by Zuckerbaby_1
Author: Zuckerbaby_1 (if they are on Tumblr, please let me know so I can tag them)
Podfic narrator: Kninjaknitter (@lindie-kninjaknitter) (find podfic here)
Artist: Zuckerbaby_1
Rating: Mature
Words: 21,517 (complete, 6/6 chapters)
I found this fic as a podfic first and it immediately became one of my soothing, comfort listens. It’s on Kninjaknitter’s ‘Insomnia’ playlist on Soundcloud for good reason.
I love this fic, for a lot of reasons, but importantly because it feels authentic. Ed’s history is so beautifully written: who he is, the family he found in many of the crew, and the queer community that was there for him when he was younger and that he helped shape and make a safer space for others later on. The shop always standing, always open, always safe, when it’s needed.
This fic is also funny! And fluffy. Ed and Stede’s meeting, and getting to know each other over fleeting, and somewhat confusing (poor Ed) interactions at the shop, are really fun to read. All the characters are such an enjoyable version of themselves to get to know.
Something about this fic, especially to listen to, feels like you’re in the Weirdo Hours yourself, that sort of liminal feeling of the early hours, when time doesn’t really exist and everything is a little bit possible.
There’s also some really lovely art by the author that gives such a fun insight into the shop and some of the things described in the fic, which is a treat to be able to see.
Author’s summary:
It’s 2007 and Ed Teach owns a sex store in Sydney, Australia. One day a strangely uptight but well-dressed strawberry-blonde rectangle of a man comes in and asks for Crisco shortening. He comes back every month or so, Ed flirts, the guy buys some Crisco shortening. Never looks around the store, never seems interested in anything else, doesn't respond to flirting. But still... He's buying all that oil-based lube. Colour Ed intrigued.