LINKDING

Summary: I was not in kemmer. He would always be. He had said to me once that my people were single, whole, undivided. But now we would now always be in a pair, ourselves and the other, the inside and the out, the left hand and the right hand. ➜ yuletide fic, for The Left Hand of Darkness ➜ Genly and Estraven, post-canon, from Estraven's pov ➜ suffused with this unshakeable sense of the connection between the two of them in a really gorgeous way ➜ what a perfect coda to canon! ➜ 2k words in length

➤ the He Xuan abortion drabble. and omgggg bloodletter nails it.

Summary: It holds its own hand in front of its face. Rotates it around. Examines through the darkness the sharp knuckles, the bony wrist, the unnatural pallor of its skin. This must be his body, it realizes. His body as it was before it was burned: starved, mad, and dead, but not rotten yet. / He Xuan is sent to prison. Later, he dies. He persists nonetheless. Over the centuries, two people are constants: one who knows nearly everything there is to know about him, and one who hardly knows him at all. ➤ the He Xuan magnum opus we don't deserve but are fortunate enough to get to read anyway ➤ following hx from the beginning until after the end, with theeeee most perfect narrative voice possible for hx ➤ I spent the entire fic internally shrieking with delight bc everything about it is so good!!! ➤ the hx characterisation, the beefleaf relationship complexities, the whatever it is they have of hx and hc....the tiny perfect xie lian cameos, even! it's all! so good!!!! ➤ READ IT READ IT READ IT ➤ 64k words in length

quote: Alice wants to hold a funeral for me, which is disconcerting because I’m not dead. But humans, like all aliens—and certainly all single-forms—have their own idiosyncrasies. ➤ scifi short story about a multi-bodied alien in a relationship with a human ➤ questions of identity, of whether you're being seen for who you truly are by people who want to interpret the whole world as being inhabited by people like them, eyes closed to the reality of differences ➤ I loved the intertwining of the worldbuilding and the relationship drama, and I loved that we got to see Yonder's relationships with other people, friends and siblings and so forth, the ways those relationships are different than the one with Alice ➤ 6k words in length

Summary: After a miserable year in Seoul, Bong-hwan finds a way back to Joseon. When she returns everything is very different from how she left it. ➤ post-canon Mr Queen fanfic ➤ wherein Bong-hwan finds a way to return to Joseon, this time by swapping bodies with a maid ➤ just a bunch of charming fun as Bong-hwan navigates a better understanding of herself and her desires, in the context of a role with very little access to power ➤ I love how good-hearted Bong-hwan is, and how comfortably herself she is at all times! ➤ 41k words in length

summary: <blockquote>It was a gusty night in the hills as young lady Shi approached the scholar Ming’s estate. </blockquote> ➤ hello impeccable gothic vibes beefleaf ➤ also, doing great things with gender. also, contains MUFFING. (thank u Fucking Trans Women for teaching me about muffing) ➤ this is so beefleaf. I love them both so much <3 ➤ 2k words in length ➤ blood-drinking but not vampires

Summary: <blockquote>When you're a boy Other boys check you out You get a girl These are your favorite things When you're a boy</blockquote> ➤ a vid about Rosalind in many different productions of Shakespeare's As You Like It ➤ a vid that is just having SO much fun leaning into being as queer about gender as it can manage ➤ and I had just as much fun watching it! ➤ 2:00 in length. Music only, no added sounds/dialogue. No subtitles.

<Summary: blockquote>Twelve years after the Chiyan massacre Jingyan, bitter and grieving, is urgently called back to the capital and presented by unexpected marching orders by his mother: he's to leave his military career and marry Mei Changsu, an eighteen-years-old maiden who claims to be a daughter of his mother's old friend, mysterious Mei Shinan. Jingyan is furious, but he's too filial a son to disobey his mother...</blockquote> ➤ NiF canon divergence fic where Jingyan is called back to the capital to an arranged marriage with a young maiden named Mei Changsu ➤ I love seeing what is and what is not different in the plans and in how the two of them relate to each other, in this changed context! ➤ some great cameos from other characters too ➤ what a fun and satisfying read! ➤ 10k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>He watches her that night, like he hasn’t done in months, a specter outside her bedroom window, a breeze in the dark night. Her things are, as always, scattered around her bed where she dropped them upon falling asleep. He can’t help but take notice that the fan is in a place of pride, tacked up on the wall next to polaroid pictures of — he realizes with a start — the two of them. He remembers her taking the pictures, shoving that too-big retro camera in his face and squishing the two of them together tight enough that He Xuan’s cheek brushed against hers. He shakes the memory off and watches her sleep, her chest slowly rising and falling with each inhale and exhale.</blockquote> ➤ beefleaf modern reincarnation! reincarnation isn't usually my thing but I liked how it was handled here ➤ he xuan has not developed any more chill over the years between when sqx dies and when sqx is finally reincarnated ➤ he xuan's pov is very fun. the drama! the pathos! meanwhile sqx is clearly just having a nice time bonding with he-jie. beefleaf always about contrasts :) ➤ I believe in u, he xuan! you can do it! have an actual relationship with sqx!! ➤ also the gender stuff is great. ➤ 6k words in length ➤ thanks to roland for the rec!

Summary: <blockquote>"...Before, the angel’s identity and mission had always been simple. For that matter, its identity and its mission had always been one and the same. It had been Study, or it had been Mincha, or it had been Comfort. Whatever it was, it was, wholly. In every moment it had known that it was exactly what it was meant to be. Like a single pure note sounding. Lately it felt like a whole chord – maybe several instruments at once, some of which might be dissonant – and it couldn’t be sure which way the chord would resolve. Every moment seemed to bring a new revelation of who and what it had become..."</blockquote> ➤ a lovely post-canon fic about Uriel after When The Angels Left the Old Country, as its relationship with Ash evolves but remains the cornerstone of its life ➤ also full of Jewish geekery (as the tags of the fic say too!) which feels so right for fic of this book! ➤ 3k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>OK, what I’ve just realised is: I’m not the only one this can ever have happened to, right? I mean, if swapping bodies through time and space like this is a Thing, then surely it can’t only be me and poor old Kim So Yong who ever aligned just the right way to trigger it? So, I’ve decided to write all this down in case maybe someone finds it and it’s useful. You know how in science fiction and fantasy dramas in like the second act the hot geeky member of the team will be like ‘Oh, I went into the archive and found this document that conveniently explains all the plot events so far and tells us what to do next’? This will be that document. You’re welcome, hot geek.</blockquote> ➤ have I watched Mr Queen? no I have not. but I HAVE had friends tell me about it and that's nearly as good, in that it means I could read this fic and understand and appreciate it ➤ Jang Bong Hwan is writing down maxims about how to survive the experience of bodyswapping through time and space, for reference for future people in the same situation ➤ Jang Bong Hwan gets a little off topic. a lot. ➤ Jang Bong Hwan loves Cheoljong so much! ➤ delightful and charming throughout, such an engaging and endearing narrative voice ➤ 7k 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

no summary ➤ fic for The Left Hand of Darkness, set generations after canon! ➤ a young person of Gethen dreams of journeying out to join the rest of the Ekumen; their parent tells them the story of the Envoy and of Estraven ➤ I love this outside perspective on the characters we know and love from canon, and what must have/might have happened to them, and the stories they've become in the generations since! ➤ the original characters are wonderful also, bringing a great dynamic to the discussion of what it means to be a Gethenian vs an Outsider, and to the consideration of what a story means and what it means to tell that story ➤ yuletide always brings fabulous left hand of darkness fics and this one is no exception! ➤ 2k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>"Anne had thought herself quite finished with wanting, but this want, once stumbled upon, would not quietly lay itself down in the grave with the others." Eight years changes a person, but not beyond all recognition. Fred Wentworth and Anne Elliot, years after a final break, find that they are more alike, in some respects, than they thought before.</blockquote> ➤ a rewrite of Persuasion featuring butch 4 butch Anne/Frederick ➤ god it's so GOOD and I am so EMOTIONAL about it ➤ I love all the ways in which it is both the same and different, the ways their identities affect the things they do and the choices they make ➤ and I mentioned in an earlier post how meaningful it is to be able to see gender non-conforming people like me in historical fiction, living their lives, finding ways to be happy, finding their community. shaking hands with them across time. I see you and you see me. ➤ making Persuasion specifically be the story told is so perfect too because of how it's about getting to know yourself better when you've had time to grow up more ➤ also there's lots of excellently-researched historical content ➤ and lots of feels ➤ READ IT READ IT READ IT ➤ it's such a lovely ending and I nearly cried about it ➤ 47k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>Shi Qingxuan is about to point out that, as Ming Yi said, the jade pillar has no sensation and there's not really any point to sucking her off like that. But then Ming Yi slinks onto the bed and pushes their way into her lap and licks a smooth stripe up the jade pillar, and, okay, Shi Qingxuan can see the appeal here. / shi qingxuan... with a strap</blockquote> ➤ beefleaf before the beefleaf arc goes down ➤ having sex with a strap-on and definitely not having any undercurrents of emotions about anything, what are you talking about, beefleaf would never ➤ god, the note it ends on!! ➤ 4k words in length

Summary: <blockquote>He saluted her in that way he sometimes mockingly did, as a loyal general ought to greet the sagest of chief ministers. “Come on, now,” she said. “You can do better than that.”</blockquote>

<blockquote>The Wind Master has always been hard to form a full impression of, a force of nature who leaves fleeting impressions of crystalline moments and powerful emotion on others. It’s no different for He Xuan, in the end.</blockquote> ➤ canon to post-canon beefleaf from he xuan's pov

<blockquote>He Xuan is Shi Qingxuan's dream, his nightmare, and whatever else can be found in the in-between.</blockquote>

<blockquote>“Have you ever… you know…” Shi Qingxuan fanned himself. He was lying on the bed while He Xuan worked, his scrolls spread out over the floor. “Been with a woman?” “What do you mean?” “You know. Intimately.” He Xuan hesitated. “…why?” “I’m just curious. We’re best friends, shouldn’t we know this kind of thing about each other?” “What possible use could you have for that information?” “What if you’re kidnapped by lustful ghosts? What if someone falls in love with you and asks me to mediate? What if your life is in danger and only the Martial Emperor’s virgin-detecting sword can save you?” “His what?” Shi Qingxuan laughed. “You know how the Emperor is about swords,” he said, which didn’t answer He Xuan’s question at all. “You won’t tell me? I’ll keep it a secret, I swear on my brother’s life.”</blockquote> ➤ beefleaf in feelings but it doesn't actually happen

<blockquote>Okay. Shi Qingxuan liked to have fun. Everyone knew that she liked to have fun—she was the Young Lord Who Poured Wine, after all. It was her thing. But she was, genuinely, fairly restrained and dignified! She was classy! She did not get up in her lady form and beg for random male officials to take her clothes off!</blockquote> ➤ early days beefleaf!

<blockquote>"I still don't think you thought this through," says one of Shi Qingxuan's captors. "Who's gonna pay a ransom for Black Water Sinking Ships? Only Crimson Rain Sought Flower really has enough money these days and he's not going to waste it on another Devastation." / Some ghosts decide that it's a great idea to kidnap Black Water Sinking Ships for profit. There's only one problem: Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan have swapped bodies.</blockquote>

<blockquote>I had not told anyone in Estre I was coming. I hadn’t known how, or what I would say. In Gethen there is no fear of being turned away, left standing at the gate. There will always be a welcome in a hearth, for a person with a shadow.</blockquote> ➤ it turns out Therem isn't dead!

<blockquote>All records of communication between Starfleet Cadet Therem Harth rem ir Estraven and Ashe Foreth rem ir Osboth are hereby sealed, by order of Argaven XV.</blockquote>

<blockquote>“Mate? As in one you copulate with for the purpose of reproduction?” “No! I mean, it could be that, but, no! It’s more like… you know, a marriage.” A-Spen blinked at her curiously. “I do not know. What is ‘marriage?’” - A snapshot of A-Spen and Willa, on a fro-yo date.</blockquote>

<blockquote>He Xuan had been ready to leave the desert well before Shi Qingxuan had finished her little investigation. It wasn’t the sun, or the sand, though both were unpleasant, but Crimson Rain’s stupid voice on the private communication array: « Oh, sorry, are we walking in on something? If I knew there was a dress code I would have gotten done up. » And if it wasn’t that, it was the tinkling of jewelry in Shi Qingxuan’s hair as she moved, or the meaningless asides that were disorienting in the scale of their inanity: “Isn’t this fun? I love having fun with you.”</blockquote>

<blockquote>When the elitist institution of Ozymandias Academy and its headmaster, Vamon Kinctuarin, can’t find a solution to the city’s worsening drought, 2 self-taught magicians, Noah and his partner Manny, take it upon themselves to find a solution to the crisis.</blockquote>

Summary: <blockquote>Talking at someone is only fun for so long. That's all being a sect leader is: talking and talking to people bound by courtesy to listen to you. It's so fucking dull. A relief, then, to face one’s equal, and no less an old friend who is inclined to interrupt you whenever you ramble. He likes it. It’s one of Jiang Cheng’s best qualities. In the years after Guanyin Temple, Nie Huaisang attends to unfinished business.</blockquote> ➤ REALLY GOOD, but I tore through the majority of the fic when it was only nearly done, and then waited for the conclusion to be posted, and that created a feeling of very uneven pacing because of how I read it and so the ending felt more distant for me. I think if I'd read it all in one go I would think it was ALL great though!

<blockquote>“I won’t leave you alone, Lord Estraven,” Genly said. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. In exile or at home. On the Ice or at the hearth.”</blockquote> ➤ just the right vibe to fit the book

<blockquote>A few small vignettes on the initial meeting and increasing connection between Genly and Therem. I greatly appreciated the prompt about the evolution of their relationship, and wanted to play with some of the things that struck me on my recent umpteenth re-reading of the book.</blockquote>

<blockquote>Computron is invited to a HyperWarp fan convention!</blockquote>