Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Eridan/Feferi (moirails), Eridan/Sollux (kismesis)
Length: 30k
Author on LJ: roachpatrol, urban_anchorite
Author Website: On AO3 / On Tumblr and On AO3 / On Tumblr
Why this must be read:
This will be my last rec, and I'd like to thank the mods & the community for letting me rec this month! I had some surprise out-of-town visits happen, so I didn't rec as much as I'd have liked - I hope to rec again in the future, and get a chance to rec all those stories I love but missed. Now on to the fic...

One of the most popular fics and series in the Homestuck fandom, I actually hesitated a bit before deciding to rec this, under the assumption just about everyone has read this already. But in the end, I decided that if I was just getting into the fandom, I'd really want to know about this fantastic AU.

Hemostuck, the series The Fisher-Prince starts off, takes the canon troll blood caste system and flips it around - redbloods on top, seadwellers on the bottom. There are currently two fics in this series, and sadly, it's now on hiatus, so no clue if there will ever be more.

This fic focuses on Eridan in his position near the very bottom of the caste system and how his personality from canon would change - and stay the same - within that world. For a character that often comes across as annoying or pretentious in canon, it's fascinating to see how seeing him as an underdog changes your feelings for him.

Includes a healthy dose of danger, romance, and zombies.

Afterwards, go on to read the longer fic Lost Teeth Like White Jewels, the second of the series, which includes fewer zombies but more romance.

( Excerpt )

The Fisher-Prince

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: n/a
Musical Artist: The National
Vidder on LJ: n/a
Vidder Website: On Tumblr
Why this must be watched:

(First, hope this goes through on the correct day - I'm out of town Thursday-Sunday, and am trying to postpone this post!)

Since Homestuck doesn't have a lot to work with, in terms of vidding, a fairly common form of fanwork is to take a song and draw static panels matching the lyrics. Some other fandoms do this as well, but I've never seen a set term for it. Often, the artist (or someone else) takes those panels & song and puts them on Youtube, sometimes with a small amount of animation.

Yoccu created a gorgeous vid here, outlining some of the moments of the troll session and illustrating them in her beautiful style. The panels match the lyrics perfectly, and the emotions of each panel really come through. It's a bit painful to watch - she did a great job of showing just how much hurt everyone was in.

The vid unsurprisingly has better pacing than the static panels, but both are worth a look, depending on which you enjoy.

[S] Exile Vilify on Youtube, static version on Tumblr

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Kanaya/Rose (flushed), John/Vriska (flushed), Kanaya/Karkat (pale)
Length: 114k
Author on LJ: shinjishazaki
Author Website: On AO3
Why this must be read:

I had to limit myself to only two Kanaya/Rose fics this month, or I'd end up spamming everyone with nothing but. This is the second one, and it's as lovely as the first. It's an AU, which I usually hesitate at recommending, and it's a Western AU, which I'd normally avoid on sight, but this one is well crafted and impressive. The characters are as flawed and human (or troll) as they are in the actual comic, the romance is sweet, and the friendships are both warm and vicious.

The setting itself is interesting too - set in a Western Alternia, the four beta kids are aliens from an alchemy experiment gone wrong. It's an great look at how different a human time period/place would look in troll culture. Even if you don't like AUs of this sort normally, I urge you to give it a try.

( Excerpt )

Frontierstuck

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Dave/Terezi (flushed)
Length: 3k
Author on LJ: cephiedvariable and naive_wanderer
Author Website: Cephied Variable on AO3, Naive Wanderer on AO3
Why this must be read:

The Homestuck Shipping Olympics was a twice-run fandom challenge where people gathered in groups to support their favorite ships and entered fanworks for four themed rounds. There were a ton of wonderful fics and other fanworks produced both years.

The theme of the first round in 2011 was 'Fandom Cliches', and this short fic used the well-traveled trope of truth serum. It's cute, hilarious, and kind of adorable - and has some really great artwork, too. (It also won first place for the round!)

( Excerpt )

In Shitty Sidequests Veritas

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: none
Length: 9k
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: On AO3
Why this must be read:

The mechanics of playing the game are rarely examined during a story. Most fics don't take place during a normal game, after all. This story, though, focuses on a sidequest Sollux and Karkat work on together - delving into the game mechanics at the same time as showing their friendship. It also touches on tiny things from canon that are rarely brought up in fic - like Karkat and Sollux switching fetch modi, fray motifs, or Sollux's shuriken.

( Excerpt )

Dyadic

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Minor Dave/Rose
Length: 5k
Author on LJ: paratactician
Author Website: On AO3 / On Tumblr
Why this must be read:

This fic is all about Rose and Dirk being cerebral and strategic and badass together, while leaking their issues all over the place. I love fics that compare and contrast their similarities, and pT delivers. For a shorter fic, it packs quite a punch.

(And the Dave/Rose is a very, very small part of the fic, so think about giving it a try even if you usually avoid that pairing).

( Excerpt )

mirrors for princes

Hello and Happy New Year! I'm your Homestuck reccer for the month of January. I've never done this before, so feel free to thwap me if I mess up. In case you need a Homestuck refresher, here's the Homestuck Overview by roachpatrol. On to the recs!

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Rose/Kanaya (flushed), minor Rose/Vriska (caliginous)
Length: 17k
Author on LJ: partingxshot
Author Website: On AO3
Why this must be read:

This is possibly my favorite fic in Homestuck. A lot of Rose/any girl fic have Rose having no trouble with her sexuality - jumping right in to a relationship. While those stories are often fantastic too, Show the Lights takes a different path and goes into Rose's coming to terms with being attracted to other girls - while at the same time dealing with her descent into grimdark and the Horrorterrors. The plot is lovely, the romance is wonderful, and the characters shine.

( Excerpt )

Show the Lights

And here's my last rec for the month! I saved the absolute best for last, IMO, and it's deliciously ironic that the author of this fic was the last Homestuck reccer before me here. Happy New Year to you all! ^__^


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Rose/Vriska, Rose/Eridan, Vriska/Terezi
Length: 14,277
Author on LJ: roachpatrol
Author Website: AO3 | Tumblr
Why this must be read: This is like Dexter meets Homestuck, forms a kismessitude, then takes MIND-BLOWING on as a matesprit, AND THEN the three of them have tons of incestuous slurry grubs together. I... Just... It's really hard to find the words to give this story the justice it deserves. It's mind-blowing and horrific but you can't get off the ride because you want, no, NEED to see where this is going; where it will end. This is a serial killer AU and Rose is broken and vicious and Vriska is nonchalant and Vriska, and they care/hate each other so much that it leaves you exhausted when you finally learn where they stand in the Quadrants. And beyond that? This story is gorgeous to behold. The beginning leads you into one emotional bracket and then mood whiplashes you halfway through so that by the time Vriska and Rose are discussing where they stand in the quadrants, you're on the edge of your seat, biting your nails, and THEN YOU'RE SCREAMING AT YOUR COMPUTER BECAUSE OF WHAT FOLLOWS. Oh gog, yes, this fic is absolutely excellent!


( Summary + Excerpt )


Rise and Shine

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

Bluh, and I'm a dope. I meant to post this yesterday (but I was busy!). Even though I posted my number one piece of fanart, this one is a very close second, practically tied with number one for me. Plus, it's way too good to omit, so here you go! =D


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Terezi/Vriska
Medium: Fanart
Artist on LJ: n/a
Artist Website: Tumblr (General art/Misc. blog) | Tumblr (NSFW art blog)
Why this must be viewed: The general approach to Terezi/Vriska is of course blackrom, and the redrom stuff tends to end in some kind of tragedy. This is just a beautiful smutty piece of a flushed Terezi/Vriska. It makes my heart go all to pieces (in a good way!) with its beauty and how perfectly flushed they look for each other just in the, almost easily missed, way they're holding hands. I almost want all Scourge Sisters fic and art to be this beautiful (well, almost - it would be hard not to indulge in the blackrom/rivalry aspects of their relationship, even in gen).


Untitled Flushed Scourge Sisters

LINK FIXED. UGH. Sorry about that. x.x

Saved my number one favorites for last! First up, my number one favorite bit of art!


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Porrim/Rose/Kanaya
Medium: Fanart
Artist on LJ: grendelity (F-Locked)
Artist Website: DeviantArt | Tumblr (General art blog) | Tumblr (NSFW art blog)
Why this must be viewed: I initially got hooked onto Homestuck because of all the fanart I kept finding all over Tumblr for it. I've looked at many, many pieces in the past nine months or so and so many of them are great, but this one is currently my top favorite of them ALL. I have a massive spot for Porrim/Rose/Kanaya OT3 times and this is done so well! (And the artist isn't even a femslash artist, which a bummer, but she's so very, very talented and amazing!) The style and colors are absolutely lovely and enthralling while the image itself is arousing without being outright pornographic. Rose is so deliciously vulnerable here, Kanaya seems the pinnacle of teen awkwardness, and Porrim - well, honestly, Porrim is Porrim. Enough said. If you're not put off by blood drinking/kink or femslash, then absolutely have a gander at this amazing pic!


Canny Women

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Jade/Karkat, Rose/Kanaya, Dave/Terezi, Gamzee/Tavros, Aradia/Equius, John/Vriska, Feferi/Sollux, Eridan/Nepeta, Mom/Dad
Length: 20,484
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read: Post-game - The Beta kids take the Beta trolls to Disneyland. =D What more do I really need to say beyond this? I mean, what could go wrong with taking trolls to a place filled with easy-to-harm humans? It ends up being pretty awesome, for everyone not freaking out when the kids lose sight of all the trolls (which ends up being everyone but Rose, hehe). But, what also makes this worth reading is the theme of fun, friendship, and love. Also enjoyable is how the trolls end up tying up all the loose ends of their mistakes and whatnot during the game and on the Meteor. Vriska and Eridan finding ways to make amends and apologize to those they hurt, especially (while being good trolls at the same time) is enjoyable. Also, Terezi eats a multi-colored lollipop - this fic is worth reading for THAT alone. xD


( Summary + Excerpt )


Let The Memories Begin!

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: John/Dave
Length: 4,140
Author on LJ: camouflagecamel
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read: Mute!Dave is something I never once thought of before, but it made so much headcanon sense as soon as I began reading this fic. The idea that all his rambling metaphors, and just rambling in general, is a way to make up for an inability to speak is brilliant, and even more so is John learning Sign Language so he can communicate with Dave on a more intimatepersonal level. The humor is spot on and the sweetness of Dave and John's relationship is perfect. \^o^/


( Summary + Excerpt )

age/sex/location

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

Happy holidays guys! =D

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Characters: Dave and Bro Strider
Author on LJ: n/a (as far as I know)
Author Website: Tumblr
Why this must be checked out: Beautifully drawn mini-comic depicting little!Dave coming to Bro after having a, unknown prophetic, dream about Bro dying. The way it's approached is so heartwrenching and sweet, but mostly heartwrenching (can you tell I really like the sad feelz?). I adore Dave and Bro moments, be they pre- or post-canon, gen or slashy, and this is one of my absolute faves of them all. T-T A perfect gen, pre-canon piece.


Untitled Dave and Bro comic

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

I'm sad to say I don't have many recs involving the Alpha kids, but I did manage to find one or two I really liked that didn't spoil too much for someone like me who's still catching up. *embarrassed cough*


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Dirk/Alpha!Dave
Length: 3,331 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: AO3 | Tumblr
Why this must be read: I'm not yet up to the Alpha kids storyline, but the summary and pairing twerked my curiosity (because I'm all about Stridercest and Lalondecest and all combinations of the two - I have no shame about this). What I found here was heartbreaking sadstuck and a good introduction to Dirk's character and background for someone like me who knew only bits and pieces. I imagine for more up-to-date fans (RE: everyone but me, xD ), it's a nice filler for his background story if it's not touched too much upon in the comic. Fair warning, it'll make you cry, or at least tear up considerably. All the feelz right here. T.T


( Summary + Excerpt )


Goodnight Moon


This fic inspired Just Say The Magic Wordby chromyrose, which is basically the same story but focuses on Roxy instead (though it doesn't have her falling in love with alpha!Rose outside of a mother-daughter thing). Pretty similar story, so if you enjoy this one, then Just Say The Magic Word is well worth a read (especially if you like Roxy)!

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

On the coattails of my last rec, I thought this was more than appropriate for reasons I choose not to justify (as my justifications are flimsy and basically spell out 'I like smut' and 'I adore the beta kids' and 'I really like those two things combined'. xD )


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Dave/Jade/Rose/John
Length: 1,728
Author on LJ: vanillarouge (largely in spanish)
Author Website: AO3 | Tumblr
Why this must be read: One of my top favorite ships of the Homestuck universe is Beta kids OT4 because their dynamics in canon are just so wonderful and caring and geeze, how can one not love the Beta OT4 to bits and pieces? This fic focuses separately on each of the characters' "private moments" (if you catch my drift). It's written in to their own writing styles which helps to differentiate who's the focus of each section, as well. I like this shift of perspective and each section resonates perfectly to each character. Oh, and they're all fantasizing about the four of them. It's delicious and hot in all the right ways!


( Summary + Excerpt )


touch me there (you know where) (@ AO3)
touch me there (you know where) (@ Tumblr)

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

Ah, multi-pairing fics! Everyone either gets at least one bit of squee or they get all the squees. xD


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Rose/Kanaya, Dave/John, Kanaya/Vriska, Rose/Jade
Length: 1,729 words
Author on LJ: n/a (that I know of)
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read: An AU fic told from Dave's POV, which is always a fun POV to read, IMO. It's pretty simple and straightforward, but sweet even when it's kind of sad (please note, this is not a sad fic just.... real feelz). Basically Dave and Rose are twins that live together and the story tells of their relationships with each other and their significant others. I like seeing how their lives change as people go in and out of them.


( Summary + Excerpt )


Trahere

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

>.<;; Sorry for the mini-absence in reccing! So, I thought I did pretty good at holding off from reccing anything perverted, but I broke down. So here you go! xD
(And I apologize this is not a crossover but I haven't been able to find one that - A. I like and B. is complete. =\ I swear I tried.)


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Kanaya/Rose/Roxy
Length: 3,592
Author on LJ: n/a (that I know of)
Author Website: AO3 | Tumblr
Why this must be read: It's not about the smut for me, and admittedly, there's not even much of it to begin with (but what there is of it... mmm). What makes this story worthy of rec is the emotions in it, namely, the ones Rose has, quietly, for Roxy. The author did a wonderful job at displaying the Rose/Roxy dynamics and comparing them to the relationship Rose had with her mom (in a non-sexual way). I cannot get enough of fics that handle these comparisons, especially the ones that do it well. Aside from that, there's also the fun dynamics between the Lalonde gals and Kanaya and how their relentless teasing and snark can work oh-so-fun on her. xD


( Summary + Excerpt )


Those Who Favor Fire (@ AO3)
Those Who Favor Fire (@ Tumblr)

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

Okay, no pairings today! Or sad feelz! (mostly...) Let's do it nice and gen for a change of pace, yes? >]


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Characters: The Dolorosa, The Signless/Sufferer
Length: 4,114
Author on LJ: shayera
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read: I am forever fascinated not by The Signless and The Dolorosa's future stories, but by The Dolorosa's past decision to break from the troll norm and care for a grub on her own, damn be the consequences. This is the perfect, heartwarming story about that decision and how she adjusts to life as a 'lusus' (aka, troll mom, hee!). It perfectly plays out a typical child/parent relationship but also throws in how foreign of a concept that is to an alien species that is not in charge of caring for its' young.


( Summary + Excerpt )


Treading Unknown Ground

Well after two femslash recs in a row, I thought it be good to prove I have other pairing interests that don't involve the awesome ladies of HS or sad feelz. Okay, no, just no ladies here. I love the sad feelz too much to not rec them. =) (And the ladies, but I'm trying to be fair here. xD )


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Dave/John
Length: 4,388
Author on LJ: n/a (that I know of)
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read: Basically this should be called, 'Seven Moments That Will Never Happen Between Dave and John', and it's all beautiful and heartbreaking in the sweetest, most heartwrenching way. This is a good example of why I'm far more drawn to fluffy Dave/John stories than I am to smutty pieces involving them (which is sort of odd for me, but not everyone gets sprinkles every time they go out for ice cream, ya know? xD ). I really love the innocent and cute nature of their relationship, especially throughout this fic, and the way it builds up all the feelz and then gets you right in the vascular sac at the end. *hefty sigh* This fic delivers all the fluff and warm fuzzy feelings, and then doesn't. And it's absolutely too beautiful not to read. <3


( Summary + Excerpt )


this will never happen

One of my favorite things about the Homestuck fandom is that there's quite a few fics that come with art (mostly thanks to the HSO). That said, today we shall look at not only one of those of fics but also Bat's favorite type of relationships to read and write: Polyamory ones! (Do not get me started on my love of the Quadrants, because YES. They support polyamory and it makes me squee like a kid in a candy store.)


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Jade/Kanaya/Rose
Length: 10,988 words + 4 art pieces
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: AO3 | Tumblr
Why this must be read: Set post-game and told alternating from Jade's, Rose's, and Kanaya's POV (in that order), this explores life after the game where they all live on Earth. Kanaya in particular seems to be most affected by their new lives. Jade and Rose, whom she lives with, begin to grow concerned for her when they realize she's stopped eating and sleeping, which in turn leads the others (their friends) to do so as well. It's sweet in that aspect, but what makes this a stand out story is that it's sad and filled with a lot of real hurt. In an unspoken way, what they all thought they wanted turns out to be harder to get along with than they suspected, as well, some things are still missing. Rose and Jade attempt to help Kanaya but it's not without lots of angst and hurt/comfort. Full out depressed!Kanaya is just heartbreaking and kind of rarely ever fully explored. The author does a great job capturing the character's voices and concerns, and sprinkles it lightly with enough humor so you never feel too down by all the sad feelz, but it never takes away from the angst and depression flowing through it. Also, art included!


( Summary + Excerpt )


with the door wide open, no one can leave

Yesterday's rec was a random, fun rarepair, but today we meet one of my top five OTPs of the series (and yes, I'm aware that's an abuse of the term OTP - shhhhhhhh) from one of my favorite HS authors! =D


Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Terezi/Vriska
Length: 7,301
Author on LJ: sunbreaksdown
Author Website: AO3 | Tumblr
Why this must be read: In a fandom full of future fic canon divergent 'what ifs?', this is one of many, but it's one of my favorites because it plays out in a sadly, realistic way. So what if there had been no Sgrub and Terezi and Vriska's already tumultuous relationship manage to become a matespritship? That's the question presented here, in a sense, and the answer is simple: disaster. Not immediately though, which is part of the beauty of this fic. Taking place when the girls are much older (14 sweeps old, which is roughly, what? 30-something human years or so, correct?), we find Vriska still making excuses for her actions and inevitably making a single rash decision that will ultimately become her biggest downfall. This fic touches on the relationship between Vriska and Terezi and their lusii (and I don't know about others, but I like fics that handle the troll kids and their lusii) as well as a slightly vague, yet heart-wrenching parallel to the girl's Ancestors (things here are different though but the results aren't pretty either way, as one could gather from the title). The thing that stands out most to me here is that everything is plausible and believable all the way through. Sunbreaksdown writes the best Vriska in her stories and this is no exception (all her Vriska fics are just, the greatest, IMO). I recommend keeping some tissues at hand.


( Summary + Excerpt )


The Death of Terezi Pyrope


For the curious, the author wrote a lighter alternative version of the story. It's worth a read if you end up enjoying this one or just would rather a lighter Terezi/Vriska piece. if cobalt may yet turn dark.

Hello! Sorry for the late arrival! My name is Bat and I will be your Homestuck driver for the month! I suppose off the bat (no pun intended), I should say I'm a fan of all the ships (with personal preferences and whatnot along the way). Black or red or pale, I love them all. I also love all the characters. Wow, and the fandom is BEAUTIFUL! Although I like almost all the ships and characters, it'll probably become obvious from my recs which ships/characters I prefer most of all. Don't worry though. My recs are hopefully diverse enough to cover a bit of everything. I do suppose an updated Fandom Overview is in order but I don't feel confident enough at this time to attempt it, perhaps next time (*shark smile*). In the meantime, the Fandom Overview written by roachpatrol is pretty much spot-on (and hilarious in the best ways)!

>] Now, strap on your seatbelts and let's go for a driiiiiiiive!


First off, in honor of Rose's birthday (and perhaps I purposely waited until today to start posting because Rose may or may not be my most favorite character), I present this lovely little gem:

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Rose/Sollux
Length: 11,859
Author on LJ: paratactician
Author Website: AO3 | Tumblr
Why this must be read: In a bid to find a pairing just completely not of the norm (because HS rarepairs fascinate me), I stumbled across this. Rose/Sollux is a pairing I wouldn't have ever imagined could work together, and yet, here, they completely do. This takes a look at Rose while she's still under the influence of the horrorterrors. The others have chained her up somewhere in the Meteor and eventually Sollux ends up in her mind in an attempt to help her. The story goes from interesting to absolutely amazing in the blink of an eye right there. We get to peer into Sollux's mind as well, which is fascinating and well done. But most of all is that their interactions are brilliant and enthralling and every word leaves you hungry for more of them. Fantastically written and descriptive as well. I more than politely urge you to give this fic a read as you will not be sorry (unless you don't like Sollux or Rose, that's literally the only way I can imagine one not liking this story).


( Summary + Excerpt )


Scarlet and Bible Black

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Eridan/Sollux
Length: 10k
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read: This is a great Helmsman fic, a great Eridan Ampora fic, and a fantastic quadrant-flipping fic. It's a wonderful ride the whole way through. 

Just because you don't believe in ghosts doesn't mean the ghost doesn't believe in you. Suddenly being 'haunted by your past' isn't just a metaphor anymore.

Ghost In The Ship

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: n/a
Length: 2k
Author on LJ: conceptofzero
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read: Conceptofzero does spectacular carapace fic, pulling astonishing amounts of nuance and poignancy out of the smallest things. This is a sweet, hopeful little look at the Wayward Vagabond settling into the newest phase of his very long, very strange life. Dave and Terezi shine in it, too. 

The first month after he wakes up on the meteor, WV spends most of his time alone.

Reconstruction

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Dualscar/Dolorosa
Length: 3.5
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: On AO3 
Why this must be read: All of Laylah's fics are as gruesome as they are beautiful as they are viciously well-done. Picking just one was incredibly hard, but if you like watching good people try to cope with awful situations this fic is a perfect gem, and one of my favorite Ancestor-era stories ever. 

Instead of having Mindfang's new favorite slave assassinated, Dualscar steals her in a fit of jealousy and claims her for his own, or tries to.

No Earthly Treasure

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Rose/Kanaya, John/Vriska
Length: 11.5k
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: On AO3 / On Tumblr
Why this must be read: Lanta is a versatile and talented writer, and all her works are both inventive and incisive. This is a story about Dave trying to survive on his own without his brother, and it's absolutely gripping. It's got just the right amount of pain and fear to ring true and keep you glued to the screen without descending into overwrought angst, and the ending's crisp and perfect. 

The game remakes the world when they win. It forgets one thing.

Hold Your Colour

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: John / Karkat, Tavros / Dave.
Length: 11k
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: On AO3 / On Tumblr
Why this must be read: This combines great lyrics with a cute, plausible all-humans AU with two intersecting fluffy-hot gay love stories. The sex is scorching, the characters ring true, and the narration swoops from one gorgeous moment to the next without giving you a moment’s rest. It’s a really great ride.

When Nitram started in, his tone was so casual, so conversational, that Karkat didn't realize he was rapping until the rhymes started to line up. "Wow, Lil' Cal's a really fast talker. I'm intimidated, he intimated he might pull out a glock or just murder me barehanded, man this is awkward. I'm just gonna... take a couple slow steps backward." He did so. "Jesus, what do you say to that kind of ego trip? Uh, I went to disneyland once, uh, I like potato chips, I tip well, I don't rip my rhymes, hell half the time I'm just a big dip but it's all mine. So when I quip at a quick clip there's no need to bring up nines. Let's just go with audio ammo, if that's okay by you, bro."

Hurricane

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: The Signless / The Psiioniic
Length: 25.5k
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: On AO3 / On Tumblr
Why this must be read: Vast Derp writes a great blend of poignant emotional drama and really well-thought-out science fiction elements. He never ignores one for the other. This is a love story about two ghosts on a spaceship, basically, and one of the best Ancestor-era fics around.


Someone screams again, and the lights go out. Somewhere, a computer is droning on and on with a pattern of beeps and alarm tones. In the movies, there would be guards racing around with weapons drawn, hunting the mutantblood discovered in their midst. This place remains empty. Not a movie, not a memory. Something new.

The Sufferer shrugs and enters the ship.


A Sailorman’s Hymn

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Rose/Kanaya, Kanaya/Vriska.
Length: 51k
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: On AO3 / On tumblr.
Why this must be read: Slavefic AUs are pretty trendy in nearly every fandom, and a lot of the time they’re pretty much just thinly veiled excuses for master-slave porn. Porn is great, but this story actually takes the time-- a year or two in-universe, and eight long chapters-- to examine the dynamics and the psychological ramifications of institutional slavery, and how some wounds just don’t heal, and how buying a slave to save her isn’t such an easy proposition. Even if you’re not a fan of femslash, give it a try.


The war with Earth has been over for sweeps, and as part of the numerous peace treaties, the trolls have returned many of the captured humans to their home world. But there are those who remain upon Alternia's surface, those who had nobody to ask for them by name, who are sold into slavery and worse still.
At the age of eighteen, Rose is finally given a placement: at the hive of one Kanaya Maryam.

Seam By Seam

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Feferi Peixes<>Eridan Ampora
Length: 7.5k
Author on LJ: urban_anchorite
Author Website: On Tumblr / On A03
Why this must be read: If you read just one story about Feferi, Heiress of the Alternian Empire -- if you read just one story about Alternia -- it should be this one. It opens up the character a rather strange, funny girl on a goofy planet of murderous bugkids and then it rips out your heart, and then it eats it. uA is half fandom granny and half cthul’hu priestess, and she never writes to take prisoners.

But how to hold up the universe when you couldn't even get C for culling right? You decided on the spot that you had to research. And you had to learn, or at least what you thought of was learning at the time. You decided to get yourself an education. Poor ignorant seadweller girl: sometimes you wonder what would have happened, if you hadn’t?

A Hymn of Empire