Batman; MCU: If It's A Highway by there_must_be_a_lock
6 May 2026 16:20![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sasheneskywalker posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fancakeFandom: Batman - All Media Types, Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairings/Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes/Jason Todd
Rating: Explicit
Length: 77,145 words
Creator Links:![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p2.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
there_must_be_a_lock
Theme: journey & travel, crossovers/fusions, crossover pairings, slow burn, angst with a happy ending
Summary: Bucky’s been running for a week when the supposedly-untraceable burner phone he stole from a Hydra warehouse starts ringing. He’s in a gas station bathroom off a remote highway close to the Croatian border, getting ready to bleach his hair; the ringtone bounces shrilly off the bare tiles and makes his jaw clench tight.
[Or: the one where Bucky is hired to train Jason, and he ends up learning a thing or two himself.]
Reccer's Notes: One of the best DC/MCU crossover fics I've ever read. I love how the fic explores Jason's and Bucky's perspectives on love, sex, romance, intimacy, trauma, and relationships <3
Content Notes: discussion of past suicidal thoughts, discussion of past underage sex work, allusions to past torture and present canon-typical violence
Fanwork Links: If It's A Highway
Pairings/Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes/Jason Todd
Rating: Explicit
Length: 77,145 words
Creator Links:
Theme: journey & travel, crossovers/fusions, crossover pairings, slow burn, angst with a happy ending
Summary: Bucky’s been running for a week when the supposedly-untraceable burner phone he stole from a Hydra warehouse starts ringing. He’s in a gas station bathroom off a remote highway close to the Croatian border, getting ready to bleach his hair; the ringtone bounces shrilly off the bare tiles and makes his jaw clench tight.
[Or: the one where Bucky is hired to train Jason, and he ends up learning a thing or two himself.]
Reccer's Notes: One of the best DC/MCU crossover fics I've ever read. I love how the fic explores Jason's and Bucky's perspectives on love, sex, romance, intimacy, trauma, and relationships <3
Content Notes: discussion of past suicidal thoughts, discussion of past underage sex work, allusions to past torture and present canon-typical violence
Fanwork Links: If It's A Highway
kingstoken posting in fancakeFandom: Doctor Who
Pairings/Characters: Twelve/Missy (but also Doctor/Master generally)
Rating: Not Rated
Length: 121,404 words
Creator Links: yonderdarling
Theme: Journey & Travel, getting back together
Summary: "He's sitting in a cafe in Vichy France (he was aiming for 2042) and waiting for his lunch when Missy plops down in the chair opposite him." This is an idea they've had before, it's just the first time they've both been able to consider it. The Doctor and Missy try travelling together.
Reccer's Notes: After Twelve loses Clara, Twelve and Missy try travelling together through space and time. Reading Missy and Twelve together in the TARDIS is a delight. However, the fic digs into the complicated nature of their relationship, gives them a rather tragic backstory, and focuses how they deal with things as they start falling into a romantic relationship and the consequences of that.
Fanwork Links: AO3
Pairings/Characters: Twelve/Missy (but also Doctor/Master generally)
Rating: Not Rated
Length: 121,404 words
Creator Links: yonderdarling
Theme: Journey & Travel, getting back together
Summary: "He's sitting in a cafe in Vichy France (he was aiming for 2042) and waiting for his lunch when Missy plops down in the chair opposite him." This is an idea they've had before, it's just the first time they've both been able to consider it. The Doctor and Missy try travelling together.
Reccer's Notes: After Twelve loses Clara, Twelve and Missy try travelling together through space and time. Reading Missy and Twelve together in the TARDIS is a delight. However, the fic digs into the complicated nature of their relationship, gives them a rather tragic backstory, and focuses how they deal with things as they start falling into a romantic relationship and the consequences of that.
Fanwork Links: AO3
Season of Drabbles fics
5 May 2026 09:05sholioSeason of Drabbles is revealed! I wrote 5 things, and enjoyed being super sneaky about at least a couple of them for a change.
As Sholio:
Orchestral (Biggles, 200 wds)
Biggles/EvS on a music-related "date."
Time and Tide (Star Trek TOS, 700 wds, Spock/McCoy [sort of])
I was hunting around for other people to treat, saw this person mention time loops among their interests, and realized it would be really interesting to try writing a drabble sequence in which each drabble was an iteration of the time loop.
(This was also one of the ones I mentioned that was a fandom I've never written before. Particularly neat in this case since this is far and away one of my oldest "fandoms" - I use that in quotes because I'm not sure if you can call it that when you're as young as I was when I first watched episodes on TV a very long time ago, but it's definitely something I've had feelings about since an early age.)
As AltSholio:
A New Normal (Agent Carter, 100 wds, Jack & Peggy)
My actual assignment, and I had fun with it! Just a bit of post-canon adjustment and banter.
Stay (Biggles, 100 wds, h/c)
H/C fluff for the win.
Second Contact (Project Hail Mary, 300 wds, Grace & Rocky & Adrian)
Grace meeting Adrian. This would be the other fandom I hadn't written before, and probably wouldn't have under my main because there's not likely to be any more of it, but I enjoyed writing this little treat!
As Sholio:
Orchestral (Biggles, 200 wds)
Biggles/EvS on a music-related "date."
Time and Tide (Star Trek TOS, 700 wds, Spock/McCoy [sort of])
I was hunting around for other people to treat, saw this person mention time loops among their interests, and realized it would be really interesting to try writing a drabble sequence in which each drabble was an iteration of the time loop.
(This was also one of the ones I mentioned that was a fandom I've never written before. Particularly neat in this case since this is far and away one of my oldest "fandoms" - I use that in quotes because I'm not sure if you can call it that when you're as young as I was when I first watched episodes on TV a very long time ago, but it's definitely something I've had feelings about since an early age.)
As AltSholio:
A New Normal (Agent Carter, 100 wds, Jack & Peggy)
My actual assignment, and I had fun with it! Just a bit of post-canon adjustment and banter.
Stay (Biggles, 100 wds, h/c)
H/C fluff for the win.
Second Contact (Project Hail Mary, 300 wds, Grace & Rocky & Adrian)
Grace meeting Adrian. This would be the other fandom I hadn't written before, and probably wouldn't have under my main because there's not likely to be any more of it, but I enjoyed writing this little treat!
Gorillaz (Virtual Band): The Answer by sonatas
3 May 2026 16:14zorbo_jorks posting in fancakeFandom: Gorillaz (Virtual Band)
Pairings/Characters: Murdoc Niccals/Stuart "2D" Pot, Various OCs, Hannibal Niccals, Noodle, Russel Hobbs
Rating: Explicit
Length: 298,396 words (26 Chapters)
Creator Links: https://archiveofourown.org/users/sonatas/pseuds/sonatas
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: When a phone call informing him of his father’s death sends him on an unexpected and unwanted trip back to his childhood home, Murdoc finds himself confronted with more questions about his origins than he ever could have anticipated. Who knew a couple of shoe boxes, left to gather dust in his father’s closet, could contain such heart-wrenching secrets. And why is 2D so invested? Post-canon. 2Doc.
Reccer's Notes: I have just recently started peeking into this fandom, and did not realize that this is one of the Big Fics for the pairing until after I finished it, but it's so earned! The story pulled me along the whole way: imagine a world-wide road trip where every party is kind of miserable, and there are occult curses and ghosts chasing them the whole time! Great world-building and mystery elements too, and pique character work and dramatic tension!
There is a lot of fanart embedded throughout, as well, which is such a treat!
Content Notes: violence & injury, drug abuse, addiction, and grief, and past child abuse, CSA and adult SA
Fanwork Links: https://archiveofourown.org/works/11767422/chapters/26527818
Pairings/Characters: Murdoc Niccals/Stuart "2D" Pot, Various OCs, Hannibal Niccals, Noodle, Russel Hobbs
Rating: Explicit
Length: 298,396 words (26 Chapters)
Creator Links: https://archiveofourown.org/users/sonatas/pseuds/sonatas
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: When a phone call informing him of his father’s death sends him on an unexpected and unwanted trip back to his childhood home, Murdoc finds himself confronted with more questions about his origins than he ever could have anticipated. Who knew a couple of shoe boxes, left to gather dust in his father’s closet, could contain such heart-wrenching secrets. And why is 2D so invested? Post-canon. 2Doc.
Reccer's Notes: I have just recently started peeking into this fandom, and did not realize that this is one of the Big Fics for the pairing until after I finished it, but it's so earned! The story pulled me along the whole way: imagine a world-wide road trip where every party is kind of miserable, and there are occult curses and ghosts chasing them the whole time! Great world-building and mystery elements too, and pique character work and dramatic tension!
There is a lot of fanart embedded throughout, as well, which is such a treat!
Content Notes: violence & injury, drug abuse, addiction, and grief, and past child abuse, CSA and adult SA
Fanwork Links: https://archiveofourown.org/works/11767422/chapters/26527818
writtenwordsaloud posting in fancakeFandom: Hazbin Hotel
Pairings/Characters: Valentino & Velvette & Vox, Valentino/Vox
Rating: M
Length: 7634
Creator Link: auxkabel (cablecurrent)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Some people lose their heads. Vox loses his body. It’s a sex thing.
Or: while Vox is busy making sure Valentino Day goes smoothly, his meatsuit departs on an epic journey across the Pentagram. Now it’s up to Valentino, Velvet and Vox’s head to find the damn thing before something bad happens to it.
Reccer's Notes: Can't usually find much travelling with Sinners in Hazbin, but it definitely counts when some Overlords have to go around on foot to find someone body.
First of all, Val being angry that he can't find Vox's body instead of concerned brings me great joy. As if Vox did it all on purpose.
I have to think about all the other reasons (other than Alastor) that Vox would have for letting his body do whatever it wants when his consciousness appears to remain with his body at all times. Does he get to choose where his mind stays? In which case, the body that "wines and dines" Val is only less important because Vox's consciousness isn't in it.
And we know Vox would love Val even as a worm. He would hate loving him as a worm, but he would.
Velvette shaming Val is so tasty. Shaming Vox? Yes, of course. But fixing Val with the disappointed look is so much funnier in this context.
I'm so freaking happy Charlie's first reaction was that Vox's body was a Dullahan. There is a version of this fic where Angel wasn't around to inform them it was Vox, leaving Charlie and Vaggie to go on an adventure to find a head and making it even harder for the Vees to find him.
The goat demon is a freaking boss. Risking talking back to the Vees, considering he actually knows that's who he is talking to. What a hero. Who else of his level could get Val to kiss them?
And I'm glad Maggot Mary seems to have what she wants in order. Her body really does seem like one of the worst punishments Hell could have provided someone. How often does she die and have to reconstitute? I want to know what her guard dogs are like.
So many people might construe calling someone's body "our things" as dehumanizing, but considering it's Velvette saying it Vox indeed has the money on the mark. It's her attempt at being flippant while she indeed cares about him. After all, why would Velvette have bothered putting this much time in otherwise? Even with putting out fires.
In the end, of course Charlie lets him keep the nightgown so he doesn't have to go home nude. And Velvette doesn't bother to give him another outfit to wear. Going for takeout and straight home is such a boon for Vox as well. You know if Velvette wasn't busy she would have wanted to spend some time threatening Vox with having him go into a restaurant like this.
I love to consider what S2 would have been like if this had happened first: because Alastor then wouldn't have Vox to fall upon to get him out of his deal with Rosie, Vox couldn't insult the hotel while convincing people to rise up against Heaven, and it would have been perhaps a somewhat more lighthearted comedy before Vox blew a hole in Heaven.
Fanwork link: Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Pairings/Characters: Valentino & Velvette & Vox, Valentino/Vox
Rating: M
Length: 7634
Creator Link: auxkabel (cablecurrent)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Some people lose their heads. Vox loses his body. It’s a sex thing.
Or: while Vox is busy making sure Valentino Day goes smoothly, his meatsuit departs on an epic journey across the Pentagram. Now it’s up to Valentino, Velvet and Vox’s head to find the damn thing before something bad happens to it.
Reccer's Notes: Can't usually find much travelling with Sinners in Hazbin, but it definitely counts when some Overlords have to go around on foot to find someone body.
For after reading
First of all, Val being angry that he can't find Vox's body instead of concerned brings me great joy. As if Vox did it all on purpose.
I have to think about all the other reasons (other than Alastor) that Vox would have for letting his body do whatever it wants when his consciousness appears to remain with his body at all times. Does he get to choose where his mind stays? In which case, the body that "wines and dines" Val is only less important because Vox's consciousness isn't in it.
And we know Vox would love Val even as a worm. He would hate loving him as a worm, but he would.
Velvette shaming Val is so tasty. Shaming Vox? Yes, of course. But fixing Val with the disappointed look is so much funnier in this context.
I'm so freaking happy Charlie's first reaction was that Vox's body was a Dullahan. There is a version of this fic where Angel wasn't around to inform them it was Vox, leaving Charlie and Vaggie to go on an adventure to find a head and making it even harder for the Vees to find him.
The goat demon is a freaking boss. Risking talking back to the Vees, considering he actually knows that's who he is talking to. What a hero. Who else of his level could get Val to kiss them?
And I'm glad Maggot Mary seems to have what she wants in order. Her body really does seem like one of the worst punishments Hell could have provided someone. How often does she die and have to reconstitute? I want to know what her guard dogs are like.
So many people might construe calling someone's body "our things" as dehumanizing, but considering it's Velvette saying it Vox indeed has the money on the mark. It's her attempt at being flippant while she indeed cares about him. After all, why would Velvette have bothered putting this much time in otherwise? Even with putting out fires.
In the end, of course Charlie lets him keep the nightgown so he doesn't have to go home nude. And Velvette doesn't bother to give him another outfit to wear. Going for takeout and straight home is such a boon for Vox as well. You know if Velvette wasn't busy she would have wanted to spend some time threatening Vox with having him go into a restaurant like this.
I love to consider what S2 would have been like if this had happened first: because Alastor then wouldn't have Vox to fall upon to get him out of his deal with Rosie, Vox couldn't insult the hotel while convincing people to rise up against Heaven, and it would have been perhaps a somewhat more lighthearted comedy before Vox blew a hole in Heaven.
Fanwork link: Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Downton Abbey: Slow Boat to China by Laramie and LinkWorshiper
3 May 2026 19:30dickinsons posting in fancakeFandom: Downton Abbey
Pairings/Characters: Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent, Lady Anstruther, OCs
Rating:T
Length: 79,395
Creator Links: Laramie, LinkWorshiper (AO3)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Though Jimmy Kent has found success and fortune since moving on from Downton, he has never been able to forgive Lady Anstruther for the troubles she's caused him in the past. Motivated by a burning desire for revenge, Jimmy takes action - and enlists the help of the one person he's ever trusted. Naturally that person is Thomas Barrow.
Reccer's Notes: This fic has romance, a revenge plot, and mystery fiction elements, all while the characters travel to China. It's a really fun read.
Fanwork Links: Slow Boat to China
Pairings/Characters: Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent, Lady Anstruther, OCs
Rating:T
Length: 79,395
Creator Links: Laramie, LinkWorshiper (AO3)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Though Jimmy Kent has found success and fortune since moving on from Downton, he has never been able to forgive Lady Anstruther for the troubles she's caused him in the past. Motivated by a burning desire for revenge, Jimmy takes action - and enlists the help of the one person he's ever trusted. Naturally that person is Thomas Barrow.
Reccer's Notes: This fic has romance, a revenge plot, and mystery fiction elements, all while the characters travel to China. It's a really fun read.
Fanwork Links: Slow Boat to China
Paint colors
3 May 2026 10:16sholioI was talking to The Husband last night about a video game he's been playing, an indie game that is apparently a two-person production (it's made by a husband and wife team of developers) and that segued into talking about Babylon 5 and Marvel, and he said something that I wanted to write down because I think it's always going to stick with me.
"Every person's brain emits a particular color of paint. If you mix too many of them together, you just get mud."
You can massage the metaphor in various directions - sometimes mixing together different paint colors is lovely! Or, if all you have to look at is suburban beige, any color really stands out. One person's garish or too pastel is another person's perfect hue. And so forth. It's just such a lovely way to look at it, and I will be thinking about that for a while. I like having different unique paint colors to look at, and refining my own.
"Every person's brain emits a particular color of paint. If you mix too many of them together, you just get mud."
You can massage the metaphor in various directions - sometimes mixing together different paint colors is lovely! Or, if all you have to look at is suburban beige, any color really stands out. One person's garish or too pastel is another person's perfect hue. And so forth. It's just such a lovely way to look at it, and I will be thinking about that for a while. I like having different unique paint colors to look at, and refining my own.
full_metal_ox posting in fancakeFandom: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” (Arrogant Worms song; Captain Tractor cover)
Pairings/Characters: Gen; OCs of assorted genders.
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 4:13
Content Notes: The OP identifies the song as by the Arrogant Worms—who originated it, but the version used here is Captain Tractor’s cover.
Creator Links: (YouTube):![[youtube.com profile]](https://youtube.com/favicon.ico)
vinnyreid
Theme: Journey & Travel, Fanvid, Just Plain Fun, Kidfic (child performers), Old Fandoms, Pre-AO3 Works
Summary: This is a video that I made with some of the students from the youth group back in April 2003. Its pretty cheezy, but we had lots of fun making it and still get a laugh out of watching it. Hope you enjoy it too. The song is "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" by the Arrogant Worms.
Reccer's Notes: This is an exercise in how to make a killer fanvid on a backyard budget—propelled by the sheer exuberant glee of the kid pirates running amuck and by the masterfully edited nonstop action—Benny Hillesque chase scenes, sword fights, and Scooby Dooby Doors. (Note in particular the inventive use of camera angles and farm and playground architecture to create the impression that they actually have a ship.)
Things I Learned in the process of fact-checking this post: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” has become such an anthem for Saskatchewanians (and Canadians in general) that it’s taught in grade-school music classes! (It’s also a compelling fantasy to lots of non-Canadian dwellers in regions marked by farming and economic disgruntlement; The Longest Johns (of viral “Wellerman” fame) have localized it accordingly.)
I would have added “a large local body of water”, but it turns out that part of the regional in-joke is that Regina (“Regina’s mighty shores”), the provincial capitol, is in a landlocked part of Saskatchewan; the Jolly Roger is a legendary dive bar there.
Reid doesn’t specify the affiliation of the youth group, but the censorship of the word “damn” leads me to suspect a church.
Fanwork Links: The Last Saskatchewan Pirate (fanvid), by Kevin Reid and his youth group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAl1tWvvPA
Pairings/Characters: Gen; OCs of assorted genders.
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 4:13
Content Notes: The OP identifies the song as by the Arrogant Worms—who originated it, but the version used here is Captain Tractor’s cover.
Creator Links: (YouTube):
Theme: Journey & Travel, Fanvid, Just Plain Fun, Kidfic (child performers), Old Fandoms, Pre-AO3 Works
Summary: This is a video that I made with some of the students from the youth group back in April 2003. Its pretty cheezy, but we had lots of fun making it and still get a laugh out of watching it. Hope you enjoy it too. The song is "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" by the Arrogant Worms.
Reccer's Notes: This is an exercise in how to make a killer fanvid on a backyard budget—propelled by the sheer exuberant glee of the kid pirates running amuck and by the masterfully edited nonstop action—Benny Hillesque chase scenes, sword fights, and Scooby Dooby Doors. (Note in particular the inventive use of camera angles and farm and playground architecture to create the impression that they actually have a ship.)
Things I Learned in the process of fact-checking this post: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” has become such an anthem for Saskatchewanians (and Canadians in general) that it’s taught in grade-school music classes! (It’s also a compelling fantasy to lots of non-Canadian dwellers in regions marked by farming and economic disgruntlement; The Longest Johns (of viral “Wellerman” fame) have localized it accordingly.)
I would have added “a large local body of water”, but it turns out that part of the regional in-joke is that Regina (“Regina’s mighty shores”), the provincial capitol, is in a landlocked part of Saskatchewan; the Jolly Roger is a legendary dive bar there.
Reid doesn’t specify the affiliation of the youth group, but the censorship of the word “damn” leads me to suspect a church.
Fanwork Links: The Last Saskatchewan Pirate (fanvid), by Kevin Reid and his youth group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAl1tWvvPA
Exchange things!
2 May 2026 22:46sholioI signed up for Season of Drabbles on an impulse under a new account called AltSholio (note my A+++ socking skills). In the past I've been slightly inhibited about signing up for some kinds of exchanges that I would've been more likely to try back on LJ - drabbles, fanart, that kind of thing, stuff that's a bit out of place on my main account - so I created this new account so I can play around with things that I might otherwise hesitate to try.
Anyway, I had fun and I ended up writing 5 things across both that and my main account - two of which are for fandoms I've never written before! And I got two delightful gifts as AltSholio:
Bygones (Agent Carter, 200 wds, Jack & Peggy)
A sweet little season 2 coda, very much in character.
We'll Meet Again (Biggles, 600 wds)
Slightly AU next meeting for Biggles and EvS, set in the early 1920s. Great characterization and a delightful concept!
Author reveals will be on Tuesday.
Anyway, I had fun and I ended up writing 5 things across both that and my main account - two of which are for fandoms I've never written before! And I got two delightful gifts as AltSholio:
Bygones (Agent Carter, 200 wds, Jack & Peggy)
A sweet little season 2 coda, very much in character.
We'll Meet Again (Biggles, 600 wds)
Slightly AU next meeting for Biggles and EvS, set in the early 1920s. Great characterization and a delightful concept!
Author reveals will be on Tuesday.
Daredevil: Close to the Mark (Jessica/Matt, Jim/Blair, R)
2 May 2026 20:01esteefee Close to the Mark (24037 words) by esteefee
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: daredevil - Fandom, The Sentinel (TV), The Defenders (Marvel TV)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jessica Jones/Matt Murdock, Jim Ellison/Blair Sandburg
Characters: Matt Murdock, Jim Ellison, Jessica Jones, Blair Sandburg, Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Jack Kelso (The Sentinel), Lee Brackett (The Sentinel), Stick (Daredevil), Claire Temple, Original Characters
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Sentinels & Guides, Goes AU from Midland Circle, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Little bit of Foggy Bashing, Hating on daredevilling is a crime in this household, Medical Torture, Kidnapping, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, (Stick), Canon-Typical Violence, No beta we die like Elektra (repeatedly and under mysterious circumstances)
Summary:
Paranoia is in Matt’s blood, but lately he’s been feeling something new, a constant, creeping awareness at the edge of his senses. Someone or something is hounding him without rest, and whoever it is seems to know Matt is Daredevil. Foggy and Karen are pretty much sick of the trouble Daredevil brings, and Matt has no one to turn to. Or does he?
This story goes AU after Midland Circle.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: daredevil - Fandom, The Sentinel (TV), The Defenders (Marvel TV)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jessica Jones/Matt Murdock, Jim Ellison/Blair Sandburg
Characters: Matt Murdock, Jim Ellison, Jessica Jones, Blair Sandburg, Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Jack Kelso (The Sentinel), Lee Brackett (The Sentinel), Stick (Daredevil), Claire Temple, Original Characters
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Sentinels & Guides, Goes AU from Midland Circle, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Little bit of Foggy Bashing, Hating on daredevilling is a crime in this household, Medical Torture, Kidnapping, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, (Stick), Canon-Typical Violence, No beta we die like Elektra (repeatedly and under mysterious circumstances)
Summary:
Paranoia is in Matt’s blood, but lately he’s been feeling something new, a constant, creeping awareness at the edge of his senses. Someone or something is hounding him without rest, and whoever it is seems to know Matt is Daredevil. Foggy and Karen are pretty much sick of the trouble Daredevil brings, and Matt has no one to turn to. Or does he?
This story goes AU after Midland Circle.
Weekly chat reminder
1 May 2026 23:27snycock posting in ts_bluejunglePlease join us for the TS chat on Saturday, May 2nd, at 7 pm Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)/19:00 UTC. That could be as early as 12 noon if you’re on the west coast of North America, or 3 pm if you’re on the east coast, or 7 pm in the UK, or Sunday morning in Australia or New Zealand.
We’re in the usual place: http://us25.chatzy.com/81935648447483. There’s nothing to download or install, just choose a name and a color and click on “join chat.”
It’s time for an episode watch – we’ll be watching Second Chance. Maya Carrasco makes a reappearance and the boys get to meet Uncle Gustavo!
See you there!
May is upon us, like a ton of ice cubes
1 May 2026 20:37sholioFirst of May, first of May, outdoor fuc--
Perhaps not.
This is the path off through the woods to one of our favorite walking spots. The driveway is SLIGHTLY less dire; at least you can walk on it.
Rumor has it that it might snow this weekend. Apparently it's snowing like blazes in the mountains just south of Anchorage.
This, like all things, will pass, but I'm looking forward to a return to summer.
Perhaps not.
This is the path off through the woods to one of our favorite walking spots. The driveway is SLIGHTLY less dire; at least you can walk on it.
Rumor has it that it might snow this weekend. Apparently it's snowing like blazes in the mountains just south of Anchorage.
This, like all things, will pass, but I'm looking forward to a return to summer.
vamp_ress posting in fancakeFandom: The Lord of the Rings RPF
Pairings/Characters: Viggo Mortensen/Orlando Bloom
Rating: Explicit
Length: 30.000 words
Creator Links: lennongirl on AO3
Theme: Journey & Travel
Summary: AU: Orlando and Viggo meet in Spain under strange circumstances and travel through Europe together in Viggo's truck, getting to know each other and themselves.
Reccer's Notes: This is an old comfort fic that I used to read and re-read all the time back in the day. It's 30.000 words of both road trip and falling in love and that combination is simply too charming for its own good. You'll get to see quite a bit of Europe in the story as this starts out in Spain and and ends in Denmark. And to keep readers in the know there's a map of the characters' journey/progress at the end of each chapter. This story is fluffy and romantic and adventurous - simply the best combination of all the ingredients!
Fanwork Links: The Journey is the Destination on AO3
Pairings/Characters: Viggo Mortensen/Orlando Bloom
Rating: Explicit
Length: 30.000 words
Creator Links: lennongirl on AO3
Theme: Journey & Travel
Summary: AU: Orlando and Viggo meet in Spain under strange circumstances and travel through Europe together in Viggo's truck, getting to know each other and themselves.
Reccer's Notes: This is an old comfort fic that I used to read and re-read all the time back in the day. It's 30.000 words of both road trip and falling in love and that combination is simply too charming for its own good. You'll get to see quite a bit of Europe in the story as this starts out in Spain and and ends in Denmark. And to keep readers in the know there's a map of the characters' journey/progress at the end of each chapter. This story is fluffy and romantic and adventurous - simply the best combination of all the ingredients!
Fanwork Links: The Journey is the Destination on AO3
Round 186: Journey & Travel
1 May 2026 08:17runpunkrun posting in fancake
Our theme for May is journey & travel!
The tag for this round is: theme: journey & travel
If you're just joining us, be sure to check out our policy on content notes. Content notes aren't required, but they're nice to include in your recs, especially if a fanwork has untagged content that readers may wish to know about in advance.
( Rules! )
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( Promote this round! )
Crusade mk 2
30 April 2026 22:30sholioIf anyone wants to read me ranting extensively about the Crusade episode "Visitors From Down the Street" you can read it at Tumblr here. (Or Tumblr logged-in link.) Feel free to disagree in comments, I'm fine with that but GOD I hated this episode so much.
The Old Guard: We Wouldn’t Be Standing Here So Tall by Mellyflori
30 April 2026 21:42starwatcher posting in fancakeFandom: The Old Guard
Pairings: Joe/Nicky
Characters: Joe, Nicky, a lot of OCs
Rating: Explicit
Length: 40,000 words
Creator Links:mellyflori
Theme: Arranged marriage, No canon required, Complete AU, Historical AU, Mundane AU, Diplomatic marriage, Enemies to friends (to lovers), Royalty AU
Summary: “I’m certain this is not what you wanted from a marriage any more than I did.”
For a second, Joe is on the receiving end of the most intense stare he’s ever seen. He almost dares to hope for an argument, something unexpected, then his husband blinks, and he’s back to being that blank-faced stranger Joe first met earlier that day. “On the contrary. An advantageous match is all a prince should ever want.”
It was too much to hope that Nicolò might possess wit or charm that he felt free to express behind closed doors. Joe tries to hide a sigh. On the bright side, he thinks, at least it’s forever.
Reccer's Notes: A marriage based on a political arrangement is less than ideal, but Nicky and Joe cautiously move to friendship, then friends with benefits, with each wishing for more. Unfortunately, their tentative journey toward love gets waylaid when their fathers -- still immersed in long-held grudges -- break up the pair "for security." Cue Joe riding in pursuit of his hoped-for love, followed by some astute, verbal sleight-of-hand to force their fathers' acceptance of the marriage remaining intact for the requisite happy ending. Lots of fun, and highly recommended.
Content Notes: None
Fanwork Links: We Wouldn’t Be Standing Here So Tall, by Mellyflori at AO3
Pairings: Joe/Nicky
Characters: Joe, Nicky, a lot of OCs
Rating: Explicit
Length: 40,000 words
Creator Links:
Theme: Arranged marriage, No canon required, Complete AU, Historical AU, Mundane AU, Diplomatic marriage, Enemies to friends (to lovers), Royalty AU
Summary: “I’m certain this is not what you wanted from a marriage any more than I did.”
For a second, Joe is on the receiving end of the most intense stare he’s ever seen. He almost dares to hope for an argument, something unexpected, then his husband blinks, and he’s back to being that blank-faced stranger Joe first met earlier that day. “On the contrary. An advantageous match is all a prince should ever want.”
It was too much to hope that Nicolò might possess wit or charm that he felt free to express behind closed doors. Joe tries to hide a sigh. On the bright side, he thinks, at least it’s forever.
Reccer's Notes: A marriage based on a political arrangement is less than ideal, but Nicky and Joe cautiously move to friendship, then friends with benefits, with each wishing for more. Unfortunately, their tentative journey toward love gets waylaid when their fathers -- still immersed in long-held grudges -- break up the pair "for security." Cue Joe riding in pursuit of his hoped-for love, followed by some astute, verbal sleight-of-hand to force their fathers' acceptance of the marriage remaining intact for the requisite happy ending. Lots of fun, and highly recommended.
Content Notes: None
Fanwork Links: We Wouldn’t Be Standing Here So Tall, by Mellyflori at AO3
Babylon 5: Crusade (4 episodes in, but not in order)
30 April 2026 12:39sholioI tried watching the short-lived B5 spinoff Crusade. I have terrible news: I really like it!
It was a good choice on Past Me's part to not jump immediately into the B5 spinoff material. (At this point, I've still only seen "In the Beginning" as far as the movies go.) I think if I'd watched this right after the main show, which is definitely much better, I'd have been disappointed, but now that it's been a year or so, I'm delighted! Every time main show canon gets a shout-out, I bounce a little!
I've seen episodes 1 and 9-11, for reasons I will get into under the cut.
( Four episodes in. )
Anyway, it's a bit sad that this never had a chance to find its feet the way the first season of B5 did. (Also, it certainly makes it clear that as much as B5 got editorially messed around, it could have been so much worse.) I would have liked a couple of seasons of this to watch, but there are still a few more episodes, and I expect I'll enjoy those.
It was a good choice on Past Me's part to not jump immediately into the B5 spinoff material. (At this point, I've still only seen "In the Beginning" as far as the movies go.) I think if I'd watched this right after the main show, which is definitely much better, I'd have been disappointed, but now that it's been a year or so, I'm delighted! Every time main show canon gets a shout-out, I bounce a little!
I've seen episodes 1 and 9-11, for reasons I will get into under the cut.
( Four episodes in. )
Anyway, it's a bit sad that this never had a chance to find its feet the way the first season of B5 did. (Also, it certainly makes it clear that as much as B5 got editorially messed around, it could have been so much worse.) I would have liked a couple of seasons of this to watch, but there are still a few more episodes, and I expect I'll enjoy those.
Star Wars: staring down the barrel of the hot sun by magneticwave
28 April 2026 22:47mific posting in fancakeFandom: Star Wars
Characters/Pairings: Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, Grogu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Bo-Katan Kryze, Korkie Kryze
Rating: Gen
Length: 25,754
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: magneticwave on AO3
Themes: Arranged marriage, Kidfic (has a child), AU - fork in the road, Humor
Summary: “Gone to a Child of the Watch, the Darksaber has,” Grand Master Yoda announces in his creaky little voice. “Peace, there is not, and yet peace, there must be.”
Reccer's Notes: On first glance this may not seem to fit the Arranged Marriage theme, but hear me out. In this AU the Republic won, and Luke is a renowned hero who is viewed with some misgivings by many other Jedi after gaining a reputation for (highly effective) violence in the war. Partly to get rid of Luke, he's instructed to accompany Obi-Wan on a diplomatic mission to Mandalore to investigate the fate of the Darksaber, and of course they meet Grogu. This causes a dilemma as Grogu must be trained, but he can't be separated from Din, who's struggling with having the mantle of the Mand'alor thrust upon him, and with the political factions of Mandalore. What makes this feel like an Arranged Marriage fic is the combination of a slightly disreputable hero being kind of exiled to a royal court (effectively), and machinations bringing him and the ruler together. In this case, the yentas are Obi-Wan, and, to a much greater degree, the Force. Luke's perspective is irreverent and funny - he struggles for jedi calm but just can't help being an action hero. It's beautifully written, and a great read.
Fanwork Links: staring down the barrel of the hot sun
Characters/Pairings: Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, Grogu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Bo-Katan Kryze, Korkie Kryze
Rating: Gen
Length: 25,754
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: magneticwave on AO3
Themes: Arranged marriage, Kidfic (has a child), AU - fork in the road, Humor
Summary: “Gone to a Child of the Watch, the Darksaber has,” Grand Master Yoda announces in his creaky little voice. “Peace, there is not, and yet peace, there must be.”
Reccer's Notes: On first glance this may not seem to fit the Arranged Marriage theme, but hear me out. In this AU the Republic won, and Luke is a renowned hero who is viewed with some misgivings by many other Jedi after gaining a reputation for (highly effective) violence in the war. Partly to get rid of Luke, he's instructed to accompany Obi-Wan on a diplomatic mission to Mandalore to investigate the fate of the Darksaber, and of course they meet Grogu. This causes a dilemma as Grogu must be trained, but he can't be separated from Din, who's struggling with having the mantle of the Mand'alor thrust upon him, and with the political factions of Mandalore. What makes this feel like an Arranged Marriage fic is the combination of a slightly disreputable hero being kind of exiled to a royal court (effectively), and machinations bringing him and the ruler together. In this case, the yentas are Obi-Wan, and, to a much greater degree, the Force. Luke's perspective is irreverent and funny - he struggles for jedi calm but just can't help being an action hero. It's beautifully written, and a great read.
Fanwork Links: staring down the barrel of the hot sun