[ AngelBeats!, El Shaddai, Durarara!!, Final Fantasy VII, Glee ]
SHARING TIME:
ღ - Same warnings as before! Pixiv needs an account, don't be an asshole about fanart. Assume all Glee recs are spoilery.
ღ - Oh my god. This image is the most amazing image on Pixiv ever right now. (PSwG fusion with Sephiroth and Cloud? Never. Going. To. Stop. Laughing.)
AND ONTO THE RECS:
Glee - 10 Fanfics
AngelBeats! - 2 Fanart
El Shaddai - 1 Fanart
Durarara!! - 1 Fanart
Final Fantasy VII - 1 Fanart
Glee: A Thoroughly Average Boy by poetikat - In some ways, this is almost a difficult fic to read because it's hard to watch Karofsky growing up, realizing there's something a little different about himself, and the decision to hide it and the way young boys act like young boys. While the fic also goes the route of having Karofsky's family be homophobic, there are bright spots along the way (like his older sister here) that almost make things harder in some ways. I like that there's a very tangible feeling of how high school is not the end of the world and how Karofsky's life does eventually get better. I like the way it takes place over time and it's not easy, but it's all the more satisfying for it. (Potential Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: Cheetos by revengent - I was sort of wary to pick up this fic, because Karofsky with an eating disorder? It seemed all too easily headed down the road to cliche wangst. But I decided to give it a shot anyway and I'm so glad I did, because the writing was very lovely and somehow the author managed to sell me on this concept. I like that it wasn't overnight, that it takes a bit of time, that there's this storm of emotions going on with the piece, that it doesn't go for the over the top angst, but instead internalizes it more. It's a really kind of compelling, engaging piece and I just. Really liked it a lot. (Sort of Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: I'm Sorry by Phantom of a Rose - This fic deals with Karofsky attempting suicide, the way his life unravels afterwards, and how things shake out from there. It's probably not going to be for everyone, it very much features a softer, fluffier take on Karofsky's character (albeit, he's kind of hit rock bottom and has more support than he thought he would have, but that doesn't mean things are easy for him afterwards) but I found that it was such a cathartic fic that I enjoyed the entire ride. Sometimes I just want to read about Karofsky dealing with being out at the school (which is semi-rare, considering the fandom) and this fic came along at just the right time for that. (Semi-Karofsky/Kurt, but probably more one-sided than anything here.)
Glee: Utopia by RococonoKokoro - Speaking of taking a softer, fluffier version on Karofsky, this fic does much the same thing and, yet, I still can't help falling for it because it's very internalized here and I really just like the way this was written. Sometimes I need to read fics like this to remind myself that Karofsky is a character that I believe feels incredibly trapped and miserable by what he is, that there's so much longing and hurt there that it winds him up like this. It's a short piece, but it didn't need to be any longer than it was. (Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: A Master's in Reverse Psychology by janegodzilla - I picked the link for this fic up off this post and I'm sorry I missed it up until now because it's an intense as hell story, where the author does a brilliant job at showing how painful it is to be Dave Karofsky in the middle of this... everything he's in the middle of. But she also doesn't excuse his behavior, you get why Kurt is legitimately terrified, why Karofsky's actions are unexcusable. (But also Kurt is kind of awesome even when he's terrified out of his mind.) This fic makes Karofsky very human, it has a take on the bullying that I fall in line with--there's this all this mixed up, hurting, angry, painful for everyone stuff that's driving Karofsky, and there's certainly no easy way out in sight. But the writing is fantastic and a must-read piece, as far as I'm concerned. (Sort of one-sided Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: Another Question in Another Hall by DumbHumanLikeYou - I'm always a little wary of fics with a premise like this one--Kurt finds himself back in the McKinley locker room while waiting to pick Finn up from practice. Enter Karofsky, with a question. It's not the question Kurt was expecting to hear.--because I'm always wary that it'll be a little too easy to have Karofsky suddenly turn around, but somehow it works in this fic. We don't really see what's going through Karofsky's head, just that he's at something of a turning point and the conversation mostly falls on Kurt after Karofsky asks an important question. It's a touch awkward, it's uncomfortable, but it's also cathartic and I hope that this is the direction the show eventually goes in. It's another one of those fics that doesn't excuse what Karofsky's done, but it still makes him human and has the potential for something better. (This is entirely gen, some blink and you'll miss it references to background ships, but the focus is on the Karofsky/Kurt dynamic.)
Glee: Taking Chances by fatal-scribbles - I'll warn ahead of time that this is another of those fics that's on the fluffy side of things, that it was written before we really saw the aftermath post-Never Been Kissed and so it feels easier here than it probably could ever be in the actual canon. But that's okay, because sometimes I really want to skip over all the hard stuff (since I read a lot of it anyway) and it's also okay because the author doesn't skip over what needs to be addressed here--that things aren't okay as they stand and need to change. The final scenes might have been fluffy angst, but they were satisfying emotionally and the writing is lovely here, the author's Kurt is very nicely done, and it was just. Well, really satisfying, like I said. Sometimes I just want something happier, too, especially if an author can make me actually buy it. (Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: Somewhere Only We Know by countrybutterfly - I feel like this story shouldn't work, that Karofsky and Blaine knowing each other and the other little reveal the author puts into the story, it should somehow break the limit of what I'm willing to believe. And I'll admit that the fic is more tell-than-show at points, but... somehow it really worked for me. It's a really interesting explanation for Karofsky's behavior, I kind of love the dynamic between him and Blaine here, and the background/world building here is super interesting and I'm kind of dying that it's only a oneshot. The author's notes at the end are also interesting and... as far-fetched as this is, it's kind of makes sense with all the information we have at this point. (This is gen, but there's mentions of the Karofsky/Kurt dynamic.)
Glee: untitled by anon - So, apparently, I am deep enough into Glee fandom again that I've started browsing the memes and just. I don't do that and yet... ugh, here I am. Not that that's a comment on the memes themselves, just that I don't like recommending anonfic. But, whatever. Mike/Tina smut, I needed it, okay. And this was a short piece, but I loved it kind of ridiculously because it's so perfect for them and I love what an adorable couple they are together, I love how Mike really has been a good boyfriend and even if it's just a short piece for Tina going down on Mike, she was beautifully IC here. Plus, porn! For Mike and Tina! \o/ (Mike/Tina, NC-17.)
Glee: The Kids Are Alright by iateyourheart - This is kind of a beautifully intense look at Dave Karofsky after Never Been Kissed and the absolute shitstorm of emotions he goes through that... again, it's my favorite thing in this fandom right now, the way authors humanize the character and explain him, but they don't excuse the behavior, either. It's almost a painful read in some ways because it's so hard, but the author really nails the character and his behavior, the anger and the frustration and the hurt and the exhaustion and the fear and everything. Plus, the writing is lovely and I'm kind of super looking forward to where this goes. (Eventual Karofsky/Kurt.)
- AngelBeats! - [ Pixiv Account ] - Sometimes I really miss the peak of this fandom, because the art was just incredible and there was so much of it and it seemed kind of endless! I especially get that feeling when I stumble over an artist like this, who has a solid amount of art in their AngelBeats! gallery and there's some nice art of Noda and Yuri, Tachibana, Otonashi, and Hinata and that cg style on Hinata and Otonashi that probably won't work for everyone, but I'm kind of weak towards, especially at sunset. Also, formal suits and maid costumes, because this author knows what fandom likes! And I enjoy that it's the kind of Hinata/Otonashi art that got me so into the fandom in the first place, but there's also some occasional art of the other characters, I like that it's that glossy, shimmery kind of cg coloring that I enjoy, I like that I enjoy the group art just as much, and mostly I like the feeling I get after viewing an account like this. I remember how much fun this series was. ♥ (Hinata/Otonashi, some gen. Some NC-17 content if you're not careful.)
- AngelBeats! - [ Pixiv Account ] - I meant to move onto a different series after the previous AB! rec, just to get some more variety... but then I stumbled over this artist and I couldn't help but to cave on it. Because the artist drew pretty, airy Tachibana and lovely Yuri and Tachibana and some really cute Yui art! I am weak to artists who clearly like the AngelBeats! girls this much! And I do like the artist's cute style, the light and airy colors they use, and how smoothly everything comes together for them. This was just really fun! (Nothing consistent enough to warn for.)
- El Shaddai - [ Pixiv Account ] - This artist isn't what I normally look for when in new fandoms, but... well, I do like the multi-image comics, especially in fandoms that are fighting games and then show the characters attractively beaten up or there's hilarity with kidlets or just the occasional piece of beautifully colored art with that glossy, softened sheen that I really like. So, even if there's not a lot of traditional art, if the artist tends towards sketches or cute little short comics, I found that her b&w lineart was nicely done and her characters are very hot and I am all over the Lucifel/Enoch ship and this artist gave me my fix today. *__* (Lucifel/Enoch.)
- Durarara!! - [ Pixiv Account ] - I would have thought for sure I would have recommended this artist's Pixiv account before, because I know I've seen their work several times, but I can't seem to find it on any of my lists. I stumbled over them again today with their newest (at the time) Shizuo/Izaya image which was kind of utterly stunning and just... tumbled into the rest of their gallery again. And, of course, I love the Shizuo/Izaya art the most (because I'm okay being that kind of fan) but also the artist's amazingly hot Izaya (or Izaya with glasses!) is a seriously good reason to go over the entire gallery, too. The sharp, clean lines and fantastic detail are both professional looking and just really gorgeous. Plus, there's amazing high school era art! But mostly it's just that everything here is gorgeous. Totally one of the must-see accounts of the fandom with some of the most classic art of the fandom. (Some Shizuo/Izaya, some Shiki/Izaya, some other pairings, some gen. A little NSFW content if you're not careful.)
- Final Fantasy VII - [ Pixiv Account ] - I know I've been to this artist's account before, but I don't think I've recommended it properly, so I'm fixing that now. And, of course, I was attracted here because the artist is a Sephiroth/Cloud fan who draws cute Halloween art and Cloud fanservice and mocks Sephiroth and draws cute Sephiroth/Cloud from pre-game SOLDIER era days and vaguely NSFW animal-eared Sephiroth/Cloud and even the occasional bit of porn (well, light porn, but still). And makeouts in Sephiroth's lap. I appreciate all of these things. Like kind of a lot. And I loved this artist a lot. ♥ (Sephiroth/Cloud, occasional NSFW.)
ღ - Same warnings as before! Pixiv needs an account, don't be an asshole about fanart. Assume all Glee recs are spoilery.
ღ - Oh my god. This image is the most amazing image on Pixiv ever right now. (PSwG fusion with Sephiroth and Cloud? Never. Going. To. Stop. Laughing.)
AND ONTO THE RECS:
Glee - 10 Fanfics
AngelBeats! - 2 Fanart
El Shaddai - 1 Fanart
Durarara!! - 1 Fanart
Final Fantasy VII - 1 Fanart
Glee: A Thoroughly Average Boy by poetikat - In some ways, this is almost a difficult fic to read because it's hard to watch Karofsky growing up, realizing there's something a little different about himself, and the decision to hide it and the way young boys act like young boys. While the fic also goes the route of having Karofsky's family be homophobic, there are bright spots along the way (like his older sister here) that almost make things harder in some ways. I like that there's a very tangible feeling of how high school is not the end of the world and how Karofsky's life does eventually get better. I like the way it takes place over time and it's not easy, but it's all the more satisfying for it. (Potential Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: Cheetos by revengent - I was sort of wary to pick up this fic, because Karofsky with an eating disorder? It seemed all too easily headed down the road to cliche wangst. But I decided to give it a shot anyway and I'm so glad I did, because the writing was very lovely and somehow the author managed to sell me on this concept. I like that it wasn't overnight, that it takes a bit of time, that there's this storm of emotions going on with the piece, that it doesn't go for the over the top angst, but instead internalizes it more. It's a really kind of compelling, engaging piece and I just. Really liked it a lot. (Sort of Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: I'm Sorry by Phantom of a Rose - This fic deals with Karofsky attempting suicide, the way his life unravels afterwards, and how things shake out from there. It's probably not going to be for everyone, it very much features a softer, fluffier take on Karofsky's character (albeit, he's kind of hit rock bottom and has more support than he thought he would have, but that doesn't mean things are easy for him afterwards) but I found that it was such a cathartic fic that I enjoyed the entire ride. Sometimes I just want to read about Karofsky dealing with being out at the school (which is semi-rare, considering the fandom) and this fic came along at just the right time for that. (Semi-Karofsky/Kurt, but probably more one-sided than anything here.)
Glee: Utopia by RococonoKokoro - Speaking of taking a softer, fluffier version on Karofsky, this fic does much the same thing and, yet, I still can't help falling for it because it's very internalized here and I really just like the way this was written. Sometimes I need to read fics like this to remind myself that Karofsky is a character that I believe feels incredibly trapped and miserable by what he is, that there's so much longing and hurt there that it winds him up like this. It's a short piece, but it didn't need to be any longer than it was. (Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: A Master's in Reverse Psychology by janegodzilla - I picked the link for this fic up off this post and I'm sorry I missed it up until now because it's an intense as hell story, where the author does a brilliant job at showing how painful it is to be Dave Karofsky in the middle of this... everything he's in the middle of. But she also doesn't excuse his behavior, you get why Kurt is legitimately terrified, why Karofsky's actions are unexcusable. (But also Kurt is kind of awesome even when he's terrified out of his mind.) This fic makes Karofsky very human, it has a take on the bullying that I fall in line with--there's this all this mixed up, hurting, angry, painful for everyone stuff that's driving Karofsky, and there's certainly no easy way out in sight. But the writing is fantastic and a must-read piece, as far as I'm concerned. (Sort of one-sided Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: Another Question in Another Hall by DumbHumanLikeYou - I'm always a little wary of fics with a premise like this one--Kurt finds himself back in the McKinley locker room while waiting to pick Finn up from practice. Enter Karofsky, with a question. It's not the question Kurt was expecting to hear.--because I'm always wary that it'll be a little too easy to have Karofsky suddenly turn around, but somehow it works in this fic. We don't really see what's going through Karofsky's head, just that he's at something of a turning point and the conversation mostly falls on Kurt after Karofsky asks an important question. It's a touch awkward, it's uncomfortable, but it's also cathartic and I hope that this is the direction the show eventually goes in. It's another one of those fics that doesn't excuse what Karofsky's done, but it still makes him human and has the potential for something better. (This is entirely gen, some blink and you'll miss it references to background ships, but the focus is on the Karofsky/Kurt dynamic.)
Glee: Taking Chances by fatal-scribbles - I'll warn ahead of time that this is another of those fics that's on the fluffy side of things, that it was written before we really saw the aftermath post-Never Been Kissed and so it feels easier here than it probably could ever be in the actual canon. But that's okay, because sometimes I really want to skip over all the hard stuff (since I read a lot of it anyway) and it's also okay because the author doesn't skip over what needs to be addressed here--that things aren't okay as they stand and need to change. The final scenes might have been fluffy angst, but they were satisfying emotionally and the writing is lovely here, the author's Kurt is very nicely done, and it was just. Well, really satisfying, like I said. Sometimes I just want something happier, too, especially if an author can make me actually buy it. (Karofsky/Kurt.)
Glee: Somewhere Only We Know by countrybutterfly - I feel like this story shouldn't work, that Karofsky and Blaine knowing each other and the other little reveal the author puts into the story, it should somehow break the limit of what I'm willing to believe. And I'll admit that the fic is more tell-than-show at points, but... somehow it really worked for me. It's a really interesting explanation for Karofsky's behavior, I kind of love the dynamic between him and Blaine here, and the background/world building here is super interesting and I'm kind of dying that it's only a oneshot. The author's notes at the end are also interesting and... as far-fetched as this is, it's kind of makes sense with all the information we have at this point. (This is gen, but there's mentions of the Karofsky/Kurt dynamic.)
Glee: untitled by anon - So, apparently, I am deep enough into Glee fandom again that I've started browsing the memes and just. I don't do that and yet... ugh, here I am. Not that that's a comment on the memes themselves, just that I don't like recommending anonfic. But, whatever. Mike/Tina smut, I needed it, okay. And this was a short piece, but I loved it kind of ridiculously because it's so perfect for them and I love what an adorable couple they are together, I love how Mike really has been a good boyfriend and even if it's just a short piece for Tina going down on Mike, she was beautifully IC here. Plus, porn! For Mike and Tina! \o/ (Mike/Tina, NC-17.)
Glee: The Kids Are Alright by iateyourheart - This is kind of a beautifully intense look at Dave Karofsky after Never Been Kissed and the absolute shitstorm of emotions he goes through that... again, it's my favorite thing in this fandom right now, the way authors humanize the character and explain him, but they don't excuse the behavior, either. It's almost a painful read in some ways because it's so hard, but the author really nails the character and his behavior, the anger and the frustration and the hurt and the exhaustion and the fear and everything. Plus, the writing is lovely and I'm kind of super looking forward to where this goes. (Eventual Karofsky/Kurt.)
- AngelBeats! - [ Pixiv Account ] - Sometimes I really miss the peak of this fandom, because the art was just incredible and there was so much of it and it seemed kind of endless! I especially get that feeling when I stumble over an artist like this, who has a solid amount of art in their AngelBeats! gallery and there's some nice art of Noda and Yuri, Tachibana, Otonashi, and Hinata and that cg style on Hinata and Otonashi that probably won't work for everyone, but I'm kind of weak towards, especially at sunset. Also, formal suits and maid costumes, because this author knows what fandom likes! And I enjoy that it's the kind of Hinata/Otonashi art that got me so into the fandom in the first place, but there's also some occasional art of the other characters, I like that it's that glossy, shimmery kind of cg coloring that I enjoy, I like that I enjoy the group art just as much, and mostly I like the feeling I get after viewing an account like this. I remember how much fun this series was. ♥ (Hinata/Otonashi, some gen. Some NC-17 content if you're not careful.)
- AngelBeats! - [ Pixiv Account ] - I meant to move onto a different series after the previous AB! rec, just to get some more variety... but then I stumbled over this artist and I couldn't help but to cave on it. Because the artist drew pretty, airy Tachibana and lovely Yuri and Tachibana and some really cute Yui art! I am weak to artists who clearly like the AngelBeats! girls this much! And I do like the artist's cute style, the light and airy colors they use, and how smoothly everything comes together for them. This was just really fun! (Nothing consistent enough to warn for.)
- El Shaddai - [ Pixiv Account ] - This artist isn't what I normally look for when in new fandoms, but... well, I do like the multi-image comics, especially in fandoms that are fighting games and then show the characters attractively beaten up or there's hilarity with kidlets or just the occasional piece of beautifully colored art with that glossy, softened sheen that I really like. So, even if there's not a lot of traditional art, if the artist tends towards sketches or cute little short comics, I found that her b&w lineart was nicely done and her characters are very hot and I am all over the Lucifel/Enoch ship and this artist gave me my fix today. *__* (Lucifel/Enoch.)
- Durarara!! - [ Pixiv Account ] - I would have thought for sure I would have recommended this artist's Pixiv account before, because I know I've seen their work several times, but I can't seem to find it on any of my lists. I stumbled over them again today with their newest (at the time) Shizuo/Izaya image which was kind of utterly stunning and just... tumbled into the rest of their gallery again. And, of course, I love the Shizuo/Izaya art the most (because I'm okay being that kind of fan) but also the artist's amazingly hot Izaya (or Izaya with glasses!) is a seriously good reason to go over the entire gallery, too. The sharp, clean lines and fantastic detail are both professional looking and just really gorgeous. Plus, there's amazing high school era art! But mostly it's just that everything here is gorgeous. Totally one of the must-see accounts of the fandom with some of the most classic art of the fandom. (Some Shizuo/Izaya, some Shiki/Izaya, some other pairings, some gen. A little NSFW content if you're not careful.)
- Final Fantasy VII - [ Pixiv Account ] - I know I've been to this artist's account before, but I don't think I've recommended it properly, so I'm fixing that now. And, of course, I was attracted here because the artist is a Sephiroth/Cloud fan who draws cute Halloween art and Cloud fanservice and mocks Sephiroth and draws cute Sephiroth/Cloud from pre-game SOLDIER era days and vaguely NSFW animal-eared Sephiroth/Cloud and even the occasional bit of porn (well, light porn, but still). And makeouts in Sephiroth's lap. I appreciate all of these things. Like kind of a lot. And I loved this artist a lot. ♥ (Sephiroth/Cloud, occasional NSFW.)