Weekly Fanworks Rec Post #11

[myrdschaem]

Coming in late, but still coming. I count that as a win. Still mostly on the Transformers and Locked Tomb trilogy train, with one last R76 and an original work that sparks much joy coming in last minute.


Bigger Than These Bones by feverbeats . TLT, Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Rated T, No Warnings Apply, ~4k.
Pre-canon, this is a fic of morbid and depressed teens that are codependent to a fault. The line between hate and love is blurred with great talent.

The One Where Three Fugitives Visit A Tourist Location by fascinationex . G1, Gen, background Megatron/Starscream, Rated T, No Warnings Apply, ~2k.
Fascinationex continues to bring us uncomfortable fic. The relatively new Decepticon high command is on the run and makes a stop on an organic planet. There is a lot of thoughtful choices showing how organics discriminate against mechanic life forms and as of yet they still mainly fought against oppressors. The Cons, especially Starscream, are affably and relatable. And then the fic hits you with the gut punch at the end when they decide to eradicate anybody on planet for fuel. Fascinationex doesn’t even show the process, just the planning. There is no good side here and they leave us sitting with it.

Permanent by not_whelmed_yet . TF IDW, Drift/Ratchet, Rated T, No Warnings Apply, ~7k.
This is a stealth The Old Guard Fusion, as in applying the concepts of that verse to Transformers. Deadlock, née Drift, best known as a high profile decepticon assassin, being almost unkillable and high in Megatron’s esteem defects. So naturally, Autobot command puts him with Ratchet, because Drift is also famous for refusing to kill Ratchet in open defiance. Chief Medic Ratchet is not happy, as always. Honestly a great rom-com set-up here where they both annoy each other but have to spend every minute together, executed well and with a hint of mystery. Chef’s kiss is what I am saying.

if you’re doing it right you’ll break their rips by almostnectarine . TLT, Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Rated T, No Warnings Apply, ~22.5k.
This fic could seamlessly slip into canon, which is quite wild given that it’s a fic about randomly acquiring telepathy that gets stronger every day. You would think that should come up in canon. Exciting trope since secret crushes can suddenly see through your eyes and listen to thoughts is never not in-style and benefits from being structured as a casefic. Turns out telepathy is slightly distracting in this case. Just well-rounded execution of both concepts with many moments for dramatic feelings.

this letter will not find you well by propergoffic . TLT, Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Not Rated, Major Character Death, Harrow the Ninth spoilers, ~0.5k.
Another look at one of the letters from Harrow the Ninth, this one addressed to Gideon. Not as bad as it might sound from the summary given the state of “dead” in canon, as long as you read till the end.

Violent Sun by eggsinskillet . TLT, Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Not Rated, Chose Not To Warn, BARI-Star au, Harrow the Ninth spoilers, ~9k.
Basically Harrow and Gideon meeting as cavalier and necromancer in the cohort and slowly getting along, despite both of them trying to pull I-am-a-lone-wolf routine. While the fic does grapple a bit with the imperialism and genocide the empire enacts, I do wish it did more with it. I felt like the scene existed mostly to make Harrow show emotions on the outside and furthering the relationship with Gideon. A bit more would be nice, but at least it is adressed in some form. Otherwise pretty normal romp.

The Sun Comes Out by ApatheticRobots . TFP, Breakdown/Knock Out, Rated T, No Warnings Apply, ~25k.
They are so clueless in this fic and I say that with all the love in my heart. Clueless! It’s great. Knock Out and Breakdown meet each other on Earth, where they are both trying to hide and live a quiet life. In holoform. And then they start dating each other, both believing the other is a human. Absolute sporting, great perception dudes. It’s a silly premise and to make it even better, they actually have good emotional communication skills! So these clueless ass brackets do make it to a happy ending, though they shouldn’t have recovered from this. Also features June giving dating advice and transformers trying to interact with human things, which they fail to do in a subtle manner. 10/10

Workplace Misconduct Seminar by Spoon888 . G1, Shockwave/Soundwave, Megatron/Starscream, Rated T, Chose Not To Warn, ~2k.
This time on Spoon’s Decepticons Behaving Badly, it’s a workplace sexual misconduct seminary conceptualized by the WaveWave power couple. It even has amazing power point slides! Only problem: the two biggest miscreants are not in attendance as they are on top of the chain of command. No best practice is safe in this fic and I recommend reading as long as you are okay with it. Spoon is bringing the good bureaucracy jokes.

The Worst Idea in the History of Brains by CountDorku . TLT, Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Rated M, Graphic depiction of violence, Crack, ~2k.
Perfect fic that brought me the MOST joy this week. Adventures of a fictional Gideon written in a style of a specific tumblr post. I will just let a writing sample speak for itself:
“Your Emperorship,” yelled the messenger, bursting through the skull-covered door to the throne room, “everything has gone to shit in the shittiest possible way.”
Everything about this fic is great, wonderful and in-character for Gideon.

Tumblr post: excerpt from The Fight Saga of Three-Wolves Book 3: The Turbo Dragons of Castle Knifedick by rabbiteclair . Original Work, Warnings for graphic depictions of violence and death.
The tumblr post which inspired said fic. The other thing that brought me so much happiness this week. A sample:
his name is written on his forehead in three-meter-tall flaming letters, and it is FUCKMOUNTAIN DEATHMONSTER. there can be no hope in a universe that contains the fuckmountain
True poetry.

Blood Apron series by sciencefictioness . Overwatch, R76, McR76, Jesse/Lucio, Sigma/Reinhardt, Rated E, Chose Not To Warn, Vampire au, ~27k.
As I caught up on the R76 tag, I also happily discovered that the Blood Apron series has updated. In general, vampires are known in this au and Jesse works as blood donor in a respectable service. Gabe, who is married to Jack, tries out the service and they both fall in love with Jesse. Feelings aren’t easy as they only have a client/service provider relationship with Jesse, leading to pining all around. It’s awesome.