“guys, s-stop!” you gasped between laughs and suguru slid closer, his strong hands holding you from behind and targeting every sensitive spot he could reach. the three of them had you pinned against the cushions, their bodies crowding yours in a pile. zuko’s knee pressed between your legs, jinshi’s chest brushed your arm, and suguru’s breath warmed your neck as he leaned in. 

the tickling intensified, fingers skittering over your stomach, up to your sides, and grazing the undersides of your breasts through your thin tank top. you writhed, trying to escape, but the sensations blurred the line between laughter to something hotter. zuko boldly poke right at your hipbone and sent a jolt straight to your core, and instead of a giggle, a low, involuntary moan escaped your lips. 

the room went still. 

zuko’s hands froze on your waist, jinshi pulled back slightly with wide eyes, and suguru’s fingers lingered on your arm, his gaze darkening. you felt heat flood your cheeks yet the air had thickened with unspoken tension. 

“did you just…? jinshi trailed off, voice husky as he tried to break the silence.

“tickling got a little…intense.” you said quietly but enough for the three to hear. you bit your lip, avoid their gazes, heart pounding. but none of them moved away. zuko’s eyebrow arched, his eyes dragging hungrily over your figure. 

“intense, huh?” suguru’s hand slid upwards to your thigh. you twitched involuntarily.

 the three men made eye contact with each other and agreed silently.

 “we could make it more than that,” jinshi nodded, his elegant fingers tracing your collarbone. “only if you want.” the invitation hung there, you looked up and saw three hungry gazes. you opened your legs slightly and nodded.

the playfulness finally shattered into raw desire. 

zuko captured your mouth first, his kiss fierce and demanding, tongue thrusting in deep as suguru yanked your tank top up and over your head. jinshi worked on your shorts, peeling them down with your panties, exposing your bare pussy to the cool air.

you were naked beneath them in seconds, their hands everywhere–stroking, squeezing, claiming. zuko broke the kiss and latched onto your neck. sucking hard to leave marks while his fingers found its way to pinched your nipples, rolling them until they ache. “fuck princess, you’ve been hiding this body from us,” he growled against your skin. 

jinshi knelt between your spread thighs, his breath hot on your folds. he kissed your inner thighs before his tongue flicked out, lapping at your clit with slow deliberate strokes. you arched, moaning loudly as he sucked the sensitive nub into his mouth, his slender fingers parting the lips to delve inside, curling against that spot that made stars burst behind your eyes.

suguru claimed your mouth next, slower than zuko, more teasing, his tongue exploring while you tasted cigarette smoke on him. one hand cupped your breast, thumb circling the nipple.

it was overwhelming, it was overload—too much and not enough all at once. jinshi devouring your pussy, tongue thrusting in and out while he hummed vibrations against you sending jolts everywhere; zuko’s teeth grazing your neck and shoulder as he pinched your aching nipple and his hardening cock against your hip through his boxers; suguru’s hand squeezing your other breast and  slapped hard. you moaned into suguru’s mouth, hips bucking, slick coating as your walls clenched. 

“she’s so wet already,” jinshi murmured, pulling back to see his fingers glistening with your slick on them. he stripped fully, his cock springing free—long and pinky. zuko followed, shoving his boxers down to reveal his thick veiny length, already leaking in pre-cum. “so ready for us.” suguru stood, shredding the rest, his impressive size made your mouth water. 

they maneuvered you onto your hands and knees, sinking on the couch. zuko positioned himself at your front. 

“say ah,” you obeyed, taking his cock into your mouth fully. the salty taste flooded your senses as you sucked, tongue swirling around the head before sliding down, hollowing your cheeks. he groaned, fingers tangling in your hair, guiding the pace.

behind you, jinshi rubbed his cock along your soaked slit, teasing your entrance before thrusting in deep with one smooth motion. you cried out around zuko's length, the stretch burning deliciously as jinshi filled you, his hips snapping forward to bury himself to the hilt. he fucked you steadily, each plunge hitting deep, his hands gripping your ass cheeks, spreading them to watch his cock disappear into your pussy.

every movement sent ripples through you—zuko at your mouth, jinshi deep behind you, suguru standing close enough that his palm slid slowly down your spine as he watched you come apart piece by piece.

“you look so pretty like this,” suguru said softly. “taking everything. your knees trembled against the couch cushions.

and he still hadn’t touched you yet.

suguru stepped behind jinshi, one hand sliding over the curve of your spine. his palm came down sharply on your ass and slapped, the sting making your cunt clench tighter around jinshi’s cock. jinshi hissed at the sudden squeeze, fingers digging into your hips. 

“fuck,” he breathed, thrusts losing their measured elegance as he began pounding harder, faster, his cock dragging against every sensitive spot inside you. each snap of his hips shoved you further onto zuko’s length. 

zuko groaned deeply, holding your jaw steady as you gagged around him. saliva dripped down your chin, coating the base of his cock as you struggled to keep pace. “that’s it, princess,” he rasped, tugging your hair to make you look up at him. “such a pretty mouth.”

your body trembled from every direction—mouth stretched full, pussy relentlessly filled, skin burning where suguru’s hands roamed. he kneaded your ass, then slid two fingers down to where jinshi was fucking into you, collecting the slick that spilled around him. he pressed those fingers to your clit in slow circles.

you nearly screamed.

the added pleasure hit like lightning through your spine. your thighs shook, mouth slipping off zuko’s cock with a wet pop as you cried out openly now. zuko cursed, stroking himself fast at the sight of your ruined expression.

“she’s close,” jinshi said, breathless now, sweat dampening his hair as his hips slammed harder. “can feel her.” suguru smiled against your neck before biting down just enough to make you gasp. “then let her.”

his fingers worked your clit faster, cruel and precise, while jinshi drove into you without mercy. the couch creaked beneath the force of it, your moans turning ragged, helpless. zuko gripped your chin and smeared pre-cum across your lips before pushing two fingers into your mouth. “suck.” you obeyed automatically, eyes wet, body shaking as pressure coiled tighter and tighter in your belly.

then it snapped.

your orgasm tore through you violently. you cried out around his fingers, walls fluttering wildly around jinshi’s cock as your whole body convulsed. slick ran down your thighs, soaking the couch beneath you while you shook in their hands.

“there she is,” suguru murmured, voice dark with satisfaction.

jinshi groaned at the pulsing grip of your cunt, thrusting through your climax with desperate, uneven strokes. zuko jerked himself faster at your face, at the tears in your eyes, at the way your lips stayed parted in broken moans.

your body still quivered from the aftershocks, slick coating your thighs and the couch beneath you. jinshi pulled out slowly, his cock glistening with your release, a low groan escaping him as he stepped back. he wrapped a hand around his shaft, stroking lazily while his eyes raked over you, watching the way your chest heaved and your lips parted in ragged breaths.

none of them looked finished with you. not even close.

zuko withdrew from your mouth with a wet pop, strings of saliva connecting you to his throbbing length. he cupped your face gently, thumb brushing your swollen lips. "good girl," he murmured, voice husky. "but we're not done yet."

suguru's hand left your clit, slick fingers trailing up your back as he positioned himself behind you. he pressed his body against yours, his hard cock nudging between your ass cheeks. "turn her around," he said to zuko, his tone commanding yet laced with hunger.

zuko nodded, helping you shift on the couch. they maneuvered you onto your back first, but suguru shook his head. "on your side. i want to see her face when i take her ass."

your heart pounded as they arranged you on your side, one leg lifted and hooked over zuko's hip. zuko knelt in front, his cock brushing your inner thigh as he aligned himself with your dripping pussy. suguru settled behind, his fingers spreading lube—grabbed from nearby—over your tight hole, working one digit in slowly to prepare you.

"relax for me," suguru whispered against your ear, his free hand stroking your hip. he added a second finger, scissoring gently, the stretch making you whimper. your body, still sensitive from the previous climax, responded eagerly, muscles loosening under his touch.

jinshi stood a few feet away, his fist pumping his cock in steady rhythm, eyes locked on the scene. "fuck, she's gorgeous like this," he said, voice rough. "all spread out for you two."

zuko pushed forward, the head of his cock breaching your pussy with ease, your walls welcoming him after jinshi's earlier pounding. he sank in deep, bottoming out with a grunt, filling you completely. "so tight," he growled, holding still to let you adjust.

suguru timed it perfectly, withdrawing his fingers and replacing them with his cock. he pressed the tip against your ass, pushing past the ring of muscle inch by inch. the dual sensation hits you like a wave—zuko's thick length in your pussy, suguru's invading your ass, both stretching you to your limits. you gasped, fingers clutching zuko's shoulders, nails digging in as the burn turned to pleasure.

"that's our girl, take us both," suguru breathed, his hips flush against your ass once he was fully seated. they began to move, finding a rhythm—zuko thrusting in as suguru pulled out, then switching, their cocks sliding against each other through the thin barrier inside you.

every plunge sent shocks through your core, the friction building impossibly fast. your pussy clenched around zuko, ass gripping suguru, the fullness overwhelming. moans spilled from your lips unbidden, body rocking between them.

jinshi's strokes quickened, his breaths coming in sharp bursts as he watched. precum beaded at his tip, slicking his hand. "look at her," he rasped. "stuffed full, taking it like she was made for this."

suguru's hand snaked around to pinch your nipple, rolling it between his fingers while he fucked your ass harder, the slap of skin echoing. zuko captured your mouth in a messy kiss, tongue tangling with yours as he drove deeper, hitting that spot inside that made stars burst behind your eyelids.

the pressure mounted again, your body trapped in the best kind of vise. you broke the kiss to cry out, "m-more…please—"

jinshi couldn't hold back any longer. he stepped closer, cock in hand, and tilted your head toward him. "open up," he demanded softly.

you parted your lips eagerly, tongue flicking out to lap at his tip before he guided himself in. the taste of your own arousal on him mingled with his saltiness as you sucked, hollowing your cheeks. he threaded fingers through your hair, holding you steady while zuko and suguru continued their relentless pace.

now you were surrounded completely,

zuko pounding your pussy, suguru claiming your ass, jinshi fucking your mouth all with deep thrusts. your body jolted with each movement, throat working around jinshi's length, gagging softly when he pushed deeper.

suguru's free hand dipped between your legs, fingers finding your clit once more, rubbing in firm circles that matched their thrusts. the added stimulation shattered you. your orgasm built like a storm, crashing over you without warning. you screamed around jinshi's cock, vibrations making him hiss, your walls spasming around zuko and suguru in waves.

they didn't stop, drawing out your release until you were a trembling mess, tears pricking your eyes from the intensity. jinshi pulled back slightly, letting you gasp for air before sliding back in, his own climax approaching as he watched you unravel.

"come for us again," zuko urged, his voice strained, hips snapping erratically. suguru echoed him with a low moan, his cock twitching inside your ass.

the room filled with the sounds of flesh meeting flesh, your muffled cries, their grunts of pleasure. jinshi's hand tightened in your hair as he chased his peak, spilling hot down your throat moments later, forcing you to swallow every drop.

zuko's thrusts grew erratic, his cock swelling inside your pussy as he chased his release. "fuck, i'm close," he groaned, fingers digging into your thigh where it hooked over his hip. suguru matched him, pounding into your ass with short, sharp snaps, his breath hot against your neck. "me too—gonna fill you up," he rasped, one hand still circling your clit to keep the aftershocks rippling through you.

the dual friction pushed them over the edge almost simultaneously. zuko came first, burying himself deep with a guttural moan, hot spurts flooding your pussy. the sensation triggered suguru, who slammed home one last time, his cock pulsing as he emptied into your ass, ropes of cum coating your insides. you whimpered at the warmth spreading through you, body clenching around them in response, milking every drop.

they held still for a moment, all three of you panting, sweat-slicked skin sticking together. zuko pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, then your lips, tender and lingering. suguru nuzzled your shoulder, his arms wrapping around your waist from behind, holding you close as he softened inside you.

slowly, they eased out, careful not to overwhelm your sensitive body. a trickle of their combined releases leaked from you, but zuko was quick to grab a nearby throw blanket, draping it over your lower half while murmuring, "easy there. we've got you."

jinshi, now recovered, knelt beside the couch, brushing damp hair from your face. "you were incredible," he said softly, his voice full of warmth. he leaned in to kiss your cheek, then helped suguru and zuko shift you into a more comfortable position—propped against pillows, legs untangled.

suguru fetched warm cloths from the bathroom, returning to gently clean you up, his touches feather-light on your thighs and between your legs. "does it hurt anywhere?" he asked, concern etching his features as he wiped away the evidence of your passion.

you shook your head, a shy smile tugging at your lips despite the exhaustion. "no... it was perfect."

zuko chuckled, settling on one side of you, pulling you into his chest. his hand stroked your arm in lazy circles. "you're perfect," he corrected, pressing another kiss to your temple.

jinshi joined on your other side, his fingers intertwining with yours. suguru finished cleaning and slid in behind you again, this time just to cuddle, his chest warm against your back. the four of you tangled together on the couch, a pile of limbs and soft breaths.

"game night was... eventful," jinshi teased lightly, earning a laugh from suguru.

"best one yet," zuko agreed, his voice muffled against your hair.

“let’s do this more often.” you said and the three men chuckled, snuggling around you into their embrace. whispering praises and promises as you drifted off to slumber. 

could not stop thinking about them and decided to contribute to society (and for my sanity) art credit: @ suaayen

You are there before the battle. You are there after it, too.

The destruction and death scattered across the land tear you apart from the inside out. Broken Marui, scorched ground, and bodies left behind burn into your memory in a way no data log ever could. When you came to Pandora, it was never meant to end like this. You are here to observe, specifically to study the tulkun, to understand their intelligence, their social bonds, their culture, and the way they coexist with the Metkayina. That is the purpose you arrive with. That is the reason you were sent.

But money-hungry individuals quickly twisted your work into something else. They barely acknowledge the complexity of Tulkun communication or the depth of Na’vi history tied to them. They don’t care about language, lineage, or kinship. All they see is what can be harvested, what can be sold, and what can be turned into power. Your research, meant to protect and preserve, becomes a blueprint for exploitation.

You sort of grow up with the sea.

it feels like your entire life is spent switching in and out of a rapidly aging avatar, constantly monitored to ensure the altered genes develop properly. Your human mind struggles to reconcile the existence of two bodies. They age separately. They absorb completely different environments. One belongs to steel walls and recycled air. The other belongs to open water and endless horizons.

The avatar body is your access point to the world. Without it, you are confined to a floating lab that was meant to be temporary but slowly becomes permanent. Even freedom has limits, though. The base needs power, clean, renewable energy that won’t further damage Pandora. Ocean turbines become the solution, generating enough energy for you and your four other team members to operate and breathe freely.

You are the one who installs them.

With the base positioned far outside the reef, maneuvering the surrounding waters is extremely dangerous for any human. Strong currents, unfamiliar depths, and predators make even short excursions a risk. But you don’t have to worry about that. You exist in an avatar bred specifically for these conditions, an unusual hybrid, designed to survive where humans cannot.

Most of your life is spent aboard ships. You don’t remember Earth at all. What you do know is that you exist in two bodies. One is trapped in a small lab, sustained by machines. The other is free, able to swim, explore, and live. It has never been difficult to know which one you prefer.

You have two childhoods.

They don’t happen at the same time, but your brain stores them as if they do. When you first enter the avatar body, it is six years old. You, however, are already an adult in your human body. Being mentally grown while inhabiting the form of a child is deeply unsettling. Your thoughts don’t match your movements. Your instincts lag behind your understanding. It creates a strange disconnect, almost forcing a kind of regression as your mind adapts to the body rather than the other way around.

Monthly check-ins become routine as the avatar ages at an accelerated rate, one month for every two avatar years, until it eventually reaches full maturity. It is an odd process, one you don’t believe could ever be replicated successfully. But for you, it works.

Your avatar body is not quite Omatikaya, nor fully Metkayina. You have the long limbs of the forest people, but your musculature and nearly fin-like arms are designed for the water. Your tail is thin and elongated, built more for balance than speed underwater. Star-like dustings scatter across your skin, reminiscent of the forest clan, but everything else reads Metkayina. You think you could blend in, at least to some degree.

They removed the extra finger during adolescence.

It is an obvious outlier, and with how much you already stand out, they convince themselves it will help you fit in better. Even though you are not born into this body, you feel the absence immediately. The scar where the finger once was lingers like a phantom ache, making you feel more separate than before. The opposite of what they intend.

But none of that matters anymore.

What matters is that you no longer have a mission, only information. And information is power. You know what the bases are doing; somehow, they have yet to cut your connection to their computers. You know what they are planning. You can help the Na’vi if you can find a way in.

And you already know how.

Jake Sully.

You arrived at the base before he ever did. You hear the stories as they circulate, how he learns their ways, how he trains, how he earns the trust of the Omatikaya and becomes one of them. You watch it unfold from a distance, long before the war forces him into legend. Then he went and did it all over again with the Metkayina.

He is your opening. You are certain of it.

Convincing the other scientists is another matter entirely. In your human body, you are not much younger than them. But they see your avatar as their child. They raised you. They protected you.

And that makes reasoning with them far more difficult than it should be. But you have your ways.

Your nightly routine begins the same way it always does.

You swim as close to the reef as you dare without being noticed, careful to stay just beyond the glow of woven lights. There, you linger, floating and watching. A few Na’vi remain awake at this hour. Some work quietly in the shallows, hands moving with practiced ease as the waves curl around them. Others simply exist in the water, letting the tide carry their thoughts.

Occasionally, a mated pair sits together at the edge of their marui, bodies leaning toward one another, foreheads nearly touching. They do not speak. They do not need to. Their minds drift together, flowing as naturally as the sea beneath them.

You ache for it.

For that kind of belonging. For that kind of connection to the clan, to the earth, to something that is not observation or distance.

Tonight, something is different.

At the very edge of the village, a lone figure sits with his feet in the water. His posture is tense, shoulders slightly hunched, as if the ocean itself is the only thing holding him upright. You hear him before you see him clearly, a low, broken hum carried on the breeze.

You recognize it immediately.

It is a mourning song.

Something flares inside your chest, sharp and unexpected. His face is hidden in the shadows cast by thick, braided dreadlocks, but the sound of him is unmistakably distressed. There is weight in every note, grief pressed deep into the melody. You do not know him yet, not really, but something in you pulls toward him all the same.

For once, you give in.

You move along the edge of the reef, slow and careful, letting the water carry most of your weight. The waves lap gently against the coral walls, rhythmic and steady. You guide yourself with one hand, fingers trailing through the water as you drift closer, listening.

The song grows clearer.

It is beautiful. Aching. But that is not what stops you.

It is the language.

This is not a Metkayina song.

It is a song of the forest people.

Your breath catches.

This is Jake Sully.

Not just a name whispered through the base or passed between scientists with fascination and caution, but him. The one who learns their ways. The one who becomes one of them. The one who carries war and loss in his bones.

Everything crashes into you at once. This is not how this is supposed to happen. You have plans, careful ones. You are supposed to think this through, decide what you will say, how you will approach him, how to keep yourself safe.

You begin to turn away, preparing to disappear back into the dark water.

“Who’s there?”

His voice cuts through the night.

It is rough and worn down to something raw and unguarded. The sound of it sinks into you, heavy and intimate. You can hear the aftermath of tears in it, the gravel, the depth, the quiet break beneath the strength. You freeze where you are, heart pounding.

You want to hear him again.

Being careful to maintain the proper accent, you respond softly.

“I was listening. I did not realize how close I had gotten.” Your voice is quiet, barely carrying over the waves. “Your song is beautifully tragic.”

There is a pause.

You expect him to turn fully toward you, to question you further, but instead his shoulders rise and fall with a slow breath. When he finally speaks, his voice is lower, steadier than before, though the strain beneath it remains.

“It is not meant to be heard,” he says. “But… I guess the ocean does not keep secrets.”

He shifts slightly, one hand braced against the woven edge of the marui. The water ripples around his calves. He does not look at you.

“They are songs I learned from her people,” he continues. “From the forest. Songs for the dead. For those who do not return.” His gaze drifts back to the water, unfocused, as if he is seeing something far beneath the surface. “All I can do to help is fight. I keep diving through the waves searching for weapons in the destruction and instead seeing them there, just around the hull of a fallen ship.”

His voice tightens on the last words.

You remain still for a moment, letting the water hold you, before slowly swimming the rest of the way to the edge of his marui. The woven fibers brush against your forearms as you rest there, close enough now to feel the warmth radiating from him. When you lift your head, your eyes meet his.

The war lives there.

It is etched deep into his gaze, a constant storm he cannot escape. He does not blame himself, not truly, but he needs to. You can see it in the way his jaw clenches, in the tension running through his shoulders. The warrior in him fights endlessly to take control, to push him forward, to force him to keep moving, keep planning, keep attacking. Anything is better than stillness.

Something about the two sides warring inside him resonates with you.

“Sometimes I feel trapped,” you say quietly. “Like no matter what path I take, it is the wrong one. I find myself needing to blame someone else and myself at the same time. But sometimes…” You hesitate, then finish softly. “Sometimes there is no one to blame.”

The ocean hums quietly around you.

Slowly, without thinking too much about it, you lift your hand and rest it against his knee, partly submerged in the water. The contact is light, tentative.

He flinches instantly.

His reflexes take over as his hand snaps around your wrist. For a split second, his grip is firm, automatic, the response of a soldier who has survived too many close calls. Then he realizes what he is doing.

His hold loosens immediately.

You realize he is not hurting you. He never meant to. His hand trembles slightly as he releases you, fingers lingering for half a second too long before pulling back. He looks startled, almost ashamed.

“Sorry,” he mutters.

You shake your head gently. “It is alright.”

He exhales, dragging a hand down his face. Up close, he looks exhausted. Not just tired, but worn down to the bone. Like something inside him has been pacing a cage for too long with nowhere left to go.

“I do not know how to stop fighting,” he admits. “If I stop, I think I will fall apart.”

You nod, understanding more than you want to.

“Maybe fighting does not always mean attacking,” you offer. “Maybe sometimes it just means surviving the night.”

Jake looks at you then, really looks at you. There is no answer in his eyes, only the quiet recognition of someone who knows exactly what you mean.

After a moment, you pull your hand back and ease away from the marui.

“I should go,” you say softly.

He does not stop you.

You slip back into the water, letting the sea close around you, and swim toward the distant silhouette of the ship. The sounds of the village fade behind you, replaced by the steady rhythm of your own breathing. When you reach the docking bay, you guide your avatar body into its restraints, the familiar hum of machinery surrounding you once more.

They developed a friendship which eventually becomes a romance.

The Plate of Eclipses by Tam_Cranver

Yusuf and Nicolo in Bukhara in 1120 trying to solve a fun mystery & survive having feelings for each other. This has everything to me: delightful characterisation, cute friendship, them both being gay disasters, lots of yearning, a very cool medieval mystery plot and writing which made Bukhara in 1120 feel like a real living breathing city I could walk into. I re-read this very regularly I love it so.

The Other Matter by Survivah

Skip and hop through multiple decades as Nicolo and Yusuf slowly make their way from where they started to becoming lovers. Nicolo agonizes a lot. I am pretty sure this is a fandom classic at this point, seeing as it was posted very early on and I'm not sure I don't know anyone who hasn't read it, and for a good reason! It is excellent. There is also The Dragon by the same author which has a very similar idea except they're friends which benefits. Both fics are fantastic.

(don't) blame it on the moonlight by @bewires

Five times Nicolo and Yusuf faked being in a relationship and two times it was real. Who doesn't love a well written ye olde historical fake relationship?? I love this a lot and i think the characterisations are excellent also. Just a really fun concept well written!

No Words Necessary by Jordanisonfire

Just a really well executed slow-burn, starting from when they die in Jerusalem and ending when they're in a relationship after a long while has passed. For whatever reason I have never been very drawn to fics that cover the whole journey from Jerusalem to them getting together (I like to jump around I guess? have the fic be more In medias res) but this one I like a lot. Great characterisation, interesting backstories, good writing, delicious slow burn... what's not to like?

The Lamp of Nicholas by Viridianpanther.

Yusuf and Nicolo parted ways some time after making peace. It has now been 25 years and Yusuf is imprisoned, and of course Nicolo ends up involved. Have not read this in ages but remember it being really lovely and fairytale-like. I am also not usually a huge fan of 'it took them decades to get together'-fics but some times it works and this is definitely one of the times!

They start with hate fucking (or at least fucking before they're friends) but OOPS it turns into feelings.

life is a gradual series of revelations by @emjee

Fucking to pass the time ends up becoming a bigger emotional problem than either of them could have guessed. Funny how that happens! Somehow simultaneously hilarious and completely devastating. Starts really light but ends somewhere very emotional by the end. Also the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend companion songs are perfect.

nothing but love on my mind by @bewires

They're not friends but Nicolo is down bad and Yusuf decides to let him hit it even though he finds Nicolo deeply unromantic (but not unsexy, unfortunately for him). Again this is very delightful to me. I love Nicky's terrible pickup lines and I love how weak Yusuf is for them. Just a really funny dynamic to me. And the ending is cute!

Sticking Points by KushielsMercy

Just lots and lots of them being very mean and very funny and hate-fucking each other for ten years. Not usually my favourite dynamic for them but this fic I like, particularly because they both come across as huge assholes and somehow here it is fun for me to imagine. Also the feelings when they do happen warm my heart.

They became insane about each other before they could even speak the same language

Covenant by Delphi

Joe and Nicky on the banks of Euphrates on the way to Baghdad swearing eternal loyalty and lowkey getting married very soon after meeting. Short but really very powerful piece. Again one that I return to regularly, because it is so SO good.

Kneeled in Shaking Thrill by Pagian

Yes, this one was gifted to me, yes I am biased but who doesn't want to imagine Joe and Nicky falling in love and making love even before they can really talk with each other? I sure do, and this is such a gorgeous take on the concept. The sex scene is soooo beautiful i can't deal with it.

Morning Prayers by me, lol

Can you tell I love this concept? Feel free to ignore this horrendous self-rec but this is the only get together fic i have written and also i think the concept is good so there you go. Yusuf is having morning after anxieties about what having sex with Nicolo means for them but unfortunately they can't talk about it because of said language barrier. Anxiety ensues.

Timey wimey magic was involved (the AU section)

If Never Again If Every Day, by @gallifreyburning and @takiki16

Post Tog1, through mysterious magic Nicolo from 1099 and Nicky from 2021 change places in time. Nicolo from 1099 ends up in San Fransico with Joe and the gang and Nicky from 2021 ends up at the siege of Jerusalem right after he killed Yusuf that first time. Is this strictly canon compliant? No! But it is set during when they meet and does also include multiple versions of them getting together for the first time so I am allowing it on here. And it's an incredible fic, so who is gonna argue with me. If i can put INAIED on a reclist i will. And it made sense here bc it is not the only one excellent timey wimey get together fic there is also.

Retrograde by @pinkninjapj

Another absolute fandom classic. Nicky gets displaced in time every time he dies so he experiences their life non-linerally while Joe goes about it the normal way. Devastating and also incredible. If you haven't read Retrograde what are you doing. Guaranteed to make you very emotional (in the best way possible). Also includes them getting together but of course it is more complex than that.

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Bonus extra rec: Summerwind by @non-un-topo