LINKDING

Summary: Rebecca Heminges has never liked watching Othello. She thinks she'll like the King's Men's new tragedy even less. ➤ historical rpf about 17th century theatre actors associated with shakespeare ➤ I've never heard of these characters before or the play they're putting on that's central to the themes of the fic but the the fic does a good enough job introducing it all that it works nonetheless ➤ a really interesting and thoughtful work about life vs fiction, and acting, and finding a new life, and the realities and ramifications of abusive relationships ➤ I loved it, and I see the author has written other fics about this group of characters and I want to read them too! ➤ 5k words in length

Summary: Li Lianhua resolves to ditch Fang Duobing for good. For some reason this involves hooking up with him. ➤ I've never seen MLC and though I've read a bit of fic it's long enough ago that I've already forgotten basically everything I know of what I figured out about the characters and plot 🥲 ➤ nonetheless this fic is a delight, Fang Duobing and Li Lianhua with an obviously complex relationship ➤ I love the tone of the fic, very like...deliberately lighthearted and leaning into the ridiculous in a way that clearly hides some depths of emotion ➤ and it's so fun and compelling! I loved it ➤ 2k words in length

quote: The sand underfoot was still fresh with ripples where it had been raked to hide the blood. The sea rushed in over Leris’s feet, the wave in the water meeting the waves in the sand and smoothing out, inch by inch, the remaining evidence of the first bout. “Ready?” It was the first word Gerthe had spoken all day. The sun was just shy of its peak, bearing down on the spectators and the competitors in equal measure. It would have been different, in a proper amphitheatre: the two pairs of combatants would have regarded each other from the shaded safety of the tunnels, sizing the others up and taking the time to discuss strategy. But this was the archipelago, and one of the rimward isles besides, and the closest amphitheatre was a week’s sail away on Leshin. Here there was nothing but a patch of sand, bounded on one side by temporary wooden stands and on the other by the ocean. ➤ a full novella published online for free the same way a short story would be! ➤ secondary world fantasy about two women from the outskirts of empire, who don't fit the identities their cultures expect of them but are also out of place within the empire ➤ they're gladiators in a partnership where one in a pair of gladiators takes a "swordform" and the other wields them ➤ great characters and great worldbuilding and great reflections on identity in this context! ➤ I loved Leris and Gerthe, and Ulmo too ➤ and the Empress herself and her story is fascinating, and I can see how in a different narrative her backstory would be the focus of a heroic narrative, and I love that that's not the story we get, this isn't a "monarchy is good with the right person in charge" kind of story like so much fantasy is ➤ the narrative perspective on religion is really cool too ➤ 36k words in length

Summary: Bingliu solve their differences in a really mature way that doesn't use physical violence at all. ➤ a fic that's doing very different things with a/b/o worldbuilding and it's so fun and funny ➤ sqq just wants to be able to talk monster lore with lqg and lbh without those two alphas getting all territorial at each other! ➤ meanwhile lbh and lqg..... figure out a way to resolve their differences ➤ bingliushen is definitely in their future ➤ I love them all ➤ 3.4k words in length ➤ (from the comments, acernor confirmed that lbh and lqg are both betta fish, yqy is an alpha emitter, and sqq is a chaitin constant (chaitin omega number))

Summary: The Institute of Religious Studies was housed in one of the oldest structures at the university, an ornate hipped-roof building that overlooked the campus from the foot of the northern peaks. Aside from the narrow drive that wound up the rise from the other side of campus, the only access was via a steep staircase or a switchbacked path that took twenty minutes to ascend. Most people on campus called it the Mountain. ➤ songxuexiao t4t4t modern au where they're grad students in china ➤ I had the pleasure of getting to see this fic as it came together, and the thought and care verity puts into their writing is always so evident in their beautifully written and beautifully constructed stories! ➤ from song lan's pov as he watches creepy stalker xue yang entwine herself into his bff (and object of pining) xiao xingchen's life ➤ sl DOESN'T trust xy, he DOES find it super hot to put her in her place and have sex with her, he DOES struggle to be fully vulnerable with xxc despite everything she is to him ➤ the vibes are so good, I love how real and present each character and their complex emotions about each other are, and I love the way the theme of the weather runs through the whole fic holding things together ➤ highly recommend! ➤ 12k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>Even from the bar's parking lot, Lan Wangji could feel the presence of the spirits inside. This place was haunted. There was evidence of demonic cultivation everywhere from the wards to Wei Wuxian's bed. Lest he crawl back into it, Lan Wangji unsheathed Bichen and climbed on.</blockquote> ➤ mdzs wangxian modern-with-cultivation au where lwj is a trans man and wwx is a trans woman ➤ and ahhhh it just makes me so emotional about how GREAT wangxian are!!! ➤ wonderfully integrated characters/plot into a world they inhabit where friends and work and weird tastes in books are part of their lives, and also, lwj and wwx find each other and are immediately obsessed with each other, finding something in each other that allow them to best be themselves ➤ so many very funny details also, at the same time that it's many feelings ➤ 10k words in length

summary: <blockquote>“Tell you what,” said Yushi Huang. “I’ll make you a deal, Ling Wen Zhen Jun.” Almost no one used her title at all, even fewer with respect. She couldn’t quite read Yushi Huang’s tone. “If you can tell me exactly what this is,” she nodded to the creature curled in the corner, "and what it does, I will turn it in the moment we get back for tagging and proper categorization." Ling Wen raised an eyebrow. So the enigmatic Rain Master already knew the creature's properties. "And if I don't?" Yushi Huang smiled, infuriatingly gentle. "Admitting defeat so soon? How unlike you." Ling Wen drew herself up and inclined her head, knowing herself to be rising to bait but seeing no real reason to resist. "I accept your terms."</blockquote> ➤ tgcf space au featuring ling wen/yushi huang, HELLO ➤ yushi huang's deliberate mysteriousness, and the way she uses it to flirt and get the upper hand with ling wen! ➤ ling wen enjoying having something to research that's for FUN instead of for work! ➤ the interesting development of the setting, and ways the characters and backstories have been tweaked to fit! ➤ LOVED IT. ➤ 4k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>When Shen Yuan dies and transmigrates into Yue Qingyuan, he's happy to improve his favorite story without the axe of human stick-hood hanging over him. It’s kind of a surprise that he can rescue the protagonist so quickly, but he isn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. And Liu Qingge’s presence, however sticky, means that he can spar in this strong body any time he wants – life at Cang Qiong really is good! Meanwhile, if Shen Qingqiu had been more willing to discuss his past with the only person who was part of it, then perhaps it would not have taken him three full years to realize that his childhood friend is gone. When the only other option is living without Qi-ge, he devotes himself to hunting down his soul. Unfortunately, this is pretty difficult when the man wearing Yue Qingyuan’s face has ordered that he not leave the mountain. (It’s not really a surprise when he begins hallucinating Qi-ge.)</blockquote> ➤ svsss au where sy transmigrates into yqy instead of sqq ➤ the fic is in two parts: first, from sy!yqy's pov as he tries to change events within the parameters the system allows him, and then the second from og!sqq's pov follows where the first part left off, with sqq trying to deal with the fact that yqy is so different now from the one he remembers. ➤ the two parts are different in tone and both excellent, both really fitting the kind of character and person the pov character is, and what it is they want the most. I loved it! ➤ 11k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>Yue Qingyuan struggles to know right from wrong, desire from guilt, and impulsiveness from intent. But one night he lets his impulsiveness lead him to the bamboo house and into Shen Qingqiu’s arms, unintentionally changing destiny along the way.</blockquote> ➤ An svsss qijiu canon divergence fic, about things that might have happened while lbh was still a very young disciple to change the course of events ➤ I love how small the things are that cause these changes, and that it's a small unthinking kindness from yqy to his own disciples that in a winding way leads to his own happiness ➤ as the author says, these two are freak4freak and I love it ➤ the desperation both of them feel about each other while being unable to talk about any of it! ➤ 11k words in length ➤ the dialogue is all punctuated wrong, unfortunately, but the writing is good enough to overlook this

Summary: <blockquote>Your unfaithful husband has defected back to the USSR, and been returned to you in poor health, both physically and mentally, having apparently been tortured due to a clerical error. You don’t char-havechar- to pick up the pieces, but you are curious to see whether among the unwelcome emotions you are experiencing there hides the one you used to label ‘love’.</blockquote> ➤ fic about the musical Chess! ➤ Anatoly/Svetlana navigating their relationship in the aftermath, in all its complexities ➤ navigating the feelings and the realities of their lives and what they are and aren't capable of being for each other, but being connected on some level despite it all! ➤ second person pov ➤ 6k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>When I woke that morning, it was with the bone deep surety that kemmer was upon me.</blockquote> ➤ another Left Hand of Darkness fic!!! just as good as the other one! god I love fandom ➤ genly and estraven on the ice, while estraven is in kemmer; a classic premise ➤ this one is so sweet and loving, so full of genly being obtuse about things but trying so hard regardless, and estraven wanting him despite it all! ➤ 2k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>Mel during the Wars, told through the eyes of a tattoo artist.</blockquote> ➤ fic for Robin McKinley's novel "Sunshine" featuring Mel and Mel's tattoo artist! ➤ told through the notes kept by the tattoo artist on each tattoo associated with Mel ➤ Such a great glimpse into Mel's side of Sunshine's world! ➤ 1k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>Liu Qingge returns from a hunt with more health conditions than he knew about and receives... assistance. :)</blockquote> ➤ liu qingge gets hit with a fuck-or-die monster venom! shen qingqiu and luo binghe are here to help him out ➤ the vibes are SO good, from the prickly antagonism between lqg & lbh at the beginning, through the awkward unspoken interest in sqq, to the way lqg goes all melty and floaty at the end ➤ it's SO soft from lqg's pov once the cure is embarked upon and I love it so much ➤ 7k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>In your head, the dead man wakes up crying. He stutters into awareness just as you manage to stanch the tears welling in your eyes, a response to the pressure of his presence on your limbic system. Your fingers brush, irritated, against the port at the back of your neck, catching at the ridges of the drive that carries his consciousness. He’s confused, lashing out to wrest temporary control of your limbs from you in quick staccato bursts before you can yank them back. “Stop that,” you snap, and then, remembering your client, soften the message with a “please.” Your right pinky twitches and you lasso it in, exerting your will over its movement. You splay your hands on your desk and watch them carefully, pay attention to your toes lest they start off on unwelcome dance routines, but in your head the dead man quiets, and you know he’s beginning to understand.</blockquote> ➤ sci-fi story about a woman with a port-drive into her brain that allowed her to be a great child actor when she was young, and gives her a career as an adult of plugging in the mental backup of a dead person to visit bereaved families who want their beloved dead back again ➤ about identity, embodiment, and not knowing how to want things ➤ also about body-sharing ➤ in second-person pov which works so well for the things this story is about and the things it's doing! the main character is someone who spends most of her time being someone else, after all ➤ it's so compellingly written! ➤ has the perfect ending, which can be so hard to pull off right ➤ 7k words in length ➤ this is the first published story by this author, and something this great is her first; I am excited to think of where she might go from here!

Summary: <blockquote>I tell Mateo to meet me at a wine bar. It’s a quiet, low-key spot—ideal for first dates, because it’s easy to make a speedy exit in case the red flags start flying—or worse, if the men in blue come knocking. It’s been over an hour, and we’re on our second glass of wine when I realize there are no red flags. He’s not just monologuing, he’s asking me questions too. This is actually a good first date—and when was the last time that ever happened for me? But I can’t help but worry that the puddles from this afternoon’s shower may have dried up. Any time there’s a pause in the conversation, my head swivels to the exit to check for the men in blue.</blockquote> ➤ a beautiful story about fear and trauma and being an immigrant or from an immigrant family, and queer romance and the wisdom of the people who love you, and how something that can help save you and that can bring joy and fun in your life can also be an unhealthy coping mechanism if you take it too far. I loved reading about Javier and Mateo as they developed their relationship!

excerpt: <blockquote>Ma does tell me I just like my father. These days, down to the exhaustion. I wouldn’t know. My young memory only have three saved dates of his face, the desire to cling to someone’s hand and having nothing worth grabbing. I don’t know where he lived, or where he was when he died, only that when my ma vex, suddenly my skin putrid like he own.</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>“What do you think about,” Wei Ying said aloud, before she could stop herself, before she could even think twice about the repercussions. “When you.” She finally found Lan Zhan’s eyes, molten in the low light, and swallowed in a tiny, audible gulp. “You know.” On Wei Ying, Lan Zhan’s gaze didn’t waver even a fraction. “Giving head,” she said. Wei Ying was certain she’d misheard. “Getting head?” “No,” said Lan Zhan. / After a surprise party gone awry, Wei Ying surprises herself.</blockquote> ➤ i loved the unusual detail of them being swimmers/divers, and all the water stuff worked into the prose

Summary: <blockquote>I could make you want me, make you need me, make you mine.</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>When Jiang Yanli was eight years old, she was sent on a visit to her grandmother in Meishan.</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>Convinced Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian will never reconcile of their own accord, Jin Ling takes matters into his own hands by trapping both of his uncles alone, together, without their cultivation.</blockquote> ➤ yunmeng shuangjie - first fic is them talking post-canon and resolving nothing, but it ends with wwx knowing that there is something that potentially COULD be solved so the door is now open for more. and then in the sequel, from jc's pov, they fight a dog demon together and manage the beginnings of a reconciliation ➤ series consists of: murky waters many envies

Summary: <blockquote>When Luo Binghe falls into the Endless Abyss, he accidentally pulls Shen Qingqiu down with him.</blockquote> ➤ sqq joins lbh in the abyss

Summary: <blockquote>Upon their first meeting, Hanguang-jun and the Yiling Laozu begin an affair. Wei Wuxian understands this; what he doesn’t understand is why Lan Wangji keeps coming back for more.</blockquote> ➤ mdzs canon

Summary: <blockquote>Midday, on a beach that’s… somewhere, though he can’t exactly say where. The shapes of mountains loom inland, peering behind dreary clouds. This must not be the far south, which has white sand and shady palms under which to drink wine, and Shi Qingxuan really, really could use some wine right now given the dryness in his mouth. / Post-Blackwater Arc, Shi Qingxuan adjusts to a mortal life, which means adjusting to hunger pains. Someone is taking care of him. Written for Heaven Official's Kitchen - TGCF Cookbook Zine (by-tgcfcookbook)</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>Having married the man of his dreams, Shang Qinghua is tasked with hosting the Festival of the Lament for the first time in decades. Now he has to plan a festival (which would be easier if Mobei-Jun would help him), try not to be overshadowed by his dead mother-in-law, and find Mobei-Jun the perfect gift. That’s a lot to ask of one cowardly ex-web-novelist! But he loves Mobei-Jun enough to try…</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>“How are you even supposed to enjoy going on a date with your boyfriend if you’re acting like ‘Olympic gold boyfriend material’ is too mediocre for him! I’m surprised you two manage to have enjoyable sex!” There is an awkward pause, and Meng Yao only realizes too late that it’s one that he let sit too long. He sets the dysfunctional hair straightener in the sink, unplugging it, but the noise of busywork comes too late to stop Wei Wuxian. “Are you not even having decent sex??” “It’s,” Meng Yao stutters, “—okay?” / Or: Meng Yao and Lan Xichen have been dating for a while, now, and everything about their relationship is perfect. Meng Yao makes sure of it, just like he makes sure that his annual performance review at Jin Corp is impeccable, that Madam Jin never catches his surreptitious, short visits to deliver gifts to Jin Ling, and that Lan Xichen gets a mind-blowing orgasm at least three times a week, even if they're too tired for sex for five days straight and Meng Yao has to chain them back-to-back until his jaw is sore. Everything is going great, until he makes the mistake of genuinely befriending Wei Wuxian.</blockquote> ➤ series consists of: Meng Yao's Guide to Sex and Love Meng Yao's Guide to Sex and Sensibility

Summary: <blockquote>In which Lan Wangji attempts to reconcile who he thought he would be with who he is.</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>After she gets rescued from BreharWallHan, Jena does her best to sit through medical care and meets another patient.</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>A post-canon Quanyin series, because I really needed a happy ending for these two and then we just kept going.</blockquote> ➤ series consists of: Then It All Goes Away Plain to See (Harder to Say) I'd Write Your Name in a Heart with the Hemorrhage Go I But For the Grace of You ➤ about difficulties in communicating even after you decide you're gonna try to have a better relationship

Summary: <blockquote>This is the first poem Xu Anshi gave to us; the first memory she shared with us for safekeeping. It is the first one that she composed in High Mheng—which had been and remains a debased language, a blend between that of the San-Tay foreigners, and that of the Mheng, Anshi’s own people. She composed it on Shattered Pine Prison, sitting in the darkness of her cell, listening to the faint whine of the bots that crawled on the walls—melded to the metal and the crisscrossing wires, clinging to her skin—monitoring every minute movement she made—the voices of her heart, the beat of her thoughts in her brain, the sweat on her body.</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>"Yes, you've been saying my name for the past five minutes," Wei Ying says, worried, and oh heavens, yes, this is indeed his husband. "It woke me up. Were you having a bad dream?" No, it was a good one, Lan Zhan wants to say. You were yourself again – He catches the thought mid-drift, and is mortified. / Lan Zhan sometimes misses Wei Ying's old body, and it's hard knowing he'll never see it again.</blockquote>