Swan Queen Fanfic Rec List (80 Fics)
After reading over 500+ SQ fics over five months (Omg Welp!), I guess I’ve read enough to do a fic rec list, lol. Just paying it forward. Also includes works by newer SQ authors. And all ‘In Progress’ fics are actively updated, no abandoned works here.
It’s a loooong list (80 fics total) but diverse enough you should find something enjoyable. All I ask is if you found this list helpful and enjoyed the fic, please send a simple review to the author acknowledging their work. A few words of appreciation can make a huge difference.
And if you are the author of any SQ fics, my enormous thanks to you! You are incredible and amazing for generously sharing your brilliant masterpieces. THANK YOU!
===============================================
Here we go!
——————-MULTI-CHAPTER——————-
[FLUFF] [FLUFF] [ FLUFF ]
…
Lost in Translation by Purplehershey (Complete)
A new SQ author, but an excellent one. The twist here is that Regina’s deaf, but fear not since there’s minimal angst. It’s all fluffy and happy feels. This fic will make you fall in love with Regina and Emma all over again. The one-liners are killers too.
…
Imagine Me and You by Bayloriffic (Complete)
The best parent-trap fic. Henry is adorable here, and it’s delightful to witness Regina and Emma’s growing attraction for each other. Plus, Bayloriffic’s writing is super smooth, it’s worth reading just for her writing style alone.
…
Down East Decisions by FlyYouFools (In Progress)
In progress but a gorgeous work. Featuring an older Regina and Emma, their banter is superb, and little Henry is irresistible. All the supporting characters are so fully fleshed out that you will love every one of them too. A wonderful fic you will want to reread while waiting patiently for a new chapter.
…
Incoming Messages by Hunnyfresh (Complete)
On most rec lists for fluff and rightfully so. You will smile so hard, grin so hard, cheer for Regina and Emma so hard. Just a pure delight and absolute fun to read. So good an SQ vidder even did an awesome trailer for it. (Watch it here)
…
A Ripple in Time by Chrmdpoet (In Progress)
A super duper cute story by the author of Popcorn Love. I was debating whether to put Popcorn Love in, but seriously, you are probably already reading it, haha. A young Regina mysteriously finds herself in Storybrooke, and Emma, Regina and Henry must get to the bottom of it. Choke-full of funny incidences where young Regina gets acquainted with the wonders of the modern world. Every chapter is overloaded with cuteness and feels.
…
By Process of Elimination by Hope2x (Complete)
Light-hearted and thoroughly engaging story, where Regina and Emma find themselves suddenly stuck in an unbreakable magic marriage contract. Super fun and all the nicknames that Emma calls Regina are so cute and funny. Fantastic story.
…
The Secret’s in the Telling by Pyrophoric (Complete)
A time travelling mind-bender, with LOL moments and a fantastic plot that somehow works flawlessly. An absolute marvel, wow. One of the fics where the second reading will give you different feels from your first. Unconventional writing style (slightly cracky but it’s not a crack fic), and once you get used to it, the story gets really fun.
…
The Landing Spot by Alaska829Snow (Complete)
Emma’s magic goes haywire and keeps bringing her to Regina, especially when Regina’s in compromising situations, lol. There are far fewer comedy fics than angst fics, and this is great comedy without being campy. Really well-done. Full of laughs and happy exasperation.
…
Secret Santa by Wishiwasbo16 (Complete)
Probably the only fic that has Emma AND the Charmings moving into 108 Mifflin Street, with a reluctant Regina. Hilarity and chaos ensues. Very fun and funny fic.
…
All I Wanna Do by Raug-moss (In Progress)
Emma’s a hitchhiker who Regina picks up and things get interesting from there. Delightful work sprinkled with little details and touches that are very enjoyable. A light-hearted story that is simply delightful.
…
Follow If You Lead by MaybeWeAre (Complete)
Starts when Emma goes back in time and meets Evil Queen Regina, but the fateful meeting unlocks a key memory both Regina and Emma have forgotten. Note it has slight OutlawQueen at the start (skip it if you prefer), but the Swan Queen at the end is worth it. Although this is a Season 3 fic, the author manages to give the events of Season 1 a fresh perspective here. Great read!
…
Approximately 525 600 Minutes by Reighne (In Progress)
In progress, but a super fun and fluffy fic, where Regina wakes up to find herself with a wedding ring on her finger, and a panicking Sheriff on the phone, and with the whole of Storybrooke aware of their marriage except them.
…
Happy Ending by Pcworth (In Progress)
An Emma from the future comes back to find out the current Emma messed up her happy ending. Ongoing, chapters are short but very entertaining. A newer SQ author, with multiple ongoing fics that are all good reads too.
…
The Debt by Scribes and Scrolls (Complete; Sequel completed too)
Takes place immediately at the end of Season 1, where the curse has broken, and Regina escapes together with Emma. Fast-paced, great writing, just a super entertaining read throughout. The direct sequel (A Ledger Squared In Blood) is also completed.
…
Surrender by Velace (In Progress)
Set in FTL, where Regina accepts that Emma is her true love but Emma is resistant to it. Lovely and fluffy piece. No Henry here, instead we get a lovable OC. I really enjoyed reading what’s available so far, and really want to read more.
…
Masquerade by Sultry Sweet (In Progress)
FTL fic where Emma and Regina meet at Emma’s twenty-eighth birthday party, and all is fine until Regina realizes who exactly the blonde is. Fun, light-hearted and entertaining. If you enjoy this, the author also has a couple of other entertaining SQ fics set in Storybrooke, so check them out too.
…
Rattled by Toaster Oven Depot (Complete)
A short three chapters, but outrageously funny. Emma discovers how to rattle Regina and it involves being under the mayor’s desk while she’s at a business meeting. The ending’s a kicker too. Smut alert, lol.
…
The Worlds You Never See by Writetherest (Complete)
Lovely and wonderfully written fic that will tug at your heartstrings. Regina finds herself in another world, discovering the Regina of this world is happily married to Emma and they are raising a family together. How will this experience impact Regina?
…
Double Trouble by Sea-ess-eye (In Progress)
Long but very entertaining fic where teenage versions of Emma and Regina appear in Storybrooke and to everyone’s surprise the girls hit it off immediately. Older Emma and Regina have to grapple with their mutual attraction of both their younger and current selves while attempting to solve the mystery.
…
A Kind of Comfort in You by Inkfiction (Complete)
I don’t really read baby fics, but this is an exception. This fic will probably make you want to fall in love, haha. Regina helps to deliver Emma’s baby and they start raising little Allison together with big bro Henry. Full of fluff, cuteness and just heaps of happy feels everywhere. It’s a little gem of a work.
…
Trust by Motormouse (Complete)
A fic where the whole story (except portions of the last chapter) takes place entirely via text messages and short phone calls between Regina and Emma. Innovative, and a fun read.
…
Sequestered by I.heart.mean.girls (Complete)
The curse is still in place with Henry yet to find Emma. Regina is forced to leave Storybrooke following an unexpected event, and meets Emma. Good read, the author’s other SQ fics are great too.
…
The Queen’s Revenge by Tigerhorse717 (Complete)
A newer SQ author but entertaining stuff. A fic set in the enchanted forest. Unwilling to sacrifice her father, the Evil Queen comes up with a new plan to exact her revenge, unknowingly binding herself more tightly than she could ever imagine to the fate of her greatest enemy’s daughter.
…
Punished by Gleedcanon (In Progress)
A fun and funny BDSM fic. That sounds weird but it is indeed fluffy with BDSM, lol. Regina decides to help Emma with her chosen method of escaping and both get more than they intended when they started this.
…
===============================================
——————-MULTI-CHAPTER——————-
[ANGST] [ANGST] [ ANGST ]
…
So does this make us both the other woman by Coalitiongirl (Complete)
A tour de force in angst. Simply phenomenal. The fic that was the death of me and likely every other reader while it was in progress. More than 1000 kudos on A03 already and deservedly so. Angst was never this good. All her other fics are really great too.
…
Fragments of a Life Less Lived by Heartsways (Part 1 and 2 Complete; Part 3 In Progress)
This fic will likely make you love Swan Queen if you haven’t already. Totally engrossing with beautiful writing. Season 1 Swan Queen at its finest, where falling in love is as much of a curse as being alone. Also has a fantastic fan trailer dedicated to it. (Watch it here)
…
A Fine Line by Hunnyfresh (Complete)
Only three chapters, but they are three magnificent ones. When two people are meant to be, their love cannot be denied even with an impenetrable barrier. Fantastic fic that inspired a superb vid. (Watch it here)
…
A Trail of Destruction by Starsthatburn (In Progress)
A hostage situation at City Hall leaves Emma with deep emotional scars that are destroying her. Regina tries to help. The writing is taut and the tension can get unbearable. A roller-coaster of a fic that I couldn’t put down. The author captures Regina particularly well, and their slow-burn romance here is really well-done.
…
We’ll make our home on the water by Bayloriffic (Complete)
A marvelous fic with them on board the Jolly Roger heading to Neverland to rescue Henry. This fic will suck you in slowly and the simmering attraction between Emma and Regina is wonderful.
…
Mine by Ellemae (In Progress)
A very original and thoroughly fascinating fic. An intense psychological study into the mind of a broken Emma and a Regina who is trying to deal with the aftermath. It’s a little terrifying and a little raw and a whole lot of sudden impact. Addictive stuff.
…
Paint it Black by Wily_One24 (Complete)
Extremely dark fic where Regina breaks Emma. Seriously, do heed the warnings if you need to. But wow, what a fic. I had to stop reading halfway the first time as it was so dark. But it’s worth it to finish and the writing is so good that I find myself still gripped by it now even though I finished it a while back. Exquisite work, a fic that makes me want to read.
…
Temporary Distractions by Amycarey (Complete)
Regina gets Emma to pretend to be her new love interest in order to save face around Robin and Marian. Beautiful work with a very unique style that will just draw you in the more you read. Great author who already has several wonderful SQ AUs under her belt. Check them all out, you won’t be disappointed.
…
The Queen’s Favor by Anamatics (Complete)
I had read this and another SQ story (The Return) by Anamatics and was amazed. Different and polished. This story is unique in that there is a parallel storyline going on. The bulk of the action takes place in Storybrooke (with a twist Utena fans would get), and interwoven with a tale of a traveller and an exiled witch. Engrossing story with a sweet ending.
…
Addict Fic by Fictorium (Complete)
All of Fictorium’s works are great, but I really enjoyed this. It’s so intense as you watch Regina and Emma spiral out of control with their addictions (painkillers and alcohol respectively), but you also get a sense of hope that together they can somehow manage to overcome it.
…
Safe by Sgtmac (Complete)
Emma and Henry kidnaps Regina, taking her away from Storybrooke so she can begin a process of healing. Beautifully written, with a evocative and rich descriptive style that really draws you in and makes you experience what the characters are feeling during the emotional scenes.
…
Curse You and Your Dinner by Highheelsandchocolate (Complete)
Probably the best fic that has Regina dealing with the aftermath of absorbing the curse from the well. Really great work, I thoroughly enjoy reading it.
…
Underland by Jellyheart84 (Complete)
The story starts before Emma becomes the sheriff, where she and Regina meet at a strip bar, and no it’s not kinky. It’s neat how the author manages to reference key moments of the show within her own plot as her story moves along. Very enjoyable read from start to end.
…
I’m Your Dead Sea by Wherethewhiled (Complete)
Only three chapters, but a really good three chapters. The author chronicles the evolution of Regina and Emma’s relationship through a series of sexual encounters. A in-depth study and great read.
…
Averno by Deemn (Parts 1 and 2 Complete; Part 3 In Progress)
Set after the curse breaks, where Emma and Snow falls through the portal. A beautiful and emotional story. A 3-parter with parts 1 and 2 completed. Hopefully the author will complete Part 3 soon.
…
Somewhere, someone must know the ending by Maleficently (Complete)
A really realistic portrayal of how Regina and Emma could have gotten together if there had been no curse. It’s like a real life story, with all the pains, headaches and troubles of the real world. If you enjoy Amycarey’s work, you will probably like this one and vice versa, although this has far more angst.
…
Of Love and Loathing By Sapphire Smoke (Complete; Sequel in progress)
An emotional whirlwind, where the high is really high and the low is really low. Regina has been sleeping with Emma even though she absolutely loathes her. Ends when the curse breaks, with the sequel (Transgressions of the Heart) still in progress.
…
All these small steps you take by Negativeblue (Complete)
Slow-burn Swan Queen. A character study with a heavier focus on Emma. Story starts when Cora’s death leaves a whole lot of repercussions that no one has planned for. A very well-crafted story, great read.
…
Wet by SpookshowBabyx (Complete)
Regina and Emma get together during the events of the storm in Season 1. Very very long fic (111 chapters!), but it will entertain you all the way.
…
A Dark Ocean by Chilly_flame (Complete)
Beautiful fic where Regina gets injured in an accident, losing all her memories of Storybrooke and the curse. Emma steps in to assist and gets more than she bargained for.
…
In the Velvet Darkness by Devje (In Progress)
Takes place roughly 2-3 years after Season 3, in which Emma wakes up alone one day and finds that other than Regina, Storybrooke is completely empty with no human inhabitants at all. The mystery is intriguing and the fic is absorbing.
…
That Drunken Night (I Hardly Remember) by Corikane (Complete)
Long fic but entertaining stuff. Starts when Emma’s wasted and accidentally calls Regina instead of her mom. And Regina isn’t as loathe to talk to the blonde. Did things change between them so drastically while they were in Neverland?
…
The Staircase by Redcharcoal (Complete)
Another long fic. Starts out really dark and awful (not the fic but the situation is awful) but gets lighter. Heed warning. Regina was still lying on the floor at the staircase’s base and she stared back up at it. Everything was different now. Changed. She felt broken by what had just happened, appalled and enraged, dirty.
…
===============================================
——————-MULTI-CHAPTER——————-
[AU] [AU] [ AU ]
…
To Protect and Serve by Janemac24 (In Progress)
Police AU. Regina is a senior detective and Emma her new junior partner. One of the best ongoing fics by a new SQ author, very well-plotted and well-written. The SQ is slow-burn, with a great balance of angst and fluff. Updates regularly, with long and meaty chapters too. Great read!
…
Hurricane by EvilRegaLite (In Progress)
VERY explicit and dark. Heed the warnings, not for the squeamish or easily offended. Regina is a ruthless Mafia boss, and Emma becomes her… Well, I don’t want to spoil it so you just have to read it to find out. This entire fic is like a spidery maze, full of half-truths and shades of gray. Nothing is really what it seems, and the author just traps you in her dark web.
…
Pure of Heart by Bayloriffic (In Progress)
You know the magic something you get when you watch a brilliant romantic comedy? This fic has that magic something. A Swan Queen version of Pretty Woman. To quote a reviewer after reading the first chapter, “I HAD NO IDEA I NEEDED THIS UNTIL JUST NOW.” Yes I agree, completely.
…
Way Back Home by ByTheDawn (Complete)
Fallout 3 + Swan Queen. If you are a gamer, read it. If you enjoy dystopian, read it. If you are none of the above, try it as the author has managed to capture the dreary atmosphere of a wasteland world and still leave you with hope at the end. Plus, it has Regina as a deadshot sniper! (And when you’re done, please do go request ByTheDawn for a sequel :p)
…
The Senator by Angstbot (In Progress)
Regina’s a senator who gets entangled with a barista (Emma), and this threatens to destroy her political career. No, it’s not Scandal lol. It’s more like an expertly brewed cup of artisan coffee, really great to slowly savour.
…
The Prophecy by FairyTaleArchetypes (Complete; Sequel in Progress)
Do you like sweeping epics like Game of Thrones? Do you enjoy RPGs like Dragon Age? If you do, then this fic is perfect for you. Set in medieval FTL, it’s a very meticulous, lushly detailed epic with political machinations, simmering tensions, and an overarching prophecy that could spiral to full out war. Each chapter is gorgeous, long, and well worth the wait.
…
Aut Vincere Aut Mori by Lysachan (Complete)
A unique piece set in ancient Rome with Emma as an enslaved gladiator and Regina as a vestal priestess. The author manages to make you feel the hustle and bustle of ancient Rome, and their slow but sweet romance is really sweet and lovely. Wonderfully sweet.
…
The Storybrooke Connection by Absedarian (Complete)
A noir piece set in the 1930s, with Regina as an undercover bar hostess and Emma as the aviator pilot who crosses her path. A meticulously researched work. It’s like reading a beautiful classic black and white movie. Very uncommon piece but well worth the trip back in time.
…
Pointed by Standbackufools (Complete)
Vampire fics are plenty, but this stands heads and shoulders apart. Not only is the premise and plot exciting, the fast pacing and badass action scenes will just draw you in. Plus, it’s worth reading just for the ending lines alone. Be glad it’s completed if you are only reading it now. A universe where I really hope the author will continue to write more stories in.
…
Ocean and A Rock by Purplehershey (In Progress)
Nicholas Sparks + Swan Queen. A very original work, wispy and with the sort of feels you typically get from a Nicholas Sparks’s novel. Fresh and different. (On a sidenote, if you want to cry, read her other work The Art of Being Extraordinary, it will leave you in tears)
…
I’ll Take Note of That by Dirty Curtains (In Progress)
A teacher student AU where Emma is older and is a tutor to a younger Regina in high school. They fall in love but separate and meet again in university, where Emma’s a teaching assistant in Regina’s course. Will they be able to make their romance work this time?
…
A Beautiful Monster by Hope2x (In Progress)
A Evil!Emma fic, set in FTL where Emma is Regina’s dark and devoted knight. Bold, dark and unapologetic. The fights are brutal, bone-crunching, and blood flows freely. It’s the only SQ fic where I feel I’m reading a graphic novel instead. Think Frank Miller’s 300 movie. Or the Spartacus’s tv series. (And if you love this fic, please do join me in begging hope2x for more, lol)
…
Flesh Wound by SkinnyLittleLesbian (In Progress)
Officer in training by day, babysitter by night, Emma tends to keep fairly busy. After a goofy accident resulting in her getting stabbed, Emma winds up in Regina’s Emergency Room. Very fun and refreshing new work by SkinnyLittleLesbian. Updates weekly, and while you are waiting, read all her other SQ stories (especially Delayed) because they are all excellent.
…
Beat me with your bitter lies by Xaverie (In Progress)
FTL AU with a completely original premise. Princess Emma will be Queen one day but for now she is a teenager with no thought to her position. Sensing danger in her indifference, Snow and Charming enlist a whipping girl from a noble family to give Emma some perspective.
…
The Only Way by Clara Bright (In Progress)
FTL AU. Emma is an outlaw thief and Regina is a runaway Queen with powerful magic. Emma enlists Regina’s help to save her son from an evil sorcerer and they journey together on this quest, encountering some familiar faces along the way. An entertaining adventure story.
…
A Western Welcome by LZClotho (In Progress)
Western AU. Really enjoyable story where Emma Swan, gunslinger, rescues local brothel Madame, Regina, from mob when she sheltered a runaway girl but the town thought she was “pressing her into service.”
…
Letters from War By Hunnyfresh (In Progress)
A hunnyfresh multi-chapter fic, so you know it’s good. Emma is a soldier on reserve in Fort Benning. Regina is the Mayor of Storybrooke. Through a pen pal program designed to ease the ache of homesick soldiers, Emma and Regina begin sending letters to one another as their relationship grows from cordial acquaintance to something neither woman would have expected - until the letters stop coming.
…
========================================
——————-ONE-SHOTS——————-
[FLUFF] [HAPPY] [FUN]
…
Chopin by Gleedcanon
Very fun and playful one-shot AU where Regina is a classical pianist and Emma is a keyboardist in a rock band, and they fall delightfully in love within two days. I couldn’t stop smiling while reading it, so fun and fluffy.
…
Spinning Matchsticks into Needles by Amycarey
One of the best Hogwarts and Swan Queen crossover. Wonderful work, with marvelous characters that you want the story to go on forever. Bonus, the author just wrote a sequel to this. (Yay!)
…
He Gets it From You by Onepromise
A cute one-shot where Henry traps both Regina and Emma in the closet and refuses to let them out until they get together. Very light and funny, huge fun to read.
…
Blind Date by Justlovebt
A very sensual one-shot, where a blindfolded Emma gets teased by her mysterious admirer. This is really dripping with sensual passion. The sophisticated and classy sort, not kinky at all. Awesome.
…
Why Can’t Secret Santa Just Be Openly Gay by Writetherest
Very fluffy and lovely one-shot, where Emma finds herself receiving presents from a mysterious secret Santa. Simply lovely.
…
Hope is just a stranger by SaviorQueen
A delightful bodyswap one-shot, where the ending will leave you smiling and your heart full of hope. An accident leaves Regina traipsing through the Neverland jungle with leather pants, a hook, and a brand new perspective on her Emma Swan situation. I really wish the author will write more SQ fics.
…
The Enchanted Phallus by Exquisiteliltart
Cracky and completely LMAO. Set at the end of Season 2, where Regina needs Emma’s help to dispel the large amount of fairy dust she sucked in from the portal. I couldn’t stop laughing when reading it, it’s hilarious.
…
Sick Day by Mustdefine
Fluffy and sweet piece with Regina taking care of a sick Emma. Keeping my fingers tightly crossed the sequel will come soon.
…
Tinkerhell by Seriousish
Crack one-shot, but funny as hell. Emma is totally jealous of Tinkerbell, who is being all sorts of affectionate with Regina.
…
===============================================
——————-ONE-SHOTS——————-
[Angst] [Emotional] [Different]
…
Between Bought and Earned by ByTheDawn
A one-shot that will sucker-punch you with emotional feels. Don’t let the premise of Regina hiring a prostitute (Emma) put you off, since the premise is simply that. Instead, the way the author weaves in the torrent of emotions in just their first meeting is pretty incredible. I was amazed she managed to do it in a single chapter. Beautiful and touching piece.
…
Break In by OfEndlessWonder
After the fight with Zelena, Emma takes Regina home to make sure that she’s okay, but she accidentally reveals something that makes Regina see her in a different light. Great and very enjoyable one-shot.
…
Walking on Water by Hoovahhoopah
Wow, so much feels from this one-shot. I’m not sure how to explain the story, it’s just filled with so much love.
…
Key Witness by Strangesmallbard
Emma witnesses a murder, leading her to the path of the mysterious Detective Mills. Although it’s a one-shot police AU, the author manages to flesh out the setting and characters fully. Great read as a one-shot, and with lots of potential as a series if the author decides to continue it.
…
The Devil Within by Luxor Nautalis
The best Evil!Emma one-shot. I have a soft spot for Evil!Emma fics, and this is really enjoyable. Set in FTL, Emma is powerful, evil and irresistible here alongside Evil!Regina. Dark and unapologetic, evil has never been so delicious.
…
What we talk about when by ShelleyBelle
A short but lovely one-short where Emma and Regina have a conversation on Regina’s couch.
…
Your Name is Regina Mills by 13pens
Heart-tugging one-shot from Regina’s first-person POV. Regina leaves Storybrooke and subsequently forgets Emma and Henry, but finds out there are reasons to return.
…
======================================
END OF LIST & HAPPY READING! :D
