(this is a compilation of my favorite fics across my monthly recs (with a few additions), which is why the commentary may sound familiar!)
the highest rating for these fics is e!
we have it all by thelittlebirdthattoldyou
t. 3.4k. oikawa encounters athletes of birtwistle university while in search of his boyfriend, and chaos ensues. always such a huge fan of outsider povs, especially when they're full of charm and love.
stumble into the sun by sunsmasher
e. 3.6k words of iwaizumi discovering that oikawa has a praise kink. itâs also very soft and lovely.
i said, excuse me youâre a hell of a guy by Anonymous
g. 5.4k. iwa always knew he had a crush on oikawa, but he knew he had a crush on oikawa when he heard him singing (read: rapping) in the shower. so cute and lovely!
the sunlit alley by irog
g. 6.6k. iwa is an ao3 writer who deleted one of his works and sees oikawaâs deranged tweets mourning its loss. i need this to happen to me in real life. when will i meet a devoted ao3 reader irl (the answer is never because i live in canada and no one lives in canada). very funny, one of my favorites this month!
HIPS DONâT LIE by yuhoi
e. 8.1k. iwaizumi overhears girls talk about how good oikawa is in bed and is given a live demonstration from the man, himself.
dog days by devote
g. 9.5k. iwaoiâs last summer together before they eventually part ways. this is an amazing coming-of-age character study of conversations that canât be left unsaid, milestones that must be met, and farewells that must be exchanged.
Lost in Translation by rageprufrock
t. 9.6k. don't let the lack of tags fool you, this is an absolute ride and iwaoi classic. it's a night following iwa after learning about ushijima's love affair with oikawa, full of american university shenanigans, lovable ocs, and a happy ending. truly a one-of-a-kind ride.
the middle man by iosaturnalia
e. 10.9k. iwaoi shares a female partner with each other in bed until iwa realizes he doesnât want anyone else but oikawa. itâs a very strange arrangement that works and iwaâs gradual descent to his realization is amazing to read.
every word i write for you by ikeru
t. 10.5k. inspired by the sunlit alley, iwa is a fanfic writer who writes for oikawa's favorite fandom despite knowing nothing about it (what a brave man) because he loves his man so much. truly a fluffy love story that i wish would happen to me every time i think about it.
read it and weep by orphan_account
t. 14k. au where iwaizumi is a book critic and writes a scathing review of oikawa's new self-help book. in order to save his reputation after said review, he's forced to meet with oikawa, which sparks an unexpected relationship between them. HILARIOUS. i'm such a nerd for publishing industry aus, and this one is one of my favorites of all time.
the yellow room by ohhotlamb
t. 14.2k. iwa and oikawa broke up but still live together and pictures of them kissing are still on their fridge. i love vulnerability and insecurity because of how raw it makes a relationship, and this was done beautifully.
galaxies, within you by skiecas
t. 21.1k. makki and mattsun are the absolute best in this. i love the seijoh4âs banter and friendship, and how iwa and oikawa eventually confess their feelings for each other. the prose is hilarious and beautiful!
please be a good man, please say you wonât tell by hayplain
e. 21.9k. iwa accidentally sends a nude to the wrong person and now all of the jnt (read: atsumu) is trying to figure out who iwaâs boyfriend is. also, he and oikawa keep getting sexiled. funny and heartwarming.
open doors and plastic stars by ikeru
t. 22.7k. iwaoi. saw this on twitter, where iwa has the hanamaki disease, wherein hanamaki appears every time iwa feels unrequited love for oikawa. hilarious, angsty, and so fun to read, all wrapped into one fic.
BURNING RHYTHM AND POSTING LIES by dogwood
t. 25.4k. this is the fic of the month. you know how much i love asian-american aus, and this one didnât disappoint at all, focusing on oikawa as a japanese american exploring his sexuality, relationship with his dad, and identity. iwa is also very lovely too!
Acceptance is Hard by CloudMonsta
t. 12.8k. 3/3. i have a soft spot for this fic, as one of the first iwaoi fics i ever read, where iwa has cerebral palsy that gradually leads to him quitting volleyball for good. amazing representation, great chemistry with oikawa, and a happy ending.
Fernweh by oikyskau
t. 19.6k. 2/2. a character study of oikawa tooru and how he yearns for home not only in argentina but in iwaizumi hajime. beautifully written and absolutely poetic.
i grew up, you grew down by spaceburgers
t. 19.7k. 2/2. my gourd, this fic. oikawa retires and promptly falls off the face of social media to hermit at iwaâs place. idiots to lovers with paparazzi and social media scandals. also explores âwhat next?â after volleyball in such a poignant way.
five minutes west of irvine by birdcat
g. 20.3k. 2/2. maaaan this was absolutely beautiful. this focuses on oikawa in argentina and his relationship with iwaizumi. i havenât read the other fics in the series but iâm sure theyâre just as lovely <3
When I Fall to My Feet by ricekrispyjoints
e. 23.2k. 3/3. trans oikawa is looking for someone to overwrite his terrible first time, and eventually iwa offers to do it. fwb to lovers, with a sprinkle of makki and mattsun friendship, and a wonderfully supportive iwa.
we'll walk the mile and change it (if we can)
g. 49.3k. 7/7. oikawa undergoes a procedure to forget kageyama and ushijima, but as a result, he forgets iwa, as well, thus embarking on a painful 7-chaper journey to find the spark they once had, the reason why oikawa underwent the procedure in the first place, and what comes out of it. umeberries is one of my favorite underrated writers with such beautiful prose and thematic imagery. this was a beautiful read, and i wish i could re-discover it to read for the first time.
the courtship ritual of the hercules beetle by kittebasu
t. 66.3k. 3/3. it took me a long time to start this fic because of the word count-chapter ratio (i have a lot to say about word count-chapter ratios) but i went for it and i. do not. regret it. this focuses on oikawa as an entomologist reconnecting with iwa, pro volleyball player, after his marriage is called off. lots of bug imagery and symbolism, depictions of parental expectations, and top-class pining. highly recommended.
put the bridges back together by inkterim
t. 70k. 14/14. iwa and oikawa reconnect after accidentally drifting post-high school. lovely prose and such a beautiful depiction of not only their friendship but relationship.
vaporwave
ellievsbear
tangentwithtanner
pixelskylines
izzy806
