#kathi's rec

[evaksbinder]

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

This week’s theme is AU’s. Today’s post is by Kathi. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos! the adventures of stanley the matchmaking parrot - hippopotamus / @evenshands (4k words)

In which Even and Isak are ridiculously obvious, and Jonas’ wingman skills are second only to a parrot’s.

Kathi’s Ramblings:

Love Jonas’ POV in general and this one is amazingly done!!

Perfectly captures Jonas and Isak’s friendship: the way they are sarcastic little shits to each other but would do anything to help each other

Isak and Even’s relationship also feels very true to them and the pacing of it is great!

Just all around funny and lovely - including Stanley, the parrot (though, he’s not that lovely maybe)

Kathi’s favorite lines:

Even practically sprints across the room, and flings himself down onto the sofa on the opposite side of the girl to Isak. Jonas can’t hear what they’re saying from across the room, but Isak is looking slightly dazed by Even’s presence, and a minute later the girl stands and walks away. The relief on Isak’s face is obvious, until Even scoots closer to him on the sofa, and his face changes to resemble one of blind panic. Jonas takes a sip of his drink, and knows it’s going to be a good night.

[evaksbinder]

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

This week’s theme is non-evak-centric fics. Today’s post is by Kathi. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos!

take only what you need - lecs (Vilde-centric character study w/ Isak & Vilde friendship and Eva/Vilde; 2k words)

isak valtersen has never been on her radar. part 2 of my character studies (i guess) of isak and vilde and their unlikely friendship. vilde pov.

Kathi’s ramblings:

Great characterization of Vilde; her voice is spot on, a perfect mix between a little tactless and doubting of herself and always trying to do the right thing; Vilde’s character development feels very true to her and is allowed to unfold slowly

Her friendship with Isak is lovely; parallels their struggles perfectly

Beautiful writing that is simple, but heart-wrenching

Note: Technically this is part 2 of a series, but it can be read as a standalone!

Kathi’s favorite lines:

“Yeah. Like. You ever feel like if your life has just one tiny crack… everything else in it will just-“ she swipes her hand through the air, knocking some coats off the pile. “Shatter?” He just stares and she leans heavily against the pile of coats and closes her eyes, feeling so heavy and tired tired tired. She slips away with the feeling of being lifted, weightless, Isak’s voice in her ear, warm breath on her skin. “All the time.”

[evaksbinder]

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

This week we’re reccing our favorite oneshots, as per an anon request. Today’s post is by Kathi. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos!

Better With You - iriswests / @westiris​ (5k words)

Isak and Even don't know what they'd do without the other. Eventually, they realize they don't really need to find out.

Kathi’s Ramblings:

Great characterisation of both Isak and Even; unique setting where the characters still feel true to themselves

Amazing details that make the fic feel like a huge AU, rather than a short oneshot; just lovely world building

Funny banter that is very in character combined with more intimate insights into the characters

All around a feel good read!!

Kathi’s favorite lines:

Even studiously examines the floor. Isak thinks Even doesn’t know what to do with the kindness that people extend to him, sometimes. Isak thinks Even doesn’t think he deserves it.

And Isak doesn’t know exactly how to change that, even after all this time.

[evaksbinder]

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

This week’s theme is fluff. Today’s post is by Kathi. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos!

in comes the morning - dahlstrom / @dahlstrom (5k words)

How many random people do we encounter on a daily basis, and how many of them actually stick in our minds? For Isak, at least, the answer is close to zero, but this guy is an exception. His thoughts turn to him several times over the next few days, for no good reason at all except to enjoy the memory of seeing a person so handsome before eight in the morning. On Friday as he’s waiting for the tram, he’s wondering vaguely if he might see him again next Tuesday... and then the tram arrives, and Isak almost trips over his own feet when he sees the blond guy sitting in the exact same seat as before.

Kathi’s ramblings:

Conveys Isak’s headspace perfectly: both his nervousness and his deadpan internal monologue

Great characterisation of Even, too, and the banter is just amazing!!

Love how visual this is and how the feeling of a crowded tram is captured so well

Both cute and funny and a lovely thing to read when you’re a little stressed or want to be entertained!!

Kathi’s favorite lines:

Heart pounding, he climbs on board and his eyes go right to Even, who’s already smiling at him and nodding toward the empty seat next to him. Isak slides into it, returning the smile as best he can, and utters a soft ‘good morning’ before saying, “I have your sketchbook. It ended up mixed in with my stuff the other day, sorry.” He goes for the front pocket of his backpack, or starts to, anyway, because Even’s reaction isn’t quite what he’d expected. He looks scared, his eyes widening and his mouth dropping open a little. “I kept it safe for you, don’t worry,” Isak continues, carefully pulling the book out and handing it over.

[evaksbinder]

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

This week’s theme is alternating POVs. Today’s post is by Kathi. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos!

making new clichés - strangetowns / @canonicallyanxious (133k words)

“You’d feel better knowing,” Even says. “What we are.” “Yeah,” Isak says. “Something like that.” “Then I’d say,” Even says, “we can be whatever you want us to be.”

-

In this universe, Isak and Even are best friends. Some things are different; some things stay exactly the same.

Kathi’s Ramblings:

Amazing grasp of Isak and Even’s POVs; both are distinctive and very true to themselves; makes their younger selves completely believable and seem like this is the only way they could have been before growing up; generally matures them really well

Has all the best themes of a childhood best friends fic like slow burn and them having stupid in jokes and banter, plus added themes I personally love like what home is and how some things are very hard to say

Also deals with Isak’s coming out in a way that feels very, very realistic and fitting for Isak; the same is true for dealing with Even’s bipolar disorder and his own relationship to it!!!

Unbelievably immersive writing, conveying feelings without spelling them out and making your heart ache for these boys

All around perfect, bittersweet fic that feels like cuddling up in bed with your favourite book

Kathi’s favorite lines:

“So where is your home, then?”

A place where his head is clear instead of foggy. A place where he can forget what unhappiness tastes like, if only for a little while. A place where he can be honest.

(His answer to that question has been the same for more than half his life.)

[evaksbinder]

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

This week’s theme is childhood friends to lovers fics. Today’s post is by Kathi. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos!

it’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right - mmxii / @isakissyvaltersen​ (33k words)

Even suddenly stops and just looks at him for a few seconds. Then he says it.

“You’re my best friend, you know. Always have been, always will be.”

a childhood best friends au..... because there can never be enough

Kathi’s ramblings:

Great progression of Isak and Even’s relationship from when they were tiny to their canon age

Lovely visual descriptions that paint a clear picture

Gives the characters enough time to develop their relationship and to let them come to terms with everything

Just all around a very calm atmosphere; feels true to canon despite the altered circumstances

Kathi’s favorite lines:

Even breaks the eye contact to duck his head down towards the bed for a moment, and it gets easier to breathe. Even takes a deep breath of his own, his shoulders moving faintly with the action. Up. Down. When he turns back up to meet Isak’s gaze again, his eyes are full of determination. And then, softly, but still so very clear, he asks another question. “Is it real?”

[evaksbinder]

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

This week’s theme is Even’s POV set in AU. Today’s post is by Kathi. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos!

a dream to be close to you - strangetowns / @sanashappinessisendgame (7k words)

It's a double edged sword, Isak’s presence. A comfort and a relief, but also a constant reminder that he won't always be here like this, not because he wants to leave, really, but because life's just a son of a bitch when it comes to forever. 

Even wishes he knew how to feel things one at a time. It would be easier.

Kathi’s ramblings:

Perfect characterisation of Isak and Even; great Even voice that feels so true to him and is very immersive

Beautiful writing style that incorporates the parallel universe theme into the fic, but approaches it from Even’s point of view

Tender and quiet relationship of the boys, feels very much like their canon relationship despite different circumstances; manages to balance this quietness with banter and ridiculousness between Isak and Even perfectly

Kathi’s favorite lines:

They stare at each other for a bit. Even feels a little like he's losing his mind, head and lungs filled with all the words he should say. Where would he even begin? So this year is off to a great start, yeah? School hasn't even started and I already feel so fucked, like I'm drowning in my skull, or my heart, if that was possible. Can you imagine, Isak, drowning in someone's heart? I want to drown in yours. I want to drown in yours because then that will mean that I will be inside you forever, and it doesn't matter if you have to leave me now, because you'd never leave me, and I would never leave you. I miss you, Isak, and you're not even gone yet. But you will be; fuck, you will be.

[evaksbinder]

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

This week’s theme is Isak’s POV set in AU. Today’s post is by Kathi. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos!

The Abstract Art of Affection - readwritesleep (9k words)

Isak gets to know Even as an artist before he gets to know him as a person, but he is quickly taking a liking to the man behind the camera. After all, art means risk, and balancing on the edge has always been a good way to get to know a person.

Kathi’s Ramblings:

Original premise that fits the characters perfectly

Incredibly visual; makes the photos Even takes come alive

Feels very true to canon; great handle on Isak’s voice

Lovely progression of their relationship in a relatively short time

Kathi’s favorite lines:

Even held him tight, and Isak could feel Even's heart beating against his back. A soft kiss was pressed to the top of his head before Even spoke. "You're right," he said softly. "Art is a bit like love. It comes and it goes, but every time you create it, it leaves a mark. And..." Even hesitated. "... and sometimes it hurts, but it's always beautiful."