Weekly fanwork recs #1

[myrdschaem]

Trying a thing where I look back at what I consumed last week in fandom to maybe slow down the reading a bit, reflect and recommend things. Spoilers may be here. Most of this is Transformers rn.

- Echoes of Messantine by MlleMusketeer. TF IDW, Endgame Jazz/Prowl/Megatron, Rated E, Warnings for Violence, Character Death and Rape, ~300k.
This is a long fic AU which diverts by having Megatron be shadowplayed in Messantine and put into medical training while being set up to fail. I know I tried to read this before, but stopped halfway through because I didn't like how Optimus was acting, despite having found it in the MegOP tag and liking MlleMusketeer's writing. Turned out, that's because this fic is more or less a set up for a Shattered Glass situation! Once I got to the point of figuring that out in my second read through, it was much more enjoyable. The fic is a true earn your happy ending and featurese explicit scenes of domestic abuse, particularly with Pharma/Ratchet. I think it deals with it realistically, which means that even when characters know a person isn't good for them, leaving isn't easy. If that and the long angst don't turn you off, the fic is very much worth it, building a shattered glass scenario gradually. The way the villains of the piece lie to themselves is on point. The happy ending is truly worth the pain.

- Unwanted And Improvised[Podfic] written by Spoon888, read by Gilraina. G1, Megatron/Thundercracker, Rated T, No warnings apply, ~46 min.
Spoon888 writes some of the best comedic Decepticons in G1. Oh, they are still villains, but also petty and incompetent it truly feels like the 80's cartoon. In this one, the air barracks get flooded, leading to Starscream having to share with his trine. Both Starscream and Skywarp start plotting how to seduce Megatron to get some more personal space. Thundercracker is along for the ride and turns out to appeal much more to Megatron than his trine mates' antics. Gilraina does a wonderful reading here, the highlight being the contrast between an absolute done TC and the scheming Screamer and Warp, who both sound sinister in different ways.

- TF Equestrian AU Series by fascinationex. G1, MegOP, Rated G, No warnings apply, ~10k.
This AU is founded on the idea of Starscream, murderous, capricious horse, and his rider Megatron. I never had a horse phase, but it is unfair how well the concept works. Some horses just seem to be naturally malicious and contrary, while of course Megatron puts up with it because he loves horses and Starscream is full of raw talent. Starscream breaks Megatron's leg while riding, leading him to contact another equestrian, Orion Pax, for help with his training. In the latest installment, Orion introduces his horse Skyfire to Starscream, which turns out surprisingly well for all involved.

- I'm Full Up On Yesterdays, Don't Sing Me No More Blues by DesdemonaKaylose. TFP, Jazz/Prowl, Rated M, No Warnings apply, mentions of rape, ~39k.
I have been following this while it posted and I am delighted it finished well. In this AU, Jazz accidentally gets the matrix and proceeds to run from responsibility immediately. On his tail is Enforcer Prowl, cold constructed and by the book, who handcuffs them together, the rest of the force and finally Jazz' irate roommate, friend and activist Orion Pax who wants Jazz to help him bring around change. Jazz and Prowl get into some strange situations together as they slowly bond and reveal to each other why they chose to live like they do. What absolutely stole the show for me were the glimpses of Orion Pax, angered beyond belief, as he is dragging his big gladiator friend Megatronus through the Iacon night to lecture Jazz on personal responsibility. He is just so very angry, Megatronus has no idea how to handle him and both are head over heals for each other.

- Lemonade, Sherbet[podfic] written by vamoosi, read by Kess. TF IDW, Drift/Rodimus, Rated E, No Warnings apply, ~1 h.
The fic is trans girl Rodimus failing in college and finding Drift, alien robot car, with which she takes up a friendship and relationship. Idk why it works, but it does. Kess however really knocksttheir take on it out of the park. Her podfics in transformers are sensual wonders. Their Rodimus voice of arrested development Rodimus in college is just amazing and they nail the sex scene. Along with the excellent reading there is a vaporwave cover and seven minutes of outtakes where Kess loses it in the best way because Rodimus, in true form, ate a rock. It's amazing.

- Be Mean To Me[Podfic] written by trebletwenty, read by Kess. TF MTMTE, Rodimus/Thunderclash, Rated E, No Warnings apply, under-negotiated BDSM, drunk sex, semi-public, ~52 min.
This. Fic. Is. Hot. I like Rodiclash as a pairing where they are crushing on each other, but this one elevates it by giving Thunderclash a Humiliation kink that's wider than the Eagle Nebula and when Rodimus catches on, he makes Thunderclash's night. Kess nails the voices here. Thunderclash is submissive and embarassed, while Rodimus is gleeful with pettiness, too much and not enough, switching to delightfully vulnerableiin the face of Thunderclash's devition. An instant forever classic.

- Hotlock History Series by Lush_Specimen. TF IDW, Deadlock & Hotrod, Rated T, No Warnings Apply, ~30k.
A cute series of Drift and Rodimus meeting as Deadlock and Hot Rod, becoming friends and shenanigans.

- Dratchet War Stories by Lush_Specimen. TF IDW, Dratchet, Rated T, No Warnings Apply, ~30k.
In a similar vein, Deadlock and Ratchet meeting and protecting each other during the war. Includes Ratchet the honorary Terrorcon.

- Love Is Blind by EdgeLady. Ovw, R76, Rated M, No Warnings Apply, ~2k.
The embargo for fic and art for the Flesh & Bone R76 zine is lifted, so we get all sorts of great fic. In this, Jack is a hunter hired to get rid of a gorgon. Of course, they fall in love. As usual, EdgeLady uses beautiful language and packs in emotional twists.IIt tutns the piece into something bittersweet and poetic.

- Frivolities by neveralarch. G1, Starscream & Megatron, Rated G, No Warnings Apply, Gender and Body Dysphoria, ~2k.
This fic punched me in the stomach with gender feels. I thought I was going to get some nice trans Starscream kicking ass, which is in the fic, but there is a twist, which I won't spoil. Let's just say someone is tragically in self-denial. The fic doesn't use"human" gender to play out the point, but rather substitutes caste for it, which works as well and also carries some neat world building with unreplicatable linguistic quirks with it.

- Bended Knee And Trembling Wing and Constructed Hot by neveralarch, both pwp to an extend.

BKATW: G1, Starscream/Megatron/Soundwave, Rated E, Author Chose Not To Warn, mind control, himbofication ~2k. Starscream uses mind control to become leader, but thanks to bad word choice, both Megatron and Soundwave want to fuck him and nothing gets done.
CH: TF IDW, Starscream Solo, Starscream/Bumblebee, Rated E, No Warnings Apply, ~6k. Starscream enjoys porn about newly cold constructed mechs, preferably gentle. This Screamer is strangely vulnerable and I wanted to shower him with love, because that's his deep dark kink, being loved sincerely. Thankfully Bumblebee's ghost steps in in chapter two. Contains more world building and character work for Starscream than the usual porn.

- Undercover by GhostHost. TF IDW, Deadlock & Ratchet, Not Rated, No Warnings Apply, ~4k.
I am categorically WEAK for dratchet, but even more so if Ratchet interacts with Deadlock. Ratchet goes undercover in a rescue mission for Cybertronian slaves. His captors put him with Deadlock who goes to big lengths to protect Ratchet, if course.

- I'm trying to be nasty with some respect by harperuth. TF IDW, Deadlock/Hot Rod, Rated E, No Warnings Apply, bad sex practices, ~3.5k.
Hot Rod and Deadlock having sex, but in the worst, most unsafe way because they are without common sense. Love the reckless endangering of self due to ignorance here.

- Go The F*** To Sleep, Steve Kornacki[Podfic] written by blueglassEM, read by blackglass. Pundit & Broadcast Journalist RPF & Go The Fuck To Sleep, Gen, Rated T, No Warnings Apply, ~10 min.
Picture book parody about Steve Kornacki refusing to sleep, masterfully done and perfect for falling asleep to while listening.

- Gone With The Sprinklers by Lush_Specimen. TF MTMTE, Gen, Rated G, No Warnings Apply, ~1.5k.
Swerve finds a data pad with Minimus' self-insert sprinkler fanfic, which he reads and gives back to Minimus, reassuring him. Includes Sprinkler fic excerpts, which is gearing up for Minimegs, and worth reading for that alone.

- Heru by FourthFloorWrites. TF MTMTE, Riptide & Thunderclash, Rated G, No Warnings Apply, ~3k.
Riptide takes Thunderclash surfing. I love Riptide and I think he gets overlooked in the big MTMTE cast, when he is actually really nice. Also has background Rodiclash, since meteor surfing is what Thunderclash aims for.