#arin's rec

[evaksbinder]

Weekly Rec Round Up (July 23-27)

Hey everyone, here are the recs we posted this week! You can check out our original rec posts for more details about what we liked about the fic, or the fic itself. If you find yourself falling in love with any of them, please consider leaving these wonderful writers some love in the form of kudos/comments!

This week’s theme: Christmas in July

But the prettiest sight to see - imminentinertia / @skamskada (full rec here)

Ah yes, Jonas and Isak. Eva’s ex and her friend. She’s told Even a lot about them, giggled her way through convoluted embarrassing stories about what they would get up to, sometimes talked in low tones about missing them both. In theory, Even knows a fair amount of details about them, like what they’re studying, but he can’t for the life of him dredge up anything about Isak right now. Astrophysics? Artificial intelligence? Something fancy and science-y starting with A. In Oslo, anyway. He shares a flat with some other of Eva’s friends. And last winter Eva was video chatting a lot with him, not having much time for Even for a while, because he broke up with his boyfriend.

Oh, that’s right. A boyfriend.

He’s into guys.

This would be a fitting point for some descending angels breaking out in a hymn to the glory of possible attraction. No angels descend, however, there are no hymns, there are only disapproving sniffs from aunt Helene right behind him.

it’s going to rain on friday, the twenty-second of december - vesperthine / @vesperthine (full rec here)

And as usual, it all comes down to the fact that he can’t sort out his own feelings properly. That he doesn’t know what he actually wants, because he can’t separate what he wants from that which he should want ( – where the anger really grows – ) according to norms; where the line between responsibility and your own well-being goes.

That which is his omnipresent ( – very own, well watered, finely tuned, personalized – ) problem.

It’s a Wonderful Life - kapplebougher / @kapplebougher (full rec here)

He placed the items on the bedside table, and then crawled into the bed beside Even, situating himself with his back against the headboard. And then Even watched, chest expanding with an emotion he couldn’t describe, as the Even on the bed turned around, and Isak raised his arm readily to allow him under. Even curled around Isak’s lower body, pillowing his head on Isak’s lap and twining an arm around his legs.

There was a fluidity to the way they moved together, in harmony and without hesitation, almost as if practiced. Isak reached for the notebook and balanced it on his free leg, pulled something up on the laptop screen on the bedside table, and then began to write into the notebook. He glanced to the right every now and then to look at or type something on the laptop before returning to scribbling into the notebook – all while his other hand weaved in and out of Even’s hair, brushing over Even’s neck, sweeping up and down his back, soothing him until the Even on the bed fell back asleep. Even’s chest and throat were tight. If he could cry in this world, he would have been by now.

[evaksbinder]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

This week, we’re reccing fics with pining. Today’s fic is a short oneshot childhood friends au. If you like it, please consider leaving it some love in the form of kudos/comments!

you and me, fade in - skamz / @skamz (3k words)

Isak and Even have been best friends for over a decade, but when they end up sharing a kiss during a game of spin the bottle, things just aren't the same anymore.

Notes & Ramblings:

This is a short and sweet childhood best friends au where Isak suddenly realizes his feelings for Even.

Isak is well characterized with a nice blend of sarcasm and sincerity, mixed with panic and anxiety as he grapples with his newfound feelings while trying to hide them from Even.

The small, everyday traditions that are mentioned—a shared cookie, Isak’s familiarity with Even’s parents, a code word—really establish the length and depth of their relationship and make it clear how much Isak stands to lose if his new feelings ruin their friendship. 

The relationship between Isak and Even feels so in character for them—silly ribbing mixed with deep trust and care. 

This may be one of the shortest childhood friends to lovers fic I’ve read, but it does an amazing job conveying their closeness and history while still focusing on Isak’s emotional crisis. 

Favorite Lines:

"Netflix and chill," Even then teases, as he climbs up the ladder to his loft bed.

It makes Isak's heart pick up speed, which is just ridiculous at this point. Normally, Isak would've just wiggled his eyebrows suggestively in reply, and Even would've laughed a little, and it would've been chill.

Jesus. Were they always so—

Flirtatious with each other?

[evaksbinder]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

This week, we’re reccing non-evak fics. Today’s fic is a multi-chaptered fic that focuses on Yousef/Sana. If you like it, please consider leaving it some love in the form of kudos/comments!

I can only give you everything - champagneleftie / @champagneleftie (18k words)

Yousef is 21, in his first semester of university, the most recent member of Kollektivet - and ridiculously, embarrassingly, stupidly in love with Sana.

Or: a university AU where Yousef pines, Sana is oblivious, and the lack of communication threatens to ruin everything.

Notes and Ramblings:

This Yousana AU does a great job of focusing on the relationship between Yousef and Sana, and gives them a lovely rom-com story, without drama from other plot lines. 

All the hints we had in canon that Yousef was just an incredible pining dork for Sana are realized brilliantly here. Yousef is a hot mess with ridiculously convoluted thought processes that only make sense in a head-over-heels crush-addled brain.

Sana’s portrayal is so well done, and really made me remember how much I love her character. It’s clear here that Yousef loves all facets of Sana, and seeing her through his eyes could make anyone fall in love with her.

I loved the vulnerability Yousef and Sana so easily show one another, able to talk about difficult things even when they’re unsure about the other’s feelings. It’s a nice parallel to the serious conversations they had in canon, and shows how sweet and trusting they are together.

The Bakka boys and the Kollektiv members (past and current) form an entertaining supporting cast as Yousef fumbles his way towards Sana.

Favorite lines:

“This is really good. Where did you learn to cook?” She’s teasing him, and Yousef’s never been happier to be teased. This, he can handle. This is familiar. This, they’ve done since Sana was just Elias’ little sister, instead of this indefinable, incomprehensible presence in his life .

“This isn’t cooking,” he replies. “But then again, you’ve actually burnt eggs so I guess you wouldn’t know the difference.”

She raises her eyebrows at him. “Seriously? You’re going to bring that up? I was thirteen!”

“Sana, you boiled eggs for forty minutes!”

“Okay, I guess I’ll just have you cook for me then.” She smirks, and Yousef nearly swallows his tongue. He wants to tell her that yes, please, he’ll gladly cook for her every day for the rest of their lives it’d be a fucking privilege - but he manages to play it fairly cool and just smirks back at her. Well played, he congratulates himself. That was, at the very least, not a total disaster. It might even qualify as flirting.

[evaksbinder]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

This is the second week of our Christmas in July feature! Today’s fic is a film adaptation au. If you like it, please consider leaving it some love in the form of kudos/comments!

It’s a Wonderful Life - kapplebougher / @kapplebougher (13k)

"Think of it as a film, Even," she said, stepping closer. "What I'm about to show you, is one made just for you. Except this time, you are not the director." "You say that like I ever was," he said, more bitterness creeping into his tone than he’d expected. "Oh, you are,” she assured him. “Much more than you would think. But you won't be in this one." "Why not?" "Because in this one, you don't exist."

Or, an It's a Wonderful Life AU, where Even believes the world would be better off without his existence. With the help of an angel though, he comes to realize that just maybe - that may not be entirely true.

Notes & Ramblings:

This film concept is perfect for Even and for his canon insecurities, and is adapted so skillfully to fit his story. 

This is one of my favorite Christmas movies, and this fic delivers the same great sweep of emotions.

The tone of this fic is a great blend of despair, hope, sweetness and joy.

The far-reaching influence of Even’s life on his friends and family is beautifully and heartbreakingly written, with a feeling of poignancy and timelessness.

The interactions between Even and Isak are fittingly soft and tender, but with quiet intensity.

Like the original, this story does a really lovely job of focusing our attention on the things that really matter in life, and which tend to draw our focus during the Christmas season: friends, family, and love.

Favorite Lines:

He placed the items on the bedside table, and then crawled into the bed beside Even, situating himself with his back against the headboard. And then Even watched, chest expanding with an emotion he couldn’t describe, as the Even on the bed turned around, and Isak raised his arm readily to allow him under. Even curled around Isak’s lower body, pillowing his head on Isak’s lap and twining an arm around his legs.

There was a fluidity to the way they moved together, in harmony and without hesitation, almost as if practiced. Isak reached for the notebook and balanced it on his free leg, pulled something up on the laptop screen on the bedside table, and then began to write into the notebook. He glanced to the right every now and then to look at or type something on the laptop before returning to scribbling into the notebook – all while his other hand weaved in and out of Even’s hair, brushing over Even’s neck, sweeping up and down his back, soothing him until the Even on the bed fell back asleep. Even’s chest and throat were tight. If he could cry in this world, he would have been by now.

[evaksbinder]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

This week, we’re reccing fics with pining. Today’s fic is a multi chapter fic where Isak and Even meet as neighbors. If you like it, please consider leaving it some love in the form of kudos/comments!

ten meters - spikettes / @spikettes​ (31k words)

The door to Isak Valtersen’s apartment is ten meters to the left from the front door of Even Bech Næsheim’s.

Notes & Ramblings:

This is a neighbors to lovers get together fic, with a really enjoyable progression from curious neighbors to friends to lovers; each stage of their relationship feels quite unique and captivating.

Isak and Eva as friends and roommates is so much fun, with silly shenanigans and lots of snarky comments that are obviously full of love.

Eva and Vilde’s relationship seen from Isak’s perspective is sweet, warm and realistic, even filtered through the lens of his fond exasperation.

I really liked the development of Isak’s friendship with Vilde; the dynamic and progression felt fitting and realistic for these two.

The banter between Isak and Even is brilliant, very quirky and incredibly realistic-feeling. There’s even smut banter, which fits their relationship so well and give the sex a light, fun feeling. There are so many wonderful, funny lines that had me actually laughing out loud.

Isak’s characterization is so nicely done, complete with crushing, pining, awkwardness and attention to small details.

This story has an older Isak who has a better relationship with mental illness and it was really heartwarming to see him interact with Even about his MI in a very calm and accepting way.

Isak’s friendships are given plenty of importance in this story, even as the focus is on his relationship with Even, which gives a well-rounded supporting cast.

Favorite Lines:

“You really like him, don’t you?” she asks. “You want to go on dates and call him your boyfriend and-” she gasps, clutching a hand to her heart, “you want to have pet names.”

“Could you please leave me the fuck alone?”

“As a married woman-”

“You aren’t married.”

“As a mostly married woman, I want you to know that I support your partnership, and wish you many lazy, half-assed blowjobs during Netflix marathons.”

[evaksbinder]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

This is the second week of our Christmas in July feature! Today’s fic is a fake dating alternate meeting au set during the Christmas season. If you like it, please consider leaving it some love in the form of kudos/comments!

But the prettiest sight to see - imminentinertia / @skamskada (3k words)

Even deeply regrets doing Eva a favour for Christmas, but it turns out there’s a reward for his kindness.

Notes & Ramblings:

This is a fun, fluffy twist on the fake dating trope with a bit of meet cute thrown in.

In this universe, Even and Eva are friends, and their friendship is a delight; it’s exactly what I would imagine for them, a relaxed mix of teasing, ease and affection, and carries the fic mood.

Even’s pov is lovely here, a blend of kindness, sincerity, sarcasm, and cheesy dorkiness.

The narrative is full of humor, with plenty of Christmas references and themes.

I really loved this alternate meeting for Even and Isak, which felt fluffy, easy and light, and allows the gravitas to rest solely in their connection.

Favorite Lines:

Ah yes, Jonas and Isak. Eva’s ex and her friend. She’s told Even a lot about them, giggled her way through convoluted embarrassing stories about what they would get up to, sometimes talked in low tones about missing them both. In theory, Even knows a fair amount of details about them, like what they’re studying, but he can’t for the life of him dredge up anything about Isak right now. Astrophysics? Artificial intelligence? Something fancy and science-y starting with A. In Oslo, anyway. He shares a flat with some other of Eva’s friends. And last winter Eva was video chatting a lot with him, not having much time for Even for a while, because he broke up with his boyfriend.

Oh, that’s right. A boyfriend.

He’s into guys.

This would be a fitting point for some descending angels breaking out in a hymn to the glory of possible attraction. No angels descend, however, there are no hymns, there are only disapproving sniffs from aunt Helene right behind him.

[evaksbinder]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

This is the second week of our Christmas in July feature! Today’s fic is a study of Isak’s relationship with Even during the Christmas season. If you like it, please consider leaving it some love in the form of kudos/comments!

it’s going to rain on friday, the twenty-second of december - vesperthine / @vesperthine (4k words)

Isak has tried to tell him that there’s nothing to discuss ( – that mom isn’t well, that dad is a coward, that he just wants to forget everything about family and expected happiness and just leech off of theirs – ) but every time Even has gone quiet and looked down; looked so sad that the conversation has just died.

Which he knows is a fatal blow ( – a communicative meltdown – ) that leads to everything that he wants to avoid; screaming and crying that reminds all too much of the things he just wants to forget.

Notes & Ramblings:

This is a heartbreakingly beautiful, canon-compliant exploration of how Isak and Even might have very different feelings about Christmas and family time.

The writing here is minimalistic, poetic and intensely emotional, and has a feeling of profound exposure and vulnerability; it does an amazing job of getting into Isak’s headspace with all its difficult and conflicting emotions.

The relationship between Isak and Even feels achingly realistic here, as they struggle to understand one another through frustration, sadness and deep trust and love.

This story will especially resonate with anyone who doesn’t love Christmas, or who finds themselves at odds with their partner’s expectations of holidays.

As might be expected from this subject, this story is extremely angsty, but it’s very worth it, and ends on a hopeful note.

Favorite Lines:

And as usual, it all comes down to the fact that he can’t sort out his own feelings properly. That he doesn’t know what he actually wants, because he can’t separate what he wants from that which he should want ( – where the anger really grows – ) according to norms; where the line between responsibility and your own well-being goes.

That which is his omnipresent ( – very own, well watered, finely tuned, personalized – ) problem.

[evaksbinder]

Weekly Rec Round Up (June 25-29)

Hey everyone, here are the recs we posted this week! You can check out our original rec posts for more details about what we liked about the fic, or the fic itself. If you find yourself falling in love with any of them, please consider leaving these wonderful writers some love in the form of kudos/comments!

This week’s theme: Pride Month!

further than i’d been before - sonhoedesrazao / @sonhoedesrazao​ (full rec here)

And it should be easy, he thinks, because the hard part’s done now—he’s told his friends he’s into boys (even if that word hasn’t come out of his mouth yet), his parents know he has a boyfriend, everyone at school—at least those who care about his social life, or more likely are interested in Even’s—has seen his Instagram pictures. He’s out. He’s done it. Yet something still pulls at him when Even approaches him at school, the instinct to look around and check if the hallway is empty, the echoes of a panic so ingrained that it rears its head before he can even think to stop it.

It pisses him off, to be honest.

Accidental Pride - shakespeareandsunshine / @shakespeare-and-sunshine (full rec here)

“You okay?” he asks. The concern on his face is sweet. But also unnecessary. Because Isak is fine. Again, seven-fucking-teen years old, here. But the twist to Even’s mouth says he isn’t quite buying it.

“Look, I am the master at being okay, okay? I practically invented the concept.” Isak plays up the machismo, hoping to coax a smile out of Even, wanting Even to stop looking at him in that intense way he has, that makes him feel so fucking seen. Instead, Even laughs, and Isak gives himself a mental pat on the back, because wow, Even with his head thrown back and shoulders shaking in amusement is a sight.

you’re gonna sing the words wrong - strangetowns / @canonicallyanxious (full rec here)

“I’m just saying, keep your eye out, maybe?” She has the audacity to actually wink at him, here. He’s so affronted he can’t even deign that with a response, but for some godforsaken reason she takes his stunned silence as a cue to keep going. “You’re the one who’s always complaining about how none of the boys at our school are cute enough.”

There’s a small voice in the back of his head that wants to snap at her, tell her to keep her voice down. He pushes it down, a little irritated. He’d thought he’d rid himself of those instincts already, sometime last year when he came out to the whole band and decided he didn’t care anymore what other people thought about the people he wanted to kiss. But even if he’s not supposed to care anymore, the questions come to mind all too easily. Is this really the first impression he wants to make on people, these freshmen he hasn’t even talked to yet? That he’s boy-crazy, so gay all he ever talks or thinks about is boys? Or worse, that he wants to be?

A Silky Nightmare - Fxckxxp / @fxckxxp (full rec here)

Butterflies. A boy is giving him butterflies. It’s frightening. He doesn’t know whether he wants to rip their wings off or to drink a gallon of sugar water so they have something sweet to flutter in.