jainas

There is a thread on fictional_fans full of multifandom longfics recs and it has been a delight. Don't hesitate to jump-in if you want to share!
My "to read later" list has gone through some serious growth!

I recced a few dozen of my personal favorites, not for the first time, in some cases...
I had most likely already talked about them here or over at fancake ... but I can't help it, I love reccing fics I loved so other people can enjoy them too.
But it is also an exercice in frustration, I keep thinking of other fics I want to add to the list; some fandoms are under-represented... and of course in this case it is only fics in english.

Also, I find endlesly strange that some of my favourites fics are in fandoms I know almost nothing about... I guess it's because I loose the "canon" analysis and just enjoy the story, let myself be pulled in... And maybe because things that aren't original for  a reader knowing about the fandom are new to me?


Top-of-Mind 5 favorites longfics I have already reread at least once and would reread again anyday:
(I was strong and picked only single fics, and not series)

- Freeport by Maldoror_Chant (Gundam Wing, but could pretty much work as an original)
Freeport colony: a notorious den of pirates, smugglers and thieves. Wufei persuades one of its denizens, his one-time ally Duo, to help him catch a killer hiding there. Agent Chang thinks he knows what to expect from this case, from Freeport and from Duo Maxwell. He couldn't be more wrong.
A masterpiece of worldbuilding and gripping plot. A must-read.

- A Deeper Season by lightgetsin & sahiya (Vorkosigan saga)
Take one Miles, a hapless cousin, Cetagandan social politics, a galactic conspiracy, a scientific discovery, a lot of firepower, and an unexpected declaration. Mix well and step back quickly.

- Diplomatic Relations by Maldoror_Chant (Naruto)
Rock Lee, Diplomatic Envoy to Sunagakure. There are so many ways that could go wrong. But Lee is determined to succeed! And to befriend the feared Kazekage too, while he's at it. Good thing Lee loves a challenge...

- Victory Condition by astolat (Transformers)
“Do you want me to tell you a story?” Megatron said mockingly. “You won’t like it, Prime. It’s not a very nice one.”
The most recent of the list, but it climbed to the top like wahou, and for a fandom I knew nothing about!

- Don't You Shake Alone by Dira Sudis (Generation Kill)
Nate looked exactly like Brad always pictured him: exhausted in the full life-in-a-combat-zone sense of the word.


2nd round of fav longfics:

Anarchy in the UK by Yatzee (X-men AU)
Royalty AU wherein Charles is the Prince of Wales... and gay.
Made me love it to pieces even when I have absolutely no interest in royalty.

4 Minute Window by Speranza (MCU)
"Look, if they catch me," Bucky muttered, "they're either going to kill me or they're going to put me in a box with a little window and—Steve, I can't."

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose by synecdochic (SGA)
Because the meaning of life is "do the next thing", and we all carry the seeds of the past into our future. Futurefic, Rodney-centric.
I read this fic when I knew almost nothing of the fandom, and it stayed with me for a long time.

J'attendrai by Quasar (Rivers of London)
Probationary Constable Peter Grant met me for the first time when I walked up to him by the portico of the Actors' Church on a freezing winter night and said, "Hello. What are you up to?" However, I first met Detective Sergeant Peter Grant when he jogged up to my doorstep on a mild autumn afternoon and said, "There you are, sir. It is you, isn't."
Another case of "fandom osmosis level of knowledge is enough to get you by and won't stop you from loving this fic".

The Habits of a Lifetime by out_there (Sherlock)
In which Mycroft is not an easy man to know and an even harder one to look after. Fortunately, Lestrade is diligent and determined, and knows how to pay attention to people. Where family comes with obligations, but it also cares, even when you don't want them around. Where life mostly goes as expected, but sometimes has unanticipated joys.
The perfect post season 4 fic that made it all better and joined my headcanon on the spot.

Bel Canto by bendingsignpost (Sherlock AU)
After years of waiting for wealthy patrons to faint, Dr John Watson discovers a far more interesting patient in the opera house basement. (AU through a Phantom of the Opera lens.)
<3

Cinderwings by bendingsignpost (Supernatural AU)
Under the cover of a masquerade ball, Castiel has five nights to recover the key to his people's freedom. (Destiel Cinderella AU)
<3 <3 as well

To the sky without wings by leupagus (Star Wars TFA)
Poe dreams of a blue-green tree.
Just... so good? I didn't even knew I could ship Poe/Luke

Morphology by Finely Honed (Hannibal AU)
Hannibal's fascination with Will prompts him to attempt the impossible—giving up killing in order to better explore the possibility of a relationship with Will. Easier said than done.
Wonderful writing, strong plot and psychological insight.

Shark Tank by xzombiexkittenx (Hannibal AU)
Will and Hannibal meet in prison. Hannibal is still the Ripper, Will is still a profiler who had encephalitis. Only now they're cell mates
Slightly worrying summary, but excellent fic. :D

Pi's Lullaby by t_pock (Hannibal AU)
Will loses his daughter at the mall. Hannibal returns her to him.
<3

Where All Ladders Start by emungere (Hannibal)
Will is slowly losing his mind in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. He makes a deal with the devil to get out.
Classic, but for a reason :D


I cheated: fics that are over 300k, or actually series rather than single fics

- The Arrangement by Maldoror_Chant (Gundam Wing)
Wufei, struggling with his demons, agrees to a wartime fling with Heero, no affection needed or wanted. But the 'arrangement' lasts and grows as they join the preventers. It could become a source of strength for both. If they let it.

- The Paradox Series by wordstrings (Sherlock)
Being with Sherlock is a series of shocks, but John is game for it anyhow.
Not a longfic but a series, one of my favorite works in this fandom.

In This Light by SigilBroken (Game of Thrones)
"Allow Ser Jaime trial by combat,” Brienne said. “I will be his champion.”
A tremendously good Jaime/Brienne endgame serie. The one to read if you must only read one.