It's almost 2024, so it's finally time to show you guys my Ao3 Wrapped (A recap of my personal ao3 read fanfics, their fandoms and the ones i liked the most).
This year I read 218 complete fanfics from many different fandoms:
16 - Dinluke (Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker - Star Wars)
15 - other fandoms (Ghost, QSMP, Marvel etc)
All of them together add to a total of 4.172.008 words (Almost double of last year's count). This calculates to 418 hours of reading time, cus i have no social life <3
AND NOW FOR THE BEST PART: My favorites of the year!!
#1 - AIRPLANES BY @captainmintyfresh
Thiam Words: 236,875 Chapters: 43
This is most definitely my favorite fanfic of all time, it's SO WELL WRITTEN and so funny and sad and cute and romantic I JUST CAN'T GET OVER IT! Honestly one of the best works i ever encounter and its my top #1 of 2023 without a doubt!!
With FOUR different works, this series GOT ME WRAPPED AROUND IT'S FINGER with the story, character studies and illustration that literally made me love it so much i wanna cry. My personal favorite was The Storm, but every single one it's a masterpiece on its own and I really hope they finish The Stars soon so i can scream and cry a bit more.
#3 The Right To remain Silent by fallingforboys @theoceanismyinkwell
Thiam Words: 28,992 Chapters: 3/3
This Teen Wolf adaptation of brooklyn nine-nine made my year 200% better, its definitely something i will read over and over again without ever getting tired, since its two of my favorite shows together! I love every aspect of it and i will recomend to everyone that I know in every situation possible.
#4 oh you're a crewmate? name every task by @remycchi
Superbat Words: 11,348 Works: 2
This short and cute series is such a cool and chill read, it's very funny and makes you giggle and kick your feet, and also made me laugh very hard. I genuinely love how light it is and I have to admit that I read it more than a few times during the year.
#5 Bad Luck Buck 'verse by whileyouresleeping
Buddie Words: 50,216 Works:4
ANOTHER PERFECT SERIES THAT I ABSOLUTE LOVE! This one is funny, even if a bit exaggerated. I love how their relationship grows and you definitely should put it in your list for next year.
And that's it for this year! Thank you for reading and I hope all of you have a great 2024!!!
I got sucked into the Dinluke fandom quickly after season 2 of Mando ended, around Jan 2021 and I’ve been reading pretty steadily ever since.
So I’ve read a LOT of dinluke fanfiction, and I figured I would put together a rec list! Especially because, while a few on here are super well known, I don’t see a ton of talk or recs about some of my absolute favorites.
Now, this fandom exploded, so there are more fics than I can read, my TBR list has gotten pretty long. There are certainly fics that are amazing that I have not read, and this list is not all-inclusive.
There will be absolutely no non/dubcon. Any other potential TWs will be included in the description below.
Now, in no particular order, to the list! (This is very long, so recs under the cut)
SFW and In-Universe
The ENTIRE Dangerous Dreams series by shirozora
Rating: Teen and Up
Word Count: 141,971
Summary:
The future of Mandalore is in his hands, no matter what Din Djarin actually wants. While picking up jobs to pay off a new gunship, he runs into the Jedi again and learns that he too holds the future of his kind in his. In the shadow of a fallen empire and the light of a nascent republic, they begin to rebuild what was lost-- their peoples, their cultures, their histories, and each other.
(This series is still in progress but trust me, it is worth it. Shiro not only writes amazing stories, but also ILLUSTRATES them! The visuals are stunning. This one is a must read.)
Broken Threads by Sadie1902
Rating: Teen and Up
Word Count: 78,884
CW: Seizures
Summary: The battle is over, the rebels have won. But Luke Skywalker is still reeling from his ordeal in the Emperor's throne room, both physically and emotionally. Wracked with pain and fatigue, he tries to recuperate on Endor with a few days of much-needed rest. But before he even has a chance to relax, he's captured by an enterprising bounty hunter in Mandalorian armor.
Din Djarin can't believe his luck. It's the score of his life, the bounty they all said was impossible. The payout will set his Tribe up well... so long as they don't know exactly who he made a deal with. But the job turns out to be more than Din bargained for when his bounty collapses from mysterious injuries, and he must face the truth of the horrors the Empire has wrought.
Now, on the run from half the galaxy, it's a race against time as Din helps Luke find a cure for the disease that's slowly breaking the hero apart. There's only one problem... they need a Jedi. And Luke is the last of his kind.Or is he?
(Not only is this a great fanfiction for anyone who is a fan of any canon, but if you love Clone Wars and especially Fallen Order, this fic is for you. Getting to see Cal included in a fanfiction was such a delight.)
Most Ardently by sublehysteria
Rating: General Audiences
Word Count: 29,252
Summary:
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a spouse. Only Luke Skywalker is dreading nothing more than this year's debutante season. He's prepared to try and get through these next few months of torturous courting rituals with power-hungry suitors as quickly and painlessly as possible. Marriage is not an option for him unless it involves true love. Enter The Mand'alor: the season's most-talked-about bachelor, shrouded in mystery and beskar. Can Luke put his prejudices aside long enough to realise that this strange, intriguing man is not what he first seems, or will he let his head rule over his heart and risk losing the very connection he's been longing for?
(If you’re looking for a Pride and Prejudice AU look no further. This one is such a fun read. There are other pride and prejudice aus, but I haven’t read them yet. Note: this is in-universe but quite canon-divergent.)
I Saw Sparks (Sing It Out) by ApplepieandCinnamon
Rating: Teen and Up
Word Count: 6,128
CW: Major Character Death
Summary:
“What do you feel?” He asks.
“I only feel you,” Luke answers.
(This fanfiction was inspired by the lines in WandaVision that you see in the summary. This fanfiction is not going to be for everyone. It is sad. You will probably cry. The major character death is MAJOR characters. But if you like WandaVision and, like me, you like to read a sad fanfiction that can make you cry every once and a while, this one is beautifully well done.)
SFW and AU
No Glory in the West by leorizanzel
Rating: Teen and Up
Word Count: 83,676
CW: Mentions of the Civil War
Summary:
Texas, 1870 - Din Djarin, a bounty hunter with a mysterious past and the quickest draw this side of the Mississippi, finds a new gig escorting a strange young man to his destination.
Inspired by Casual Cowboy Friday and my love for the American West as a whole.
(This fanfiction is another must read. It is a phenomenal au that is well-researched and incredibly well-written. Some of the most romantic lines I’ve ever read are in this one.)
you are in love by coffeecatsme
Rating: Teen and Up
Word Count: 21,337
Summary:
The first time Luke reacts to Mando, it’s at his fans’ insistence—or if Luke has to be honest with himself, their fault that he embarrassed himself in front of ten thousand people and lost his favorite flannel to mayonnaise and ketchup.
Or, 5 times Luke reacts to Din's videos and 1 time he gets invited to them.
(If you’ve ever heard people talk about “streamer au” this is probably what they were referring to. It’s hilarious and sweet and you will love this universe.)
It Was Always You by subtlehysteria
Rating: General Audiences
Word Count: 15,500
Summary:
He’s strong, powerful, his footwork far better than just your average person who occasionally skates for fun.
As if that wasn’t enough, Luke watches in shock and awe as the man executes a neat triple toe loop, landing near-flawlessly with only a slight wobble.
He doesn’t even register what’s happening, just sprints down the last set of stairs and rams into the barrier, hands raised to cup over his mouth and help project his voice.
“HEY, YOU!”
The man falters, head snapping to Luke. A single thick brow rises in question.
“DO YOU WANNA BE MY PARTNER?” Luke yells.
*Or, the one where Luke needs a new ice dancing partner and Din just happens to be in the right place at the right time.
(I LOVE figure skating so finding this au was a treat. If you love figure skating, you’ll love this one too.)
NSFW and In-Universe
Separate Ways by PepperPrints
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 80,919
CW: Really none, but Din is quite cold towards Luke at first, so keep that in mind if that bothers you.
Summary:
With Moff Gideon defeated and the Darksaber reclaimed, the rumours of newly named Mand'alor Din Djarin spread through the galaxy... along with the stories of the Child he carries with him. Determined to meet him, Luke Skywalker arrives on Mandalore -- but before he can get any closer, he has to prove himself worthy of Mandalorian standards.
(I consider this one a must-read because it was the OG dinluke fanfiction. Literally, it was written before season 2 of the Mandalorian aired. It inspired a lot of common tropes in the dinluke fandom, even if some have evolved since then. It’s also just a fantastic read)
oh the things we left behind by furiosophie
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 103, 615
CW: sort of Dark!Luke, but not really
Summary:
After he commits every single weapon in the hold to memory, Din finds himself cataloging more and more things about Skywalker instead, small observations that carve out a space in his mind unbidden.
---
As much as Din likes to tell himself that he’s just been taking a well-deserved break, the truth is that for the six months following their daring rescue he’s been nothing but truly and utterly lost. That is until Luke Skywalker gives him a ship and hires him to help figure out what the hell the Empire needed the Child’s blood for.
As they drift through the empty void of hyperspace, they slowly find unexpected companions in each other and realize their respective paths might not be as set as they once thought.
(Absolutely a Must Read. This and down to a sunless sea (see below) go back and forth as my favorite dinluke fanfiction overall, and have stayed that way for a very long time. I love everything about this fanfiction. The writing is phenomenal, the themes are enjoyable, and the plot is well-done. Do yourself a favor and read it.)
who carried the hill by spqr
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 22,382
Summary:
Din’s about to head up the ramp onto the newly-repaired Razor Crest when a string pulls taut around his heart and yanks him into the sky.
(Soulmate AU! But genuinely, you will see spqr on this list several times. Absolutely anything by them is amazing and you should read it, but I am including my favorites on this list. This fanfiction is in my top 5 favorite dinluke fanfictions. The first time I read it it made me stare at a wall as I contemplated my emotions. It’s wonderful. Must read.)
We Two Scorched the Earth by annathaema (moony)
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 14,265
Summary:
Luke scampered the short distance and tumbled into the cave, scooting behind a rock at the entrance. He waited and listened until he picked up distant howling that went on for minutes, or maybe hours, and then, finally, the faint moo of banthas as they moved away. They were leaving. Whew.
That left Luke with a much bigger problem: The Sand People knew he was here, they’d likely sabotaged or stolen the speeder by now, and he was stranded in a cave with nothing but a rifle with three rounds left, a survival pack good for only a couple of days, and no transport home. Great. Luke leaned against the wall of the cave and tipped his head back, thumping the back of it against the stone over and over. He closed his eyes and wished for rescue.
Someone groaned.
—
A Tatooine farm boy finds a wounded Mandalorian in a cave. You know the rest. This is not dark fiction.
(Pre-ANH. This is one of the very first dinluke fics I read and I still love it so much today. I’ve re-read it more than once.)
hold (to support with one’s hands) by asweetepilogue
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 4,528
Summary:
Every time Luke uses the Force, Din feels odd - unsettled, breathless, twitchy. He thinks maybe a sparring session will help him settle whatever nervousness he has around Luke Skywalker and his strange powers.
In many ways, he's not wrong.
(This one is straight smut, but it is FANTASTIC smut. With inappropriate use of the force. What more do you need.)
More Light Than Heat by Gluten_Full
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 69,480
CW: Language barrier, but everything is very consensual. There is a scene where they discuss a misunderstanding in regards to this though.
Summary:
If everything went according to plan, Luke would be engaged by the end of the day. He would meet his husband today. He didn’t even know what he looked like.
~*~*~
In an effort to help the recovering planet Mandalore, the Republic agrees to an arranged marriage between the Mand'alor and one of their most eligible bachelors: Luke Skywalker, son of Padme and Anakin. The only hurdle in this match is that the Mand'alor does not speak basic, and Luke does not speak Mando'a.
(I LOVE this fanfiction. It is extremely tender and sweet, and reading the journey of their relationship is great. It is very canon divergent, but is in-universe.)
Call Me By Your Name by superhusbands4ever (Potterwatch97)
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 4,876
Summary:
“Oh come on,” Leia cried incredulously, “you’re really telling me there is nothing going on between you two?”
“No, there is not,” Luke said with finality. He adjusted his robes and pulled his glove onto his hand. “We don’t even talk much.”
“Oh?”
“Leia,” Luke said, exasperated, “really. It’s not like that. We’re just friends.”
(Bottom Din! More straight smut, but really, it’s amazing.)
What Remains in the Aftermath by BrownEyesBrightEyes (ME!)
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 13,461
Summary:
After getting spectacularly drunk, Din and Luke accidentally get married, but forget about it by the following morning. They then wake to find the news has spread all around Mandalore and the New Republic.
(An accidental marriage au! This is a shameless self-plug. I’m gonna be honest, my fic probably doesn’t stand up to most of the other’s on my list, but in my biased opinion, it is still pretty good. I’m also very proud of it, because it’s my first ever fic, and my only completed full-length fic so far. I’d love if you gave it a chance.)
So I Can Wait Behind by CatalpaWaltz
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 10,568
Summary:
Din isn't selfish enough to both make Luke wait indeterminate periods between visits and then demand some kind of performance from him every time he's on-planet. There are plenty of times when Luke comes to his room in the middle of the night, dark circles under his eyes, and Din opens the covers to him, tucks him close, nods off again inhaling his scent of earth and grass and sweat. There are other times when Din is dismissed for the night, waits up in his room for Luke to meet him there, and wakes up alone.
And then, there are these times.
Or: Din returns to the still center of his own whirling world, to the one person who could not possibly care less that he now calls himself a king. He agrees to join Luke on an unusual mission, and wrestles with the meaning of his new place in the galaxy.
Part two of a three part series.
(Sub Din! No but really, there is a lack of sub Din in this fandom, and this one DELIVERS. This is the second part of a three part series, so read part one first, but I really wanted to highlight this one because the Sub!Din and Dom!Luke are perfect in this one.)
NSFW and AU
down to a sunless sea by spqr
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 10,170
CW: may trigger claustrophobia
Summary:
Din's first scuba dive was when he was six, which is illegal in every country on earth that has laws about that sort of thing.
(spqr again! I genuinely cannot sing my praises of this fic enough. It is...everything I want to read. spqr has a way of eliciting your emotions while you read. This fic is an experience in all the best ways. I questioned life while reading it, cried, laughed. I think about this fic often, and have re-read it countless times. a Must Read. You will not regret it.)
Pragmatics by Derkish
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 57,210
Summary:
Admittedly, this is not the first time Luke has wound up at someone else’s kitchen table in someone else’s clothes. But it’s not breakfast, Luke’s not an undergrad scarfing down bacon and eggs to cure the common hangover, and Din doesn’t strike him as the kind of guy he’d meet at a house party. The baby is definitely a first.
Luke is a grad student trying to finish his linguistics PhD after an unexpected leave of absence. His neighbor, Din, is a single dad and delivery guy at Pizza Parsec.
(Actually, Pizza Parsec is just a front for the bounty hunters' guild. But Luke doesn't need to know that.)
(This is actually a fairly recent read for me, and it rocketed to my top 5 immediately. I don’t think this fic gets the attention it deserves. It’s amazing. The way the author seamlessly incorporates canon lore into a modern au is impressive. I was completely immersed while reading this. A Must Read.)
Sacred New Beginnings by coffeecatsme
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 123,906
CW: mentions of: pedophlia, panic attacks, suicide, and gun violence
Summary:
Luke realizes in about a second that he has a weakness, and it’s guys with kids. More specifically, hot dads who, by all accounts, look like they can rip off your head if you so much as look at them the wrong way, but who turn into a soft mush whenever their kid is around. And Din, sporting a black leather jacket and a whipped cream mustache at the same time, definitely fits the bill.
Din Djarin is about to give up on finding a good babysitter for his adopted son, Grogu. He thinks it'll be impossible to find someone who can respond to Grogu's needs without hurting his kid even more than he's already been hurt. Enter Luke Skywalker, who not only seems to be perfect at handling Grogu's unique characteristics, but he might also be a perfect match for his father as well.
(The babysitter au you didn’t know you wanted. But really, this one starts out as a babysitter au, then jumps into such a great plot. I also love how this one incorporates canon lore into a modern au setting. Plus, it’s got great smut. Read it.)
got my love jumpstarted by lacecat
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 9,235 (the first part in a series)
Summary:
Din frowns. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m kind of famous,” Luke admits.
(in which Luke is a celebrity, Din is not, and they both assume the same for the other)
(I LOVE this celebrity au. It is such a blast to read, and if you end up loving it, there are several other stories by this author set in the same universe.)
Turn of the Tides (this fic was orphaned)
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 40,952
Summary:
“What’s your name?”
“What?” Din asked, taken off guard by the question. His eyes were still fixed on the thief’s blade, waiting for a movement that never came.
“Don’t you think we should know each other’s names before we start slashing at each other?” came the man’s response. “I’m Luke. Luke Skywalker.”
In which Luke is a glorified Robin Hood pirate, and Din is the Captain of the Guard dealing with his morals.
(This is another fic that I don’t think gets the attention it deserves. It’s a pirate au, and its wonderful.)
Professor Bug by spqr
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 7,044
Summary: mentions of cults and past experience with cults
“I saw your notes for your lecture on the Jedi Order,” Luke says quietly. “And I know you’re very good at what you do, babe, but I want you to know that like half of it is wrong.”
Din stares at him.
“Okay,” Luke says. He leans over and kisses Din on the forehead. “See you tomorrow. Bye.”
(This is modern au but the force exists.)
go and get your hands dirty by furiosophie
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 74,429
CW: gun violence, PTSD, drinking, unhealthy coping mechanisms
Summary:
There is an agonizing moment where Din feels Luke’s body tense beneath him, his muscles flexing in a way that makes him sure Luke is about to punch or at least push him away, but then something shifts behind Luke’s eyes, as if he recognized the fear in Din's, and before Din can form another coherent thought Luke crushes their lips together and kisses him as if his life depends on it.
---
Din meets Luke twice a day, five days a week, in a way that’s casual, predictable, impersonal - Until that one day where he meets him by accident, in the middle of the night in a way that's neither.
(I love this fic, but it’s also not everyone’s cup of tea. Heed the tags. It’s not dark fic in terms of toxicity, but this fic gets very dark in terms of its discussions of PTSD and gets quite violent at times. It’s also hurt/comfort that takes a long time to get to the comfort. If you’re okay with those, give this one a try. It’s great.)
living for you (is easy living) by CatalpaWaltz
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 11,207
CW: in-universe homophobia
Summary:
Being the week before Christmas, there is no gentle lull of inaction before the morning rush begins. Customers swarm the floor, and their anxiety is almost a palpable thing.
Someone stands out amongst the crowd; a man, swathed in a gunmetal grey coat and hat. He's bundled up for a cold spell that hasn't hit the city yet; wool scarf wound tight around his neck, kidskin gloves that he makes no motion to remove and stow away. He hovers at the edge of the floor, eyes wide and wandering, moving his hands in and out of his pockets, a nervous habit.
It takes him a long time to approach the counter, in which time Luke makes two separate sales. When he gets within earshot, Luke speaks.
"You look lost."
Or: 1957. Luke's just a nobody from a Midwestern nowhere. Din's a veteran with a murky criminal past trying to set himself straight for the sake of his adopted son.
Or: Carol (2015)/The Price of Salt, but make it Dinluke
(Wow this one is good. It’s melancholy, but does end on a hopeful note.)
From Crumbling Temples by objectlesson
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 13,950
CW: drinking
Summary:
You try your damnedest to burn it out, but Luke’s face sticks in your head. Lingers like a whiff of ozone, and no matter how hard you try to forget it when you close your eyes behind the visor of your helmet, there’s the haunting outline of his lips mapped out in your head like a constellation. His mouth. His eyes. His single bare hand, ever so gently cupped around Grogu’s body like he knew how important it was to you that he be touched like he was precious.
And it must have worked, because you let Grogu go with him. Maybe that’s why you can’t stop thinking about that moment—how it felt to hold unwavering and long sustained eye contact with a man for perhaps the first time in the whole of your lonely life.
(Listen I KNOW this one is in second person, I KNOW, but trust me, it is masterfully done, and you will not regret reading this.)
Fanfic Rec #126 Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)
Naberrie Blooms by zombified419
Some may think it odd that a flower shop could be run by a Jedi - Luke disagrees.
“Luke,” Luke blurts, all semblance of calm he had been working to maintain gone. He fumbles to tuck some of his hair behind his ear as a distraction before he tries again. “My name is Luke.”
Luke doesn’t tell him he’s the only one that runs the shop with his droid. There’s no need to ask for him, ever, but Luke wants him to.
The Mandalorian nods again. “Thank you.” Then, almost a forced afterthought: “Luke.” After, he’s gone, the bell tinkling over the door and sunlight shining off the polished armor as he steps out.
Luke leans over the counter, stretching to catch a glimpse of the man again before the crowds of Galactic City swallow him from sight.
dinluke lawyer au by spqr
At 1:18 a.m., just when Luke is starting to think he might’ve gotten away with something, Biggs Darklighter shows up on the other side of his desk and says, “I can’t believe you called in sick to get shotgun married to a Mando.”
Where There's a Will There's a Way by xiaq
Luke walks straight to Din and Din suddenly feels like he should be doing something with his hands.
“Hi,” he says.
“Hi,” Luke agrees, grinning. “So. I didn’t get your name, before. Grogu just calls you ‘Daddy’ in his head but I’m assuming I should call you something else.”
Din chokes a little.
*****
This is basically an Accidental Warlord Din Djarin fic in which Din plays the role of reluctant DILF leader with a heart of gold and Luke plays the role of initially distrusted twink who quickly becomes beloved by all (especially said warlord). The Mandalorians are like, "we've only had Luke Skywalker for a day and a half but if anything happened to him I would kill everyone in this room and then myself."
What Could Be by stellewrites
“Leia,” Luke interrupted softly, not backing down when his sister’s ire was targeted at him. “I’ll do it.”
”Luke,” she began to protest.
“No, listen. What other option do we have? We can’t send for another fighter, not in time and not anyone that can spare the time for this,” he argued. “You know this is our best shot.”
His lightsaber felt heavy on his belt beneath his cloak as the Mandalorian in silver stepped forward to face him.
OR
Luke's scrappy and hot and Din is ready to propose ASAP.
A Negotiation of Supply and Demand by ShyOwl
The Rebellion is close to winning the war against the Empire…but they cannot earn victory without help. In desperation they reach out to the powerful Mandalorian system, hoping to find some partnership to end the tyranny once and for all.
All negotiations have been met with silence. Until one Luke Skywalker sends a final, pleading message to their king for help.
Now, they have a response and a start to a partnership of supply and demand…starting with Luke coming to Mandalore instantly to serve the king’s every whim.
Fanfic Rec #135 Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker (Star Wars) part 2
staring down the barrel of the hot sun by magneticwave
“Gone to a Child of the Watch, the Darksaber has,” Grand Master Yoda announces in his creaky little voice. “Peace, there is not, and yet peace, there must be.”
To Build a Home out of Desert Sand by thevalesofanduin
Tatooine is an absolute dump of a planet.
It's truly no wonder that it's a criminal and slave trader's paradise. No-one else would settle on a planet so far away from what anyone would call civilization, with infertile ground, unbearable heat and all that kriffing sand.
No-one else, except for a kid that offers Din an awkward flirty grin and a drink. A kid that shines as bright as the twin suns burning bright in the sky.
Dank farrik.
Separate Ways by PepperPrints
With Moff Gideon defeated and the Darksaber reclaimed, the rumours of newly named Mand'alor Din Djarin spread through the galaxy... along with the stories of the Child he carries with him. Determined to meet him, Luke Skywalker arrives on Mandalore -- but before he can get any closer, he has to prove himself worthy of Mandalorian standards.
Luke "I'm Not Jealous" Skywalker by MangoPudding9000
5 times Luke felt a little jealous and Din didn't realize + 1 time Luke felt jealous and Din did something
