I've been reading (a little too much) fanfiction since I became obsessed with Phantom early in winter, and since AO3 doesn't really have convenient folder management system, I'll use this as an excuse to (somewhat) systematise what I've read so far. Almost all the stories are multichapter bar a couple; I've tried to tag the authors I know are on tumblr, but if you spot anyone not tagged, please let me know and I'll edit it.
Unsung - wheel of fish @wheel-of-fics (I don't even know what to say, by far the best PotO fic I've ever read, one of the best fics full stop, I loved it so much, this is what happened after the ALW musical events, and not LND, as far as I'm concerned)
Red death riding (highwayman AU that had me singing Loreena McKennitt's rendition of 'Highwayman' for ages, and get the British Library's book on notorious highwaymen of the past; in progress), Out of the woods (modern AU with Erik as a US vet - a good mix of mystery, romance, sadness and sweetness), A Lasting spring (set post ALW events, Erik x Original character, Josephine, whom I utterly adore) - all absolutely great stories by wheel of fish @wheel-of-fics
Battered dove - Battydings @battydings (another modern AU with Christine as a drug addict, angsty, well-written and all around a good story; I'm surprised how much I enjoy modern AUs for this ship in general, and not so surprising, but still interesting how many different shades the kidnapping plot can play out within this pair; personally, as long as it steers clear of Fowles' "Collector" dynamic with the collector's empty loveless need to possess someone as a pretty trinket, I'm very interested in exploring it)
Like and Subscribe - ShameWithoutSin (a perfect modern AU with Leroux-leaning Erik, who kidnaps Christine, and is absolutely terrified of her; in progress)
Scarlet as a rose - MultiColoredRosePetals (the most fanfic-y story on the list, but very sweet, and perhaps fits the tropes that push my buttons specifically)
Between the Lines - Les_gnossiennes @les-gnossiennes-fantomatiques (the hottest story ever, Leroux compliant in the best way possible)
Tristan and Isolde - catcorsair @catcorsair (Erik/Sorelli oneshot: attractive, raw, leaves something hole shaped in my chest upon finishing; this author's works in general are in equal parts batshit crazy and hot)
Sympathy - ashadeintheshade @ashadeintheshade (Veterinary doc Christine modern AU; shortest one on this list, and quite perfect in every way) Home for Christmas - Not A Ghost3 @notaghost3 (a sweet Christmas strangers-stranded-in-the-snowstorm and there-was-only-one-bed story; in progress)
Pilgrim Soul - Mertens (just to finish off with something angsty with a happy ending (most of Christine/Erik stories I read tbh), a 70s nurse Christine AU inspired by a b&w film Voice of the Whistler - it's always extra fun for me when fics get me to go and watch a film or read poetry or learn something new like BSL - which I was 'prodded' to do by two different fics aready!)
Future reading list (for my own reference, but perhaps someone else might find useful): City of angels (ashadeintheshade), Fly Agaric (Les gnossiennes), A Stroll on Sunday (Antiquarianne) (completely random, but I read somewhere that Lindsay Ellis referred to this fic at some point - I don't know how accurate it is; anyway, as her phantom videos were part of my gateway to phandom, it adds to the interest for me), By Starlight (wheel_of_fish), Like Pulling Teeth (catcorsair), So Fair a Gift (bespin_clouds), Regret Like Tears (FieryPen37), Soft Place to Fall (ponderinfrustration), What Happens in Vegas (ShameWithoutSin), Gustave Daae's daughter (Mertens), The Nanny (Mertens), The Eater (Battydings), Made of Stone (Morrigan24601), All the things yet to come (Comet19)
These works seem interesting, but I'm scared of how long they are: Shadow Government (Quiet2885), Fraternité (Gondolier), Новые звуки (Жаворонок87)
What phantom has brought me (apart from the community of friends and like-minded people): I'm slowly learning BSL (slowly seems to describe a lot of my activities nowadays), signing up for French starting next academic year, if I'm still as enthusiastic about this; and now have a desire to sew a costume myself, although with this one I'm completely out of my depths, and it will likely stay as a long-lasting wish either forever, or at least for a very long time. Ah, also quite a few films added to the watchlist, poetry (it seems poto authors are particularly partial to Yeats) and, of course, classic (and-not-so-classic) music! You guys had me listening to Satie's Gnossiennes, Gluk's Orfeo ed Euridice, múm and lots of Bach as of late.
