February recs

I went back to the top-five format this month since my fic reading was curtailed by, you know, the massive winter storm in Texas knocking my power out, and suchlike. Four recs for The Untamed, and one for The Goblin Emperor!

my age has never made me wise by @idrilka (Untamed, Wangxian)

“We hear that His Excellency might be married by summer’s end,” the  merchant’s wife says and Wei Wuxian freezes, his heart in his throat. “The Gusu Lan sect has been buying enough red silk and brocade that the merchants in Caiyi can’t satisfy the demand.” 

He feels himself grow brittle inside, like a flick of a finger to his temple might make him shatter. His ears are ringing.  

“Who’s the lucky bride?” he asks despite himself. His tongue sticks to the roof of his mouth.  

This one has been recced EVERYWHERE and rightly so! Absolutely pitch-perfect, from Wei Wuxian having travel adventures and pining like a whole forest of dumbassery, to their reunion and (obviously, to everyone but WWX) marriage.

heartkeeper by @postingpebbles​ (Untamed, Wangxian)

In Gusu, there is a story about the most beautiful man in the world—and the wager he gives to anyone who wants to take his hand in marriage.

Being from Yunmeng, however, Wei Wuxian doesn't hear a word about this story until his aimless wandering brings him to the outskirts of Caiyi Town.

(in which there is wei wuxian, a rabbit, and a secret.)

Based off that Tumblr post, this is lovely and soft and pure fairytale romance.

kick the darkness ‘til it bleeds daylight by tardigradeschool & AlfAlfAlfAlfAlf (Untamed, Wangxian)

The young man blinks at him. Wei Yuan doesn’t spend much time staring at his own face in the mirror, but he knows his reflection well enough; the dark eyes, the straight nose, the round face that comes to a pointed chin. This boy could be his exact double.

“Who are you?” the Lan boy facing him asks, tilting his head. He’s got a hand on his sword, but he hasn’t drawn it yet. There’s a faint frown on his face. “Some kind of face-stealing spirit? A demon?”

“Pretty rude to go around calling people demons,” Wei Yuan protests.
--

Or, Wei Wuxian, presumed dead by the cultivation world, raises one Wen twin. Lan Wangji, presumed dead by Wei Wuxian, raises the other. A Parent Trap AU.

This Parent Trap AU is officially twin approved! *laughs* It’s only barely a PT AU in the twins-switching-places sense, but it IS a fantastic canon-divergence with TWO A-Yuans to love in entirely different ways, and a lot of thoughtful and original character arcs and plot. (also: twin shenanigans)

Raise It Up, Roll the Dice by @ghostysword​ (Untamed/TCGF, Wangxian)

“What prize do you desire?” the croupier asks, bone dice clacking in their black cup.

“The body and soul of Wei Wuxian.”

In the gambling house of the ghost king Crimson Rain Sought Flower, you can win any treasure--if you’re desperate enough, if you’re willing to risk enough, if you’re lucky enough. After six years of searching for any trace of Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji is desperate enough to come to Hua Cheng’s gambling table, and he’s ready to pay any price. Luck has rarely been on his side, but he’ll need it tonight.

You don’t need to know TGCF to read this, and this fic does not spoil any TGCF plot points (just a bit of worldbuilding).

I know just enough about TGCF to enjoy both sides of this, but it’s also just a really great look at Lan Wangji’s devotion and grief and love.

A Small Chance of Happiness by @sassysnowperson​ (Goblin Emperor, gen)

"You need our marriage," Vedero Drazhin said to Maia one spring night when they were pressed together on the rooftop, using Vedero's telescope to examine a comet that was visiting their night sky.

Quiet and pragmatic, but absolutely full of love.