Ao3 author spotlight: dream_paladin (@dreampaladin)!
hi i'm back in the building to recommend an author who spends so much time giving to the community and uplifting people that i think it's fair we spend some time giving back. as a heads up all of dream_paladin's works are locked so you do need an Ao3 account and to be logged in to view them! but it's well worth it, i assure you
i've already given up on myself twice [T] [Polytrix] [Complete]
rumi doesn't let people take care of her
i love a good fic about injuries and this is exactly that, Rumi hiding injuries from Mira and Zoey. it's a bitesized fic and yet it's so packed full of characterisation for all three of them, and Celine too!
it's extra impressive because there's no dialogue. it's pure introspection from Rumi while she's going about making these choices, a real deep dive into what leads a person to behave like that. excellent work.
i wasn't there (but i know) [G] [Polytrix] [Complete]
Zoey and Mira have their own things to work through about the Idol Awards
the idol awards weren't just traumatic for Rumi and i adore it when any fic looks into the impact it had on Mira and Zoey. i love it when it's not brushed over. they're all so hurt by what happened, and this is an excellent look at how their individual flaws and trauma responses make it so difficult for them to take care of each other.
(don't) handle me with care [T] [Polytrix] [Complete]
Rumi has a nightmare about the Idol Awards and their aftermath. Mira and Zoey don't let her run away again.
me, liking a 'Rumi has nightmares' fic? say it ain't so.
it's hard to believe this is the first time the author has written a poly relationship cos it just feels so natural. i love all the little details put in that aren't directly brought up but really inform you of Rumi's emotional state before, during, and after the events of the movie. it's so cleanly interwoven into the narration.
you'd have me down, down, down (on my knees) [E] [Polytrix] [Complete]
Polytrix smut, with pre-op and post-op Rumi
maybe this is my own ignorance showing or just a fact of previous fandoms i've been in but i've never seen a fic go into such loving and clear detail about the pre-op to post-op journey of transwomen, especially as it pertains to sex.
the trans part of the narrative is so tightly woven into the canon story around shame and guilt and they work together so beautifully to form an incredible story that only enhances the message of the movie.
i went into it expecting smut and i definitely got that (good grief did i definitely get that) but i also got all of the emotions around it, and left with a genuinely better understanding of how that journey can feel
i don't like comparing fics but if you like the medical accuracy and unflinching detail of lonely lavender bones i really, really recommend this.
on top of being a fantastic author she's also a wonderful person to be around and someone who always makes an active effort to uplift the people around her, either through art or just avid support. the comments she leaves on fics kill me dead every single time.
