Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs Part 14
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 Part 7 | Part 8 | Christmas | Part 9 | Part 10 | Collection | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
Turns out, I have over 200 Dead Boy Detectives fics bookmarked as "To Read." 😱 So I've been trying to catch up and rec some of them. I love you fanfic writers and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get to your fics. 😅
Mercy of the Shrike by nasri
WWI AU! Edwin is Charles' Commanding Officer and they are Devoted in the Trenches. This one has fantastic writing and historical detail, nuanced discussions of racism, classism and homophobia and some great cameos. I particularly enjoyed Field Surgeon Jenny "the Butcher" Green and Crystal as a Volunteer Nurse. Also, Edwin being a Super Survivor and notorious badass was very satisfying.
rubbing a bad charm with holy fingers by Cesare
Excellent Crystal-centric fic about Crystal trying to be a good, supportive friend while being very Done with the boys and their lovesick bullshit. Read this for Ridiculously Attuned Soulmates Payneland and Recovering Mean Girl Crystal. Both are very near and dear to my heart. :)
the king gone mad within his suffering (someone cure him of his grief) by halffulljampot
Continuation of the my heart is like a haunted house series, this time focusing on Edwin's father. Sweet family reunion fic.
The Boy in the Cellar by Asidian
Edwin haunts the Rowland house after escaping Hell and is shocked to discover a living boy locked in the basement... Interesting AU and Different First Meeting concept.
Empty Nesting by HighlyOveractiveImagination
Charles is cursed to be forgotten by everyone... except for a particular Cat King. Luckily, there's still a Dead Boy Detective Agency to take the case... I love the trope of one of the boys having to hire the other and this one has bonus Unlikely Friendship feels as Charles and TCK must work together to break the curse.
a homecoming of the soul by purposefullyinlove
In which the hot guy Charles spots at a gig turns out to be his longlost childhood best friend slash first crush. This one is great because it's an Alive AU that also essentially speedruns friends to lovers in a really fun way.
If Music Be The Food Of Love, Play It Again, I Missed It by UneducatedAuthor
High School AU, but also they're Theatre Kids! Charles is unimpressed with the cross-dressing misunderstandings in his school's production of Twelfth Night. In other news, he's fallen head over heels for the production's Viola and is devastated when she seemingly vanishes as soon as the production is over... In which Edwin is dedicated to the craft, Charles is clueless and they bond backstage very cutely. All the kudos for the fun title and peak dramatic irony.
do I envy those jacks that nimble leap? by eu_noia
Charles fell first, Edwin fell harder fic. This one's cute and funny with Charles "I think I'd miss kissing" Rowland trying his hardest to flirt and being understandably upset when Edwin finally reciprocates to Monty/The Cat King. Honestly, I would be upset too. Also shocked that I haven't already recced this one. 😳
Seemed to stop my breath by Antichrists_plus1
Omegaverse College AU! Edwin is an alpha crushing on his neighbour and new friend omega Charles. Nice mutual pining and interesting use of Omegaverse worldbuilding.
my garbage brings all the cats to the yard (and i'm like oh my god go away) by damaskrose
Post-canon fic about Jenny finding a certain cat lurking in her bins... Aside from the great title, this has funny writing and heart. Honestly, Jenny deserves another supernaturally-aware adult character to commiserate with. The potential of this friendship has been sadly overlooked and I need more of it!
blessed, beloved (in the palm of your hand) by shadowquill17
Charles grapples with having kind of a thing for Edwin's hands... This is PWP, but also a fascinating Charles character study that explores themes of gender and power with some dom/sub undertones. Interesting!
you'll be the star, you know you are by wordsinhaled
In which there are intricate rituals and the boys get physical but only at the cinema. This one feels like canon and has a nice sense of slowbuild (despite being a short fic) from handholding to handjobs. Intense and emotional.
Figuring Things Out by NikosMagic8Ball
Established relationship and Dead Girl Detectives AU! Edith and Charlie trying to figure out sex for the first time was cute and it also touches on interesting themes of queerness, sex and heteronormativity.
Where Wild Roses Grow by paraph
Another (Alive) Girls AU but this time on the Titanic! The gender changes are interesting with (femme) Edith trapped in an unwanted engagement (to Simon!) and (butch) Lass About Town Charlotte playing the roles of Rose and Jack. Read it for historic lesbian angst but also joy. And, you know, the Titanic.
Take Me Under (Take Me Home) by PantryJesus
While on a case, the boys are magically teleported away and dumped into the sea. Charles does not take it well. This one is an interesting look into Charles' cold water-related trauma and has lovely emotional hurt/comfort as Edwin steps up to take care of him.
wouldn't be the first time by finx
Featuring Edwin being far too casual about his own dismemberments and Charles being upset about it. Recommended!
what's the point of heaven (if you never really loved) by ObsessedWithFandom
Edwin decides to openly show his affection to Charles. This one's really sweet and it's lovely to see Charles getting all the love and appreciation he deserves.
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