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tomomichiSHARING TIME:
ღ - More Bleach icons of the Ichigo, Orihime, and IchiHime variety. They're beautiful and as;ldkfjasl;kj it was an effort not to, idk, renew my paid account and redecorate the whole journal. (Of course, I also nearly did that with my Sailor Moon obsessions. And IT IS A FIGHT not to do with Viewfinder and Junjou Romantica, too. orz orz orz) She really is my favorite icon maker in this fandom, though.
ღ - Now that I have finished Final Fantasy XIII (at only 50 hours, bwuh? I feel like it should have had at least 10 or 20 more hours than that!), I need fic. Especially fic that makes with the okay-Hope's-a-little-older-so-you-don't-need-to-feel-squicky smoochies! (He's going to grow up to be so hot.)
ღ - P.S. I'm wondering. Do you think Junjou Romantica might have eaten me a little? I'm not sure....
AND ONTO THE RECS:
Junjou Romantica - 15 Fanfics
Kyou Kara Maou! - 6 Fanfics
Viewfinder - 6 Fanfics
Junjou Romantica: Hot and Cold by Penguin - Another thing that a fandom isn't complete until you finally get it! Ice cream fic! Especially if it's fic where Hiroki hates ice cream, so Nowaki gets him sorbet instead while Nowaki gets normal ice cream and it's clearly the best tasting thing ever and, naturally, this does not go unnoticed by Hiroki. Who is his usual adorable, cranky self about it. <3 (Nowaki/Hiroki.)
Junjou Romantica: Nurse Hiro-san by The Chichi Slaughter House - Do you know who my favorite Junjou Romantica character is? Hiroki is usually near the top of the list, if not my actual favorite. (It wavers between him and Usagi and occasionally Misaki.) I love him such ridiculous amounts, especially when he's so... I love him, but god help his common sense about being "challenged" sometimes, especially when a ~*mysterious package*~ arrives with a nurse's outfit that just happens to fit him perfectly. Also, the ending makes me laugh every time, too. (Nowaki/Hiroki, R.)
Junjou Romantica: untitled by Anon - [ crack continuation + crack continuation 2 ] - I don't normally rec things from anonmemes, but I was browsing the Junjou Romantica one and stopped to read the first response (Nowaki and Hiroki couchsex, bonus points for getting caught by Akihiko and Misaki) and it was just so... it was so... it was so beautiful and perfect and then there were continuations with Hiroki shooting up to be my favorite character because of how he reacts to getting caught by Misaki (HIS STUDENT) and Akihiko, who then HE becomes my favorite because Akihiko is just... he has no shame! No embarrassment! No fucking tact and I DARE ANYONE READING to not pretty much just about cry over these three pieces. I can't say much more without ruining it, but... oh, man, this may be one of my favorite things in the fandom yet. I dearly wish I could read more of this set foreverrrr. (Nowaki/Hiroki, Usagi/Misaki, maybe not quite SFW.)
Junjou Romantica: In Which Hiroki Learns Not to Tutor People by Eike - I had a strong suspicion before I read this fic, but afterwards it was pretty much cemented. I will read anyone/Hiroki, up to and including Shinobu. Which isn't to say that this fic wasn't fantastic, because it was and it sold me on the ship (...in the sense that it's not really a ship per se, more that... well... it's complicated?) and Shinobu's characterization was perfect. But, oh, Hiroki. Poor, poor Hiroki, who has to tutor Shinobu and his life is so fucking difficult and Nowaki is not helping and there's this moment where. If you don't laugh, I don't want to know you. I would read Hiroki being terrorized (and Nowaki saying, no, I don't think so :| ) pretty much forever. (Sort of Shinobu/Hiroki? With Nowaki/Hiroki and Miyagi/Shinobu.)
Junjou Romantica: I Wish by Eike - Any fic that starts out with "Akihiko, I wish I were still in love with you." is bound to be a heartbreaker. It's not entirely depressing because it's set after Hiroki has fallen for Nowaki, after Nowaki has left for America, seemingly without word, and we all know how that ends up eventually. But it's still kind of heartbreaking to see a drunken Hiroki so lost after Nowaki's depature and being so open (for once) with Akihiko about how he used to feel, especially when Akihiko clearly doesn't know how to respond. It's a short piece and it made me smile from the humor of it, but it also made me ache for the characters all over again, a little bit, too. (Nowaki/Hiroki, mentioned Akihiko/Hiroki.)
Junjou Romantica: Bound by Gryvon - I was a little wary about this fic at first, because Hiroki was protesting being tied up during sex and... I mean, I know. It's BL manga, these things happen. Especially with a character like Hiroki, who usually objects to anything new no matter how he actually feels about it. But it still kind of made me "...." for awhile--which isn't to say that it wasn't well-written! Because it is! And it's in line with the characters and the series and the genre! So, this is a personal thing that I wanted to mention as a caveat for those like me. But if you get past that? This is kind of a hot as hell fic. Hiroki tied up and having to push past his own embarrassment to tell Nowaki to just fuck him already, Nowaki's patience and clear adoration of Hiroki, the satisfying resolution and how much you want to squish these two together forever because they're so damn sweet, it was all well worth it. (Nowaki/Hiroki, rather dub-con-ish, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: Surprise Gifts by Gryvon - Much like the previous fic, I have the same hesitation and caveat attached to this fic--Hiroki protests a lot and I do waver when it comes to that. But, again, it's not out of line with the series/characters and the genre overall, so I can take it in that vein and enjoy it for what it is: Nowaki/Hiroki porn with toys! And it's very nicely written, keeping with Hiroki's crankiness to Nowaki's total and complete adoration of Hiroki in pretty much everything he does, says, or even just breathes. The ending was... it was actually pretty perfect and I love Hiroki with the passion of a thousand suns and I can't deny that the fic was hot; I enjoyed reading this one a lot. (Nowaki/Hiroki, rather dub-con-ish, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: Romance Novels Rot Your Brain by Eike - Nowaki reading Usagi's BL novels. Which kind of makes Hiroki explode with rage at just the sight of it. And he does not sound like that trash, not at all! Which, of course, doesn't backfire on him spectacularly, not at all. And I love this, because Hiroki is such a great character and I love Nowaki's reaction to Hiroki's tantrums, that suddenly they aren't having sex because Hiro-san would never say something so cliche as "Noooo... stop that..." when he didn't mean it! And I think I had a grin on my face the entire time I was reading AND the ending was just. Pitch perfect. :Db (Nowaki/Hiroki.)
Junjou Romantica: Fireworks by galuxkitty - This was really sweet Nowaki/Hiroki fluffy sex--the scene with the fireworks and the yukata really did happen, which leads pretty much where expected. It's this really warm, light-hearted piece that's a nice counter-balance to all the angst these two go through, while not losing the usual dynamic (Hiroki being cranky, Nowaki being adoring) that make them so much fun. I'm glad to have read this one! (Nowaki/Hiroki, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: Tama by galuxkitty - Next on the list of "things a fandom/pairing isn't complete until they have fic of"? Kittyfic! Nowaki adopts a cat and Hiroki doesn't exactly get along with it. I love fic that's about one half of a couple that absolutely hates the stupid pet and swears the pet hates them right back, only to eventually find a way to co-exist together. Hell, I write fic like that, so of course I eat it up like candy when I come across it in fandom! I really do love how Nowaki falls in love with the cat, which clearly makes Hiroki jealous and, no matter how hard he tries, he still hates the damn thing. Plus, the omake is kind of utterly perfect, I still laugh every time. (Nowaki/Hiroki.)
Junjou Romantica: Off-stage, Away from the Spot-Lights by parsnip_chan - You know what is quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes in this fandom? Hiroki getting so turned on that he has to have Nowaki now, to the point that it pushes him past his usual embarrassment and total crap communication skills. The other thing I really loved about this fic--aside from porn always being very, very welcome--is the slight mishap in communication these two have, when Nowaki gets the wrong idea about why Hiroki is so turned on and I eat Nowaki's jealousy/anger up like it was delicious candy. Which, admittedly, is all the better because of course it doesn't last and they find a way to right themselves quickly, like they do. (Nowaki/Hiroki, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: But Love is Blind and Lovers Cannot See by penguin474 - I'm not sure what prompted me to read this story, other than that I was on the reveals page for the junjou_fest comm and started clicking randomly. What I got was a breathtaking fic, probably the best fic I've yet read on the Akihiko/Hiroki vs Nowaki/Hiroki situation and definitely one of the best on Hiroki's character in and of himself. I've found that, over the last couple of weeks since I got into the series, that Hiroki has quickly become my favorite character and this fic highlights so much of why that is and made me feel so much for him. The entire story has a tension and a hurt from his narration, how there's such a deep welling of feelings that he tries so hard to grapple with constantly, and the writing and characterization here is brilliant. The way his relationship with Akihiko falls apart and Hiroki almost falls apart with it, the way Nowaki makes his way into Hiroki's life little by little, the way there's a grace and natural flow to the writing and characterization. All of it was beautiful. If there's one fic I want to recommend for this triangle (such as it is), I think this would be the fic I'd put at the top of that list. Or, hell, just for Hiroki fans because it's such a tight, well-written look into his character. *__* I honest to god let out a hard breath when I was finished because it had caught me up in the writing and Hiroki's emotions just that much. (Akihiko/Hiroki, Nowaki/Hiroki, R.)
Junjou Romantica: A New Year's Incident by Eike - Oh, this one was just wonderful. It's a series of revolving narratives (each one in a different scene) about the chaos that is the Junjou Romantica characters all being invited to the Kamijou household for New Year's because they really don't have a lot of family to spend it with, but this works out really well. I love the connections between the characters, I love that it's hilarious and it had me laughing outright more than once, and I love that the characterizations are all spot-on. I love that even when they're trying to make each other's lives hellish, it's done out of love and it only makes you love everyone more. I'm also impressed as hell at how the author crammed so many characters into a single room and didn't make it feel crowded or confusing to figure out what was happening where. I cannot say enough about how much I adored everyone meeting each other (my favorite was Misaki and Hiroki, of course) and how all these little characterization touches were put into the fic, how the author nailed every single character, and gave it a warm-hearted, happy-making ending. ♥ (Usagi/Misaki, Nowaki/Hiroki, Miyagi/Shinobu.)
Junjou Romantica: A Birthday to Remember by deecherrywolf - You know what one of my favorite things is about the canon coming up around Hiroki? That he totally slept around before he met Nowaki--because I can really see that for someone like him who enjoys sex and was so in love with Akihiko that he wouldn't allow anyone to mean anything, so it would be a string of one-night stands. It just makes me love him all the more somehow. And then! Nowaki finding out! Which, you know, is going to go over totally well because Nowaki isn't a jealous person at all or anything, certainly not when it comes to Hiroki. And then you add in sex with a slightly rough, not quite angry but certainly posessive edge by the time they're actually fucking, and it's kind of really hot. (Nowaki/Hiroki, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: Bibliophiles by Avarice - This fic revisits the library scene where Hiroki and Nowaki get back together (and make a mess of the library that night) and I think... this is a lot sweeter and fluffier than the scene in canon, but that's a good thing for the fic, I felt. Because it's such a painfully raw scene, because it's a tearful, bittersweet scene even as they're coming back together and wounds are healing, it's a little painful. In contrast, this is much more soothing and adorable, their coupling here is such a warm-hearted thing that I really liked. The characterization is fantastic, I love that it's almost a hint of playfulness that's not out of place and, oh, the ending was lovely and made me kind of squee. .....shut up. (Nowaki/Hiroki, NC-17.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: Kingdom of Shy by flight_of_ideas - [Note: This fic is made up of ten stories/chapters in a series, but since they're all one storyline, I'm going to recommend them together.] This is one of those fic series that I wish I had discovered years ago, back when the fandom was younger, because I could have really used it at the time. But, also, I'm glad I didn't pick it up until now, after it was all finished and I could read it in one sitting, because otherwise I might well have clawed my way up the walls and never came back down. This is a series about Conrad and Yuuri getting together, about dealing with all the people around them and the obsticals in their way, both internal and external here. Each story is set from a different character's point of view, showing the side of events that they see and what they're going through as Conrad and Yuuri are both struggling to figure things out between them. I really love the sense of connection here, how they both have a lot of people in their lives, how things continue to move slowly and inexorably towards them getting together, because it was kind of inevitable. It's a lovely series that I enjoyed immensely. (Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: It Happened In Degrees by littlestkitten - What I liked about this fic is a lot of the same things I often like in fic--Yuuri hates the idea that Conrad might only want to be near him because his soul is Julia's, Yuuri finds himself slowly realizing his own attraction to Conrad, etc.--but what I especially liked here was the way Yuuri found himself wanting Conrad to get more jealous than he was, to not be quite so perfect all the time. I love the (seemingly) perfect characters a lot, but one of the best things that come with that is the person who loves them wishing that they weren't so goddamned perfect all the time because it's frustrating. This fic lightly touched on that and I totally ate it up. (Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: Rainy Days Bring Unexpected Happenings by littlestkitten - Another short piece (which I find works well as part of a larger series of various moments by this author), where Yuuri is wandering around the castle and, through a series of events, briefly finds himself on the receiving end of Conrad's anger. What makes this fic work for me, where it might not have in most circumstances, is that I can buy Yuuri's mindset in being freaked out enough to hide when he hears footsteps behind him or Yuuri, being the kind and giving person he is, would allow himself to be banned from leaving the castle because it was raining, I can buy that Conrad would be furious about whatever it is, because he doesn't know it's Yuuri at first. The author manages to find circumstances that make this fic work well for me. Plus, I am totally onboard with the idea of an angry Conrad being really fucking scary. (Implied future Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: Realizations by littlestkitten - As mentioned previously, I find that this fic works best when you read it in a series of the author's overarcing works. I'll admit ahead of time that I did find the ending of this piece rushed, that Wolfram would be so level-headed or (somewhat) clear on/empathic to the situation Conrad is in so soon, I would have preferred a more vague-ish ending. However. Wolfram stalking Yuuri to find out who he's cheating with? Because Wolfram is getting frustrated by the lack of returned feelings and it takes him forever to catch on to what's really going on? Kind of hilarious. And, also, sometimes it's nice to be reminded that I do like Wolfram's character for his own sake. (Implied future Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: The Edge of a Precipice by littlestkitten - [Note: This fic is part of a larger series and a direct sequel to a previous fic that would help to have been read first.] Another short piece, but moving Conrad and Yuuri forward in a way that I really liked. I like that Yuuri's curiosity about the room he was hiding in previously has come back to him, that he seeks the room out and is so... emotionally level-headed about his own feelings. He understands a lot, about himself and Conrad both, and I love what a sweet and caring soul he has, how he feels badly about things he shouldn't feel badly about. And how he knows what he wants at the same time--I love a good fic series where things take their time, but each fic is a step forward. (Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: A Case of You by littlestkitten - [Note: This fic is part of a larger series that is best read first to understand the events here.] You know, this fic gave me a new craving that I never knew I needed, even if it didn't intend to. The first half of the fic is about Wolfram letting go and I really like the way Wolfram handled it, I think that that's how it's going to go someday and I'll hurt for him (as I did here) but know that it's how things were always going to end. The second half is about Yuuri trying to figure out what to do next, now that things have shifted underneath him, and I'm very fond of the way the author writes Yuuri here. Such a caring young man, so hesitant because he doesn't want to hurt anyone or push things too fast, but also still really sure of what he wants. It's another step foward for them that I really liked. (Conrad/Yuuri.)
Viewfinder: Past Midnight by clueless_psycho - I continue to kind of marvel at what this fandom has done to me! Akihito waiting in Asami's living room for a birthday surprise for the man and Asami is... well, Asami about his present, and all of it is just sort of... normal for me now? Which isn't to say that it's not very welcome, because I enjoyed this fic a lot, the author does well with the balance of their relationship--Akihito just sort of accepts Asami's whims, yet he's not a doormat, and that brave personality is so much of what attracts Asami to him, which is lightly touched on in this fic while they're having sex. Plus, yeah, the image the author presents is very pretty. <3 (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)
Viewfinder: Nothing but Diamonds by desertriver - You know how I get a lot of those fics where... *waves hands* I didn't know I needed to read something until I found myself stumbling over a fic for it? Yeah, Akihito winding up as the focus of a photo shoot rather than working behind the scenes because their model is sick at the last second and he is really gorgeous, happens to be one of those things. Add in Asami being kind of a posessive bastard and I am totally not ashamed of my kinks, shut up. (Asami/Akihito.)
Viewfinder: Seven Days by clueless_psycho - [ prologue - day 1, part 1 - day 1, part 2 - day 2 - day 3 - day 4 - day 5 - day 6 - day 7 ] - This is one of those fics that I suspect you have to be in just the right frame of mind for, that you have to go in accepting what it's trying to do ahead of time to get the point of of it, it needs to be firmly fixed in your mind what this fic is and isn't. Basically, the fic's premise is: Akihito needs to borrow money from Asami, which is a struggle for him and Asami is amused as hell by it. Asami says, here, just take the money, but Akihito refuses. Asami says, well, do whatever I say for a week and you can have a lot more. OH HELL NO says Akihito, but Asami goads him into it anyway. And then things to exactly as you expect them to. The story is rough and you can feel the lack of a beta for the fic, but the author has a lot of promise (and, indeed, it comes out in her later work that I've really enjoyed) and the basic idea is one I never knew I wanted as badly as I did. It's one giant excuse for porn and the basic structure of the fic (as well as the different things Asami orders Akihito into doing, while mixed with undercurrents of insights into both characters and their relationship) is solidly done. I have a deep fondness for Akihito being kind of forced to admit how much he wants sex with Asami and/or Asami being kind of a bastard about it because he is. Between that and seven days of porn with the two of them, each trying something new out, I found myself really enjoying this fic. (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)
Viewfinder: Introductions by lilt-rill - One of my favorite things in a pairing like Asami/Akihito, where both parties are so stubborn in their own ways, is a bargaining process, especially when there's a power imbalance in play as well. The beginning of this fic played on that and it was like delicious, delicious candy for it, with Akihito trying to bargain for Asami giving him just twenty minutes to go do this thing. Asami's amusement throughout the whole fic, once Akihito can finally go inside and meet his friends, the way the surprises pop up to make things even more amusing, is all a lot of fun. (Asami/Akihito, a light R.)
Viewfinder: Death by lilt-rill - This is a short piece, but it worked for me for two reasons. The first half is... not quite angry sex, but it's not gentle or sweet, either. Instead it's posessive and rough, without Akihito really knowing why--which is deliberate, of course. The second half is about why Asami is acting the way he is and I liked it because... yeah, of course that's how Asami would deal with things. :|b (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)
Viewfinder: Jammed by clueless_psycho - You can tell where this fic is going from the opening sentence. Hell, from the first half of the opening sentence. Akihito is stuck in a traffic jam and it's going exactly where you think it's going. But it's a fun (ha ha) ride along the way, with Asami being his usual amused bastard self, plus Akihito clearly wants it because a) he brings it up and b) he's really into it. Which makes this fic kind of the perfect balance of everything for me? Asami being a bastard, but Akihito bitches at him for it, then there's sex that they both clearly enjoy! In a car! Man, sometimes I really love fandom a lot. (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)
ღ - More Bleach icons of the Ichigo, Orihime, and IchiHime variety. They're beautiful and as;ldkfjasl;kj it was an effort not to, idk, renew my paid account and redecorate the whole journal. (Of course, I also nearly did that with my Sailor Moon obsessions. And IT IS A FIGHT not to do with Viewfinder and Junjou Romantica, too. orz orz orz) She really is my favorite icon maker in this fandom, though.
ღ - Now that I have finished Final Fantasy XIII (at only 50 hours, bwuh? I feel like it should have had at least 10 or 20 more hours than that!), I need fic. Especially fic that makes with the okay-Hope's-a-little-older-so-you-don't-need-to-feel-squicky smoochies! (He's going to grow up to be so hot.)
ღ - P.S. I'm wondering. Do you think Junjou Romantica might have eaten me a little? I'm not sure....
AND ONTO THE RECS:
Junjou Romantica - 15 Fanfics
Kyou Kara Maou! - 6 Fanfics
Viewfinder - 6 Fanfics
Junjou Romantica: Hot and Cold by Penguin - Another thing that a fandom isn't complete until you finally get it! Ice cream fic! Especially if it's fic where Hiroki hates ice cream, so Nowaki gets him sorbet instead while Nowaki gets normal ice cream and it's clearly the best tasting thing ever and, naturally, this does not go unnoticed by Hiroki. Who is his usual adorable, cranky self about it. <3 (Nowaki/Hiroki.)
Junjou Romantica: Nurse Hiro-san by The Chichi Slaughter House - Do you know who my favorite Junjou Romantica character is? Hiroki is usually near the top of the list, if not my actual favorite. (It wavers between him and Usagi and occasionally Misaki.) I love him such ridiculous amounts, especially when he's so... I love him, but god help his common sense about being "challenged" sometimes, especially when a ~*mysterious package*~ arrives with a nurse's outfit that just happens to fit him perfectly. Also, the ending makes me laugh every time, too. (Nowaki/Hiroki, R.)
Junjou Romantica: untitled by Anon - [ crack continuation + crack continuation 2 ] - I don't normally rec things from anonmemes, but I was browsing the Junjou Romantica one and stopped to read the first response (Nowaki and Hiroki couchsex, bonus points for getting caught by Akihiko and Misaki) and it was just so... it was so... it was so beautiful and perfect and then there were continuations with Hiroki shooting up to be my favorite character because of how he reacts to getting caught by Misaki (HIS STUDENT) and Akihiko, who then HE becomes my favorite because Akihiko is just... he has no shame! No embarrassment! No fucking tact and I DARE ANYONE READING to not pretty much just about cry over these three pieces. I can't say much more without ruining it, but... oh, man, this may be one of my favorite things in the fandom yet. I dearly wish I could read more of this set foreverrrr. (Nowaki/Hiroki, Usagi/Misaki, maybe not quite SFW.)
Junjou Romantica: In Which Hiroki Learns Not to Tutor People by Eike - I had a strong suspicion before I read this fic, but afterwards it was pretty much cemented. I will read anyone/Hiroki, up to and including Shinobu. Which isn't to say that this fic wasn't fantastic, because it was and it sold me on the ship (...in the sense that it's not really a ship per se, more that... well... it's complicated?) and Shinobu's characterization was perfect. But, oh, Hiroki. Poor, poor Hiroki, who has to tutor Shinobu and his life is so fucking difficult and Nowaki is not helping and there's this moment where. If you don't laugh, I don't want to know you. I would read Hiroki being terrorized (and Nowaki saying, no, I don't think so :| ) pretty much forever. (Sort of Shinobu/Hiroki? With Nowaki/Hiroki and Miyagi/Shinobu.)
Junjou Romantica: I Wish by Eike - Any fic that starts out with "Akihiko, I wish I were still in love with you." is bound to be a heartbreaker. It's not entirely depressing because it's set after Hiroki has fallen for Nowaki, after Nowaki has left for America, seemingly without word, and we all know how that ends up eventually. But it's still kind of heartbreaking to see a drunken Hiroki so lost after Nowaki's depature and being so open (for once) with Akihiko about how he used to feel, especially when Akihiko clearly doesn't know how to respond. It's a short piece and it made me smile from the humor of it, but it also made me ache for the characters all over again, a little bit, too. (Nowaki/Hiroki, mentioned Akihiko/Hiroki.)
Junjou Romantica: Bound by Gryvon - I was a little wary about this fic at first, because Hiroki was protesting being tied up during sex and... I mean, I know. It's BL manga, these things happen. Especially with a character like Hiroki, who usually objects to anything new no matter how he actually feels about it. But it still kind of made me "...." for awhile--which isn't to say that it wasn't well-written! Because it is! And it's in line with the characters and the series and the genre! So, this is a personal thing that I wanted to mention as a caveat for those like me. But if you get past that? This is kind of a hot as hell fic. Hiroki tied up and having to push past his own embarrassment to tell Nowaki to just fuck him already, Nowaki's patience and clear adoration of Hiroki, the satisfying resolution and how much you want to squish these two together forever because they're so damn sweet, it was all well worth it. (Nowaki/Hiroki, rather dub-con-ish, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: Surprise Gifts by Gryvon - Much like the previous fic, I have the same hesitation and caveat attached to this fic--Hiroki protests a lot and I do waver when it comes to that. But, again, it's not out of line with the series/characters and the genre overall, so I can take it in that vein and enjoy it for what it is: Nowaki/Hiroki porn with toys! And it's very nicely written, keeping with Hiroki's crankiness to Nowaki's total and complete adoration of Hiroki in pretty much everything he does, says, or even just breathes. The ending was... it was actually pretty perfect and I love Hiroki with the passion of a thousand suns and I can't deny that the fic was hot; I enjoyed reading this one a lot. (Nowaki/Hiroki, rather dub-con-ish, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: Romance Novels Rot Your Brain by Eike - Nowaki reading Usagi's BL novels. Which kind of makes Hiroki explode with rage at just the sight of it. And he does not sound like that trash, not at all! Which, of course, doesn't backfire on him spectacularly, not at all. And I love this, because Hiroki is such a great character and I love Nowaki's reaction to Hiroki's tantrums, that suddenly they aren't having sex because Hiro-san would never say something so cliche as "Noooo... stop that..." when he didn't mean it! And I think I had a grin on my face the entire time I was reading AND the ending was just. Pitch perfect. :Db (Nowaki/Hiroki.)
Junjou Romantica: Fireworks by galuxkitty - This was really sweet Nowaki/Hiroki fluffy sex--the scene with the fireworks and the yukata really did happen, which leads pretty much where expected. It's this really warm, light-hearted piece that's a nice counter-balance to all the angst these two go through, while not losing the usual dynamic (Hiroki being cranky, Nowaki being adoring) that make them so much fun. I'm glad to have read this one! (Nowaki/Hiroki, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: Tama by galuxkitty - Next on the list of "things a fandom/pairing isn't complete until they have fic of"? Kittyfic! Nowaki adopts a cat and Hiroki doesn't exactly get along with it. I love fic that's about one half of a couple that absolutely hates the stupid pet and swears the pet hates them right back, only to eventually find a way to co-exist together. Hell, I write fic like that, so of course I eat it up like candy when I come across it in fandom! I really do love how Nowaki falls in love with the cat, which clearly makes Hiroki jealous and, no matter how hard he tries, he still hates the damn thing. Plus, the omake is kind of utterly perfect, I still laugh every time. (Nowaki/Hiroki.)
Junjou Romantica: Off-stage, Away from the Spot-Lights by parsnip_chan - You know what is quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes in this fandom? Hiroki getting so turned on that he has to have Nowaki now, to the point that it pushes him past his usual embarrassment and total crap communication skills. The other thing I really loved about this fic--aside from porn always being very, very welcome--is the slight mishap in communication these two have, when Nowaki gets the wrong idea about why Hiroki is so turned on and I eat Nowaki's jealousy/anger up like it was delicious candy. Which, admittedly, is all the better because of course it doesn't last and they find a way to right themselves quickly, like they do. (Nowaki/Hiroki, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: But Love is Blind and Lovers Cannot See by penguin474 - I'm not sure what prompted me to read this story, other than that I was on the reveals page for the junjou_fest comm and started clicking randomly. What I got was a breathtaking fic, probably the best fic I've yet read on the Akihiko/Hiroki vs Nowaki/Hiroki situation and definitely one of the best on Hiroki's character in and of himself. I've found that, over the last couple of weeks since I got into the series, that Hiroki has quickly become my favorite character and this fic highlights so much of why that is and made me feel so much for him. The entire story has a tension and a hurt from his narration, how there's such a deep welling of feelings that he tries so hard to grapple with constantly, and the writing and characterization here is brilliant. The way his relationship with Akihiko falls apart and Hiroki almost falls apart with it, the way Nowaki makes his way into Hiroki's life little by little, the way there's a grace and natural flow to the writing and characterization. All of it was beautiful. If there's one fic I want to recommend for this triangle (such as it is), I think this would be the fic I'd put at the top of that list. Or, hell, just for Hiroki fans because it's such a tight, well-written look into his character. *__* I honest to god let out a hard breath when I was finished because it had caught me up in the writing and Hiroki's emotions just that much. (Akihiko/Hiroki, Nowaki/Hiroki, R.)
Junjou Romantica: A New Year's Incident by Eike - Oh, this one was just wonderful. It's a series of revolving narratives (each one in a different scene) about the chaos that is the Junjou Romantica characters all being invited to the Kamijou household for New Year's because they really don't have a lot of family to spend it with, but this works out really well. I love the connections between the characters, I love that it's hilarious and it had me laughing outright more than once, and I love that the characterizations are all spot-on. I love that even when they're trying to make each other's lives hellish, it's done out of love and it only makes you love everyone more. I'm also impressed as hell at how the author crammed so many characters into a single room and didn't make it feel crowded or confusing to figure out what was happening where. I cannot say enough about how much I adored everyone meeting each other (my favorite was Misaki and Hiroki, of course) and how all these little characterization touches were put into the fic, how the author nailed every single character, and gave it a warm-hearted, happy-making ending. ♥ (Usagi/Misaki, Nowaki/Hiroki, Miyagi/Shinobu.)
Junjou Romantica: A Birthday to Remember by deecherrywolf - You know what one of my favorite things is about the canon coming up around Hiroki? That he totally slept around before he met Nowaki--because I can really see that for someone like him who enjoys sex and was so in love with Akihiko that he wouldn't allow anyone to mean anything, so it would be a string of one-night stands. It just makes me love him all the more somehow. And then! Nowaki finding out! Which, you know, is going to go over totally well because Nowaki isn't a jealous person at all or anything, certainly not when it comes to Hiroki. And then you add in sex with a slightly rough, not quite angry but certainly posessive edge by the time they're actually fucking, and it's kind of really hot. (Nowaki/Hiroki, NC-17.)
Junjou Romantica: Bibliophiles by Avarice - This fic revisits the library scene where Hiroki and Nowaki get back together (and make a mess of the library that night) and I think... this is a lot sweeter and fluffier than the scene in canon, but that's a good thing for the fic, I felt. Because it's such a painfully raw scene, because it's a tearful, bittersweet scene even as they're coming back together and wounds are healing, it's a little painful. In contrast, this is much more soothing and adorable, their coupling here is such a warm-hearted thing that I really liked. The characterization is fantastic, I love that it's almost a hint of playfulness that's not out of place and, oh, the ending was lovely and made me kind of squee. .....shut up. (Nowaki/Hiroki, NC-17.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: Kingdom of Shy by flight_of_ideas - [Note: This fic is made up of ten stories/chapters in a series, but since they're all one storyline, I'm going to recommend them together.] This is one of those fic series that I wish I had discovered years ago, back when the fandom was younger, because I could have really used it at the time. But, also, I'm glad I didn't pick it up until now, after it was all finished and I could read it in one sitting, because otherwise I might well have clawed my way up the walls and never came back down. This is a series about Conrad and Yuuri getting together, about dealing with all the people around them and the obsticals in their way, both internal and external here. Each story is set from a different character's point of view, showing the side of events that they see and what they're going through as Conrad and Yuuri are both struggling to figure things out between them. I really love the sense of connection here, how they both have a lot of people in their lives, how things continue to move slowly and inexorably towards them getting together, because it was kind of inevitable. It's a lovely series that I enjoyed immensely. (Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: It Happened In Degrees by littlestkitten - What I liked about this fic is a lot of the same things I often like in fic--Yuuri hates the idea that Conrad might only want to be near him because his soul is Julia's, Yuuri finds himself slowly realizing his own attraction to Conrad, etc.--but what I especially liked here was the way Yuuri found himself wanting Conrad to get more jealous than he was, to not be quite so perfect all the time. I love the (seemingly) perfect characters a lot, but one of the best things that come with that is the person who loves them wishing that they weren't so goddamned perfect all the time because it's frustrating. This fic lightly touched on that and I totally ate it up. (Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: Rainy Days Bring Unexpected Happenings by littlestkitten - Another short piece (which I find works well as part of a larger series of various moments by this author), where Yuuri is wandering around the castle and, through a series of events, briefly finds himself on the receiving end of Conrad's anger. What makes this fic work for me, where it might not have in most circumstances, is that I can buy Yuuri's mindset in being freaked out enough to hide when he hears footsteps behind him or Yuuri, being the kind and giving person he is, would allow himself to be banned from leaving the castle because it was raining, I can buy that Conrad would be furious about whatever it is, because he doesn't know it's Yuuri at first. The author manages to find circumstances that make this fic work well for me. Plus, I am totally onboard with the idea of an angry Conrad being really fucking scary. (Implied future Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: Realizations by littlestkitten - As mentioned previously, I find that this fic works best when you read it in a series of the author's overarcing works. I'll admit ahead of time that I did find the ending of this piece rushed, that Wolfram would be so level-headed or (somewhat) clear on/empathic to the situation Conrad is in so soon, I would have preferred a more vague-ish ending. However. Wolfram stalking Yuuri to find out who he's cheating with? Because Wolfram is getting frustrated by the lack of returned feelings and it takes him forever to catch on to what's really going on? Kind of hilarious. And, also, sometimes it's nice to be reminded that I do like Wolfram's character for his own sake. (Implied future Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: The Edge of a Precipice by littlestkitten - [Note: This fic is part of a larger series and a direct sequel to a previous fic that would help to have been read first.] Another short piece, but moving Conrad and Yuuri forward in a way that I really liked. I like that Yuuri's curiosity about the room he was hiding in previously has come back to him, that he seeks the room out and is so... emotionally level-headed about his own feelings. He understands a lot, about himself and Conrad both, and I love what a sweet and caring soul he has, how he feels badly about things he shouldn't feel badly about. And how he knows what he wants at the same time--I love a good fic series where things take their time, but each fic is a step forward. (Conrad/Yuuri.)
Kyou Kara Maou!: A Case of You by littlestkitten - [Note: This fic is part of a larger series that is best read first to understand the events here.] You know, this fic gave me a new craving that I never knew I needed, even if it didn't intend to. The first half of the fic is about Wolfram letting go and I really like the way Wolfram handled it, I think that that's how it's going to go someday and I'll hurt for him (as I did here) but know that it's how things were always going to end. The second half is about Yuuri trying to figure out what to do next, now that things have shifted underneath him, and I'm very fond of the way the author writes Yuuri here. Such a caring young man, so hesitant because he doesn't want to hurt anyone or push things too fast, but also still really sure of what he wants. It's another step foward for them that I really liked. (Conrad/Yuuri.)
Viewfinder: Past Midnight by clueless_psycho - I continue to kind of marvel at what this fandom has done to me! Akihito waiting in Asami's living room for a birthday surprise for the man and Asami is... well, Asami about his present, and all of it is just sort of... normal for me now? Which isn't to say that it's not very welcome, because I enjoyed this fic a lot, the author does well with the balance of their relationship--Akihito just sort of accepts Asami's whims, yet he's not a doormat, and that brave personality is so much of what attracts Asami to him, which is lightly touched on in this fic while they're having sex. Plus, yeah, the image the author presents is very pretty. <3 (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)
Viewfinder: Nothing but Diamonds by desertriver - You know how I get a lot of those fics where... *waves hands* I didn't know I needed to read something until I found myself stumbling over a fic for it? Yeah, Akihito winding up as the focus of a photo shoot rather than working behind the scenes because their model is sick at the last second and he is really gorgeous, happens to be one of those things. Add in Asami being kind of a posessive bastard and I am totally not ashamed of my kinks, shut up. (Asami/Akihito.)
Viewfinder: Seven Days by clueless_psycho - [ prologue - day 1, part 1 - day 1, part 2 - day 2 - day 3 - day 4 - day 5 - day 6 - day 7 ] - This is one of those fics that I suspect you have to be in just the right frame of mind for, that you have to go in accepting what it's trying to do ahead of time to get the point of of it, it needs to be firmly fixed in your mind what this fic is and isn't. Basically, the fic's premise is: Akihito needs to borrow money from Asami, which is a struggle for him and Asami is amused as hell by it. Asami says, here, just take the money, but Akihito refuses. Asami says, well, do whatever I say for a week and you can have a lot more. OH HELL NO says Akihito, but Asami goads him into it anyway. And then things to exactly as you expect them to. The story is rough and you can feel the lack of a beta for the fic, but the author has a lot of promise (and, indeed, it comes out in her later work that I've really enjoyed) and the basic idea is one I never knew I wanted as badly as I did. It's one giant excuse for porn and the basic structure of the fic (as well as the different things Asami orders Akihito into doing, while mixed with undercurrents of insights into both characters and their relationship) is solidly done. I have a deep fondness for Akihito being kind of forced to admit how much he wants sex with Asami and/or Asami being kind of a bastard about it because he is. Between that and seven days of porn with the two of them, each trying something new out, I found myself really enjoying this fic. (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)
Viewfinder: Introductions by lilt-rill - One of my favorite things in a pairing like Asami/Akihito, where both parties are so stubborn in their own ways, is a bargaining process, especially when there's a power imbalance in play as well. The beginning of this fic played on that and it was like delicious, delicious candy for it, with Akihito trying to bargain for Asami giving him just twenty minutes to go do this thing. Asami's amusement throughout the whole fic, once Akihito can finally go inside and meet his friends, the way the surprises pop up to make things even more amusing, is all a lot of fun. (Asami/Akihito, a light R.)
Viewfinder: Death by lilt-rill - This is a short piece, but it worked for me for two reasons. The first half is... not quite angry sex, but it's not gentle or sweet, either. Instead it's posessive and rough, without Akihito really knowing why--which is deliberate, of course. The second half is about why Asami is acting the way he is and I liked it because... yeah, of course that's how Asami would deal with things. :|b (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)
Viewfinder: Jammed by clueless_psycho - You can tell where this fic is going from the opening sentence. Hell, from the first half of the opening sentence. Akihito is stuck in a traffic jam and it's going exactly where you think it's going. But it's a fun (ha ha) ride along the way, with Asami being his usual amused bastard self, plus Akihito clearly wants it because a) he brings it up and b) he's really into it. Which makes this fic kind of the perfect balance of everything for me? Asami being a bastard, but Akihito bitches at him for it, then there's sex that they both clearly enjoy! In a car! Man, sometimes I really love fandom a lot. (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)
