#chevythunder

“Your cat is broken,” Even says, his lips a cherry red.

“He’s just hungry,” Isak says, not having the time to get distracted by Even before the cat butts in again. “Okay, okay, I’m on it.”

He reaches out to scratch the cat between the ears.

“Are you staying for dinner?”

“Are we having the same food as the cat?” Even asks.

“No.”

“Then yes.”

Isak steals another kiss.

Hey friends, Sarah here! So I know I said I’d be starting up weekly fic recs today, but unfortunately this week I’ve been going through some stuff that’s made working on fic things rather difficult. However, my friends @call-this-a-mask and @boxesfullofthoughts have very kindly stepped in to write some recs for the blog this week in my stead!! Thank you so much for your hard work - I stand by every single rec here! [except for the one of my own fic aksjdnasda]

So without further ado, here are a handful of fics to tide you over for the week!

the punchline to a very bad joke - clarabelle / @evamoans (Even/Isak, 5k words, set in canon)

 Isak and Even take Isak’s little sister trick-or-treating and it’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever read and rather appropriate as we reach Halloween

Endless domesticity and gorgeous characterisation; Isak and Even are sweet without falling out of character, and the dimension that hanging out with Isak’s baby sister brings to the relationship is amazing

their costumes!! They’re an amusing reference to season three as well as a testament to just how ridiculous these boys are, whilst Lea’s presents a more sensible contrast

banter galore. Whether it’s with the boy squad, the girl squad, or Even, this author brings a delightful balance of sincerity and fun to Isak’s conversations

A little help (goes a long way) - diamondjacket / @diamondjacket  (Even/Isak; 29k words; Established relationship)

This is set in canon, in which Isak and Even are happily together, and Isak’s friends come to him for advice. 

A lot of candid sex talk, very truthful and realistic, as well as being very funny.

Isak’s internal monologue is hilarious; with a good balance of his constant exasperation for his friend’s ridiculous, but also his kindness and love for his friends shining through.

It also shows Isak’s progression and how he’s changed in a realistic and really lovely way

You really get the sense that their stories and their lives exist beyond Isak's awareness and the scope of the story, each character is really well fleshed out

It focuses on a different person with each part, and the interactions and conversations change accordingly and all are very in character. 

Whilst this isn’t explicitly focused on Isak and Even - with Isak mostly having conversations with others about his and Even’s relationship, it portrays Even and Isak’s relationship wonderfully. With them both being very open and well balanced.

Really touching conversations between friends that are just as heartwarming as they are painfully awkward and hilarious.

Explores Isak’s and the other’s sexualities really well in a way that feels realistic.

Explores Isak’s personality and sexuality in a unique way, making it a very interesting read.

a constant state of closeness - chevythunder / @icelandcurry​ (Isak/Even; 10k words; Strangers to Lovers)

Even and Isak meet in very different and almost bizarre circumstances, in which Isak gets into a habit of finding Even just to hug him at parties.

The limited point of view keeps the the reader guessing about what on earth Isak is doing, but never makes it seem as though Even’s affections are one sided.

Good use of miscommunication, with no needless heartbreak or jumping to conclusions, as well as being really well balanced, with Even and Isak being just as awkward as each other.

Despite this being focused on Isak and Even, each other character in the story is really well fleshed out. Even and Isak’s friends are all massively supportive and the characterisation of each of them is spot on. 

Incredibly endearing and heartwarming as well as being very funny in a lot of parts, with an equal measure of awkwardness fitting to the premise of the story thrown in.

The awkward exchanges between Isak and Even are a delight, but also incredibly cringe worthy.

The writing flows beautifully, with the right balance of seeing Even’s thought processes, as well as the witty exchanges between him and his friends.

Despite it being a one shot, the pacing is really well done and has a good, well rounded ending that gives closure to the story.

you’re gonna sing the words wrong - strangetowns / @canonicallyanxious (Even/Isak, 6k words, marching band au)

a somewhat niche au but manages to give just enough detail that the reader isn’t left in the dark whilst avoiding drowning them in information

Even as a hipster, tie-dyed saxophone player, which is something I never knew I needed but find myself unable to live without

Isak’s internal monologue is wonderful, and the writing is absolutely gorgeous (as Sarah’s always is)

the focus on his friendships, especially with Eva and Jonas, is amazing in every way possible

I know nothing about marching band, but the roles that each of the characters are given (Isak on trumpet, Vilde in the colour guard, Sana as drum major, just to name a few) to fit them perfectly

“Too far away,” Isak mumbles, a hand sneaking out from under the sheets to worm its way under Even’s back, hugging him closer to Isak.

If there were any part of Even that didn’t already belong to Isak, this would be the moment of surrender.

This week’s theme is Even’s POV set in AU. Today’s post is a multichaptered fic. If you like this fic, please consider leaving it a comment/kudos!

a mental archive of love unwanted - chevythunder / @icelandcurry (71k words)

“You’re in love with him,” Isak says. “And he doesn’t know.”

He thinks about denying it, to shrug it off like he has so many times before, but in the end, he’s too tired to lie and the fact is, he doesn’t want to.

“I’m in love with him,” Even says, slumping back into the sofa. “And he doesn’t know.”

Even moves into a new flat, gains new friends and tries not to have his heart broken. He nails the first two.

Our Ramblings:

Very unique premise that explores Even’s feelings in depth, while also giving his and Isak’s relationship a completely new and interesting twist that is dealt with beautifully; tender and heartbreaking progression of their relationship

Amazing characterisation all around!! The balloon squad comes alive and has one of the best dynamics we have ever seen in a fic; Even’s headspace is perfectly captured; Isak is incredibly in character despite this not being his POV; even side characters are developed and given their time to have a life outside of Even and Isak’s story

Stunning writing!!! Simple but gut punching; feels very true to Even’s voice; lovely metaphors and at the same time ridiculous banter between the boys and also the balloon squad; everything comes together very well and seamless

Sarah’s favorite lines:

His hair smells like Even’s conditioner, his nails are uneven and bitten down and there’s a hole in one of his socks where his big toe peeks out. He’s nothing but home.

And just like that, it all falls into place.

Kathi’s favorite lines:

Sometimes, a few drops of milk will escape from Isak’s spoon and fall down the back of Even’s t-shirt. The first time it happened, Even had shouted at him, annoyed at having had a newly washed shirt ruined. The look on Isak’s face as he completely shut down, paired with the fact that the next few Sundays had a distinct lack of Isak in the living room, had made Even more miserable than he cared to think about.

Therefore, Even now always makes sure to save his oldest shirt for Sunday morning, the one he used to wear when painting. It doesn’t matter how much Isak spills on that one, and he made sure to tell Isak that the second he stepped out from his room after that first time, looking quite spooked when he saw Even on the couch.

All in all, Sundays have now become one of Even’s best days, regardless of how the rest of the week has gone. His family and friends are well aware not to invite him to things before noon on Sundays, and both Isak and Linn seem happy with his role in their joint weekend.