BDS's Favorite Fics and Hidden Gems
For the month of November, members of the BruDick server submitted fics that they thought deserved more love. Here is our rec-list. Please enjoy!
Amongst All the Black You Will Find Blue by Mysterious_Aud_Lou (3.4k, Teen, Romance)
It was the second Brudick fic I ever wrote and one of my favorites. If you love feelings realization, longing, metaphors about cars, and Bruce's inner thoughts and POV this one is for you!
and we won't run by klose (8k, Explicit, Fix-It Fic)
This is a homage to the Gotham and Batfam and Bruce/Dick dynamic that I was missing in the New 52, and which frankly, also seems to be missing right now in current continuity. One where Dick and Bruce’s partnership and deep love for each other don’t just ground them both, but also their loved ones and their city. I would say it has a mix of action, romance and festive cheer that makes it a fun read for this end-of-year season. Even though it was written while fandom was in the trenches of the new 52, I think/hope it is still evergreen as a modern homage to Bruce and Dick as best friends, romantic partners, and most importantly, the original Dynamic Duo.
The Birth of Venus by Averia (25k, Explicit, Fantasy)
The Birth of Venus is one part of a bigger saga that retells Dick and Bruce's journey in a dark romantic fantasy setting. It's for everyone who enjoys Bruce as Warlord-to-Be going up against the culty Court of Owls to reclaim and protect his Kingdom while Dick tries to figure out how to protect his grumpy mentor in return. Throughout the story, Bruce and Dick unravel the magic that keeps Gotham out of their reach and learn that their love for each other is a bottomless well.
candlelight vigil by unrestrained passion (3.5k, Explicit, Fluff)
It’s a fluffy, sexy rendition of Dick and Bruce’s first Christmas together, and in true dynamic duo style, they’re already thinking ab marriage. Ft. Trans!DG, Wayne Galas, tiny cake squares, annoying rich people, and old promises for new beginnings.
The Dark Embrace by TheOakTreeGhost (25.8k, Teen, Hurt/Comfort)
A grieving DickBats has to investigate the detention center that housed him shortly after his parents’ deaths. While there, he meets a Bruce Wayne, and together they face supernatural horrors that help Dick come to terms with his grief.
dead men are heavier than broken hearts by spaceisgay (ChancellorGriffin) (48k, Explicit, Detective Noir)
this is a 1930s film noir reimagining of “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” with Dick as Nightwing added into the mix. First person fics are sometimes a steep ask for readers but it’s so integral to that kind of Humphrey Bogart voiceover energy that the genre really requires. Broody angst and messy gay drama with a decidedly un-noir-like second chance romance happy ending. I think it will be fun for anyone who loves this movie, hard-boiled detective thrillers, or case fic where they fall in love while buried in work. I had a particularly good time writing Commissioner Gordon, finding 1930s-era workarounds for everything Bruce does in the movie on a computer, and playing with the parallels between how Bruce and Dick feel about Gotham and how writers like Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett wrote about New York and LA, where the city itself is kind of the antagonist. This one is really special to me and I hope people enjoy it.
Goodnight, Moon by MilkLit (1.2k, Explicit, Fluff)
Short one-shot set in my Kink Log series, where married BruDick get to explore their kinks and live a happy life together. This fic is for anyone who loves sappy, comedic BruDick with a splash of spice to round things out. Or for anyone who enjoys Bruce realizing that Dick is always right when it comes to what new activities they'll enjoy. ;)
Hold You Like A Prayer, Between Clenched Fists by TheVelvetCoatedWonder (4k, Mature, Angst)
This one-shot is a BruDick Pacific Rim au! It's non-explicit and features angst, whump, unconditional love, and MCD. This would be a great read for BruDick lovers that want to luxuriate in the absolute devotion Bruce and Dick have to each other, or fans who enjoy Sci-Fi and soulmates! Being an angst-filled read and a one-shot, I recognize it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I spent a long time on it and would love to show it off this BDS Commentsgiving 🩶💙
metal will rust by littleriverbunny (2.7k, Gen, Pining)
a guilty pleasure trope of mine is when dick grows up to be a shining beacon of the hero community: independent and wildly competent and badass and profoundly *good* and most importantly out of bruce’s shadow. but when he finally gets there he’s like wait No. hold on now. can we go back to the suffocating codependency i kind of miss the suffocating codependency. and so i wrote a fic for that except it’s a star wars au. so anyone who likes that specific brudick dynamic and/or star wars should give it a shot!!
root & stem by shield_of_selene (11k, Teen, Romantic Drama)
This fic explores Bruce coming down with a case of Hanahaki Disease over Dick. If you enjoy a fresh new take on Hanahaki worldbuilding, mutual pining, Bruce's angsty internal dialogue, and lots and lots of roses, this fic is for you. I think of this fic as a dark chocolate raspberry. Indulgent, decadent, with a start of bitterness that finishes sweet on your tongue.
Salt and Shadow by SaviouroftheStars (21.5k, Explicit, Gothic Horror)
This story is a slow, unsettling gothic horror fic that really leans into genre conventions. It’s darkly romantic and deeply unsettling — the kind of story that leaves you unsure whether what’s happening is love, possession, or something even stranger. Perfect for fans of Guillermo del Toro and Lovecraft.
that's a real fucking legacy (to leave) by AndWhoIsTim (2.7k, Mature, Angst)
My first Brudick fic! Framed around canon events, explores Bruce's 'death' from Dick's POV if he had confessed his feelings right before. Readers who love angst and miscommunication will love this fic. And for those who prefer happy endings, there is a sequel when Bruce comes back and they lay it all out.
We Have Always Lived In The Manor by Themadwomanwhoisunfortunatelylackingabox (17k, Explicit, Gothic Horror)
My personal favorite of all my fics; I loved it so much I started making a comic about it. it's my gothic horror baby <3 For all those looking for something creepy and mysterious and fraught with desire and repressed love, welcome to We Have Always Lived In The Manor!
Women Against BATchelorhood by RadioactiveRadium (6k, Explicit, Romance)
This fic was inspired by the 1969 Batman #214 with a Golden Age feel. It starts out a little frisky then gets sweet as the pair discover their true feelings for each other.
You Bought My Boundaries by battytrek (5.7k, Explicit, Getting Together)
This was the first Brudick I'd written that I was brave enough to share online, years ago. It was a gift for a previous exchange and I felt so inspired by my giftee's request I wrote it entirely in one sitting. It is still dear to me and I would love to hear what readers' think of it! <3
