Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs Part 9
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Xmas |
I had another long train journey, which means it's time for another fic rec list. Sorry it's been a while, I've been quite busy with life stuff. Much love to this fandom though! And happy new year! ♥️
Soul Protector by Ice_Elf
Rights to Edwin's soul is disputed by the doll-spider demon, leading to legal drama and the agency's frantic search for an unknown claimant with the superior claim... I love a courtroom drama, which this fic has in spades, plus interesting lore about the Afterlife Judiciary system and soulmates and plenty of time for the Night Nurse to shine.
inter arma enim silent leges by e_va
Star Trek AU! Charles is a disgraced Starfleet officer released from prison to bodyguard disaster-magnet maverick scientist, Lieutenant Commander Edwin Payne. I'm obsessed with this AU and I am begging literally anyone who knows Star Trek to contribute to the To Boldly Go! verse.
the slow trickling thaw that sets the banks in half by Ingi
Edwin and Crystal bond on a case and it's hilarious. This author captures their bitchy/vulnerable dynamic brilliantly and since this is a Crystal PoV fic her caustic but fond running commentary on the boys is superb.
More Blowjobs, Fewer Molotov Cocktails by Leandra
Charles has a terrible crush on his schoolmate, Edwin Payne, which only gets worse when he accidentally walks in on him getting a blowjob. If only he could get Edwin to notice him somehow... This is a fun Everyone is Alive/Boarding School AU where the boys rescue and yearn/lust after each other.
Though We're Strangers 'Til Now by DontOffendTheBees
Theseus and the Minotaur AU! I loved how this fic discusses monstrosity, abuse and cycles of violence!
tell me about it, stud by emryses
Alive AU with the boys flirting at a Halloween party. Honestly, it's worth reading just for the mental image of Edwin cosplaying as Danny Zuko.
Batting for a draw by ghostinthelibrary
Charles is an immortal warrior whose soul is trapped in a cricket bat and Edwin is a bullied schoolboy who just became his new wielder... Such a fun concept, I instantly started reading the book it's based on (Swordheart by T. Kingfisher fyi).
An Absence of Touch by Asidian
Sexual Frustration: The Fic. In this fic, ghosts can't feel anything, not even themselves, which is a real problem for Charles. They can, however, feel each other... This is an interesting exploration of touch-starvation and a genuinely distressing situation for Charles. The desperation is palpable and so is the payoff.
you always knew the melody (but you never heard it rhyme) by anything_thats_rock_and_roll
Edwin is a song writer out of a job who discovers down-on-his-luck musician Charles busking in a pub. I'm dying for more of this AU.
hands and arms and legs and et cetera by NeverNooitNiet
When a witch's curse hits Edwin, a spell using his remains is the agency's only hope of saving him. Unfortunately, all of Edwin's remains are in Hell... Read this for a heist, body horror and interesting Hell worldbuilding.
grief is a fist or an open hand by eunoise
In which Edwin is super-duper, inappropriately happy when Charles' dad dies and goes to Hell. Cathartic, and Edwin is so funny in this one, but it also manages to include a serious discussion on grief.
Miscommunication by Neous (Greyality)
After confessing his love, Edwin is determined to give Charles whatever he wants, even sex. Read this for Idiots in Love and (Not Actually) Fuck Buddies.
I Hope You Know CPR by LeGrinch
Silly times with payneland soul mates and the "First Words" trope plus terrible pick up lines. Short and sweet and so cute.
The Death of All Things by somerandomoaktree
Different First Meeting fic in which the boys meet in St Hilarion's attic at the start of a zombie apocalypse. Ngl, I love a Zombie AU and I love how their roles are kind of reversed, except they get to survive (for now). I would read a novel's-worth of this AU, I swear.
your heart in the world, and the world there within by wordsinhaled
Payneland first kiss fic! That's it and it is just lovely, so sweet and tender.
rules about boys by shadowquill17
Charles "I would miss kissing" Rowland would never kiss a boy, but surely kissing a ghost boy doesn't count?? Right??? I enjoyed Charles being instantly ready to defend Edwin to the death and bending the rules of compulsory heterosexuality without any introspection at all. What a guy.
need an adversary (to my down-to-marry) by ObsessedWithFandom
Edwin and Charles fake date at a very important wedding. This one is so cute and the bonus palasaki is just adorable. Recommended.
EDIT: I'm thinking of making an ao3 collection of all these fic recs for International Fanworks Day this year. Would you guys be interested in that/want to add your featured fics? Let me know in the tags/replies!
@wordsinhaled @tumblerislovetumblerislife @guardianspirits13 @shazziez @whatthehorsedoicallthisblog @shadowquill17 @ghostinthelibrarywrites @dont-offend-the-bees @nuttersinc @tessaaaaa @icurlybooks @lavenderlovers-stuff @kuwdora @neousfics @tigerliliesandcherryblossoms @avoiceofnerat @khorazir @emryses @neurodivergent-fangirling @many-gay-magpies @bibliomancer7 @extremely-eager-reader @c-rowland @colourmornings @atariakana @herebehunters @littlepocketuniverse @overlord-of-chaos @fairandfatalasfair @every-moment-a-different-sound @nobledragonflying @a-pale-jewel @acediscowlng @northen-light @e-vasong @saltyoaktree @asidian @e-payne @rexrevri @mirabel-on-a-bicycle @estrellota @lavenderlovers-stuff @deadtwinksdetectiveagency
