EXO fanfics read: Baekai, Kaisoo, Hunhan, Sesoo
Baekai
>>> recommended
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- All That You've Waited For - michaelwesten - AU
Summary: Jongdae and Baekhyun have been best friends forever, but with their friendship comes Jongin, the Jongdae's clingy and attention-seeking younger brother. Once the friends leave for university, Baekhyun no longer has to deal with Jongin constantly trailing them wherever they go, and when he joins them at university, Baekhyun realizes that he misses being chased, especially after watching Jongin perform with his dance troupe.
Verdict: Aww. Warm fuzzies of them knowing each other for that long and Jongin pretty much having loved Baekhyun all those years.
- Blink and You'll Miss It - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: Jongin is last to shower and when everyone is busy for the night, Baekhyun in Chanyeol's gigantic Wolf t-shirt approaches him on the couch.
Verdict: Whaaat, how did I even get to this pairing? Yowza, steamy. I also like that they have MAMA powers, so the last scene when Jongin accidentally pops into Jongdae's room while he's still showering is pretty hilarious.
- Blood in My Legs for Flight - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: Baekhyun double majored in Computer Science and Engineering and dabbled in art, so it's no wonder when he's hired at SME to bridge the gap between technology and aesthetics. When his creation, Kai, becomes sentient, it not only changes his life but that of all of his friends and acquaintences who cross paths with Kim Kai, a robot who loves to dance.
Verdict: Well, well, well. That was pretty cool! I mean, I've recommended everything that gdgdbaby writes, but this is just smart and awesome.
- Body Work - michaelwesten - AU
Summary: Jongin hits a major slump in his second year as a dance major and meets performance major, Baekhyun, one night when he wanders the halls of the music building. Although both struggle in their own way - Jongin to rediscover his passion for dance, and Baekhyun whose stubborn, perfectionist personality won't allow him to accept his tendonitis - they find comfort in each other and eventually something much more.
Verdict: OHHH MY GOSH. I blame that fic, (The Line) From Me to You, by insuhousiance, for starting this minor shipping of Baekai. The best part about this is that michaelwesten was a music major and using that knowledge makes this AU so, so much more believeable and special. It helps that it's a massive six-parter, so there's a lot of space for the characters to develop beautifully.
- La Virgen de la Macarena - sequel in which there's a raunchy story about Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and Jinri's trumpet.
- Your Body's Making Promises - sequel in which Baekhyun wants to try a particularly athletic sexual position since Jongin is flexible and all.
- Darling, You're Still Divine - gdgdbaby - canonish
Summary: Jongin has a poor first impression of the latest addition to their soon-to-debut group, but Baekhyun is only trying so hard to catch up to everyone else who had a head-start.
Verdict: I love canonish fics. I can see Jongin being immature about how eager Baekhyun is to work hard because I mean, he debuted at like 17 or 18 years old, so he's definitely not mature enough to understand some things.
- Here I Am, Leaving You Clues - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: When EXO's hitmen roster gets shuffled around due to the untimely deaths of Jonghyun, Taemin, Keybum, Jinki, and Minho, Joonmyeon brings in Kim Kai and assigns him to Baekhyun. Known for his high kill rate, Baekhyun basically sends Kai on assignments, but the contract killer insinuates himself into Baekhyun's life in too many ways.
Verdict: YESSS hitman!AU! So good. I love how Jongin seamlessly fits himself into Baekhyun's life as a director at the company. The twist that Taemin went rogue and is trying to take out EXO members is interesting, especially since Baekhyun later finds out that he was best friends with Jongin in high school.
- Lean on Me - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: Jongin and Baekhyun first meet years ago through LoL from opposite ends of the coast. When Jongin decides to move to California for dance, Baekhyun offers to let him stay.
Verdict: Whaaaat, long distance boyfriends! Haha, it was cute.
- Live Wire - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: Baekhyun is turned as a teenager and SME is the only entertainment company that will willingly sign vampires. When Baekhyun moves into the dorms to debut with EXO, he's suddenly struck by how much he's drawn to Jongin's blood even though he's never shared more than a few sentences with the dancer.
Verdict: HOLLER. I love how the writer explored vampire physiology. I mean, vampires don't exist, but the world she's created makes certain bodily functions plausible; he's normally cold, but will sweat if he has enough human blood. A+++ especially for the twist at the end when Jongin hurts his back and tells Baekhyun that he should probably bite him, along with Sehun and Kyungsoo chiming in that they agree.
- Made in His Own Image - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: Baekhyun has shape-shifting abilities and sometimes it's all he can do to keep up his EXO member facade. It helps that Jongin likes him no matter what, extra legs or Monkey D. Luffy.
Verdict: Hahaha, this was really amusing. It's a light-hearted look at the pairing and Jongin seems supremely loyal in RL and that quality is apparent in the fic, too.
- Not a Bird (or a Plane) - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: Superman! AU - When Mayor Kim Joonmyeon is targeted during a ceremony to promote the latest commissioner, Baekhyun is injured and a mysterious man in spandex whisks him off to safety. Editor Kris Wu gives Baekhyun a whole week off from work at the Daily Planet and Jongin stops by to check on him, not realizing that glasses are really a poor disguise.
Verdict: Ahhh, cute. Like the writer said in a comment, a starry-eyed Jongin is the best kind and I like that Baekhyun is take-charge because that's pretty much Lois Lane.
- Out Amongst the Walking Wounded - michaelwesten - AU
Summary: 'Wolf' drama ver. AU - Jongin doesn't seem to take it well after losing to Luhan, but Baekhyun, as always, is there to help him through it.
Verdict: I don't think I've seen the drama version of 'Wolf' so I don't really get what all this winning/losing business is about.
- Still Feel the Best is Yet to Come - michaelwesten - canon or AU
Summary: Baekhyun walks in on Jongin masturbating and decides to take charge. He is, after all, better than Jongin's right hand.
Verdict: Haha, cute PWP only because Baekhyun is a total troll and a tease. Also, he's kind of gross about the clean-up - as in, none at all.
- Why Don't You Stay - michaelwesten - AU
Summary: Baekhyun works part-time at an orphanage run by Junmyeon, and one day on his way to work, he follows a very handsome man all the way to a dance studio nearby his work place. Meanwhile, Jongdae proposes to Liyin and they'll move out after getting married, so Baekhyun has to find a new roommate, ASAP.
Verdict: OHHH MY GOSH. I love everything that michaelwesten and gdgdbaby write. For real. I loved, loved, loved how Baekhyun was part-timing it at the orphanage but still came on his off days because of certain kids and the way the relationship develops between him and Jongin is just aww. Best part is that Sehun has been reduced to a 6-year-old kid.
- You Always Hurt the One You Love - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: The first time Baekhyun sees Jongin dance, he's head-over-heels in lust. While he, Chanyeol, and Jongdae are all chugging along to finish junior year, Jongin is falling in love all on his own and Baekhyun just can't deal with the L-word.
Verdict: This is the prequel to Falling in Love is the Hardest Part by michaelwesten These two lovely ladies are amazing writers and their AU, even though I usually despise American AUs, are believeable and make it so easy to love.
- Your Unrelenting Spark - michaelwesten - AU
Summary: Jongin's teleportation, like the rest of their powers, goes wonky with all their promoting and extra practice, but Baekhyun's been working on something and after they win at the MAMAs, after everyone is off partying and poor Kyungsoo is resting up, Baekhyun gets to show him.
Verdict: I think it's interesting to consider how their powers would totally be affected by their health. It's a nice mix of AU, canon, and fun.
Kaisoo
>>> recommended
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- Anterograde Tomorrow - changdictator - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo has anterograde amnesia and Jongin is the writer who falls in love with him.
Verdict: THE quintessential Kaisoo fic. It's recced by everyone and for good reason: the writing is beautiful and parts of the story are so painful to witness.
- Arbitrage - fumerie - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo crashes into the past and Jongin crashes into the future.
Verdict: Weird because of the time travelling, but superbly written and so novel for a three-part fic. The love that blossoms between the two is pretty angsty, but it's sincere.
- Challenge Accepted - dusty fairy - AU
Summary: Jongin's computers are always in need of servicing because of all the porn he can't seem to stay away from and Kyungsoo is the computer tech who decides that maybe the real thing will help him quit.
Verdict: Hilarious because of the character choices, but I like that Kyungsoo is bossy and knows what he wants.
- Demon Who Came to Tea, The - quaila - AU
Summary: Jongin is a terrible dark wizard and Kyungsoo is the high-level demon who he manages to summon.
Verdict: So, so cute. Sehun is totally the best evil butler, too. I forget if there's a spin-off, but Sehun eventually summons the ultra-high level Luhan demon.
- Don't Be Lonely - fridaysblues - AU
Summary: Like all toys that become forgotten as children age, Kyungsoo the wind-up toy and his friends wile away their time until a new collector's item doll joins the mix. Kyungsoo thinks he's beautiful.
Verdict: Holy moly, it's like Toy Story, but sooo cute. The last line is the best because Kai the doll tells them that he's not worth anything outside of the box and Kyungsoo tells him that he'll fit right in with the rest of them. T_T
- Redamancy - henqiguai - AU
Summary: Jongin and Kyungsoo are poor university students in love and living together and Jongin just wants to show proof that he's in it for the long haul.
Verdict: I love slice of life AU fics like this. I wish it could have gone on and on, but the domesticity and the eventual couple ring that Jongin clumsily slips on to Kyungsoo's finger in the middle of a library is too sweet.
- Space Age Love Song - michaelwesten/fridaysblues - AU
Summary: Jongin is the Commander's son and as much as he's wanted to be a pilot and follow in his father's footsteps, he's thrown into the medic stream because of an aptitude test. It is through his job as a medic that he meets Kyungsoo, a pilot who barely survives a crash.
Verdict: The way the story began sort of reminds me of Star Trek and how Kirk becomes captain, but Jongin is like a half-cat medic and man, the writing is good.
- Speak Slow - taozi - MAMA!AU
Summary: Joonmyeon has them working too hard and Kyungsoo misses Jongin.
Verdict: It's sweet to see how they can be a committed couple, one that tries to be patient with the demands of their jobs, and still find the time to be together.
- Substandard Motels (between broadway and carnegie hall) - changdictator - AU
Summary: Jongin is a bulimic supermodel and Kyungsoo is the makeup artist who he inexplicably falls for.
Verdict: They have such a toxic relationship, but the pain is real in the writing.
>>> read
- Always By Your Side - goldintheshadows - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo gets turned into a 4-year-old and he's awfully clingy with Jongin.
Verdict: Cute, but aside from not being plausible, the characterization seems a bit off.
- And Time Yet for a Hundred Indecisions - kyleworthington - AU
Summary: Chanyeol wakes up in an alternate universe where he's a successful lyricist who is also happily married to Kyungsoo. While their mutual friends and his own family are essentially the same, Kyungsoo is the only person who didn't previously used to exist.
Verdict: I wanted so much to like this, but something feels wrong about parallel!Chanyeol falling in love with Kyungsoo and there are too many mentions of Kyungsoo teary or crying. Of course it would be sad for him to lose his husband, but I think he'd deal with it a bit more clinically because that's how he appears.
- Can't Fight (the Moonlight) - curledupkitten - canonish
Summary: As they're preparing to promote Wolf, Kyungsoo's werewolf is thrown into overdrive with the need to mate. Only, Kyungsoo doesn't know that he's at the prime age to mate.
Verdict: Interesting mix of canon and AU.
- Default State of Being - thesockmonster - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo writes gay romance and Jongin is the editor from hell who feels it's his duty to show Kyungsoo what love scenes should look like on paper.
Verdict: Haha, enjoyable because it's built on the premise that Kyungsoo actually has sold books based on no real life experience but that he's stuck on his current work and needs help.
• Default Days - sequel in which Jongin pesters Kyungsoo to let him move in.
• Soft Beginnings - sequel in which Jongin is deliriously happy to just wake up with Kyungsoo and CB.
- Descent, The - Setty94 - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo is an angel sent down to Hell to negotiate with the new demon king who happens to be Kai, a Fallen Angel.
Verdict: Ehhh… while I'm not Christian, something feels wrong about this, so I stopped like 1.5 chapters in. Also, it wasn't that good.
- Drink Lemonade and Speak Real Slow - gdgdbaby - canon or AU
Summary: Seoul is way too hot in the summer and a broken AC means that they've all gathered at Joonmyeon's parents' lake house. Kyungsoo wear a long-sleeve and jeans and Jongin feels like he'll get heat-stroke just looking at his hyung.
Verdict: I like how both come to terms with what they feel about each other just by jumping into a lake.
- Fonder Still (Absence) - henqiguai - AU
Summary: Jongin has to leave for a week for a conference in Chicago and the only way he can keep in touch to whine is through Skype and the phone.
Verdict: Slice of life loveliness. This is what they could be if they were a normal couple committed to one another.
- Gicleur - lababoreine - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo is unemployed by choice and in the midst of his conscious non-working routine, he meets Jongin who imitates different types of people one week at a time to discover how society treats these people.
Verdict: I can't really understand why this story is recommended all over the place. I found it unnecessarily descriptive; really, how many times does a reader want to see descriptions -while beautiful- of the additions Kyungsoo puts in his ramen? And the aspect that Jongin's project is to make every fool believe, that the last project is to make someone fall in love and Kyungsoo is the unfortunate victim… nah, so not worth another read.
- Hundred and Five, A - taozi - AU
Summary: Jongin keeps Kyungsoo waiting at the mall and there's a flashmob with some very familiar people dancing to Jason Derulo's "Marry Me".
Verdict: Super fluffy. I just don't think they'd ever get married if they were really in love. You know, Asia being against homosexual relationships and all.
- Keyboard Smash My Love - thisismylastlie - AU
Summary: Chanyeol is a meddlesome friend who signs Kyungsoo up for online dating. Jongin is the first person to ever try to contact Kyungsoo through the website.
Verdict: Cute. Jongin is the best kind of awkward, and it totally works.
- Little Delightful Bites of Toxicity - changdictator - canon/AU (no definite setting given)
Verdict: Well-written, but they're a set of drabbles, so there's no room to connect to anything.
- Of Late Night Kisses - kais - canon
Summary: Dorm life is stifling, so they sneak out for a movie, some dance practice, and a confession.
Verdict: Cute.
- Over and Under - thesockmonster - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo and Jongin are originally paired for a history project and he doesn't think anything of her at first since she's the principal's daughter, but neither of them can deny the incredible attraction they have for one another.
Verdict: Well, fem!Jongin is interesting. I definitely like top!Soo and the last part about them going to university together in the fall just made it really sweet despite the paragraphs of porn leading up to it.
- Papier Mache - purplepluto and siahna - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo is used to moving around and the only constant happens to be the cardboard box forts he painstakingly constructs for himself.
Verdict: I… read the first chapter and gave up. Every Kaisoo story I've read insists on using their real names and this one uses Kai exclusively. Plus, there writing is boring. Too much showing and not enough telling.
- Pythagorean - vaxylia - school!AU
Summary: Jongin's friends bet him to deflower his prim and proper tutor, Kyungsoo.
Verdict: It's really a standard "make a bet, fall in love along the way, go through with it and feel regret, get caught and do everything to win over the wronged person" story.
- Self-Discovery - albinopeacock - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo and Jongin are students on their first trip to Europe together.
Verdict: I sped-read this and there's nothing that stands out for me.
- Something Blue - henqiguai - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo owns a bakery and Baekhyun stumbles upon it, only to end up ordering a wedding cake.
Verdict: Totally cute. Readers are fooled until the end when it turns out that Baekhyun isn't marrying Sehun; he's the best man and Sehun needed help picking out a cake for his own wedding.
- Stand Right Next to Me for Now - michaelwesten - AU
Summary: Jongin is freaking out about taking Kyungsoo to the prom, but it turns out that Kyungsoo is having an even harder time dealing.
Verdict: Cute but didn't feel right even though the writing was good.
- Station N - paradisist - AU
Summary: a magical journal keeps drawing Kyungsoo back to the last train where he keeps meeting the mysterious Jongin.
Verdict: Not sure why it's so highly recommended. It's long and convoluted mostly because Kyungsoo picks up what he thinks to be a book but it turns out that it's actually Jongin's journal, one in which he writes about characters called Kai and D.O. who meet each other at the train but the journal basically takes over Kyungsoo's life.
- Sweet, Sweet Kyungsoo - park_noodle - AU
Summary: Jongin likes a certain bakery, not for its pastries but for its pastry chef.
Verdict: I literally read like half of the first chapter. The site told me I had to subscribe to read the rest and I gave up because it wasn't worth subscribing.
- Taste of Compulsion, A - changdictator - AU
Summary: Jongin is a master chocolatier who craves the perfect taste for his chocolates. He finds that in Kyungsoo.
Verdict: Uh… beautifully written, but it is essentially Jongin cannibalising Kyungsoo for the sake of chocolates.
- To Those Nights (Reminiscence) - taozi - AU
Summary: Kyungsoo and Jongin break up and learn that being apart meant that they had let go of the right person.
Verdict: I wish it was longer! I would have liked to see a bit more back story besides them having argued a lot and then it would have been nice to see a full reconciliation.
- Wearing the Evidence - tatoeba - AU
Summary: Jongin and Kyungsoo are a little influenced by alcohol. The morning after is rather cordial and Kyungsoo's roommate, Chanyeol, is pretty hot.
Verdict: As much as Jongin and Kyungsoo seem bashful, I feel like they'd be the ones to use alcohol as an excuse to live a little. Good writing, but tatoeba is usually quite adept.
- Winded - maayacola - canon-ish
Summary: Kyungsoo prides himself on knowing what Jongin wants because it's obvious the younger male can't always express it in words.
Verdict: Breath play, kind of hot. On the fence about this one as purely "read" or "recommended" because the writing is really good.
Hunhan
>>> recommended
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- 135 Seoul - changdicator - AU
Summary: Sehun gets sucked into the world of hit men and a chance meeting with Luhan is the impetus for how he tries to leave his inextricable lifestyle.
Verdict: Anything chang writes is amazing. The idea that Suho and D.O. run some sort of hit men company that requires film roll proof of a finished job, Sehun who floats from mark to mark, and Luhan who brings normalcy to Sehun's dangerous life, make for one great story.
- Buttoned Up - timeshaker - AU
Summary: Luhan is a psychology grad student who barges into Sehun's straight-and-narrow university life and turns everything upside-down.
Verdict: Cute. As dumb as both of them seem, Sehun is more strait-laced and it's obvious that he isn't easily amused, so to watch Luhan rip through and bring colour to his life is endearing.
- Cooking, Cooking - shesimplysmiles - AU
Summary: Sehun is the head chef at EXO and his bristly personality means that their staff turnover rate is way too high.
Verdict: It's nice to see Sehun characterized as someone really good at something and how that dedication makes for how he tends to come across as hard to please.
- Stitch the Skin Together - maayacola - canon
Summary: Sehun knows how he feels for Luhan, but being an adult sometimes means that you can't have what you want.
Verdict: Awesome. It's canon-ish, so there is a section about how they stop hanging all over each other in public, and that reflects what fans see in any videos of them for a long period of time in 2013. The caution that they both take, Luhan far more than Sehun, reminds readers that this isn't one of those scenarios where they throw caution to the wind and do as they like; they can't afford to do that.
- Take Your Dog for a Walk (even if you don't have one) - time shaker - AU
Summary: At 18, Sehun flubs his way into an internship wherein Luhan is his mentor.
Verdict: Cute. Characterization seems to be on-point and both of them are dumb to begin with, so their awkward and immature courtship is fun to watch unfold.
- Taste of What You Paid for, A - thesockmonster - AU
Summary: The world falls into chaos after chemical companies discover how to bottle human emotions and Joonmyeon's shop sells them under strict government regulation. Sehun comes in looking for love and Luhan just happens to be available to experience it with him.
Verdict: Super duper novel as an idea. I mean, bottling emotions and then the world falling into chaos as a result is fascinating all on its own, but then there's Joonmyeon's shop that's part wares and part brothel.
- There Will Come Soft Rains - lilac crests - AU
Summary: It's the end of the world and everyone is drying up.
Verdict: Ugh, the angst of it all. It's sad because the world is ending and these two share their last days together while the world ends around them.
>>> read
- Finding Heaven - lunathunderhead - AU
Summary: Sehun is great with a needle and thread and chances upon work experience doing just that when Luhan, the proprietor of a custom-make dress shop, desperately needs help.
Verdict: Cute but meh. It's written well, I guess, but Sehun doesn't have a sister in real life, so the author making one up as a means for the two to meet (his sister is getting married and she has Luhan tailor her dress) is superficial.
- Sugar, We're Going Down Swinging (PDF saved on comp) - canttakeabreath - AU
Summary: Sehun is a florist and Luhan reads too much manga.
Verdict: It's interesting to see what Luhan might have been as a university student, but I can't foresee myself reading this again.
- There is no dusk to be, there was no dawn that was - chiharu - AU
Summary: Luhan is a talented escort and Sehun is a young businessman.
Verdict: Eh… it started out okay, but I think the writer could have benefitted from either one more proofread or a beta. The verb tense shifts were throwing me off and then there was the dialogue that felt not quite right.
- 回家 - krisoul - AU
Summary: Luhan finds a lovely pale boy who he can't help but try to save.
Verdict: Clever use of Mandarin with accompanying translations. I wish it were longer because I feel like the author was just showcasing dialogue but no real development except that Sehun learns how to say 「一起回家吧, 鹿晗」
Sesoo
>>> recommended
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- It's a Hollow Play (but They'll Clap Anyway): Sehun/Kyungsoo - teddyescher - AU
Summary: Sehun finds out that Kyungsoo turns tricks and he does, too, so when a woman offers them money to get each other off, Sehun ups the ante and challenges her to pay a thousand if they fuck.
Verdict: OHHH MY GOSH. I kind of like Sehun not being passive or bratty like he normally seems. In fact, he seems to know what he wants in this chapter and he's not above challenging others to get what he wants.
- Looking for Some Trouble Tonight - praxiss - AU
Summary: Sehun is in a touring rock band and while he can have his pick of roadies and fans, he only wants the tech guy who couldn't care less.
Verdict: OH MY GOSH. top!Soo is my favourite and I love how Sehun is pretty miserable about not getting what he wants and tries to pull all sorts of stupid stunts to get reactions from Kyungsoo.
>>> read
- Bowing - gdgdbaby - AU
Summary: All of the hyungs can't take Sehun's unwillingness to bow, so Kyungsoo decides to solve that problem on his own.
Verdict: Cornering Sehun in the shower is pretty clever and I guess using sex as leverage to get things done works.
- Consequences - thesockmonster - AU
Summary: Sehun's being a brat and Kyungsoo drags him outside to some secluded area of the school grounds to make him pay.
Verdict: Haha, I can't help but imagine Kyungsoo as a greaser simply because he's depicted as wearing a leather jacket.
- Smooth You Out - taozi - canonish
Summary: Sehun listens to Luhan's advice on how to properly woo Kyungsoo and takes it upon himself to find mood-setting candles before heading back to Kyungsoo's hotel room.
Verdict: I'm glad the writer stopped after the bj. I was not about to read top!Hun.
- Sweet as Candy - best_lies - AU
Summary: Sehun always wonders if him being the poor boy in his group of otherwise rich friends is some sort of game for them, but Kyungsoo is so nice to him.
Verdict: Mehhhh.
- These Walls Don't Divide - miss_aztec57 - AU
Summary: Sehun is a university student and Kyungsoo is the high school music teacher who moves in next door.
Verdict: I think it had potential, but some parts of it lose the tone of the story.