I watched Conclave for the first time on the 20th June, so I was a bit late to the party. In 4 months, I have read 500 fanfics...
I'll focus here on hidden gems, meaning that fics with stats in the top of the fandom have been excluded. -> Part 2
The most important: share your own hidden gens via reblogs or comments!
Some authors get angsty when one of their work attract sudden attention due to social media without their knowledge, so if you enjoy and comment on a fic, please mention this post as what drove you to the fic ;-)
Easier to read version on Ellipsus here.
Vincent Benítez/Thomas Lawrence
[Lawrenitez] Proof of Life by Jolie_Black (uncomplete)
Pope Innocent XIV gets stuck in an elevator. This should have the potential to derail his entire pontificate, but it has. Thomas Lawrence learns things about their new Pope that he would not have imagined in his wildest dreams, and he finally finds the courage to be more to him than just another faithful servant.
[Lawrenitez] The Sin of the Starved by MorningOwl [E = Explicit] (uncomplete)
There's only one bed, so Vincent and Thomas are forced to sleep together. They are both terribly touch-starved, though.
[Lawrenitez] Kitty Cat Vincent by Slow_Burn_Sally
Vincent prays to God to be turned into someone Thomas Lawrence can show easy affection towards and wakes up the next day as a small, brown, tortoiseshell cat.
[Lawrenitez] Training Season by Dafi3100 [E]
Thomas Lawrence has developed a Pavlovian response to Vincent Benítez tying his hair.
[Lawrenitez] 'Till Sunbeams Find You by roguekaiju
The problem with Vincent is this: he just can’t sleep peacefully.
[Lawrenitez] the mire, yet the soul by queerfarmgremlin [E] (uncomplete)
Vincent Benítez isn't an angel. But he's not exactly human, either. And he gets kidnapped by demons.
[Lawrenitez] Sequestered by dayyydreaming (uncomplete)
The conclave is stretching and going on for longer and longer, but neither Thomas nor Vincent are in a hurry.
[Lawrenitez] Heat Wave by Mimi011
There's a heat wave and the dress codes in the Vatican are to be temporarily lifted. That means Thomas can't wear most of what's in his wardrobe, and he might stumble upon someone underdressed in the gardens…
[Lawrenitez] who made the world? who made the swan? by intothewildblueyonder [E] (uncomplete)
An exploration of Thomas Lawrence relationship with desire, as he is visited by Christ in his dreams.
[Lawrenitez] The Walls Have Ears by HereHaveAFandom [E]
The sisters aren't the only ones who hear everything (a swiss guard overhears quite a lot).
Best Concept
Jolie's Occasional Lectures on Catholic Church Organisation, Canon Law and Other Things You Never Thought You Would End Up Reading About Until You Contracted the Conclave Bug by Jolie_Black
Metas and infodumps on… well, everything is in the title.
צלול כיין [Crystal Clear] by Anonymous
Innocent XIV goes on a papal visit to Jerusalem, amongst all the hurt and violence, there's also hope and love.
The Poor by Winds of Dawn (WoD) (uncomplete)
A commentary on Dilexi Te, with Innoncent XIV reacting quite strongly to some bullshit.
Sickfic & Headache
[Bellesco] His mighty Aura by Being_Lionhearted
During a Synodal Council, Aldo Bellini is suffering from a headache that threatens to turn into a fullblown migraine attack. Unfortunately, Tedesco is there and Aldo tries to avoid showing himself vulnerable in front of the Patriarch.
can't speak, can't move by braigwen_s
“Blink twice if you're having a medical episode.” Or Aldo is with Vincent when goes into catatonia.
[Lawrellini] 34:29 by GreyGulfH
Thomas has a migraine again. But he also has Aldo.
[Lawrellini] Vasovagal Syncope by SafiNicht99
Aldo found him in his room. In his shower to be precise. The door to Thomas’ apartment was locked, but after so many years Aldo knew where the spare key was hidden, and so he went in.
[Bellesco] Ezekiel 36:26 by lobefinnedfishes
Tedesco gets sick and someone is there to take care of him.
[Agnes/Lawrence] turn out the light by arulijase
Agnes gets LASIK surgery and also an unexpected visit from the Secretary of State.
Impacto by JollyTimeTraveler
The window explodes and Vincent reacts (PTSD & panic attack).
Self-harm & Eating Disorders
[Lawrenitez] All turtles (dream of flight) by strawberriesandtophats (uncomplete)
Thomas Lawrence's sense of self-worth has been destroyed by the late Holy Father toxic remarks. After the conclave, he tries to heal with the help of his friends.
[Lawrellini] oh Lord, take this pain away by tenok [ILLUSTRATED]
Thomas Lawrence wears a corset. It helps until things go too far.
[Lawrellinitez] or finding God in your sock drawer by wizardlover
“It was an accident,” Aldo says, too-rushed, which is his first mistake. Or Aldo is hurting himself and Thomas and Vicent discover it.
[Bellesco] Our Quiet Game by SafiNicht99 [E]
Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco had always enjoyed to explore the many secret passages of the Holy See. However this time, he spies on something that will force him to face some truths about himself.
[Lawrenitez] does a story die with its narrator? by ama-b-sides (amadeussss9) [E]
When thomas tries to end his life, he doesn't expect it to give him a far better one instead.
[Lawrellinitez] Blood spilled in the name of asceticism by furryprn
Thomas Lawrence has always paid his penance by scalding himself in the shower every morning, but what happens when that stops being enough? When others start to notice?
Rip your heart out (it's sad as fuck) [Major Character Death]
and I wake up and you're still dead by tenok
Aldo commits suicide. He was loved by Thomas and Vincent, who struggle in their grief.
Lily of the Morning by emperor_hadrian [E]
Good ol’ Cardinal Tedesco, he was a hard one to shake. Not even the murder of the Holy Father, who bled out in his arms, right there, right at the entrance of St. Mark’s Basilica, affected him that much.
To Lay This Body Down by zjofierose
Aldo is shot before Thomas and Vincent's eyes.
[Lawrenitez] memento mori by faediwa
Ten years after the conclave that elected Pope Innocent XIV, it seems that Cardinal Lawrence will need to organize yet another one in this lifetime.
Triggering Themes (mind the tags!)
'tis voracious work by bukkunkun [E] (uncomplete)
Vincent Benítez is a newly-assigned parish priest in a small town in Calabria. There, he catches the unwanted attention of a powerful Don, Frank Paternò. (non-con)
[Bellesco] Petrus by TimeLordDeRolo [E]
Goffredo Tedesco is in the Vatican and makes his sole mission to bother Aldo Bellini. After a late night confrontation the Patriarch of Venice implies Aldo should hurt him and the Secretary simply will not have it. (past sexual abuse)
[Bellesco] hebrews 10:4 by Anonymous [E]
A horror story with quite a bit of gore and non-con. Agoat follows Tedesco home.
Silence by The_Aleph
Ray has to face his aggressor (past child abuse), he goes to Thomas for comfort afterwards.
[Lawresco] The Threat by SoftwareCorruption_exe [E]
Lawrence and Tedesco are kidpaned and forced into a Fuck or Die situation (mutual non-con)(the author focus is on emotions, trauma and dissociation).
[Bellesco] Shames of Rome by MostRemote [E]
Aldo wants sex. Tedesco wants to destroy someone. (…Aldo gest destroyed…) (unsafe sex, abuse bordering on non-con)
A Journey’s Echo by Sleepless_Malice [ILLUSTRATED] [E]
Bellini being appointed Secretary of States comes with a price (non-con)
Fics without a clear category
Lost and Present by Winds of Dawn (WoD)
Vincent escaped from the Vatican, and Thomas is in charge of investigating the case. Turns out Vincent had something important to do outside.
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (Storyboards) by 1848
A storyboard for an alternative ending where the bomb doesn't go off and Tedesco is elected Pope.
Sitting with the Pope by Winds of Dawn (WoD)
Pope Innocent tapes a video podcast. It probably won't be released unless someone wishes to see the Vatican implode.
Of The Parish by letek
Bellini wants to know more about the new pope.
[Lawrellinitez] all that heaven will allow by riversdark [E] (uncomplete)
Aldo and Vincent discover that they have some things in common, (like thirsting after the Dean?)
Nomine Paulo by rodamned
Cardinal Aldo Bellini is elected pope, as his campaign manager, Cardinale Giulio Sabbadin, is experiencing his first mental breakdown ever.
[Lawrellini] the future is a bitter past by veganthranduil [E]
Thomas and Aldo are in relationship during seminary, it ends on a bitter note.
Hot Cardinal Summer by earlgrayly [ILLUSTRATED]
On a brutally hot day, Vincent, Thomas, and Aldo all make their way to the rooftop garden and do some unexpected bonding.
[Benimalley] Agent of Grace: Spy Ray AU by bongbingbong [ILLUSTRATED]
Raymond O'Malley's real employer isn't Thomas Lawrence. It's MI6, or more specifically, Gareth Mallory, who wants to keep an eye on his twin brother. He's been hiding an injury since the attack on the Sistine Chapel, and he very nearly gets away with it until he catches the attention of the new Holy Father..
[Sabballey] Do you think they know? by bourecmorusovy
Nobody knows Ray and Giulio are together... or do they?
Short conclave stories by orphan_account
Stupidly cute drabbles.
Lawrellinitez concept where Aldo loves and wants and pines hard for Lawrence, but he (Aldo) is an obligate hard masochist and Thomas just can’t do that. (Thomas has feelings for him too, and they’ve talked about it, and are close still but platonically).
Thomas and Vincent get into a relationship, and Aldo is - trying not to be jealous and grudging and pettily bitter, and not really trying not to have the self-loathing flares, and ‘trying not to be lonely’ isn’t really a thing someone can do. And then all that more so when he realizes he’s also developing a crush on *Vincent*. As though that could ever happen or be anything but even more impossible and doomed.
Except that in fact Vincent turns out to have the compatible kinks.
