December recs

December was pretty busy with Yuletide - writing, and then reading, which I already recced some of here - and traveling, and holidays. So I am just reccing my five favorite non-Yuletide stories today.

a kind of dwell and welcome by @leupagus​  (Ted Lasso, Trent/Ted)

from: trent.crimm@theindependent.co.uk
to: lassoteed@yahoo.com
subject: Re: what the heck spell check

Coach Lasso,

I can assure you that my transfer has nothing to do with your club's relegation, nor is there anything that Richmond has done in error. Rather, I have spoken with my editors and we’ve agreed that this is the most appropriate course of action.

I wish you all the best in the season.

-Trent Crimm

I am late to catching up on Ted Lasso, so I suspect everyone has already read this - but if you haven’t, PLEASE DO. Leupagus has such a talent for writing these gorgeous soaring romances that are grounded in everyday things and humor. Also her voice for Ted is so perfect I could scream. (For more stories, go here)

trust and verify by mardia / @themardia (Ted Lasso, Trent/Ted)

“I’m sorry, you’re what?” Rebecca’s staring at him as though he’s announced his plans of robbing a bank. “You’re going out to dinner with Trent Crimm? Trent Crimm, formerly of The Independent? That Trent Crimm?”

In retrospect, sharing his dinner plans when Rebecca asked what he was doing tonight might have been a slight mistake on Ted's part.

Really great followup to the end of S2.

We'll All Be Fine (we will) by @rejectscanon (gen, BNHA)

Upon first glance, the park seems empty and devoid of any people whatsoever. Shouta walks through slowly, eyes open for anything out of place. It’s as he’s walking to the nearest bin that he sees movement out of the corner of his eye. There, laying on one of the benches deeper into the park, is a kid. A teenager, if the way they take up the whole bench is anything to go by. Shouta is a few feet away when the kid shifts, trying in vain to get their lanky form comfortable on the too-small bench, and the hood they have pulled over their head shifts, ever so slightly, revealing a shock of purple hair.

Or, Aizawa finds Shinsou sleeping in a park after getting locked out of his foster home. Aizawa takes issue with this.

Hellooooo, all of my favorite tropes! Soft and hopeful and good.

Think of me kindly by Shookspeare (gen, BNHA)

During the hellish first week of his final year of middle school, Hitoshi meets a green-haired boy who offers to buy him a coffee. He didn't think he'd gain a friend in the process.

Wonderful, heartwrenching AU where Izuku remains quirkless and befriends Shinsou as they both train for UA. REally lovely friendship, but strong trigger warnings for portrayal of a suicidal character and a suicide attempt. (everyone's okay, though)

For Want of a Bookman by phoenixflight (Band Sinister/Society of Gentlemen, genish)

“Lord Richard! Just the man I was hoping to see."

Richard turned. “Lord Corvin. To what do I owe the pleasure?” They had known each other their whole lives, moving in the same circles, and Richard had always disapproved intensely of the man.

Perching himself uninvited in the empty chair, Corvin said, "I wanted to inquire about your bookman."

“My bookman?” Richard raised his eyebrows. “Has that become a euphemism of which I am not aware?”

A fantastic idea for a crossover between these two KJ Charles crews! It’s hard to get anyone other than Silas across that social divide, but he’s a fun guest to the Murder. And then just perfectly executed, full of friendship and the canon relationships in lowkey appearance. The sequel is much more cracky - sex pollen orgy! - but also great if that’s your jam.