#jessalae

first charity commission! a scene from the fic Trust Fall by @jessalae 

Why can't it run on love? 

Quentin Coldwater changed everyone’s life at one point or another.

Not just the core group — although they agree their life is better when he’s around.

He’s Julia’s oldest friend, Alice’s first true friend outside of Charlie.

He’s Margo’s best friend. And she’s not going to fail him again.

He helped Kady get out of that mental institution and rescued Poppy from the Fillorian waters. Kady gets her hedges to help as well.

He helped Emily Greenstreet and saved Dr. Lipson when she considered ending it all. Fogg is strong armed into helping, because it’s the least she can do.

He’s Penny 40’s friend and Penny 23 feels like he owes him.

He’s the love of Eliot’s life.

So they’re bringing him back — one way or another.

Magic doesn’t just come from pain, it comes from love as well.

A wise nerd once asked “Why can’t it run on love?”

So that’s how they’ll power the spell. Cooperative magic based on love, affection, friendship.

And they’re going to get their nerd back.

10. Which fic has been the easiest to write?

I'm not sure how we're qualifying easiest. If we're going by fastest, The Earl of Sandwich Was Kind of a Dick was a Yuletide pinch hit I banged out in the hour and a half or so before deadline. But in terms of flowing with ease (and still kind of fast, actually)? Probably Deck the Halls with Daddy Issues, which was written in a mad dash six-hour stretch for an exchange I completely forgot I'd signed up for until the mods prodded me on deadline day — I had to pull an all-nighter to keep the insane "it's almost done, I'll have it in tomorrow!" promise I made without thinking, when I hadn't even started. Ah, misspent youth.

23. If you were to revise one of your older fics from start to finish, which would it be and why?

Oof. Barring any of my unpublished fic in previous fandoms (~200k of OG Roswell fic, I'm looking at you)… Easily Euclidean (The Sacred Geometry of Chance). I had these grand plans of it stretching through the whole film series. I also had a deadline, so I did not stick the landing. It still pains me how more than half of it is exactly what I wanted, and then it just devolves into bigger jumps and broader strokes until the super rushed ending. To make matters worse, my recip had written me a perfect fic in the same fandom for another exchange earlier that year, and I'd really wanted to write something special for them. Someday I will revisit it, and let it be what it always should have been. Hopefully.

Motivation Monday! Tag your favorite fandom creators and let them know what an awesome job they’re doing.

Today I’ll be highlighting two of my favorite writers in the Magicians fandom. There are so many skilled writers in this fandom. I’m highlighting these two because their amazing writing has led me to try tropes/genres outside of my comfort zone and love every second of it.

Author: @hoko-onchi-writes​ AO3: hoko_onchi

Hoko is particularly skilled at making you feel things. Her writing is so genuine and emotional, it sticks with you long after you close AO3. Here’s a few recs:

Best Beware My Sting | Do yourself a favor, cuddle up with a comfy blanket and a nice, warm beverage and live in this fic for a day. At its most simplified, this is a 10 Things I Hate About You AU, but really, it’s so much more. First off, it starts in a coffee shop, and then Quentin and Eliot come together so beautifully in the slowest of burns that will really warm you up. They go through a full, emotionally fulfilling journey and the payoff is oh so good.

godforsaken mess | This is one that I put aside my hesitations for, as it highlights infidelity, normally one of my DNRs. And y’all, I spent so much time stressed, feeling Quentin’s emotions and yearning. This one has stuck with me and will continue to do so. Searing hot angst with a hopeful ending.

protein | Currently a standalone but with a promised follow-up, this is Quentin/Eliot BUT ALSO Quentin/James told through flashback. This one is deliciously spicy, and especially good for getting to see Quentin be the more experienced one with James. Don’t mind me waiting by my subscriptions for the sequel.

Author: @jessalae​ AO3: jessalae

Jessalae is a gift to the fandom. You wanna read something sexy? Look for her works. Like damn. 

our second year at this | The pining, the yearning! Mosaic fic where miscommunications abound—no great surprise, with these two. Immensely satisfying ending.

just the few of us | Here we are at a fic outside my comfort zone: mpreg! Usually not my thing, but ugh, this one is amazing. First of all, a solid premise, love that it’s not too much of a stretch to think a cis man can get pregnant in TM universe. And! The two of them working through their emotions! And having all these sexy moments together! And being dads, UGH! Read it, you’ll love it, trust me.

wanting (was enough) | Quentin’s first time bottoming. Guh. Mosaic fic. Labelled as a PWP but don’t underestimate the depth of emotion, in this and every fic by jessalae.

Feel free to reblog to heap more love on these brilliant writers and/or add your own!

Continuing my Cabin in the Woods/Dana & Marty feels train, I’ve put together a short list of my favorite fic recs for this pairing. Please be advised - all fics on this list are rated T and above according to ao3′s guidelines - most include some mention of blood/gore due to canon setting. Please leave the authors kudos and comments over on AO3! 

La petite mort by @thereadersmuse​ (M/E, 9K+, AU, post-apocalypse, A/B/O dynamics) - Author’s description: “A series containing four related stories following Dana and Marty surviving the compound and the Ancient Ones return.” Hands-down my favorite series/AU for this pairing. Really runs with the “what if they survived” notion and makes a fully fleshed-out alternate universe. Also deals head-on with the fact that Dana is bitten by a werewolf at the end of the canon story and answers the question of “where do we go from here?” I would read more in this AU forever and ever and ever, amen.

Wake by jessalae (E, 2K, AU, post-apocalypse) - Author’s description: “Where do you think we should go from here?” This is a fantastic short piece, taking place right after the final scenes of the movie canon. Excellent characterization and humor, good, short look at what the world could be like *if* they’d survived. Features two of my favorite tropes (oh nooo there’s only one bed!) and a very tender cleaning-the-other’s-wounds scene.

There Was Always Warmth Between Us by oppressa (M, under 1K, canon divergence/missing or alternate scene) - Author’s description: “It's close in the elevator, with Dana held tight against his chest.” UGH. THE ANGST in this one. A take on the elevator scene, featuring frantic closed-space making out (that very quickly leads to more). I’ve read it several times and will read it several more times. It’s just...*chef’s kiss*

turn left by @openemptysummer opensummer (T, 1.5K, canon divergence/AU, 5+1 things) - Author’s description: “It's about choice. Six ways the world didn't end, plus one.” I don’t want to spoil this one by saying too much, but it’s a great take on the 5+1 things fic structure. Each vignette is poetic, poignant, and packs a punch. Read it.

Practice Makes Perfect Sense by @bundyshoes​ (T, under 1K, AU, fluff) - Author’s description: “Just a small fluffy drabble about these two. Could be considered AU or pre-film, whichever.” Dana draws Marty. Short and so sweet. In another world, in another time, it might have been... *sigh*