#shealwaysrecs

Conditions of Absolute Reality by StarlingDust | @starling-dust

E | 26k | hangster | Getting Together, Canonical Character Death, Lack of Communication, Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD

Summary: The moment they’d bundled Bradley into the medical bay and the heady cocktail of elation and relief and pride had quieted its song in his bloodstream, a strange sense of detachment had descended on him. Two weeks later, it still hasn’t lifted. Bradley feels like he’s been watching the world from behind a thick pane of frosted glass—everything muffled and faraway and just beyond his reach.

If anything, the nightmares are a relief, because at least they feel real.

Maybe it’s his mind trying to protect itself from the trauma. Maybe the bailout rattled his brain harder than anyone realised. Maybe, he thinks, letting his head fall to one side to catch a glimpse of the unfamiliar landscape peeking through the gap in the curtains, it’s just the surreality of everything that’s come after. Like ending up here, in Jake Seresin's childhood home.

I read this fic at the cusp of the New Year and I fell in love immediately. It's so completely believable, capturing the authentic fallout of canon events as well as creating side-characters so well-rounded and full of life you'll feel like you know them. It's a gorgeous meditation on Bradley and how loss and the anticipation of loss has shaped him, and how the sparkling-jagged dynamic between him and Jake could soften into something safe enough to make a future in. It also explores the kind of Jake that exists outside of the context of Top Gun and aviation; he's exactly himself but so much more, too. To quote from my comment: It's a tender, warm, aching, grief-and-hope-filled fic, and it was a genuine joy to read.

Go forth to read, and delight, and comment!

Perfume line recs 1/?

Frequency of You by thatadrenalinejunkie

Hangster | E | 9.2k | Alternate Universe, DJ! Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Naval Aviator! Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, Inspired by Music, Clubbing, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, anonymous DJ, Condoms, flip fucking, Dirty Talk, Natasha "Phoenix" Trace is Hot

Summary: He grins into his drink, sips at something cold and hazy and unidentifiable, though definitely alcoholic.

And honestly? He's gonna need the drink. This music isn't his thing—too electric, too synthetic, too much like being inside a glitching computer—but he promised he'd come. Not that he had much of a choice, what with Nat dragging him here for their joint leave.

The crowd starts to swell toward the DJ booth. Natasha grabs his wrist and pulls him in closer, into the crush of it all, already vibrating with anticipation.

Whoever this "Hangman" guy is, he better be worth it.

--

Or, the one where Bradley gets dragged to a club in London and discovers that sometimes the music—and the DJ—are worth sticking around for.

Ok so if you want something vibey, something sexy, something that captures the thrum of bass and the joy of dancing in a crowd then this fic is for you. Before I get into the hangster of it all it's important that you note the 'Natasha Trace is hot' tag and ready yourself because YES she is, and she's also the best wingwoman in the world. (HOW she goes home solo is a mystery) Bradley's POV is gorgeous in this - confident and out of his depth all at once - and Jake is amazing as the technically brilliant maestro of the underground club scene. With THE coolest gimmick. The unmasking is everything you dream of: hot, a little vulnerable, surprisingly tender. And the sex scene is delicious. ALSO: click the link to the playlist in the author notes at the start of the fic - SO good and the perfect soundtrack for this fic!

Go forth to read, and delight, and comment!

Moodboard series 1/?

True North by chemtrailbluez | @chemtrailbluez

T | 5.9k | Road Trips, Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Holidays, Fluff, Family Fluff, slider is bradley's unofficial uncle, slider is also from fargo, midwest is best babey!

Summary: The drive between San Diego, California and Fargo, North Dakota is twenty-seven hours long. They've completed about twenty of it so far.

or, Bradley takes Jake to this year's family Thanksgiving get-together.

I read this fic in November and it was the perfect winter read: full of snow and freezing air, and so much love and tenderness amidst easy bickering and the push-pull of Jake and Bradley even at their most connected.

Go forth to read, and delight, and comment!

Book cover series 1/?

Characters of No Illusion by intrepidjourneys | @intrepidjourneys

Hangster | T | 3k | Getting Together, New Year's Resolutions, Panic Attacks, Comfort, Love Confessions

Summary: Instead, he breaks the silence with, “Out here making your New Year’s resolution?” It takes a moment for Bradshaw to respond. When he does, it’s gruff and quiet. “It’s the fifth. I think I was supposed to make that a few days ago.” “Not too late. There’s a grace period.” “That so?” Bradshaw muses distantly.

Jake and Bradley work on their resolutions together.

This was one of the first fics I read in the hangster fandom - in fact in my comment (back in January last year!) I mention 'not going here' but following the link from Tumblr to the fic and loving it. It's a gorgeous, insightful exploration of Jake's pov on their relationship up to the mission. It gives depth and nuance to Jake's character, and the call and response he receives from Bradley in this is gorgeous. All of it set against the very realistic emotional fallout of the mission. It was a lot of fun dreaming up a tea blend inspired by this fic - I wanted to keep it true to the feelings and associations I get when reading it, but also make it something I think would be nice to drink!

Go forth to read, and delight, and comment!

Tea series 1/?

the other harry’s happiness

Harry visited the Mirror daily at the Tate Magique. Even among the noisy, nosy tourists, nobody stared at the Mirror like Harry did. Not even Harry understood the hours he spent lost in it, glued to his other self’s mundane domesticity. How could his soul’s desire be breakfast with Malfoy?

Matching Pair

Harry Potter was possibly the last person Draco had expected to find standing at the foot of his favorite portrait at the Tate Magique. And yet, there he is, looking incredibly fit and monopolizing the attentions of the portrait. It's not bloody fair.

Saltwater Stain

Seven days stuck on a boat investigating a rogue ghost wouldn't be so bad if Harry didn't want Draco so much. Draco has his rules and Harry's content to follow them, but the air feels different away from the shore. Is it possible that the sea could offer Harry something impossible on land?

In the Garden After Dark

Unspeakables work in teams of three, but when Draco and Harry lost their third, Draco left too. Now he's back, Illusion magic stronger than ever, and Harry is less lonely in his arms.

@the-starryknight is a gentle yet powerful force of nature! They are an exceptionally talented writer who imbues every fic (from 50 word microfic to longform story) with nuance, depth, invigorating sensuality, elegant detail, and thrilling experimentation. On top of all of that writerly talent, they are also a gifted ficbinder, brilliant fest mod, and a deeply generous fandom citizen—having started the wonderful TLC Tuesday and sharing so many recs and thoughtful insights into the fandom experience. Dip into the beautifully crafted worlds that Starry has shared with us and you’re guaranteed to walk away from the experience enriched and inspired—if you’re already familiar with their writing you’ll be reminded of the beauty of their work, and if you’re new then you’ll be deeply overjoyed to discover their wonderful back catalogue on ao3!

Read all of the-starryknight's work here on Ao3 and don’t forget to follow them here @the-starryknight 🤍

Sports Star

Life as a professional Quidditch player involves a strict routine, and more hydration than Harry could have imagined. He's happy to follow the rules, but he does keep one little strategy to himself, his secret to success on the pitch. Unfortunately, that secret is about to be exposed to Draco Malfoy.

As Easy As That

Trust Potter to be the target of a rogue bonding spell from a crazed fan. Trust Draco to try and leap in front of it.

Receipts

Pansy and Ginny have made a stupid wager and Draco may be the one who comes away a winner.

Beneath the Wave

Harry is done with a life in the spotlight. No more adventures, no more mortal peril. He wants a quiet life of food and friends, and family. He even manages to have it for a while, until suddenly there are giant rabbits that need ferrying to a mysterious island, and a handsome Draco Malfoy, and Harry's right back in the middle of the action again, despite his best efforts.

@moonflower-rose is that brilliantly cool and talented friend we all wish we had, and treasure when we find—and her writing captures so much of that bright energy, fantastic humour, and wise generosity of spirit that makes her so special.

The first of her fics I ever read was her erised, and what a delicious treat it was—full of such perfect descriptions of food I could almost taste it, and characters so beautifully realised and with such sparkling dialogue I felt like I could reach out and touch them.

Whether it’s the rare and remarkable knack for making you snort or laugh out loud as you read, or the deft expression of emotions with such scope it takes you out at the knees, @moonflower-rose’s writing is rich and ripe with perfectly observed details that create an immersive experience that will absolutely leave you blissed out (and also, scorchingly, achingly, fiercely hot under the collar).

If you haven’t dipped your toe into her brilliant fics yet, then today’s the day, and if you’re already familiar with her brilliant writing then now’s the perfect time to head to ao3 for a treat of a re-read!

Read all of Moonflower-rose's fics here on Ao3 and don’t forget to follow her here @moonflower-rose🤍

Take You Made

"Draco didn’t believe in soulmates, but Harry Potter was the closest thing he had to one, so he was just going to keep pushing those inconvenient loving thoughts aside until one day he could learn how to get rid of them for good."

Or: Draco Malfoy has FEELINGS in a wardrobe, and Harry Potter has a wank (or two).

Our Little Life

Sometimes Harry dreams. Only they're not really dreams at all, and Malfoy is always in them.

It's time travel, but not as we know it, and Harry just needs a good night's sleep.

Modern Love

Harry Potter, of all people, knows that life isn’t always fair. And no one gets to be happy all of the time. But surely there’s something more—something better—than a rubbish Ministry job, and a lonely old house, and that feeling that everyone out there is doing a better job of living than Harry is.

And it really doesn’t seem fair that Draco Malfoy is back in Harry’s life, all of a sudden, and even though he’s wandless, and living with Muggles, and making his mother cry with his lifestyle choices, he’s happy. So what's he doing right, that Harry isn’t? 

Because things don’t really change, do they? And if Harry can’t be happy, he’ll settle for a good night’s sleep, some posh antiques, and the opportunity to find out what Malfoy has been up to for all these years.

And that’s what starts it all.

Between the Power Lines

For Harry Potter, all roads eventually lead to Draco Malfoy.

Or: this is not an AU! It's just Harry and Draco meeting by chance in an imported food shop in Connecticut and going on a road trip together. Featuring motels, cacti, Americana, and a hefty dose of pining.

@tackytigerfic is one of my oldest fandom friends, kind and generous and deeply thoughtful, and also a writer that I’ve wildly adored since I first read Take You Made way back when I first came back to the fandom (before I actually met them, its our ‘how we got together’ fic)

Their writing never fails to deliver what a dear friend fondly termed the ‘heartkick’—effortlessly taking your breath away with a casual lick of marmalade from thumb, or the flicker of a pulse, and sketching out the vast scope of history and love in the most intimate and well-observed details. Experimenting, and always clarifying their voice and tone, I feel like I could spot a Tacky fic at twenty paces, there’s something inimitable in their use of language and evocation of emotion that never fails to hook me completely, brain and heart.

If you haven’t read any of Tacky’s fics yet, do yourself a kindness and get stuck in today—you’ll adore every word, and find yourself thinking of their redolent imagery and insightful characterisation long after you’ve finished.

Read all of tackytiger’s fics here on Ao3 and don’t forget to follow them here @tackytigerfic 🤍

paneville

Pansy/Neville, anyone? 👀

Fly Me to the Moon (and on Ao3 here)

Harry has a problem. A loud problem. A problem that happens to live just next door and enjoys singing way too much. And frankly, they're TERRIBLE at it!

ginsy with ice cream

a lil experiment

drarry auror partners

drarry auror partners trope, anyone??

@caroll-in is both wildly talented and incredibly lovely - and you can see it in her art. It’s full of vibrant colour, joyful detail, and characters who are so alive it feels like they’ll leap off the screen. Immediately recognisable, her art puts a smile on my face every time I see it, and when I know there’s a new piece in the works I get giddy with excitement for another peek into the wonderful world of her imagination.

Every piece is so incredibly full of story and feeling, @caroll-in can make you laugh and make you cry and make you glad of both. Her comics are brilliantly conceived—clever, funny, and gorgeous. I want to live in the worlds @caroll-in creates, I want to watch them on tv or at the movies—her art is peak romantic comedy with the perfect loving core that makes it all stay with you, enriching your day and warming your heart. If you aren’t familiar with her work yet—including her incredible rare pairs—then take this as a sign to dive into her Tumblr and Ao3 and revel in the joy of it!

See all of caroll-in’s work here on Ao3 and don’t forget to follow her here @caroll-in🤍