Today we have a guest Fics of the Week by @womenlovingwonderwoman. I've read two out of three of them and HIGHLY recommend them.
i loved you in spite of deep fears (that the world would divide us) by Dinosaur1212
(47,328 words, 16/? chapters, Teen and Up)
The tenderness of Toni gradually caring about things that are important to Shelby, the side characters you didn’t think you would get so invested in, the background Leatin—it’s all here in a high school au that can rot the teeth from fluffiness but makes it worth it every step of the way.
“‘That’s what I thought,’ Ms Klein says, and then her attention is on Shelby, ‘I called you down here in regards to the planning of the Student Council dance. I take it you need help with that?’
Shelby glances at Toni, who looks defeated in her chair, then back at Ms Klein in order to respond, ‘I mean it is just me planning it, so I could always use help.’ She can’t figure out what could possibly be unfolding before her, but she is very hopeful that it isn’t that Toni is going to be helping her plan the dance. She would much rather do it alone than put up with Toni being confrontational the entire time.
‘I’m glad to hear that, because say hello to your new partner in helping you plan,’ Ms Klein says as simply as can be, ‘She’s going to be helping you due to a little incident that happened earlier, but she is committed to giving it her best. Right, Toni?’
Toni has to help Shelby plan a school dance after getting in trouble, and they might just fall in love along the way”
i think she knows by dwoht (@quinnfebrey)
(8,038 words, 2/2 chapters, Not Rated)
Sometimes all you need is a high school au where Shelby insults Toni so much Toni falls in love with her. It’s sweet, it’s filled with teenage coming of age angst, and Becca is so amazing that when you remember she’s canonically dead you’ll have a break down and while listening to i hope ur okay by Olivia Rodrigo and might also call your best friend from middle school just bc you never delete old contacts in your phone.
“‘Alright, hop up on the sink, Short-Stack,’ Shelby directs, and the immediate look of absolute contempt is equally rewarding as it is amusing.
‘What on God’s green Earth did you just call me?’ Toni practically bites at her.
Shelby just rolls her eyes. ‘Sit.’
tumblr prompt: i have this concept going around in my head of shelby cleaning toni up after a fight. (specifically toni sitting up on the sink counter in a school bathroom so shelby doesn’t have to crane her neck looking down)”
drive all night ‘til I let down my guard (you taste so good and you look like art) by blake0tyler
(43,340 words, 6/? chapters, Mature)
It’s hard to describe what makes this fic so compelling and masterful. The way the author doesn’t try to ham in every character but every character is still artfully used, the way the author references the show without it being annoying, the way Toni—in such a weird out of character situation—makes perfect sense, it all comes together. Every character’s journey in this is beautiful and it’s the celeb au you didn’t know you desperately needed.
“From middle of nowhere Minnesota to full superstar status in a year and a half—that’s the Toni Shalifoe story. A more authentic Cara Delevingne, she’s called. The new Kristen Stewart but without the messy Twilight past.
And now Gretchen Klein wants to jump on the bandwagon, and Shelby’s got to do a chemistry read in about twelve hours.
[ an actor/friends with benefits au with a hint of fake dating ]”
