bruh you can't just say that (re fic anon) and not immediately start working on the vintage fic rec list. Please please please give it to us
OKAYYYY TWIST MY ARMMMMMM
here's a short list of fics i remember loving in my first phandom era (~2014-2018). this one goes out to the new phannies especially: respect your herstory, give these a try!! so much has changed in the world of dan and phil since these were written but keep an open mind, i vouch for every single one being a fun (or at least satisfyingly angsty) time.
fave chaptered: if lost, return to phil by thatsmistertoyou. ive read this 6 or 7 times, including when i came back to the phandom in 2024. it's an icon!!
fave oneshot: it's no good (unless it's real) by blueshirt. dnp travelling the world and inventing a whole new kind of show... road trip fic.... how they're changing the world and each other... if i ever dgaf about all that, that's not me. that's an imposter.
fave aus:
flotsam by phandabbydosey: AUs were HUGE back in the day, and this one has always just stuck with me? dan is a merboy trapped in seaworld. it takes you on a whole journey.
so many stars by transdimensional_void: did anyone order a slow burn in a very specific, wonderfully realized setting? if you didn't, you should!
fave angst: the warmth of other suns by emptylester. i used to think i didn't like mpreg. then after a few years i figured out some weird gender feelings and became Free, but in the meantime this one has always done it for me
fave fluff: Pretty Odd (Things Have Changed For Me and That's Okay) by orphan_account: it's friends to lovers slow burn AND kidfic. AT THE SAME TIME.
resources for finding more fics back in the day:
phanfic awards 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 (part 1) (part 2), 2017, 2020
phanfiction catalogue
phanfic
in case any of the authors mentioned are in any way annoyed that i'm bringing up 10+ year old work (fair and understandable have a nice day), as a peace offering i will also bring up my ancient orphaned fic
teach me to fly by orphan_account (bluebirdlester): THIS IS NOT A FIC REC. THIS IS THE RAMBLINGS OF A 15 YEAR OLD. but you know what? i made something, and this was the first thing i managed to finish that i was really proud of. the phanfic community welcomed me so kindly and engaged with such joy, and it meant so much to me at the time. beta read by the abovementioned rhys transdimensional-void, who I've been mutuals with ever since writing this over TEN years ago! and it was illustrated by my middle school best friend, all for PBB 2015.
