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***Please ensure you read any tags and warnings before diving in!

• a match and a fuse by waveydnp (link here)

Summary: Phil is twenty six years old and stuck in a dead end life. He works at Starbucks and may or may not be carrying a torch for his best friend of eight years. He doesn't know who he is or what he wants--or how to go about figuring it out. That all starts to change when he happens upon the resume of a certain law school grad named Daniel.

I personally don’t think the description does this story full justice because I can’t oversell how special it is. There is something here that is so beautiful. This is one of the best things I’ve ever read. My favorite coffee AU of the thousands upon thousands written. You won’t regret reading this. There’s an option to buy a physical copy of this and it’s sitting on my shelf!

• If You Don’t Love Me, Pretend by @phantasticworks (steddieworks) (link here)

Summary: All his life, Dan has wanted to have the chance to be a parent someday. He would be the best parent that ever existed, he was sure of it. Fostering might not be the most traditional way on the road to parenting, but Dan's dead set on doing it anyway. But, well, it would be easier with a co-parent, right?

Reading Dan and Phil as parents is as interesting as you think it will be. This story showcases it beautifully. There is a gorgeous heart and soul to it that makes the absolute utter frustration of the slow burn worth it in the end. I loved this fic so much the day I finished it I restarted it. No joke. Do NOT miss the bonus posted content. I cried of happiness!

• Misfit by @melancholymango (link here) (only Wattpad link)

Summary: It’s been this way for as long as he can remember, the constant runaround process of trying to feel normal. His life is built around it, trying to trick both himself and everyone he interacts with into seeing him as your average person. The isolation as he desperately tries to keep others from finding out, the bitterness that wells up inside of him each and every time he’s reminded that he’ll never be like everyone else, the fear that nothing will ever change. He’s fated to be this way forever; a misfit from society.

I have such a vivid memory of reading this 10 years ago in a bathroom stall at work after getting an update notification from Wattpad because I was SO excited and just could. not. wait. Yes, it is that good. This is my culture. This is my history. I recently reread it and fell in love all over again. This story has a supernatural twist that makes it super unique and interesting. There’s mystery, there’s horror, there’s fluff, angst, smut, comedy. There are heartrenching emotional moments that I still think about. It has everything you could ever want. This story is incredibly long, it’s over 900,000 words and probably the longest book I’ve ever read. Don’t let the length scare you off and definitely finish if you start it because it has a huge emotional pay off. I don’t think any story made me blubber cry as much as this one. In the way where you know it’s one of the best written things you will ever consume. I’m not exaggerating. Enjoy.

• If Lost, Return to Phil by @thatsmistertoyou (link here) (you need an ao3 account to access)

Summary: Dan and Phil are friends with benefits, which always works until it doesn’t. Dan wishes things could be different, and gets more than he bargains for.

This is the first phanfic I ever read, so it has a special place in my heart. The story has a romcom feel with a premise that feels known and yet I was so emotionally locked in. I also blame this story for my beginning love of smut. :) This is an author with amazing stories that you should check out. Don’t miss this one it’s worth a read!

• linger on by @alittledizzy and waveydnp (link here)

Summary: A recent loss has ground Phil's life to a halt. At 33, he's static in his grief and living in the house he grew up in - until his mother kicks him out. Break In a fit of indignation and with nothing to lose, he answers the first listing he finds for a room to rent in London... a listing posted by a guy named Dan.

A beautiful story honoring grief in a sweet and delicate way. This slow burn felt earned and gentle. The story takes its time and is settled with an undercurrent of care. It’s really quite warm and lovely. The characterization and writing is masterful. Fluffy and heartwarming in the best ways possible. Definitely one I was sad to finish. Both of these authors library of works are lovely!

• L'Histoire Française by @danfanciesphil (thejigsawtimess) (link here)

Summary: Since he can remember, Dan has had a bad experience with teachers. When desperate times call for him to take a job as a TA at his local secondary school, he is dreading the experience. Cue Phil Lester: eclectic, vivacious History teacher whom the students and teachers adore for his unique methods and sincere passion for his job. Dan was expecting all sorts of drama in his new job, but falling for a member of the faculty was not part of it.

It was hard to pick only one story from this author because you should read them all. The unique and interesting premises really make their works shine. This one in particular was really enjoyable because of the French language elements. It was SO fun to read along with the French translations. It made the story interactive and special. Also, do not miss the amazingly fitting Spotify playlist for this fic!

• Six Ravens by @iihappydaysii (link here)

Summary: Dan meets Prince Philip at a cyberbullying campaign, but what starts as a working relationship grows complicated when Dan realizes he’s falling for the prince and maybe, just maybe, he’s not alone in his feelings.

There is something so amazing and funny and frankly bizarre (I say with the utmost affection) about this phanfic. It really stood out to me from the rest. This writer is talented. The premise has a flavor of Red, White, and Royal Blue (iykyk) but was written before and is definitely its own thing. It’s so cute I just want to pinch it and love it forever. Read it now!

• finding light in the dark places. by commonemergency / @nihilismdan (link here)

Summary: They’re all connected in some way. All have their own stories to tell. If Dan were a better person he’d get to know them more but he always feels like something is holding him back. So they just continue to work in each others spaces, creating things out of dough and making better things with icing. Donna’s slogan is that everything was made with love but he thinks that’s just because she made this thing—they’re just the hands that give it out to other people. One day, Dan thinks, he’ll hope to feel that passionate about something again.Or a story about grief and loss, found family, donuts, and first love.

I don’t know what it says about me that two of my favorites on this list center on grief. I think it’s because I love stories that are deep and meaningful and make you feel. This particular one was really lovely and I think leapt off the page in terms of heart and realness because the author shared it was inspired by some personal experiences and people in their life. It’s so genuine and the story of Dan and Phil in it is very sweet. The friendships created, the healing described, and the way grief is shown in a different way were all beautiful. It was kind of like..hey you’re hurting can I take your hand and then we follow the journey of healing through care, love, friendship, and the complexities of life along the way.

• where we belong by @parentaladvisorybullshitcontent (link here)

Summary: In which Phil is snowed in with nobody but the mysterious dark haired author next door for company.

I just loved the premise of this story so much. It felt cozy and romantic and it was written beautifully descriptive in a way I could see each moment so clearly. You know when you cry happy tears it’s good journey with the characters. Read it!