FAVORITE FANFICS OF 2021
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
2020 was a constant hell on earth last year. 2021 seriously tried to take me out, especially in terms of burnout. I went through the WORST slump ever. A massive creative slump. A massive mental slump.
Hoping that 2022 will be a much kinder year. That's the only resolution/wish I have for the new year. A kinder year & for my creative slump to finally crack.
While this story was crappy in many ways, I still had things to help carry me through from BTS (obviously), anime, kdramas, and of course fanfics. Every year fanfic writers that are favorites to me or new to me come through with the content. Just blow me away with their storytelling and I always do this tradition because GODDAMNIT fanfic writers deserve their flowers too.
If you’re interested in past lists, here is the 2020's list, 2019′s list and 2018′s. If y’all are interested in doing your own fanfic favs of the year, please do so and tag me. Always on the hunt for new favs.
Without further ado, here are my favorite fanfics of 2021:
1). the beauty of futility by wbtrashking (tododeku) aka @wtkdigest
Summary: Todoroki Shouto is exhausted.
He's miserable, really. He's ready to give up, to tell his older sister goodbye, to stop fighting and just close his eyes forever.
But life isn't through with him. Izuku and his adopted daughter stumble upon Shouto in his darkest moments and show him that there's something worthwhile in the world. They show him that he's more than his depression; that he can laugh and love and be happy.
At age thirty, despite all the odds, Shouto finally figures out how to live.
I read this story only once, but the way it stuck to me, the number of times I shared around my friends who got into the tododeku ship, the number of times I keep thinking about it....it was that GOOD. That great. That amazing.
Shouto's exhaustion with life, with himself, and living in general hit so hard-and almost mirrored my own mental stage. And in comes in Izuku, the sweet beam that he is, doesn't cure him- thankfully it's not that kind of story. But he shows him that are hidden gems in everyday, with the help of Izuku's adorable adorable daughter.
That's another thing I love about this story: single dad Izuku with daughter Eri, a trope I NEED MORE OF. I also love the tenderness of the slowburn. Just read please. So so so good
2). I'll be your biggest kept secret and your biggest mistake by sascake aka @sascake (tododeku)
Summary: Devastated by his lack of a Quirk and pushed to the limit, fourteen-year-old Midoriya Izuku takes Bakugou's advice and jumps from the roof of their school.
Ten years later, pro hero Todoroki Shouto can't stop running into a vigilante hell-bent on saving people, going after every villain he comes across, and causing a conflict in Shouto like he's never felt before.
I am warning you right now if you are a Bakugo stan.....please proceed with caution. Mind you, the author does an incredible of not outright bashing bashing him, but she also does incredible job of showing just how severe Bakugo's words and actions deeply impacted Izuku.
Every year I always seem to find that one author who sucks me in with just one story and next thing I know, I become OBSESSED. And I do mean OBSESSED with their work. @sascake became that author to me. @littlenightdragon & I just PLOWED through mostly everything under their ao3 profile, and honestly I was debating whether I should name this or (possibly, maybe) falling for you which I also adored but something about this one just STUCK TO ME.
First of all, the way this felt like....it could be canon if things were differently. If Izuku's self doubt outweighed his inner strength and self worth. If Bakugo was twice as nasty with his words. If there was no All Might to come through and help him. Like me and @littlenightdragon couldn't stop thinking or talking about how this seriously could've been canon.
The relationship between Izuku and Shouto is just so breathtaking and at some points heartbreaking, watching them go from uneasy allies to commrades and more. We also have an incredible friendship between Izuku and Shinso that just so amazing to read-made me crave more stories featuring that platonic relationship. Not to mention this has to be one of the best vigilante Izuku stories I've read so far.
Just every single aspect of this story from the relationships, the dynamics, the scars of trauma both Izuku and Shouto carry are handled so incredibly well. Also, this story-along with every story by @sascake is addicting as hell, so there's that.
Honorable mentions:
(possibly, maybe) falling for you
you are my sweetest downfall
hit me with your sweet love, steal it with a kiss
3). home is the shape of your heart by unreemarkable (tododeku)
Summary: If this is a dream, Shouto doesn’t want to wake up.
[in which shouto gets back what he lost, and he's both better and worse off for it.]
In this story we have vampire Shouto and ghost Izuku. Those were the two elements that immediately drew me in, especially vampire Shouto. I walked into this thinking it was gonna be a haunted mansion story, but it ended up being so much more.
Yes, there is a haunted house element but we have so much more. We have a ghost who doesn't remember anything about his own life, much less what led to his death. And a vampire, who knows everything and the weight of it kills him.
This romance, this love story, reminded me a lot of Kaz x Inej from Six of Crows, where there is very limited physical touch but the love and care linked between these two is so palpable like a live wire. This romance is so so so tender, you just melt reading it. The pining, the pining, the wanting and the PINING. It hurts so much. It was so good, it hurt.
Also please check out the prequel that shows how this story begins, and still i will live here
4). Like Moth to Flame by magisterpavus (sheith)
Summary: When Keith tries to save his dying father by making a deal with the vampire lord who has terrified his village for centuries, he's prepared for sacrifice.
He's not prepared for Lord Shirogane.
Mags is a GOD. A god I say when it comes to sheith. When it comes to just raising the bar for good content & hot smut. And this story was a knock out.
First off, vampire Shiro. I've read stories with vampire sheith but I don't think I've come across one quite as snarky and lovable as this Shiro right here because WOW. I loved him so much. I also loved Keith, our determined human who's willing to do anything to help his ailing father, even if it means being under the thumb to this creature who haunts his village like a nightmare.
This is a very slowburn romance, but every chapter, every moment we see the two come closer is just so delicious. So well done.
Honorable mentions:
only while the sun shines
Desperate Measures
5). The Water's Fine series by @goldentruth813 (sheith)
Summary: Keith's lifeguard tower offers a stunning beach view, but nothing steals his breath like the handsome stranger who runs by every morning. A chance encounter with hot running guy—Shiro, he soon finds out—reveals he's kind as well as gorgeous, but Keith's afraid to make a move. That is, until Shiro's in trouble, and Keith finds himself over his head.
Before we start, massive massive congrats to @goldentruth813. For making a spot on this list for the 4th year in a row.
you had me tell me that *spoiler alert* I would be so invested in a mermaid's relationship with a human...I would have some questions. Yes, I am a Disney girl. Yes, I grew up with the Little Mermaid. Yes, I am EXCITED AS HELL to see Halle Bailey play Ariel in the live action movie, but mermaids were never my favorite like that. Leave to Janel to drop a story like this and have me become completely obsessed with it.
There are 3 stories tied to this series. Each one, the relationship just gets better & better. It has heavy pining, it has sweet & epic romantic moments, it has mating, it has soulmates, it has sugar daddy Shiro, and of course massive fluff.
Honorable mentions:
The Naked Roommate
rush (into my heart)
Sticker Me in Praise
6). Love Letters & Coffee Grounds by @jlaw1105 (clexa)
Summary: Lexa wasn't sure what it was that drew her into the little coffee shop on the corner. Maybe it was because it was less than a block away from the front door of her new building. Maybe it was because it wasn't a Starbucks or some other large chain coffee front that cared more about profit than the flavor of their beans. Maybe it was the warm air filled with the soft scent of coffee, chocolate and cinnamon. But likely, definitely, it was the defiant little corner of the store that loudly rebelled against the norm.
It was early November and everything around Lexa was filled with red and greens or whites and blues. It screamed of Christmas and Hanukkah. Of buying gifts and consumer driven profit. But the back corner of the coffee shop was filled with oranges and reds and browns with a rather large sign written in an angry scrawl that said "It's not even Thanksgiving yet, assholes!" There was just something about it that, to Lexa, felt poetically beautiful.
A Clexa Coffee Shop AU.
First off, place bets right now on who you think wrote that sign at the coffee shop. Secondly, yes, I deeply deeply fell in love with this coffee shop AU.
Obviously, at this point, almost every pairing to every fandom has gone through the cafe/ coffee shop AU. It may be a simple trope to come, a cliche to many, but there is a reason why that trope continues to thrive in fandom- and in storytelling in general. It's such a popular trope that I consider it to be your first steps into fanfics.
And the way @jlaw1105 did this and more is pure CHEF'S KISS. We have Lexa, a bestselling author to this popular sci-fi series, is suffering massive writer's block with the latest book. We have Clark, part-time barista, part-time artist, and part-time crush that quickly becomes muse & more to Lexa.
This was just so so so so fucking good. READ IT.
7). There's Something about Potter by slytherin_nette (drarry w/ fem-Harry)
Summary: There’s just something particularly strange about Aria Potter this year. Unfortunately, the new 8th year Slytherins are determined to find out exactly what everybody's favorite golden girl is hiding. Post-DH semi-AU Hogwarts. DMxfemHP.
There are so many tropes and things that can pull me into a good drarry story: veela and fem-Harry. Veela is my favorite creature trope to read with drarry. Anytime I see the word drarry, I JUMP. Also I love me some genderbenting, so if there's one that offers the Girl Who Lived, I am on board.
So imagine my great surprise & delight that I stumble onto a story that delivers both. Done none other than the great queen of fem-Harry, slytherin_nette. Like when I say queen, I mean QUEEN. Every fem-Harry x Draco story she does is just amazing. Just incredible. Always slaps, and this is one is no expectation.
In this story, taking place after 8th year, we have Aria Potter returning to Hogwarts after not just surviving the war but also coming into a secret inherrtiance. We have Draco trying to keep his head down and survive the year, while also reminsicing about the dream girl he meets during the summer. Thanks to a Housing switch up, the two collide and all that they got through together is so much fun to read.
Story is available both at ao3 and ff.net.
Also, while you're at it, please also check out more of slytherin_nette's fem-Harry stories. She has more on ffnet than ao3, but all of them are worth a read.
8). Werk It, Girl by stardropdream (sheith)
Summary: Keith is a contestant on Coran's Drag Race, competing to be the next Drag Superstar. Towards the end of the competition, the girls are given their weekly challenge: adopt a drag daughter into your drag house.
And in walks Shiro.
Working together in a competition is one thing, but Keith could never be prepared for everything that comes next.
CALLING ALL RUPAUL DRAG RACE FANS IN THE SHIETH COMMUNITY! THIS ONE'S FOR YOU
And even if you're not familiar with the show or a fan of it, I still think you'll have a good time with this show, I know I certainly did 😊😉
But then again anytime you read a story by stardropdream, you're always guaranteed a fun time. Okay, well actually some of her stories may include angst, but always a fun time at the end of it. And this was a fun, fun time.
I didn't realize how much I needed drag queen Keith x drag queen in training until now, so thank you Robin for that.
Honorable mentions:
In My Veins
We are Perfectly Okay
Body Without Sound
9). right besides me series by @storybookprincess (tododeku)
Summary: "For as long as Todoroki could remember, touch was something to be avoided. Dodging blows in his father’s relentless training or curling in on himself and covering his face to try to hide from the merciless punishment for whatever transgression he had committed this time, touch was always pain, plain and simple. After his mother left, he was never held or kissed. No one hugged him or stroked his hair. People touched him to hurt him."
Or, Todoroki gets a hug and his whole world shifts on its axis.
Oh. MY. DEAR. GOSH. Oh. My. Dear. Heart. Oh. My. Dear. Dear. Shouto. Oh. My Sweet. Sweet. Izuku. And my dear gosh....go to hell Endeavor & kick rocks.
As you can guess by the previous sentence, this story made me feel many things.
As you can guess by the summary of the first part of the story, ever so gently, the feels come on so hard, so rapid, and you have no choice but to let the feelings consume you. Then the sequel, quid pro quo, comes in and finishes you in the best way. It certainly did with me.
This beautiful relationship starts with a hug. This story has severely touch-straved Shouto just in awe by Izuku, who was the first person to touch him gently in such a long time. Which starts this achingly beautiful, heartfelt pining.
This story has to be one of the best Todoroki Shouto's POV stories I've read. This also featured one of the softest, softest tododeku relationships ever. I do recommend this as a starter fanfic if you're new to the tododeku ship like I was. It was one of the first tododeku stories I've read and I still think about it.
10). Sourdough by @academicdisaster24 (drarry)
Summary: Draco writes romance novels and doesn't leave his apartment much. Harry bakes bread and sells it to Draco. Draco is quite weird. Harry might like that.
Fair warning: you will CRAVE soughdough bread like crazy. I know I did. At some points while I was reading, I was seriously tempted to get some bread.
And you will CRAVE to have that sweetness that Draco finds with Harry in this story.
We have Draco as a reclusive historical romance writer trying to write & baker Harry downstairs distracting him with the delicious scent of fresh-baked bread.
I don't think enough words can praise this story. Can show enough it was. Other than speculator, achingly-sweet, and just everything.
Honorable mentions that I seriously wanted to add to the list but this post is already lengthy. All amazing, all greats reads by various writers y’all should check out:
on sight by @phaltu (sheith w/established relationship, happily married, and everyone thinking Keith is the horn dog when his sweet-faced husband is the real culprit
Ready Set Hut by Neyasochi (sheith, friends to lovers following them meeting at high school & bonding over FOOTBALL)
With Great Yawns and Stretching by sugar_screw (drarry, with Harry finding Malfoy isn't only redeemed but is the proud owner of a coffee shop. With cats)
Thirst and Devour by SashaDistan (izuku x shouto x bakugo x Kirishima poly fanfic; all 3 obsessed with Izuku & his sweet ass. SO SO SO SO HOT)
This Hungry Work (Give Me Some More) by @rayshippouuchiha (tododeku w/female Izuku; possessive & protective Todoroki, just goodness all around)
Almost, Not Quite, Us by xxjinchuurikixx (narusasu; ABO verse w/ doting alpha Naruto & feisty omega Sasuke deep in his heat & in need of assistance. SO GOOD).
And there you have, ladies, gents, & nonbinary babes. Thus concludes this year's list of my favorite fanfics of the year, including honorable mentions I had to shout out to. Mind you, there's so many more but this list is already long enough as it is.
To the writers who created these incredible stories. I applaud you. I thank you for creating and sharing these wonderful stories. Anyone interested in doing the tag, please do.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, GUYS
