DMBJ Recs #2: Rare Pairings
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dmbj_tombraidersJust like that rare creme-filled Easter egg with your favourite filling, a fanwork of the right rarepair flavour is hard to find sometimes. Let us know about your favourites (fic, art, vid, podfic etc.) and add a short line about what makes it delicious in your eyes!
For the purpose of this post, any pairing that is not Pingxie or Heihua counts as rare. Poly(amorous) pairings are admissable, as are aro- or ace-flavoured pairings. Any pairings with the DMBJ ladies are especially welcome.
For easier reccing, you can use this template in the comments:
Next Rec Post will be up in two weeks time, topic: hurt/comfort!
For the purpose of this post, any pairing that is not Pingxie or Heihua counts as rare. Poly(amorous) pairings are admissable, as are aro- or ace-flavoured pairings. Any pairings with the DMBJ ladies are especially welcome.
For easier reccing, you can use this template in the comments:
Next Rec Post will be up in two weeks time, topic: hurt/comfort!
It‘s Pingpang time!
Date: 2023-03-31 12:44 pm (UTC)Title: Life is wavy series, pingpang chapter
Creator: nightxshade
Pairing: Pangzi/Xiaoge
Rating: G for this chapter, overall E!
Warnings: none
Why I like it: I love this whole series of fanart which has the DMBJ characters as merpeople. This one is of mer!Xiaoge and Pangzi on a beach with a soft, domestic vibe.
Title: Pingpang Week 2022, Free Day
Creator: Ibenholt
Pairing: Pangzi/Xiaoge
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Why I like it: The first chapter is about the time Pangzi took care of amnesiac Xiaoge after Tamutuo and I loved it so much in its portrayal of how hard Pangzi tries to stay cheerful, and how Xiaoge doesn‘t want to disappoint him. Later chapters are cute slices of life as a (re)established couple.
no subject
Date: 2023-03-31 12:54 pm (UTC)Title: starting in darkness, like a pure line of light
Author: scherzanda
Pairing: Bai Haotian/Huo Daofu; BHT & Liu Sang; BHT & Wu Xie; Liu Sang & Wu Xie
Rating: T
Warnings: minor violence in Ch 2; a non-graphic sex scene
Why I like it: So, there's a big ever-moving tangle of bonds between all the featured characters, but I love it especially for Huo Daofu and Bai Haotian - because you can still see the shadows of the HDF who existed in Sand Sea, and even if he's softened since then, you can see where he came from. And still be so glad that he found someone to love. It's masterful character-work. In a similar way, I like the way the fic keeps the sunshiney nature of BHT with those hints of hidden foundations. I really believed in those two, by the end of it.
Title: Serpent Heart
Author: fox_of_nine_tales
Pairing: Hei Xiazi/Huo Xiuxiu/Xie Yuchen
Rating: T
Warnings: Fairytale gore and minor body horror
Why I like it: a) I love lyrical fairytales, and b) I adore these characters as a triple. The story really sold it - the relationship each character had with each other and as a whole; the, the sheer work that was part of the story; the lovely details like the red butterfly or Xiazi's cloth wrapped around his eyes. And it's incredibly atmospheric.
no subject
Date: 2023-03-31 01:00 pm (UTC)ETA: Can you add links to your recced works, please? I put mine into the titles, but you just add them under the template.
no subject
Date: 2023-03-31 01:11 pm (UTC)Serpent Heart: https://archiveofourown.org/works/39812586
no subject
Date: 2023-03-31 03:45 pm (UTC)you, again (10755 words) by chancellorxofxtrash
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: 老九门 | Old Nine Gates (TV), 沙海 | Tomb of the Sea (TV), 盗墓笔记 - 南派三叔 | The Grave Robbers' Chronicles - Xu Lei
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Liang Wan/Zhang Rishan, Qi Tie Zui/Zhang Rishan
Characters: Zhang Rishan, Liang Wan (DMBJ Series), Qi Tie Zui, Original Characters
Additional Tags: Established Relationship, Creepy, Kissing, second love, Communication, canon-typical weirdness, Flashbacks, Canonical Character Death, Possession, Reincarnation, Case Fic
Summary:
Once Liang Wan got something into her head, there was no way you could change her mind. Well, at least, if there was a way, Zhang Rishan was yet to discover the secret.
Why I like this: I like the worldbuilding in this. Plus it’s a great mix of angst and lighter moments.what we let fall will be picked up by those behind. (12044 words) by mage-pie
Chapters: 5/5
Fandom: 沙海 | Tomb of the Sea (TV), 老九门 | Old Nine Gates (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Liang Wan/Zhang Rishan, Liang Wan/Qi Tie Zui/Zhang Rishan
Characters: Liang Wan (DMBJ Series), Zhang Rishan, Qi Tie Zui, Luo Que (Tomb of the Sea), Wu Xie's Grandmother (DMBJ Series), Original Characters, Wu Xie (DMBJ Series)
Additional Tags: Time Travel, OT3, Fluff, Humor, Minor Violence, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, Relationship Negotiation, Fortune Telling, Cooking, Do not translate without permission or copy to another site/app
Summary:
“All right, so he’s just arrived in the future and can’t use a computer or read simplified characters. What does he do all day, then?” Liang Wan asked.
Sun Yi grimaced. “He got a table and chairs, and a changshan from who-knows-where, and he sets himself up in the street and tells fortunes! He calls himself Ba Ye, to sound more mystical, I guess. He has a sign somebody painted him and everything.”
A Tale of Time Travel and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies (To Say Nothing of the Kidnapping and Gelato Theft); or, how an enterprising doctor cleverly acquired two boyfriends.
Why I like this: I generally like time travel stories and this one uses the trope really well. I also love the humour in this.
Blood on Stone (1571 words) by
Zhang Rishan/Qi Tie Zui, rated T, no archive warnings apply
Summary: Ba Ye is never going into a tomb with Fo Ye and Lt Zhang ever again. Never. He means it this time!
Why I like this: This has excellent characterisations and I very much like Ba Ye’s voice here.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-01 11:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-03-31 11:03 pm (UTC)Creator: Slutspeare (podfic read by Thimblerig)
Pairing: Wu Xie/Zhang Qiling/Wang Pangzi/Liu Sang
Rating: T
Warnings:anxiety about sex and sexuality, and internalized aphobia, a scene of dubious consent, which can be skipped (markers provided in fic notes)
Why I like it: I love characters discovering their (a)sexuality and this fic brings that in spades. It's very emotional which I also love.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-01 11:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-03-31 11:15 pm (UTC)Title: Echoes of Those That Were https://archiveofourown.org/works/36048304/chapters/89865832
Creator: Alxina, Merinnan, xantissa
Pairing:
Liu Sang/Wu Xie/Zhang Qiling
Rating: E
Warnings: see tags
Why I like it: This is the fic that got me to ship Hei Xiazi/Liu Sang (which isn't a pairing in the fic, but their friendship is so great there). So much great world building. Adventure! long fic
Title: Beauty from Pain
https://archiveofourown.org/works/38506108/chapters/96240934
Creator: Merinnan, UtterlyClueless
Pairing: Hei Xia Zi/Luo Fusheng/Xie Yuchen
Rating: T
Warnings: see tags
Why I like it: Luo Fusheng(from Granting you a dreamlike life) is the ultimate murder puppy and this is just so great.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-01 06:12 am (UTC)Here is some rare pair goodness (all of them perfectly sfw imo):
* Pangzi/Wu Xie/Xiaoge smooching, a meme redraw, perfect for these three
* A kiss on the cheek, this time Xiaoge/Liu Sang, dreams really come true 👍
* Stunning tlt1 Pangzi/Wu Xie art made for Pangxie Week 2022.
Edit to add some more link to art by psychicwaffles:
* Zhang Qiling/Zhang Rishan - a lovely b&w drawing
* A Tou/Bai Haotian - two beautiful girl on a date
* Kan Jian/Liu Sang -multiple amazing drawings of the boys
Recs by foxofninetails on Tumblr
Date: 2023-04-01 07:56 am (UTC)With Water and a Star by afrikate (must be logged in to view)
Rated M, No Archive Warnings Apply
Fake/Pretend Relationship, Arranged Marriage, Misunderstandings, Battle Couple, Friends to Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Getting Together, Hijinks & Shenanigans, Canon-typical Jiumen mafia politics a la Sha Hai and The Lost Tomb 2, Costume Parties & Masquerades, Attempted Sexual Assault which is unsuccessful more details in notes
Summary: So much, he thought, for settling into a low-key lifestyle after the end of the Wang family. He grimaced as he raised his head and looked at her. “A scandal.”
Rec notes: I love Xiuxiu in this one - she's so competent and done with being talked over by boys, but in a way that holds very true to her character.
Flowers On The Roof Of Hell by Thimblerig
Rated Teen, No Archive Warnings Apply
Alternate Universe - Pacific Rim Fusion, battle threesomes, day in the life, Plotting, Trans Character(s), Minor Violence
Summary: “We’re hunting the draaaaagons, we’re hunting the draaagons, we’re hunting the draaaaaaaagons…” Xiuxiu sings, opening the arms of Goddess of Mercy out wide against the wind and the sleeting rain as the helicopter array takes them out to their prey.“Nah, they’re just rats,” Xiazi drawls. “Nasty little squeaking things coming out of the cracks, that’s all.”
“Mrowwwwr.” Xiuxiu pulls up the map grid on their cockpit display... - Pacific Rim, HeiHuaHuo style.
Rec notes: If the words "HeiHuaXiu PacRim AU" don't get you, I'm not sure anything I can say will. They're all absolutely delightful and terrible here.
comfort where her hands touch by cryptive
Rated Teen, No Archive Warnings Apply
Slice of Life, Fluff, Comfort No Hurt
Summary: The entire story gets laid out while Hei Xiazi sat in the unfilled bathtub, knees folded up to his chest while Xiuxiu washes out his hair, making affirmative noises at the appropriate places.
Xiuxiu's boys come home after a long, long day.
Rec notes: Look, I am not immune to a hairwashing fic. Love the vulnerability here.
So Breathe by bookjoyworm
Rated Teen, No Archive Warnings Apply
Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Angst with a Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Pirate, everything is pretty much the same but in a vauge pirate au, kinda potc kinda black sails, i went to write a pirate au and went into deep introspective character study Huo Xiuxiu as the head of the Huo Family, and Huo Daofu guest starring as her second/bitchy wine friend, If NPSS won't let the dmbj ladies be friends i guess i'll have to do it myself, canon happens in the background, Huo Xiuxiu deserves the world and to do more cool stuff, Requited Unrequited Love, they're all idiots your honor, Jiumen does not breed emotional intelligence, they're trying tho, Xiuxiu is Done With Your Bullshit, (and also her own), implied/referenced corporal punishment of a child just a few lines nothing is shown or discussed at lengt,h non-graphic near-drowning, Canon-Typical Violence, probably less than tbh, fic and chapter titles borrowed from an amazing devil song, i would also like to submit Mystic Glasses as a ship name for these three, OT3, Idiots in Love
Summary: In which Huo Xiuxiu grows up, falls in love (twice) and decides that she'd done being left behind.
Rec notes: Love the strength of character Xiuxiu has here. Also, pirates!
footsteps in sync by naiwong_bao
Rated Teen, No Archive Warnings Apply
Found Family, Hurt/Comfort, Character Study, Non-Linear, Narrative, Fluff, Established Relationship, Getting Together, Grieving, Canonical Character Death, Alternate Universe - Fantasy
Summary: Xiuxiu puts her phone on speaker and calls Xiao Hua one more time. His voice, tinny and electronic, rings through her room as he says that he’s not available and for her to please leave her name and message and he’ll get back to her as soon as possible.
“Xie Yuchen,” she snaps, “you have a lot of explaining to do.”
“Xiao Hua-gege,” she says, “why do you and Wu Xie-gege never tell me what’s happening? Hei-ye won’t answer my calls either.”
She takes a deep breath in through her nose. “Be safe and come back soon. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be okay.”
---
The time Huo Xiuxiu spends alone, and time that she spends with the people she loves. Snippets following Huo Xiuxiu as she falls in love, holds herself together, and chooses to hold the people she loves together too.
Rec notes: Gorgeous, nightmare-dreamy touch-of-magic AU
no subject
Date: 2023-04-01 08:36 am (UTC)Title: Although the Wind Blows Terribly Here - https://archiveofourown.org/works/38989638
Creator: jockvillagersonly
Pairing: Pangzi & Xiaoge; Pangzi/Xiaoge
Rating: T
Warnings: minor injury; references to Wu Xie's difficulties with Lungs
Why I like it: It's just a v. sweet pingpang story with people being lost and finding themselves. (Pangzi gets to baby someone!)
Title: Happening upon one another - https://archiveofourown.org/works/27461710
Creator: achray
Pairing: Bai Haotian/A-Tou
Rating: M
Warnings: A mild sex scene?
Why I like it: Eeee - I love Bai Haotian getting to play the Sweet Ingenue being cheerfully seduced by a charming rake and loving every bit of it. (Also, I really enjoyed the little tidbits of the Iron Triangle checking in and making sure the baby was doing okay.)
More recs by foxofninetails
Date: 2023-04-05 05:26 pm (UTC)I may be the number one cheerleader of the HeiSang ship, and here are a few recs for that:
The sofffffftest art by
Every time I look at this I go all squishy inside
Stand in the rain, stand your ground by Merinnan, xantissa
Teen, no archive warnings apply
Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, several canon divergences took place pre-fic, Not Canon Compliant, Restaurants, Bodyguard, Canon-Typical Violence, food as a flirting aid, gremlin gonna gremlin, Car Chases, First Aid, Getting to Know Each Other, Getting Together, First Kiss, Not OSHA Compliant, Competence Porn
Summary: When Wu Xie asked Hei Xiazi to go to Chengdu at Wu Sanxing's very belated behest, the mercenary wasn't at all surprised to find that the people he'd been sent to find had long since been murdered. What he was surprised to find was that one of them was decidedly less dead than initially thought, and that he was now to secretly guard them. When Liu Sang escaped death six months before and hid by concealing his abilities and working in a tiny noodle shop, he figured everything would catch up to him sooner or later. What he wasn't expecting was the incredibly annoying customer that he had to put up with in the meantime.
Why this rec: Because I adore competence porn, and this fic delivers it in spades.
A dance for one can become a dance for two by Snowy
Rated M, no warnings apply
alternative universe, Ice Skating, Developing Relationship, Asexual Character, Friendship, Boundaries, Consent
Summary: Liu Sang, a worker at the Wushanju ice rink, happens upon the local ice skating cryptid Hei Xiazi. Or rather Hei Xiazi happens upon Liu Sang.
Why this rec: I really love ace or nonromantic versions of this pairing and this hits that spot beautifully.
Pingxiesang & Pingpangxiesang
Date: 2023-04-12 10:04 am (UTC)And it would have been longer if some of the ones I was going to rec hadn't already been recc'd! (Seriously, absolutely go read Serpent Heart and With Water and a Star, they are amazing).
Title: Intersection
Creator: fox_of_nine_tales
Pairing: Liu Sang/Wu Xie, Liu Sang/Wu Xie/Xiaoge (there's some pingxie there, too, but it's primarily Liu Sang/Wu Xie)
Rating: T
Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence (also mind the tags)
Summary: An alternate universe where five-year-old Liu Sang never escaped the human traffickers but was instead trained to have his special talents used by the highest bidder.
Fifteen years later, the Iron Triangle are forced into a troubling collaboration.
Why I like it: Look, if I start gushing about this fic, I'm never going to stop. This is one of my favourite all-time DMBJ fics - it's an absolutely brilliant AU with the most incredible characterisation and writing. Every part of is is so lovingly crafted, and all fits together so beautifully. The plot and the adventure and the tomb are just wonderful. The romance is a fantastic slow build, and it's a delight to watch it develop each step of the way. There's also a prequel (completed, non-shippy) and a sequel (in progress).
Title: Unexpected Pilots
Creator: daydreamorama
Pairing: Liu Sang/Wu Xie/Xiaoge/Pangzi
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Summary: In a world where pilots are paired up and form mental bonds assisted by machinery, Liu Sang, a newly graduated pilot, will have to learn what that means for him, personally.
Why I like it: A very fun sci-fi AU with great explorations of overcoming trust issues, leaning boundaries, ace-spec characters in relationships and their ace-spec-ness being respected, and an all around great story.
Heisang & Heihuasang
Date: 2023-04-12 10:05 am (UTC)Creator: daydreamorama
Pairing: Hei Xiazi/Liu Sang, other background rarepairs
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Summary: When a silk scroll went missing from an auction house, Liu Sang was hired to find it. The only catch was that the thief, while unknown, was known to have booked a cruise, during which they planned to offload the scroll. A couples retreat cruise. Liu Sang should have asked for all the details before agreeing. At least the money was good.
Why I like it: This fic is a delight - it's absolutely hilarious, filled with wonderful snark and general gremlin behaviour (as you should expect from this pairing), along with some genuinely sweet moments and bits of fun adventure. And it's one of my favourite tropes of "we're having to fake date for Reasons, oh no, I seem to have caught Feelings".
Title: Transference Request
Creator: fox_of_nine_tales
Pairing: Hei Xiazi/Xiao Hua/Liu Sang
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Summary: Fight monsters. Fight each other. Earn gold and fame and the strength that will help you to survive. Everything for the good of the clan.
For Liu Sang, it’s how things have always been.
This, though… this is new.
Why I like it: While you're not going to get all of the references and setting details here unless you've played the Time Raiders video game, this fic is still very cute, in a hot and funny way. Liu Sang being his lovely grumpy self, Hei Xiazi being his gremlin raccoon self, the double-layered conversation between Xiazi and Xiao Hua... it's all so much fun.
Kansang
Date: 2023-04-12 10:06 am (UTC)Creator: Slutspeare
Pairing: Kan Jian/Liu Sang (with background Pangzi/Wu Xie and Iron Triangle OT3)
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary:
Name: Liu Sang
Affiliation: National Protection and Security Services
Codename: Jinx
Special Skills: surveillance, environment detection, fighting (proficiency in all levels), combat certification
Name: Kan Jian
Affiliation: Kan Business Group
Special Skills: ????
When the heir of Kan Business Group begins receiving death threats, his father hires Liu Sang, one of the best bodyguards that the National Protection and Security Services has to offer, to guard him. Liu Sang is very good at his job.
--
Or, five times Liu Sang saves Kan Jian, and one time Kan Jian saves him.
Why I like it: What's better than a bodyguard AU? When the bodyguard is not the character you'd expect it to be, of course! This is a fantastic fic, stuffed full of competence porn and lovely writing, and is really fun to read.
Title: The Language of Flour
Creator: fox_of_nine_tales
Pairing: Kan Jian/Liu Sang
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: Kan Jian wants cake. Liu Sang wants other things.
A supremely fluffy and pointless AU where everything is exactly the same... except that Liu Sang runs a bakery. Featuring oblivious himbo!Kan Jian and persistent morosexual!Liu Sang.
Why I like it: This is super funny and super sweet, and exactly as fluffy as the summary claims. Kan Jian is a delightful himbo, and Liu Sang is so very very patient in his pursuit.
Risang (and Risang + other ships)
Date: 2023-04-12 10:08 am (UTC)Creator: Kholran
Pairing: Liu Sang/Zhang Rishan
Rating: T - E (depending on the fic)
Warnings: None
Summary: Summary of the first fic, I Will Go Now To My Pyre:
Liu Sang is hired by the Huo clan and sent to a Jiumen Association meeting. His job should be simple: Pay close attention to President Zhang and act as a human polygraph. He soon realizes things are never as simple as they seem. Finding himself in the middle of a political power grab, Liu Sang makes a choice. He hopes it's the right one.
Why I like it: I put down the entire series once I realised I'd listed most of the fics in it as recs, and figured it would be easier to just rec the whole series ^_^ This series is the one that first kicked off RiSang as a pairing, and it's just fantastic. The details, the characterisation, the story, the writing, it's all wonderful and a great read.
Title: Hold on my dear, I'm coming home
Creator: Introverted_Godzila
Pairing: Liu Sang/Zhang Rishan
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Summary: Liu Sang is an immortal who meets and falls in love with Lieutenant Zhang Rishan but their happy ending is derailed when the Wang clan gets involved.
Why I like it: This is part art, part fic. The framing story is simple, but very cute, and I love the way of using it to tie all the art together. The art is absolutely gorgeous, with fantastic use of light and colour.
Title: How To Get Yourself Into Magic Debt In Five Easy Steps
Creator: Alxina, xantissa
Pairing: Liu Sang/Zhang Rishan
Rating: E
Warnings: None
Summary: All Liu Sang wanted was to get the item that smelled so strongly of magic from the human named Zhang Rishan. He did what any self respecting fox would do and spelled the hell out of the man to get to the item. Only things didn’t go as he planned. They really, really didn’t.
Why I like it: This fic is just hilarious. Liu Sang is a grumpy and extremely unlucky huli jing, and Zhang Rishan is quite happy to take advantage of that bad luck to get himself a cute boyfriend. And after reading this, you will never look at cacti the same way again.
Title: Ordinary World
Creator: Kholran
Pairing: Kan Jian/Luo Que, Kan Jian/Huo Daofu, Kan Jian/Luo Que/Huo Daofu, Liu Sang/Zhang Rishan
Rating: M
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use (mind the tags)
Summary: Wu Xie's plan failed.
That's the simple truth of the matter. That's why life is the way that it is now. It's hard to get people to admit it. Most of them don't want to talk about it at all, even though everyone knows that's the reason everything went to shit. But what's the point in sugar-coating it? Being tactful isn't going to change anything. It won't make it better.
Maybe nothing could have changed the outcome. Maybe Wu Xie did everything right, but maybe that wasn't enough. Maybe failure was inevitable.
There were too many ways something could have gone wrong.
And clearly, something did.
Why I like it: This is a really fantastic, involved AU with amazing worldbuilding, great story, high stakes adventure, and great relationship building. I always enjoy reading it.
Wang Can ships
Date: 2023-04-12 10:09 am (UTC)Creator: JustAWanderingBabbit
Pairing: Wang Can/Pangzi (very minor and background pingxie and blink and you'll miss it pingxiesang)
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence
Summary: When Wang Pangzi captures the Wang spy Wang Can, things take a left turn at Shanghai and across the Yellow Sea.
Why I like it: Absolutely fantastic close-to-canon AU where the Wang don't take back Wang Can after he gets captured, along with a few other divergences that I won't spoil here because it's such a delight to read them for yourself. Fantastic background-building and adventure story with the two of them learning to trust and even like each other, despite how much they don't want to, and very eventually realising there's more than that. Very, very eventually.
Title: Between Dusk and Dawn
Creator: Alxina, xantissa
Pairing: Wang Can/Wu Xie
Rating: E
Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence
Summary: When Wang Can stumbled onto Wu fucking Xie while hiding abroad, he expected everything but being told to play a goddamn honeytrap on the man!
Sex he could deal with, but emotions were not supposed to be a part of this.
Why I like it: This is not a pairing I had ever considered at all before this fic, but it works so amazingly well. Wang Can's annoyance about this whole honeytrap thing is hilarious, as is just how bad he is at it, but turns out Wu Xie is just weird enough to be into it. It's fantastic watching how this weird mission ends up switching Wang Can's loyalties, and how confused and mad he is by most of it.
Title: Work Hazards
Creator: Alxina, xantissa
Pairing: Wang Can/Xiaoge
Rating: M
Warnings: None
Summary: The private tropical island was pretty, but filled with way too many annoying people. This was Wang Can's third time doing security for this particular client on this particular type of trip - twelve days on a paradise island, filled with unpalatably rich people, all sorts of mercenaries doing bodyguarding jobs (even the French ones, and oh, god, Wang Can was going to get an honest to god hernia this time around), food and drink aplenty. It was easy money, and recurring, steady jobs were good for his reputation and wallet.
He was used to all sorts of shit happening during missions, even the boring ones, but boy, he did not expect what happened this time.
Why I like it: One of the sequels to 'Between Dusk And Dawn', but also really good as a standalone story. Much lower stakes than Dusk, but just as fun, and some really excellent hilarious moments. If nothing else, read it for the gorgeous mental image conjured up by the description of Xiaoge in a qipao.
Hailou/Haixia + Foba
Date: 2023-04-12 10:10 am (UTC)Creator: laireshi
Pairing: Zhang Hailou/Zhang Haixia
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Summary: Everything was different in Malacca: the climate, the food, the language, even his name. Zhang Hailou hadn’t even realised he could be this homesick. If not for Zhang Haixia at his side, he wasn’t sure what he would have done. He was so grateful for his presence, sometimes it made it hard to breathe.
Why I like it: I love Southern Archives, and I adore these two, and I especially love seeing them as a couple. This fic is just so beautiful and so sweet.
Title: to the point of absurd (but i know that he loves me)
Creator: Slutspeare
Pairing: Baye/Foye
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: "You have a crush on a guy you only speak to over the phone and have never seen, and a guy that you've only seen but never spoken to. At the same time."
Okay. So maybe Tiezui should have thought this one out a little more.
Why I like it: I'll be honest, normally this isn't a pairing I give much thought to, but oh my god, this fic has to be one of my favourite ever fics. It's a modern AU, and Baye is just such a wonderful human disaster in it. He made me laugh, and want to reach into the fic and shake some sense into him, and to cringe in a lot of sympathy and understanding. And some excellent identity porn and identity misunderstandings. They're both dumbasses here, and I love it.
Re: Hailou/Haixia + Foba
Date: 2023-04-12 06:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-05-07 05:42 pm (UTC)Hei Xiazi& Wang Pangzi art by
Part 2
no subject
Date: 2024-09-01 02:04 pm (UTC)Title: not only the sugar, but the days
Creator: A (mumblemutter)
Pairing: Bai Haotian/Huo Daofu (with a side of unrequited BHT/Wu Xie and HDF/Wu Xie
Rating: Gen
Warnings: Some of it takes place around Wu Xie’s extreme health troubles, so there’s some talk of death
Why I like it: It’s very, very sweet and domestic (we get some of HDF’s youtiao technique) and I could absolutely see why they like each other and it’s just charming all around.
Title: 【宁黑宁】蛇惑 | Snake Temptation
Creator: HKP7
Pairing: A-Ning/Hei Xiazi
Rating: M
Warnings: Major Character Death, Body Horror
Why I like it: It’s this… this really haunting story where A-Ning and Hei Xiazi hooked up occasionally as seasoned jianghu adventurers who got along and trusted the other when they needed a bandage, and there’s this lovely world weary vibe. And then there’s this other thread of beautifully savage magical realism where Hei Xiazi is dreaming about her after she died, and snakes, and, and it’s just compelling, okay?
One of those fics I really wish were translated into English so I could read it properly.
Title: And I am green and you are wood
Creator: ladysisyphus
Pairing: Qi Tiezui/Zhang Rishan, Liang Wan/Zhang Rishan, Liang Wan/Qi Tiezui/Zhang Rishan
Rating: E
Warnings: Some weird timey-wimey/not quite a dream stuff going on. Much of it set in a war zone, so there’s some reference to destruction and death.
Why I like it: While cloistered in Gutonging, Liang Wan somehow ends up in a very long, lucid dream which is not entirely a dream, where she’s associated with Fo-ye’s team during the Battle of Changsha. And it’s all very poly, and she has a very gentle, heartfelt, kind conversation with Ba-ye right in the middle of it, and it’s just… nice.