recs and links

He thought that when she left, he would finally be able to concentrate. But instead he finds himself thinking of her all the time, even when doing the most mundane things. He thinks of Inej when he keeps the books, remembering those afternoons they used to spend together as she fed the crows and laughed to her heart’s content and he basked in the glow of her happiness. He thinks of her when he gets in a tussle, remembers the number of times she counseled him to have mercy. He thinks of her when he walks past the Menagerie, and reminds himself that he cannot burn it down until she is around to see. Kaz and Inej make small but meaningful progress together. Oh heart.

Kaz knows he’s goading her, sees the anger rise inside her, but he has never had any comfort to offer her, only the cold truth of the way of life they have both chosen, are both inextricably linked to. And it will have to be enough. Inej develops a reputation on the high seas.

This is so lovely. Baze and Chirrut would make such great dads.

'You're not a doctor, are you?' 'I'm a monk,' said Chirrut, and patted him on the chest. 'So if you die from your wounds, I'll know what to do with your spirit.' Adorable story where Baze and Chirrut meet for the first time on an Imperial prison transport ship.

Lovely look at Wedge Antilles.

Chirrut held the staff before him, balancing it on a single finger. “Neither too heavy nor too light. Do you see, Baze? Balance is vital. Mortal beings require the world of the material to survive.” He tilted the staff one way, so it yawed over his finger toward the ground. “We require food, shelter, and companionship to maintain our bodies. But too far, and we kill our spirits.” He shifted the staff back to a perfect horizontal above the pavement. “On the other end, our souls require nourishment as well. We require faith, belief, trust, love. We require calm in the midst of the storm.” He let the staff overbalance to the other side. “Yet if we focus exclusively on these, our physical form withers and dies.” He returned the staff to the ground. Chirrut finds a way to live and hope and bring hope to others after the Empire comes to power. Lovely.

Poe pines obliviously until Finn and Rey finally clue him in. Lovely.

In which Bucky signs up to teach a self-defense class. Oh heart.

Leia makes Finn an offer. *sobs* This is so lovely.

Really lovely AU where Harry comes back to Hogwarts as the DADA professor and finds some contentment for himself.

Hilariously in character Rivers of London/Discworld crossover. Oh Peter. It's a good thing he's pretty unflappable.

It means harnessing the one-two-punch power of Critical Thinking and Empathy, which not coincidentally are also the names of each of Uncle Joe Biden’s malarky-thumpin’ fists.

Finn thinks if all three of them ever got to be in the same space together at the same time, they might have something. Adorably matter-of-fact Finn/Rey/Poe.

Really beautiful story about Bodhi Rook and love and grief.

An ode to The West Wing, presented by The West Wing Weekly podcast. Lyrics and vocals by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Music by Hrishikesh Hirway. Download this track: http://thewestwingweekly.com/whatsnext

Everyone lives AU where Chirrut and Baze are rescued by secret Jedi. Very cute.

In the midst of her training, Luke takes Rey to several planets and shows her something of the galaxy (and his past). Lovely.

Soft and lovely story of Steve and Natasha being there when Bucky comes out of cryo in Wakanda.

Sweet, lovely Finn/Rey/Poe.

Reprogramming, making new friends, and committing high treason--K-2SO has had a strange day. Perfect little snippet about Kaytoo's reprogramming.

“Hush,” Chirrut murmured against his mouth. “I am not the one talking.” “I can hear your thoughts.” Chirrut’s fingers slipped beneath his collar. “Be here with me.” “When have I ever been anywhere else?” Baze asked, and kissed the answer from Chirrut’s mouth. Chirrut likes to tell stories about how he and Baze got married. *sobs*

Thoughtful, delicate story of how Bodhi Rook comes to be in Galen Erso's trust.

Really lovely Baze/Chirrut.

Bruce gets hit with a curse and calls on Diana to help him break it. Hee!

In this story, Sam comes up with the best comparison for the way he and Bucky meet, are grumpy, and beat up HYDRA agents together, so I won't spoil that for you, but hee! I enjoyed it a lot.

He knows about Organa’s daughter, of course. Princess, senator, now a confirmed traitor; famed for her ethical code and her wit. Some even remark that she is beautiful. Now he knows that she is brave enough to face him unflinching with lies in her mouth. The Force hums loudly as he considers that there is something impressive about her, and that it burns to know she will break under him – everyone does, after all. Vader considers Leia during their various encounters.

When Harley and Ivy pay Bruce Wayne a visit, he has to deal without giving his secret identity away. Hee!

(Can droids die he had said to Poe and Poe had said well I suppose everything can die and BB-8 had said but what happens when -- and Pilot-Pava had said what a curious droid and BB-8 buzzed at herPoe reprogrammed me and taught me to think and and Poe’s gentle hand on his shell, and droids aren’t meant to be calmed by physical contact and yet -- ) *sobs* So many droid feels.

Rey breaks down. It's kind of an accident. The General is there to comfort her. *sobs*