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Fandom should always strive to be better. Proud participant in the End OT3 Racism campaign, which called on OTW (@transformativeworks) to address harassment and racist abuse on AO3 and to encourage fans and members of AO3 to push for change and make fandom a better and more welcoming space for all. Read the call to action to learn more about the campaign. Check out this post for a brief rundown of some of the reactions.
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“for me, winning the euros has the same value as winning the world cup” okay and for me winning the local turkey trot has the same value as winning an olympic gold medal
IM GOING YO CRY. I am so. My got my god my god. Leo is crying. He is crying. He didn’t cry like this when he won the cup. He only looked like this when he basically broke his ankle
So, I got an anon a few weeks ago asking what my favourite hc for how Joe and Nicky got together was. I realised then that I don't have any one interpretation that I prefer, but instead many that I love in equal measure. As compelling as their canon backstory is, it is also very vague vis-à-vis the timeframe or the dynamic of their early relationship. This has of course been great fanfic fodder. Here is a reclicst focused on the various ways these two could have gotten together and my favourite takes on them. All mostly emotionally centred around them getting together, all canon tl (well, more or less) and separated in thematic categories. Behind the cut because this is long as hell
They developed a friendship which eventually becomes a romance.
The Plate of Eclipses by Tam_Cranver
Yusuf and Nicolo in Bukhara in 1120 trying to solve a fun mystery & survive having feelings for each other. This has everything to me: delightful characterisation, cute friendship, them both being gay disasters, lots of yearning, a very cool medieval mystery plot and writing which made Bukhara in 1120 feel like a real living breathing city I could walk into. I re-read this very regularly I love it so.
The Other Matter by Survivah
Skip and hop through multiple decades as Nicolo and Yusuf slowly make their way from where they started to becoming lovers. Nicolo agonizes a lot. I am pretty sure this is a fandom classic at this point, seeing as it was posted very early on and I'm not sure I don't know anyone who hasn't read it, and for a good reason! It is excellent. There is also The Dragon by the same author which has a very similar idea except they're friends which benefits. Both fics are fantastic.
(don't) blame it on the moonlight by @bewires
Five times Nicolo and Yusuf faked being in a relationship and two times it was real. Who doesn't love a well written ye olde historical fake relationship?? I love this a lot and i think the characterisations are excellent also. Just a really fun concept well written!
No Words Necessary by Jordanisonfire
Just a really well executed slow-burn, starting from when they die in Jerusalem and ending when they're in a relationship after a long while has passed. For whatever reason I have never been very drawn to fics that cover the whole journey from Jerusalem to them getting together (I like to jump around I guess? have the fic be more In medias res) but this one I like a lot. Great characterisation, interesting backstories, good writing, delicious slow burn... what's not to like?
The Lamp of Nicholas by Viridianpanther.
Yusuf and Nicolo parted ways some time after making peace. It has now been 25 years and Yusuf is imprisoned, and of course Nicolo ends up involved. Have not read this in ages but remember it being really lovely and fairytale-like. I am also not usually a huge fan of 'it took them decades to get together'-fics but some times it works and this is definitely one of the times!
They start with hate fucking (or at least fucking before they're friends) but OOPS it turns into feelings.
life is a gradual series of revelations by @emjee
Fucking to pass the time ends up becoming a bigger emotional problem than either of them could have guessed. Funny how that happens! Somehow simultaneously hilarious and completely devastating. Starts really light but ends somewhere very emotional by the end. Also the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend companion songs are perfect.
nothing but love on my mind by @bewires
They're not friends but Nicolo is down bad and Yusuf decides to let him hit it even though he finds Nicolo deeply unromantic (but not unsexy, unfortunately for him). Again this is very delightful to me. I love Nicky's terrible pickup lines and I love how weak Yusuf is for them. Just a really funny dynamic to me. And the ending is cute!
Sticking Points by KushielsMercy
Just lots and lots of them being very mean and very funny and hate-fucking each other for ten years. Not usually my favourite dynamic for them but this fic I like, particularly because they both come across as huge assholes and somehow here it is fun for me to imagine. Also the feelings when they do happen warm my heart.
They became insane about each other before they could even speak the same language
Covenant by Delphi
Joe and Nicky on the banks of Euphrates on the way to Baghdad swearing eternal loyalty and lowkey getting married very soon after meeting. Short but really very powerful piece. Again one that I return to regularly, because it is so SO good.
Kneeled in Shaking Thrill by Pagian
Yes, this one was gifted to me, yes I am biased but who doesn't want to imagine Joe and Nicky falling in love and making love even before they can really talk with each other? I sure do, and this is such a gorgeous take on the concept. The sex scene is soooo beautiful i can't deal with it.
Morning Prayers by me, lol
Can you tell I love this concept? Feel free to ignore this horrendous self-rec but this is the only get together fic i have written and also i think the concept is good so there you go. Yusuf is having morning after anxieties about what having sex with Nicolo means for them but unfortunately they can't talk about it because of said language barrier. Anxiety ensues.
Timey wimey magic was involved (the AU section)
If Never Again If Every Day, by @gallifreyburning and @takiki16
Post Tog1, through mysterious magic Nicolo from 1099 and Nicky from 2021 change places in time. Nicolo from 1099 ends up in San Fransico with Joe and the gang and Nicky from 2021 ends up at the siege of Jerusalem right after he killed Yusuf that first time. Is this strictly canon compliant? No! But it is set during when they meet and does also include multiple versions of them getting together for the first time so I am allowing it on here. And it's an incredible fic, so who is gonna argue with me. If i can put INAIED on a reclist i will. And it made sense here bc it is not the only one excellent timey wimey get together fic there is also.
Retrograde by @pinkninjapj
Another absolute fandom classic. Nicky gets displaced in time every time he dies so he experiences their life non-linerally while Joe goes about it the normal way. Devastating and also incredible. If you haven't read Retrograde what are you doing. Guaranteed to make you very emotional (in the best way possible). Also includes them getting together but of course it is more complex than that.
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Bonus extra rec: Summerwind by @non-un-topo
an AU where Yusuf and Nicolo were childhood friends in canon tl. And yes it is as devastating as it sounds. This is here at the end because it doesn't really fit any of the categories (and it's not really about them getting together romantically really, but much more focused on other aspects of them and their relationship) but i love it a LOT and i could not in good consciousness not include it in a fic about their meetings and backstories. And it's excellent!!!
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i know we all know this but kind of fucking killer how purposeful the parallels are between max and vane in s2 in regards to their relationship to eleanor how vane is so clearly the uncivilized part of eleanor that she loves bc he makes her feel so powerful and she kills him eventually and max sees all that...and says the only way to move forward is to drown the cat. max sees eleanor drown the cat without knowing exactly what she's doing and max understands it and articulates it and follows suit Almost to a tee....except that with anne (who is so much like vane in so many ways) instead of literally killing her (or rather after trying to kill anne failed) max domesticates her puts that uncivilized violent pirate on a cute little pirate ship subordinate to herself and to the british governor of nassau. max is every day inventing new ways to drown the cat
Switzerland, Colombia, I must apologize but you two are going to have to sort it out amongst yourselves. Not only do I have work but I have nothing left in me.
Switzerland, Colombia, I must apologize but you two are going to have to sort it out amongst yourselves. Not only do I have work but I have nothing left in me.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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Switzerland, Colombia, I must apologize but you two are going to have to sort it out amongst yourselves. Not only do I have work but I have nothing left in me.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
IM GOING YO CRY. I am so. My got my god my god. Leo is crying. He is crying. He didn’t cry like this when he won the cup. He only looked like this when he basically broke his ankle
