Unfinished/WIP Fic Recs
This month I'd like to show some love to the WIPs and the unfinished fics out there. I know we all love the little spark of joy we get when we get that update email, but this rec list is also for those fics that haven't been updated in a while, or are abandoned. Some of my favourite fics haven't had an update in years, but that doesn't mean I love them any less.
As always, authors are tagged if their tumblr username is available in their ao3 profile. If you've been tagged and would rather not be, please let me know and I can delete it
Star Wars
Who Follows the First by @cherepashkadrabbles - 12k, Finn/Rey/Poe, M, graphic depictions of violence
“There are more?” Finn said—or rather squawked, Poe thought, as Finn’s voice went amusingly and predictably high. This was the fifth time deserters from the First Order had made their way to a Resistance base, and yet for Finn the surprise didn’t seem to be wearing off at all.
I will never not love a Stormtrooper Uprising fic, and this one is one of my absolute favourites. Stormtroopers talking about Finn like a legend, a kind of myth they can aspire to, is just so special to me.
Mand'alor Cabur by @nautilicious - 285k, Boba/Din, E, no archive warnings apply
When Din ends up with a handful of orphaned children, there’s really only one place he can go.
I cannot express enough how much I love this fic. The author is so clearly passionate about it, and treats both Mandalorian and Jedi philosophies and culture with respect and love.
Last Stand in a Shade of Vermilion by emphasisonthehomo - 21k, Obi-Wan/Maul, E, graphic depictions of violence, rape/non-con
Maul sees his chance to run, and takes it. He bolts, and does not look back, save to see if anyone is following him. - One of Darth Sidious' punishments goes awry, and the results echo across the galaxy.
I love AUs that explore different ways Maul's life could have gone, and this is one of my absolute favourites. This fic is what made me love the idea of Maul and Padmé as friends.
Sympathy for the Devil by Just_a_Loth_Cat - 120k, Obi-Wan/Maul, T, graphic depictions of violence, major character death
Following the trail of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Maul arrives too late to take his vengeance, but what he finds instead could reshape the galaxy. Or, Maul trains Luke, joins the Rebellion, and is haunted by a very familiar ghost.
Maul being literally haunted by Obi-Wan is just so delicious to me. I love his actions following him around like ghosts. I especially love Luke inflicting his relentless optimism on Maul and growing on him against his will.
Marvel
What if... Wolverine Visits the Circus by dragonwriter88 - 117k, gen, T, no archive warnings apply
Logan was taking a break from his new team, the X-men when he decided to visit the circus. He meets a young a archer who has his own set of problems that pulls Logan into a whole new set of responsibilities. Will Wolverine be able keep a teenage Hawkeye out of trouble?
I love Hawkeye, I love Wolverine, I love grumpy men being father figures for troubled kids. This fic is a perfect mix of those things.
This Looks Bad by capforgetful - 13k, Clint/Bucky, T, no archive warnings apply
Clint’s eyes cast around until he found Bucky again, wide and frantic. What the fuck, he signed. Bucky was frowning, but more worried, less angry. “That’s what we need Stark to explain,” he said. “Somehow, that’s -” “I know it’s me,” Clint snapped. “I have fucking eyes. What the fuck.” In his arms, the kid tensed, muscles going taught like a bowstring. --- Clint wakes up with a concussion, a smaller version of himself in the next bed over, and no idea what was going on.
De-aging fic my beloved. Clint having to deal with a younger, less well adjusted version of himself is everything I need in my life.
Stars and Stripes: an American Musical by Archetype_ElectraHeart - 29k, Steve/Darcy, T, no archive warnings apply
Darcy Lewis and Jane Foster are college roommates who embark on a mission to create a musical about Steve Rogers that highlights the unsung heroes of his story: his mother, Peggy Carter, and the USO girls. Of course, Steve Rogers was never supposed to be alive to see it.
This one was recced to me by @frenchkey, whose taste is, as always, impeccable. This fic is so much fun, and I can't help but adore any fic that recognises the women in Steve's life.
The Bitch of Living by XiaoHuo - 10k, gen, G, creator chose not to use archive warnings
Clint just woke up in the hospital after his whole live has gone to shit. Now he's supposed to live with his "cousin" Steve Rogers, but he's pretty sure that the guy isn't related to him and he seems to hide something about his job, no history teacher gets called out in the middle of the night and comes back with bruises. AU in which the Avengers are still the Avengers but Clint is Steve's 16 year-old great-grandson.
I just love kid!Clint getting actual care from the adults in his life, guys. This is literally my favourite genre of fic.
Ephemera by @frenchkey - 1k, Clint/Steve, T, no archive warnings apply
Ephemera: transitory written or printed matters that are not meant to be retained or preserved. Steve Rogers wakes up, makes some friends, learns to live and falls in love. A story told in the documents created along the way.
This one was a gift from my lovely frenchkey, and I love to go back and read it over and remember how much fun we had in the Avengers fandom.
You and Me and Baby Makes Three by BeneficialAddiction - 9k, Clint/Phil, T, no archive warnings apply
Clint and Phil are finally starting to get their act together when one teeny, tiny roadblock gets thrown their way.
Hand! That! Man! A child! I love making a blorbo learn to take care of themselves by forcing them to take care of a kid, and this fic really shows the panic of suddenly becoming responsible for a tiny human.
DC
Unexpected Development by @robininthelabyrinth - 19k, Barry/Len/Mick, not rated, no archive warnings apply
“Sorry, kid,” Len says, sounding – and likely even being, knowing Len – sincere. “We gotta run, and it looks like you’re coming with us for a bit.” “Oh crap,” the kid (Barry Allen, he said his name was) says. ---- Response to tumblr prompt: Coldflashwave au, where Mick and Len end up kidnapping Barry for some reason after meeting the Flash, but before Len finds out his identity?
The identity shenanigans in this fic are just so much fun. I'm not even really in the fandom, but I reread this fic when I want good vibes.
Coat and Cowl by @iselsis - 14k, gen, T, creator chose not to use archive warnings
Bruce Wayne is tracking a human trafficking ring dealing in children when he comes across a young boy stealing his tires. Selkie Jason Todd fic!
SELKIE FIC! SELKIE FIC! SELKIE FIC! I love selkies, I love Jason, no more needs to be said, this fic is so good.
Avatar: the Last Airbender
An Ember in the Ashes by SlytherinDemigod18 - 8k, gen, T, graphic depictions of violence
It began with a rebellion. It began with a revelation. It began with a whisper.
I love fics that focus on those on the periphery, and their perspectives on the action. I especially love seeing authors tackle the impact of the war on the rest of the world, and how ordinary people respond to it.
Hades
Bright by liibertus - >1k, Asterius/Theseus, G, no archive warnings apply
Asterius gets to Elysium. After Erebus, and before that, the Labyrinth, Elysium might as well be the surface of the sun. Kind of gen but Thesterius end game.
Asterius being panicked by how bright and open Elysium is compared to the Labyrinth makes so much sense to me, and this fic hits exactly the right note for how heartbreaking it is.
