I just want to say that I realize that sometimes I'm kind of hard on fanfic, and on fandom in general. It's always been my calling card: prioritizing canon over fanon, rejecting everything I ever loved in fandom in a heartbeat if my enjoyment of canon becomes compromised by continued participation, etc. I've been especially hard on Raven Cycle fandom-- and fanon. I guess I feel a bit bad, because there's genuinely so much to appreciate. There's a lot of wonderful fanart, a lot more great fic than you'd expect in a fandom this size, and I've even been inspired to finish writing my own for the first time in ages, 'Ice Supernova'. There's a lot to be thankful for.
I've just been thinking about what a relief and release fanfic is. It's interesting 'cause I've never felt like The Raven Cycle 'needed' fic the way something like Sherlock does. To make it even more meta, BBC Sherlock is itself fic, which goes to show you that no fic can be enough by itself. No fic can 'fix' or replace canon. There's always something. Always something missing. Every fic gives you the limited canon/characterization vision of the author: no more, no less. Often enough, you can't even guarantee that. I certainly wouldn't want people to judge my understanding and vision of the books by that little Pynch skating AU fic. Even if you *are* writing a magnum opus, a lot of times it just doesn't get finished, or gets Jossed, or you're just a different person by the end, so it doesn't feel as satisfying years later. So what I'm saying is, the redemption of fanfic is in its *multiplicity*. No fic, no adaptation, no AU has to really bear the absolute responsibility. It's the gestalt of fic, the fanon that fandom creates-- and I endlessly harp on-- that is the masterpiece.
I love fanfic. I always have, ever since I was introduced to Star Trek at age 13 through the tie-in novels. They were so good, and I loved coming back to the characters over and over, way before I ever watched the show and actually saw them on-screen. I've loved many characters almost entirely or initially because of the fics I've read about them. It's good to remember that. I'm so grateful to the wonderful authors and fellow fans that have let me inhabit a world I love for just a little bit longer. And yes, sometimes it's helped me deal with things that didn't feel like enough, that have felt disappointing. Fic is always there, trying to make things right, all the AUs and all the fix-its and missing scenes and future fics bearing that burden together. And sometimes I get frustrated 'cause I'm so sure canon got it right in the first place, but that's the price one has to pay to see the wrongs righted and the holes filled in my heart.
In The Raven Cycle, I've mostly loved canon AUs and missing scenes. It feels a little wrong to have Adam and Ronan get together earlier than in canon, but many writers made it work. I love fics that take place post-TRK (usually during the first year of college) or pre-epilogue. There's plenty of room for more details and further adventures because canon left the door so open. A lot of writers have been careful and did justice to the characters. I'm happy to share some fics that have been memorable for me, and I hope I'll add to this at some point, too.
So, in no particular order:
We'll Never Be Those Kids Again, by okaynowkiss: and the Missing Scene Award for the TRK climax goes to... This One.
Takes place in the 24 hours after Gansey dies on the side of the road at the end of The Raven King. Ronan's going through a lot and Adam wants to be there for him. Also, everything made in a dream might be in trouble.
Tears and Vines, by adamganseys: and the Missing Scene Award for TDT goes to... This One.
The turn for Monmouth is about to come up when Adam speaks again. “Do you want me to drop you at Monmouth?” There’s a note of reluctance in Adam’s voice, and that’s when he realizes how very much he wants Ronan to come to his apartment with him, how much he needs his comforting presence after what just happened.
Ronan studies him in that intense way of his before replying, “I’d rather just chill at St. Agnes a bit, if that’s cool with you.”
(Or, my response to the prompt things you said when you were crying, where Ronan comes to Adam's apartment with him after Robert Parrish's trial)
Knights of Caledfwlch, by Incandescentflower: the One with the Fluff, and my Favorite Canon-based Plot
Adam and Ronan adjust to their new relationship and prepare for Adam to go off to college with a lot of adoring thoughts and making out. Also, some magic stuff happens. Gansey asks Adam to find out about the Knights of Caledfwlch and they run into other magic seekers. Adam and Ronan deal with the long distance thing and Adam comes to terms with his own magical abilities. This fic will cover Adam and Ronan's lives for Adam's first year at college.
The Grip of It, by Seek_The_Mist: the One that Works Out the Emotional Consequences
The quest for Glendower ends in an explosion of shattered lives, shattered dreams and shattered realities, leaving five teens in the debris with all the loose ties.
Ronan and Adam barely had something standing during the supernatural madness. It's not straightforward to figure out what they have and how they deal with it outside of it.
Intimacy is everything but trivial.
A. k. a. : Five times intimacy was an awkward and tentative thing + one time it was absolutely glorious.
How Lancelet and Guinevere Slew the Dragon, by scarlett_the_seachild: the One That Integrates Arthurian Mythos to Surprising Effect
Gansey is away in Washington, and Ronan and Adam take this as an opportunity to casually drop by on one another, hold hands, get jealous, fall out, and battle the forces of evil currently threatening Cabeswater.
Set some time post Blue Lily, Lily Blue. Beaucoup de feelings, tension: sexual and otherwise, self-gratification and miscommunication. And Arthurian mythology.
let's get together before we get much older, by raewrites: the One in Which Adam is the Pining Loser (but Ronan is still canon)
Adam doesn’t know what compels him to make an attempt at finally finding out. Does Ronan Lynch have a crush on me? (Do I have a crush on Ronan Lynch?)
Otherwise known at the one where Ronan, Blue, and Noah visit Adam and Gansey at their university for the weekend.
Inside Out, by propertyofthehalfbloodprince: the One with the Cute Coming Out Scene (but then there’s couch sex)
“Ronan-”
“Adam.” Rough and rocky and soft. When Ronan said Adam he meant Adam.
“How can you even-”
Ronan’s palms came up to cradle his face. “Adam.”
In a Dream It Seemed So Real, by beersforqueers: the One with Kavinsky (but he doesn’t matter)
Adam didn't want to see them together, but that doesn't mean he won't have to deal with the consequences. Especially when the consequences are an angry Ronan Lynch and two teenage boys doing their best not to confront their feelings.
Kavinsky isn't helping.
Wonderterror Weekend, by nimmieamee: the One Where Ronan Has Magic Boots
Adam Parrish gets Saturday off and spends the day falling in love with Ronan Lynch.
He also spends it fighting monsters, visiting Europe, and traumatizing people. But falling in love with Ronan Lynch is the part he chooses.
Just to Be Quiet, by sksai: the One Where they’re Essentially Soul-Mates
an AU loosely based off the concept of the book Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan. or, an excuse for Ronan and Adam to have a heart-wrenching psychic bond.
Steady All the Hands, by sksai: the One Where Adam’s a Hooker (and it’s the Cutest Thing Ever)
Ronan makes a series of questionable choices. Adam is just Trying His Best. There is a child - a small one. The gang's all here.
To Feel Your Heartlines, by renlybaratheon: the One where Adam’s a 30-something Woman (but it works)
People in Adam Parrish's life keep getting married all around him, and Adam is not a fan of weddings, a constant reminder of being unlucky in love and his personal decision to focus on his career. But at one wedding, Adam meets the funny and charming Ronan Lynch and starts to think maybe that decision could use some revision, and that his luck has changed.
Reunions series, by LydiaStJames: the One with the Misunderstandings
Adam patted down his body, fingers searching for clothes, but came up empty. Again.
It really was high school all over again.
Not at All Casual series, by pendules: the One About Touching
The first time Ronan leans over and kisses him when he drops him off at St. Agnes after his late shift, Adam just stares at him wordlessly for a moment before he manages to find his voice and utter an awkward "Thanks" and fumbles to open the door and practically bolts up the stairs to his apartment. It takes a long while to school his heartbeat back to a moderately normal rate and to make his brain actually begin to absorb the line he's been reading over and over for the last fifteen minutes.
Or: Adam and Ronan slowly learn about casual affection that isn't casual at all.
Flames Burned in Our Hearts, by littlelionvanz: the One that Plays with Adam’s Virginity
When he and Ronan started, no one came out of the bushes to hand Adam a pamphlet on what it exactly meant to be in a sexual relationship with another boy. The dos-and-don’ts if you will.
Adam Parrish and the Scientific Method, by poorchoices: the One that Plays with Adam’s Quest to Lose His Virginity (both cute and realistic)
Adam explores his budding sexuality. Post-TRK.
Hold On to Me As We Go, by basicallymonsters: The One that Should Be Canon
It’s like they’re enjoying some fantastic beginners luck, but they don’t actually know how the game is played...
Revised relationships come from the settling dust of unmaking, and Ronan and Adam try to find a balance between grief and joy, love and sex, friendship and occasional hand kissing. They navigate first times and promises and a feeling like magic - even when they're forest-less and wide awake. (Pre-epilogue)
Bonus Porn:
The One Who Makes You Come Undone, by anirondack: Ronan likes Adam's hands and Adam has an idea.
Fight the Wind & Wait for You, by hewhomustnotbejames: Adam's back in town for his 21st birthday.
say my name and i'll lie in the sound, by oftirnanog: Or the first time Ronan and Adam have anal sex. That's it. It's just smut. Fluff and smut and awkward boys with awkward feelings.
im not sure if my prevoius ask got through or if it got lost in the system, but what are some of your favourite pynch fics? Ive found some myself that I love but I would also like to hear a couple of your recomendations. Itll help me pass the time until I manage to get my hands on the opal story
SORRY YES it did come through i’m just rarely online and also i wanted to take some time to refind all my favourites! i did have a list but i think i deleted it rip. UPDATE I DID DELETE IT BUT ITS STILL IN THE “DELETED” FOLDER! this is not an extensive list and not in any order but these are all on ao3:
literally everything by adamganseys
close your eyes and shut your mouth by ecaitlin
inside out by propertyofthehalfbloodprince
let’s get together before we get much older by raewrites
this isn’t a heist by momebie
time isn’t real (but you’re a constant) by spiritsflame
worthy of a crush by sksai
what stays and what fades away by burn_it_slow (a classic tbh)
i havent read some of these in a while but there are also some i have reread multiple times. also i find a good technique is to go through the tag and filter it by highest no. hits first, and picking out the ones that sound good! i think i’ve read most of the first five pages lmao. sorry for the wait but i hope this helps! i’m gonna be rereading these until the new trilogy ngl x
please link me to that gansey whelk life switch fic???? and actually any fics you'd rec I've read like five raven cycle fics total and your recent posts are making me aware of how much I'm missing
Oh my god, I love a good Raven Cycle Fic
These are some of the ones I’ve held onto.
King by the Roadside
The big AU where Whelk succeeded and wished to have Gansey’s life. Gansey’s family is dead and all of the money is tied up and kept from him so he has to get a job and live out of the pig, and meets the rest of the gang from this perspective. It is uh-SO GOOD. The Green Mantle characterization was CHOICE.
now that I’m looking at this line up of ships I’m starting to foggily remember the way this one ends… huh…
Honeymoon
Adam and Gansey died, Noah moved on. Now Ronan and Blue share an apartment in New York and deal with the grief together by platonically cuddling and defending each other’s honor. I could honestly read 50k more of Ronan and Blue sharing an apartment as bros.
Ronan&Blue
Slightly Less Magical Older Sibling Figures In Like
You didn’t know you needed Declan/Orla fic, you didn’t know to mourn the tragedy that there’s only like 2 Declan Orla fics besides this series.
Declan/Orla
Victims of the Night
Orla and Declan are two different kinds of extra who get locked into each other’s orbit and never want to leave. GOD I WISH THERE WAS MORE. The Intensity! The Concepts!
Declan/Orla
Just to be Quiet
It’s a WIP, the sweet angel who writes it only adds a new chapter every like, year almost but it’s WORTH IT. Even what’s there now is worth reading over and over and pressing to your heart like a lock of hair from a lover.
Adam and Ronan have always been able to hear one another telepathically, when they were little they each thought they’d made the other up. Now they’re older. GOOD GOD THAT LAST UPDATE.
Adam/Ronan
Heavenly Wine and Roses
Gansey’s overcome by the sight of Blue’s ankles. Blue’s into it. It’s A Moment.
