A week of @e33readingchallenge complete! I'm actually up to 6 prompts done, wheeee 😄
Here are some more prompts I've completed and the accompanying works definitely recommended! (See previous post for other prompts/recs)
2) Category: a fic that is less than one day old (this post is delayed but I read this the day it came out)
"Recalibrate" by walrusface
Word count: 5,727
Summary from ao3: Six months after the Dessendres left the canvas, Verso is living a life he could never have even dreamed of: he's back in the city, he's fallen in love with a man who should be dead, and he's helping the canvas to build something new from the ashes of the Paintress. After a tense social engagement, he takes Gustave home, and they find a way to let off steam.
My notes: It's a wals fic! Of course it's amazing! Seriously though, soft and domestic Domso with established relationship. Both Gustave and Verso are so in tune with each other here, it's just lovely. Lovely, lovely read. And hot (it's PWP). Another winner from wals!
3) Category: a fic set in the modern day
"From Screws to Screw" by EmberPuppy
Word count: WIP but as of this post 54,717
Summary from ao3: After the worst day in hardware‑store history, Gustave decides he needs a new career. Preferably one where he never has to work or speak to another human being again. He did not want to accidentally summon a beautiful, mildly terrifying man into his life. But Sciel brought wine, Gustave was tipsy, and the sugar daddy ad looked normal enough. Now he's in a penthouse, staring at a man with scars and a smile sharp enough to cut glass, wondering how the hell "I hate my job" turned into this. Or : The unhinged Sugar Daddy AU no one asked for
My notes: This fic. This fic is just chef's kiss tics all my boxes. Sugar Daddy Verso with some kinks (one of which is just taking care of Gustave 🫠) and absolute sweetheart Gustave who struggles with the idea of being taken care of by someone (specifically, super hot and attentive men with too much money). They're both gone for each other, when it's hot, it's hot and when it's sweet, it's so sweet. I've been keeping up with this one and read each new chapter ASAP (and reread the old chapters all the time) when posted (updated regularly) and would highly recommend it if you desire (as I commented on one of the chapters) "the fluffiest of fluff and smuttiest of smut."
4) Category: a character study of your favorite character
"A stone to let go of" by Anivy (Yamimidna)
Word count: 617
Summary from ao3: Gustave throws stones in the camp. Esquie is curious - why doesn't he keep them? A deep philosophical talk about throwing stones with a big friendly guy.
My notes: The moment I saw this fic on ao3, I knew I was saving it specifically to read for this prompt of the E33 reading challenge. Gustave! My favorite character with Esquie! I love these two together and wish we had more precious scenes across fics like this. Anivy does such a lovely job of exploring Gustave's thought process through a discussion about rocks and letting them go with the greatest rock lover of them all, Esquie 🥹 The fic in so few words is so meaningful and poetic, and I felt like it reveals so much about Gustave and his nature. Beautiful fic, Anivy!
5) Category: A fic with an adjective in the title
"little birds" by vannral
Word count: 4,309
Summary from ao3: In which the apprentices have had enough of Verso & Gustave’s pining and confront Verso. They might also recruit some help while they're at it, and Verso suffers.
My notes: This. Is. Precious. I love anything by vannral (please check out her works on ao3 she's such a great writer!). This one is WIP at time of this post and is focused on the apprentices (they are soooo cute here) trying to get our favorite pining pair to make a move and save everyone from suffering their ridiculousness any further. They have so far recruited Monoco's help, and it's such a delightful read!
6) Category: a fic with less than 5 comments (at least at the time I read it)
"His Honesty" by indiediamond
Word count: 1,312
Summary from ao3: He's tired of lying, but at the same time, he's tired of existing.
My notes: Saw this one in wals' rec list for the challenge! This is a really great, short piece with Gustave trying to get the truth out of Verso, who is...Verso.
Looking forward to continuing the challenge! 🤗💖
