spatz: sparrow perched on a branch (Default)

Slipping this in before the year ticks over - Happy New Year, everyone! All Batman fics (including three crossovers with MCU Spiderman and Leverage), I had a lot of downtime to read while I was sick in November and it was time for the annual binge, so I read my way through a lot of @cacchieressa's recs (thanks for having great taste!) plus wandered into some of my own finds. More miscellaneous recs at pinboard for Spiderman, Star Wars, The Untamed, and Nine Worlds.

Gotcha, Bug by Mgootd - AU where Jason survives Ethopia, but Tim's parents start behaving strangely and Tim's investigation throws him in with the Batfamily anyway. Crazy fun ride.

Once Upon A Kidnap Dreary by PlotlessWanderer - AU in which Tim and Jason get kidnapped together for ransom - but their parents react very differently.

A Bat and a Reporter Break Into a Warehouse by @hmslusitania - delightful romp where Tim and Lois team up for an investigation.

Jason, Take the Wheel by Miss_Lazy_Tuesday - "Jason finds a new coping mechanism post-resurrection, and it changes a few things." A++ Jason using his insane level of training to be an epic troll. Incredibly funny, but also so healing.

Dead Robins Stick Together by HermesDay - "Tim finds himself trapped in a universe where the Red Hood decided to finish the job in Titans Tower." OOF. On the very opposite tonal end of Jason-returns AUs from the last one, but a really good engaging read.

Penelophon by Telperien - Selina/Bruce through the years, with a lovely Selina POV.

We'll Have to Muddle Through Somehow by @pluckyredhead - soft, thoughtful Roy/Jason where Roy is struggling with the holiday season and Jason is there for him.

Blue Jay Down by byrambles - "8 years after his parents died and he escaped Gotham's foster system, Dick is just trying to survive. When he stumbles upon an injured, blue-clad vigilante child in an alley, though, he has to make some decisions." This one hit my id so hard, I wish there were 30K more words but these were all good.

CROSSOVERS

(MCU Spider-Man/Batman) Set Naked On Your Kingdom by sassydandelion - "At the end of No Way Home, Peter chooses to sacrifice his life in New York to save the multi-verse…by letting Dr. Strange send him to a world where no one has ever heard of Spider-Man. What kind of crazy place is this Gotham City, anyway?" Fantastic AU, and Peter is just such a darling as he struggles to get by. Loved how he meets and bonds with Barbara (who is always amazing) first.

(Leverage/Batman) sparring match by Ffwydriad - in which Eliot runs into Cassandra on a team job, and they have a past. Thoughtful look at their difficult histories, but still very gentle and kind.

(Leverage/Batman) The Cross Purposes Job by solomonara - "A con on the verge of success gets sniped by an unknown third party. The Leverage crew traces the interference back to Gotham. Now the con has a new target: shady billionaire Bruce Wayne and the highly suspicious Wayne Enterprises." COMPLETELY DELIGHTFUL, such good team presence and misunderstandings on both sides, and the resolution is so satisfying.

spatz: Lex holding birthday cake and laughing maniacally, caption "Even Lex Luthor has birthdays" (Lex birthday crack)

I apparently had two reading settings in October: gen family fic and (mostly polyamorous) porn. Triads were in the air? So today I have 7 Batman/Batfamily fics, 1 Batman/Leverage crossover, 1 for The Untamed, and then three miscellaneous polyamory fics for Singin' in the Rain, comics Spider-Man/Fantastic Four, and Love & Friendship (in addition to the one DCU poly fic). Mostly gen except for the ones that are VERY not, I've marked pairings where needed.

DCU (in order from shortest to longest)

Clockwork by @heartslogos

“Do you even hear yourself when you talk?” Tim wrinkles his nose. “Also stop trying to hide the coffee. I’ll always find it. You just put it out of reach or opposite the peanut butter. I am on to you.”

Charming and detail-driven fic about Bruce and Tim, that really drives home how well and closely they know each other. (Also that they’re a couple of weirdos.)

sweet child o' mine by Nokomis/ @nokomiss

Steph said cheerfully, “Bruce, from now on, consider yourself in possession of one Steph-mom.”

“Absolutely not,” Bruce said.

Steph took a bite of her cake, undeterred.

I was howling with laughter reading this. Nokomis always writes Steph and pranking and comedy so well, and this one lands perfectly. Mom notes! Playdates! Snacks! So adorable and funny.

World’s Saddest Breakfast Club by @motleyfam

Following a couple of Very Bad Weeks™ (which may or may not have involved being kidnapped and mildly tortured), Jason decides the best way to cheer himself up is to break into the Manor for a 3 a.m. snack.

Turns out he isn’t the only one awake.

Chaotic and sweet, highly recommended to anyone who has feelings about food and family.

The Rule of Three by Zoeleo (Jason/Tim/Stephanie)

“Yeah. Um. Thanks, but I don’t wanna interrupt you guys or third-wheel you or anything so I’m just going to—” Jason tries to shrug on his jacket but one of the sleeves is turned inside out and his arm gets stuck.

“Well, technically you would be a third wheel. But like a structurally integral third wheel, one that’s an intentional part of the design. Like on a Polaris Slingshot or a—” Tim rambles until Stephanie smacks him again.

Jason loses the battle with the jacket. It drops to the floor with a heavy thump from too many gadgets hidden in secret pockets. Is Tim really proposing what he thinks he’s proposing?

Jason came for the pizza and MST3K, he may just stay for the face-sitting and multiple orgasms.

Pure threesome porn on the way to a relationship, plus great banter. Fittingly in a trilogy format.

The Last Someone by FabulaRasa/ @fabula-unica (Hal Jordan/Bruce Wayne)

I decided that what the fandom really needed was yet another object of Pussygate 2021 discourse, so here is my contribution, in which Bruce gets humiliated, Hal gets curious, and they both get what they're looking for.

In case you were (blessedly) living under a rock the last few weeks and don't know what any of this is about, here is your starter kit.

The first chapter of this is hysterical - Batman is ranked last on an internet article rating superheroes by how good they are at oral, and Green Lantern first, and then MORE shenanigans ensue - and then it takes a sharp swerve into feelings and some moderate angst. So ideal, really!

best laid plans by Valkirin

Tim Drake knows that Batman needs a Robin. When Bruce and Dick aren't interested in what he has to say, Tim makes his way to the cemetery to say a few words to the boy he's trying to replace.

Tim has the chance to say far more than he expected when Jason digs himself out of his grave that night. Tim does his best to get Jason home to Bruce. The League of Assassins finds them first.

Lovely hurt/comfort-y AU where Tim gets kidnapped along with Jason, and all the complications of that.

Recollect, re-collect by Ptelea

A spell gone wrong leads to Jason hashing some things out--with himself, with Dick, and with the rest of the Batfam. Featuring: rather a lot of thoughts and conversations about memory, change, damage, love and trust, accountability, family, hurt, lies, death, Spyral, pedestals, cases, memorials, stories, and Robin.

I am a sucker for amnesia fic, and this one is a terrifying variant where a spell makes people start to forget Jason. The resolution involves a truckload of feelings about Robin and Jason's place in his family, especially his relationship with Dick.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Gotham Job by Hinn_Raven/ @secretlystephaniebrown (Batman/Leverage, gen)

Generally, thieves of their caliber avoid Gotham. There are always exceptions that prove the rule, however.

(Or: five times that a member of Leverage met a member of the Batfamily, and one time that they teamed up.)

Fantastic read, with a creative set of character intersections and friendships between the two fandoms.

Knight Hunt! Phoenix Mountain by travelingneuritis (The Untamed, Wangxian)

 "Contestants get paid by the week. The longer you stay in the running and the more you charm the fans, the bigger your paycheck after the season wraps. People compete on Knight Hunt for fame, fortune and love. In that order."

I know, getting Lan Wangji onto a reality show convincingly is a big buy, but this one manages it, AND has peak Wei Wuxian gremlin action, modern cultivation, and a lovely romance. The author tagged it ‘low stakes pining’ and it’s just that - an engaging and emotional but easy read.

The Lockwoods & Mr Brown by @onlythegeste (Singin' in the Rain, Kathy/Don/Cosmo)

The continuing adventures of Kathy, Don and Cosmo in their house on Sunset and Camden.

Involving a camera, several pianos, scheming, dancing, and a magic trick.

Adorable look at their queer household and growing family across the decades. Well-written and perfectly satisfying.

A House in the Hills by @traincat (Spider-Man comics, Peter/Mary Jane/Johnny Storm)

   “Anyway, did you ever think I might want to sleep with him?”

   Peter sat straight up in bed and turned on the bedside light. Mary Jane was still sitting up, her arms crossed defiantly over her chest, staring straight ahead at a spot on the wall, twin angry spots of color in her cheeks.

   “You want to sleep with another man?” he demanded.

   “Well, ideally you’d be there, too,” she said, scowling.

Johnny is getting married. Peter is having a problem. Mary Jane has the solution. (Or, the Watson-Parkers homewreck their way to Johnny's happiness.)

I'm normally not a fan of any form of infidelity, but I'll make an exception for this situation (read the a/n for a brief overview), absolutely. Funny, sexy, and actually terribly romantic.

A Divinely Attractive Arrangement by @fahye (Love & Friendship, Lady Susan/Sir James/Manwaring)

A selection from the Private Diary of Sir James Martin of Martindale. Concerning Peas, Friendship, the state of Blessed Matrimony, and several wonders of Modern Medicine.

I’d argue that you don't even need to have seen the movie to enjoy this fic about the absolute dumbest golden retriever of a himbo to ever marry a manipulative woman so she might have cover to carry on with her lover, except since it's Fahye so of course things go poly instead in the FUNNIEST way possible. Bless his heart, I'd say Sir James has a pea brain but he doesn't even understand how peas work.

spatz: sparrow perched on a branch (Default)

On the menu this round: ex-soldiers with feelings, dumbass superheroes with feelings, and vids! (please note there is some overlap between categories *g*)

Take My Whole Life Too by muccamukk (Band of Brothers, Lewis/Nixon)

After spending the whole war pining, Dick finally confesses his feelings. The trouble is, he doesn’t know what to do with Nix now that he has him.

In which they don’t have a great first time so Dick decides he must DO RESEARCH. *cackles* God, I love him so much. Sweet, funny, and (eventually) very hot.

Worthy of Trust and Confidence by Alethia (Generation Kill/West Wing, Brad/Nate)

“Mr. Vice President, I believe you might be familiar with Special Agent Colbert.”

The world stilled.

And in walked Brad. Black suit. Black tie. Perfect.

or: Generation Kill/The West Wing futurefic fusion. The Seaborn/Fick ticket sailed to victory in the 2016 presidential election. Amidst governing and getting the last of the troops out of Afghanistan, Nate’s daughter starts receiving threats. Naturally, it’s Brad to the rescue.

Once again, reading Band of Brothers fic slingshotted me sideways in GK fandom. It’s been a few years, so I finally found and read this one, which is a gorgeous story about grief and letting go as much as it is a romance.

The Department of Special Collections by @cesperanza & @albymangroves (MCU, Steve/Bucky)

It was a messy thing of leather and papers and rope. It looked like Phillips had carelessly thrown a bunch of documents onto an old piece of black leather and then rolled the whole thing up and tied it … The papers inside were all different sizes, everything out of order and haphazardly stacked, like someone had been in a hurry and just grabbed it all.

Outsider POV *and* archival porn *and* epistolary? With beautiful art? Yes please!

what’s up danger by @tempestaurora (MCU/Spiderman multiverse, gen)

Gwen snorted. “You and Miles would get along-” A smile appeared on her face, growing wider. “You wanna go on a trip?”

“A multi-dimensional trip.”

“The only fun kind,” she agreed. Gwen turned to him, her smile large and coaxing. “It’ll be great. I’ll get you back here as soon as you want – but it could be fun! Meet Miles, maybe another Peter if we have time.”

Peter really wanted to go to another universe, let’s be clear. But he a) had homework, b) didn’t need his brain to melt out of his ears, and c) had a dinner to get to in three hours.

He totally ended up going to another universe.

Admittedly I am 100% the target audience for this because I love all Peter Parkers forever and ever amen, but it’s also flat-out adorable and a fun, gossipy twirl through the various movieverses.

you keep me hanging on by @lamujerarana (Marvel 616, Peter Parker/Johnny Storm)

Johnny, reeling from his breakup with Medusa and the loss of his entire family, turns to Peter for comfort…that eventually involves casual sex that isn’t so casual for Johnny, since he just so happens to be in love with Peter.

Everything becomes incredibly complicated.

Ahh, mutual pining while actually having sex on a regular basis is a hard trope to pull off, but this was right on the mark. And super hot.

Stress by @findmeinthealps​ (vid, Iron Man)

I’ve seen this song vidded in other fandoms, but it’s a great choice for Tony. Zippily edited and damn charming - right up until the gutpunch of an ending. (no I haven’t been able to watch Endgame again, why do you ask?)

I Found A Reason by @trelkez​ (vid, The Eagle, Marcus/Esca)

Very simple, both in construction and music, but it really captures the intense connection (bad and good) between Marcus and Esca. I’m kind of annoyed at myself for only just finding it. *watches again*

August recs

Sep. 2nd, 2019 10:41 pm
spatz: sparrow perched on a branch (Default)

a day in the life by attheborder (Good Omens/Beatles RPF, Crowley/Aziraphale)

“Rock and roll? Really, Crowley? No, I’m afraid I know Mr. Epstein far better than you do. We have quite similar tastes, you see, he’s a great appreciator of the classics. Brahms, Bach. He may sell pop records in his shop, but I can’t possibly see how a group like this could play a role in improving his life.”

In which Aziraphale and Brian Epstein (the guy who discovered the Beatles) became friends while he was studying in London, and little miracles have large effects. I came across this one after reading the author’s hilarious podcast and Crowley the Uber driver stories, but I honestly think this one ended up being my favorite of hers. Bittersweet but lovely, very book-canon in tone but tying into the TV canon with the holy water scene, and it’s very clear the author did her historical research.

A Home at the Beginning of the World by stereobone (Good Omens, Crowley/Aziraphale)

“Oh,” Aziraphale says. “I think Crowley might have moved in with me.”

I think this one might have been Patient Zero for this particular trope, and I can see why. It’s SO DELIGHTFUL.

Any Other Name by ignaz (Good Omens, Crowley/Aziraphale)

“It’s just,” he continued, “I’ve noticed that humans—some humans, anyway—they use that word, angel, as a…well, as a sort of…endearment.”

“Do they?” said Crowley, who had invented using the word as an endearment in the 13th century AD.

*dies* Oh my god, yes, the perfect balance of spot-on dialogue and mutual pining and everyone thinking they’re involved and them being just a bit slow, bless their hearts.

Glowy Green Slime by sameupegasus (MCU Spider-Man, gen)

Peter gets a phone call from Tony Stark in class. It raises some questions about the exact nature of his Stark Internship.

Great series of stories from the POV of Peter’s physics teacher, including the ever-popular ‘Peter’s class goes on a field trip to Stark Industries’ trope and Ms. Warren having to call Tony out on not doing any necessary paperwork ever. Admittedly I am a sucker for outsider POVs, but this one’s a blast.

infiltration by Nokomis (MCU, gen)

MJ crashes an Avengers celebration and lives her best life.

Featuring MJ meeting and bonding with Valkyrie, because YES. Hilarious.

The Teenage Vigilante’s Guide to Saving New York by candlesneedflame (MCU, gen)

While Tony’s assistance with all of Peter’s technological needs has been invaluable, he hasn’t managed to be much of a mentor when it comes to the actual hero aspect of being a powered person. After a chance encounter, Peter finds himself being mentored by none other than Daredevil with no shortage of guest-taught lessons from the older vigilante’s friends and acquaintances. This exposure to the grittier side of the city and vigilantism as a whole leads Peter to discover a conspiratorial plot to destroy New York City.

Entertaining and long read with a great use of the NYC vigilante ensemble and plenty of crime-fighting. Plus kittens!

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