69 Eagle Recs: Modern Setting AUs (Part I)
I recently discovered the glory that is the Eagle fandom - all thanks to the movie, which hardly could have been any slashier. (Seriously! Try to make it slashier, I dare you.) So, for weeks I’ve been binge-reading everything I can get my hands on. Cue the idea that I should make a rec list. Not the best impulse in hindsight, because that quickly spun out of proportions. Instead of making one rec list, I’ll now make several, beginning with modern setting Eagle AUs. I’ll also post rec lists for canon-era stories, canon-era AU stories, other pairing besides Marcus/Esca and an art rec list. Once I get the time to do so, at any rate.
I’m always immensely grateful if you can point out any stories that I’ve been missing and that you would like to see listed here.
(moar stories, I want moar!!!!1!)
As a general rule, I like every story listed here. Favorite stories of mine are labelled with three pretty ✩✩✩s, though. This, of course, is highly subjective. (I tend to go for the long and plotty ones). In a handful of cases I have also recommended stories that I have bookmarked to read, but haven’t read yet. I’ve done this if I knew other works of the same author, loved them and was fairly confident that any other story by the same author would also be good.
I listed the ratings as the author listed them (mostly as they are rated in AO3, ranging from G to E). However, I did not include the author’s warnings (that can be a really long list, depending on the story).
The stories are listed for length in each category.
That’s it, I think. Enjoy!
11/5/13 Update: Added some more stories and splitted the entry into two parts, as it got too big. Part II is here.
11/7/13 Update: Rearranged the list again, moved a few more stories to Part II.
9/15/14 Update: I removed four stories from this list due to my new journal policies (not to rec higher-rated stories in which the characters are not to of age). This is nothing personal against these stories! It’s just a rule I’m more comfortable with.
Alternative Universe stories
You and I Collide ✩✩✩
Author: magog_83
Pairing: Marcus Flavius Aquila/Esca Mac Cunoval
Rating: T
Length: 32 000
Summary: After an accident ends his hopes of a college football career, Marcus Aquila moves to the UK to attend university, where he makes enemies and friends - and whatever Esca is.
Comment: So, so good. One of my favorite Eagle stories and one of the funniest reads this side of the Hades! Seriously, I could practically quote the entire thing. I love that it’s not solely about Marcus and Esca, but about Cottia in equal terms - about their friendship, adventures and misadventures, about the whole college experience. Bad Christmas parties, camping on the beach, feuding with Ultimate!jerk!Placidus, activism and fox saving…it’s an irresistible and wonderful story told in two different time lines. Marcus and Esca are both most adorable, by the way. The obliviousness is strong in them!
Petting Teacher
Author: Pouxin
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 26 500
Summary: Dr. Marcus Aquila is an American teaching history at a university in England. There he meets Esca, a second year history student, and feels an immediate and overwhelming attraction - almost an obsession. But Esca's troubled past - in and out of foster care and a young offenders' home - has a strong influence on his attitudes, beliefs and behaviour, causing the path of their connection to be a very rocky one. This is a story about two complex men who are more similar than the other realises and whose beliefs have created a set of self-limitations that each of them struggles to overcome in order to find happiness.
Comment: I am very, very easily squicked by lecturer/student relationships. It’s almost impossible to write a story on this premise that I will like. As a result, the first part of “Petting Teacher” wasn’t my cup of tea. I thought that Esca was hard to tolerate and that Marcus surrendered control of the situation too easily, given his age and experiences. BUT…the second part of the story was driven by an entirely different dynamic, one that I liked. Once they got to know each other beyond superficial façades, their relationship got more balanced, sincere...and even downright sweet. I love that. [Spoiler (click to open)]I’m happy the story ended the way it did - it seemed like the most mature route they could have chosen, the one least likely to put either of them at risk.
The Boy With the Thorn In His Side ✩✩✩
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 25 300
Summary: In Chemistry class, outgoing hipster Esca is partnered with moody goth Marcus. After a rocky start, they become friends and Esca finds himself drawn to the mysterious boy behind all the makeup.
Comment: Incredibly sweet! Loved the pace and the interactions. Would have benefitted a bit from more world-building/secondary characters.
If You Can't Stand the Heat
Author: Aquila_Star
Type: Alternative Universe
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 18 200
Summary: The day Esca arrived at his dorm only to find it filled with noxious black smoke and his brand new cookware in ruins, he knew something had to be done.
Comment: A story of a developing relationship told almost entirely from the kitchen, circling Marcus’ and Esca’s cooking endeavours.
Conferencing
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a (estimated PG)
Length: 9300
Summary: For the prompt: I'd love to read a story about Marcus and Esca being academics in a similar field and Marcus fanboying like crazy over Esca, who is an expert on British tribes, especially the Brigantes, when they finally meet.
Comment: Very amusing, even if Marcus's social awkwardness reaches a painful level in the course of the story.
Untitled
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a (estimated PG-13 or R)
Length: 5300
Summary: Marcus and Esca are uni students in the same circles (maybe grad students in the same field), and Esca is the hot, angry badass one that gets a new girl or boy every night, and Marcus is this quiet shy guy that's had a crush on Esca forever.
All Alone On Christmas
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: Marcus Flavius Aquila/Esca Mac Cunoval
Rating: T
Length: 5000
Summary: Esca is sick and alone during the holidays while his roommate Marcus is away visiting his uncle. Esca insists that Christmas is just like any other day, but he soon finds himself lonely and missing Marcus.
Comment: This is guaranteed to give you warm and fuzzy feelings. If anyone ever asks me again what hurt/comfort is, I’ll refer them to this story. THIS IS A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE! Bring a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket along.
Testament: Three Scrolls of a Centurion
Author: AnthemGlass
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 4600
Summary: A translator and interpreter of Roman artifacts helps translate a startling discovery of three scrolls written by a Roman Centurion by the name of Marcus Flavius Aquila.
Comment: Such a lovely premise! Careful, though, the ending is sweet enough to cause diabetes. ;)
The Mix-Up
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 3700
Summary: For the prompt: Esca accidentally switched a gift for Marcus with a gift for Liathan. The gift was something very sexual, a toy maybe, and it was supposed be a silly joke, and it would be for Liathan, who's known Esca since forever, but it's really hard to predict how Marcus will react. Not to mention Esca's hopeless crush on him...
Comment: I expected a heavy dose of second-hand embarrassment, but all I got was hot man-on-man action. I’ll have to deal somehow. :(
Man Friday
Author: Pouxin
Pairing: M/E
Rating: R
Length: 3400
Summary: Written in response to this prompt at the eagle_kink. Marcus and Esca are friends, maybe even flatmates. The thing is, Esca sleeps with a different person every other night but he never tries to get into Marcus's pants, even though he's pretty flirtatious in their everyday interactions. Maybe Marcus is pining after him, maybe he just feels sort of offended and left out, either way, there is a point when he just can't take it anymore.
Comment: Esca displays quite an impressive range…poor Marcus. *evil grin*
Free Rein
Author: citruses
Pairing: M/E
Rating: T
Length: 3000
Summary: Party Rock Anthem, email snarking, and Prof Placido's homemade tiramisu? Must be an academia AU…
Comment: Esca and Marcus are Phd students snarking at each other via email… if you have a thing for academic feuds and lingo, search no further!
Exhibit G ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 2600
Summary: Esca and Marcus are the most incompatible dorm roommates ever.
Comment: Quotable and delightful from start to finish.
Movie Night
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 2100
Summary: for the prompt: Marcus and Esca are one of the few students with nowhere to go over the winter holidays at school so they keep each other company.
Comment: Incredibly sweet! I mean, this is basically a bucket full of this.
Party Crasher
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a (est. R to NC-17)
Length: 1200
Summary: For the prompt: Esca, dressed in a full kilt, and Marcus, dressed as a Centurion, meet at a mutual friend's Halloween bash. They don't know each other, but sparks fly fast - and hey, they're both wearing costumes with easily-accessible bottom halves. What else could one wish for?
Comment: Not the biggest fan of frat party settings, but since this is a PWP, I'll let it slide. ;)
Love Too, Will Ruin Us
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 860
Summary: A scene of two art students who meet at a bonfire on the beach. There are fireworks, in more ways than one.
Comment: Lyrical and beautiful!
Learning Curve
Author: Carmarthen
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 330
Summary: A coda to a story I haven't written yet, in which Marcus and Esca are graduate students, and Esca is frustrated about his dissertation.
Comment: Lovely h/c.
Fine in My Toes
Author: tracy7307
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 270
Summary: It’s Marcus and Esca’s first year at uni, and Esca’s first time being drunk. He’s gotten a bit homesick. .
Widdershins ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: beederiffic
Pairing: M/E
Rating: NC-17
Length: estimated 80 000
Summary: The Eagle AU - Esca's a house master and history teacher at a 1950s boys school on the English/Scottish border, where welcoming the new Latin teacher proves to be a challenge
Comment: Stunning. I love stories that don’t focus exclusively on two people but paint a vivid, in-depth picture of something bigger…in this case the microcosm of a boarding school. “Widdershins” reads like a novel in the best imaginable way, even side characters are fully fleshed out. The style of writing is evocative, determined, precise and sensual…and I don’t use “sensual” lightly. In fact, I hardly ever use that word. ;) But it’s justified here. It’s the perfect example why something doesn’t need to be in-your-face NC17 to be hot. Don’t get me wrong, the NC17 parts are hot as hell, but…every interaction between Marcus and Esca is portrayed with so much skill, and the subtle scenes are irresistibly effective on their own.
Read it, just read it!
Boys Like You Love Me Forever
Author: radiogaga33
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 13 000
Summary: Esca is a hipster, Marcus is mainstream, and this is what happens when they turn out to be bondmates. Basically, high school AU with bonus soulbonding and the usual teenage angst.
Comment: Yay, soulbonding! And angsting! Teenage angsting! I think the tattoo idea was a bit easy, but in the context of the story it works and is okay. A classic highschool crush story with a new twist.
10/10 For Observation, Marcus
Author: planejane
Pairing: M/E
Rating: NC-17
Length: 11 700
Summary: n/a.
Comment: A refreshing trope reversal. Esca is the hot, supposedly straight PE teacher that everyone has a crush on - including Marcus, the slightly reclusive Science teacher.
Worth More Than a Dollar and Coming Out of My Cage
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 9000
Summary: Marcus + Kissing Booth + Esca = Profit.
Comment: Indeed! Even if Esca is a jerk to Marcus (tormenting teasing is a sign of affection!) and Marcus hardly knows what hit him. Or kissed him, in that case. Teenage angsting galore!
Shake, Rattle and Roll
Author: stellarsara
Pairing: M/E
Rating: R
Length: 1600
Summary: Esca and Marcus clash and collide in urban America, circa 1957.
Comment: Exquisite. A fresh and effective take on a scenario has been done many times.
You Cannot Run Away from Weakness
Author: davynn/Dream tempo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG
Length: 1400
Summary: Esca decides to face the world head on, flaws and all.
Take a Chance on Me
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 1000
Summary: Marcus embarrasses himself in front of Esca, but it actually makes Esca like him more.
Stain
Author: davynn/Dream tempo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 300
Summary: Esca brings a pomegranate to school every day for lunch, and boy does Marcus notice.
Comment: YES! Pomegranate-based subtext! On of my favourite things in the world.
Let The Light In (WiP)
Author: beederiffic
Pairing: M/E
Rating: NC-17
Length: 40 000+
Summary: Esca's an acrobat, and he has an idea when he meets someone who used to dance in the show.
Comment: No review yet, bookmarked to read.
Lengths
Author: Pouxin
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 9500
Summary: Esca and Marcus are both on the GB Olympics swim team. It’s Marcus' last shot at Gold after coming back from a devastating injury and switching teams from the USA to GB. It's Esca's first Olympics. Esca hates Marcus. That is until he...erm...doesn’t. Aquatic sexytimes ensue.
Comment: Esca is a bit of a Regina-George-style mean girl boy in this one! Thankfully, he also has redeeming qualities.
Climb That Like A Tree
Author: originalpuck
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 1400
Summary: Marcus catches Esca freerunning one day, and becomes obsessed with catching glimpses of him wherever he goes.
Come at Me, Bro
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 1000
Summary: Marcus attends a Mixed Martial Arts expo, and makes the mistake of laughing at the little guy who’s meant to demonstrate krav maga for the crowd. Said little guy proceeds to teach Marcus who’s boss.
I feel like I left out a ton of dancing AUs. Surely they exist? Somewhere? *scratches head*
Time yet for a hundred indecisions ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: linaerys
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 22 500
Summary: Marcus is the CEO of Calleva Software. He meets Esca in a bar while he’s at a conference in New York. He thinks it’s going to be a one-night stand, but their lives are far more interwined than either one of them could have expected.
Comment: Highly recommended!
Features insane levels of UST (and extremely hot RST, let’s not forget that), and a realistic development of their relationship in a work context that leaves them as adversaries (sort of, anyway). I really like the dynamics of Esca’s and Marcus’ relationship, how they collide and argue and become friends and...collide and crash again, rinse and repeat. (And by the way, Esca is so easily imaginable as prickly, standoffish tech genius!)
The Assistant ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: lallyloo
Type: Alternative Universe
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 15 000
Summary: Esca is a highly capable personal assistant. After a company takeover, Esca is kept on as Marcus Aquila's new P.A. Esca hears rumors about Marcus, including one much-gossiped-about rumor that he has a history of flings with his personal assistants, and Esca is determined he'll never fall for Marcus's charm.
Comment: Absolutely delightful! To quote True Blood, the attraction is e-l-e-c-t-r-i-c. Esca is temperamental and bossy (in a subdued kind of way); his irritation in dealing with Marcus is endlessly amusing to read. Especially when it’s obvious that Marcus is totally into Esca and unsure what to do about it, mostly just suffering quietly. :D My only complaint would be that their differences are a bit too easily resolved in the end (well, that and [Spoiler (click to open)] the final hook-up is pretty alcohol-fuelled, which is maybe a biiit shady on Marcus’ part). Okay, I might just be greedy and want a lot more of this story.
Edit: It's sort of embarrassing how often I've read this story. In my defense, it's just entertaining!
Weekender
Author: awarrington
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 13 000
Summary: Marcus and Esca set off on a weekend team-building exercise in the Hampshire countryside. Written for the fan media meme inspired by the picture of a Volkswagon Beetle..
Comment: Marcus is not exactly happy to spend a significant part of his weekend with the person he tries to avoid the most…
The twist at the end is pretty surprising!
Follow Friday and the sequel One Date Can't Hurt?
Author: Sistermine
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 3200
Summary: Office romances are never a good idea, are they? But your options can be limited, and when some new blood comes to a small town, well...
Strip for me and the sequels, An Ordinary Day and I Think I Wanna Marry You
Author: Lallyloo
Pairing: Marcus Flavius Aquila/Esca Mac Cunoval
Rating: E
Length: 28 000
Summary: When Marcus's co-worker buys him a lap dance, Marcus doesn't expect to fall for the dancer.
Comment: I’m a bit ambiguous about the premise of the story. At first Marcus comes across as…too involved and too clingy. He’s not satisfied with getting a lap dance, practically begging Esca for personal information and contact. Luckily, these dynamics change once the two start dating for real (and negotiating what they want out of the relationship). It’s all in all a slow-progressing and sweet story. I loved that Esca is never shamed for his occupation, Marcus never feeling the impulse to “save” him or displaying jealousy and possessiveness over it.
Also: Uncle Aquila for the win! (“Marcus, my boy, you're an idiot. And I say that with the utmost affection and love.”)
Worth Any Price
Author: radiogaga33
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 4300
Summary: Esca auctions himself off to the highest bidder. Marcus wins.
Comment: Not the fuck fest I expected (do I ever pay attention to the ratings?), but tense and atmospheric. Reads a bit like a prologue to a huge, UST-filled story - or in other words: it leaves you wanting more.
Second Chances
Author: i_know_its_0ver
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 4200
Summary: modern AU where Marcus is a hitman who pays for an escort service before he plans to commit suicide. He gets Esca.
Comment: Tender and hot. I love this particular scenario!
Perfectly Good At It
Author: Iscaris
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 3300
Summary: n/a. Liathan generously treats Esca to a striptease.
Comment: Yes to stripper!Marcus…and, even better, to Esca who is totally wretched because he thinks Marcus is the hottest thing ever.
You're hotter than a bunsen burner set to full power
Author: originalpuck
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 1200
Summary: Esca is a wild little stripper who takes the "I'm not a whore" position very, very seriously. No one wants to be in the boots of some unlucky fucker who would make a mistake of propositioning him. Well, and Marcus just did... Uhm, actually he didn't, but Esca thinks he did, and now all hell is about to break lose.
Comment: Oh sweet, oblivious Marcus…
Never Return to the Scene of the Crime
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: NC-17
Length: 39 000
Summary: Esca is a cat-burglar, and Marcus is just a regular Joe whom he can’t seem to stay away from.
Comment: Cat-burglar!Esca! for the win. The concept alone is genius and the execution of it is flawless as well, a long and engaging story that features two guys who could hardly be more different. Esca is pricklier than a cactus and Marcus is almost - scratch that - definitively too nice and docile. But where there's mutual attraction a will there's a way.
Bonus points for…[Spoiler (click to open)]THE SEX. SO DAMN HOT. I MEAN, DAMN. SO HOT.
Against The Grain
Author: lemondilemma
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 34 400
Summary: In a city rife with gangs, Marcus is beginning to question the validity of his life with the Romans. He dreams of starting again somewhere else, away from the sprawling concrete jungle and the fighting. He also realises that acting on his growing fascination with a member of rival gang the Brigantes will be dangerous, but the attraction he feels for Esca MacCunoval is too strong to resist.
Then the Seals and their ruthless leader Liathan attempt to muscle in on the Romans’ territory, the violence escalates and Marcus’ hopes for the future, and his burgeoning relationship with Esca, come under increasing threat.
Comment: Like Romeo and Juliet, but a good deal bloodier. It was fun to witness Marcus’ awkward courtship and see the slow, tentative romance unravel. The story gets bonus points for not focusing solely on Marcus and Esca, but also depicting their larger world - their alliances, daytime jobs, duties and ties…I like such "big picture" perspectives.
The Ninth
Author: twilighthdfan
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 8400
Summary: Esca’s a PI, a decent one, who just happens to have picked up two old time gangsters who’ve decided that their lot in ghostly life is to help Esca solve cases. They have their uses, sure, but it's really hard to explain the knowledge of all the gruesome details to Detective Aquila when he once again finds him at a crime scene.
Comment: Entertaining! It’s so easy to imagine Esca being an ex-rouge, street-smart PI and Marcus being the noble detective with a not quite honourable past.
Cum Tacet Nox (WiP) ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a (est. PG)
Length: 7500
Summary: For the prompt: To be frank, Marcus is not sure if he really needs a werewolf in his police squad, especially some foreign guy. Sure, weres are quite rare outside of the military and they can be very, very useful, if only for their strength, speed, reflexes and heightened senses, but Marcus can't help but expect problems.
He didn't expect his main problem to be dealing with a freaking Brit with shitty attitude.
Comment: Whoever the author is, she/he is a truly gifted writer and masterful at creating a gripping atmosphere as well as breathless action-packed sequences, and building a sprawling AU universe that feels authentic and real. This reads like the beginning of a captivating novel. I have no doubt that this story would be counted among the AU epics if it had been concluded.
Sadly, it has last been updated two years ago. God, this fandom is set out on breaking my heart with all of these gorgeous WiPs. Still: read it. Read it and weep.
Btw: The story could have been sorted in the “Supernatural” category just as well, but I put it in here since the crime-fighting aspect is quite pronounced.
Games We Play and the prequel, Bark and Bite
Author: poziomeczka
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 3600
Summary: Dark!gang leader!Marcus playing mindgames with Esca.
Comment: Hot power play ahead. Unf.
Fighter
Author: PlaneJane
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 65 300
Summary: Marcus Aquila is an undercover Metropolitan police officer. His assignment is to infiltrate a slave-trafficking organisation which trades in men, bought and sold to fight in cages, sometimes to the death. When he makes the impulsive decision to intervene during a 'kill fight' involving a fierce young fighter called Esca, Marcus inadvertently finds himself the owner of his very own slave. Now Marcus has to find a way to complete his assignment, as well as gaining Esca's trust, without blowing his cover. The question is, can he do it before the secrets and lies catch up with him, and Marcus loses everything.
Comment: I’m a bit on the fence about this story. On one hand it’s well-written, hugely engrossing and treats its subject matter with the appropriate severity; it is tense, at times depressing and always keeps you wondering what happens next. I found Esca to be realistically portrayed - distrustful, volatile and always geared towards survival. On the other hand, there are some plot holes (kind of) and Marcus’ attitude to Esca appeared to me a bit unhealthy and problematic…but anyone else might see that differently, so check it out yourself.
All Bets Are Off
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 18 000
Summary: Esca is a cocky rich guy who attends underground fights. One night he sees Marcus fight, all wild beauty, tattoos, cuts and bruises. He offers Marcus an absurd amount of money for the night together. Marcus agrees, then turns the tables on Esca and takes control away from him. Before Esca knows it, he's lost.
Comment: This is one intense story. Lots of characterization through pr0n. Both Esca and Marcus fight for the upper hand and try to take advantage of each other’s weak sides. Both of them are pretty messed up. It's difficult to bet on the outcome of this particular fight…
Untitled
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 2000
Summary: Prompt: Esca gets into fights (professionally, streetfighting or just regular bar fights) and repeatedly shows up in a hospital to get stitches etc. It's usually during evenings/nights and it's almost always Marcus who takes care of him there.
Eagle Nine
Author: Isis
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 36 000
Summary: Science fiction futuristic cyborg AU remix of The Eagle/Eagle of the Ninth, movie/book fusion.
Comment: This story is an action-packed AU recounting of the movie and features some serious world-building! I was pretty intrigued by the concept of everyone wearing technical adjustments to their body, enhancing hearing, sight and an almost infinite number of other functions. These prostheses are inherited through generations and are (sometimes) so valuable that they make somebody the target of body scavengers. Since Rome lost most of its knowledge, new adjustments cannot be created, just the old ones used and reused until they break down. Not only the world-building is impressive - the lingo go with it is as well. At first I found it a bit hard to get into the story because of this; you’re thrown right into the middle of things, and there’s lots and lots of unusual vocabulary (I’m not a native speaker, though, so that plays a part). However, you get used to the tech slang fast and the language is part of the reason why this universe feels so rich, vivid and realistic.
To the Stars (WiP) ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: Sineala
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 7400
Summary: In a world where Rome never fell, it is four thousand years ab urbe condita, and the peoples of Earth have taken to space. When a signal from the lost Ninth Fleet's Eagle is detected in a British system, it's up to ex-centurion Marcus Aquila and spaceship pilot Esca to retrieve it.
Comment: Fantastic, richly detailed space AU! The many parallels to the canon story never feel forced and never restrict the world-building - even with the parallels firmly in place, the story has a very original vibe to it. Loved Esca’s and Marcus’ interactions so far!
To the glory of Nova Roma
Author: mirandaeostre (mirandaskye)
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 6300
Summary: The Roman Empire has endured for two thousand years but its glory is long since gone. Marcus Aquila has lost his military career and his interest in life but an errand for his uncle brings complications when he meets a slave accused of killing his master.
Comment: An intriguing universe with a film noir vibe; features Marcus as a PI who has seen better days. Now if only this were a multi-chaptered series...that would make me very happy indeed.
Heroes in the Gloaming
Author: chantefable
Pairing: M/E
Rating: R
Length: 3500
Summary: A superhero walks into a bath house…
Comment: Calleva is a sprawling metropolis and Marcus an “Eagle”, a superhero-like law enforcer who sports cool gadgets (like a plasma gladius!). Esca on the other hand is a fairly anti-Roman native but - redeeming quality - also a talented masseur. The end result of this mix is a fun and suspenseful story in a setting so unusual it could easily have gone wrong. It actually works fine, though!
built to collapse and crumble
Author: poziomeczka
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 3500
Summary: n/a.
Comment: The glorious sex pollen trope! Very hot.
The Visible World
Author: zeen
Pairing: M/E
Rating: T
Length: 3200
Summary: You are brave and you are useless, and soon, you will be forgotten.
Comment: A recounting of the movie events. Esca is not human anymore, he was entirely augmented - the parallelism of this practice to Roman slavery works well.
The Cyber-fighter (Sex Scene)
Author: PlaneJane
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 2300
Summary: Marcus and Esca have sex, in explicit detail.
Comment: Hot! For the prompt: "Same premise as the book or film but set in a dystopian universe of the author's making. Marcus is a warrior/soldier retired from duty because of injury, Esca is his slave (up to author how he is acquired, but maybe some kind of futuristic gladiator arena)."
Three snippets have been written in the same universe: Snippet 1, Snippet 2, and Snippet 3.
This is All Made up of Stars
Author: queenklu
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 300
Summary: "Marcus/Esca IN SPAAAAACE."
Fortune and Fortitude
Author: twowritehands
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 107 000+
Summary: Arranged marriage AU set in a pseudo-Victorian world where there are men, women, and fortunate men (aka men who can get pregnant). Fortunate men are treated just as poorly as women as far as rights and equality goes, if not worse. Marcus, though, has been hiding his "inferior gender" in order to be in the military... But now he's pregnant, scorned by his lover, and has to marry someone else ASAP or risk ruining the family name even more than it already is.
Cue the reclusive Lord Esca Cunoval, who will lose his family's estate if he can't pay off it's debts quickly, so he marries Marcus having no clue about the baby on the way. They have a lot to work through before they can be happy together.
Comment: Not read yet, since I'm not a fan of mpreg. However, I like the other works of the authors, so if mpreg is your thing - go ahead!
Many Roads to the Same Place ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: i_know_its_0ver
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 20 000
Summary: written for this prompt on the kink meme. Esca is a pickpocketing gypsy, Cottia is a fortune teller, Marcus is…well, still a wounded soldier, and everyone’s just looking for something to call home. (Or, the one where Esca stole Marcus’s wallet, and then his heart.)
Comment: Heart-warming and romantic. The pickpocketing gypsy stereotype is unfortunate and would best have been avoided imo, but in all other aspects, this story is well done - vivid and captivating and slightly wistful.
Learn Me Right
Author: Dustfinger223
Pairing: M/E
Rating: T
Length: 18 500
Summary: It all begins with a visit from a lawyer.
Comment: A big inheritance falls into Esca’s lap, but unfortunately it comes with some strings attached…Esca struggles to adapt to the world of his snobby, aristocratic relatives, but thankfully there’s also Marcus.
Much Ado About Marcus
Author: ForzaDelDestino
Pairing: M/E
Rating: not rated
Length: 5500
Summary: Marcus is a recently-hired principal actor in Shakespeare's company, The Lord Chamberlain's Men. (During that period, of course, women's roles were played by actors, and youthful female characters were often played by the apprentice boys.) Because of the popularity of Romeo and Juliet, the play is to be re-staged a year after its successful first performance, with Marcus as Romeo. Esca, who has been assigned to him as apprentice, is a very reluctant Juliet.
Comment: Yes! A fandom recounting re-enacting of Romeo and Juliet! ♥
The second part of this rec list is --->here.
I’m always immensely grateful if you can point out any stories that I’ve been missing and that you would like to see listed here.
(moar stories, I want moar!!!!1!)
As a general rule, I like every story listed here. Favorite stories of mine are labelled with three pretty ✩✩✩s, though. This, of course, is highly subjective. (I tend to go for the long and plotty ones). In a handful of cases I have also recommended stories that I have bookmarked to read, but haven’t read yet. I’ve done this if I knew other works of the same author, loved them and was fairly confident that any other story by the same author would also be good.
I listed the ratings as the author listed them (mostly as they are rated in AO3, ranging from G to E). However, I did not include the author’s warnings (that can be a really long list, depending on the story).
The stories are listed for length in each category.
That’s it, I think. Enjoy!
11/5/13 Update: Added some more stories and splitted the entry into two parts, as it got too big. Part II is here.
11/7/13 Update: Rearranged the list again, moved a few more stories to Part II.
9/15/14 Update: I removed four stories from this list due to my new journal policies (not to rec higher-rated stories in which the characters are not to of age). This is nothing personal against these stories! It’s just a rule I’m more comfortable with.
Alternative Universe stories
You and I Collide ✩✩✩
Author: magog_83
Pairing: Marcus Flavius Aquila/Esca Mac Cunoval
Rating: T
Length: 32 000
Summary: After an accident ends his hopes of a college football career, Marcus Aquila moves to the UK to attend university, where he makes enemies and friends - and whatever Esca is.
Comment: So, so good. One of my favorite Eagle stories and one of the funniest reads this side of the Hades! Seriously, I could practically quote the entire thing. I love that it’s not solely about Marcus and Esca, but about Cottia in equal terms - about their friendship, adventures and misadventures, about the whole college experience. Bad Christmas parties, camping on the beach, feuding with Ultimate!jerk!Placidus, activism and fox saving…it’s an irresistible and wonderful story told in two different time lines. Marcus and Esca are both most adorable, by the way. The obliviousness is strong in them!
Petting Teacher
Author: Pouxin
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 26 500
Summary: Dr. Marcus Aquila is an American teaching history at a university in England. There he meets Esca, a second year history student, and feels an immediate and overwhelming attraction - almost an obsession. But Esca's troubled past - in and out of foster care and a young offenders' home - has a strong influence on his attitudes, beliefs and behaviour, causing the path of their connection to be a very rocky one. This is a story about two complex men who are more similar than the other realises and whose beliefs have created a set of self-limitations that each of them struggles to overcome in order to find happiness.
Comment: I am very, very easily squicked by lecturer/student relationships. It’s almost impossible to write a story on this premise that I will like. As a result, the first part of “Petting Teacher” wasn’t my cup of tea. I thought that Esca was hard to tolerate and that Marcus surrendered control of the situation too easily, given his age and experiences. BUT…the second part of the story was driven by an entirely different dynamic, one that I liked. Once they got to know each other beyond superficial façades, their relationship got more balanced, sincere...and even downright sweet. I love that. [Spoiler (click to open)]I’m happy the story ended the way it did - it seemed like the most mature route they could have chosen, the one least likely to put either of them at risk.
The Boy With the Thorn In His Side ✩✩✩
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 25 300
Summary: In Chemistry class, outgoing hipster Esca is partnered with moody goth Marcus. After a rocky start, they become friends and Esca finds himself drawn to the mysterious boy behind all the makeup.
Comment: Incredibly sweet! Loved the pace and the interactions. Would have benefitted a bit from more world-building/secondary characters.
If You Can't Stand the Heat
Author: Aquila_Star
Type: Alternative Universe
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 18 200
Summary: The day Esca arrived at his dorm only to find it filled with noxious black smoke and his brand new cookware in ruins, he knew something had to be done.
Comment: A story of a developing relationship told almost entirely from the kitchen, circling Marcus’ and Esca’s cooking endeavours.
Conferencing
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a (estimated PG)
Length: 9300
Summary: For the prompt: I'd love to read a story about Marcus and Esca being academics in a similar field and Marcus fanboying like crazy over Esca, who is an expert on British tribes, especially the Brigantes, when they finally meet.
Comment: Very amusing, even if Marcus's social awkwardness reaches a painful level in the course of the story.
Untitled
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a (estimated PG-13 or R)
Length: 5300
Summary: Marcus and Esca are uni students in the same circles (maybe grad students in the same field), and Esca is the hot, angry badass one that gets a new girl or boy every night, and Marcus is this quiet shy guy that's had a crush on Esca forever.
All Alone On Christmas
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: Marcus Flavius Aquila/Esca Mac Cunoval
Rating: T
Length: 5000
Summary: Esca is sick and alone during the holidays while his roommate Marcus is away visiting his uncle. Esca insists that Christmas is just like any other day, but he soon finds himself lonely and missing Marcus.
Comment: This is guaranteed to give you warm and fuzzy feelings. If anyone ever asks me again what hurt/comfort is, I’ll refer them to this story. THIS IS A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE! Bring a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket along.
Testament: Three Scrolls of a Centurion
Author: AnthemGlass
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 4600
Summary: A translator and interpreter of Roman artifacts helps translate a startling discovery of three scrolls written by a Roman Centurion by the name of Marcus Flavius Aquila.
Comment: Such a lovely premise! Careful, though, the ending is sweet enough to cause diabetes. ;)
The Mix-Up
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 3700
Summary: For the prompt: Esca accidentally switched a gift for Marcus with a gift for Liathan. The gift was something very sexual, a toy maybe, and it was supposed be a silly joke, and it would be for Liathan, who's known Esca since forever, but it's really hard to predict how Marcus will react. Not to mention Esca's hopeless crush on him...
Comment: I expected a heavy dose of second-hand embarrassment, but all I got was hot man-on-man action. I’ll have to deal somehow. :(
Man Friday
Author: Pouxin
Pairing: M/E
Rating: R
Length: 3400
Summary: Written in response to this prompt at the eagle_kink. Marcus and Esca are friends, maybe even flatmates. The thing is, Esca sleeps with a different person every other night but he never tries to get into Marcus's pants, even though he's pretty flirtatious in their everyday interactions. Maybe Marcus is pining after him, maybe he just feels sort of offended and left out, either way, there is a point when he just can't take it anymore.
Comment: Esca displays quite an impressive range…poor Marcus. *evil grin*
Free Rein
Author: citruses
Pairing: M/E
Rating: T
Length: 3000
Summary: Party Rock Anthem, email snarking, and Prof Placido's homemade tiramisu? Must be an academia AU…
Comment: Esca and Marcus are Phd students snarking at each other via email… if you have a thing for academic feuds and lingo, search no further!
Exhibit G ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 2600
Summary: Esca and Marcus are the most incompatible dorm roommates ever.
Comment: Quotable and delightful from start to finish.
Movie Night
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 2100
Summary: for the prompt: Marcus and Esca are one of the few students with nowhere to go over the winter holidays at school so they keep each other company.
Comment: Incredibly sweet! I mean, this is basically a bucket full of this.
Party Crasher
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a (est. R to NC-17)
Length: 1200
Summary: For the prompt: Esca, dressed in a full kilt, and Marcus, dressed as a Centurion, meet at a mutual friend's Halloween bash. They don't know each other, but sparks fly fast - and hey, they're both wearing costumes with easily-accessible bottom halves. What else could one wish for?
Comment: Not the biggest fan of frat party settings, but since this is a PWP, I'll let it slide. ;)
Love Too, Will Ruin Us
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 860
Summary: A scene of two art students who meet at a bonfire on the beach. There are fireworks, in more ways than one.
Comment: Lyrical and beautiful!
Learning Curve
Author: Carmarthen
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 330
Summary: A coda to a story I haven't written yet, in which Marcus and Esca are graduate students, and Esca is frustrated about his dissertation.
Comment: Lovely h/c.
Fine in My Toes
Author: tracy7307
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 270
Summary: It’s Marcus and Esca’s first year at uni, and Esca’s first time being drunk. He’s gotten a bit homesick. .
Widdershins ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: beederiffic
Pairing: M/E
Rating: NC-17
Length: estimated 80 000
Summary: The Eagle AU - Esca's a house master and history teacher at a 1950s boys school on the English/Scottish border, where welcoming the new Latin teacher proves to be a challenge
Comment: Stunning. I love stories that don’t focus exclusively on two people but paint a vivid, in-depth picture of something bigger…in this case the microcosm of a boarding school. “Widdershins” reads like a novel in the best imaginable way, even side characters are fully fleshed out. The style of writing is evocative, determined, precise and sensual…and I don’t use “sensual” lightly. In fact, I hardly ever use that word. ;) But it’s justified here. It’s the perfect example why something doesn’t need to be in-your-face NC17 to be hot. Don’t get me wrong, the NC17 parts are hot as hell, but…every interaction between Marcus and Esca is portrayed with so much skill, and the subtle scenes are irresistibly effective on their own.
Read it, just read it!
Boys Like You Love Me Forever
Author: radiogaga33
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 13 000
Summary: Esca is a hipster, Marcus is mainstream, and this is what happens when they turn out to be bondmates. Basically, high school AU with bonus soulbonding and the usual teenage angst.
Comment: Yay, soulbonding! And angsting! Teenage angsting! I think the tattoo idea was a bit easy, but in the context of the story it works and is okay. A classic highschool crush story with a new twist.
10/10 For Observation, Marcus
Author: planejane
Pairing: M/E
Rating: NC-17
Length: 11 700
Summary: n/a.
Comment: A refreshing trope reversal. Esca is the hot, supposedly straight PE teacher that everyone has a crush on - including Marcus, the slightly reclusive Science teacher.
Worth More Than a Dollar and Coming Out of My Cage
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 9000
Summary: Marcus + Kissing Booth + Esca = Profit.
Comment: Indeed! Even if Esca is a jerk to Marcus (tormenting teasing is a sign of affection!) and Marcus hardly knows what hit him. Or kissed him, in that case. Teenage angsting galore!
Shake, Rattle and Roll
Author: stellarsara
Pairing: M/E
Rating: R
Length: 1600
Summary: Esca and Marcus clash and collide in urban America, circa 1957.
Comment: Exquisite. A fresh and effective take on a scenario has been done many times.
You Cannot Run Away from Weakness
Author: davynn/Dream tempo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG
Length: 1400
Summary: Esca decides to face the world head on, flaws and all.
Take a Chance on Me
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 1000
Summary: Marcus embarrasses himself in front of Esca, but it actually makes Esca like him more.
Stain
Author: davynn/Dream tempo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 300
Summary: Esca brings a pomegranate to school every day for lunch, and boy does Marcus notice.
Comment: YES! Pomegranate-based subtext! On of my favourite things in the world.
Let The Light In (WiP)
Author: beederiffic
Pairing: M/E
Rating: NC-17
Length: 40 000+
Summary: Esca's an acrobat, and he has an idea when he meets someone who used to dance in the show.
Comment: No review yet, bookmarked to read.
Lengths
Author: Pouxin
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 9500
Summary: Esca and Marcus are both on the GB Olympics swim team. It’s Marcus' last shot at Gold after coming back from a devastating injury and switching teams from the USA to GB. It's Esca's first Olympics. Esca hates Marcus. That is until he...erm...doesn’t. Aquatic sexytimes ensue.
Comment: Esca is a bit of a Regina-George-style mean girl boy in this one! Thankfully, he also has redeeming qualities.
Climb That Like A Tree
Author: originalpuck
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 1400
Summary: Marcus catches Esca freerunning one day, and becomes obsessed with catching glimpses of him wherever he goes.
Come at Me, Bro
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 1000
Summary: Marcus attends a Mixed Martial Arts expo, and makes the mistake of laughing at the little guy who’s meant to demonstrate krav maga for the crowd. Said little guy proceeds to teach Marcus who’s boss.
I feel like I left out a ton of dancing AUs. Surely they exist? Somewhere? *scratches head*
Time yet for a hundred indecisions ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: linaerys
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 22 500
Summary: Marcus is the CEO of Calleva Software. He meets Esca in a bar while he’s at a conference in New York. He thinks it’s going to be a one-night stand, but their lives are far more interwined than either one of them could have expected.
Comment: Highly recommended!
Features insane levels of UST (and extremely hot RST, let’s not forget that), and a realistic development of their relationship in a work context that leaves them as adversaries (sort of, anyway). I really like the dynamics of Esca’s and Marcus’ relationship, how they collide and argue and become friends and...collide and crash again, rinse and repeat. (And by the way, Esca is so easily imaginable as prickly, standoffish tech genius!)
The Assistant ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: lallyloo
Type: Alternative Universe
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 15 000
Summary: Esca is a highly capable personal assistant. After a company takeover, Esca is kept on as Marcus Aquila's new P.A. Esca hears rumors about Marcus, including one much-gossiped-about rumor that he has a history of flings with his personal assistants, and Esca is determined he'll never fall for Marcus's charm.
Comment: Absolutely delightful! To quote True Blood, the attraction is e-l-e-c-t-r-i-c. Esca is temperamental and bossy (in a subdued kind of way); his irritation in dealing with Marcus is endlessly amusing to read. Especially when it’s obvious that Marcus is totally into Esca and unsure what to do about it, mostly just suffering quietly. :D My only complaint would be that their differences are a bit too easily resolved in the end (well, that and [Spoiler (click to open)] the final hook-up is pretty alcohol-fuelled, which is maybe a biiit shady on Marcus’ part). Okay, I might just be greedy and want a lot more of this story.
Edit: It's sort of embarrassing how often I've read this story. In my defense, it's just entertaining!
Weekender
Author: awarrington
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 13 000
Summary: Marcus and Esca set off on a weekend team-building exercise in the Hampshire countryside. Written for the fan media meme inspired by the picture of a Volkswagon Beetle..
Comment: Marcus is not exactly happy to spend a significant part of his weekend with the person he tries to avoid the most…
The twist at the end is pretty surprising!
Follow Friday and the sequel One Date Can't Hurt?
Author: Sistermine
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 3200
Summary: Office romances are never a good idea, are they? But your options can be limited, and when some new blood comes to a small town, well...
Strip for me and the sequels, An Ordinary Day and I Think I Wanna Marry You
Author: Lallyloo
Pairing: Marcus Flavius Aquila/Esca Mac Cunoval
Rating: E
Length: 28 000
Summary: When Marcus's co-worker buys him a lap dance, Marcus doesn't expect to fall for the dancer.
Comment: I’m a bit ambiguous about the premise of the story. At first Marcus comes across as…too involved and too clingy. He’s not satisfied with getting a lap dance, practically begging Esca for personal information and contact. Luckily, these dynamics change once the two start dating for real (and negotiating what they want out of the relationship). It’s all in all a slow-progressing and sweet story. I loved that Esca is never shamed for his occupation, Marcus never feeling the impulse to “save” him or displaying jealousy and possessiveness over it.
Also: Uncle Aquila for the win! (“Marcus, my boy, you're an idiot. And I say that with the utmost affection and love.”)
Worth Any Price
Author: radiogaga33
Pairing: M/E
Rating: PG-13
Length: 4300
Summary: Esca auctions himself off to the highest bidder. Marcus wins.
Comment: Not the fuck fest I expected (do I ever pay attention to the ratings?), but tense and atmospheric. Reads a bit like a prologue to a huge, UST-filled story - or in other words: it leaves you wanting more.
Second Chances
Author: i_know_its_0ver
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 4200
Summary: modern AU where Marcus is a hitman who pays for an escort service before he plans to commit suicide. He gets Esca.
Comment: Tender and hot. I love this particular scenario!
Perfectly Good At It
Author: Iscaris
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 3300
Summary: n/a. Liathan generously treats Esca to a striptease.
Comment: Yes to stripper!Marcus…and, even better, to Esca who is totally wretched because he thinks Marcus is the hottest thing ever.
You're hotter than a bunsen burner set to full power
Author: originalpuck
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 1200
Summary: Esca is a wild little stripper who takes the "I'm not a whore" position very, very seriously. No one wants to be in the boots of some unlucky fucker who would make a mistake of propositioning him. Well, and Marcus just did... Uhm, actually he didn't, but Esca thinks he did, and now all hell is about to break lose.
Comment: Oh sweet, oblivious Marcus…
Never Return to the Scene of the Crime
Author: lalazee
Pairing: M/E
Rating: NC-17
Length: 39 000
Summary: Esca is a cat-burglar, and Marcus is just a regular Joe whom he can’t seem to stay away from.
Comment: Cat-burglar!Esca! for the win. The concept alone is genius and the execution of it is flawless as well, a long and engaging story that features two guys who could hardly be more different. Esca is pricklier than a cactus and Marcus is almost - scratch that - definitively too nice and docile. But where there's mutual attraction a will there's a way.
Bonus points for…[Spoiler (click to open)]THE SEX. SO DAMN HOT. I MEAN, DAMN. SO HOT.
Against The Grain
Author: lemondilemma
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 34 400
Summary: In a city rife with gangs, Marcus is beginning to question the validity of his life with the Romans. He dreams of starting again somewhere else, away from the sprawling concrete jungle and the fighting. He also realises that acting on his growing fascination with a member of rival gang the Brigantes will be dangerous, but the attraction he feels for Esca MacCunoval is too strong to resist.
Then the Seals and their ruthless leader Liathan attempt to muscle in on the Romans’ territory, the violence escalates and Marcus’ hopes for the future, and his burgeoning relationship with Esca, come under increasing threat.
Comment: Like Romeo and Juliet, but a good deal bloodier. It was fun to witness Marcus’ awkward courtship and see the slow, tentative romance unravel. The story gets bonus points for not focusing solely on Marcus and Esca, but also depicting their larger world - their alliances, daytime jobs, duties and ties…I like such "big picture" perspectives.
The Ninth
Author: twilighthdfan
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 8400
Summary: Esca’s a PI, a decent one, who just happens to have picked up two old time gangsters who’ve decided that their lot in ghostly life is to help Esca solve cases. They have their uses, sure, but it's really hard to explain the knowledge of all the gruesome details to Detective Aquila when he once again finds him at a crime scene.
Comment: Entertaining! It’s so easy to imagine Esca being an ex-rouge, street-smart PI and Marcus being the noble detective with a not quite honourable past.
Cum Tacet Nox (WiP) ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a (est. PG)
Length: 7500
Summary: For the prompt: To be frank, Marcus is not sure if he really needs a werewolf in his police squad, especially some foreign guy. Sure, weres are quite rare outside of the military and they can be very, very useful, if only for their strength, speed, reflexes and heightened senses, but Marcus can't help but expect problems.
He didn't expect his main problem to be dealing with a freaking Brit with shitty attitude.
Comment: Whoever the author is, she/he is a truly gifted writer and masterful at creating a gripping atmosphere as well as breathless action-packed sequences, and building a sprawling AU universe that feels authentic and real. This reads like the beginning of a captivating novel. I have no doubt that this story would be counted among the AU epics if it had been concluded.
Sadly, it has last been updated two years ago. God, this fandom is set out on breaking my heart with all of these gorgeous WiPs. Still: read it. Read it and weep.
Btw: The story could have been sorted in the “Supernatural” category just as well, but I put it in here since the crime-fighting aspect is quite pronounced.
Games We Play and the prequel, Bark and Bite
Author: poziomeczka
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 3600
Summary: Dark!gang leader!Marcus playing mindgames with Esca.
Comment: Hot power play ahead. Unf.
Fighter
Author: PlaneJane
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 65 300
Summary: Marcus Aquila is an undercover Metropolitan police officer. His assignment is to infiltrate a slave-trafficking organisation which trades in men, bought and sold to fight in cages, sometimes to the death. When he makes the impulsive decision to intervene during a 'kill fight' involving a fierce young fighter called Esca, Marcus inadvertently finds himself the owner of his very own slave. Now Marcus has to find a way to complete his assignment, as well as gaining Esca's trust, without blowing his cover. The question is, can he do it before the secrets and lies catch up with him, and Marcus loses everything.
Comment: I’m a bit on the fence about this story. On one hand it’s well-written, hugely engrossing and treats its subject matter with the appropriate severity; it is tense, at times depressing and always keeps you wondering what happens next. I found Esca to be realistically portrayed - distrustful, volatile and always geared towards survival. On the other hand, there are some plot holes (kind of) and Marcus’ attitude to Esca appeared to me a bit unhealthy and problematic…but anyone else might see that differently, so check it out yourself.
All Bets Are Off
Author: lallyloo
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 18 000
Summary: Esca is a cocky rich guy who attends underground fights. One night he sees Marcus fight, all wild beauty, tattoos, cuts and bruises. He offers Marcus an absurd amount of money for the night together. Marcus agrees, then turns the tables on Esca and takes control away from him. Before Esca knows it, he's lost.
Comment: This is one intense story. Lots of characterization through pr0n. Both Esca and Marcus fight for the upper hand and try to take advantage of each other’s weak sides. Both of them are pretty messed up. It's difficult to bet on the outcome of this particular fight…
Untitled
Author: anon
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 2000
Summary: Prompt: Esca gets into fights (professionally, streetfighting or just regular bar fights) and repeatedly shows up in a hospital to get stitches etc. It's usually during evenings/nights and it's almost always Marcus who takes care of him there.
Eagle Nine
Author: Isis
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 36 000
Summary: Science fiction futuristic cyborg AU remix of The Eagle/Eagle of the Ninth, movie/book fusion.
Comment: This story is an action-packed AU recounting of the movie and features some serious world-building! I was pretty intrigued by the concept of everyone wearing technical adjustments to their body, enhancing hearing, sight and an almost infinite number of other functions. These prostheses are inherited through generations and are (sometimes) so valuable that they make somebody the target of body scavengers. Since Rome lost most of its knowledge, new adjustments cannot be created, just the old ones used and reused until they break down. Not only the world-building is impressive - the lingo go with it is as well. At first I found it a bit hard to get into the story because of this; you’re thrown right into the middle of things, and there’s lots and lots of unusual vocabulary (I’m not a native speaker, though, so that plays a part). However, you get used to the tech slang fast and the language is part of the reason why this universe feels so rich, vivid and realistic.
To the Stars (WiP) ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: Sineala
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 7400
Summary: In a world where Rome never fell, it is four thousand years ab urbe condita, and the peoples of Earth have taken to space. When a signal from the lost Ninth Fleet's Eagle is detected in a British system, it's up to ex-centurion Marcus Aquila and spaceship pilot Esca to retrieve it.
Comment: Fantastic, richly detailed space AU! The many parallels to the canon story never feel forced and never restrict the world-building - even with the parallels firmly in place, the story has a very original vibe to it. Loved Esca’s and Marcus’ interactions so far!
To the glory of Nova Roma
Author: mirandaeostre (mirandaskye)
Pairing: M/E
Rating: G
Length: 6300
Summary: The Roman Empire has endured for two thousand years but its glory is long since gone. Marcus Aquila has lost his military career and his interest in life but an errand for his uncle brings complications when he meets a slave accused of killing his master.
Comment: An intriguing universe with a film noir vibe; features Marcus as a PI who has seen better days. Now if only this were a multi-chaptered series...that would make me very happy indeed.
Heroes in the Gloaming
Author: chantefable
Pairing: M/E
Rating: R
Length: 3500
Summary: A superhero walks into a bath house…
Comment: Calleva is a sprawling metropolis and Marcus an “Eagle”, a superhero-like law enforcer who sports cool gadgets (like a plasma gladius!). Esca on the other hand is a fairly anti-Roman native but - redeeming quality - also a talented masseur. The end result of this mix is a fun and suspenseful story in a setting so unusual it could easily have gone wrong. It actually works fine, though!
built to collapse and crumble
Author: poziomeczka
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 3500
Summary: n/a.
Comment: The glorious sex pollen trope! Very hot.
The Visible World
Author: zeen
Pairing: M/E
Rating: T
Length: 3200
Summary: You are brave and you are useless, and soon, you will be forgotten.
Comment: A recounting of the movie events. Esca is not human anymore, he was entirely augmented - the parallelism of this practice to Roman slavery works well.
The Cyber-fighter (Sex Scene)
Author: PlaneJane
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 2300
Summary: Marcus and Esca have sex, in explicit detail.
Comment: Hot! For the prompt: "Same premise as the book or film but set in a dystopian universe of the author's making. Marcus is a warrior/soldier retired from duty because of injury, Esca is his slave (up to author how he is acquired, but maybe some kind of futuristic gladiator arena)."
Three snippets have been written in the same universe: Snippet 1, Snippet 2, and Snippet 3.
This is All Made up of Stars
Author: queenklu
Pairing: M/E
Rating: n/a
Length: 300
Summary: "Marcus/Esca IN SPAAAAACE."
Fortune and Fortitude
Author: twowritehands
Pairing: M/E
Rating: M
Length: 107 000+
Summary: Arranged marriage AU set in a pseudo-Victorian world where there are men, women, and fortunate men (aka men who can get pregnant). Fortunate men are treated just as poorly as women as far as rights and equality goes, if not worse. Marcus, though, has been hiding his "inferior gender" in order to be in the military... But now he's pregnant, scorned by his lover, and has to marry someone else ASAP or risk ruining the family name even more than it already is.
Cue the reclusive Lord Esca Cunoval, who will lose his family's estate if he can't pay off it's debts quickly, so he marries Marcus having no clue about the baby on the way. They have a lot to work through before they can be happy together.
Comment: Not read yet, since I'm not a fan of mpreg. However, I like the other works of the authors, so if mpreg is your thing - go ahead!
Many Roads to the Same Place ✩ ✩ ✩
Author: i_know_its_0ver
Pairing: M/E
Rating: E
Length: 20 000
Summary: written for this prompt on the kink meme. Esca is a pickpocketing gypsy, Cottia is a fortune teller, Marcus is…well, still a wounded soldier, and everyone’s just looking for something to call home. (Or, the one where Esca stole Marcus’s wallet, and then his heart.)
Comment: Heart-warming and romantic. The pickpocketing gypsy stereotype is unfortunate and would best have been avoided imo, but in all other aspects, this story is well done - vivid and captivating and slightly wistful.
Learn Me Right
Author: Dustfinger223
Pairing: M/E
Rating: T
Length: 18 500
Summary: It all begins with a visit from a lawyer.
Comment: A big inheritance falls into Esca’s lap, but unfortunately it comes with some strings attached…Esca struggles to adapt to the world of his snobby, aristocratic relatives, but thankfully there’s also Marcus.
Much Ado About Marcus
Author: ForzaDelDestino
Pairing: M/E
Rating: not rated
Length: 5500
Summary: Marcus is a recently-hired principal actor in Shakespeare's company, The Lord Chamberlain's Men. (During that period, of course, women's roles were played by actors, and youthful female characters were often played by the apprentice boys.) Because of the popularity of Romeo and Juliet, the play is to be re-staged a year after its successful first performance, with Marcus as Romeo. Esca, who has been assigned to him as apprentice, is a very reluctant Juliet.
Comment: Yes! A fandom recounting re-enacting of Romeo and Juliet! ♥
The second part of this rec list is --->here.