becca's recs

Title: ripples all the way down

Author: iriswests

Word count: 57,270

Rating: M

Warnings (from the author): None (but read the author’s note)

Summary: 

With some coercion, Buck allows Maddie to set him up on a date. Surprisingly, the date goes well — and it keeps his mind off the unnamable feelings he’s been studiously ignoring for his best friend.

Until Christopher’s science report on gentoo penguins — no, seriously — sets off a series of events that has him somehow spending more time at the Diazes’ side, and he feels like he’s going just a little bit insane trying to juggle a burgeoning relationship, his jealousy over Eddie’s own new relationship with Ana, and his inability to move on from the place that’s been his for three years in the Diazes’ lives.

Oh, and Eddie keeps looking at him like he has something to say — except he never says it.

This is the tumultuous road to finding out what Buck truly wants, paved by pebbles.

--

or; christopher partakes in some parent trapping

Review: 

What better way to celebrate 911 moving to ABC than to reread some of my favourite older fanfics? This excellent story takes place around 4x08 (it’s not linked to the episode, but it should be noted that Maddie is still pregnant and the shooting/will has not happened). There is just so much pining. And family feels. And Christopher Diaz being an incredibly well-written, funny and smart character. I love all fanfics that just get Buck’s place in the Diaz’ lives. Another thing to note here is that yes, Ana is still in the story, but she is not being written as a villain like in so many other stories (but also, we don’t see much of her). Similarly, Buck’s “love interest”, Kai, is a very likeable guy, which just adds a lot more mental turmoil to this story. This was definitely not the last time I re-read this fanfic, especially since sadly this is the only multi-chapterered fic the author has written in this fandom.

Title: every single thing to come (has turned into ashes)

Author:  imdarlenescousin

Word count:  66,642

Rating: M

Warnings (from the author): miscarriage, implied/referenced child abuse, mental health issues, canon-typical violence

Summary: 

“Don’t you want to get back out there, though?” Buck asked. “I mean, you kept asking about my couch, but what about you?”

“I’ve had a couch this whole time,” Eddie countered.

“A metaphorical couch.”

“The hell is a metaphorical couch?” Chimney asked Hen and Ravi under his breath, earning only a shrug and raised eyebrows in response.

Or, Eddie starts dating, makes some friends, makes some realizations, and makes a serious offer.

Canon compliant through 6x14.

Review: 

A brand new, post 6x14 Buddie fanfic that definitely needs more love! This fic dealt in detail with Eddie figuring out and coming to terms with his sexuality, and I loved how the author shied away from making this too angsty. While Eddie is confused about it, with the help of Frank and his friends he is able to address his questions with minimal internal or external homophobia - which was really refreshing to read. I am a sucker for the “Buck and Eddie decide to be platonic life partners while keeping their feelings a secret from each other” trope, and if you enjoy it as much as I do, give this fic a read! Especially loved the genuine friendship and bond between the two, as well as Buck being a parent to Chris and Eddie’s support of that. Yes, there are some heavy topics (see warnings) but they mostly refer to calls and subplots. Overall, this story is much heavier on the fluff and comfort than angst/hurt. 

Title: fire on fire | Podfic version

Author: extasiswings

Reader: Itty_Bitty_Blondie

Word count: 6,668

Podfic length: 43mins

Rating: T

Warnings (from the author): None

Summary: 

"You’re sleeping with him.”

“I’m not—” Eddie rolls his eyes and corrects himself halfway through. “I’m not sleeping with him like that, okay?”

Sophia looks at him for a long moment as her gaze turns from teasing to thoughtful.

“But you want to be. Right?”

[Or: Buck and Eddie get in the habit of sharing a bed while living together during quarantine. It's platonic until it isn't.]

Review: If you are having the same problem as me today (you cannot stop thinking about Buddie after that amazing episode last night but you desperately need to clean the house) I present to you the perfect solution: this masterpiece of a podfic. I’ve read this story - set during early season 4 - ages ago and loved it, but today I listened to it. Listen. This is so much more than just a simply bedsharing story. This is a companion piece (canon-compliant up until the end) to the show, focussing on Buck and Eddie’s relationships with their families and each other. Extasiswings is a very talented writer, and @itty-bitty-blondie was able to capture the atmosphere wonderfully. 

Title: Written on the Heart

Author:  who_la_hoop

Rating: E

Word count: 113,984

Warnings (from the author): no archive warnings apply

Summary:  

Harry doesn’t mind that so many Slytherins from his year have returned to finish their NEWTs, really he doesn’t. It’s just – do they have to be so friendly? He’s not prejudiced, really he’s not. It’s just – they’ve got to be up to something, right? Unnerved by the attention he’s attracting from everyone – the Slytherins are the least of it, to be fair – and struggling with a raft of changes to Hogwarts itself, Harry wishes he could be happy that one constant remains: Draco Malfoy really fucking hates him.

When he’s hit by an illegal love-spell though, Harry finds he has more to worry about than whether or not Blaise Zabini actually wants to be his friend. For if everyone affected has been blessed – or cursed, by the look on Malfoy’s face – with a magical tattoo revealing the name of their soulmate, what does it mean that Harry’s skin remains completely bare?

Review: I can’t stress enough that I absolutely do not care for soulmate mark fanfics most of the time. However, most of the time does not mean all of the time. Like with all tropes, it comes down to the quality of the writing but also about what the author does with the trope. In this case, it’s a great story exploring Harry and Draco’s relationship after the war, but more than that, it is giving us insights into the group of 8th year Slytherins and their antics. Over the fic, I came to adore them all (even Blaise Zabini and his dubious porn collection). The Slytherins are so open with one another in a certain way that is so much different from how Rowling describes the Gryffindors in canon. What I loved most about this story however was the absolutely hilarious style of writing. I only wished it was a little longer. 

Title: Signs From the Universe (and Other Things Ignored)

Author:  galaxywings

Word count: 206,118

Rating: T 

Warnings (from the author): canon-typical themes and warnings, PTSD, post-partum depression

Summary: 

Events of destruction had occurred in far less time than that. Weeks ago, it had only taken a second or two, between the moments Buck had reassured Eddie, "that kid is just lucky he met you," and a sniper had taken his aim, squeezed the trigger. The universe did not need hours to effectively cause disaster. Split seconds worked fine. But it took far more time for people to clean up after it, days, or weeks, maybe months. Maybe years.

- 

Basically just me making up a short season five as I see fit.

Review: I know that a story is absolutely something special when I accidentally stay up til 4am to finish it. This is simply 200k words of an amazing alternate season 5 of 911, focusing on individual character arcs, introspection, healing, communication, relationships while at the same time giving these incredibly well-thought out original emergencies/cases. I loved the focus on Eddie and Maddie in therapy, but also on the relationship between Chimney and Albert. Loved Albert and Ravi working together as The Probies, loved the angst, the domesticity and happiness, and most of all, the Buckley-Han wedding. I am using the gen tag because the story is a lot like the show and focusses on much more than romantic relationships, but then again, there are many moments of Buck and Eddie, Maddie and Chimney, Hen and Karen (and how they got together), so I am tagging those ships as well.

Title: right on time

Author:  tuckergreeen

Word count:  21,999

Rating: T 

Summary: 

Eddie’s been back at work for about two weeks—his time after quitting had passed in a seemingly idyllic week of spending time with his son which got rudely interrupted by a full-scale mental breakdown that ended with tears and hugs and Buck lovingly bullying him into going to therapy again. Then therapy had brought even more tears and confusion and slowly ballooning financial concerns that culminated in Eddie undertaking the frankly painful process of reapplying to the LAFD and completing an equally painful remedial training course.

And everything was fine until—Eddie started having a problem.

(summer break, queer awakenings, and learning to let yourself be happy: a story in four acts)

Review: 

This is one of the many great post-5A stories from this fandom. I think the tags “Angst and Humor” and “idiots to lovers” describe this work perfectly. What I particularly loved was that the author uses very common tropes found in many Buddie fanfictions (they even list works they were inspired by), such as the great Eddie confiding in Hen about his sexuality trope - but then, @henwilsonmd completely turned around my expectations on how the story was going to go and created something completely unique and wonderful. 

Title: A Magnetic Attraction

Author: RoyalHeather

Word count: 59,784

Rating: E

Warnings (from the author): teacher-student relationship, age difference, explicit sexual content, past character death, canonical character death, 

Summary: Professor Caleb Widogast has enough to worry about when the new semester starts. With a recently-broken heart, a tight budget, and pressure from the administration, he wasn't expecting to become invested in Jester Lavorre, daughter of a famous movie star. But the more time he spends with her, the more he finds himself captivated by her, against his better judgment...After the death of a close friend, Jester Lavorre feels lonelier than ever. What started out as a crush on her cute physics professor has started to become something more, a hunger for someone who understands her and wants her the way she desires. Can she find that in Caleb, or will this forbidden romance end in disaster for them both?

Review: 

Title: i'm here (i’m yours for the taking)

Author:  farfromthstars

Word count: 19,070

Rating: T

Summary: 

“Everyone!” Around forty heads turn, and Buck shifts on his feet uncomfortably at the attention. “This is my old friend Buck and his husband, Eddie.” “Uh,” Buck makes, turning to Eddie with wide eyes. Eddie's looking just as stunned. “Connor, I think you got–” He cuts himself off when Eddie wraps an arm around his waist.

~

at the winter wedding of an old friend, buck and eddie pretend to be married to each other. the plan has no weaknesses, obviously, not even mistletoe or anyone’s secret feelings…

Review: Merry Christmas everyone! I thought a Christmas wedding fake dating story would fit well for today. What I really appreciated about the story is that while a lot of fake dating fics are a bit far-fetched and the reason for the fake dating isn’t always logical, this one was not one of them - Eddie has a good reason to pretend to be Buck’s husband. The getting together part of the story also did not happen too suddenly, which is another common problem with this trope. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fanfic, and I think you will, too!

Title: to have and to hold (for better or worse)

Author:  buckleyblueyes

Word count:  7,020

Rating: T

Summary: 

“Family of Eddie Diaz?”

Everyone stood up.

The doctor gave them a sympathetic smile. “That’s sweet, but actual family only right now.”

“I’m his gi—”

“I’m his husband,” Buck cut Ana off, ignoring the slack jawed looks from the rest of the waiting room.

OR: Buck and Eddie got married in secret after the well incident

Review: This is the fic that made me believe that it’s possible to hack AO3 and change the date that a fic was published. Because there is no way. No fucking way this was written and published before 4x14. And yet it was. The flashback scene in this fic literally has almost the same content (even wording!) as the scene of Eddie and Buck in the hospital in 4x14 when Eddie tells him about having changed his will. Holy fuck. Or, as AO3 user “mithrilbookofmystery” puts it: 

Wait was this actually written before Survivors?? Djdbsjsjdbd Apollo really said I gotta snipe this one with the gift of prophecy

Also, bonus points for likeable Ana!

Title:  california wishing on these stars

Author:  hattalove

Word count:  21,386

Rating: T

Summary: 

She’s been a roadblock for the longest time, a hard stop that cut off so many of Eddie’s thoughts halfway.

What if—but Buck’s with Taylor.

He could’ve sworn—but Buck’s with Taylor.

Sometimes he wonders—but Buck’s with Taylor.

And now he isn’t.

in which 'tis the season, buck is single again, and eddie is being very brave about it.

Review:

Title: Health Improvement Planning for Dummies

Author:  glorious_spoon

Word count:  22,408

Rating: E

Warnings: none

Summary: 

Eddie clears his throat. “How often would you say you ejaculate?”

Richie pauses with his spoon halfway up to his mouth. Milk dribbles over the edge to splatter on the table; Eddie grimaces but forces himself to stay on track.

“Uh,” Richie says. “What?”

“It’s a simple question.”

*

Or: Eddie reads an article in Men's Health and gets a little too invested.

Review: I have a soft spot for cracky-turned-serious fics and this one was no exception. This post-chapter-2 story set in LA is just as good as the summary suggests. I loved the obsurdity of the setting and the author managed to pull it off so well and believable. Will definitely go check out more by them now because I loved their wiriting style. 

Title: Who Are You, Really?

Author: hidesourcheeks

Word count: 174,115

Rating: E

Warnings: see ao3 tags

Summary: You're fifteen when you find out who your parents are, what they do. Feigning ignorance is your only defense, but it won't last forever. Your parents are murderers and there's only so long you can stay out of their world.

Review: This is an excellent character-driven AU story delving into the life of Allison Argent, who is trying to deal with the fact that her parents kill werewolves, when they move into a new town and she gets involved in the supernatural mess that is Beacon Hills. The character of Allison feels much different from canon, but the characterisation of development is simply wonderful and unique. The same goes for Isaac, who was portrayed so so well. I think the evolving relationship between this Allison and this Isaac is my favourite relationship ever, across all fandoms and all stories I have read. It really is one of a kind. While I don’t mind Scott and the triad aspect of this fic (which starts halfway through the story and was very well done) I would have been perfectly content if the main pairing was Allison and Isaac. The plot was great as well - but I think the main strength of this fic is characterisation. It has been too long since I read hidesourcheek’s Isaac-centric Scallisaac story, On The Side of Caution to compare the two, though I can hardly see how it could be better than Who Are You, Really?. If you are turned off by the second person POV, don’t be! The writing style is excellent and you really do not notice that it is second person POV once you start reading. We are still very much in Allison’s head and I honestly cannot picture how the story would read in first person or even third person. It makes me want to try second person in my own writing, though I doubt I could pull it off as well as hidesourcheeks. 

Title: Potter

Author: Quine

Word count: 9,142

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Summary: 

"Potter," Blaise muttered, a strewn over salt shaker in front of him.

"Where?" Draco asked, searching in vain for the raven-haired saviour. Theo was grinning as he watched their exchange.

"Well," Blaise began, "As you're so fond of blaming all your problems on Potter, I thought I'd give it a try as well."

Draco Malfoy has enough on his plate after returning to Hogwarts for an 8th year. So it's only natural that Blaise' teasing leads to an unwelcome realization about his continuous obsession with Potter. Now only to hide this crush, while half of Hogwarts is using Potter's name as a curse word, basically announcing the truth to the world! And all the while he's having to tutor Potter in potions, while the former still hasn't returned his wand!

----

A Oneshot based on a post saying that Draco Malfoy is a huge meme and that "My father will hear about this!" and "Potter!" probably turned into the equivalent of "Thanks, Obama."

Review: Yes, this was just as good as the premise made it out to be. If you’re looking for a fun, light-hearted 8th year story on the shorter side that is NOT porn, look right here. Draco’s friends are little shits in this fic and I am living for it. 

Title: Dean (and Cas') Top 13 Zepp Traxx

Author:  pantheon_of_discord

Word count: 82,450

Rating: E 

Warnings (from the author): canon-typical violence, whump, sex

Summary: Dean eases Baby down the frontage road, trying not to look in the rearview mirror as his home gets smaller and smaller behind him.He’s done this a hundred times. He’s driven down this road in the soft morning light, heading out to some little town in some distant corner of the country. This is a job like any other.

“It’s not like we’re never coming back,” Cas says from the passenger seat.

*

Dean and Cas and the open road, to the tune of Led Zeppelin.

A post-series story in thirteen parts.

Review: First of all, to describe the settings of this fic a little better, “post-series” in this case refers to somewhere after some point in season 12, however this story was posted before the s12 finale was even released, and clearly written before then. Which is great, because Cas is alive! After Sam’s decided to retire from hunting, or “become the new Bobby”, Dean is out hunting with Cas. The two of them are a great, well-balanced team, but for Dean, it becomes harder and harder to ignore his feelings... This is not a “case fic” per se, more of a “cases fic”, which is great. None of the cases feel like they are overwhelming the story, but they are all very interesting and both remind me of the early supernatural days without stealing plot from previous seasons. Dean and Cas hunting together, just the two of them, definitely has a different dynamic than Sam and Dean, and I’m loving it. This was a great story, the only nitpicky thing is that I wish that we would have seen more of Mary and her interactions with Dean and especially Cas. Claire, too. But you can’t have everything!

Title: Though The Course May Change

Author: imogenbynight

Word count:  51,581

Rating: E

Summary: After a couple who went missing several years ago from an Oregon couples retreat are mysteriously returned on the same night that another disappears, Dean and Charlie plan to go undercover to find the cause--until Dean's foot meets his mouth, and he finds himself fake-engaged to Castiel instead.

Review: Another great feel-good fanfic by imogenbynight. Written for the Tropefest 2016, this one really hits all of the tropes. Who doesn’t like a good fake boyfriends (or fiancés), undercover at a couple’s retreat (or island) case fic? One thing that I particularly enjoyed about this was the presence of Charlie being there to support Dean in his feelings crisis (similar to The Prophet Must Die) and the fact that Dean is very much aware of his feelings from the beginning. 

Title: The Prophet Must Die 

Author:  imogenbynight

Word count:  54,455

Rating: M

Warnings (from the author): Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Summary: "What about Castiel? He seems helpful... and dreamy."

Something about the comment just isn't sitting right, and Dean's jaw twitches. He stares at the wall in the dark, and at a quarter past four in the morning, it hits him.

"Asshole," Dean hisses under his breath, sitting up straight, "that sonofabitch kept publishing."

Review: I don’t remember the last time I have read over 50k words in so little time. In fact, I was really surprised and disappointed when it was over. This is one of the stories that 100% needs a sequel. The author did a great use of tenses - present tense for the present, past tense for the book scenes. But don’t worry, we do not spend too much time with the Carver Edlund books and instead move on to Castiel with the angel tablet, and Dean who is missing him awfully. I loved, loved the communication and fleeting moments between Dean and Cas in this.