#sfrc

[22degreehalo]

It's finished!!!!!!! \o/

Many thanks to @ficreadingchallenge for running this - it really did encourage me to seek out fics I wouldn't have otherwise, and it was overall a lot of fun! :)

New recs below, and then I'll post a Masterpost with all of them together!

Take Your Fandom to Work AU aching to find who they are by preciousthings (11.1k, Jon Favreau/Tommy Vietor)

I’m not normally one for RPF, but when I stumbled upon this I decided to give it a go since it fit the square, and I enjoyed it! :) It’s very sweet and low-conflict, but somehow never feels boring or overly idealised? I enjoyed the gradual reveal of the world’s mechanics and the characters’ backstory and the multimedia epistolary elements!

Enemies to Friends/Lovers The Web of Life Woven by Havoka (6.2k, Symmetra+Lifeweaver)

I’m frankly in love with this author’s writing of Symmetra, and I agree completely that Lifeweaver was exactly the change-up her character needed! This fic is so delicate and thoughtful: Satya and Niran are so fundamentally different people, but their personalities and points of view are expressed with such care and sympathy. Satya provides an outsider POV of Niran’s crisis of faith with Vishkar, and it works, keeping the fic from getting too bogged into details, and allowing for a peek into Satya’s own doubts, which are buried deep even when she’s the protagonist. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author!

Whump Kintsugi by brightly_lit (4.6k, Sam+Dean)

This hurt :’) (as it should have!!) I don’t want to say too much because the exact nature of the AU is itself a spoiler, but it’s certainly something that could have happened if canon went a little differently and boy is it upsetting :’)))

FREE Only as Young as the Minute is Full of it by angelheadedhipster (2.8k, Torrence/Missy)

I happened to rewatch Bring it On recently, so of course I had to look up the fic out of curiosity, and I stumbled upon this little gem! It’s short, but it fits so perfectly into the canon that it just feels like it belongs there. As far as I’m concerned, this is how the story really went :P

Reread an Old Fave Strangetown, Here We Come! by strange-tomato (very long, various Sims 2 pairings)

I was reminded of this old fic recently and knew instantly that it would be my choice for this square <3 To this day it’s still one of my favourite poly stories ever, with a perfect slow burn build (so slow it wasn’t even initially intended!) and plenty of other fascinating sometimes-queer side stories as well! Re-reading it now and it’s just as great as I remembered it being; time will only tell if I get so attached to these characters again that I end up being really tempted to reinstall TS2 like last time!

Secret Relationship [podfic] not to listen but to hear read by Podsayers, written by Misandrywitch (47:29, 9k, Holmes/Watson)

This is a sweet fic!! It covers a large swathe of time between these two men, including after Reichenbach, so the progression feels completely natural. Sherlock’s POV is always something different, and this one delivers on giving it a really distinctive feel!

[ficreadingchallenge]

This is a low key summer reading challenge specifically for fandom. All you have to do to participate is get a bingo card, read a fic, leave a comment, and mark that square off on your card! We hope this will encourage you to step outside your go-to fandom paths and find something new and amazing.

Sign up here.

The challenge will run from June 20,2024 to September 22, 2024.

Your friendly mods are @carcrash429 and @therealjambery. Now get reading!

FAQ below the cut.

Multi-fandom Summer Reading Bingo FAQ

Q: What's all this, then? A: This is a low key summer reading challenge specifically for fandom. All you have to do to participate is get a bingo card, read a fic, leave a comment, and mark that square off on your card!

Q: How do I sign up? A: Fill out this form!

Q: What are the dates of the challenge? A: This year the summer reading challenge starts on the summer solstice, June 20, 2024. You have until the fall equinox, September 22, 2024 to complete your bingo card.

Q: Who can participate? A: Anyone who reads fanfiction!

Q: Can I get a text-based bingo card instead of an image? A: Absolutely, please let us know you’d prefer that format when you sign up.

Q: Do I have to leave a comment to complete the square? A: Yes. I mean, we're not going to check up on you or anything, so it's the honor system. But let's give creators some love, shall we?

Q: Can I listen to podfic instead? A: Yup! The comment rule still applies, though.

Q: What if the thing I'm using to complete my square isn't on AO3? A: That's fine. You can reblog on Tumblr, leave a comment on a blog post, or otherwise let the creator know you enjoyed their story/art/podfic.

Q: What sort of things are on the bingo card? A: You can see our full list here.

Q: What if there is one of my triggers or something that squicks me on the list? A: Just let us know when you sign up and we'll make sure you get a card that doesn't have those things on it.

Q: What do you mean by [fill in the blank]? Does this fic count for that square? A: It's up to your interpretation - we wanted to leave things as broad as possible. If you're really stuck, send us an ask and we can talk about it!

Q: What do I win if I get a bingo? A: The priceless satisfaction of a job well done. Also, we might have something special for you at the end. Guess you'll have to participate to find out.

Q: Can I sign up for multiple cards? A: Yes, but we ask that you limit yourself to one per month (so if you get your first card on June 20th, wait until July 20th to ask for a second one).

[merinsedai]

Thank you, @ficreadingchallenge for this fun little bingo challenge this summer! Some of these, I could have filled multiple times and some I had to have a search for, but all part of the fun!

1. Under the influence: Spoils of War by @seiya-starsniper [E] Aphrodisiacs! Starting strongly with the smut. Kinda feral for this piece, multiple rereads. Hob is not a good man but he is good in bed. Dream has not spoken since he arrived. How long ago that was I don't know, but I'm in awe of the pettiness. Excellent, love it. Very much E (and probably not the only one on this list...)

2. Newest fic in the tag of your choice: listen, I'm very one-track minded. Dreamling has basically been the only tag of my choice for the past two years. So, the newest fic when I decided to do this square was: Dream Ship by @often-adamanta [E] A spicy little tale set on a space ship which Dream controls and Hob's his muscle. They're a new partnership and Dream's not happy about it so he's giving Hob the silent treatment. Queue Hob taking some alone time, Dream accidentally interrupting and Hob having no privacy issues at all. The start of something beautiful, no doubt.

3. Inspired by another fanwork: I'll Go To Sleep and Dream Again by @chaosheadspace [E] which is inspired by Shelter by softestpunk. An accidentally human Dream has need of the help of Hob Gadling to help him navigate life as a human (eg facial hair, food, and morning wood), regain his Endlessness and recover his tools. Whilst falling in love and having some hot sex ofc. Also, a lot of lovely petnames.

4. Mistaken Identity: As a Stranger I Know Myself by @phinofthestorm and @sleepsonfutons [E] Could be no other choice for this square. Gripping drama, mysteries, feeeeelings, smut (obvs), plentiful existential angst, and shit goin' down. Featuring Jessamy the raven knocking her head against the wall; Burgess's cane; name repetitions; everyone having A Time of it; side characters Shipping Them Too; oh, and a main character you don't expect to like as much as you do...

5.Slow Burn: What Dreams May Come, When Living is at an End by Sebena [T] This fandom is slow burn central, but this is the fic I'm currently in the middle of, and I'm quite enamoured with the relationship between Knight Hob and Morpheus, and it's beautifully descriptive. Plus some lovely pieces of art by @teejaystumbles A real treat.

6. Dressing Up: Make it Count by @arialerendeair [E] Dream gets to dress Hob up very nicely for posh dinners aboard the world's most famous ocean liner in this wonderful Titanic AU. Dream gets to dress down, too! A longer fic but absolutely gripping! Could also use Aria and Konstadt's Colour Forecasting [E] for this square. There's lots of fancy tailoring and clothing choices going on here. And lots of smut, relationship navigation and lots and lots of kissing.

7.Author's oldest fic: Metamorphosis by @windsweptinred [M] Delightful fic about-yes- the metamorphosis of Dream and Hob into Something Else. Starts with high drama as Dream is about to take Death's hand as the Kindly Ones are ravaging the Dreaming and takes things in a very different direction. There's stunning artwork on each chapter that really adds to the reading experience!

8. Small Fandom (<1000 fics): In Which Cat/Cow Is Not A Yoga Pose by @temve [E] ok, technically a crossover with The Sandman (although for pure Aldrich Kemp there's A Fishbowl, a Forklift, and a Friend: or, Who Hired Aldrich Kemp? which I read back in April, so doesn't count for the summer challenge) Temve has Aldrich's voice down to a T and her humour is so on point. I laughed out loud many times in both these fics.

9. Gift Giving: For Your Affection by @cuubism [T] short and sweet little fic by cuubism dealing with high larceny as a love language. cuubism's writing is so joyful, the playfulness she often gives to her Dream brings me great happiness and there's no exception here.

10.Enemies to friends/lovers: Tower and Rose by @moorishflower [E] Beauty and the Beast style 'au' with a magic tower, a mysterious lord, a plucky peasant Hob, an 'imprisonment', a terror stalking the grounds and many, many questions. Why are all the servants ravens? Twists and turns a plenty, and some fun eldritch sex sprinkled in.

11.Lyric Title-listen to the song, too!: please wake me/for my love lies patiently by @beatnikfreakiswriting [E] sequel to the also-having-a-song-lyric title, would you let me know...? aka fics that live rent-free in my head after having rewired my brain. Featuring the most relatable Hob ever, copious interesting facts in the author's notes, and a Dream who would have scared the shit out of me if he'd been my lecturer but is hot af and needs lots of love really. Lots of scorching smut too. Is this a theme? Obviously. Bonus that each chapter, and the series title, have song lyric titles too.

12.de-aging/kidfic England and Nowhere (Never and Always) by @dsudis [M] The last fill on my card, and one I had to search for. And I'm glad I did. I'm about 1/2 way through so don't know the resolution but a lot of it is very soft, especially Dream's relationship with the changeling toddler, Finn. Finn feels very much like a real little boy in his actions and his dialogue. I'm very much enjoying this fic.

FREE SPACE: literally anything by @tj-dragonblade fluff and smut and pure delight.

13.character study: Unsent Letters, Nameless Stranger by @rainbowvamp [M] letters from Hob to Dream throughout the centuries detailing the evolution in Hob's thoughts, attitudes and feelings towards his life, his history and mostly, his feelings for Dream (aka a lot of pining). I'm about halfway through the letters so far and am looking forward to getting back to them.

14.happy ending: My Fair Gadling by @zigzag-wanderer [E] a work in progress, so we haven't reached the happy ending yet, but I have faith in the author and this absolutely wonderful fic. Hob has such a strong narrative voice, he is a delight to read and so, so funny. I laugh out loud constantly in all of ziggy's fics, whether that's the dialogue or the hilarious analogies and metaphors. Professor Morpheus is a study in buttoned up sadness to begin with, but just wait until he's unleashed. He's unbearably sexy when he rolls his sleeves up and fixes car engines at the side of the road, and endearingly earnest in bed. I eagerly await every chapter (especially to find out what outfit Hob has shimmied into that day).

15.Secret Relationship: Risk and Reward by @signiorbenedickofpadua [E] absolutely cracking Regency au. Lord Morpheus spends a lot of time early on feeling mildly fevered. It's probably nothing to do with his new house guest, Mr Robert Gadling, right? These guys slowly, so slowly move towards Something Special. There is the ultimate thrill of finger brushing; the admiration of shapely legs and the highly charged Shakespeare reading. Also balls, duels, painting, stargazing, horse riding and misuse of biblical quotes. And I'm only half way through! The relationship is of necessity given the time period, secret. At the point I'm at, it's finally begun in earnest and I'm excited to see where the plot takes them next!

16. Angst: Exit Wounds by @valeriianz [T] There are many angst-ridden fics in this fandom, and I am a sucker for angst. I love it and seek it out. This fic by sanyumi tore my heart out, stomped all over it and then threw it in the river for good measure. Sometimes you just need to feel destroyed and this delivers.

17. Omegaverse AU So Tell Me Where To Put My Love by @seiya-starsniper [E] Another of my favourite au topics! This starts out with an unhappily arranged marriage, secrets and angst and lots of miscommunication and then explores the developing relationship between Hob and Dream; Dream getting to feel empowered; more miscommunication; knitting; Hob getting to be incredibly rude to Dream's mother, and a very happy ending. Could have tagged loads in this square. Special mentions to i have no fear of time / for who knows how my love grows? by @gabessquishytum [E] for pure horny good times most centuries; and also the incomparable Lover, Be Good to Me by @omgcinnamoncakes which I haven't actually read this summer but which hasn't left my brain. The ultimate omegaverse slowburn and healing fic. Wonderful.

18. High School/College au: Dr Hardass and Professor Sweetheart by crimandclove [G] an outsider pov look at Hob and Dream, who are both professors at the same university (and also married, of course, though the protagonist doesn't know it). And by the same author: Coincidence, [T] which is the story of how Dream and Hob met and became friends in high school. Pure nostalgia for me and Hob is such a delightful pov character to follow. Unfinished but with a full synopsis of how the story would have gone.

19. Road Trip: The Blood of Bucephalus by @llflorence [E] no actual roads, but these guys sure go on a journey. Set in ancient times, with shades of Alexander the Great. Except it's king Morpheus and his loyal soldier (and lover) Hob. Featuring Hob being mostly bewildered about what's going on and Morpheus being the most tight lipped monarch in existence. Also featuring a love for horses and Morpheus's unquenchable desire to travel incognito. Written with the same tenderness, intensity and mystery that is Lis's hallmark.

20. New author (<1 year) Coma Dreams by TheTroubleWithTribbles [M] a fic I had to actively search for but very much enjoyed reading. Some domesticity, Dream being caring, Matthew being traumatised, and Hob enjoying an extended trip to the Dreaming. Featuring some laugh out loud moments, Dream with broccoli patterned oven gloves and Hob being free with terms of endearment.

21. Crossover or fusion fic: Half Asleep, Half Waking by @softest-punk [G] again, I could have chosen fics by softestpunk to fill most of the spaces on this grid! Isn't their writing delightful? Such warmth and such range. Something for whatever you're in the mood for. Am in awe. Anyway, this is a crossover between The Sandman and Rivers of London. I didn't know the RoL books, but after reading this I listened to them on audible and came back to the fic. Very enjoyable- thanks, Cecil! Nightingale is my favourite character from RoL and I loved his relationship with Hob. And Hob gently chiding Molly and Nightingale to get their acts together, ha!

22. Superpowers/no powers Au: Here in the Darkness by @cuubism [M] Since we've got one 'super' character, and one 'normal' character in Dreamling, I chose cuubism's reverseverse fic where they've switched around. Good grief, it was good. Hope is a ray of sunshine, eh? He's just going around being lovely and offering hope, and being kind to Morpheus. And then gets captured and treated horrifically for a century. There's plenty of angst, Morpheus being snitty, then depressed, then a vengeful angel and then they get some softness. It's pure cuubism magic: it's fucking brilliant.

23. Only One Bed: The Chase by @imnotcrying-ipromise [M] I followed along with this story as it was being published early last year, and it was a wild ride of emotions and cliffhangers! Not only is there only one bed, there is a hunt across the country, a wonderful yet dangerous connection, and of course, some falling in love. It's such a fun and thrilling tale: a unique concept with a menacing villain. The sense of peril is real: for our canon characters and some lovely ocs we meet, too. And in the quieter moments there is a lot of sweetness and care between Dream and Hob. An excellent re-read this summer.

24: Soulmates: Destined by @arialerendeair [M] I love a good soulmate au, and this is a cracker by Aria. Featuring not one, but two rescues, a number of villains getting their just desserts, and visits to a Greek temple. Hob is, by turns, a bamf and a gentle, considerate man. He's spent 600 years trying to figure out what the letters of his soul mark mean, and when he does... Dream has spent countless years not even knowing he has a soul mark/mate; it takes a severance from the Dreaming to reveal it, and when he finds out...

[cha-melodius]

I got my fic reading bingo card from @ficreadingchallenge (you can get one via the link in their pinned post!) at the beginning of the week and decided I'd post progress updates on Fridays. For right now I'm just reading things as they come and seeing how close I come to getting a bingo, and then I'll start seeking things out later.

Soulmates: i don’t think we’re wasting time by @smc-27, a delight that's half a travelogue (that will desperately make you want to visit the cities mentioned) and will also make you want to shake Alex by the neck.

Inspired by another fanwork: find me here and speak to me by @porcelainmortal, a soulmates fic which was loosely inspired by one of the sections in same as it ever was by @smc-27 (which was written for meeeee), and a really sensitively-done look at a world in which Alex is already happily married when he meets his soulmate.

Character study: If U Seek Amy by @14carrotghoul, AMY fic, this was such a lovely look at Amy's relationship with the first family!

Rec'd by a friend: all this bitching and moaning. by chaa_kiao, which was rec'd by @everwitch-magiks, this friends-to-lovers fic where Alex wrestles with his bisexuality hit me in the feels unexpectedly hard.

Fanart: I've reblogged and retweeted multiple fanarts this week, including 'The Look of Love' by @uhhgaypanic, this M&G-inspired one by @lieselsart, and this fireside art by @zmoknus.

[trexrecs]

STUCKY FIC REC

When you stop being a ghost in a shell by @bittersweet-in-boston

MCU: Steve/ Bucky, 12k, E, Hydra Steve Rogers

This fic is beautiful and heart-rending. It appears to have been very well researched (I know very little about the topic) and that really lends a great air of immersion.

At 12k, the fic is relatively sparse, especially considering the story it tells spans the majority of a century, and that sparseness makes it all the more poignant.

It's such a gorgeous piece, and it really captures the heart of Stucky; the characters’ endless drive to reunite.

[chocfrog-enjoyer]

Just got my Bingo card for @ficreadingchallenge !! Customised it a bit and filled in my first square 💗

Square: 13 - fic written by someone who follows you - this one is written by @apicelladonna ♡

Title: Prometheus had Blue Fire

Summary: "An eye for an eye, a wand for a wand, a heart for a heart, a galleon for your thoughts."

Albus Dumbledore died during the ICW Supreme Mugwump Election, 1932.

So how is he alive and siding with Gellert Grindelwald in his final public rally of 1945? Madness ensued.

Status: W.I.P

Current Word Count: 4,106

~* Can’t wait for more chapters of this Ella, you’ll make my heart break, but it’ll be broken happy bc this is rlly well written *~

[itsmnee]

I'm starting this super late so hopefully I still manage to get bingo, but if not it's at least helped me get through my reading slump 💜 these are all amazing fics, please give them a read!!

sports AU

heart for brains by almostprimary

rated M, 10k, formula one au

new author

Daisies by @skurwy-syn

rated E, 2k, clone sex

secret relationship

love scenario by @magmavox

rated E, 20k, k-pop au

new (to you) fandom

An absence which could not be more there by aesc

cherik (xmfc)

rated M, 18k, "reflections on what it's like for telepaths trying to negotiate the dating world"

that's all for this post - if you want to play, you can still sign up at @ficreadingchallenge!

[magpiefngrl]

fic bingo #3

Third update for @ficreadingchallenge and a bingo!

bodyswap

come home to my heart by occultings (microcomets) (wangxian, M, 30k)

I haven't read this trope before, I'm very excited to have tried it out, and it gave me (predictably) a lot of ideas.

fanart

[ ART ] For 'The Shade of Old Trees' by toffee_arts (MDZS, G)

This is absolutely breath-taking. Beyond compare. Do yourselves a favour and go take a look-see.

Reread an old fave

Trouble with your tie, Potter? by @tenthousandyearsx (drarry, E, 6.7k)

Super hot and also really sweet, this captures my fave 8th year dynamic aka fucking like rabbits and then catching feelings.

de-aging/kidfic

hot for teacher by attackofthezee (noxlunate) (Wangxian, M, 8.3k)

Loved this so much! Really funny, lighthearted, sweet without being saccharine, i just had the best time.

Part 1

Part 2

[carcrash429]

Fic Rec Friday

@ficreadingchallenge edition! week five of five, the last of the fics I read for this challenge this summer :)

small fandom (<1000 fics):

never going back again by @roseofbattles The Heir Chronicles; Linda/Leander; Words: 752; Chapters: 1/1

first of all, collectively, wtf are we doing that this amazing, incredible series only has 14 fics on ao3?? HUH??? we all gotta start rectifying that asap. second of all, for the actual fic, this is so lovely!! Linda is such an interesting and fascinating character and this is a great look into her thoughts during a really, really pivotal scene that informs so much of the books. so good.

didn't know they were dating:

just another friday night by @theproblemwithstardust Marvel; Clint/Bucky; Words: 1,227; Chapters: 1/1

This is so cute!! Just an adorable little Clint/Bucky vignette, they're so gently awkward but very sweet with each other :3 "Is this a date?" "I don't think so?" he managed eventually, not sounding convinced. SO Clint lmao

podfic:

The Tragic Ballad of an Under-Caffeinated Hawkeye by @jennisaisquoi79 Marvel; Clint/Bucky; Length: 53min; Chapters: 1/1

This is a pod of a classically hilarious fic and the narrator does SUCH a great job of bringing it to life!! Sooo much fun and so many great voices and if you want to hear someone yell (as Tony) "BARTON YOU MANIAC" you should go listen asap

de-aging / kidfic:

Sticking Around... by @pherryt Marvel; Clint/Bucky; Words: 7,704; Chapters: 3/3 [part 2 of a series]

oh man this is one of my favorite school-age Clint AUs!! traumatized and scowly and one foot out the door, held back mostly by Bucky's kindness and understanding <3

less than 20 kudos:

The Witch and The Wolf: A Winterhawk Monster Hunters Tale by @gotlostonmywayhome Marvel; Clint/Bucky; Words: 506; Chapters: 1/1

such a neat premise!! Clint and Bucky as monster hunter husbands doing the right thing! also a lovely moodboard that really sets the atmosphere

[faketrex]

Summer Fic Reading Challenge: August 1st

No bingo yet! I've been reading non-strategically, just slotting things into spaces on the card when they fit.

My reading list thus far under the cut... fic recs, fic recs, get them while they're hot. Mostly RWRB, one Merlin.

Free space: "As the poets say, it’s independence day" by TheLurkingContessa

RWRB. Henry is a writer, Alex is a law student with an OnlyFans sex work (and naked cleaning) (and foot pics) side hustle. So very funny and so very hot and so very charming–and now there's an Alex POV sequel, too!

AO3 link

Road trip: "This Is More of a Comment Than a Question" by @caterpills

RWRB. Publicist Alex is forced, kicking and screaming (figuratively), to accompany author Henry on a book tour. Could it be possible that sparks fly, maybe? I've just gotten started reading this WIP and am already enjoying it immensely.

AO3 link

Crossover or fusion: "Yes, it's an emergency!" by @cricketnationrise

RWRB/The Martian fusion. Cricket wrote an Alex POV The Martian fusion piece a while back and I loved it, so I was excited when she posted this new Henry POV sequel-slash-accompanying piece. Did I love it? Of course! It turns out that Henry pining away over Alex is just as satisfying as Alex pining away over Henry (and, you know, life on Earth... because Alex is stuck on Mars).

AO3 link

Under the influence: "say what you mean (and mean what you say)" by @schweetheart

Merlin. Arthur is cursed to tell the truth, sort of. "Truth spell" is a classic trope in the Merlin fandom, with good reason, and schweet is a skilled writer who knows exactly which parts of the story to tell to make it supremely, exceptionally satisfying.

AO3 link

Mission fic: "come home with me" by smc_27

RWRB. Alex is a real estate agent, Henry is house-hunting, and their mission is to find Henry a house. (And fall in love.) It's one of the most difficult missions out there, if you ask me. (Finding a house, I mean.) A delightful read.

AO3 link

Sports AU: "Naturally adapted for bodily exertion" by @kiwiana-writes

RWRB. What, I ask you, is the epitome of "Sports AU" as a concept? Ancient Greek Olympics, clearly. Do Henry and Alex wrestle naked, covered in oil? Of course they do. Thank goodness (and kiwiana)!

AO3 link

Multichapter: "here is a map (with your name for a capital)" by @alasse9

RWRB. My note-to-self about this one says, "Amazing gentle What if Rio went differently? AU" and that's pretty much how I would like to describe it to you. To say it differently, though: I love RWRB canon, but I have to say... I might love this version of events just as much.

AO3 link

[22degreehalo]

Aaaaand I finally return with my next update for the Summer Fic Reading Challenge by @ficreadingchallenge!!!

And the end really is coming up, hahah... But I hope I will be able to finish the whole card before then! :)

Reviews/links under the cut~ Ships include Yuki/Kakeru, Aegon/Larys, Dirk/Jake, Archie+Jughead gen, Kirk/Spock, and Aegon/Helaena!

Domestic/Curtain Fic Like Fireworks in the Night Sky by PrincelyHairdos (86k, ongoing, Yuki/Kakeru) Uaaaaghhhhhhhhh OTL I really can’t recommend this fic enough if you want to fuck yourself up!!!!!! Yes, there’s the pining, and the achingly-sweet relationship between the main two boys, but they’re both in relationships at the start of the fic, and the story explores every little beat of the pain and awkwardness and tension of that premise!! None of the characters involved are bad people, and the story is equally sympathetic to all four of them, but Yuki is very much just forcing himself in his relationship with Machi (comphet up the wazoo), and although Kakeru and Komaki sincerely love each other, he and Yuki so obviously have this long-standing unintentional and unaware emotional affair going on that just gets more and more in between them! I chose this theme because so much of the Yuki/Kakeru relationship revolves around how comfortable around one another as uni students living in the same dorms; they’re not actual roommates, but they may as well be with easily they share their space, and it’s that pre-established and on-going easy domesticity that provides all the delicious, awful tension in their actual official relationships!

Rarepair Last Hope by Yarwrit (1.4k, Aegon/Larys) Of course for this theme I had to use a ship that I never possibly would’ve considered prior to that final episode of the show :’D But this fic was exactly what I wanted: Aegon’s despair and Lary’s quiet support; Aegon’s rationally skeptical of his sincerity, but so desperately needs some sort of a real friend, and the commonality between them as two disabled men rings true. Larys might well still just be manipulating him (I mean, that’s certainly at least part of what’s going on), but his attraction, at least, is real, and meaningful <3

Space AU it’s only a canvas sky by Mayleavestars (9.2k, Dirk/Jake) I really struggled with this theme for a while because I’m not much of an AU reader and all the space AUs I could find just felt like normal fics with a hand-waved set dressing. This fic was my saviour: the vaguely Star Trek universe setting relates perfectly to the long-distance communication Dirk and Jake had in canon, allowing for a dynamic that perfectly supports their canon personalities and relationship while giving enough of a twist to the formula to justify the AU. Oh, the pining; the rituals!

Angst love story (but it's platonic) by sharksarewaterdogs (2.8k, Jughead + Archie gen) Another soulmate mark fic, and another fun twist! Jughead's angst is super believable, not just worrying about himself but how Archie would feel to know that his soulmate is an aro/ace guy. But Archie is so sweet, and once the shock wears off, their friendship really does shine through! I always love to see a-spec fics with at least a lil non-fluffiness, and this was nice and cathartic <3

Author’s Oldest Fic The Word Withheld by j_s_cavalcante (12k, Kirk/Spock) Of course for this theme I had to go with one of the chronologically oldest ships I’ve been into, and what a beautiful fic I chose for that!! I have memories of AOS fic about Spock Prime encouraging his younger self tom seize the day and make the most of the time he has with Kirk, but applying that plot to TOS gives it all the more resonance given the way things turn out in the canon timeline. The quiet intimacy between Kirk and Spock is on full display here, and perfectly reminded me why I once read so many fics about these two <3

Bittersweet/Unhappy Ending lost innocence. By ProjectFreelancer (1.4k, Aegon/Helaena) :’( These two deserved so much better… Among all the longfic in this fandom I was soooo happy to see this shorter and more melancholy missing-scenes type fic, elaborating on this relationship we haven’t gotten to see nearly enough of, with a particular focus on the actually pretty damn traumatic circumstances of their marriage!! It ends on a positive note for the whole family… but we already know how this story ends. :(

And that's all so far!!

Of the spaces left, I have a definite fic in mind for 'Enemies to Friends / Lovers' (it's just a matter of finishing it first; could've done that before making this post but I've delayed long enough already :') ), and a potential something for Take Your Fandom To Work and Secret Relationship. I didn't expect that last one to be difficult given how much I love the trope, but maybe I just need to try some other pairings... And I've always figured it wouldn't be too hard to find something for Whump once I get in the mood, heh.

So with all that, it'll just be a matter of which of the random non-recced fics I've read recently I should use for the Free Space!! n.n

(Also ahhhhh I really did expect to ask for another card before this thing ended... but that'd be kinda pointless now, huh :'D)

(Also? Yes, I have indeed managed all different ships for each square so far. :'DDD No idea how it's worked out that way, but I can't bring myself to stop now!!)

[ficreadingchallenge]

Are you ready to read fic this summer? We sure are! Stay tuned - the challenge will begin this year on June 20th.

[therealjambery]

One month in, two months to go in the summer @ficreadingchallenge! Thought I'd share my progress. No bingo yet but I think I might actually get there this year.

Fics below the cut!

Recommended by a friend The rest of us are trying by wyxan https://archiveofourown.org/works/56660095

Gen, Teen & Up Fandom: Marvel/DC

Summary: “It’s Gotham, darling. Get interesting or get out.”

---

Natasha's attempts to atone for her past take her down memory lane and to the one place she had hoped to avoid.

Gen fic Zoh-Onna Omote by Losyark https://archiveofourown.org/works/1182813

Gen, Teen & Up Fandom: Stargate Atlantis

Summary: In Japan, it is not too much to say that everything is about appearances. It is a habit cultivated over a life-time, and not one easy to break.

Fluff (Hockey) Dress Blues by 429_CarCrash https://archiveofourown.org/works/57079729

Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton/Steve Rogers, Gen Fandom: MCU

Summary: Bucky finally picks a hockey team to cheer for

Werewolves when the autumn moon is bright by callunavulgari https://archiveofourown.org/works/12593388

Rodney McKay/John Sheppard, Teen & Up Fandom: Stargate Atlantis

Summary: There weren’t, strictly speaking, supposed to be wolves in Atlantis.

Didn't know they were dating How to Prevent Sugar Bloom by Tawryn https://archiveofourown.org/works/29416185

Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton, Explicit Fandom: MCU

Summary: When Clint takes Lucky to the dog park, he isn’t expecting to meet the love of his life.

He’s not expecting the frisbee either, but it’s a beautiful morning to get nailed in the face.

Pets Look What the Cat Dragged In by flawedamythyst https://archiveofourown.org/works/27084847

Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton, GA Fandom: MCU

Summary: The Winter Soldier was looming over him, dressed in full combat gear and hung all about with weapons. Blood was seeping out of a wound on his arm and there was a smear of it down his cheek that was starting to flake off as it dried. He was staring at Clint with a jaw-clenchingly intense glare and Clint felt every cell in his body freeze up under his scrutiny, expecting pain of some kind.

Instead, the Winter Soldier held a fist out containing Clint’s hearing aids and then, once he’d tucked them in pretty much on autopilot, thrust a cat in Clint’s face and growled out, “Tell me about this kitten,” like he was demanding the passwords to a nuclear weapon.

Somehow Clint ends up co-owning a kitten with the Winter Soldier.

OT3/polyamory like a map of a place you've never been by bydaybreak https://archiveofourown.org/works/3861028

Alec Hardison/Eliot Spencer/Parker, Explicit Fandom: Leverage

Summary: He knows it’d be so fucking easy, if he’d let himself. Because he’s easy for them, has been since that first job, since the day he hauled Hardison’s ass out of a building about to explode. It’d be so easy.

So he won't.

Unfinished/Work in Progress wait for me (i will) by matteblack_cowboyhat https://archiveofourown.org/works/56107615

Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton, GA Fandom: MCU

Summary: As Clint’s eyes track from the metal hand and up to the similarly metal arm, his heart drops straight out of his ribcage and into the bottom of his stomach. Because of course, the reliable ole’ Barton luck means that after this absolute shitter of a day, Clint now has to deal with the fact that the Actual And Literal Winter Fucking Soldier is in his house with a gun pointed at his head.

“Aww, HYDRA, no.” he groans.

or

what happens when you let an international fugitive hide out in your farmhouse

[cha-melodius]

BINGO

I skipped last week, but here's my update for the past two weeks on my @ficreadingchallenge. I finally checked off that bingo, so here we are!

Podfic: love has a voice (and it's yours) by @read-and-write-, and read by @happiness-of-the-pursuit. A non-traditional podfic, but I'm a sucker for interesting formats and this was SO well done. A love story told through voice notes, and those voice notes embedded in the fic! Really lovely.

Enemies to lovers: SHARING A SLICE by @faketrex. Ok, this could be a lot of fics in this fandom, but I chose to count this canon-divergent fic where they swap bodies at cakegate. Originally posted on tumblr, it's on AO3 now and is such a delight.

Video Edit: I reblogged this edit by @justabigoldnerd of Napollya to 'Leggy Blonde' by Flight of the Conchords, and I'm still dying of laughter. (RWRB fandom, someone make a Henry edit to this song I'm begging you)

Now the question is... do I get another card and go for a single bingo again, or do I just try to blackout this one... remixes are really rare in all of my fandoms. HMM.

[trexrecs]

STETER FIC REC

The Striking Complication by @aurevell

Teen Wolf: Peter/ Stiles, 118k, Graphic depictions of violence, T

Time loop, Temporary character death, Memory loss

I was hooked on this time-loop fic from the very beginning, where it started off from the POV of someone not in the time loop, but who was being affected by it.

This is an amazing fic and so tightly written. It's different from most time-loops in a few crucial ways; Peter, the one stuck in the time-loop chooses to be there, he has to pay a price to keep the time-loop going, and that means it can't go on forever. This lends a sense of urgency a lot of time-loops are lacking; he can't rest, he can't stop, and he has to constantly choose it.

The story is compelling from start to finish, with the author cleverly making the stakes go higher and higher and some of the twists are impossible to anticipate.

This fic really blew me away and I strongly recommend it to all steter fans.

[chocfrog-enjoyer]

Another square marked of for the @ficreadingchallenge ٩( ᐛ )و

Square: 16 - gift giving - fic focuses on Draco gifting people around notes with reassuring words and sweet advice ( ∩´͈ ᐜ `͈∩)

Title: Marginal Notes

Author: Blame Brampton

Summary: When you're 18, and nothing is as it was meant to be, sometimes it can be hard to let the right people know what you are thinking. Thankfully, Draco Malfoy owns a quill.

Status: Finished

Word Count: 9,692

Pairing: Drarry

~* OKAY, so this fic is absolutely amazing and it immediately became one of my favorites and I’m really picky when it comes to favorites so that says something. Like seriously the characters are well written and the story is funny, sweet and has a lot of fun background additions that just made me smile so much *~

Also fun fact this fic features a bingo trope :P Fic with a bingo for summer fic bingo