Half in the Grave (77501 words) by ghostinthelibrary
Chapters: 12/12
Fandom: Dead Boy Detectives (TV)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne/Charles Rowland
Characters: Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland (DCU), Tragic Mick (Dead Boy Detectives), Crystal Palace (DCU), Niko Sasaki, Original Characters
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Magic shop clerk Charles, Private investigator Edwin, Case Fic, Canon-Typical Violence, Mutual Pining, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Falling In Love, Minor Character Death, Fire, Kidnapping, Torture
Summary:
Edwin, a private investigator, and Charles, the shop assistant at Tragic Mick’s Magic Tricks, have to work together to solve the case when a killer begins targeting magic shops across London. It would be a straightforward enough investigation, if only they didn’t find each other highly distracting.
One gaudy, unforgivably ostentatious oil painting, framed in gold. In every one, the same two figures, looking against all odds exactly as they do right now: young, beautiful, together.
There are differences, of course. Different clothes, different cuts – the style of the era. Different hair colors. But the eyes are always the same: violet and gold, respectively; ancient, knowing. Uncanny, honestly. Otherworldly. Foreign, unnatural, fae.
– everything that was going to happen has happened by @anything-thats-rock-and-roll, happy DBDA anniversary, Bird!! <3
Haven't been reading for this fandom in a while, so I thought I'd share my bookmarks aka my favorite Dead Boy Detectives fics in the fandom! (Mostly Payne land) In no particular order:
Wedding Vows and Other Lies by ghostinthelibrary. Very heartwarming take on the Marriage of Convenience trope, plus some thrilling mysteries to solve! It could be its own original story tbh.
Wildland (Notes from Heather Mountain Lookout, North Cascades, Chelan County, Washington. May 7 - October 18) by mellxncollie. An incredibly immersive Diary/Journal sort of Epistolary AU that takes place on a fire lookout. Amazing storytelling, I got lost in this one for like a week.
Go Loud by dear_monday and two_ravens. Spies and secret agents with a twist! Without revealing too much about the setting, this story revived my appreciation for the spy romance genre through Charles and Edwin's dynamic alone. Can't say much without spoiling, but it's totally worth the read.
the saviour of the broken, the beaten, and the damned by laiqualaurelote. If the title isn't enough to convince you: Jumping Alternate Universes, seeing all the different lives Edwin could've lived, or deaths he could've died, while the rest tries to tie their reality back together. Tender, and exciting, such a fun read.
Wunderkammer by dear_monday and two_ravens. I feel this one needs no introduction, but in case you haven't read it: this is yet another incredibly immersive story. The world building traps you and the dynamics keep you hooked. Every single character has their time to shine, the elements of magic and mystery are simply fascinating. It reminded me a bit of the show Wearhouse 13. Impeccable writing here.
I have read SO many Dead Boy Detectives fics, so why not give some love to some of my favorites? (Fair warning: almost all of these are Payneland centered, and most of it is hurt/comfort and fluff)
The Case of the Hellbound Souls by JUBE514 (@jube514)
Rated: T
21,890 words
Summary: The Dead Boy Detectives take up a case that results in Edwin losing his memories, and they must band together to get his memories back
Notes: I'm a sucker for a good memory loss fic, and I love the way that this one executes the angst of a typical memory loss fic whilst making it heartstoppingly sweet.
a map of your stars by pisces_spider (@pisces-swirlix)
Rated: T
19,181 words
Summary: 5+1 fic where Charles draws Edwin's different features
Notes: I love the way that this one portrays Charles and Edwin's dynamic. They don't shy from writing Edwin as a smartass or mildly pretentious, and Charles' short attention span is definitely prominent in this fic. And yet, it all blends together perfectly in this fic, with their mutual fondness for each other still shining beyond anything else — in perfect Payneland fashion
Tonight's the Night You Fight Your Best Mate's Dad by Opossum_Subatomic
Rated: T
22,279 words
Summary: 5+1 coffee fic
Notes: This fic perfectly captures the "no homo," "and they were roommates" vibes of Charles and Edwin's relationship. This fic truly had me stopping every 5 minutes to smile, shake my head, and think "this is so them."
Reach Out And Touch Faith by coloursflyaway (@coloursflyaway)
Rated: T
7,482 words
Summary: After his confession, in order to avoid crossing any boundaries, Edwin stops being as physically intimate with Charles as he used to be — and Charles has Feelings about it (basically Charles being touch starved for 7k words!!).
Notes: THIS the fic. This is the fic that got me into fanfiction, and oh my God, I am forever grateful I was recommended this fic back in June
Brothers In Arms by Stringsofstars
Rated: T
40,538 words
Summary: The Dead Boy Detectives solve a case helping Gregory Payne — Edwin's late brother — pass on, as he is tethered to the land of his death.
Notes: Very interesting OCs and it does a great job delving into Edwin's family life. I admittedly know very little about the Edwardian era, but it all felt very well researched
Don't Die of Ignorance by dearheartdont (@dearheartdont)
Rated: M
559 words
Summary: A snapshot of what Charles' life was like in the 80s, specifically during the AIDS crisis with a homophobic father
Notes: I am always a sucker for fics that do a bit of a deeper dive into what Charles' childhood was like — especially as a bisexual teenager growing up during the AIDS crisis — and this fic does exactly that
Cry With Joy At The Depth Of My Love by coloursflyaway (@coloursflyaway)
Rated: T
18,028 words
Summary: Edwin takes the Cat King up on his offer and goes missing for 6 weeks. Charles has Feelings about it.
Notes: This fic has so much angst, and I absolutely live for Charles Rowland angst — and God, is it worth it for the fluff at the end
Edwin Payne's First Solo Case by T4Tsangho
Rated: G
566 words
Summary: Edwin Payne shoots Donald trump. Need I say more?
Notes: This fic is fucking hilarious and everybody needs to read this
When I Picture You by Gruoch (@madamedevil).
Rated: M
69,935 words (not yet finished)
Summary: Season 1 AU where the Cat King takes Charles instead of Edwin, and Charles realizes that he's in love first
Notes: It is a perfect mix of everything: Charles angst (so much Charles angst), unresolved Payneland tension, Niko and Edwin being besties, Crystal and Edwin annoying the crap out of each other, Charles being jealous of Monty, it's all just truly perfect
The Case of David Bowie's Made up Sexuality by williamvapespeare (@williamvapespeare)
Rated: T
14,154 words (not yet finished)
Summary: The agency takes up a new case that brings up unresolved feelings
Notes: Charles is SO bisexual in this fic and I love him for it
we get to stay around and watch the stars come out by laiqualaurelote (@laiqualaurelote)
Rated: M
2,117 words (not yet finished)
Summary: Black Doves alive AU, where Crystal and Charles are married. Secrets about Crystal's lives are unearthed as they go on the run with Edwin, an assassin and Crystal's former best friend
Notes: I haven't even watched Black Doves, and I am still 110% invested in this fic
"Who? You mean your teammate in the Codependency World Cup?" - Pre canon series by @roseganymede95
Like Fool's Gold
Rated: T
27,727 words
Summary: Charles gets consumed by magic mushroom spores and Edwin teams up with John Constantine to save him
Notes: I love the way the author writes John Constantine, and his relationship with Edwin is incredibly charming
Hold This
Rated: M
26,194 words
Summary: Edwin and Charles are trapped in an evil wizard's dungeon, and they must figure out how to escape
Notes: I cannot stress this enough, Charles is so Charles in this fic. Like my oh God
Mom Says It's My Turn To Jump On The Grenade
Rated: T
47,631 words
Summary: During the early days of the Dead Boy Detectives agency, Edwin tries to get Charles to leave him and pass on to his afterlife
Notes: Codependent Payneland my loves <33
Professional Networking
Rated: G
14,596 words
Summary: Charles and Edwin are introduced to Johanna Constantine via John Constantine
Notes: If John Constantine's relationship with Edwin is charming, the boys' relationship with Johanna is doubly so
Like We're Gonna Die Young (Again) by RoseGanymede95
Rated: M
74,556 words (not yet finished)
Summary: Edwin and Charles make a deal with a fairy and end up at a party having lost the memory of their deaths.
Notes: This fic has a very interesting depiction of what Charles' life might've been like before his death, and it's honestly probably my favorite DBDA fic. Plus, one of the OCs in this story has genuinely become one of my blorbos; I am kind of obsessed with him, actually
in honor of kassius nelson's birthday yesterday, here are a few of my favorite crystal-centric fics! probably all oneshots, because that's most of what i read. anyone is welcome to reblog and add on their favorite crystal fics too!
the entire stay all day, if you want to series by Cesare
the series is comprised of multiple oneshots (three at the moment) exploring crystal finding her place in the agency with charles and edwin, while also working through the complications and toxic mindsets leftover from her old life now that she has her memories back. truly, just, a lovely lovely crystal character study and exploration into her journey with herself. also contains mild palasaki vibes!
to memory now, i can't recall by SerpaSas
lovely fic exploring crystal's problems with memory following her losing and then getting her memories back from david; she and edwin bond over mutual memory loss issues. very sweet, very poignant, touches on a little-explored aspect of the challenges that could come from having your memories stolen by your demon ex-boyfriend.
like blood, like water by The_IPRE
crystal is trying to fit back into her old life, getting ready for a gala with her parents and all the neglectful parent baggage that come with that; edwin shows up, they bicker, and he reminds her she has a new life she still fits into, too. this is a part of The_IPRE's entire crystal-centric series, which i have not read all of yet but am recommending anyway because their writing always absolutely ROCKS.
a promise to the world: to be better today by elusive_ellipsis
an excellent post-canon casefic featuring the rocky progression of edwin and crystal's relationship, an old box of jewelry, and the complications that arise when one of crystal's old friends dies and comes to the agency for help, bringing with her loads of old baggage for crystal. super fun dive into crystal's old life and friends, and how that conflicts with her attempts to be better now!
but i'm confident when i'm with you by montyforever
a short, sweet little palasaki ficlet exploring crystal's relationship with makeup/appearances, and how niko helps her to feel more at home with herself!
so, I have to give a shoutout to Sage_Owl over on ao3 for her fic no more the knight of dreams and show
this is a dbda fic for the ApocalAugust event, and it is AMAZING! Genuinely, such a good fic that I cannot stop thinking about it. It is a masterclass in worldbuilding, the characters are so on point even though it is an AU set in a very different world, and I literally cannot wait for the next chapter. The sirens, the war, all of it is so good and leaves me trying to guess what else has either happened in this world or what will come next!
(shared with permission, because Sage_Owl does not have a tumblr and I love this fic so much I want everyone on here to see it to!)
