10 :: Fanfiction (Xena Edition)
Believe it or not, I used to like other fandoms! [lol] And in my next '10' post, I will cover those forgotten realms where I used to wile away the hours (Bad Girls, Utena, Weiss Kreuz, The L Word, Gundam Wing and so on...).
However, most of my fandom-related time is now spent in the wonderful world of Xena.
These are the ten fics that I love the most. Now, that being said, there are many others that I love and simply adore - but these ten really stand out for me. ;D
(1) Sweet Dreams by NiteHawk
Season Five of Xena did absolutely nothing for me (minus a few great Gabrielle moments and some humorous moments) and so this story comes as a great way to fill in that season for me.
As you probably know, some serious shit went down in the S5 ender 'Motherhood'... especially that moment when Gabrielle fell under the Furies madness and Eve kind of got in the way and Xena might have reacted a little too quickly... You remember?
Well, this story picks up after that episode and tosses the reader into a world where dreams & reality are merging for Xena and for Gabrielle. There are dark machinations going on and both women must overcome the aforementioned 'moment' in order to put life back in order.
There is angst, there is love, there is self-reflection... and yea, there is some great adoration of Gabrielle in this fic, which is icing on the proverbial cake for myself.
*
(2) A Waltz 'Round My Subtext by Fialka
Yes. Ohhhh yes. I love this story so much that I would marry it... if that were legal. Of course, I could probably marry this fic before I could marry a woman, but that's another soapbox.
This story is all from Xena's perspective, covering the landscape of Season One with thoughts of desire and friendship and loneliness and of connections so fine that they are easy to break, easy to take for granted.
It is sexy. It is deep. It is such a pure joy to read this story that... well, I think I might just re-read it tonight [lol].
*
(3) The Irresistible Flame by DJWP
Not the only one by this author that you will see on this list, but it is the only sort of Uber - sort of AU XWP fanfic that works wonderfully. A great story, long and well-written, that shows what happens when an unknown evil messes with fate and how that unravels the paths of many. It bounces between ancient Greece and modern times with ease. There are great secondary characters (that aren't that secondary... once you read, it'll make sense). There is the slow build-up of subtext to maintext. It is gorgeous.
*
(4) Unconquered by Pallas
I love a good Conqueror story. And while most of them stick to the tried-n-true Gabby!Slave method (not knocking it, so don't let your panties get in a twist), this one goes a different route... and that is what makes it so damn great. The plot is simple - Xena the Conqueror is captured by the Amazons. Gabrielle, having suffered the loss of her family due to the Conqueror, wishes for nothing more than the chance to avenge them.
After that, though, the fanfic goes to another level, one filled with longing and heartbreaking angst.
That ending, people... that ending gets me every time.
*
(5) Seven Days In Pompeii by DJWP
Told ya DJWP would pop up on this list again! And with good reason, because this is an AU with a heavy dose of that classic Xena feel - it is perfection. Very well-written, splendid characterization, beautiful maintext... all merged with a real place and a real tragedy. You just fall into this world created and don't want to leave. Absolutely wonderful.
*
(6) A New Day by FlyBigD
Too much angst in all those others? Well, this is pretty much angst free (there might be a smattering or two of emo-time). Set after 'One Against An Army', this story is full of devotion and talking and relationship development.
Xena and Gabrielle are written quite well, painted in a light that fits perfectly with the episode this fic is dealing with. I recall being fascinated and charmed by Xena in particular. In this story, she is blossoming under the influence of love. Excellent.
*
(7) The Edge of Nowhere by Annemaart
Oh yea, another Conqueror fanfic that does not follow the same formula at all. This has an achingly slow build-up as far as love goes and it is so sweet to wait it out. You have a bored Conqueror and an enemy providing 'entertainment', of a sort... as in they fight (get your minds out of gutters!).
There is anger and angst as a meeting of the minds occurs, reluctantly, and these two opponents learn to trust in each other - eventually.
So well written and a wonderful plot, all of it paced just right. This is a story that I recommend highly.
*
(8) Alpha and Omega by Acid
One of the earliest recs I ever did is for this fanfic. An AU within an AU, detailing - from Gabrielle's perspective - the haunting image that is Xena. The language is cold and precise, giving an impressive picture of what could have been the early days of this partnership. It is the words, though, that get me the most. It is like a painting, so vivid and rich. I soak this story up like art. Absolutely beautiful.
*
(9) Constancy by Xena's Little Bitch
Out of all her fanfics, this one is the best by far - for me, that is.
Set in Season Six, after 'Return of the Valkyrie', this thoughtful and - ultimately - loving tale is a jewel to behold.
All from Gabrielle's point of view, taking in her thoughts about her time protected by Brunhilda and of her relationship with Xena, with peace, with everything that makes her the woman she is.
And, not to mention, this author is so good at melding great story writing with hot sex. Just so you know. ;)
*
(10) Cooking On High by Celestial Buffet
The only out-n-out Uber on this list, but I wouldn't rec it if it didn't rock.
And it does, in spades. The physical looks are the same as our favorite gals, but that is where it ends.
Who knew the world of high-strung superchefs would be so intriguing and dangerous and full of opportunities for hot lesbian love?
I sure didn't! This fic is fun and interesting, making you care for these characters as much as you do for their physical counterparts back in ancient Greece.
And I would love a sequel...
However, most of my fandom-related time is now spent in the wonderful world of Xena.
These are the ten fics that I love the most. Now, that being said, there are many others that I love and simply adore - but these ten really stand out for me. ;D
(1) Sweet Dreams by NiteHawk
Season Five of Xena did absolutely nothing for me (minus a few great Gabrielle moments and some humorous moments) and so this story comes as a great way to fill in that season for me.
As you probably know, some serious shit went down in the S5 ender 'Motherhood'... especially that moment when Gabrielle fell under the Furies madness and Eve kind of got in the way and Xena might have reacted a little too quickly... You remember?
Well, this story picks up after that episode and tosses the reader into a world where dreams & reality are merging for Xena and for Gabrielle. There are dark machinations going on and both women must overcome the aforementioned 'moment' in order to put life back in order.
There is angst, there is love, there is self-reflection... and yea, there is some great adoration of Gabrielle in this fic, which is icing on the proverbial cake for myself.
*
(2) A Waltz 'Round My Subtext by Fialka
Yes. Ohhhh yes. I love this story so much that I would marry it... if that were legal. Of course, I could probably marry this fic before I could marry a woman, but that's another soapbox.
This story is all from Xena's perspective, covering the landscape of Season One with thoughts of desire and friendship and loneliness and of connections so fine that they are easy to break, easy to take for granted.
It is sexy. It is deep. It is such a pure joy to read this story that... well, I think I might just re-read it tonight [lol].
*
(3) The Irresistible Flame by DJWP
Not the only one by this author that you will see on this list, but it is the only sort of Uber - sort of AU XWP fanfic that works wonderfully. A great story, long and well-written, that shows what happens when an unknown evil messes with fate and how that unravels the paths of many. It bounces between ancient Greece and modern times with ease. There are great secondary characters (that aren't that secondary... once you read, it'll make sense). There is the slow build-up of subtext to maintext. It is gorgeous.
*
(4) Unconquered by Pallas
I love a good Conqueror story. And while most of them stick to the tried-n-true Gabby!Slave method (not knocking it, so don't let your panties get in a twist), this one goes a different route... and that is what makes it so damn great. The plot is simple - Xena the Conqueror is captured by the Amazons. Gabrielle, having suffered the loss of her family due to the Conqueror, wishes for nothing more than the chance to avenge them.
After that, though, the fanfic goes to another level, one filled with longing and heartbreaking angst.
That ending, people... that ending gets me every time.
*
(5) Seven Days In Pompeii by DJWP
Told ya DJWP would pop up on this list again! And with good reason, because this is an AU with a heavy dose of that classic Xena feel - it is perfection. Very well-written, splendid characterization, beautiful maintext... all merged with a real place and a real tragedy. You just fall into this world created and don't want to leave. Absolutely wonderful.
*
(6) A New Day by FlyBigD
Too much angst in all those others? Well, this is pretty much angst free (there might be a smattering or two of emo-time). Set after 'One Against An Army', this story is full of devotion and talking and relationship development.
Xena and Gabrielle are written quite well, painted in a light that fits perfectly with the episode this fic is dealing with. I recall being fascinated and charmed by Xena in particular. In this story, she is blossoming under the influence of love. Excellent.
*
(7) The Edge of Nowhere by Annemaart
Oh yea, another Conqueror fanfic that does not follow the same formula at all. This has an achingly slow build-up as far as love goes and it is so sweet to wait it out. You have a bored Conqueror and an enemy providing 'entertainment', of a sort... as in they fight (get your minds out of gutters!).
There is anger and angst as a meeting of the minds occurs, reluctantly, and these two opponents learn to trust in each other - eventually.
So well written and a wonderful plot, all of it paced just right. This is a story that I recommend highly.
*
(8) Alpha and Omega by Acid
One of the earliest recs I ever did is for this fanfic. An AU within an AU, detailing - from Gabrielle's perspective - the haunting image that is Xena. The language is cold and precise, giving an impressive picture of what could have been the early days of this partnership. It is the words, though, that get me the most. It is like a painting, so vivid and rich. I soak this story up like art. Absolutely beautiful.
*
(9) Constancy by Xena's Little Bitch
Out of all her fanfics, this one is the best by far - for me, that is.
Set in Season Six, after 'Return of the Valkyrie', this thoughtful and - ultimately - loving tale is a jewel to behold.
All from Gabrielle's point of view, taking in her thoughts about her time protected by Brunhilda and of her relationship with Xena, with peace, with everything that makes her the woman she is.
And, not to mention, this author is so good at melding great story writing with hot sex. Just so you know. ;)
*
(10) Cooking On High by Celestial Buffet
The only out-n-out Uber on this list, but I wouldn't rec it if it didn't rock.
And it does, in spades. The physical looks are the same as our favorite gals, but that is where it ends.
Who knew the world of high-strung superchefs would be so intriguing and dangerous and full of opportunities for hot lesbian love?
I sure didn't! This fic is fun and interesting, making you care for these characters as much as you do for their physical counterparts back in ancient Greece.
And I would love a sequel...