Here's my 2023 Walkerverse Fanfic Award rec-list! Y'all I am so so sorry that this took me like two months. 🙈🙈 And also I read so many good ones this year that I definitely forgot some, so I apologize in advance. 😭
Under a cut because it's long!
+Favorite Author(s): @walker-extended-universe
+Favorite AU (completely new setting) fic: Of Love and Honor by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
Cordell is the knight assigned to Princess Emily's personal protection. They were never meant to fall in love, but they do.
-(And now with a second installment!) This is such a sweet little au and who can resist a knight and a princess romance? 😍 (With bonus protective!Geri!)
+Favorite AU (divergence from canon event) fic: Come Home With Me by @walker-extended-universe -
Summary:
In which Hoyt- and thus the Walkers- knew about Sadie all along
-I love everything about this one. 🥺🥺🥺
+Favorite WIP (a fic not yet finished): We Go Down Together by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
An AU in which Cassie was kidnapped along with Cordell. How will Cassie handle the torture? And how will Cordell handle Cassie?
-It's perfect. 🥺😍
+Favorite Completed Multi-Chapter/Multi-Part Fic: The Voice in My Head by @peachparakeet
Summary:
Sometimes silence can be deafening, especially when it's your own thoughts making the noise.
-I am in awe of OP's ability to drop an 18 chapter fic in one go on Ao3! And the level of detail and character work is amazing! I so appreciate the way that Geri, Cassie, and Ben are included in the story and there to support Cordell, Trey, and Liam through their trauma. I read this one over two or three days, savoring and processing. Go read it right now if you haven't already!!
+Favorite Episode Tag/Missing Scene Fic: Big Girl Lost by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
Two "missing scenes" from 3x16
Chapter 1: What happened between August and Sadie before Cordell got home?
Chapter 2: Geri and Sadie talk after Cordell drops off the boot
-These feel like they actually happened in the ep! (Or should have!)
AND
Parallels by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
Cordell Walker is finally home after being released by the FBI. His whole family is worried about him but he's a little more worried about August.
-File under scenes we should have seen and @walker-extended-universe writes it so well! ❤️
+Favorite Sick!Fic: Got Your Back Partner by @peachparakeet -
Summary:
Her decision was made—not only was he staying home, he was going to have company too. “Alright. You sit tight. I’m gonna call James and tell him to mark us down for vacation for today.”
As his mind finally caught up with him, Cordell realized what Cassie said about taking a vacation day. “Wait, us?”
-Written so well from Cassie's pov and I adored it!
+Favorite Whump Fic - Countdown by @peachparakeet
Summary:
James drew his gun at the large metal door, waiting for it to open. Nobody moved or made a single sound—all their eyes were trained on the door. Barely blinking, he was ready to react to even the most minute movement.
He readjusted his grip on his gun, his palms slick. Sweat dripped down his forehead and soaked into his eyebrow.
What was taking so long?
or
A simple robbery gone wrong.
-I don't know how I'm supposed to pick a favorite fic when the Walker fandom really brings its A game when it comes to whump fics, but this one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. 😍😍
+Favorite Angst Fic: Chopped at the Roots (TW: rape; be sure to read all tags before reading!!) by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
Cassie is the victim of sexual assault in the workplace. When her assaulter blackmails her, she decides to keep things to herself and tries (and fails) to continue with life as usual.
When James finds evidence of the assault, he warns her that he's required to take action. There's nothing she can do to stop it.
Will she be able to rise above it all at the lowest point in her life? Or will she succumb despair?
-This one is a tough read for obvious reasons, but it's stayed with me. The most recent update has Cassie finally getting some much-needed support and is such a good chapter. 🥺
+Favorite Ship Fic (You may list one--or more! Have fun!--per ship. You can list as many or as few as you want!)
Cassie/Cordell: Night Shift by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
Cassie has been working at her family's restaurant since she was "gently encouraged" to leave the Rangers after her partner was counted KIA. Things haven't been so hot for her since then, until a certain- very tall very handsome- customer gets seated in her section for a blind date
-I can never get enough of Cassie/Cordell meet-cute aus and I love this one so much! 😍
Trey/Cassie: The Right Moment by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
Four times Trey almost told Cassie he loved her and one time he did
-This one is so sweet!!
August/Sadie: At the Stables by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
August and Sadie have a horseback riding session
-This one is so cute!!
Cordell/Lucia: Haunting Melodies by @walker-extended-universe -
Summary:
While working late at the Side Step, Cordell meets a lovely young woman named Lucia. They hit it off really well, but Cordell seems to be the only one who sees her.
-I love it. 🥰 It's beautiful and the romance is sweet and Lucia is so cute.
+Favorite Friendship/Platonic Dynamic Fic
Cordell and OC Katherine: I'm Katherine by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
AU- What if William had a child in the years after his big fight with Abeline?
-I love Katherine! And Cordell's perfect in his annoyance and then instant folding into the family of Katherine.
+Fic You Can't Stop Thinking About: A Cold Bed by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
Cordell and Cassie are arranged to be married. For once, Cassie is happy to have choice taken away from her. Cordell, on the other hand, is less than pleased. No one could ever replace Emily, especially not Cassie.
It seems these two are doomed to an unhappy marriage of convenience. Or are they?
-My favorite trope plus my favorite Walker ship?! I am obsessed with this AU!!
+Favorite Crossover Fic: One Slice, Two Forks by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
One day, Cassie injures herself on a run and gets help from a handsome stranger named Sam Wesson. She feels an inexplicable pull towards him and, after getting approval from her friends and family, she pursues a relationship with him.
Things are great until a mysterious attacker sets off alarm bells with Sam and he tries to run away from her. Key word being "tries". Cassie's not letting him go that easily, but can she handle the truth about his past and accept all of him?
- This one is near and dear to my heart and is so so cute!
+Funniest Fic: Funhouse Mirror by @walker-extended-universe
Summary:
August and Stella are messing around with spells again. August suffers the consequences.
-“You’re gonna make me go to SCHOOL like this????” This one is hilarious. Poor August!!
