My Hugo eligible works roundup for this year (+ Fanfic Friday)

[melannen]

The post I queued a year ago just posted itself on my tumblr, so: if you're nominating for the Hugo Awards this year, here's your reminder that The Archive Of Our Own was only one nomination short of making the ballot last year, and could be nominated again this year! I helped make it what it is in a small way - you probably did, too - but there's no Hugo rules against nominating something you are a part of! (Is it logrolling if you say "I'll nominate AO3, which you contributed to, if you nominate AO3, which I contributed to"?) Nominations close March 16 if you're still thinking about it.

Also my AO3 history for this week is substantially less embarrassing than the previous, so, as evidence for why AO3 deserves all the accolades, here is a list of everything I read on AO3 since last Friday. This is not a recs list, although they are all good fics if they are the sort of fics you like! But this is a complete list of things I read and kudos'd, with random notes about why I read them and sometimes what I am still thinking about regarding them.

(Very) Assorted Marvel-related fandoms

• Something Like A Pipe Bomb (18942 words) by impertinence
  Chapters: 7/7
  Fandom: Venom (Movie 2018)
  Rating: Explicit
  Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
  Relationships: Eddie Brock/Venom Symbiote
  Additional Tags: Pining, canon typical cannibalism
  Summary:

  Eddie already had enough problems, what with being a busy reporter with an alien parasite, when he caught one of his neighbors holding a fridge above her head. Now he has twice as many problems, including a kid who won't stop treating him like the big brother she never had and a moody alien parasite. Or: you can totally secretly pine while sharing a brain with someone else, as Venom and Eddie are both determined to prove.

  • a reread, old long casefile. Eat the rich!

• FIC: another try to come alive (4034 words) by yue_ix
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Venom (Movie 2018)
  Rating: General Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Eddie Brock/Dan Lewis, Dan Lewis (Venom 2018)/Anne Weying
  Characters: Dan Lewis (Venom 2018), Eddie Brock, Anne Weying
  Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Aftermath of Violence, Post-Movie, Hugs, Eddie Brock Needs A Hug, and a shower, and a long nap, He gets all 3, Polyamory, Pre-OT3, Pre-OT4, Anne and Dan and Eddie are all individually polyamorous but not in a relationship, it is complicated but also very pure, they will get there in the end, Human Disaster Eddie Brock
  Series: Part 1 of Blossoms for you
  Summary:

  After everything, once Eddie is released from the hospital, Dan takes him home and bakes him a soufflé.

  Dan says what happened next was an accident. Anne laughs.

  "No, "Anne shakes her head. "Eddie was inevitable. Everyone falls in love with Eddie."

  • I want all OT4 fic in this fandom but there isn't much new. This one has enough SPAG-ish problems that I'd usually have clicked out, but it was too good otherwise, so I finished it instead.

• The Bride of Mole Man (2089 words) by Werelibrarian
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Daredevil (TV), Daredevil (Comics)
  Rating: General Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Matt Murdock/Franklin "Foggy" Nelson
  Characters: Harvey Elder/Mole Man
  Additional Tags: Fake/Pretend Relationship, Sewers, Foggy is so done
  Summary:

  "I really wish someone would come save me," Matt says, and the tone of his voice is past "slightly pointed" and nearing "very stabby" so Foggy ducks out from behind the wall.

"Intruder!" Mole Man hisses, sweeping his cape around him like a Bela Lugosi impersonator.

"Hi," Foggy says lamely, "I'm here to pick up my husband, are you about done with him?"

- On the one hand, Squirrel Girl canon did it better. On the other hand, I would like "Mole Man kidnapped me to co-rule the underworld with him" to be a panfandom trope, and this is an excellent example of what it should be.

• Chasing A Ghost (Sound of Footsteps Remix) (4555 words) by Neverever
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Marvel 616
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
  Characters: Tony Stark, Nick Fury, Steve Rogers
  Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Soulmates, Research, Pining, Mystery, Bittersweet, Early in Canon
  Summary:

  Tony finds traces of his possible soulmate in archival records.

  • Archives!

• Made To Be Broken (18220 words) by Yahtzee
  Chapters: 4/4
  Fandom: X-Men: First Class (2011) - Fandom, X-Men (Movies), X-Men - All Media Types
  Rating: Explicit
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Erik Lehnsherr/Charles Xavier
  Characters: Charles Xavier, Erik Lehnsherr, Raven Darkholme, Emma Frost
  Additional Tags: Holidays, New Year's Eve, New York City, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Gay For You, Grief/Mourning, Party, First Kiss, First Time, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Siblings, Winter
  Summary:

  Charles makes a New Year's Resolution:

   

  “No more straight men,” Charles repeated as he began scrolling through the apartment directory for Emma’s name. “No more futility. No more pointless hoping and heartbreak. In 2013, I never want to hear the words ‘exception,’ ‘experimenting’ or ‘phase.’ If, God forbid, I hear ‘bicurious’ even once, I may take a hostage.”

   

  Then he goes into the party, and Erik is there.

  • beccaelizabeth was trying to find Magneto/Xavier fic that wasn't no-wheelchair/no breakup AUs, and while trying to figure out a way to get AO3 to do that, this one's summary tempted me to read it (it is a no-wheelchair, no-breakup, no-powers AU though; we did not solve the AO3 searching problem.)

• I'm Not Really a Waitress (The Swan out of Duckling Remix) (2629 words) by Sineala
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Marvel (Comics), Marvel Ultimates
  Rating: Mature
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
  Characters: Steve Rogers (Ultimates), Tony Stark (Ultimates)
  Additional Tags: Established Relationship, Gentle Dom Tony Stark, Sub Steve Rogers, Service Top, Feminization, Nail Polish, Remix
  Summary:

  Steve asks Tony to paint his nails for him.

  • New remix of the below!

• the girl with the modern face (26881 words) by isozyme
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: The Avengers (Marvel) - All Media Types, Marvel Ultimates, Marvel 616
  Rating: Explicit
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
  Characters: Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Doombot(s)
  Additional Tags: Identity Porn, Crossdressing, Superheroes In Drag, Internalized Homophobia, Transphobia, Claustrophobia, Lingerie, Genderfuck Tony Stark, Secret Identity, Pining, Closet Politics
  Series: Part 1 of this is love in the modern way
  Summary:

"Nice to meet you.  I’m Steve Rogers," Steve said, sticking his hand out and trying to wrestle the interaction back into something normal.

"I know, sweetheart," Tony said, ignoring his hand.  "Rescue told me all about you."

"Did you make her?" Steve asked.  It had been implied that Tony was a tech-man, and she said he was her boss.  It would fit together.

"Yes, the armor, that was me; she’s my bodyguard," Tony said archly.  "Impressed?"

The only good thing about the future is Tony Stark's bodyguard, Rescue. She's beautiful in her red and gold armor, and Steve will never know who she is.

- Reread. I like superhero-secret-identity-as-gender-experimentation identity porn stories a lot.

• No Kind of Life (1995 words) by Speranza
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Captain America (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe
  Rating: Not Rated
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers
  Summary:

  "You know I have to do everything the hard way, Buck. It’s the fundamental fact of my nature.”

  • I think this was on the Pinboard popular page?

• Seashore (505 words) by Speranza
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Captain America (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe
  Rating: Not Rated
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers
  

  • This is just Steve Rogers being happy, if you need that today.

• Feelings and Livers (785 words) by Unforgotten
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Captain America (Movies), Venom (Movie 2018)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
  Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Venom Symbiote (Marvel)
  Characters: Venom Symbiote (Marvel), James "Bucky" Barnes
  Additional Tags: First Meetings, Possession, Crossover, Extra Treat
  Summary:

  Hydra finds Venom. Venom finds Bucky.

  • Bucky teaming up with alien fugitives is always worth it.

• Catching (690 words) by Unforgotten
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Captain America (Movies), Black Panther (2018)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Shuri
  Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Shuri
  Additional Tags: Mpreg, Het Mpreg, Extra Treat
  Summary:

  "What do you think, doc? Am I gonna make it?"

  "...I think maybe we should have used a condom after all," Shuri said.

  • yes. more of this sort of thing please.

BBC Merlin

• Not A Word (3440 words) by astolat
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Merlin (TV)
  Rating: Mature
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)
  Characters: Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Merlin (Merlin)
  Additional Tags: Goblins, First Time, Magic Revealed
  Summary:

  “Not a word,” Arthur said flatly.

  • New fic!

• Everything else Astolat wrote for Merlin

  • I especially like "Reciprocation" and wish I could find more fics that do what it does for other entitled white dude BSOs...

• So anyway Merlin fic was a thing that happened this week. The rest of these came off an AO3-by-kudos sort and are mostly re-reads. Oddly, usually when I decide it's time to read all the Merlin fic, I go for modern AUs, but this time I was actively avoiding them.

  • The Weight of Words (6921 words) by waldorph
    Chapters: 1/1
    Fandom: Merlin (BBC)
    Rating: Explicit
    Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
    Relationships: Arthur/Merlin
    Characters: Arthur Pendragon, Merlin, Uther Pendragon
    Additional Tags: Season/Series 01, smart!Arthur, offscreen suicide of an OC, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
    Summary:

    Arthur knows how to use words just as well as Merlin, and he knows about the magic.

  • A Study in Natural Philosophy (13358 words) by Mad_Maudlin
    Chapters: 1/1
    Fandom: Merlin (TV)
    Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
    Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
    Relationships: Arthur/Merlin
    Characters: Arthur Pendragon, Merlin, Uther Pendragon, Gaius, Morgana, Gwen (Guinevere)
    Additional Tags: daemon, Episode Re-Write, Season/Series 01, AU, Horses, Owls, Animals
    Summary:

    It wasn't all that unusual for people to hide their daemons; Merlin, however, seems to be taking it a little far.

  • Strike of Lightning (4830 words) by helloearthlings
    Chapters: 1/1
    Fandom: Merlin (TV)
    Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
    Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
    Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)
    Characters: Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Merlin (Merlin), Gwen (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin), Leon (Merlin), Uther Pendragon (Merlin)
    Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Soulmates, Canon Era, Alternate Universe - Canon, Fluff and Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Magic Revealed
    Summary:

    Uther's commandment was very simple: If there should come a day when Arthur met his soulmate, he would drive a sword through their chest and kill them on sight.

  • The Truth Is You (8957 words) by bigmamag
    Chapters: 1/1
    Fandom: Merlin (BBC)
    Rating: Mature
    Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
    Relationships: Arthur/Merlin
    Additional Tags: Romance, First Time, Season/Series 01, Truth Spells, Magic Revealed
    Summary:

    Arthur lies to a sorceress and gets slapped with a truth spell. Awkwardness ensues.

  • Dying to Return (19869 words) by StormDancer
    Chapters: 1/1
    Fandom: Merlin (TV)
    Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
    Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
    Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwen/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Gwen/Lancelot (Merlin)
    Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin), Morgana (Merlin), Gwaine (Merlin)
    Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Gwaine's cloak is expressive, Arthur is a big ball of angst, BAMF Merlin, Future Fic
    Summary:

    When they try to hang him, he floats.

    *

    They put him on the pyre at dawn.

    He doesn’t burn.

镇魂 | Guardian

• I am still stalled about 1/3 of the way through the TV series, although even though I am thouroughly spoiled for the ending, these stories almost all came off of a post on sid_guardian that was asking for non-spoilery stories, they are all pretty good as starter fics.

• Dare to Hold (7603 words) by Trobadora
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
  Rating: Mature
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Shěn Wēi/Zhào Yúnlán
  Characters: Shěn Wēi, Zhào Yúnlán
  Additional Tags: Getting Together, First Time, Missing Scenes, Episode Related, episode 14
  Summary:

  Zhao Yunlan lifts an open palm, his smile turning into a grin. "Welcome to the SID!"

  And then, because his brain-to-mouth filter is plainly broken, and upsetting Shen Wei to a previously unknown degree apparently calls for an encore, he adds, "Though I'm wondering, why do I get the impression you'd have been less upset if I'd asked for a kiss?"

• who you allow (1211 words) by Xparrot
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Shěn Wēi/Zhào Yúnlán
  Characters: Zhào Yúnlán, Shěn Wēi
  Additional Tags: Fluff, Humor, Possessiveness, Haircuts, Present Tense, Ficlet, inspired by a comment
  Summary:

  But then Zhao Yunlan goes and gets a haircut, and Shen Wei. Pouts. For like three days.

• Le beau au bois dormant (36490 words) by Xparrot
  Chapters: 9/9
  Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Shěn Wēi/Zhào Yúnlán
  Characters: Shěn Wēi, Zhào Yúnlán, The SID Team, Original Characters
  Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Established Relationship, Sleeping Curse, Post-Canon, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Case Fic, Nightmares
  Summary:

  When Shen Wei falls victim to a mysterious Dixing attack, the SID is on the case, and Zhao Yunlan is going to save him, no matter what.

• cream white moon (3899 words) by couldaughter
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Shěn Wēi/Zhào Yúnlán
  Characters: Shěn Wēi, Zhào Yúnlán
  Additional Tags: Undercover as a Couple, Guilt, Poorly Choreographed Fight Scenes, Dramatic Apologies
  Summary:

  “It’s certainly a pleasure,” said Yunlan, turning to look at the storefront that concealed the club, hands in his pockets, rocking back onto his heels. The line of his body drew Shen Wei’s eye, and, he assumed, the eye of any sentient being with any sense. “Good job on the outfit, by the way. It’ll do nicely.”

  This was an unexpected danger.

• How to Lose a Black-Cloaked Envoy in 10 Days (6343 words) by qikiqtarjuaq
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Shěn Wēi/Zhào Yúnlán
  Characters: Shěn Wēi, Zhào Yúnlán, The SID Team
  Additional Tags: Identity Porn, Humor, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Hijinks & Shenanigans
  Series: Part 4 of 镇魂 | Guardian Fics
  Summary:

  Zhao Yunlan has no idea how to handle the Black-Cloaked Envoy’s declaration of love when he’s already got a perfect boyfriend in Shen Wei.

• Five Times Shen Wei Was Kidnapped + One Time He Was Rescued (4781 words) by qikiqtarjuaq
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Shěn Wēi/Zhào Yúnlán
  Characters: Shěn Wēi, Zhào Yúnlán
  Additional Tags: Kidnapping, Hurt/Comfort
  Series: Part 6 of 镇魂 | Guardian Fics
  Summary:

  The first time Shen Wei gets kidnapped, he goes along with it just to see who would be reckless enough to try kidnapping the Black-Cloaked Envoy.

• Scorched Earth, Deep Ocean (35231 words) by margrave
  Chapters: 7/7
  Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV), 镇魂 | Guardian - priest
  Rating: Explicit
  Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
  Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yun Lan, 沈巍/赵云澜, 赵云澜/沈巍
  Characters: 沈巍, 赵云澜, Shěn Wēi, Zhao Yun Lan, Zhào Yúnlán
  Additional Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Alternate Universe - Royalty, alternative universe - Ancient China, Emperor Zhao Yun Lan, Prince Shen Wei, General Shen Wei
  Summary:

  The official proclamation of ceasefire between Haixing and Dixing was an event worth celebrating.

  His Imperial Majesty Kun Lun was not expecting the additional Concubine, who also happened to be the Great General of the West and Royal Prince of Dixing. The man who could murder them all.

• Both followed and led (4951 words) by naye
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV)
  Rating: Explicit
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Shěn Wēi/Zhào Yúnlán
  Characters: Shěn Wēi, Zhào Yúnlán
  Additional Tags: Established Relationship, Power Dynamics, (superpower dynamics even), Spontaneous Kink Exploration, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, (with a hint of plot), Control, Overstimulation
  Summary:

  “Why can't you ever just obey?” Shen Wei says, more fierce than frustrated, hands fisted at his sides, and Zhao Yunlan’s mouth goes perfectly dry.

Assorted others

• Graduate Vulcan for Fun and Profit (15113 words) by lazulisong
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Star Trek (2009)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Characters: James T. Kirk, Leonard McCoy, Spock, Original Alien Character(s)
  Additional Tags: Vulcan, Languages and Linguistics, secret genius
  Summary:

  It really does take a village to raise a Jim.

  The members of the Kelvin's crew watch over Jim as much as he lets them.

  • A classic.

• Linguistic Ambiguities in Vulcan Ethical Codes (5770 words) by elumish
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Star Trek: Alternate Original Series (Movies)
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Characters: James T. Kirk, Nyota Uhura, Spock (Star Trek), Original Vulcan Character(s), Winona Kirk
  Additional Tags: Tarsus IV, Smart Kirk, Kirk Was Raised By Vulcans, Vulcan Language, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Перевод на русский | Translation in Russian
  Summary:

  The thing people always forget is that it was a Vulcan ship that reached Tarsus IV first.

  • The first of three linked Aus in which Jim Kirk was raised by Vulcans.

• Tech Support (540 words) by Bright_Elen
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
  Rating: General Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Cassian Andor/K-2SO
  Characters: Cassian Andor, K-2SO (Star Wars), Bodhi Rook
  Additional Tags: Fluff, Comfort No Hurt, POV Outsider, Established Relationship
  Summary:

  K-2 is an affectionate drunk.

  • yes good.

• Oh Were O Were (4146 words) by IrenkaFeralKitty
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Legends - All Media Types, Star Wars Legends: X-wing Series - All Media Types, Star Wars Legends: X-Wing Series - Aaron Allston & Michael Stackpole, Star Wars Original Trilogy
  Rating: General Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Characters: Corran Horn, Wedge Antilles, Tycho Celchu, Wes Janson, Derek "Hobbie" Klivian
  Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Shapeshifting, Were-Creatures, discord prompt, Pseudo-noir, Corran is a dork
  Series: Part 1 of Oh, Were O Were
  Summary:

  Life hadn’t been the same since I’d been forced out of New York. I’d gotten a bum rap and had barely managed to skate out of any official charges. Not an easy task for a man with no alibi. But mud sticks and I had it all over me. I couldn’t report what had really happened, not without being laughed out of the station and referred to a shrink. Or, worse, someone might have believed me.

  • Personally rec'd for me by thedarlingone when I complained about how fandom treats Corran!

• Union of Heart (0 words) by nisiedraws
  Chapters: 11/11
  Fandom: Original Work
  Rating: Mature
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Relationships: Impulsive Trade Union Leader/Recently Widowed Young Duke, Original Male Character/Original Male Character
  Characters: Impulsive Trade Union Leader, Recently Widowed Young Duke
  Additional Tags: Industrial Revolution, Victorian, Labor Unions, Labor Strike, Class Differences, Illustrations, Comic, Digital Art, Art
  Summary:

  When the recently widowed Duke of Bridgewater discovers he has inherited a cotton mill where the workers are striking, he decides to investigate the conditions of the workers and meets the impulsive Edward Mann, the union leader for his mill.

  • SOO good. Also I knew Nisie before she was famous. :P

• The Parent Trap (17924 words) by astolat
  Chapters: 1/1
  Fandom: Transformers: Prime
  Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
  Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
  Relationships: Megatron/Optimus Prime
  Characters: Megatron, Optimus Prime, Arcee, Ratchet, Original Cybertronian Character(s)
  Additional Tags: Teenagers, Cybertronian Parenting, Sparklings, Episode Related, Post-Episode: s02e01-03 Orion Pax
  Series: Part 16 of Transformers works
  Summary:

  “Oh my God, are you saying that Megatron had Optimus’s baby?” Miko shrieked piercingly.

  • I actually tried to get into Transformers fic many years ago - after the first movie came out, and then again when a RL friend was super into TF:Prime, but it became apparent that the only thing I wanted out of that setup was "Optimus Prime and Megatron end the war with the power of love" and weirdly few people were writing that. And then Astolat decided to write it 15 times and counting, and I am not complaining AT ALL.

So that only averages to about five a day! :D :D :D

In the "on my AO3 history but not on this list" are a couple I was going to re-read but turned out to be much longer than I remembered, several BfU fics stymied by the fact that apparently I am just not feeling BfU right now, a couple Venom fics where the characterization was not good enough to make up for the SPaG, a couple others that were very much not what I thought they were when I clicked the links, and a long RoL crossover I have opened but not read yet.

I also read T. Kingfisher/ursulav's Swordheart and The Clocktaur War, which I got free as KUEC Patreon rewards (her ebooks are the only Patreon rewards I have ever bothered to redeem) and was saving for a week when I really needed them. I really needed them this week! They are very good, although not as much ninja accounting OR sword sex as I was promised, and very kind, like all of her works are. (I read the notes in Clocktaur War about her agent's despair about how dark it was, and remember the KUEC conversations about it, and I'm with Ursula on that one. IDK, maybe fandom has spoiled me, 'slaughtered a bunch of nuns while possessed pre-book, feels really bad about it' doesn't even vaguely ping me as 'darkfic' anymore.) But it is weird to be reading romances written by someone whose RL sex life I know ten years' worth of KUEC details about.....

(Lists left as they were when I followed the markdown directions, because I have better things to do, i.e., read RoL crossover, than attempt to figure out what it's having fits about this time.

I am continuing to try markdown and continuing to remember that a) it's only worth it when I'm doing something long with a lot of formatting, and b) it's not worth it when I'm doing something long with a lot of formatting....)