I love fic recs. I love Fire Emblem. And since I canât really focus on anything else right now, I decided to just promote my favorite Claudeleth fics out right now. If youâre looking for something to read, then check these out because theyâre all amazing. In no particular order, here are my top five fics. (Many of these authors have other stories I love, but I decided on one per author for this list.)
Fate and Other Lessons by DistractedSiren, Byleth/Claude, wip - 33k
When sheâd been a young Blue Lion at Garreg Mach, Byleth had been certain that Claude von Riegan, leader of the Golden Deer, had done everything in his power to make her life difficult.
Now, four years later, Byleth finds herself teaching at the Officers Academy alongside her old rival, and heâs just as annoying and distracting as he was when they were eighteen. Heâs also at least twice as handsome. The pair are quickly back at each otherâs throats, only Byleth has no idea that now all of their interactions are fraught with sexual tension. Claude, on the other hand, is hardly aware of anything else. And their students? Their students are on the verge of locking them in the Goddess Tower together and leaving them there until they figure it out.
I love this AU so much. I find AUs fascinating, but it is sometimes hard to find one that keeps the charactersâ personalities in tact. Not only does this one do so, it is one of my favorites because of how on point the characterization is written. The plot is intriguing, and I am immediately drawn in as soon as I start reading. This is one of those fics that as soon as it updates, Iâm immediately pouncing on it to see what happens next.
If youâre looking for a well written fic with amazing characterization and some tasty slow burn romance, this is exactly what you want.
Point and Shoot by doylesmom, Byleth/Claude, 7.4k
Once the war was over. Maybe they could all move on with their lives, then. Bernadetta could retire and never have another trauma induced episode again. Hilda and Marianne could finally get married. Ignatz could finish art school. Sylvain could come out of hiding. And maybe, maybe, if they were both still alive, she could confess to Claude, her best friend, who she loved more than she had ever loved anyone or anything in her life.
But that day had not come yet, and that time was not now, and as she took his hand as he helped her out of her seat, she could only pray, pray, pray that that day might come soon.
I got distracted writing the review for this one because I needed to read the fic again as soon as I opened the page. Apparently this is the authorâs first smut, and that is just insane to me, because this fic literally has my favorite claudeleth smut scene. This AU is intriguing, and that is coming from someone who normally gives Mafia/Crime AUs a wide berth. I want to know more about this world, and the fact that weâll be getting a sequel in a few days has me super excited. Byleth and Claude are still wonderfully in character, even with the dramatic setting shift, and I love it so much.
This story showcases some amazing writing talent. If youâre in the mood for some interesting world building, and some amazing smut, I strongly recommend you read this fic.
For Whom the Stars Shatter by Cirrocumulus, Byleth/Claude, wip - 50k
âI would have made you Queen of Almyra, eventuallyâ, he whispered against her collarbone, sensing her discomfort. Part of her could have indulged in that fantasy, even then, but whenever she raised her eyes to wrinkled folds born from laughing she would count his crow feet like the years that passed.
20 years ago, FĂłdlan had been granted peace by the King of Almyra in a battle written down in history. Now, the anniversary crept ever closer, and with it old feelings and new ambitions. But time divides people, and he had been giving his away while she seemingly hoarded hers. Yet the rings on their fingers were ever present, stuck in pipe dreams of the past.
Oh man, I could literally go on all day about how much I love Cirroâs writing style. It has this beautiful, poetic feel to it that hits along the lines of a Shakespearean tragedy. There is so much pain and yearning in this fic, but it is such a good hurt. This is exactly how I would imagine Byleth behaving if she was made Archbishop, and just the tension and love that still exist between her and Claude is so good. It usually takes me all day to read a new chapter, because Iâm just mesmerized by the writing that Iâm going back to reread lines I just read. It overflows with symbolism, which I am just a huge sucker for.
Are you looking for something with angst and longing? Something that is just the epitome of beautiful writing? Then youâll want to check out this fic.
last kiss by wanderlustt, 3.8k
Five men whoâve stolen kisses from Byleth, and the one man who steals her last.
Oh my god! This fic is full of desperation, and the writing is done in such a style that it conveys Bylethâs feelings perfectly. I have read this fic at least five times by this point, it is just so good. My heart ached the entire time I was reading this, and that feeling did not dull upon rereads.
I canât say much more without giving away plot points, but everyone should read this fic. Just stop what youâre doing right now and go read it.
to fall in love again by mochee, 12k
âWho are you? Are you a spy for Edelgard?â
âItâs me, Byleth,â she says, almost desperately.
Claudeâs next words cut through her like a knife, so earnest and true that she doesnât doubt them for a second.
âI donât know a Byleth.â
â
Or: Byleth comes back from her slumber to find out Claude has not only been ill with Hanahaki, but that he was forced to undergo surgery. There are consequences.
Itâs a hanahaki fic, so you know youâre in for some pain. This is another AU I donât typically seek out, but man am I glad I gave this one a chance. This fic has a unique take from what Iâve seen from other hanahaki AUs. The end of the first chapter had me literally gasping out loud in shock. I made the mistake of reading this right before I was supposed to go into work, and I could not put it down. I was trying to take sneak peaks of it whenever I got a chance, I just needed to know what happened next.
Yes, more angst and pain, but the payoff for this one is so beautiful. Give yourself enough time to finish this before doing anything else, because it will engross you and you wonât put it down.
I enjoyed doing this, so if you guys would like more fic recs at some point in the future, let me know. Go enjoy these wonderful fics!
