Eirenical's 2022 Yuletide Recs
Dec. 31st, 2022 10:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eirenicalOK, so this year was the first time I ever defaulted on an exchange assignment. I had life things happening that made writing more difficult than I was expecting, and I realized that the best thing I could do was release my recipient from my own struggles so that they might get the fic of their dreams from someone else. It was a very hard decision, but it was the right one. My recip seemed very happy with their gift and it took a weight off my back that left ME free to take care of other things that I needed to.
I was worried, though, about how I would feel come Yuletide collection reveal morning. And it was... weird. I'll definitely say that. But with the weight of stressing about how my own stories were doing lifted off my back, a funny thing happened. For the first time in YEARS, I had the emotional and mental energy to READ. I read SO MUCH. I read in so many fandoms. I left the kinds of comments for people that I always love to see on my own fic. And I had So. Much. FUN. I even put together an AO3 bookmark collection with all of my favorites that I'd read. (...ngl, I'm pretty sure it was everything. The quality of everything I read was incredibly high. You all ROCK.) But because this is the first time that I've been this excited about the collection itself in so many years, I thought I'd make a proper rec post to go along with my AO3 collection.
So, first off, the AO3 bookmark collection: eirenical's yuletide 2022 recs.
I didn't really write anything there, though I may go change that after I write up the list here. And now... on to the list! :D
First things first: the four amazing gift fic I received, which would have gone on this list even if they hadn't been mine because they were AMAZING. :D :D :D (Seriously, guys, I don't know what I did to deserve the incredible bounty of gifts I've had over the years in this exchange, but whatever it was, thank you SO MUCH.)
My Gifts!
something warm (T); 1,178 words
Thermos "Magic Cottage" Commercial | L'Oréal "Time Engraver" Commercials
This fic was everything I could have asked for out of the whimsy of these commercials and the crossover with the Time Engraver commercials just added to the fun. ^_^ I was delighted by the Gardener's interactions with the humans he met and with the Scrivener in the Tower. I love that he never lost hope, even when things were bleak, because that's a thing I often need a reminder of. This fic had a lot of heart and it was like a warm hug. ^_^
Brotherly help (T); 2,013 words
怒海潜沙&秦岭神树 | Explore with the Note & The Lost Tomb (TV)
Zhai Xingyao is SUCH a brat and especially to Xiao Hua and that just shines in this fic. :D I love the moments of seriousness from him, too, though, when you catch a glimpse of the darkness inside him that's a match for Xiao Hua's and shows them for the brothers they really are, in spirit, if not in body. And I ALWAYS LOVE ME SOME HUAXIE CRUMBS, SO THAT'S FUN, TOO. ^_______^ And this lead-in to Sha Hai time period is always one of my favorites, so ^_^ again.
he ain't heavy (he's my brother) (T); 1,496 words
怒海潜沙&秦岭神树 | Explore with the Note & The Lost Tomb (TV) | 盗墓笔记 - 南派三叔 | The Grave Robbers' Chronicles - Xu Lei
Another GLORIOUS Xiao Hua and Zhai Xingyao fic, this time featuring silence pollen and the aftermath of dealing with it mid-tomb. A very different take on their brotherly interactions, more light-hearted and fun but just as deep and just as loving and just as worried when things go wrong. I love how much they both look out for each other and how deeply afraid they each were for each other, even if they were reluctant to show it. But they're such a good team and know exactly how they can lean on each other, and it all comes right in the end. ^_^ This felt so true to their canon interactions and it was lovely to read!
no space (T); 1,192 words
心宅猎人 | Psych-Hunter (TV)
THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED. And Qin Er isn't willing to let Jiang Shuo have it to himself for once! XD Of course, he then sends himself straight into a "Dear holy fuck, what did I just get myself into" panic… but that's totally valid, Qin Er. I'm sure we'd all panic with Jiang Shuo pressed that close. ^_~ BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE. After being trapped in that Psych without Jiang Shuo, Qin Er has nightmares, only now Jiang Shuo is RIGHT THERE to witness it and try to help in the aftermath. And it's so sweet and so touching and something I desperately needed after that episode. But it never gets too dark, as Jiang Shuo is right there to lighten the mood and to help. ^_^
Seriously, guys, I was SO AMAZINGLY FORTUNATE with my gifts this year. Every one of them was so exactly what I wanted and I can't thank my four authors enough. ^_^
And now for the other 16!
A - P
What Sweeter Music (T); 3,961 words
Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper
Will and Bran reunite after many years apart and it's as easy and as difficult as a reunion ever could be when fate is involved. A lovely revisit of one of my perennial favorites. Will I ever get tired of Will and Bran reunion stories? NO. And this one is particularly lovely and really fits the tone of the original books. ^_^
down to the gutter, up to the glitter (G); 2,713
Hair (1979)
Claude and Berger reunite after the war at a grave that should have belonged to one of them, yet belonged to neither. And Berger may be a broken mess after everything he saw over there, but Claude is there for him no matter what state he's in. Ever time I think "maybe this is the year I'm over these two enough to move them off my phone screen", it turns out NO, I AM NOT. I AM REALLY NOT. TT^TT This was a lovely happy ending for a story that didn't have one and it made me cry in the best of ways. ^_^
In Her Blood (T); 1,346 words
Ocean's Eleven Trilogy (Movies), Ocean's 8 (2018)
THE CODA TO OCEAN'S 8 THAT I ALWAYS WANTED. Danny would have loved it… and he did. And now Debbie gets to meet him on equal footing and carry on with their next great adventure. ^_^ Seriously, that line always felt like an unresolved note, and this added scene is everything I could have wanted to resolve it. ^_^
Roy Campbell's Front Door Has Always Been Blue (G); 4,450 words
Pleasantville (1998)
…I'm sensing a pattern here in my recs, but this is ALSO the coda to THIS movie I always wanted but never got. XD ANYWAY. It turns out the universe isn't quite as balanced as David thought it would be when he returned, and it requires a trip back to Pleasantville to set it right. Fortunately, he has a brilliant sister and a loving trio of parental figures there to help him put it all to rights. Hints of my favorite poly trio, if you squint. :D
Sh - Su
Awkward (T); 1,775 words
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Marvel Cinematic Universe
I came out of this movie shipping Katy and Xu Xuliang like WHOA and this fic was a really fun look at what their relationship would look like (complications and all) once the movie was over. The author really captured Katy's voice and turn of phrase and I maintain that this is still the most relatable thing ever:
The fact that she was currently sinking lower in her corner seat in the cute little bistro they were seated in, wondering if she could keep going until she'd slid under the table and crawl her way out, had nothing to do with shame and everything to do with the desire to avoid an uncomfortable social situation.
XD
Summer in the City (G); 3,791 words
Stand By Me (1986), The Body - Stephen King
I love this movie with the passion of all my adolescent self. I watched it until I wore my tape out. This is a lovely look at what the transition from the closeness Gordie and Chris still shared in high school to the way they drifted apart. One last summer. One last chance to be them before they move on and become their own people. And it was the softest, most accepting coming out I think I've ever read, and without the cliché of "falling in love with the straight best friend." No hesitance, no awkwardness, just acceptance, if a little clumsily. And Gordie moving step by hesitant step to follow Chris for as long as he can. This movie always fills me with a specific brand of bittersweet nostalgia, and the fic captured exactly the same tone. A lovely read. ^_^
meeting in the middle (T); 1,445 words
Superman Returns (2006)
Oh we are on the nostalgia train TONIGHT. XD This movie left me wanting so much more and with so many more questions and always a little sad that there was never another movie after it. It was a little microcosm all its own. And this fic took that on and gave us a glimpse into what might have come next. Richard and Superman meeting, one father to another, to figure out what's best for the child they both love. (…and maybe a hint of something more for both of them, too? ^_~) It was a wonderful look at these two: Richard laying down boundaries in ways he can barely believe he's doing and Superman accepting them, willing to do whatever it takes to make up for what he's already missed. And then a settling into a joking, playful camaraderie that has the potential for so much more. And reading this fic brought me RIGHT BACK to having seen this movie the first time, and I really enjoyed the trip back down memory lane. ^_^
T - Z
Pick a card, any card—BUT NOT THAT ONE (G); 1,641 words
Tarot (Divination Cards)
This was HILARIOUS. XD If you know anything about tarot, you will probably enjoy this fic. The cards and their personalities were so spot on and even the personalities of the decks themselves was so in line with how I see them. It was GREAT. XD I whimsical bit of fun that you can only produce if you truly love what you're having fun with. ^_^
The Way We Seek Each Other (G); 1,911 words
The Tarot Sequence - K.D. Edwards
I just got into this series this year (just a month or two ago in fact), and this soft bit of fluff was just what the doctor ordered for the brand new Misfit Court. ^_^ Just like the original, it still has its knives buried just below the surface to give the fun meaning, and no lighthearted game can be ONLY that in a world like there's, but this is probably as close as they get to it, and I'm so glad they got to have that. ^_^
What else should I be? (M); 2,309 words
Velvet Goldmine (1998)
Another perennial favorite. I love this movie with my whole heart. It is dark and it is fucked up and it will rip your heart out seven ways to Sunday, but still there's HOPE in it. And this fic delivers in the same way. Curt may not be sure of his place in this new world, if he even has a place in it, but he wants to try. Wants to try AGAIN. And his reunion with Arthur (even if he doesn't know it for that), was like a drawback to that time before, but in a way that meshes it with the present and gives it new meaning.
…and the sex was hot af. ;D
Millay: Variations and Fugue on a Theme (M); 1,418 words
Westworld (TV)
Oh Maeve. Oh Maeve, oh Maeve. TT^TT I just finished this series a few weeks ago and Maeve's ending broke my entire heart, especially as now we'll never know what would have come next for her, if anything at all. But this was a lovely character study and a glimpse into what closure could have meant for her, if she'd had a chance to have it.
Series Titles starting with Hanzi
Impulse Control (or the lack thereof) (E); 8,143 words
镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
OK, first of all, this fic is INCREDIBLY hot from start to finish. Zhao Yunlan gets a tattoo, Shen Wei likes it FAR more than expected and lets his control freak flag fly. (…now I know I'm getting loopy, I couldn't even say that in my head. XD) ANYWAY. SEX ENSUES. A LOT of sex, with bonus feelings and character study and I had really really started to think I was over these two but WOW, I AM NOT. This was so incredibly in character for both of them, and I loved every word of it. ^_^
sharing moonlight (T); 1,815 words
镇魂 | Guardian – priest
And on the complete flipside we have this lovely little family piece: Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei, and Da Qing going to Zhao Yunlan's parents house for the holiday and being treated as though they both belong and always have. ^_^ Shen Wei is the best son-in-law, Zhao Yunlan is a bit of a bad boy, and Da Qing is spoiled (as he should be) by Shen Wei, at least, if not by Zhao Yunlan. ^_~ I loved this happy ending and seeing how all of Zhao Yunlan's family just fully accepted Shen Wei and Da Qing as if they naturally belonged there. They deserve all the soft, happy family times they can get!
The Room Where It Happens (T); 2,168 words
全职高手 | The King's Avatar (Live Action TV)
Another new addition to my fandom family and I haven't even finished it yet, but I saw this and the characters involved intrigued me, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Qiu Fei and Sun Xiang are an unlikely set of characters to throw together, or so I thought, but this fic convinced me that they'd make a good partnership. ^_^ They're enough of a challenge to each other to keep the training interesting, both with a competitive edge that doesn't slow down, but Qiu Fei had time being trained by Ye Xiu that Sun Xiang never had. He learned compassion and a more idealistic view of the game and he isn't facing the same pressures; and that's something he can bring to their partnership that Sun Xiang doesn't have. And I love the hints of teasing playful camaraderie that you can just see started to built between them. And the moments between Ye Xiu and Qiu Fei both broke my heart and mended it and left me making all kinds of whimpery noises. I'm very glad I gave this one a chance! ^_^
Relatedly (T); 2,298 words
盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV)
OH HEY, ANOTHER ONE THAT I'M GOING TO SAY "THIS WAS THE UNRESOLVED CODA I ALWAYS WANTED FOR THIS SHOW." XD Seriously; this is clearly a pattern. But IT'S STILL TRUE, SO OH WELL. This is a lovely look at the relationship between Wu Xie and Ershu post-TLTR. And it's a brilliant character study of them and their relationship, too. The characterizations are spot on, and I love how Wu Xie is so incredibly understanding of Ershu (and Ershu's pride), but he's just enough of a chaos gremlin to know when he needs to allow space… and when he needs to push into that space and knock his Ershu off balance so he'll start moving forwards. And Ershu is just enough of a gremlin himself to give it right back in some ways. ;D I also love the moment of connection they had over their sexualities, something I'd always wished to see on screen, even if it couldn't happen. (Ace!EVERYONE! :D :D :D) And there were some gorgeous lines in here that just made my breath catch. ^_^ Definitely something I've wanted for these two for a while and I'm so happy to have gotten to read it!
A Dragon in the Snow (T); 8,048 words
沙海 | Tomb of the Sea (TV)
And last by virtue of the alphabet but absolutely not last in any other way, this gorgeous fic looking at Wu Xie and Li Cu post-Sha Hai but prior to Xiaoge's return. (A ski trip, he said! It'll be fun, he said! No one said anything about a yeti!) …but it's Wu Xie. Of course there's a yeti. And of COURSE that lands them in a tomb, but that's the extent of the danger, really. ^_^ Because at its heart, the tomb is just the backdrop for some AMAZING character and relationship work between these two. Neither of them is quite right. They both still have a lot of healing to do. And they both know they want to be more to each other than they have been, that they want to support each other in whatever way they can. And the distraction of exploring what is a STUNNINGLY described tomb (seriously, I want to VISIT these places, the descriptions are so gorgeous TT^TT), is exactly what they need to be able to get the ball rolling on helping each other out of the pits they're both still in. It's a beautiful glimpse into the future of what their relationship might look like once Li Cu has grown into himself and I am HERE for every bit of it.
And on a personal note, I am really grateful to this fic. In the end it all comes around to the importance of finding balance. And that's something I've struggled with a lot, especially this past year. I've been trying really hard to get back into balance with myself, with my career, my family, my writing, my EVERYTHING. And I've only just now started sorting out what I need to do to get there. So having that be the punchline to a fic I really enjoyed felt like the Universe sitting up and pointing my face where I needed to go.
I've got the message now. Thanks. ;D
AND I MADE IT WITH 2-3 HOURS TO SPARE. :D :D :D
Anyway, I hope you enjoy these, even if they're no longer anonymous by the time you get to them. ^_^
Thanks for listening!
I was worried, though, about how I would feel come Yuletide collection reveal morning. And it was... weird. I'll definitely say that. But with the weight of stressing about how my own stories were doing lifted off my back, a funny thing happened. For the first time in YEARS, I had the emotional and mental energy to READ. I read SO MUCH. I read in so many fandoms. I left the kinds of comments for people that I always love to see on my own fic. And I had So. Much. FUN. I even put together an AO3 bookmark collection with all of my favorites that I'd read. (...ngl, I'm pretty sure it was everything. The quality of everything I read was incredibly high. You all ROCK.) But because this is the first time that I've been this excited about the collection itself in so many years, I thought I'd make a proper rec post to go along with my AO3 collection.
So, first off, the AO3 bookmark collection: eirenical's yuletide 2022 recs.
I didn't really write anything there, though I may go change that after I write up the list here. And now... on to the list! :D
First things first: the four amazing gift fic I received, which would have gone on this list even if they hadn't been mine because they were AMAZING. :D :D :D (Seriously, guys, I don't know what I did to deserve the incredible bounty of gifts I've had over the years in this exchange, but whatever it was, thank you SO MUCH.)
My Gifts!
something warm (T); 1,178 words
Thermos "Magic Cottage" Commercial | L'Oréal "Time Engraver" Commercials
This fic was everything I could have asked for out of the whimsy of these commercials and the crossover with the Time Engraver commercials just added to the fun. ^_^ I was delighted by the Gardener's interactions with the humans he met and with the Scrivener in the Tower. I love that he never lost hope, even when things were bleak, because that's a thing I often need a reminder of. This fic had a lot of heart and it was like a warm hug. ^_^
Brotherly help (T); 2,013 words
怒海潜沙&秦岭神树 | Explore with the Note & The Lost Tomb (TV)
Zhai Xingyao is SUCH a brat and especially to Xiao Hua and that just shines in this fic. :D I love the moments of seriousness from him, too, though, when you catch a glimpse of the darkness inside him that's a match for Xiao Hua's and shows them for the brothers they really are, in spirit, if not in body. And I ALWAYS LOVE ME SOME HUAXIE CRUMBS, SO THAT'S FUN, TOO. ^_______^ And this lead-in to Sha Hai time period is always one of my favorites, so ^_^ again.
he ain't heavy (he's my brother) (T); 1,496 words
怒海潜沙&秦岭神树 | Explore with the Note & The Lost Tomb (TV) | 盗墓笔记 - 南派三叔 | The Grave Robbers' Chronicles - Xu Lei
Another GLORIOUS Xiao Hua and Zhai Xingyao fic, this time featuring silence pollen and the aftermath of dealing with it mid-tomb. A very different take on their brotherly interactions, more light-hearted and fun but just as deep and just as loving and just as worried when things go wrong. I love how much they both look out for each other and how deeply afraid they each were for each other, even if they were reluctant to show it. But they're such a good team and know exactly how they can lean on each other, and it all comes right in the end. ^_^ This felt so true to their canon interactions and it was lovely to read!
no space (T); 1,192 words
心宅猎人 | Psych-Hunter (TV)
THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED. And Qin Er isn't willing to let Jiang Shuo have it to himself for once! XD Of course, he then sends himself straight into a "Dear holy fuck, what did I just get myself into" panic… but that's totally valid, Qin Er. I'm sure we'd all panic with Jiang Shuo pressed that close. ^_~ BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE. After being trapped in that Psych without Jiang Shuo, Qin Er has nightmares, only now Jiang Shuo is RIGHT THERE to witness it and try to help in the aftermath. And it's so sweet and so touching and something I desperately needed after that episode. But it never gets too dark, as Jiang Shuo is right there to lighten the mood and to help. ^_^
Seriously, guys, I was SO AMAZINGLY FORTUNATE with my gifts this year. Every one of them was so exactly what I wanted and I can't thank my four authors enough. ^_^
And now for the other 16!
A - P
What Sweeter Music (T); 3,961 words
Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper
Will and Bran reunite after many years apart and it's as easy and as difficult as a reunion ever could be when fate is involved. A lovely revisit of one of my perennial favorites. Will I ever get tired of Will and Bran reunion stories? NO. And this one is particularly lovely and really fits the tone of the original books. ^_^
down to the gutter, up to the glitter (G); 2,713
Hair (1979)
Claude and Berger reunite after the war at a grave that should have belonged to one of them, yet belonged to neither. And Berger may be a broken mess after everything he saw over there, but Claude is there for him no matter what state he's in. Ever time I think "maybe this is the year I'm over these two enough to move them off my phone screen", it turns out NO, I AM NOT. I AM REALLY NOT. TT^TT This was a lovely happy ending for a story that didn't have one and it made me cry in the best of ways. ^_^
In Her Blood (T); 1,346 words
Ocean's Eleven Trilogy (Movies), Ocean's 8 (2018)
THE CODA TO OCEAN'S 8 THAT I ALWAYS WANTED. Danny would have loved it… and he did. And now Debbie gets to meet him on equal footing and carry on with their next great adventure. ^_^ Seriously, that line always felt like an unresolved note, and this added scene is everything I could have wanted to resolve it. ^_^
Roy Campbell's Front Door Has Always Been Blue (G); 4,450 words
Pleasantville (1998)
…I'm sensing a pattern here in my recs, but this is ALSO the coda to THIS movie I always wanted but never got. XD ANYWAY. It turns out the universe isn't quite as balanced as David thought it would be when he returned, and it requires a trip back to Pleasantville to set it right. Fortunately, he has a brilliant sister and a loving trio of parental figures there to help him put it all to rights. Hints of my favorite poly trio, if you squint. :D
Sh - Su
Awkward (T); 1,775 words
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Marvel Cinematic Universe
I came out of this movie shipping Katy and Xu Xuliang like WHOA and this fic was a really fun look at what their relationship would look like (complications and all) once the movie was over. The author really captured Katy's voice and turn of phrase and I maintain that this is still the most relatable thing ever:
The fact that she was currently sinking lower in her corner seat in the cute little bistro they were seated in, wondering if she could keep going until she'd slid under the table and crawl her way out, had nothing to do with shame and everything to do with the desire to avoid an uncomfortable social situation.
XD
Summer in the City (G); 3,791 words
Stand By Me (1986), The Body - Stephen King
I love this movie with the passion of all my adolescent self. I watched it until I wore my tape out. This is a lovely look at what the transition from the closeness Gordie and Chris still shared in high school to the way they drifted apart. One last summer. One last chance to be them before they move on and become their own people. And it was the softest, most accepting coming out I think I've ever read, and without the cliché of "falling in love with the straight best friend." No hesitance, no awkwardness, just acceptance, if a little clumsily. And Gordie moving step by hesitant step to follow Chris for as long as he can. This movie always fills me with a specific brand of bittersweet nostalgia, and the fic captured exactly the same tone. A lovely read. ^_^
meeting in the middle (T); 1,445 words
Superman Returns (2006)
Oh we are on the nostalgia train TONIGHT. XD This movie left me wanting so much more and with so many more questions and always a little sad that there was never another movie after it. It was a little microcosm all its own. And this fic took that on and gave us a glimpse into what might have come next. Richard and Superman meeting, one father to another, to figure out what's best for the child they both love. (…and maybe a hint of something more for both of them, too? ^_~) It was a wonderful look at these two: Richard laying down boundaries in ways he can barely believe he's doing and Superman accepting them, willing to do whatever it takes to make up for what he's already missed. And then a settling into a joking, playful camaraderie that has the potential for so much more. And reading this fic brought me RIGHT BACK to having seen this movie the first time, and I really enjoyed the trip back down memory lane. ^_^
T - Z
Pick a card, any card—BUT NOT THAT ONE (G); 1,641 words
Tarot (Divination Cards)
This was HILARIOUS. XD If you know anything about tarot, you will probably enjoy this fic. The cards and their personalities were so spot on and even the personalities of the decks themselves was so in line with how I see them. It was GREAT. XD I whimsical bit of fun that you can only produce if you truly love what you're having fun with. ^_^
The Way We Seek Each Other (G); 1,911 words
The Tarot Sequence - K.D. Edwards
I just got into this series this year (just a month or two ago in fact), and this soft bit of fluff was just what the doctor ordered for the brand new Misfit Court. ^_^ Just like the original, it still has its knives buried just below the surface to give the fun meaning, and no lighthearted game can be ONLY that in a world like there's, but this is probably as close as they get to it, and I'm so glad they got to have that. ^_^
What else should I be? (M); 2,309 words
Velvet Goldmine (1998)
Another perennial favorite. I love this movie with my whole heart. It is dark and it is fucked up and it will rip your heart out seven ways to Sunday, but still there's HOPE in it. And this fic delivers in the same way. Curt may not be sure of his place in this new world, if he even has a place in it, but he wants to try. Wants to try AGAIN. And his reunion with Arthur (even if he doesn't know it for that), was like a drawback to that time before, but in a way that meshes it with the present and gives it new meaning.
…and the sex was hot af. ;D
Millay: Variations and Fugue on a Theme (M); 1,418 words
Westworld (TV)
Oh Maeve. Oh Maeve, oh Maeve. TT^TT I just finished this series a few weeks ago and Maeve's ending broke my entire heart, especially as now we'll never know what would have come next for her, if anything at all. But this was a lovely character study and a glimpse into what closure could have meant for her, if she'd had a chance to have it.
Series Titles starting with Hanzi
Impulse Control (or the lack thereof) (E); 8,143 words
镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
OK, first of all, this fic is INCREDIBLY hot from start to finish. Zhao Yunlan gets a tattoo, Shen Wei likes it FAR more than expected and lets his control freak flag fly. (…now I know I'm getting loopy, I couldn't even say that in my head. XD) ANYWAY. SEX ENSUES. A LOT of sex, with bonus feelings and character study and I had really really started to think I was over these two but WOW, I AM NOT. This was so incredibly in character for both of them, and I loved every word of it. ^_^
sharing moonlight (T); 1,815 words
镇魂 | Guardian – priest
And on the complete flipside we have this lovely little family piece: Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei, and Da Qing going to Zhao Yunlan's parents house for the holiday and being treated as though they both belong and always have. ^_^ Shen Wei is the best son-in-law, Zhao Yunlan is a bit of a bad boy, and Da Qing is spoiled (as he should be) by Shen Wei, at least, if not by Zhao Yunlan. ^_~ I loved this happy ending and seeing how all of Zhao Yunlan's family just fully accepted Shen Wei and Da Qing as if they naturally belonged there. They deserve all the soft, happy family times they can get!
The Room Where It Happens (T); 2,168 words
全职高手 | The King's Avatar (Live Action TV)
Another new addition to my fandom family and I haven't even finished it yet, but I saw this and the characters involved intrigued me, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Qiu Fei and Sun Xiang are an unlikely set of characters to throw together, or so I thought, but this fic convinced me that they'd make a good partnership. ^_^ They're enough of a challenge to each other to keep the training interesting, both with a competitive edge that doesn't slow down, but Qiu Fei had time being trained by Ye Xiu that Sun Xiang never had. He learned compassion and a more idealistic view of the game and he isn't facing the same pressures; and that's something he can bring to their partnership that Sun Xiang doesn't have. And I love the hints of teasing playful camaraderie that you can just see started to built between them. And the moments between Ye Xiu and Qiu Fei both broke my heart and mended it and left me making all kinds of whimpery noises. I'm very glad I gave this one a chance! ^_^
Relatedly (T); 2,298 words
盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV)
OH HEY, ANOTHER ONE THAT I'M GOING TO SAY "THIS WAS THE UNRESOLVED CODA I ALWAYS WANTED FOR THIS SHOW." XD Seriously; this is clearly a pattern. But IT'S STILL TRUE, SO OH WELL. This is a lovely look at the relationship between Wu Xie and Ershu post-TLTR. And it's a brilliant character study of them and their relationship, too. The characterizations are spot on, and I love how Wu Xie is so incredibly understanding of Ershu (and Ershu's pride), but he's just enough of a chaos gremlin to know when he needs to allow space… and when he needs to push into that space and knock his Ershu off balance so he'll start moving forwards. And Ershu is just enough of a gremlin himself to give it right back in some ways. ;D I also love the moment of connection they had over their sexualities, something I'd always wished to see on screen, even if it couldn't happen. (Ace!EVERYONE! :D :D :D) And there were some gorgeous lines in here that just made my breath catch. ^_^ Definitely something I've wanted for these two for a while and I'm so happy to have gotten to read it!
A Dragon in the Snow (T); 8,048 words
沙海 | Tomb of the Sea (TV)
And last by virtue of the alphabet but absolutely not last in any other way, this gorgeous fic looking at Wu Xie and Li Cu post-Sha Hai but prior to Xiaoge's return. (A ski trip, he said! It'll be fun, he said! No one said anything about a yeti!) …but it's Wu Xie. Of course there's a yeti. And of COURSE that lands them in a tomb, but that's the extent of the danger, really. ^_^ Because at its heart, the tomb is just the backdrop for some AMAZING character and relationship work between these two. Neither of them is quite right. They both still have a lot of healing to do. And they both know they want to be more to each other than they have been, that they want to support each other in whatever way they can. And the distraction of exploring what is a STUNNINGLY described tomb (seriously, I want to VISIT these places, the descriptions are so gorgeous TT^TT), is exactly what they need to be able to get the ball rolling on helping each other out of the pits they're both still in. It's a beautiful glimpse into the future of what their relationship might look like once Li Cu has grown into himself and I am HERE for every bit of it.
And on a personal note, I am really grateful to this fic. In the end it all comes around to the importance of finding balance. And that's something I've struggled with a lot, especially this past year. I've been trying really hard to get back into balance with myself, with my career, my family, my writing, my EVERYTHING. And I've only just now started sorting out what I need to do to get there. So having that be the punchline to a fic I really enjoyed felt like the Universe sitting up and pointing my face where I needed to go.
I've got the message now. Thanks. ;D
AND I MADE IT WITH 2-3 HOURS TO SPARE. :D :D :D
Anyway, I hope you enjoy these, even if they're no longer anonymous by the time you get to them. ^_^
Thanks for listening!
