And we're off! It's a great day to read (or listen!) to a fanfic and then leave a comment, don't you think?
We love to see what you're reading! Please tag us in your bingo or progress posts and we'll do our best to reblog. Remember, you can request more cards once you finish, but we ask that you wait a month in between requests to give our mods time to create cards for new readers.
If you're just finding us, check out our FAQs before you fill out the form to sign up. You can request cards until September 20th, at which point the challenge will close until next year!
Thanks @ficreadingchallenge for the bingo card! I'm looking forward to filling it up over summer. Lots of yummy prompts on this card *squees*.
The idea here is that you're allowed to check off a box (do you say it like that?) after you let the creator know you read their fic (comment, reblog ect). Additionally, I hope to post some recs for you along the way. This event runs till September, so plenty of time!
for the "fic with art" square for @ficreadingchallenge
All the monsters we live to fight by @dual-domination (T, 5k)
Guardian | Zhao Yunlan/Shen Wei
"What is Shen Wei's current location?" At the Marshal's question, Zhu Hong took a moment longer to look at him.
"Does he even leave the basement lab?”
"Inform him that I'm coming down. I want Wang Zheng here in the command room. Lin Jing, you will monitor the reactivation." Zhao Yunlan finished the last few words as the door to the room closed behind him.
“Reactivation,” Lin Jing quickly moved to another chair, to execute the commands on the system that Zhao Yunlan had been looking at before leaving. "As if that thing was ever actually activated… Hong-jie, tell me the Marshal isn't about to do something suicidal…"
Zhu Hong sighed heavily. She always knew that there would never be time for a proper goodbye and the words she had never said.
i started going down a weilan pacific rim!au rabbit hole a few days ago, and then, in a beautiful stroke of fate, learned that there already are fics with drift compatible!weilan. and what a fic this one is, with a wonderful manip to go with! i love when weilan get in each others' way, gift of the magi style, and when the choices characters make cause the bigger story stakes to be higher than they otherwise would be, and this fic does both to great effect! this fic is set in such an interesting point in time, and i love the mapping of the sid ensemble to various roles (marshal!zhao yunlan my beloved).
The world being what it is, I have made lots of progress on my @ficreadingchallenge bingo card already this summer. All fic recs under the cut! (Fandoms: Marvel, Marvel/DC, Marvel Rivals, Star Trek AOS)
(fics marked with an * are in progress)
Whump
june of doom: i don't feel so good by ace_does_words
Fandom: Marvel
Pairing: Steve/Bucky
Rating: M
Summary: “Bucky are you—”
Bucky shakes his head. “I don’t, I’m not—” he forces himself to breath as deeply as he can, there’s more of that blur at the edges of his vision. It keeps getting worse as that nauseating scent of his own rotten body intensifies. He swallows thickly as his heartbeat intensifies, “—I don’t feel so good.”
Medieval AU
Forevermore by dr_girlfriend*
Fandom: Marvel
Pairing: Winterhawk
Rating: E
Summary: “Do you, Clinton Francis Barton, Baron of Waverly, swear to take this enemy of the Crown, James Buchanan Barnes, to be bound in permanent servitude to you, that he may learn to fear and obey you, living in humble repentance for his crimes until such time as your death ends his own life?”
“Sodding hell,” Clint says faintly.
______
Clint Barton was a loyal soldier in the Shield alliance's war against Hydra. When the war ended he didn't expect to be made a baron, and he especially didn't expect to become a husband. When the Council of Allies decrees that the former Winter Soldier must enter into a correctional marriage or be executed, however, Clint and Bucky take the leap. Together, they will need to navigate the burden of the ring-bound curse, their new lives in the neglected keep of Waverly, and the secrets of their past.
Remix fic pair
Third Wheel, by Kangofu_CB
Fandom: Marvel/DC
Pairing: Winterhawk, WinterHawkHood
Rating: E
Summary: “Listen,” the guy says, and his voice is low and kinda rough, and he’s got an accent Bucky can’t quite place. “I’m not tryin’ to overstep, but I overheard kind of a lot and like. I know you’re, uh… trying to work through some shit, man, and I get it. I, uh, had kinda a fanatical upbringing myself. But I’m not sure this guy is the one to work it out with, you know?”
Bucky… is going to kill Clint. Suddenly all of Clint’s odd comments and strangely demure behavior and even his clothes start to make a kind of insane sense. He’s play-acting at more than just a first date. Clint’s pretending to be someone else entirely, and Bucky’s not sure if it’s a joke or a bad attempt at seduction, but either way a heads-up before the evening started would have prevented a hell of a lot of confusion and maybe prevented Bucky from nearly murdering his husband in a bar in Hell’s Kitchen on a Wednesday night.
Second Chance, by there_must_be_a_lock
Fandom: Marvel/DC
Pairing: WinterHawkHood
Rating: E
Summary: A first date (except it's fake), a first time (except not really), and a failed mission.
[Or: two dumbasses and one wanted fugitive walk into a bar...]
Kidfic
No Dawn, No Day, by xiaq
Fandom: Star Trek AOS
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Rating: E
Summary: “I will not apologize for speaking the truth,” the child says. “However, I regret if that truth has offended you.”
“Jesus Christ, kid,” Jim mutters.
“I am not offended,” Spock responds, as blandly as he is able. “I was remiss in casting such hasty judgment upon your guardian.”
”Father,” she corrects.
”Your father,” he agrees.
*****
An academy AU + Tarsus aftermath fic in which James T. Kirk ends up accidentally parentally bonded to an orphaned Vulcan child. When the father/daughter duo enroll in Star Fleet, hijinks ensue (mostly at the expense of Spock’s previously immaculate but quickly deteriorating self-control).
5+1 Style fic
a remarkable human being by matteblack_cowboyhat*
Fandom: Marvel
Pairing: Winterhawk
Rating: G
Summary: “HYDRA had a bunch of files. Nothing too personal, from what I could find, but little bits and pieces about each of you. Gave me a sorta ‘baseline’ to go off.” Bucky explains, “Clint didn’t have more than a sentence.”
More of a word, if he’s being frank. Archer, his file said. That was it. Kinda hard to predict anything about the guy when you’ve only got one archaic skill to go off.
“And that’s bothering you?” Natasha asks, giving his rant a sly smile that instantly sets him on edge.
“What?” Bucky asks, trying to analyze her body language for clues. It’s a useless endeavor with her, but one he tries nonetheless.
“It’s just funny, that’s all.” She ends her sentence there, and looks at James expectantly.
“And?” he prompts, rising to the bait.
“Clint Barton is one of the most remarkable human beings you will ever meet.”
--
a 5+1 fic where Bucky tries to figure out what the hell Clint Barton's deal is (and maybe gains some feelings along the way)
Mythical creature AU
A Big Enough Umbrella, by Reremouse*
Fandom: Marvel
Pairing: Winterhawk
Rating: E
Summary: Bucky Barnes hates witches.
Clint is a witch. He’s never really had a family or a home. But he hopes after this trial as the emissary for the Barnes pack, he will.
If Bucky has anything to say about it, he won’t.
The problem is that Clint is Bucky’s mate.
Fanart
Let him cook! by Twindragons
Fandom: Marvel Rivals
Pairing: Winterhawk
Rating: T
Summary: This is fanart inspired by marvel rivals.
Hawkeye and the winter soldier "flirting" (short dialogue) and a lot more fanarts about them
Well, I did at least get a bingo by the deadline. Yippee~ (Ignore the fact that I meant to post this two days ago argh.)
Though I would've probably had more squares filled out if I didn't completely forget that I was doing a challenge halfway through... whoops 😭 Like, clearly I was expecting to get more done and add more titles to the list. And I have so many tabs of to-read fics. Especially for other fandoms. I just ran out of time. (Also doesn't help that most of my reading time is right before bed and nothing makes me wanna honk-shoo more than reading, apparently.)
Well, maybe I'll try this @ficreadingchallenge again next year. Fill out the board like I was originally hoping to. Even then I found plenty of fics I wound up really loving, even others outside my comfort zone that had some neat stuff to offer. And it wound up inspiring me to start a fic of my own. So yaaay!~
Summary: I’m rapidly coming to the realization that I don’t like fighting anyone other than Tyler. I’m putting words to what used to be an abstract string pull in my gut, telling me that what I’m doing isn’t really what I think I’m doing. This isn’t about the thrill of the scuffle, the catharsis I am experiencing is simply a watered down, repackaged dupe of the real deal. I am seeking a blow to my cheek that leaves me reeling so hard my body has no choice but to conjure up tears. There is a butterfly light thrill that shoots up my spine when Tyler twists his torso under mine and forces me off my feet with his entire body weight.
These are dwindling highs. I need a higher dose every time, and there’s only so many ways to make lingering, full body contact as we try to beat each other into the floor. Fighting Tyler is losing its zeal, and I have no interest in any of the other idiots who crowd the basement every Saturday night.
cowboy's notes: ig we're sticking with the fight club theme lol. cheated a bit because the All Media Types fandom tag DOES have more than 1k works, but the one for the movie doesn't and the ship tag doesn't either, so i say it counts 🗣️ had a downright religious experience with this fic last night, scratched my brain in the absolute best way possible. will be accepted as canon from now on.
Third(?) update for this year's @ficreadingchallenge!
translation: "what about us?" by @seaofolives
this is such a cute fic :3 the mutual pining is delicious, and you can't help but root for the characters!! The story was originally written in Filipino and was translated into English by the author, and is a modern AU set in the Philippines, which I've never seen before but was really neat to see all the little details!
5+ year old fic: trickster's reward by lian
I found this fic through the @nomorezerocomments event and lemme tell ya, it ROCKS. I'm not at all familiar with FFXII but I *am* quite familiar with Tamora Pierce's works and this is story is exactly the kind of bullshit Alanna would get up to rather than resting and recovering
(also. fun fact. 5+ years old? try *17* years old. this fic was posted in 2008. it has a three digit work number. mind. blown.)
domestic / curtain fic: crossing this one off with a pair of pods from @flowerparrish : First Instar and Radicle, which are both really lovely stories about the growing pains of Nile starting to fit in with the rest of the Old Guard! Bonding via art museums and zoos and awkward moments (and the awkward moments are So! Well! Performed!)
time travel: What Time Cannot Touch by @pherryt which is a fabulously fun and ambitious crossover fic! idk half these fandoms, but it doesn't matter! the character interactions are fantastic and they sucked me right into the story!
Participating in Summer Fic Reading & Podfic Listening Bingo, Part 3
For @ficreadingchallenge <3
I've been reading and commenting, and honestly I've read a lot I still need to comment on. Hoping to get everything up by Sept. 22!
For Part 3, I'm using green. Bingos marked in yellow. I'm hoping for a few more. Also: this time I have two in the same category, and I may end up putting up a few more doubles before I'm done.
Square 17)
Fandom: Persona 5
Relationship: Akechi Goro/Kurusu Akira
[podfic] marigolds: by psiodynes (inspired by marigolds by colbub)
This soundscape is incredible! The narration is well-acted, and the music and sound effects are so immersive. This fic does such an amazing job of making this world and characters real, with so many emotions and deep insights.
===========
The following are:
Fandom: The Magicians (TV)
With one exception (marked), these are: Relationship: Quentin Coldwater/Eliot Waugh
Square 7)
Learning to Breathe by alicequinns @juliawickers
I love this entire fic so much, and there's a new stunning and beautiful update in Chapter 21: forevermore! In terms of Square 7, the "mistaken identity" aspect is the spell that had stripped the characters of their memories of previous events--they live authentic lives together but become different people as a result. Eliot's memories, having that secret, has tortured him. I love so much Julia becoming a goddess again!
Square 9)
You left the following comment on double feature by buttcasino @kenshivshow
I truly love the way Quentin and Eliot both react to this movie and get together. Capturing such emotional moments with tenderness yet from Penny's POV is an amazing balancing act. I also love the perspective from the friends, going from "We didn't know they were ever together" to "We're happy for them."
Square 10)
Two fic by @magicians4time
You left the following comment on The Fires We See by Librarity
I love this fic so much; Eliot cuddling up with dragon Quentin is so sweet; their actions and voices are perfect. I love the musical choices, adding so much emotion. Though Eliot can't speak of his feelings, I hope Q understands at some level what El is showing him.
Glass Walls by Librarity
Eliot's voice is so good! You capture El's feelings so well and express them the way he would! Such a good job describing Quentin as a merman and Eliot falling for him without yet admitting he has, even to himself.
You left the following comment on [Podfic of] worship in the bedroom (command me) podfic by exmanhater @exmanhater, worship in the bedroom (command me) fic by Butterfly
The narration is amazing, capturing all the characters voices and emotions so well. They're all so sweet with each other and appreciate each other so much: very safe, loving, comforting. But also blazing hot. And feels so much like the reality of who they are.
From Quentin's POV, the "fake" marriage to Margo happens one drunken night in Vegas...but Margo has a lot of fun with this...and it's Queliot HEA, but I don't want to say how we get there because it plays out so well! The art is so amazing, expressing all the emotions, and just so cute.
Square 24)
You left the following comment on fic such a fooled heart (beatin' so fast) by Nokomis, [Podfic of] such a fooled heart (beatin' so fast) by exmanhater @exmanhater
From Quentin understanding that Eliot meant "Peaches and plums," to Q helping El see the good side of even the dark memories and providing happy moments; from Eliot apologizing and explaining to Q, to each of them gaining new insights about the Mosaic; seeing them love and support each other so much is truly divine. (Time loop=the Mosaic references.)
