Favorite fanfiction (that doesn’t rely on Canon knowledge)
It’s been almost 5 years since I unexpectedly reentered the world of reading and sometimes writing fanfiction in my 30′s. The first year I spent thoroughly entrenched in a fandom I enjoyed the canon of, and then I started leaping around, sometimes reading deeply, sometimes just reading the best of.
I know varying degrees about the following canons but all of the fanfiction listed you should be able to enjoy with next to no canon knowledge, and if there is one key fact, I’ll name it.
Lots of my favorite fics aren’t here, because they are dependent on canon but many of my favorites are on this list.
Also as far as ships go, all of these stories have them, and some of them are explicit, but the main selling point, at least for me, of all of these fics, was not the ship. Sometimes I cared less about the couple at the center.
I also love recs and am always happy to hear more (especially in fandoms not covered here).
Fanfic: The Dawn Will Break You
Author: thepartyresponsible
Fandom: DC & Marvel
Ship: Jason Todd/Tony Stark
What you should know about canon: Jason Todd was the Robin who met Batman by stealing the tires of the bat mobile and everyone hated him so much they voted to have him killed. Why you should read it: It’s one of the best fics in the history of fics. There’s a great podfic of it, it’s so funny, my husband and I have listened to it more than once. It’s actually the only fanfic that I didn’t write, that he’s read repeatedly...
Fanfic: Snakes & Crowns
Author: PopsAfterDark (knittersrevolt)
Fandom: Riverdale
Ship: Betty Cooper/ Jughead Jones
Why you should read it: Maybe the best soulmate fic ever. I say this as someone whose written 7 soulmate fics and read, at least 200.
Fanfic: Life Sentence
Author: astolat
Fandom: The Fast and the Furious
Ship: Brian O'Conner/Dominic Toretto Why you should read it: The world building and the characters are just *chefs kiss!*
Fanfic: So: A Hollywood Love Story
Author: fourteencandles (thingsbaker)
Fandom: Entourage
Ship: Eric Murphy/Vincent Chase
What you should know about canon: Vince is an actor and Eric is his manager. They are childhood friends. All the most crass parts are probably softened versions of canon.
Why you should read it: Such a satisfying story with lots of really lovely moments and just the right amount of angst.
Fanfic: The Best Boyfriend Bucky Barnes Never Had
Author: Annerp, Cap_D
Fandom: Captain America
Ship: Bucky Barnes/Steve Rodgers
What you should know about canon: That Steve Rodgers was unconscious for a very long time (70ish years). Most of the key parts of canon should be ignored anyhow!
Why you should read it: One of the best trope twists ever. Hilarious.
Fanfic: The New Hire
Author: asocialconstruct
Fandom: Captain America
Ship: Steve Rogers/Sam Wilson
Why you should read it: As a former higher ed teacher it got a lot right. Great slice of life.
Fanfic: Drive
Author: AdamantEve
Fandom: Riverdale
Ship: Betty Cooper/Jughead Jones
Why you should read it: Ridiculous in the best possible way. Such an enjoyable read. So funny in parts.
Fanfic: The Feel Good Hit of the Summer
Author: disco_vendetta (brinn)
Fandom: The 100
Ship: Bellamy Blake/Clarke Griffin
Why you should read it: Top notch outsider POV. Lots of fun.
Fanfic: Derek Hale’s Possible Heart
Author: loserchildhotpants
Fandom: Teen Wolf
Ship: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski
Why you should read it: funny and full of emotion.
Fanfic: blood sweat & heartbeats
Fandom: Riverdale
Authors: singsongsung, sylwrites
Ship: Betty Cooper/Jughead Jones
Why you should read it: Such a wonderful figure skating AU, heartfelt and nuanced. Friends to lovers so wonderfully done.
Fanfic: Lord knows it would be the first time
Author: uraneia
Fandom: Teen wolf
Ship: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski
Why you should read it: Magical appearing baby perfection.The right amount of angst.
