recs and links

He cannot bear to deny her anything, not knowing she is his and hers alike; her blood, his blood. Her tears, his tears. He has torn the galaxy asunder for Palpatine, but he will stitch it together for Leia. His Leia. He had known from the moment she took her Senate seat; incorruptible, all eyes on her as she led an unpopular issue (the rights of the remaining clone troopers, he remembers) and turning the tide of the galaxy to her side. Palpatine had wanted to end her and the entire Senate for daring to succeed where he had failed. Vader had ended Palpatine for her. She, and she alone, had convinced him he was capable of it. AU where Vader kills Palpatine and sets Leia up as Empress in his place. Sharp and disturbing in the best way.

In which Debbie and Danny have a conversation. Nice coda to the movie.

Ahsoka and Sabine need some help on their quest to find Ezra, and end up hiring Aphra to do the job. This is lovely.

In which Obi-Wan and the Council do the smart thing and read Anakin in on the Rako Hardeen mission. Anakin gets some validation and their trust isn't nearly as broken. This gave me so many feelings.

Anakin didn't fall with the Republic, but he's not well when Ahsoka finally finds him again. This is sad and lovely and I really want to read all their adventures together in this AU.

AU for the ending of Twilight of the Apprentice - Vader is injured and wakes up with no memory past that long-ago trip to Mortis. Ahsoka is there to help him. Oh my heart. Snips and Skyguy together again. Melancholy and so in character it hurts.

Obi-Wan takes Luke to Tatooine. Bail takes Leia to Alderaan. both think about their lost friends. Brief but achy.

Leia can't teach Luke anything about the Force, but she can teach him how to use a sword. Oh my heart.

Excellent Avengers vid.

Five times Peter Parker thinks he's figured out something about his relationship with Tony Stark. Oh Peter. Oh heart.

Jack and Bitty have an aspiring reporter for a new neighbor. This is adorable. *sniffle* (it's posted as a chapter in a story with other short stories as chapters, not a wip in and of itself)

"You didn't go right to Bitty and tell him you want to come out. You came to me instead, which means you're planning something, you asshole." Shitty’s eyes get bigger and a little too bright. "Jacques. You delicate spiderweb of human emotion. I want to cradle you against my bosom and whisper lost secrets into your hair." Jack groans. "Please tell me you're high." "I am fuckin' elevated, my bro. El-e-va-tion." "Thank God," Jack sighs in relief. Shitty sticks out his tongue. It's green. ADORABLE.

Paris outs herself and Rory during a televised argument with Michele Bachmann. Peskiest of all is the fact that Paris and Rory aren't actually dating. A documentary crew wants to make Paris And Rory's Modern Stars Hollow Family anyway. Meanwhile, Rory goes slowly and quietly nuts. (And doesn't like Paris like that -- why would you even suggest such a thing?? Not that ... anyone did.) Long, hilarious, finally finished Paris/Rory fake dating featuring reality TV meeting Stars Hollow.

Han runs into Enfys Nest at the celebration following Endor. Short and sweet. (as an aside, I need like 9 million words about Enfys Nest and the Rebellion)

Leia and fathers and loss. GROSS SOBBING.

Lou’s shrugging out of the top of the jumpsuit now, letting it slide away from her like water. Debbie lets her eyes follow the motion, obvious, and flicker back up to Lou’s face. Her hands are itching with the same instinct to touch that surges up in museums, at beautiful things. Lou would’ve made a lovely statue, she thinks, idle, sprawled languidly out in the sun as some artist’s muse. And then Debbie would’ve had to steal her, too. Very hot post-heist reunion sex.

Beautiful Leia vid. #i'm not crying it's just raining on my face

Steve uses food as a way to acclimate to the 21st century and help with Bucky's recovery. Lovely. (though could have used another line edit to remove some Briticisms)

Clear-eyed look at the compromises Peggy had to make over the years.

Steve visits Bucky in Wakanda and they figure a few things out. Oh my heart.

Peggy and Howard team up with James Bond to take down Whitney Frost. Hijinks ensue.

The third story in the Reprise series (first two recced previously) - so much has changed that Ben has a hard time figuring out what might happen next, Anakin needs a master, and some familiar faces appear (Padme!). Highly compelling reading, and ends at a satisfying stopping point even though there's still more story to go.

Rose gets to nerd out about ships with BB8 and Poe. Oh heart.

Jack retires, and steps out of the spotlight. Or, five times Jack Zimmermann is more than happy to be Eric Bittle's trophy husband. Trophy husband Jack gives me life. *hearteyes*

Suddenly living on a ship and visiting foreign ports had been a cultural shock, but it had hurt, returning to the Fire Nation and feeling that same shock. Once-familiar things had soured and turned strange in the years he was gone. He sees the surprise of his crew—a new, temporary crew—when he talks about the ship like he knows it intimately, when he greets them in the halls, when he corrects the Captain about how the wind will affect their trajectory. He does it all with an even temper, too. He knows he came close to mutiny more than once when he was banished. He has so much more power, now; he can’t be that kind of tyrant again. The years he spent in exile trained him how to be Fire Lord, in a way. The experience he gained shaped him into a leader, more than any lessons about etiquette and tradition ever could. Banishing him was the best thing Ozai ever did. Zuko, learning to be Fire Lord and leading the Fire Nation into peace. Oh my heart.

#black widow gotta regulate *hearteyes*

Steve fakes his death to go to school and Bucky becomes a social media sensation when he's not filling in as Captain America. This is adorably darling and hilarious.

Mutual three-way oblivious pining FTW! They really should all just listen to BB-8.

Tony and Nebula and the trip back to earth. Oh heart.