August 20, 2021

The Rec Center #294

Hi folks, this week we’ve got coverage of knitting fandom and the Boyfriend Dungeon backlash, along with some beautiful Green Knight fanart, some multifandom fic recs, and more! — Gav

new stuff

“Indie gaming company pledges to update content warning for Boyfriend Dungeon following backlash” by Michelle Jaworski at the Daily Dot
This much-hyped new dating sim was the subject of major controversy this week, as some players complained that the game’s trigger warnings were insufficient—while others argued that queer games are held to impossibly high standards online.

“Knitting the Fandom” by Elyse at Smart Bitches Trashy Books
For all our knitting readers: an overview of some fannish knitting patterns the author has tried recently, with additional links in the comments!

“W’s TV Portfolio 2021: Who’s Watching Who?” at W
For the second year in a row, W asked television stars to cosplay as their favorite TV characters. The results are mixed, but when they’re good, they’re a DELIGHT.

older stuff

“A Teenager Has Remade Myspace and Everyone Is Loving It” by Laura Holliday at Vice
“Coded entirely by 18-year-old An from Germany, the site looks almost identical to how Myspace did in its heyday—complete with blogs, bulletins, an old school IM function and, most importantly, the ability to use HTML and CSS to fully customise your profile with cute layouts, pictures and music.”

tumblr & beyond

Green Knight fanart by Clare DeZutti

“mdzs characters as r/malelivingspaces: a thread”

In awe of this TikToker’s cursed DIY cosplays.

“Imagine if people wrote all their Les Mis modern AUs in the style of Victor Hugo.”

“met gala 2023 theme is the cw’s supernatural”

fanfiction

No theme, just a grab-bag this week! Thank you very much to everyone who sent in a rec. <3 — Elizabeth

“A Fair Return” by thingswithwings. 24K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Schitt’s Creek; Ship: David Rose/Patrick Brewer
Recced by: Abbie
Backstory: A deep character piece, following Patrick’s growing into his queer identity, falling in love with David, and finding how he fits into Schitt’s Creek.
Rec: The author of this gorgous Bildungsroman shares in their author’s note that they come from a background similar to Patrick’s—a late-in-life queer revelation in small-town Canada—but this story is no stereotypical authorial insertion. It’s a deeply considered meditation on finding your space in the world and the courage it takes to occupy it. The townsfolk, including some wonderful OCs, are all wonderfully characterized and bring a richness to the story. And the sex scenes are smoking hot.
Content warnings: References to homophobic families

“Growing Teeth” by earlybloomingparentheses. 2.6K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Harry Potter; Ship: Tonks/Fleur
Recced by: Lofty
Backstory: The fic explores Tonk’s and Fleur’s feelings towards their own gender and presentation.
Rec: This fic does a great job of fitting with the sort of trans-ness that I get a lot; the combative, argumentative kind, in response to other people expecting things of you.
Content warnings: N/A

“A Widow’s Tale” by Mhalachai. 340K words over 10 works, rated Mature.
Fandoms: Marvel (MCU), Stargate SG-1/Atlantis; Ship: Eventually gets to Natasha Romanov/Bucky Barnes
Recced by: Pam
Backstory: Series starts as quiet, short background stories about Natasha, then broadens into a large-scale story where Natasha is the mother of John Sheppard and the Avengers have to go after some alien tech.
Rec: Even knowing next to nothing about Stargate, the author eases you into the world, and it is completely believable that these two worlds intersect. Plus, Natasha is kick-ass, in charge of and still wary of her own history, and is focused on setting things right. Plus there is one short piece that is absolutely adorable, with Natasha playing fetch with the Hulk.
Content warnings: N/A

“Deo Volente (lux aeterna)” by qqueenofhades. 66K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: The Old Guard; Ship: Joe/Nicky
Recced by: Delilah
Backstory: Joe and Nicky are immortals who find this out for the first time when they kill each other in the crusades.
Rec: I just love the idea of two characters being in love for a thousand years. The comics and the film present them as hopeless romantics and that idea of finding immortality together is just really lovely.
Content warnings: There is some violence and descriptions of distressing historical scenes, killing of an entire city, the Bosnian War

“The Quiet Ones” by cupiscent. 7K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Star Wars (Prequel Trilogy); Ships: Mon Mothma/Obi-Wan Kenobi, (unrequited Mon Mothma/Bail Organa)
Recced by: dee_lirious
Backstory: In the last days of the Republic, Mon Mothma’s politics will be almost eclipsed by her personal relationships.
Rec: This quiet, atmospheric fic offers a poignant glimpse into a passing encounter between Mon and Obi-Wan, as the end of the Clone War looms ahead. Introspective and understated, and highlighting their fraught political responsibilities, the imagery from this one lingered for a long time.
Content warnings: N/A

And a vid!

“The Greatest” by Bironic. 4:27, rated Teen.
Fandom: Multi; Ship: Gen (not super shippy but does include some super small WOC f/f scenes so yay!)
Recced by: Glasses Of Justice
Backstory: This video was made as a fill for the fandomtrumpshate charity auction and was shown at WisCon. There are over 75 sources!
Rec: So many of my favorite characters show up in this vid and now more than ever I think fandom needs this video. It will give you all the feels about how badass characters of color are.
Content warnings: Lots of spoilers for various fandoms, also some violence and a few deaths, check the video notes!

FINAL THOUGHT

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! — Elizabeth