[ ARASHI, DW, Merlin, One Piece, REBORN! ]
SHARING TIME:
OMFG, I am at 1380, which means I have less than 250 to go. Actually, I'm closer to 200 left than 250, I THINK I SHOULD BE ABLE TO END THIS MAYBE WITHOUT TEARS.
N-now. I just have to decide if I'm doing this again next year. Given how easy this year was (along with having REBORN! and Merlin, two major fandoms that have a lot of fic in them), I think... yeah, I'm going to do it again next year and take it up another notch. 1,700 shouldn't be impossible, r-right? I mean... at least it's not 2,000. >__>
AND ONTO THE RECS:
ARASHI - 1 Fanfic
Doctor Who - 2 Fanfics
Katekyou Hitman REBORN! - 4 Fanfics
Merlin - 6 Fanfics
One Piece - 4 Doujinshi
2008 GOAL: 1380/1602
ARASHI: Pretty in blue by Circe - If there's one thing I love in Arashi fandom, it's when an author takes something from the canon (a moment in a tv episode or a snippet from an interview or something) and makes a fic out of it that's just so easy to see happening around that moment. Here Circe takes a fun photo shoot and spins something wonderful out of it, so much so that I'm having trouble not keyboardmashing kind of a lot. Because it's so fun and Ohno is so great and I love him SO MUCH when he's such a little shit and Ohmiya are on the same wavelength to make Sho laugh a little more or, you know, just cause havoc wherever they go and it's got this really amazing group dynamic. I-- God, I've never loved a group of people just for being themselves as much as I love Arashi. (....I'm labelling this group gen antics.)
Doctor Who: Wonders of the Universe by Aria - So, I was only intending to read Merlin fic today, then maybe wander over to some anime fandoms or something, but I was browsing through this author's work and saw, oh, hey, Ten/Martha! It's been awhile, so why not. And I got something thoroughly adorable with the Doctor and Martha on an alien planet and just seeing the sights and it's all fun and delightful. And then things turn south and Martha's so awesome while being so human and the final scene just. I could not love either of them more and, oh, what a punch that final paragraph was. ;__;♥ (Ten/Martha.)
Doctor Who: Manifesto by Aria - I almost regretted reading this fic second after I finished the previous one, because I wanted to end on a fic that was solely focused on Doctor/Martha. But, well, I read them in the order I did anyway. Which turns out to be a really wonderful thing because, oh, this fic was incredible for all the brilliant insights into all the characters, but most especially the Doctor. This is one of those fics that understands him and really, truly gets him in a way that I agree with so much that it's almost a little painful, then wraps it all up in gorgeous writing. All the things unsaid, all the fears he has about letting himself love someone, all the ways the people in his life mattered and yet he kept himself isolated from them, all the ways Martha is not what he expected, all the ways she was the one to bring him back to life. I could not have agreed more or loved the gorgeousness of this fic more. *__* (Ten/everyone, Ten/Martha.)
Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: Adagio by vicious_lullaby - Another short one, I know, but there's something really sweet about this Gokudera/Tsuna piece without being cloying about it and I do not get to read enough about these two. It's got some lovely imagery and I love Tsuna's feelings about Gokudera, about how he wishes for something a little more, too, in the midst of their crazy life. Very sweet, without being too much. <3 (Gokudera/Tsuna.)
Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: Breaking of the Day by Branch - You know, I haven't really stumbled over a lot of fic in fandom that deals with Tsuna's role as Boss of the Vongola family, at least not as he's transitioning into it. This was a cool little read for that, Tsuna's nervousness and yet you can see the strength of his character that's starting to shine through. And I especially loved the interaction with Xanxus, who still wants to kill him, but each encounter crumbles away a little at his strength when facing off against Tsuna, who is just simply himself. I love that it actually got into the plot of REBORN! and it was nice to see Tsuna's character developed this way. (....well, this is gen, really, but sort of Tsuna/Xanxus interaction, I guess?)
Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: Breaking of the Day: Omake by Branch - [Note: This fic is a sequel to Break of the Day, it'll make more sense if you've read that one first.] Even while this is an extra little omake thing, I'm reminded here--as well as I was in the previous fic--of how much I actually kind of like Xanxus as a character. I wasn't particularly entranced with him during the Varia storyline, but as he's folded back into the rest of the background Vongola family storyline, I find him fascinating, especially with all the rough edges he has and the interaction with Tsuna. This is a humorous little thing, meant for fun, but it does spark that same feeling of interest from me. XD (....well, this is gen, really, but sort of Tsuna/Xanxus interaction, I guess?)
Katekyou Hitman REBORN!/xxxHOLiC: the silver branch, the small white flower by vicious_lullaby - Sometimes I still have that moment of pause, that moment where I think two series just can't possibly be crossed over as well as I would hope for them to be, not even if it's HOLiC. And yet. This one works so well, the way Watanuki and Tsuna connect, the sadness that Tsuna struggles with while he's dead, the things he says and doesn't say, the really wonderful Watanuki POV, the lovely insights and comparisons between the two series. And I loved the feel of this one, there was something bittersweet and quiet about it, something gentle and soft even when things were painful and impossible. That's what the best HOLiC stories should be. ♥ (Some Gokudera/Tsuna, it's only half the point.)
Merlin: Carrots and Curiosity by Triste - You know, Arthur turned out to be a character I grew terribly fond of over the course of the series and part of that is because he's such a typical guy, which this fic demonstrates beautifully. It's Arthur wondering what Gwen and Morgana get up to and just. Completely having no idea what two women would do together and Merlin, poor Merlin is so long-suffering and it's just. It's done with so much humor and love that it was delightful. I think I may have nearly choked with laughter once or twice, too. XD (Arthur/Merlin, Morgana/Guinevere.)
Merlin: Polishing Buttons by skellerbvvt - Tammaiya pointed this fic out to me earlier and, oh, god, more crying with the laughter. It can sometimes be difficult to pull off a narrative of someone being completely oblivious while the readers get what's going through the other characters' heads, but this one was pulled off wonderfully. Merlin's obliviousness and Arthur's frustrated patience, it walked this really fine line where I could buy that Merlin just wasn't getting it. And als;dkfjasl;kj crying at some of the scenes, the gifts that have been suddenly appearing on Merlin's pillow at night and his reactions to them, the way he worries about everything and then the tirades that Arthur goes off on, the stuff he makes Merlin do that's so obvious and yet. Oh, Merlin. I love him a lot. It was a really satisfying read and, I swear, there were a couple of points in the fic where I honestly had to pause for a moment to just sit there and laugh, I love it when a fic can make me do that. (Arthur/Merlin.)
Merlin: A Tardis in King Uther's Court by ramtops_witch - [ part 01 - part 02 - part 03 ] - This was a fun little Doctor Who/Merlin crossover. It's not meant to be taken particularly seriously, I don't think, but it was just light-hearted and silly and all the fun things a crossover between these two series should be. The first part starts out especially well, I could really just see the Doctor making an entrance exactly like that. XD (Arthur/Merlin.)
Merlin: Those Deep Places by svilleficrecs - [Note: Both this fic and this rec will have spoilers for 1x10.] This is so much of what I have been waiting for with the series (well, not that I expect makeouts and porn from the series, but the resolution of this particular secret Merlin's keeping) and just so damn good that I'm ready to keyboardmash my way through this rec. Even from halfway through the episode, it was rather obvious how it was going to end and I started thinking, you know, I hope that Arthur starts putting things together pretty soon. Then along comes this fic and yes it is so easy to see it going just like this, so satisfying to have Arthur putting the pieces together and everything falls into place, so satisfying to have Merlin's secret finally out and they have to react to it. It's gorgeous for all the emotion in it and how painful it was to read some of the scenes because Merlin's grief is very real, his fear is very real here. And I love Arthur so, so much here, how much he needs Merlin and how strong he is to work through everything that threatens to tear him apart. Then you also throw in some really, really hot porn and this totally becomes one of my favorite fics in the fandom so far. (Arthur/Merlin, NC-17.)
Merlin: Controllable Things by Aria - This is another take on the idea that someone has long known about Merlin's secret, but doesn't let on and I really like the way the author writes Arthur here, the way his thoughts go round when it comes to Merlin, the way there is of course a fear of magic, but it also plays on how we've seen Arthur be the same as his father. I adored this fic because of the lovely writing and wonderful characterization, but also because it fits so well with their relationship, how they each balance the other one--what one is afraid of, the other is not. The way one protects the other is similar to the way the other protects him as well. A very nice piece to read this afternoon. <3 (Arthur/Merlin.)
Merlin: Rarer Than by averaird - Another one Tammaiya pointed out to me earlier and I kind of loved a whole lot. It was written before 1x11 aired, I believe, so it was all speculation about what the Merlinverse unicorns would be like and has since been Jossed, but that doesn't stop this fic from being a really great read. Because nothing is ever funnier than Merlin's life being full of pain, of being outed (well, not in that way) by a unicorn. A vicious, bloody-thirsty unicorn that takes a liking to him. as;ldfkjasljk crying at just the thought again. But it's not just the concept that's delightful, the author also pulls the fic off really well, the dialogue is well done and characterization is solid and the UST is very tasty. <3 (Future Arthur/Merlin implied.)
One Piece Doujinshi (scanslated + raw) - Gran Happiness - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be freely joinable.] Now, only the first story in this doujinshi has been scanslated, which is only about ten pages long, but it's really super cute and worth a read. The whole doujinshi is really cute, actually, and there's even almost!porn, which is more about the R-rated intimacy and connection between them than about the porn itself. The art is rough in a lot of places, but! So many kisses! And the scanslated story is adorable--Luffy's staring at Nami and wishing she would come over, so she does and he thinks she's amazing for just knowing. Super, super adorable. <3 (Luffy/Nami, slightly R-rated in the second story.)
One Piece Doujinshi (raw) - moment of happiness - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be freely joinable.] Unfortunately, the second link on this post doesn't work, so I'm really only able to recommend the first one, but! I adore this doujinshika! I love how surprisingly detailed the art is, even if you can tell she's not that used to drawing the others besides Luffy and Nami, I adore how sharp everything looks and some of the crowd scenes look really kind of terrific and the story is so adorable and Luffy and Nami look terrific and, man, the cover is kind of really pretty and has gorgeous colors. Very, very fun to go through this afternoon. (Luffy/Nami.)
One Piece Doujinshi (scanslated) - Cook of the Sea - God, I love this anthology, the doujinshi just nail the canon style in a way that's completely amazing. And, okay, this story is kind of silly--a stray dandelion seed lands on Zoro's head and grows into a little creature that multiples at a rapid rate and they all take a liking to Sanji, following him around. And just. With any other series, it would be batshit, but because it's One Piece... somehow it works. Also, the art really helps and it's not overtly Zoro x Sanji, just sort of implied and it's a light little read and so fun. ♥ (Zoro/Sanji implied, but sort of more Zoro + Sanji than anything.)
One Piece Doujinshi (scanslated) - Zoro's Missing - And this one is just lolariously amusing and random, as Zoro is asleep on the deck, a large wave crashes over him, sweeping him off to Marimo Island and just... asdl;fkjasljk it's so silly and random and in the spirit of One Piece that I loved it. I also loved that it was another one that could have been totally gen, there weren't even any implications of feelings on either Zoro or Sanji's part, it was just a fun story where Sanji had to go kick Zoro in the face to knock some sense into him. The art isn't maybe quite as strong as Yamato's, but it still really did a great job with the OP canon style! (This is pretty gen, but if you like Zoro/Sanji, you should like this.)
OMFG, I am at 1380, which means I have less than 250 to go. Actually, I'm closer to 200 left than 250, I THINK I SHOULD BE ABLE TO END THIS MAYBE WITHOUT TEARS.
N-now. I just have to decide if I'm doing this again next year. Given how easy this year was (along with having REBORN! and Merlin, two major fandoms that have a lot of fic in them), I think... yeah, I'm going to do it again next year and take it up another notch. 1,700 shouldn't be impossible, r-right? I mean... at least it's not 2,000. >__>
AND ONTO THE RECS:
ARASHI - 1 Fanfic
Doctor Who - 2 Fanfics
Katekyou Hitman REBORN! - 4 Fanfics
Merlin - 6 Fanfics
One Piece - 4 Doujinshi
2008 GOAL: 1380/1602
ARASHI: Pretty in blue by Circe - If there's one thing I love in Arashi fandom, it's when an author takes something from the canon (a moment in a tv episode or a snippet from an interview or something) and makes a fic out of it that's just so easy to see happening around that moment. Here Circe takes a fun photo shoot and spins something wonderful out of it, so much so that I'm having trouble not keyboardmashing kind of a lot. Because it's so fun and Ohno is so great and I love him SO MUCH when he's such a little shit and Ohmiya are on the same wavelength to make Sho laugh a little more or, you know, just cause havoc wherever they go and it's got this really amazing group dynamic. I-- God, I've never loved a group of people just for being themselves as much as I love Arashi. (....I'm labelling this group gen antics.)
Doctor Who: Wonders of the Universe by Aria - So, I was only intending to read Merlin fic today, then maybe wander over to some anime fandoms or something, but I was browsing through this author's work and saw, oh, hey, Ten/Martha! It's been awhile, so why not. And I got something thoroughly adorable with the Doctor and Martha on an alien planet and just seeing the sights and it's all fun and delightful. And then things turn south and Martha's so awesome while being so human and the final scene just. I could not love either of them more and, oh, what a punch that final paragraph was. ;__;♥ (Ten/Martha.)
Doctor Who: Manifesto by Aria - I almost regretted reading this fic second after I finished the previous one, because I wanted to end on a fic that was solely focused on Doctor/Martha. But, well, I read them in the order I did anyway. Which turns out to be a really wonderful thing because, oh, this fic was incredible for all the brilliant insights into all the characters, but most especially the Doctor. This is one of those fics that understands him and really, truly gets him in a way that I agree with so much that it's almost a little painful, then wraps it all up in gorgeous writing. All the things unsaid, all the fears he has about letting himself love someone, all the ways the people in his life mattered and yet he kept himself isolated from them, all the ways Martha is not what he expected, all the ways she was the one to bring him back to life. I could not have agreed more or loved the gorgeousness of this fic more. *__* (Ten/everyone, Ten/Martha.)
Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: Adagio by vicious_lullaby - Another short one, I know, but there's something really sweet about this Gokudera/Tsuna piece without being cloying about it and I do not get to read enough about these two. It's got some lovely imagery and I love Tsuna's feelings about Gokudera, about how he wishes for something a little more, too, in the midst of their crazy life. Very sweet, without being too much. <3 (Gokudera/Tsuna.)
Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: Breaking of the Day by Branch - You know, I haven't really stumbled over a lot of fic in fandom that deals with Tsuna's role as Boss of the Vongola family, at least not as he's transitioning into it. This was a cool little read for that, Tsuna's nervousness and yet you can see the strength of his character that's starting to shine through. And I especially loved the interaction with Xanxus, who still wants to kill him, but each encounter crumbles away a little at his strength when facing off against Tsuna, who is just simply himself. I love that it actually got into the plot of REBORN! and it was nice to see Tsuna's character developed this way. (....well, this is gen, really, but sort of Tsuna/Xanxus interaction, I guess?)
Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: Breaking of the Day: Omake by Branch - [Note: This fic is a sequel to Break of the Day, it'll make more sense if you've read that one first.] Even while this is an extra little omake thing, I'm reminded here--as well as I was in the previous fic--of how much I actually kind of like Xanxus as a character. I wasn't particularly entranced with him during the Varia storyline, but as he's folded back into the rest of the background Vongola family storyline, I find him fascinating, especially with all the rough edges he has and the interaction with Tsuna. This is a humorous little thing, meant for fun, but it does spark that same feeling of interest from me. XD (....well, this is gen, really, but sort of Tsuna/Xanxus interaction, I guess?)
Katekyou Hitman REBORN!/xxxHOLiC: the silver branch, the small white flower by vicious_lullaby - Sometimes I still have that moment of pause, that moment where I think two series just can't possibly be crossed over as well as I would hope for them to be, not even if it's HOLiC. And yet. This one works so well, the way Watanuki and Tsuna connect, the sadness that Tsuna struggles with while he's dead, the things he says and doesn't say, the really wonderful Watanuki POV, the lovely insights and comparisons between the two series. And I loved the feel of this one, there was something bittersweet and quiet about it, something gentle and soft even when things were painful and impossible. That's what the best HOLiC stories should be. ♥ (Some Gokudera/Tsuna, it's only half the point.)
Merlin: Carrots and Curiosity by Triste - You know, Arthur turned out to be a character I grew terribly fond of over the course of the series and part of that is because he's such a typical guy, which this fic demonstrates beautifully. It's Arthur wondering what Gwen and Morgana get up to and just. Completely having no idea what two women would do together and Merlin, poor Merlin is so long-suffering and it's just. It's done with so much humor and love that it was delightful. I think I may have nearly choked with laughter once or twice, too. XD (Arthur/Merlin, Morgana/Guinevere.)
Merlin: Polishing Buttons by skellerbvvt - Tammaiya pointed this fic out to me earlier and, oh, god, more crying with the laughter. It can sometimes be difficult to pull off a narrative of someone being completely oblivious while the readers get what's going through the other characters' heads, but this one was pulled off wonderfully. Merlin's obliviousness and Arthur's frustrated patience, it walked this really fine line where I could buy that Merlin just wasn't getting it. And als;dkfjasl;kj crying at some of the scenes, the gifts that have been suddenly appearing on Merlin's pillow at night and his reactions to them, the way he worries about everything and then the tirades that Arthur goes off on, the stuff he makes Merlin do that's so obvious and yet. Oh, Merlin. I love him a lot. It was a really satisfying read and, I swear, there were a couple of points in the fic where I honestly had to pause for a moment to just sit there and laugh, I love it when a fic can make me do that. (Arthur/Merlin.)
Merlin: A Tardis in King Uther's Court by ramtops_witch - [ part 01 - part 02 - part 03 ] - This was a fun little Doctor Who/Merlin crossover. It's not meant to be taken particularly seriously, I don't think, but it was just light-hearted and silly and all the fun things a crossover between these two series should be. The first part starts out especially well, I could really just see the Doctor making an entrance exactly like that. XD (Arthur/Merlin.)
Merlin: Those Deep Places by svilleficrecs - [Note: Both this fic and this rec will have spoilers for 1x10.] This is so much of what I have been waiting for with the series (well, not that I expect makeouts and porn from the series, but the resolution of this particular secret Merlin's keeping) and just so damn good that I'm ready to keyboardmash my way through this rec. Even from halfway through the episode, it was rather obvious how it was going to end and I started thinking, you know, I hope that Arthur starts putting things together pretty soon. Then along comes this fic and yes it is so easy to see it going just like this, so satisfying to have Arthur putting the pieces together and everything falls into place, so satisfying to have Merlin's secret finally out and they have to react to it. It's gorgeous for all the emotion in it and how painful it was to read some of the scenes because Merlin's grief is very real, his fear is very real here. And I love Arthur so, so much here, how much he needs Merlin and how strong he is to work through everything that threatens to tear him apart. Then you also throw in some really, really hot porn and this totally becomes one of my favorite fics in the fandom so far. (Arthur/Merlin, NC-17.)
Merlin: Controllable Things by Aria - This is another take on the idea that someone has long known about Merlin's secret, but doesn't let on and I really like the way the author writes Arthur here, the way his thoughts go round when it comes to Merlin, the way there is of course a fear of magic, but it also plays on how we've seen Arthur be the same as his father. I adored this fic because of the lovely writing and wonderful characterization, but also because it fits so well with their relationship, how they each balance the other one--what one is afraid of, the other is not. The way one protects the other is similar to the way the other protects him as well. A very nice piece to read this afternoon. <3 (Arthur/Merlin.)
Merlin: Rarer Than by averaird - Another one Tammaiya pointed out to me earlier and I kind of loved a whole lot. It was written before 1x11 aired, I believe, so it was all speculation about what the Merlinverse unicorns would be like and has since been Jossed, but that doesn't stop this fic from being a really great read. Because nothing is ever funnier than Merlin's life being full of pain, of being outed (well, not in that way) by a unicorn. A vicious, bloody-thirsty unicorn that takes a liking to him. as;ldfkjasljk crying at just the thought again. But it's not just the concept that's delightful, the author also pulls the fic off really well, the dialogue is well done and characterization is solid and the UST is very tasty. <3 (Future Arthur/Merlin implied.)
One Piece Doujinshi (scanslated + raw) - Gran Happiness - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be freely joinable.] Now, only the first story in this doujinshi has been scanslated, which is only about ten pages long, but it's really super cute and worth a read. The whole doujinshi is really cute, actually, and there's even almost!porn, which is more about the R-rated intimacy and connection between them than about the porn itself. The art is rough in a lot of places, but! So many kisses! And the scanslated story is adorable--Luffy's staring at Nami and wishing she would come over, so she does and he thinks she's amazing for just knowing. Super, super adorable. <3 (Luffy/Nami, slightly R-rated in the second story.)
One Piece Doujinshi (raw) - moment of happiness - [Note: This post is locked, but the comm should be freely joinable.] Unfortunately, the second link on this post doesn't work, so I'm really only able to recommend the first one, but! I adore this doujinshika! I love how surprisingly detailed the art is, even if you can tell she's not that used to drawing the others besides Luffy and Nami, I adore how sharp everything looks and some of the crowd scenes look really kind of terrific and the story is so adorable and Luffy and Nami look terrific and, man, the cover is kind of really pretty and has gorgeous colors. Very, very fun to go through this afternoon. (Luffy/Nami.)
One Piece Doujinshi (scanslated) - Cook of the Sea - God, I love this anthology, the doujinshi just nail the canon style in a way that's completely amazing. And, okay, this story is kind of silly--a stray dandelion seed lands on Zoro's head and grows into a little creature that multiples at a rapid rate and they all take a liking to Sanji, following him around. And just. With any other series, it would be batshit, but because it's One Piece... somehow it works. Also, the art really helps and it's not overtly Zoro x Sanji, just sort of implied and it's a light little read and so fun. ♥ (Zoro/Sanji implied, but sort of more Zoro + Sanji than anything.)
One Piece Doujinshi (scanslated) - Zoro's Missing - And this one is just lolariously amusing and random, as Zoro is asleep on the deck, a large wave crashes over him, sweeping him off to Marimo Island and just... asdl;fkjasljk it's so silly and random and in the spirit of One Piece that I loved it. I also loved that it was another one that could have been totally gen, there weren't even any implications of feelings on either Zoro or Sanji's part, it was just a fun story where Sanji had to go kick Zoro in the face to knock some sense into him. The art isn't maybe quite as strong as Yamato's, but it still really did a great job with the OP canon style! (This is pretty gen, but if you like Zoro/Sanji, you should like this.)