azdaema

An ever-evolving collection of links to fics that are phenomenal works of fiction. Not merely fics I like, or that give me feels—fics that are fundamentally well-crafted and skillfully done.

Her Kingdom As Great by MarbleGlove

(Labyrinth; 12k, 2011)

I don't know what to say about this fic. It reminds me of a dream I had as a child, and it cuts to the heart of all things.

The sky was light and bright and deep as eternity. The sun was red and hot. The grass of gold, as high as a grown man's head, seemed to wave in a breeze. The golden seeds chimed as they hit each other, a constant song playing in the background. And the single spar of red stone standing straight, overlooking it all.

"Your kingdom as great." Sarah could hear Jareth as if he whispered in her ear. "But what of your will?"

"My Will is as Strong as Yours," she said, "and my Kingdom as Great."

Thou Talk'st Of Nothing by paperclipbitch

(Romeo and Juliet, 3k, 2013)

While Romeo is off doing the balcony scene, Benvolio and Mercutio walk home from the Capulet ball.

Mercutio is more than mad; he burns so bright that it scares people. Everyone else holds a candle and Mercutio holds a spitting, flaming torch. Benvolio is fascinated by him but knows to keep his distance because Mercutio seems to be the only one unable to get burned from his indefatigable exuberance; and who knows how long that will last.

Transcendence by samwysesr

(MCU; 172k; 2015–2016)

Do you like blind seers betrothing twins and prophesying their future on their 13th birthday? If so, this is the fic for you! Staring Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, and Grigori Mirga—king of the OCs and surely an old friend of Uncle Iroh.

This is a novel; it's a canon unto itself—it's my canon as regards these characters. And it is magnificent. Yes, it is an abandoned fic, and I'm saying all this despite that. It's that good.

Queen of Love and Beauty by Eloisa

(A Song of Ice and Fire; 19k; 2012)

This is the beautiful origin story Oberyn/Ellaria deserve. It also features Obara as a 12-year-old with problems with insecure attachment, and I have great and terrible feels about that.

Pinecest

Breakdown by GravityPinefalls

(Gravity Falls, 18k, 2017)

The author, GravityPinefalls, is a master craftsman. All of their fics have this very specific feel to them, and nobody incorporates "traditionally fraternal teasing and joking" into sexytimes better.

"I should appreciate it very much, Sir Dippingsauce, if you would remove my pajama pants. Very, very slowly, if you please."

"The slowest, Lady Mableton. And, perchance, would the Lady prefer to retain her panties at this time?"

"For the moment, yes."

"Excellent, My Lady. You have indeed selected our finest choice of depantings."

even at our swiftest speed we couldn't break from the concrete by flowersinyourhair

(Gravity Falls, 5k, 2018)

Warning: this is high-key angst. It's unspeakably lyrical, unbearably agonizing, and it pulverizes my heart.

If she was the sun, all bright smiles and golden humor and warmth, you were the moon, all shadows and sleepless, purple eyes that held too much but not enough; that were filled with a sort of emptiness that made it distinctly clear that something was wrong within you.

But you glowed just enough to make everyone so hyper-aware of you and your beauty and your intelligence that they forgot that you were mostly made of dark sadness.

Protectionverse by dddippinsauce

(Gravity Falls, 56k, 2016–2017)

Put most simply, this is the plot of Supernatural, but achingly tender and staring the Pines. It's hurt-comfort, and it is some grade A comfort. If you ever read about Dipper having panic attacks and it made your heart hurt, this is the salve for that. It is the lasting, sustainable kind of comfort that makes you truly believe these babies are going to be ok.