your hands, feeling profusely embarrassed. Getting this kind of public attention wasn’t something you preferred, and it made you wonder if there was anyone that truthfully enjoyed getting their chants of happy birthday’s in public.

Spencer’s could practically feel and hear the way his heart bursted in his chest as he watched you crinkle your face in embarrassment. It was evident on every single fraction of his face— the awe that pooled behind his irises and the way his cheeks were tainted a specific shade of pink.

"Someone's fallin'—" Derek started.

"Shut up."

The day had gone by swiftly. It had been a slow and uneventful day, so no crimes were up for reviewing. You had instead, been drowned in paperwork that had your back aching by the end of the day.

However, being surrounded by all of your friends and receiving so much appreciation and love on your special day had been a plus, urging you further to push throughout the rest of the day.

Hotch had given you an okay to leave early, and knowing that your parents were waiting for you to take you out for your birthday dinner, you hurriedly packed up your things into your purse.

On your way out, you shot a goodbye to everyone with a bright smile plastered across your features. As you walked past Spencer's desk, you offered him a brief glance accompanied with a small wave. “Bye Spence,"

He waved back woefully, blinking rapidly and pressing his lips into a tight smile that inched sideways. Not wanting to give himself the pleasure of gawking at you further, he turned to his files, swirling his pen in his hand nervously.

Someone cleared their throat, catching Spencer's attention. He turned seeing JJ, Emily and Morgan peering over at him from their respective desks.

"Really?" Emily pinched the skin between her eyebrows with frustration.

"What?" Suddenly he was feeling mortified that all his co-workers had been watching his entire inner-turmoil.

"Did you even give her the gift you spent weeks putting together?" JJ tested, resting her chin in her hand. Spencer looked away sheepishly, scribbling something onto his paper and not entirely sure how JJ knew about it.

"I— I forgot.." He said, voice small while he tripped over his own words.

"Reid, just get out there," Derek urged. He was beginning to get restless with watching the two of you ghost around eachother like two idiots.

Spencer stopped scribbling and glanced over at you briefly as you walked out the main door that lead towards the elevators. He looked back over to the others who all shot him a look of encouragement. He supposed that it wouldn't be a bad idea just to— you know, give you your present.

The impulse in him was screaming and yelling at him to just get up and chase after you. But another part of him was forcing him to stay glued to his desk, letting you leave yet again.

It really didn't help him not being sure where you stood when it came to your friendship. At times, he’d get the smallest intuition that maybe, just even possibly, you were on the same page as him, but the insecurity that lingered within him was loud enough to prevent him from ever doing anything about it.

He had to get over himself— it was just a present. Everyone had given you one except him, and he didn't want you thinking he didn't care. He knew he didn't give it to you not because he didn't care but because he cared too much and he felt really scared that maybe by giving you his gift you may not—

He clapped his eyes shut, realizing he really had to stop overthinking and just, in the ‘wise’ words of Morgan, 'shoot his shot'.

Spencer, peered down at his pocket, and back over at the door.

You pushed the glass door open, looking down at your phone and tugging your scarf up to cover your nose from the piercing cold.

"Y/n!" You turned, surprised to see Spencer running through the lobby and out the main door, catching up to you.

You watching him, wide-eyed and taken aback as he jogged up to you, opening his mouth to say something but having to lean over to catch his breath. He didn’t know if it had been the brief run or the unforeseen anxiety that caused him to run out of breathe— whichever it was, he needed to work on it.

You let out a soft laugh, finding his behavior amusing. “You okay?”

You followed him with your gaze while he finally straightened himself. No words were said as his chest heaved. He looked into your eyes, immediately regretting it as his rapid pulse hammered against his head. You too began to feel your heart begin to pick up its pace until you found yourself reaching up and tucking your hair behind both ears, looking at the floor sheepishly

And there it was.

Spencer's mind stopped running the second he registered your movements and Garcia's words flashed across his mind so quickly he almost didn’t remember.

"When she really likes a guy and gets nervous she tucks her hair behind both ears at the same time,"

"I, uhm—" He started, trying to prevent a grin from rising onto his face at his newfound information.

You watched him curiously, starting to wonder if his cheeks were turning pink due to how cold it was or if he was possibly blushing.

Spencer reached into his pocket and took out a small chained bracelet. It was small and dainty— nothing too flashy or flamboyant. He held his slightly trembling hand out to you, revealing the small, nearly minuscule butterfly charm that sat on center of it. You stared at it in awe, reaching over and grasping it.

As you stared at it, you recalled the first conversation you had with Spencer. It was nearly spring and you were on one of your first cases with the team. As you inspected one of the crime scenes, a butterfly had suddenly latched onto your wrist.

You looked at the small insect, briefly startled, but once realizing the absence of danger, you quickly allowed yourself to gaze upon the bug with curiosity and awe.

Spencer watched you intently. He knew close to nothing about you, but something inside him twisted with your tender gaze towards something so small and fragile. He couldn’t stop himself from opening his mouth and beginning one of his endless rants on that specific species of butterfly and how butterflies were a symbolism of good luck and, oh so on.

He couldn't stop talking and that was the first impression you had gotten from Spencer. He was profusely embarrassed afterwards, realizing he had probably overstepped a boundary you had yet to set given since— he really didn't know you all that much.

However, you smiled at him and asked him to tell you more. Since that day, butterflies had become your favorite.

And since that day, Spencer felt his heart double in size any time you were near him.

"Spence," You looked back up at him. "This is beautiful."

He smiled awkwardly, and shuffled on his heels, feeling his pulse quicken. How fast can one’s pulse beat? "I didn't want you thinking I had forgotten about a gift I just, didn't really know when to give it to you and I though—"

You watched his every movement intently, noticing the small pool of fog leave his mouth with each breath due to the cold, not even trying to avoid lingering your gaze on his lips.

"No! No—" You waved your hands in front of him frantically, panicking at the thought of him feeling in any way obligated to get you stuff, even if it was your birthday. It felt too indulgent from him— especially from him.

“It's okay..! You didn't have to get me anything, much less something so special,"

"I—" Spencer looked to the side. With the simple confirmation of your little hair tuck, he decided to push his luck, relying completely on Garcia’s analysis. "I wanted to."

You felt heat all over your face. You grabbed the small chain and easily slipped it onto your wrist, looking at it in awe. You once again, unconsciously tucked your hair behind both of your ears. Spencer noticed this but this time, he allowed himself to smile widely like kid on christmas morning.

You smiled down at it. Spencer watched you, eyes pooling with affection. You looked back up at him, realizing the way his gazed lingered on you. There was some form of affection that was quite evident, but you couldn’t allow yourself to think anything of it. Nothing was said, and that made you incredibly nervous.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something but not being able to. The mix of the piercing cold and the invasive anxiety wasn’t doing him any good as his shoulders shook lightly. You took notice, and it made sense since he had chased you down in nothing but a blue button up shirt. Without a single word, you reached for your scarf and unwrapped it from your neck. You’d do okay with the cold. You had enough layers— and you were blushing enough to heat your whole body up.

You pushed yourself onto the tip of your toes, wrapping it around Spencer's neck in order to give him some sort of warmth. Spencer immediately grew dizzy, failing to ignore how the scarf smelled just like you always did— a burnt vanilla mixed with the sweetest notes of sugared petals, warm and inviting. He also failed to ignore how close you suddenly were.

Something in you flipped and with a slap of encouragement, you once again pushed yourself onto your toes and planted a tender kiss onto his cheek, staining it ever so slightly with the soft red chapstick you were wearing.

"Blue looks good on you," You said, hands still playing with the blue scarf that sat comfortably around his neck. You wish you could’ve taken a picture of his face, starstruck and dizzy.

You caught the small red stain on his cheek. You smiled, reaching up and smudging your thumb across the stain. "So does red."

Spencer had nearly felt his knees buck. Your sudden bold moves were causing him to spin. It had always been so hard trying to decipher your intentions and antics, but with you standing so close to him, for the first time, he found everything so clear and evident. Like the last layer of secrecy had been ripped off in the matter of seconds and he was entranced.

That could be part of the reason as to why Spencer couldn’t stop himself from leaning down and placing a firm kiss onto your lips.

You froze momentarily, completely caught off guard, especially since you had always thought what you felt for Spencer was one-sided. But soon enough, you eased and smiled into the kiss. It was sweet and soft, innocent and pure, and it was perfect.

He pulled away harshly, suddenly realizing what he had done. "I’m—"

“No!—“ You were surprised at the lack of stability in your voice. “T-that was fine,”

Oh if one could kick themselves. Fine?!

He cleared his throat, words caught deep into his throat. You blushed profusely, wanting to slap yourself back into reality as you grew more and more fidgety and nervous.

"I—" You both said simultaneously. This was embarrassing.

You shot him a nervous smile as you both proceeded to stumble upon each-others words, neither being able to form a coherent sentance.

"Are— Are you doing anything tomorrow..?" Spencer asked, anxiety clawing at him relentlessly.

"No," You felt anticipation in your chest as you shuffled your grip on your purses strap.

"Would you want to?—” He asked, voice small, as if testing the waters and terrified to how you would reply. “You know, do something..?”

A giddy smile grew onto your face, as your hands reached up, and for a third time, tucked hair behind both ears.

"I’d love to," You said. Spencer felt like he was on cloud nine.

"Great! Uh—" He glanced down, pursing his lips. "Cool..”

You stifled a laugh, as he peered over at you with a smile. "I'll text you,"

"Cool.." You pointed over to your car, realizing that it was getting late. "I'm going to, uh—"

A grin that stretched from ear to ear was plastered across Spencer face as you began walking away, also smiling to yourself giddily. Once your back was turned to him, you squeezed your eyes shut, nearly jumping with joy.

"Happy birthday..!" He shot out. You turned, offering him a wave. Spencer watched until you climbed into your car and left the driveway, with the widest, most stupidly huge smile plastered all over his face.

Of course, when he reappeared at his desk, wrapped in your scarf, cheek stained slightly, and the most dazed look splattered all across his features, Morgan didn't skip the opportunity to tease the hell out of him— again.