#personal laura

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1. we could plant a house, we could build a tree by Like_A_Dove 

I’m sure everyone has already read this one by now, but just on the off-chance that there is someone who hasn’t, this one hurts like a bitch. But it hurts so good.

Reylo AU set in the modern universe where Ben is an artist and 9 years older than Rey. Nothing weird happens until they’re both fully grown, no underage hanky-panky anything. The author said it best in her AO3: this fic reads a lot like a love letter to 90's alt rock and emo music. If you are, were, or have ever been punk/emo/scene anything, you’re gonna appreciate this fic so hard.

It’s a long one, so strap in and get ready for the ride. I haven’t been able to re-read this one yet because it was such a roller coaster, but it deserves nothing less than my number one spot.

2.  Bonded by Chridder

This one has a Teen rating. Teen. I know, what’s wrong with me?

But boy, is this one worth the read. I read this slowly over the course of a few days, a little at a time. It’s canonverse, and it’s a lot more satisfying conclusion to Rey and Ben’s story than TROS was for me. It was such a nice fix-it fic, I had to savor it. There are also Mature versions of certain scenes available as a Part 2 in the series.

Basically, this takes place shortly after The Last Jedi. Romance ensues. Rey leads a slavery revolution. Ben has a satisfying redemption arc. Plus, he’s a total softie. Angst, drama, and sexual tension galore.

3. Mountain Springs High School by animal

Reylo high school AU where everything is teenage angst drama and it’s done so well. It features some truly glorious, angsty shit that teenagers really do, and I adore that the author captured that feeling exactly. Like moody prose scribbled on notebook paper in verse form like we were all fucking Pulitzer poets in high school.

First off, this author is my favorite Reylo author of all time. Second of all, I’m obsessed with her characterizations of both Ben and Rey throughout her different works. Her Ben is usually way softer than he has any right to be, and I find her Rey so interesting. Her Rey is always nuanced and imperfect, and if I’m being perfectly blunt, she has a bit of a mean streak.

For some reason, I like it a lot and I find it so refreshing. I think it has something to do with how, in general, Ben Solo is a really outright aggressive character, even as a concept. It’s hard for Rey’s character to not be eclipsed by his character in any setting (even in the Star Wars movies) and that’s why I find this author’s works so captivating.

4.  The office life by animal

Same author as Mountain Springs High School, but this one is unfinished. I’m sorry. I need company in my misery. This fic is so, so good. I can’t stop thinking about it. I keep refreshing her AO3 page everyday hoping she’s updated.

Or, Reylo modern AU in an office setting. Honestly, it reminds me of The Office, as in the TV show, although the author hasn’t outright said that it is.

The author’s tags say it best: “the softest Ben of them all”. Rey’s a straight bitch in this one, I’m not even gonna sugarcoat that. I love it. You should read it.

5.  the heartbreak prince by diasterisms

Reylo Hogwarts AU. The Hogwarts AU to beat all Hogwarts AUs. Something that this author always does very well is expanding upon the universe of her story, and it works extremely well here. This one is also unfinished, and it promises an Explicit rating eventually. The first few chapters that are available have already blown me away.

This author actually has a much more popular canonverse fic, landscape with a blur of conquerors, and I absolutely think it’s worth the read when you have time to sit down and really get into it. There’s a LOT of plot in that fic, though, and sometimes I just really want a good dose of straight Reylo—so that’s why I didn’t end up including it here.

6.  A Comedy of Errors by Crysania

The Reylo holiday Hallmark movie you didn’t know you needed, but now you have. Truly, this one is a gem. Featuring fake girlfriend tropes, holiday mix-ups, one very goth (virgin) Ben Solo, this fic is sure to bring you good cheer and the holiday spirit. It’s a crime that it doesn’t have more hits/kudos. Bite-sized story length, perfect for quick consumption in one sitting.

7.  Finger Food by JenfysNest

This one is extremely NSFW, but that’s extra points in my book. Remember those videos of a woman fingering fruit on Instagram? It’s like that, except the woman is an awkward Ben Solo trying to learn about the anatomy of a woman. It’s glorious. Again, it’s a crime that it doesn’t have more hits/kudos. Another bite-sized story, Reylo modern AU.

8.  Cream by animal

I don’t know how to recommend this one without getting weird looks, but you know I’m a sucker for this author at this point in the list.

Modern Reylo AU where Ben is a cat. He’s a literal cat. He starts shapeshifting into a human at some point. Unclear 25/26 chapters in if this has been a normal occurrence all his life. Much is shrouded in mystery. It’s a cute read, and I will read anything that this author serves me.

A bit of a mommy kink here that I’m not sure how I feel about, but again, I will read anything that this author serves me. This is an unfinished work, with one chapter left in the series.

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