Writer's Choice | Unearthed Gems,a list by HunnyFresh
Incoming Messages has garnered quite a following in the ship that we thought to ask the author's top picks. Though we wanted a little spin to it and asked for fic recs that don't get much buzz but definitely worth the read.
Without further ado, here is HunnyFresh's Top Picks
Operation Reindeer - Fangirlin'it. This fic is absolutely amazing. It ties together the festivities of Christmas, mixed with awkward family reunions and an established realistic blooming romance between Emma and Regina. It's the perfect combination of hilarity, sweetness, Swan Queen suggestiveness and heart-warming fluff. Fangirlin'it hits it right out of the park with this two-shot
All the Single Ladies - Korderoo. Korderoo's ATSL is sure to be a fun ride as the author puts our two favourite ladies in a bachelorette auction. It's well-written, maintains a steady pace and involves many of our favourite ships including Red Beauty and Snowing. This story is sure to be a good one as Emma and Henry plot their move to get Emma to win Regina's bid for a date.
Practical Magic - KateWallowie. For those of you who aren't familiar with Sandra Bullock's movie Practical Magic, KateWallowie takes the essence of that film in the concept of casting a spell to produce a perfect partner, or as we like to call it, True Love, and sets it with Regina and Emma. The angst build-up sets the stage for the inevitable Swan Queen get together that won't break the reader's heart but makes it all the more endearing when our two favourite ladies finally realize their potential. Putting Swan Queen in a Sandra Bullock plot line has definitely made it a favourite of mine.
It's About Time - queenofspades72.This little gem brings out my love for Emma and Regina's secret relationship. Told from Henry's point of view and with a minimum of Swan Queen scenes, the little hints throughout the story had me grinning at the knowledge that there was something going on between Henry's two mothers right in from of his nose. Queenofspades72 implies the relationship really well that once revealed, you're giddy you were right.
Growing Pains - awkwardfangirlwritesfanfiction. The premise for this is golden. After all the Emma or Regina losing their memory fics, having Henry lose his instead is clever. Not only is the kid a seventeen year old with a ten year old mindset, but he's reverted back to his ways of hating Regina. I think we can all agree the kid tends to have it out for his brunette mother, but the way it's handled in this fic is really well done, not to mention the fact that Emma constantly stands up for her even to their son. Aside from the story being a little Henry-centric, the Swan Queen moments where they don't have to pretend not to be in love are just adorable and sweet and fluffy, and I could go on. It looks like akwardfangirlwritesfanfiction writes has some pretty creative ideas.
Dreaming - awhitefairytale. The concept behind this story totally brings on the angst of the separation of True Love. That's my favourite part about the story. Where Charming feels his heart hurt when Snow falls under the sleeping curse in the show, Emma falls physically and mentally ill when she and Regina have a rough patch. Awhitefairytale emphasizes the point that these two ladies just belong together.
The Story of it All - Sage1982. This is a well-thought out and well-written Regina as a professor with Emma as a student fic. It had me hooked right from the beginning because of its plot - college student Emma bribes Regina to return to Storybrooke with her . What makes me love it is that it's not a teacher/student fic primarily about sex. It's clear attraction and relationship is there, and I'm very excited to see how Sage1982 plays this one out.
Text From Last Night - Swan Queen - mandylyn9. This story is my guilty pleasure. I absolutely adore the TFLN photosets, but the accompanying stories are the cherry on top. Mandylyn9 brings those photosets to life with hilarious adventures of Swan Queen smut ranging from quick and fast to sweet lovemaking.
Evil Queens Don't Get a Happily Ever After - In A Minute There is Time. Warning! The title says it all! This angst-filled journey ripped apart my soul and didn’t even bother to put it back together again. Even still, the story was addictive and had me on the edge of my seat for every chapter. I definitely recommend reading this one from In a Minute There is Time.
Swan Queen Shippers Anonymous - Adorkablenerd21. This is another one of my guilty pleasures. It combines purely dialogue-based scenes within the SQ meetings with narrative, and it does it with ease. The other citizens in town who ship Swan Queen are hilarious and us, while the ladies remain (obviously) oblivious. Adorkablenerd21 definitely knows how to crack me up.