[ Avatar, Merlin, REBORN!, SM ]

[tomomichi]

SHARING TIME:
    So, I'm going back through a lot of the older posts on this journal, retagging and reorganizing everything, since it was such a mess back then. And there is nothing quite so embarrassing as going back five years and realizing just how painfully bratty you were. I-- I apologize to pretty much everyone for my behavior up until about... idk, 2005 or so. orz
AND ONTO THE RECS:
    Avatar: The Last Airbender - 4 Fanfics
    Katekyou Hitman REBORN! - 3 Fanfics
    Merlin - 8 Fanfics
    Sailor Moon - 1 Fanfic
    Katekyou Hitman REBORN! - 3 Doujinshi
2008 GOAL: 1587/1602


Avatar: The Last Airbender: Just Desserts by JoJoDancer - So I've mentioned the whole maybe not necessarily wanting out and out porn for these two, but some M-rated stuff wouldn't be entirely unwanted? Especially when they still have that wonderful dynamic that's so very much Aang and Katara, but you can tell that they're older here, just in the little ways they interact with each other. And it's a gorgeous fic, gorgeous writing with gorgeous characters and the two of them sparkle here as Katara attempts to bake a cake for Toph's birthday and they wind up making a bit of a mess. And a;sldkfjal;skjs oh god the ending. Beautiful. (Aang/Katara, maybe not quite SFW.)

Avatar: The Last Airbender: So Much for the Afterglow by JoJoDancer - This was just a short piece and it was very amusing, it had a fun ending that was just really all too easy to see happening. But what I really loved about it was the quiet half-conversation between Suki and Katara that was also just so easy to see them having. It was short, but fun and lovely. <3 (Implied Sokka/Suki.)

Avatar: The Last Airbender: A Good Thing by JoJoDancer - This is just a cute little piece about Toph, who discovers her new favorite dessert ever and of course she goes over zealous with it. It's fun and the dialogue is delightful and the whole thing was pretty easy to see. I especially love it because Toph never really regrets it, which is just completely like her. XD (No real warnings/pairings.)

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Yesterday's Hero by Artemis Rae - I knew this would probably be a good fic about Iroh and the process of his decision to join Zuko in his exile, but I didn't quite expect how this fic would get me. Iroh's thoughts, what he knows about all of his family, not just Zuko, but Ozai and Azula as well, what he knows from being the first born, the one originally meant for the throne, the what-ifs that that brings up when he tries to decide, all of it weaves together in this really fantastic little piece that has a great punch to it. (No warnings/pairings.)

Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: Strange Brew by gefenia - ;asdlkfjalskj goddamn, I love Xanxus/Squalo. I find myself hard pressed to pick a favorite from this series of ficlets, because the first one with little kidlet Xanxus and his mom kind of hit all the right buttons for me and gave so much perspective on the character and just. Really kind of almost hurt. But the last one! SUCH A GREAT SQUALO VOICE. a;sldkfjalskj I could totally read more of that storyline! But, I suppose, it's really the overall effect of the entire piece that's so great and a really good read for these two, both seperate and together. (Xanxus/Squalo.)

Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: in-between-scenes by gefenia - Yeah, okay, still with the loving Xanxus and Squalo kind of ridiculous amounts. This fic another set of five scenes between the two of them, just moments in their crazy lives and relationship, that could be more than gen or could just be their version of friendship, which I totally lean towards the former, even though I actually like that you don't know for sure. XD There's a rough quality to the writing, but somehow it works for this pairing where I don't know that it would for another, plus, this continues to have a really great Squalo voice and there's little that's more enjoyable than Squalo swearing a blue streak over Xanxus. Just. a;sldfjkal;skj I love them. (Xanxus/Squalo.)

Katekyou Hitman REBORN!: untitled? by Nerrin - I very nearly skipped over this fic, because the author's link to her fic said that there was a lot of OOC here and, well. I run into that often enough without meaning to, no need to go seeking it out. But it was Dino and Hibari and I was curious. I was pleasantly surprised by how non-cracky it was, actually, and the label was kind of misleading, so I almost missed a little fic I liked a lot. It's set, as many fics are, during the time Dino is training Hibari and it's about what's going through Dino's head at the time, this thin boy in front of him with the murderous expression and so much potential. There's a sharp edge to it, something that feels very much like they did in canon. And I like that there could be more here, but it might just be platonic, too. (This is pretty gen, but if you like Dino/Hibari, you should like this.)

Merlin: Bookends by lo0o0ony_lauren - I have a great fondness for this style of fic--two halves, each one dedicated to a different character (Arthur and Merlin, in this case), showing their circumstances and getting inside their heads. The Merlin one is very solid, I like what doesn't need to be said yet is still so clearly said about him in the second half, but it was the first half, the Arthur piece that really impressed me. His interactions with Morgana when he was younger were especially stunning and it's just so easy to see this as background for him. (This is gen, but you could easily see Arthur/Merlin in this.)

Merlin: In Confidence by kageygirl - [Note: There are spoilers for 1x07 in this fic and this rec.] This is a lovely coda for the episode with the evil fairies, where Arthur nearly drowned and Merlin had to drag him out of the water, because Arthur really remembers very little of what happened there, so this situation makes sense and I could easily see it happening. But the best part is the really lovely Gaius point of view/narrative, the author really nails the voices of the characters wonderfully. (This is gen, but you could easily see Arthur/Merlin in this.)

Merlin: New Light by kageygirl - This is a rather short and simple piece, Arthur defeats a basilisk but has to be blindfolded to do it, so there's a bit of a heightening with the other senses, the author doing a really lovely job of getting at the... intimate feel of it, the way Arthur is feeling rather than seeing here. I could read so, so many fics of Merlin touching Arthur to take things off (the blindfold in this case) while Arthur's hands are light in return and just. Keep coming back for more. This had some really pretty imagery and some lovely language, making it a really nice read. *__* (Arthur/Merlin.)

Merlin: Let the Enemy Guns by lo0o0ony_lauren - God, you'd think I'd get tired of fic where Arthur and Merlin get together eventually, wouldn't you? And yet I keep going back for more. Especially because there are fics like this, ones that have really lovely characterization of the two of them, a really nice Arthur narrative, and some really gorgeous language throughout the whole piece. I adored that there was a sense of... there's so much unsaid between these two, yet it's still somehow so clear, there's a strong emotional impact even in the littlest things here, just the two of them sitting side by side sometimes was enough to be full of beautifully done tension. *__* (Arthur/Merlin.)

Merlin: from the Poker to the Prize by lo0o0ony_lauren - Fics like this can be a bit hit or miss at times, sometimes I'm just not in the mood for a story like this or it's just not pulled off quite right (you'll see what I mean when you get further into the fic, I'm aware I'm being vague XD) but this one... this one really worked well for me. Part of it is the author's lovely writing, which continues to be just fantastic and her characterization is solid, but part of it is also that it wasn't pushed too hard and I adored all of what it said about the relationship between Arthur and Merlin that it may or may not have been there. It just. Hit all the right notes. (Arthur/Merlin.)

Merlin: Turn 30, Rule the Kingdom by jade_dragoness - This was a simple little fic, Arthur's coronation when he turns thirty, and the way some things don't change. Not a lot happens, it's pretty much pure fluff, but sometimes that's nice to balance out the angst of the fandom, too. And I did like that they're obviously older here, but still recognizably themselves. <3 (Arthur/Merlin.)

Merlin: Haven & Prison by lickingbeads - And then sometimes you find a fandom that gives you honest to god porn, rather than the light NC-17 stuff that most people call smut. Not that I don't love those stories, sometimes that's all I want, sometimes that's the perfect balance for me. And sometimes I want real NC-17 fic, especially when it totally hits my preferences the right way--I am totally a fan of raised-by-wolves!Arthur (as Meg put it and asl;dkfjaslk I will forever see him that way) who is such a predator when he wants to be and this. a;sdlfkjaslkjs it's so good and just what I wanted and the writing is lovely and it's all about Merlin's need and what Arthur does to him and, nnnfff, yes plz. (Arthur/Merlin, NC-17.)

Merlin: promise to leave my weapons left by the bedside by lickingbeads - After having read the author's previous fic, of course I had to read this one as well and it's just as beautifully written, the language the author uses just as pretty to read as her other one. This is a more bittersweet piece, more about the wanting and pull Merlin feels towards Arthur, how difficult it can be, this destiny that he didn't ask for, but he feels pulling at him nonetheless. It's not overly angsty and it's easy to see things getting better for Merlin in the future, but sometimes I like just a light sprinkling of angst to round the morning out. <3 (Arthur/Merlin.)

Sailor Moon: The Most Powerful of Magics by drakensis - I hadn't intended to read Sailor Moon fic this morning, but... it was short and seemed to have gathered several reviews, my curiosity was roused. And then... as;dlfkjas;lkjaslkjs I just. I kind of totally cracked up at the image, it hit me exactly right. Just. asd;lfkjasl;kj of course that's what would happen with Usagi. ♥ (No warnings/pairings.)

---

Katekyou Hitman REBORN! Doujinshi (raw) - Hibari Kouryaku - [Note: What I'm going to do is recommend each pairing separately for this anthology because they're not uploaded seperately, but I'll want to talk about each pairing seperately. Whatever, it makes sense to me. XD You'll have to download the whole thing, but the stories go in order listed, so it should be somewhat possible to skip to your favorite pairings.] a;lskdfjal;skj an entire anthology about Hibari being paired with all my favorite pairings? YES PLZ. Naturally I headed straight for the D18 ones and this doujinshi did not disappoint me, starting out with a Peeco? story that as;dlfkjaslkj had such pretty art. There's also Dino snuggling up to Hibari--who looks thrilled, really--and I AM WEAK, SHUT UP. Then there's that one with the art that looks eerily like Obata's art (which I've seen scanslated before, I think?) and I was impressed that most of the artists in this anthology seem really solid. There's not as much porn as I'd like (I need my fix of Hibari porno, okay :|) but it's hard to be mad when the art is really solid all the way through and the stories are adorable or hilarious and there are just enough makeouts to satisfy. And there's some sex later on in the anthology. Wherein Hibari is kind of lolariously a little bastard about it. There's also a lot of face-touching and a;lsdfkja;sljk holy shit am I ever weak to the face-touching with D18. *__* Or the one where Dino's trying to stick his hand under Hibari's shirt while they're on the couch and Hibari just casually backhands Dino off the sofa and it's great, especially because it ends in more porn and then a freetalk image of Hibari in a skirt! \o/ ....god bless Japan. It's like they know. (Dino/Hibari, some NC-17 content.)

Katekyou Hitman REBORN! Doujinshi (raw) - Hibari Kouryaku - [Note: What I'm going to do is recommend each pairing separately for this anthology because they're not uploaded seperately, but I'll want to talk about each pairing seperately. Whatever, it makes sense to me. XD You'll have to download the whole thing, but the stories go in order listed, so it should be somewhat possible to skip to your favorite pairings.] NEXT UP, 8018! I'm still not sure how well I could take Yamamoto/Hibari in fic, but in doujinshi? So totally. And the first one starts out with some great expressions on Hibari's face and then makeouts and that just sort of set the tone for me here. I don't think the art is as strong as in the D18 stories (but I may be biased, idk) but if you like the pairing, I still think it's worth grabbing this download, because the stories usually manage to work in some beautiful expressions on one or the other's face. Or there's one TYL where Yamamoto is wounded and Hibari smacks him around because he's feeling sorry for himself and stuff and the art is really pretty and just. asl;dfkjas why are these characters all so hot? There's a lot of other pairings mixed in, but still worth a download, imo. (Yamamoto/Hibari, some NSFW content mixed in with the other pairings.)

Katekyou Hitman REBORN! Doujinshi (raw) - Hibari Kouryaku - [Note: What I'm going to do is recommend each pairing separately for this anthology because they're not uploaded seperately, but I'll want to talk about each pairing seperately. Whatever, it makes sense to me. XD You'll have to download the whole thing, but the stories go in order listed, so it should be somewhat possible to skip to your favorite pairings.] *wistful* I wish there were more Ryohei/Hibari in this anthology, I think there's only really the one? But it's one I'd never seen before! And had makeouts! And you have to appreciate an anthology that has a Kusakabe/Hibari story in it, however brief and not really to my tastes, art-wise. But, to make up for that, there's a Mukuro/Hibari story by punch!! that ends on a really great note. There are also a lot of really great extra bits of art in the free talk sections, chibi doodles of Hibari or just little extras for the pairings or just Hibari looking awesome. ALSO ALSO ALSO. There is a Tsuna/Hibari story. In that order! I mean. Dying Will!Tsuna, but! Just. God bless Japan. For serious. ♥ (Some Ryohei/Hibari, some Tsuna/Hibari, some Mukuro/Hibari, some Kusakabe/Hibari.)

Comments

[keitorin.livejournal.com]

Haha, I felt the same way about my own posts in tanomono when I went back to the first ones to tag them. XD It's amazing how you feel you've grown when you look back at your old writing/attitude.

Thanks for all the lovely Merlin recs, I just watched episode 12 and am in need of some fics to sate me. ♥

[tomomichi.livejournal.com]

I know that nearly everyone was a lot more bratty back then, there was a lot more using of cutesy phrases and random fangirl Japanese at the time, but, oh, lord. It's painful to look at some of them. XD (I'm just glad I don't have to go back any further than that, lest my overuse of parentheses or emoticons comes back to haunt me. Even moreso than I abuse them now, that is.)

I see another one falls to the uber-fandom that is Merlin. Pretty soon everyone will be in this fandom--NO SURVIVORS ARE TO BE LEFT.

[keitorin.livejournal.com]

Oh gods, I know. XD I sure did. I try not to abuse my emoticons anymore. ...Too much.

I think everyone is falling for Merlin! People are rec'ing it over at recsrainbow now as well - recs ahoy!

[tomomichi.livejournal.com]

I was also terrible with ending nearly every sentence with ellipses or abusing the italics tags. I imagine we'll probably feel that way about ourselves now in five years from now, too. XD

I love anime/manga fandoms, but, man, it's nice to be in a fandom where lots of people rec stuff, too!

[keitorin.livejournal.com]

Strangely, I didn't do the italic thing until recently - probably due to reading comics. I think it was mainly the abuse of ^_^ type faces back then. *grin* Now I also abuse *asterisks*. =P

I imagine we will feel the same again! We're always growing and we only realize it when we go back and take a look.

I completely agree. I often find myself wishing that more people rec'ed anime/manga fandoms, and it is nice to have so many people rec'ing TV Show/etc fandoms!

[tomomichi.livejournal.com]

Like, I'm pretty sure I'm going to look back and want to crawl under a rock at how much keyboard mashing I do these days. And yet. I cannot stop myself anyway! XD

I often wish there were more people recommending for anime/manga fandoms, because there are so few of us, especially dedicated ones! And it's a lot harder to find the good stuff in anime/manga fandoms! And it's easy, you guys! If you're already reading fic, you're already doing your own mental filtering, so help the rest of us out! *COMPLAINS*

....this is a subject I could go on about for awhile, as you can tell. XD

[keitorin.livejournal.com]

It kind of hurts to try not to be so fangirlish! So I just do my best to tone it down when I get really rambly and start making no sense. xD

It is a lot harder to find stuff - well, that and a big part of it is wading through the not so good fic. A lot of younger people write for anime/manga, though you have a better chance of finding good stuff on LiveJournal. I feel the exact same way about rec'ing. You've read the fic and had your thoughts about it, how hard is to share it with others so that they can read it too? Also, it can be very fun and is a good way for me with my bad memory to keep track of things.

I actually managed to get my friend into rec'ing and she made an account @ tomato_graffiti, but she's a bit ADD so it's not updated often. D:

I tend to get distracted a lot myself by all the shiny, but I guess I've had years to get used to keeping up with the rec'ing / using that distraction as an advantage to rec more.

[tomomichi.livejournal.com]

Tell me about it. XD I've gotten better at accepting that I'm going to be fangirly on-line and that's just the way I am, which tones down on the embarrassment I used to feel, but there are times when I do get a bit "...oh, lord." at myself still. XD

Yes! I can't fathom not doing recs at this point, because it's such a fantastic way to get more of what I want from fandom and a great way to participate and a great way to get all that pent-up energy I have focused into a goal! I was total crap at it at first, reading some of those early recs makes me cringe, but it gets easier and easier and I just. Want more people to do it!

Anime/manga fandoms are pretty vast, for all that they skew very young and don't get as many longer fics, not to mention how difficult it can be to wade through fanart, so more help would be appreciated, you guyssss. XD

[owari.livejournal.com]

I am totally a fan of raised-by-wolves!Arthur (as Meg put it and asl;dkfjaslk I will forever see him that way) who is such a predator when he wants to be and this.

I TOTALLY AGREE. Merlin fandom has some of the most sexy and satisfying porn I've read in a long time. I will never get tired of predatory Arthur fics. ♥

(Oh, and fic is now more than 3,000 words and still going strong. ♥)

[tomomichi.livejournal.com]

Admittedly, anime/manga fandoms do give us doujinshi porn which can be really satisfying, it's not quite the same as a constant stream of well-written porn that this fandom is delivering on. And Arthur is so hot when he's all burning eyes and serious expression when he hunts and it would be so hot turning that on Merlin. *__*

(ILU WHEN WILL IT BE DONE? *GRABBY HANDS*)

[owari.livejournal.com]

ILU WHEN WILL IT BE DONE?

Hopefully tomorrow. I just need to finish the last couple of hundred words and edit. ♥

[owari.livejournal.com]

Wahey! PRESENT FOR YOU (http://tristefic.livejournal.com/48218.html). ♥

[(Anonymous)]

NEXT UP, 8018! I'm still not sure how well I could take Yamamoto/Hibari in fic, but in doujinshi? So totally.

Sorry for the anon - I don't have an LJ account. I just stalk your rec journal and yay today you mentioned my OTP! Well for Yamamoto/Hibari fic I think that if you have the attention span, Windshear (http://kagayachou.livejournal.com/15876.html) will win you over to the pairing completely. I only like the pairing a little before I read it and it totally became my OTP afterwards. ♥♥

[tomomichi.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link! I'm intrigued by the idea of Yamamoto/Hibari a lot, but I'm sort of wary of diving into the fandom for it, so a starting point is extremely helpful! ♥

[juxtaposie.livejournal.com]

I am always so incredibly impressed and enchanted by the sheer SCOPE of fics you choose to rec. I've been following along with your posts for quite a while now (as well as checking out Fleeting Fancies) and I felt it was finally time I told you how much I appreciate what you do. I'm going to friend you now.

And yesno, the fact that you've recced some of my fics has a little nothing to do with it. 0:)