[Kaltia] Elricest fanfiction recs
This was a meme started by devils_devotion. I originally posted this on my main journal, and I'm crossposting it here.
This is not meant as a companion to mikkeneko's similar rec list, and a lot of fics appear on both.
Everyone's got their own OTP for their one true fandom, let's face it. (And if you don't, then you're an OMG DEVIANT. :P) That one pairing you'll read above all else, that one pairing you'll stick up for in the name of love, and justice, and possibly crack.
Sometimes, other people just don't GET your fandom, or your pairing, and other times, people COULD like your pairing if they just knew where to find the proverbial fiction gold for it.
This is in no particular order.
First Snowfall, by pellaz. R (She says it's NC-17, but she lieeeeeeeeeeeeees.)
Why? Because it's Just That Good. May suck you into the pairing, if you have latent urges.
By Sightless Lightning (Chapters 1-8, epilogue) by anax. NC-17.
Why? It's hard to say why you should read Lightning. I'm tempted to order everyone to just go read it and see why for themselves, but alas, I can't. Waaah. Anyway, Lightning is long, complicated, and involving; it's one of those fics you start to read, and then can't stop. Luckily, if you're picking it up now, you don't have to wait for Anax to update it, which I did. Guh. *_*
One Thousand Words by nekokoban. PG-13.
Why? Because White Cat is one of the few Roy/Ed authors I read on a regular basis, having fallen head over heels in love with her style, and although this is her first time writing Elricest, she does it beautifully.
rifurein. Now and Later, untitled drabble, Uneraseable Virtue. G through to R.
Why? Rifurein has a wonderful writing style - it's all warm and lyrical, beautiful and sharp. It's at its peak with 'Uneraseable Virtue' which is the fic EVERY Elricest fan HAS to read.
Again and again by borntohula. PG.
Why? Most people would say that 'Gate' is the best of borntohula's works, but this one is my favourite. It's sweet and sad and written with flowing prose, almost train-of-thought style.
Whatever it Takes and Fever, by mikkeneko. R.
Why? Because it's Mikke. If you're on this journal's f-list, you'll no doubt be stalking Mikke too, so I don't need to say anything. :D
Truest Chemicals by fennec17. R.
Why? Because it's funny, dirty, cute and tugs at your heart-strings, all at the same time. It would be pimped all over the place a lot more frequently were it not for the random Japanese literring the prose, but it's still readable, and enjoyable, around that.
Overload, by maypirate. R.
Why? Maypirate is the latest in a long line of my 'pet' authors (the ones I bully shamelessly), and achieved this, uh, elite status by writing some really awesome fic. Overload was the fic which first caught my eye - she shares some wonderful stylistic traits with chauni, and on top of that, she tortures Ed! What's not to like? And speaking of chauni...
Who Needs Rings When We Have Each Other and With Eyes to See, by chauni. R.
Why? Because Chauni's writing is so damn gorgeous I swear it pwns me on the spot. Wah. She does angst and sap well, and these fics manage both.
Family by vikki. G.
Why? This is a pre-series fic, and the life it sketches out for the Elrics is painfully idyllic - and so realistic and natural one could swear it was canon. :)
Where No Eyes Can See by mikkeneko... again. R.
Why? There are many unanswerable questions in the universe, ranging from a variety of subjects from 'what colour is an air guitar' to 'why does toast always land butter-side down' to 'how the hell can Mikke make Elricest shota cute?'
Pervy shota drabbles 1 2 3 and 4, by alternatively windandwater, ponderosa121, blue_soaring. R/NC-17.
Why? ... Sera's such a shota-ho. :D
asidian. G-NC-17. Seriously; I cannot pick a favourite out of Asidian's fics, and since pretty much everything she writes is Elricest and she posts nothing on her journal except fic, so yeah. Go drown yourselves. You really won't regret it. Best bets are the Aftermath series (14 chapters, I believe) and, uh, I don't have a favourite one-shot. Waaah. ;_;
Open Up The Gates by pellaz. R.
Why? Written after the series' end, but before any movie information had been released, this fic still manages to be all sorts of awesome. But then hey, it's Pellaz. What did you expect?
Schattenkreig by jade_pen. NC-17.
Why? There's a plot in there somewhere, I think, but I got distracted by the porn. Mmm, porn. *_*
Embodied, by mikkeneko. NC-17.
Why? Because this is the Fic Which Pwned The Elricest Fanbase, and really, that's all you need to know. ^_^
Sickbed Hazards by maypirate. PG-13, no spoilers.
Why? The Ed in this drabble is beautiful - Amber manages to catch him perfectly, and his concern and need to care for Al are portrayed so well it made me sniffle.
Penitence, by chauni. R.
Why? THIS FIC BROKE MY HEART. MAKE HER STOP DOING THAT. WAAH.
Phantom Pain, by crazy_toffee. NC-17.
Why? Toffee is a master of her class, and this fic is no exception to her repetoire of amazing fanfiction. The fic starts off slow, but the pacing is excellent, and it really draws you in. A must read for those who can't get their heads around the concept of Elricest, and on top of that, this is a prize-winner from the Elricest contest, coming first place in the first category. : )
To Breathe A Day, by chauni. NC-17.
Why? A request fic for meeeeee! Bondage Elricest pwp. Somehow it got all metaphysical, but hey, Chauni's a good enough author that she can pull that off without you noticing. :D
March of Days, by pellaz. R.
Why? This is the most gorgeous -afterwards fic ever, I swear. Set waaaaay after the end of the series (but no spoilers), it features an older Ed and Al and the marks left on them by the life they've lived. Gah, K, you make me fangirl so much. It's not good for me. ;_;
Pavlov, by maypirate. R.
Why? This fic is just... a really good fic. Angst and comedy in equal measures, as well as wonderful characterisation and, of course, May's fantastic writing style. *_* This is complete, thankfully, though feel to free to keep checking out her shared fic journal, _kesenaitsumi_ for further ficcage.
Glaze, by thewolfplush. R.
Why? Because Elricest fluff is a rare animal (I swear, sometimes I feel like the only one providing it o_o) and thus it was a delight to see this. Beautifully written, and very sweet.
Brothers by kalikamaxwell. NC-17.
Why? Well, the entirety of the FMA fandom reads this thing, so I feel no need to offer any explanation beyond 'it's worth the hype'. This is a WIP, so keep checking km_fics for updates.
A Thousand Days, by mikkeneko. PG-13.
Why? Another tear-jerker. Mikke's a wonderful author (as well as being my bitch) and this is just perfect. Won the second category of the Elricest contest, and deservedly so.
Lightning Flashes by pellaz. PG-13.
Why? Because the cute PWNS. PWNS J00 DED. I SWEAR. Ed is just so... Ed in this fic, it's really cute. Pellaz's characterisation is awesome as always, 'course.
Orange Peel, by lyria. PG-13.
Why? Because this is the most beautiful thing I've ever read, stylisticly. The author took some time out of working on original stuff to produce this fic; it's sharp, and yet vague and unfocused at the same time. Could pass for gen, but something everyone should at least look at, if this sort of writing style is your thing. Like it is mine. Fragmented sentences and devious punctuation all the way, baby!
Romantic Afternoon by maypirate (again). R.
Why? Because it's a hilarious take on Elricest pwp, with Ed being so utterly in character it's enough to kill you, I swear. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you're tired of firsttime!Elricest lemons with the brothers both knowing how to have gay sex without any explanation given from the author, heh.
Caintophobia by lily22. PG-13.
Why? Lily's fics seem wonderfully simplistic, but really it's just a ruse for the complex emotions beneath. Caintophobia focuses on Al's reactions to having a body again, and is fantastic.
Those Fatal Moments of your Nearness by anax. NC-17.
Why? Mmm, porn. Angsty porn by Pride, yay!
Elric's Anatomy, by maypirate. R, no spoilers.
Why? Because it's an evil - and hot - bunny, and May pulled it off perfectly. :D
Adelphia, by pellaz. PG-13.
Why? Because anything Pellaz does is awesome? Nah, because this is a very good fic exploring the dynamics of the OT3 without letting you realise it. On top of that, it's sort of sweet and sort of angsty, so hey. Got both your bases covered.
Warm December, by tears_priestess (spinnyroses). PG-13.
Why? ... because. Because it nearly made me cry. Guh. Spinny always comes up with the evillest plot ideas, I swear.
Death By Memory by jade_pen. PG-13. (Spoilers)
Why? ... just get out the bloody handkerchiefs and tissues and stuff and don't talk to me for ten minutes or so, mmkay?
Metamorphose, part one and part two, by devils_devotion. NC-17.
Why? Because Demidevi is an awesome author, and Metamorphose - despite being her first, although hopefully not her last, venture into writing Elricest - is breathtakingly beautiful. Based off the Greek myth of Pygmalion, it is largely concerned with the idea of falling in love with one's own creation; the fic tackles the subject with ease, aided by an intricate and somewhat fluid writing style and excellent characterisation. A must-read.
Elend and its sequel Schrodinger's Cat, by maypirate. R. Post-movie fic, therefore, movie spoilers.
Why? Because Elend is heart-breakingly sad - it catalogues a warped Elric relationship, and Al's desperation and pain. Brought 9/10 readers to tears, I have to say. :D
The Laughter of Women by yuuo. G, gen but still achingly sweet. Post-movie, so spoilers there.
Why? Because this is simply one of the loveliest short fics I've seen, and it makes me go 'awww'. :)
Calligrophilia, by theladyfeylene. PG-13, suggestive gen.
Why? Because it's beautiful, and I think the way the writer managed to make the prose sensual - reflecting what Al is feeling - is very well done.
Jeux d'envie, by mikkeneko and kalikamaxwell. NC-17, dark, brutal. Al/Ed and Envy/Al. Set after the end of the series.
Why? Because this fic is a fantastic example of trainwreck syndrome. You know from the start that it's going to be horrible, but you find yourself unable to look away. It's so nasty I found myself cringing in places, but it's superb, despite that.
The World by pellaz, PG-13.
Why? You know how in every fandom there's the one writer you absolutely idolise, whose works you adore over many others, whose style you clumsily try to emulate? Pellaz is that writer, for me. This fic is simply stunning (but then, so much of her stuff is) - it's hauntingly sad and so beautiful, offering a snapshot style approach to the storyline she offers up. Ed and Al are just so vivid it's amazing - definitely a must-read.
And by vikki. G.
Why? When I first came into this fandom, I ripped through the entirety of the content on Scimitar Smile in one night. I read about a hundr4ed fics, and only a few remain cherished favourites; this fantastic ficlet by Vikki is one of them. It's an introspective piece, slow and gentle, but there's more to it than that.
That Which We Breathe by okamihoshi. NC-17, manga chapter 53 spoilers.
Why? Okami (Wofl to her friends) is a superb writer, and this fic - unbeta'd, tragic, but still intriguing - has a slow, gentle pace. Her Elrics are damaged by strong, still together despite all they've been through, and they're whole with each other; while Wofl may be the youngest author I've recced on this list so far, she's just as good as the others. :)
On The Road of Gold by tavella, NC-17.
Why? Tavella is kinda infamous for her terrible ability to bunny people at the drop of a hat, and the way she bunnies people is often very lyrical in itself - it makes sense that her writing, when she finally got around to producing some - would be the same. This is a very good, flowing (albeit short) piece written after she read the equally infamous doujin 'Next Restraint'.
Time by chiharu_octavia, PG-13.
Why? Because it's a slow, gentle look at Ed and Al's life, and for some reason, reminds me vaguely of Tori Amos' Winter. O.o At any rate, it's wonderfully paced, and a very good read.
State of Grace by zannechaos, NC-17, movie spoilers.
Why? I'm a sucker for poetic prose and good use of imagery, and this fic has both. Zanne is fairly infamous for her dislike of this pairing - she is one of the maintainers of the equally infamous fma_sanity - but this fic, a birthday present for spinnyroses, is so gorgeous and natural you wouldn't know.
Perfect Equation by liete. PG-13, movie spoilers.
Why? Liete is one of the fluffier authors of the fandom, seemingly incapable of angst; this fic is a slice of pure waff pie, served with Al's Ed-glasses fetish on top. There are a few grammatical/punctuation errors, but nothing that can't be ignored and/or ironed out by a beta.
Age of Gold by lykomancer. PG-13, movie spoilers.
Why? Lyko is one of two people who can get me to read Ed/Envy (the opther being Chauni). Her stuff is symbolism-heavy, but usually achingly beautiful; in this fic, she takes a leaf out of chauni's book when it comes to her prose and the end result is simply astounding. The symbolism ties in very well, and the overall fic is just wonderfully tender. As she herself said, "what's sweeter and purer than the story of a unicorn and his beloved virgin?" Answer: nothing, apparently. :)
This is not meant as a companion to mikkeneko's similar rec list, and a lot of fics appear on both.
Everyone's got their own OTP for their one true fandom, let's face it. (And if you don't, then you're an OMG DEVIANT. :P) That one pairing you'll read above all else, that one pairing you'll stick up for in the name of love, and justice, and possibly crack.
Sometimes, other people just don't GET your fandom, or your pairing, and other times, people COULD like your pairing if they just knew where to find the proverbial fiction gold for it.
This is in no particular order.
First Snowfall, by pellaz. R (She says it's NC-17, but she lieeeeeeeeeeeeees.)
Why? Because it's Just That Good. May suck you into the pairing, if you have latent urges.
By Sightless Lightning (Chapters 1-8, epilogue) by anax. NC-17.
Why? It's hard to say why you should read Lightning. I'm tempted to order everyone to just go read it and see why for themselves, but alas, I can't. Waaah. Anyway, Lightning is long, complicated, and involving; it's one of those fics you start to read, and then can't stop. Luckily, if you're picking it up now, you don't have to wait for Anax to update it, which I did. Guh. *_*
One Thousand Words by nekokoban. PG-13.
Why? Because White Cat is one of the few Roy/Ed authors I read on a regular basis, having fallen head over heels in love with her style, and although this is her first time writing Elricest, she does it beautifully.
rifurein. Now and Later, untitled drabble, Uneraseable Virtue. G through to R.
Why? Rifurein has a wonderful writing style - it's all warm and lyrical, beautiful and sharp. It's at its peak with 'Uneraseable Virtue' which is the fic EVERY Elricest fan HAS to read.
Again and again by borntohula. PG.
Why? Most people would say that 'Gate' is the best of borntohula's works, but this one is my favourite. It's sweet and sad and written with flowing prose, almost train-of-thought style.
Whatever it Takes and Fever, by mikkeneko. R.
Why? Because it's Mikke. If you're on this journal's f-list, you'll no doubt be stalking Mikke too, so I don't need to say anything. :D
Truest Chemicals by fennec17. R.
Why? Because it's funny, dirty, cute and tugs at your heart-strings, all at the same time. It would be pimped all over the place a lot more frequently were it not for the random Japanese literring the prose, but it's still readable, and enjoyable, around that.
Overload, by maypirate. R.
Why? Maypirate is the latest in a long line of my 'pet' authors (the ones I bully shamelessly), and achieved this, uh, elite status by writing some really awesome fic. Overload was the fic which first caught my eye - she shares some wonderful stylistic traits with chauni, and on top of that, she tortures Ed! What's not to like? And speaking of chauni...
Who Needs Rings When We Have Each Other and With Eyes to See, by chauni. R.
Why? Because Chauni's writing is so damn gorgeous I swear it pwns me on the spot. Wah. She does angst and sap well, and these fics manage both.
Family by vikki. G.
Why? This is a pre-series fic, and the life it sketches out for the Elrics is painfully idyllic - and so realistic and natural one could swear it was canon. :)
Where No Eyes Can See by mikkeneko... again. R.
Why? There are many unanswerable questions in the universe, ranging from a variety of subjects from 'what colour is an air guitar' to 'why does toast always land butter-side down' to 'how the hell can Mikke make Elricest shota cute?'
Pervy shota drabbles 1 2 3 and 4, by alternatively windandwater, ponderosa121, blue_soaring. R/NC-17.
Why? ... Sera's such a shota-ho. :D
asidian. G-NC-17. Seriously; I cannot pick a favourite out of Asidian's fics, and since pretty much everything she writes is Elricest and she posts nothing on her journal except fic, so yeah. Go drown yourselves. You really won't regret it. Best bets are the Aftermath series (14 chapters, I believe) and, uh, I don't have a favourite one-shot. Waaah. ;_;
Open Up The Gates by pellaz. R.
Why? Written after the series' end, but before any movie information had been released, this fic still manages to be all sorts of awesome. But then hey, it's Pellaz. What did you expect?
Schattenkreig by jade_pen. NC-17.
Why? There's a plot in there somewhere, I think, but I got distracted by the porn. Mmm, porn. *_*
Embodied, by mikkeneko. NC-17.
Why? Because this is the Fic Which Pwned The Elricest Fanbase, and really, that's all you need to know. ^_^
Sickbed Hazards by maypirate. PG-13, no spoilers.
Why? The Ed in this drabble is beautiful - Amber manages to catch him perfectly, and his concern and need to care for Al are portrayed so well it made me sniffle.
Penitence, by chauni. R.
Why? THIS FIC BROKE MY HEART. MAKE HER STOP DOING THAT. WAAH.
Phantom Pain, by crazy_toffee. NC-17.
Why? Toffee is a master of her class, and this fic is no exception to her repetoire of amazing fanfiction. The fic starts off slow, but the pacing is excellent, and it really draws you in. A must read for those who can't get their heads around the concept of Elricest, and on top of that, this is a prize-winner from the Elricest contest, coming first place in the first category. : )
To Breathe A Day, by chauni. NC-17.
Why? A request fic for meeeeee! Bondage Elricest pwp. Somehow it got all metaphysical, but hey, Chauni's a good enough author that she can pull that off without you noticing. :D
March of Days, by pellaz. R.
Why? This is the most gorgeous -afterwards fic ever, I swear. Set waaaaay after the end of the series (but no spoilers), it features an older Ed and Al and the marks left on them by the life they've lived. Gah, K, you make me fangirl so much. It's not good for me. ;_;
Pavlov, by maypirate. R.
Why? This fic is just... a really good fic. Angst and comedy in equal measures, as well as wonderful characterisation and, of course, May's fantastic writing style. *_* This is complete, thankfully, though feel to free to keep checking out her shared fic journal, _kesenaitsumi_ for further ficcage.
Glaze, by thewolfplush. R.
Why? Because Elricest fluff is a rare animal (I swear, sometimes I feel like the only one providing it o_o) and thus it was a delight to see this. Beautifully written, and very sweet.
Brothers by kalikamaxwell. NC-17.
Why? Well, the entirety of the FMA fandom reads this thing, so I feel no need to offer any explanation beyond 'it's worth the hype'. This is a WIP, so keep checking km_fics for updates.
A Thousand Days, by mikkeneko. PG-13.
Why? Another tear-jerker. Mikke's a wonderful author (as well as being my bitch) and this is just perfect. Won the second category of the Elricest contest, and deservedly so.
Lightning Flashes by pellaz. PG-13.
Why? Because the cute PWNS. PWNS J00 DED. I SWEAR. Ed is just so... Ed in this fic, it's really cute. Pellaz's characterisation is awesome as always, 'course.
Orange Peel, by lyria. PG-13.
Why? Because this is the most beautiful thing I've ever read, stylisticly. The author took some time out of working on original stuff to produce this fic; it's sharp, and yet vague and unfocused at the same time. Could pass for gen, but something everyone should at least look at, if this sort of writing style is your thing. Like it is mine. Fragmented sentences and devious punctuation all the way, baby!
Romantic Afternoon by maypirate (again). R.
Why? Because it's a hilarious take on Elricest pwp, with Ed being so utterly in character it's enough to kill you, I swear. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you're tired of firsttime!Elricest lemons with the brothers both knowing how to have gay sex without any explanation given from the author, heh.
Caintophobia by lily22. PG-13.
Why? Lily's fics seem wonderfully simplistic, but really it's just a ruse for the complex emotions beneath. Caintophobia focuses on Al's reactions to having a body again, and is fantastic.
Those Fatal Moments of your Nearness by anax. NC-17.
Why? Mmm, porn. Angsty porn by Pride, yay!
Elric's Anatomy, by maypirate. R, no spoilers.
Why? Because it's an evil - and hot - bunny, and May pulled it off perfectly. :D
Adelphia, by pellaz. PG-13.
Why? Because anything Pellaz does is awesome? Nah, because this is a very good fic exploring the dynamics of the OT3 without letting you realise it. On top of that, it's sort of sweet and sort of angsty, so hey. Got both your bases covered.
Warm December, by tears_priestess (spinnyroses). PG-13.
Why? ... because. Because it nearly made me cry. Guh. Spinny always comes up with the evillest plot ideas, I swear.
Death By Memory by jade_pen. PG-13. (Spoilers)
Why? ... just get out the bloody handkerchiefs and tissues and stuff and don't talk to me for ten minutes or so, mmkay?
Metamorphose, part one and part two, by devils_devotion. NC-17.
Why? Because Demidevi is an awesome author, and Metamorphose - despite being her first, although hopefully not her last, venture into writing Elricest - is breathtakingly beautiful. Based off the Greek myth of Pygmalion, it is largely concerned with the idea of falling in love with one's own creation; the fic tackles the subject with ease, aided by an intricate and somewhat fluid writing style and excellent characterisation. A must-read.
Elend and its sequel Schrodinger's Cat, by maypirate. R. Post-movie fic, therefore, movie spoilers.
Why? Because Elend is heart-breakingly sad - it catalogues a warped Elric relationship, and Al's desperation and pain. Brought 9/10 readers to tears, I have to say. :D
The Laughter of Women by yuuo. G, gen but still achingly sweet. Post-movie, so spoilers there.
Why? Because this is simply one of the loveliest short fics I've seen, and it makes me go 'awww'. :)
Calligrophilia, by theladyfeylene. PG-13, suggestive gen.
Why? Because it's beautiful, and I think the way the writer managed to make the prose sensual - reflecting what Al is feeling - is very well done.
Jeux d'envie, by mikkeneko and kalikamaxwell. NC-17, dark, brutal. Al/Ed and Envy/Al. Set after the end of the series.
Why? Because this fic is a fantastic example of trainwreck syndrome. You know from the start that it's going to be horrible, but you find yourself unable to look away. It's so nasty I found myself cringing in places, but it's superb, despite that.
The World by pellaz, PG-13.
Why? You know how in every fandom there's the one writer you absolutely idolise, whose works you adore over many others, whose style you clumsily try to emulate? Pellaz is that writer, for me. This fic is simply stunning (but then, so much of her stuff is) - it's hauntingly sad and so beautiful, offering a snapshot style approach to the storyline she offers up. Ed and Al are just so vivid it's amazing - definitely a must-read.
And by vikki. G.
Why? When I first came into this fandom, I ripped through the entirety of the content on Scimitar Smile in one night. I read about a hundr4ed fics, and only a few remain cherished favourites; this fantastic ficlet by Vikki is one of them. It's an introspective piece, slow and gentle, but there's more to it than that.
That Which We Breathe by okamihoshi. NC-17, manga chapter 53 spoilers.
Why? Okami (Wofl to her friends) is a superb writer, and this fic - unbeta'd, tragic, but still intriguing - has a slow, gentle pace. Her Elrics are damaged by strong, still together despite all they've been through, and they're whole with each other; while Wofl may be the youngest author I've recced on this list so far, she's just as good as the others. :)
On The Road of Gold by tavella, NC-17.
Why? Tavella is kinda infamous for her terrible ability to bunny people at the drop of a hat, and the way she bunnies people is often very lyrical in itself - it makes sense that her writing, when she finally got around to producing some - would be the same. This is a very good, flowing (albeit short) piece written after she read the equally infamous doujin 'Next Restraint'.
Time by chiharu_octavia, PG-13.
Why? Because it's a slow, gentle look at Ed and Al's life, and for some reason, reminds me vaguely of Tori Amos' Winter. O.o At any rate, it's wonderfully paced, and a very good read.
State of Grace by zannechaos, NC-17, movie spoilers.
Why? I'm a sucker for poetic prose and good use of imagery, and this fic has both. Zanne is fairly infamous for her dislike of this pairing - she is one of the maintainers of the equally infamous fma_sanity - but this fic, a birthday present for spinnyroses, is so gorgeous and natural you wouldn't know.
Perfect Equation by liete. PG-13, movie spoilers.
Why? Liete is one of the fluffier authors of the fandom, seemingly incapable of angst; this fic is a slice of pure waff pie, served with Al's Ed-glasses fetish on top. There are a few grammatical/punctuation errors, but nothing that can't be ignored and/or ironed out by a beta.
Age of Gold by lykomancer. PG-13, movie spoilers.
Why? Lyko is one of two people who can get me to read Ed/Envy (the opther being Chauni). Her stuff is symbolism-heavy, but usually achingly beautiful; in this fic, she takes a leaf out of chauni's book when it comes to her prose and the end result is simply astounding. The symbolism ties in very well, and the overall fic is just wonderfully tender. As she herself said, "what's sweeter and purer than the story of a unicorn and his beloved virgin?" Answer: nothing, apparently. :)