I started out reading from Spectre Requisitions during the anon period, then got eaten up by other things so… uh, very late, mostly Spec Recs but lots of good fics here!
Housekeeping note: normally I don’t include author names when I post recs from a collection, because I try to keep in the spirit of the anon posting period, but I didn’t get a chance to read most of these until well after the anon period. I also don’t usually rec more than one fic per author per fandom because I want to spread the love, but again… most of these were originally written on anon, so I’m just throwing up my hands and ignoring my own self-imposed rules for this!
What kind of woman doesn’t have an axe? (Aria T’Loak/F!Shep, 3.9k words) by keita52 - This is a fun allies to friends to lovers, complete with bedsharing tropes, bionic vibrators, and some lovely banter! Also some tags for polyamory discussions and open relationships, including mentioned F!Shep/Liara and Aria/Nyreen. Fun and sweet. :) Rated M.
Home Sweet Home (Cora/F!Ryder, 1.2k words) by GuileandGall - Sweet domestic fluff! Cora and Ryder have just moved in together, and start things off on the right foot by 1) remembering not to drink juice straight from the jug, and 2) giving gifts despite Cora’s strict ‘no gifts’ policy. ;P (Don’t worry; Ryder suggests a suitable punishment!)
A Recommendation (Ashley/F!Shep, 679 words) by YourLocalPriestess - A brief argument and its resolution, set between ME1 and 2. I love how we get a sense of progression and uncertainty in such a bite-sized fic, where we can see the threads leading to ME2 but also the profound respect and warmth of their established relationship from ME1.
The Technological Ties That Bind (F!Shep/Tali, 2k words) by Settiai - This is sweet and lovely and just!!! I really love how the author compacts so many intimate, detailed character moments and exploration into short vignettes, starting out as a retrospective (because it wasn’t love at first sight, no, not even if Shepard later tells the story that way) and it grows into something gentle and wonderful. Tiny moments of character study and invisible movement. My favorite scene in this is dinner with the squad on the Normandy. *happy sigh*
it’s how gravity works; it’s why they call it falling (Zevin Raeka/F!Ryder, 4.4k words) by Rhovanel - Gosh, I just??? I never even considered this ship but I’m sold now. It’s beautiful and nuanced and lovely and I’m still reeling in feels from it. A gorgeously told story about falling in love despite one’s best intentions, about what it means to give up on dreaming of the stars when you’re used to keeping your feet planted in earth, a lovely wham metaphor about pioneer species, and several places I burst out loud laughing because who doesn’t like a little humor with their romance!
For the Living (Samara/F!Shep, 2.9k words) by DrJekyl - Bittersweet and beautiful, using asari mythology to frame the different stages of Samara’s life and how she’s had so much pain and joy and regret, and even as a Justicar serenity does not come easily. Plus the ending has just the right amount of humor and hope to finish out this fic. <3
Kralla’s Song (Lexi T’Perro/Umi Henon - 2.4k words) by flynnXrathbone - The events (and crew) of Andromeda seen through Umi’s perspective… plus rekindling an old relationship. This made me smile and feelsy.
The Great Cabin Conspiracy of ‘73 (Aethyta/Benezia - 3.1k words) by DrJekyl - Peak hilarious mystery date!!! Two matriarchs stuck in a chilly cabin, with laughs and giggles and some very heated exchanges. Also, there is only one bed. :’D (no explicit smut, but a very cheerfully vulgar Aethyta POV!)
