u n d e r l a n d

JISBON FUNDAMENTALS (these are fics that everyone should read)

if I loved you at the start by missymeggins (e) this is my favorite jisbon fic. canon divergent from 6x02, jane decides he can't live with the threat to lisbon's life. i could wax poetic for ages.

the tiger and the lamb by inkstainedfingers97 (t) if i could recommend this author's entire library i would, but this is a very gritty, plotty, but still jisbon-y reimagining of the red john plot. and probably the only fic that's convinced me it's better than the red john reveal in the show.

in the cards by idan (t) another brilliant very plotty s5 fic. no list would be complete without it. the attention to detail is insane.

long lost long last by hardly loquacious (k+) this fic is just so special to me because it is an exemplary example of showing and not telling, and i think it really dives into what makes jisbon so inevitable. even as jane resists, he's drawn to lisbon's care for him, which is self-sacrificing and pure and so deeply kind that of course he loves her. of course he does.

inside your mind by excel_siors (t) a 4x10 au that will change your brain chemistry, guaranteed. the mantra that jane keeps repeating in this fic... god.

BEST COMPLETE AUS

go easy on me now by walltree (m) this author understands lisbon in a profound way, to the point where of course this version of jane is drawn in by her competence and kindness. i love fics that highlight why jane would fall for lisbon, and this is one of those.

red violin by inkstainedfingers97 (t) (plus sequel!) such a fun au where jane is so crazy. like this could be in the unhinged section. but the way jane instantly falls in love is how i picture he would if there was no red john.

purrson of interest by denxuement (t) unbelievably sweet! neighbors!au

teresa by donnamour1969 (t) an inspired by jane austen's emma! this author has great aus but this is my favorite. love a good regency au.

the tea shop by heclosescases (t) this author is excellent, but i especially love this au! it's so sweet, so in character (difficult for a complete au) and just so fluffy and nice.

ANGST

suspicion by daphnaea (t) the best angstier view of the lorelei situation, and a great, character-accurate view of what would happen to jane should lisbon have really put her foot down about any of it.

and the saints go marching in by excel_siors (m) this fic will hurt you. it will be worth it. a 6a au.

choices made in blue swirls by fbiwoman223 (t) if you want hurt!lisbon and jane losing it over that fact, this is the fic for you!

the proper incentive by laurythelabtrator 6b!au and sometimes i really realllly wish this is what they had done with canon.

THEY'RE UNHINGED, YOUR HONOR

blue phoenix by TheWaywardGospel (e) the fact that this fic is unfinished is my roman empire, but don't let that stop you. this author intertwines seasons 6 and 7 in such an original way, and jane and lisbon are so crazy for each other. it's perfect.

dayspring by light_loves_the_dark (t) i'm not going to talk about myself too much, but this is an au 6b where jane gets his act together <3

wedding planning by idan (t) jane just... deciding that lisbon and he are engaged. it all goes pretty well from there and it's a joy to read!

reset by j. roddam (t) this is a complete au where psychic!jane meets lisbon when she's on the verge of becoming a single mother and like, one meeting makes him decide he wants to be in her life. unhinged. perfect in every way.

shatter by ruuger (m) 4x10 but jisbon share an insane little blimp of a moment.

BEST SMUT

you bite my lip, you spike my blood (e) by someonestolemyshoes the perfect first time fic.

(not much i can change) i give it up to you by whatsaterrarium (e) obligatory hypnosis fic. you will melt.

i feel like i die 'till i feel your touch by @dreamyairy (e) the smut in this is incredible. the profound moment that jisbon share in the airport in this 6x22 au is even better.

like a thousand suns (anything for you) by @whereyourtreasureis (e) this author is a master at these little intimacy gaps we have in the show. and her jane makes me melt.

eulogy by lilythistle (e) obligatory jisbon-playing-poker fic that ends with a beautiful expression of feelings

BEST CANON DIVERGENCE (ONE-SHOT)

between the devil and the deep blue sea by @someonesaidcake (e) 6x08 canon divergence, introducing my favorite oc ;)

27 minutes by idan (t) a lovely divergence from early s6 where jane faces the fact he can't lose lisbon and actually talks to her.

beneath the blue stars by sierrasilver (t) just a super soft 6b au where jane wrote more letters to lisbon than in canon

reichenbach by half agony half hope (t) red john finds out that jane is faking in vegas and puts a very awful task in front of him. angsty, but with a happy ending

BEST CANON DIVERGENCE (MULTI CHAPTER)

someone else's life by wldwmn (t) 4x10 au where jane wakes up thinking lisbon is his wife. so so good.

learning to breathe by starry19 (t) post 6x22 au with jisbon finding their legs as a couple and a little angst. very sweet and perfectly in character.

combine and complement by hardly loquacious (k+) in which jisbon go consulting after an au version of the death of red john. very sweet getting together fic.

blooming violets by dkateri (g) 6x16!au where jane doesn't fumble - just a really lovely and in-character portrait of him.

undercover by maxine_gold (e) one of the best multi-chapter fics in the fandom. i almost didn't include it because i feel like everyone's read it, but that would be disingenuous.

BEST POST-CANON

bluebells by inkstainedfingers97 (t) LAST ONE by them i swear. i have to put this one in because it's my fav post canon, which i tend not to like. which is not saying there's not excellent post canon out there, but i just personally want no major angst, all rainbows for jisbon after the end of the show. and this is that.