#fshenko fic

Fanfic Recs: Part 1

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Part 2 FShenko recs

Part 3 FShenko recs

This is my first of several fShenko multi-chapter fanfic recommendation posts.  I would have loved to include all my recs in one post, but I didn’t want to hide anyone under the cut. 

This list is in no particular order.  I’m only including multichapter fics. Many of these writers have a backlist of amazing stories, but I only chose one to showcase.

If I’ve read your fic and you don’t see it on the list, it’s not because it wasn’t amazing and isn’t worth recommending.  It either slipped my mind, or it may be on an upcoming part of my list.  I’ve included a few non-fShenko fics later on, but those are marked.

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Echoes of Old Embers by @ripley95

Details: Post-ME 3, 50k words, complete

Summary:  After Shepard lives from the war, one of her biggest regrets was rejecting Kaidan at Apollo’s. Fate has a funny way of bringing Jane and Kaidan back into each other’s lives. A misunderstanding with Kaidan’s family makes him and Shepard relive old history and question where they stand.

What I love about it:  This is an amazing, heart-warming story with a lot of character depth and sweetness.  This authors writes one of my favorite versions of Kaidan Alenko. He's considerate and kind.  I love how her Jane Shepard and Kaidan complement each other so well.  Their romance is mature, deep, and heart-felt.  

One of the areas this story shines (among many!) is with the original characters.  Kaidan’s three sister and mom are distinct, layered, and bring background and warmth to the story.  If you’re looking for a love story with deep meaning and family-feels, this is a must-read.

Triquetra by @hollyem

Details: Spans ME 1 to ME 3, 17k words, complete

Summary:  Triquetra: a three-sided shape; a symbol representing the power of three.  The Mass Effect story has three possible endings, but it also has three possible beginnings. 

What I love about it:  The premise for this story is fascinating!  I love the dichotomy with ME having three possible ending and three possible beginnings.  What if Kaidan or Ash touched the beacon?  The characters are so well-written and true to the game. The three storylines braid together perfectly, and I love the contrast between circumstances as the stories unfold.

This story does a fantastic job delving into possible outcomes and spinning a unique tale for each of the three beacon-touched protagonists.  This story had me constantly guessing.  It subverted my expectations at every turn, and I loved that!  Who dies on Virmire?  What happens in ME-2 with Cerberus?  How does the final battle end?  How do the relationships change?  If you’re looking for a compelling story full of possibilities and twists of fate, this is the story for you.

There Won’t be Trumpets by @alphahelices 

Details: Spans ME-1 to ME-3, 13k words, complete

Summary:   While so much of his existence has been surrounded by explosions and gunfire and shouting, Kaidan’s life has been shaped by the silences in between.

What I love about it:  This story is pure beauty! The prose flows like poetry.  The images are vivid and visceral.  They’ll stick with you.  The theme of sounds weaves the story together through all three games.  There are moments that will always stick with me, like Shepard and Kaidan touching helmets to talk on a planet without atmosphere.  

The relationship between Kaidan and Shepard is tender, deep, and at times, beautifully heart-breaking before the eventual joy of reconciliation.  If you love precise, evocative language unfolding a moving love story, then check this out! 

Discovery by @pigeontheoneandonly

Details: ME 1, 475k words, complete, WIP sequel covers ME 2

Summary:  A reimagined Mass Effect 1, that keeps to the spirit of the canon while deepening connections between events and characters, delving into backstories, and expanding the narrative.

What I love about it:  This story builds a foundation of profound friendship between Shepard and Kaidan.  I love a good slow burn where the friendship evolves and galvanizes into bestfriends who are in love.  I always want to be convinced in a story that the leads belong together, and this story leaves no doubts.  They balance and challenge either.  It’s everything I love in a pairing!

Chapters: 6/12 Fandom: Mass Effect, Mass Effect Trilogy Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Summary:

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Sideways

Details: Post-ME 3 (12 years after), action/adventure/romance, original novel in a 5 part series

Status: Currently posting, 250k words currently, first draft already written, part 3 of 5 posting in May

Summary:  Shepard is a family woman, humanitarian, human councilor before she trades timelines with her renegade alter ego. Now she's a hated war criminal who's path of destruction has won her enemies, even from among her greatest friends. 

She must find a piece of rare technology before the returning memories lock her in place forever. Is the way home worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Burning Barriers

Details: Post-ME 3 (6 months after), action/adventure/romance, original novel in a 3 part series

Status: Complete, 300k words

Summary:  Shepard, eager to be aboard the Normandy again, sets off to save the Sol System. Her mission objective is simple: find a piece needed to fix the mass relay. Instead, she finds treachery.

Meanwhile, Kaidan uses his new status as Spectre. The Normandy is missing. Though Shepard let him go, he's determined to help her from afar. He'll face down the Alliance and his own moral principals to save her from death.

About Mars . . .

Details: ME 3, fluff/mild angst/humor, chronologically-connected short-stories filling in the holes of the game

Status: Complete, 65 k words

Summary: Shepard and Kaidan try to rebuild what they’ve lost, but it may be harder than they thought.  Meanwhile, crew antics expound.

Includes the space hamster, matchmaking, good-natured thievery, Christmas presents, midnight conversations, and Shepard trying to be romantic.

About Horizon . . .

Details: ME 2, angst, Kaidan’s side of the story

Status: Complete, 30k words

Summary: How did Kaidan earn three promotions in two years?  Why does he deserve to become Spectre?  Were his words on Horizon justified?  This is Kaidan’s side of the story.

Eighteen Years and Five Months

Details: Post-war (2 years after), fluff/humor

Status: Complete, 10k words

Summary: Eighteen years and five months ago, Shepard lost her home.  Now she’s engaged to Kaidan.  Can she fit into a family again?

The Limited Edition Spaceship

Details: ME1, one-shot, humor, gift for my good friend, ripley95

Status: Compete, 1k words

Fanfic Recs: Part 3

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Part 1 FShenko Recs

Part 2 FShenko Recs

More multi-chapter fShenko (and a few others) fanfics!  Again, this isn’t in any particular order and certainly isn’t an exhaustive list of all the fantastic long fics I’ve read. 

Again, if anyone knows the Tumblr usernames of these AO3 writers, let me know so I can tag them.

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The Twin Paradox by unlmtdsky

Details:  ME-1, 82k words, left open

Summary:  This series features twins John and Sera. John Shepard follows the more standard in-game main story path, while Sera Shepard weaves in and out of John’s arc as she progresses through particular side missions/plot points.

What I love about it:  I appreciate the novel approach of telling ME-1 through the eyes of sibling Shepards.  I love their sibling relationship.  There’s so much to explore about their history with their mom and individual backgrounds.  I love the sweetness between Kaidan and Sera.  Their mutual interest in tech, helping her brother and the mission, and the natural magnetism is spot on.  

Sera’s story outside of captaining the Normandy but serving as a Spectre has me particularly invested.  Already, her history with Akuze is adding so much meaning.  I can’t wait to see where this goes.  Even if the story doesn’t add another chapter, it’s well worth reading this wonderful story.  If you want a interesting and unique spin to the classic ME-1 tale and some fabulous Shenko feels, I recommend pulling up this story.

Golem by @rpgwrites

Details: ME-2, 7k words, left open

Summary:  Miranda did everything in her power to make sure the Lazarus project ran as smoothly as possible. But one thing bothered her. How can they assure Shepard stays in line? That she does what needs to be done. Her one and only answer was a control chip.

What I love about it:  A fascinating premise carried out in a way that raises more questions.  This fic was a gift to me, and I love it.  I always wondered what would have happened if Miranda had put that control chip in Shepard.  Wonder no more! 

I appreciate how the characters are pulled into this story.  Jacob has more depth than the original game gives his character.  This story makes me like him more than I did before.  I actually wish ME-2 had gone down this pathway rather than the way the game actually did.  It’s so much more interesting, and to me, more realistic.  If you’re a fan of a unique spin and exploring the possible pathways of ME-2, read this story!

Messages by @aricazorel   (Kaidan Alenko/OC)

Details: Pre-ME-3, 30k words, complete

Summary:   Kora Reese had been just a LTJG when the Normandy was destroyed by the Collectors. That short tour of duty aboard the SR1 had changed her life in so many ways. Meeting Kaidan Alenko had changed her life in so many ways. Now nearly three years and a heartbreak later, they cross paths again.

What I love about it:  I usually don’t read OC stories, but this one captured me immediately.  Kori is a unique character with tenacity and feeling.  Her skills as an infiltrator and in tech are fun details.  I love how she and Kaidan have a painful history that slowly unfolds as they reunite in the present time.  In the background, the readers know ME-3 and the reaper invasion is fast approaching.  It give their slow, soft reconciliation more poignancy.  

Their exchanged text messages provides not only a nice bit of history and inside joking, but it gives the story a unique flavor.  Moments like their time in Kaidan’s cabin are scenes I still remember.  This is an amazing story, made even better by knowing there’s a sequel that covers their time in ME-3.  If you’re looking to shake up the Shenko feels and discover a new character to love, then read this story right away.

Persephone Rising by @evilsapphyre , jillyfae, Sia (Shenko, Shoker, and Shakarian)

Details:  ME-1, 190k words, left open, 3 different femSheps with their own ship

Summary:  No one gathers three such infamous, dangerous marines together for just a shakedown cruise. So what else could really be going on? And how wrong could things really go in one quick jaunt across the galaxy? Let us count the ways …

What I love about it:  What’s better than one femShep?  Three!  The different background combinations for Shepard creates three unique Shepards aboard the same ship.  One is captain, one is XO, and the other is HUD.  Each has a unique personality, LI, and backstory even beyond the ME-assigned ones.

This story is unique in how it weaves the three POV’s together to tell ME-1.  I love seeing the relationships starting to develop and the hinting at the Shepard's deeper backstory.  Though the story ends mid-ME-1, it’s unique and enjoyable to be fulfilling without the tight bow.  If you want a fascinating spectrum of possibilities in ME-1 told in one amazing tale, this is a story worth picking up.

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Sideways Part 3

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Chapter 5:

In the Moonlight

Fandom: Mass Effect Trilogy, post-war

Pairing: Femshep/Kaidan Alenko

Rating: Mature

Available:  AO3 (beginning, new ch)

Summary:  She is a peaceful politician who loves her family. The other’s a hated renegade at the center of war. Trapped in the others’ timeline, it’s a race to find the impossible before getting locked in place forever. Is the way home worth the ultimate sacrifice?

He threw a glass stone he’d been rolling in his fingers into the water.  It sank with a splash of ripples.  

“You must miss your daughter, Shepard.”  

It was a prompt. A statement more than a question.

“Every day.”  Shepard skipped a flat stone across the purple water.

Kaidan’s eyes sharped on the trail of pinprick ripples.  His brow wrinkled.

“It’s easier to not think about it,” Shepard said.  “Keep telling myself, I’ll get back.  It’s nothing different than a long tour of duty.  Only, I haven’t been on a tour of duty in ten years.  I’ve never gone this long without seeing her.”

Kaidan palmed a glass rock in his hand.  “The Sol Relay going down was the longest I’ve gone without seeing Leida.  Even then, I talked to her on comm.  I can’t even imagine, Shepard.  Maybe I shouldn’t have asked.”

“I used to think it was better to ignore things that hurt.  Even now, some things are buried too deep to touch.  Mindoir.  The rest of it, I realized it’s better to face.  I don’t mind you asking.”  She gave him a half-smile and skipped another stone across the reflection of the moon.

“You picked up how to skip rocks, eh, Shepard?”  Kaidan skipped his own rock along her trail of ripples.

“I’ve spent some time skipping stones.”  She flashed him a smile.

“Now you beat me at skipping stones.  You leave me nothing to brag about, except for knowing you.”

“I can even make a better steak.”

Fanfic Recs: Part 2

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Part 1 FShenko Recs

Part 3 FShenko Recs

These aren’t in any particular order and are all multi-chapter fics I’ve read and loved.  I’ve only included one story per writer, but many of these writers have a whole list of amazing fics.

Also, I don’t know if some of these writers have Tumblr.  If anyone knows their usernames, let me know.  I can tag them.

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For Small Creatures Such as Thee by recklessly_confined

Details:  Post-ME 3 to ME 1 (in that order!), 200k, complete

Summary:  Sometimes it takes knowing the ending to better appreciate the beginning. A lengthy exploration of Jane Shepard and Kaidan Alenko’s relationship, unwinding its way back to the start.

What I loved about it:  This story is so unique!  The story begins with Shepard and Kaidan’s daughter planting a tree on Virmire in to honor of their lives together.  Then the story goes scene by scene backward all the way to beginning!  

Despite knowing what happens in the past, the slow progression back into their history only stoked my anticipation.  There’s so much meaning created as their relationship leads up to the first meeting.  If you want a unique look at the trilogy with an epic perspective of developing love and connection, this is not to be missed.

In My Life by @letticiae

Details:  Pre-ME 1 into the trilogy period, AU, 260k, left open

Summary:  AU where the Alenkos decide to foster a sixteen-year-old girl after an Alliance patrol led by Kaidan's father rescues her on Mindoir. Shenko. From pre-ME1 to post-ME3.

What I love about it:  Another fresh take to the trilogy and the Shenko love story!  I had always steered clear of AU’s for whatever reason, but reading this story changed my mind completely!  I loved the interesting new angle on their relationship, the characters, and the circumstances leading up to and into the game.  

Their relationship is incredibly complex due to sharing a home with the Alenkos.  I love the role biotics play in bringing them together.  The slow discovery of their feelings is superbly done.  The drama is delicious.  I love every bit of this story.  Though it’s not marked complete, it’s not lacking in any way.  You’ll be happy you read it.  If you’re looking for a fresh take on the trilogy with expanded complexity and history to the Shenko relationship, check this out.

Two and Half Steps by notnowcommander

Details:  Modern AU, 100k, complete

Summary: Following a brutal break up, Kaidan swears a new relationship is the last thing he needs. His roommate Ashley has other ideas. When the new girl in apartment 4A of 2183 Normandy Court moves in, Ashley believes Shepard - a tough and wild personal trainer at the local gym, who ends up at Kaidan’s IT desk more times than the average person - might just be the girl for him.

What I loved about it:  Another tremendous AU!  This one is set in modern time, which at first had me uncertain, but I was immediately won over.  There’s something so fun about waiting for new ME characters to be introduced.  How will they fit into the narrative?  What will their modern alter ego be like?

One of the things I love most is how deep the story delves into Kaidan as a character.  His relationship with Shepard and Ashley (his roommate) is amazing.  James and Miranda . . . don’t even get me started.  I love these characters, their careers, and the unfolding drama in a modern setting.  It’s relatable, original, and compelling.  If you want to celebrate the characters and story in an original and down to Earth way, this is an amazing story you’ll want to read!

After Alchera by @infiltraitor-n7

Details:  ME-2, Kaidan’s POV, 24k, left open

Summary:   A collection of short works in which Kaidan mourns Shepard after the Normandy falls over Alchera, and explores his relationship with her through Alliance-mandated therapy sessions. Takes place after the beginning of Mass Effect 2.

What I loved about it:  This story is absolutely beautiful!  I, honestly, felt like I was reading a story from a literary journal.  The prose was perfectly written.  The characters and dialogue stood out in such a real, present way.  This story creates a deeply moving image of grief as Kaidan struggles with losing Shepard.  It felt so real.  The emotions are astounding and all the more impactful for their subtilty and concrete expression.  

He knows Laurella is back on the ship because the VI announced her arrival but since his sister has not found him by the time he’s done Ragnulf decides to look for her. He doesn’t even get both feet out of the med-bay before he spots her, or rather hears her. In his usual spot Kaidan Alenko stands with a hand covering his face in an attempt to quiet his laughter. Across from him Laurella has her head thrown back in laughter, in no way attempting to control herself. His sister’s joy has always been infectious so Ragnulf doesn’t even realize the smile that has crept to his lips. 

Ragnulf leans against the wall and watches them, happy that his best friend and sister have been able to form a friendship. Laurella’s laughter starts to quiet and she leans forward into Alenko’s space. She holds out her arms as if trying to catch her balance but is a clear offering for contact and Kaidan is smart enough to get the hint. He reaches out and holds both her arms below her elbows, the position drawing their faces suspiciously close together. She says something quietly enough that Ragnulf can’t hear but that Kaidan lets out a final snort at. It’s when Kaidan watches Laurella continue to giggle at her own joke only inches away from his face that Ragnulf sees it. 

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Mass Effect Trilogy Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Kaidan Alenko/Female Shepard, Kaidan Alenko/Shepard Characters: Kaidan Alenko, Laurella Shepard, Female Shepard (Mass Effect) Additional Tags: Sole Survivor (Mass Effect), Colonist (Mass Effect), Fluff, Custom Shepard (Mass Effect), Pillow Talk, Flirting, Body Worship, Fluff and Smut, Fluff and Angst, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Spacer (Mass Effect), Established Relationship Summary: