Updated!
Sooo...
It has been.. hm. a few years? since I last posted here. I basically got kidnapped by a Te and since she is an insanely productive writer, most of my time was split between audience for her, RL, being a hermit and gaming.
It is actually the last one which brings me to write in here again after such a long time.
Namely, i got addicted to Dragon Age. Now, you all may have heard that that game has some incredibly fun-loving characters and that the writing in it is fantastic - for a game. Even the sequel managed to maintain the excellent quality writing.
So.
Please note i am a MASSIVE Zevran fan. and like to slash him with other men. and no i will likely link very few het links as that's not reaaaally my kink, though if the writing is impressive enough... yeah. ok so that was a lie. *sheepish grin*
(Please note, below are only *my* opinions, and you are more than welcome to disagree with me. which no is not an invite to spam or flame my journal. Don't like it? Don't read. Thanks :) )
PIXIE'S RECS:
Zevran recs:
Tatiana's stuff though short, is well written with a touch of that Russian practicality i love so much which fits the characters wonderfully. She is also not shy about writing the less pleasant aspects of being an assassin and what that entails so for the squeamish lot of you, take that as a warning. for the rest of you, take note that *I* feel the need to warn at all and read that as you will. I especially enjoyed her Dungeon which is surprising to me as its a rape fic. something normally not my kink. However this community seems to do them very well and managed to not make me feel sick after reading it. yay.
As the Crow Flies by Nightsfury is also a lovely fic depicting Zevran's early training and life. I have no idea if the author put warnings in there nor did i feel the need to check.
Shadow and Light is a quasi-sequel to As the Crow Flies which is also wonderful. The beginning will surprise you as it has a lot of words-painting-pictures and you will have a moment of "its slow", but there is a reason behind this, and by the middle of the fic it makes sense why its the way it is. Very much worth reading. I would call this fic a sensualist. heh.
Silver and Scarlet is a lovely *series* with lots of fun fun fun BDSM in it. More powerplay than pain play for those of you who can be ...shy about this. Don't let the title throw you. I was told I should warn for non/dub-con, mind-fuckery, sounding....(if you don't know what sounding is, you probably have no business reading this) a lot of it is M!Warden/Zevran but not all. This is a fantastic series and is rather hardcore, the BDSM can get somewhat twisted due to the Tannu mindset. NOT for the faith of heart, but possibly my all time DA favorite BDSM.
Tarnished Silver is the most recent sequel in this series, its still ongoing but oooh so got! Varel/M!Warden(Tannu)
The Assignment - I enjoyed this fic a great deal. Mostly for its rarely taught but extremely useful life lesson, ...also because yeah i really do have a massive survivalist kink. People who enjoyed this might want to check out the above mentioned Tatiana's Dungeon fic. Heed the warning before reading.
Shades of Grey is an interesting read - especially in the beginning where the relationship between Zevran and Alistair is developing... slow and almost against both their wills. Later chapters have torture warning but its nothing too hardcore. (i have to warn that the later chapters fall into a few cliche's but they remain nicely written and an enjoyable read just the same)
Carnal Knowledge a HILARIOUS de-virgining fic. Although there is no Zevran, there is totally a Duncan. A man whom i desperately want to see be as dangerous as we all know he can be, in bed. (DO let me know if you ever come across one of those hm?) Here a request to "show" what sex is is made by the little mage who lives in her head.
Brothers in Arms , a... slightly different take on the Joining. If you are female. Absolutely hot and completely not far-fetched if you considers what happens during BroodMother. *shudders*. Warning for Consensual Queen Bee Harem-Gangbang. Make of that what you will. Also I consider this one of my favorite fics. :)
Geese In Spring: Prologue, Geese in Spring: Part I, Geese in Spring: Part II, Geese in Spring: Part III, Geese in Spring: Part IV, Geese in Spring: Part V
AU: Zevran never left the Dalish because it seemed a better alternative to the Crows. M!Warden still goes through the events of DA:O and successfully defeats the Archdemon, does the Dark Ritual, but never seriously romanced anyone. Post-Blight, M!Warden is leading some newer Wardens and Orlesian loaners in routing a particularly troublesome band of Darkspawn. M!Warden's group is wiped out and he's seriously injured. Dalish!Zev to the rescue, finding M!Warden near one of their camps.
Immovable Object, another wonderful fic by Aroihkin. One thing about Aroihkin is that she makes her original characters - such as a Warden - exceptionally believable. she doesn't give you the facts all at once, oh no, its more like the dance of a 1000 vail, you only get to remove one little scrap at a time to slowly carefully reveal whats underneath. Coupled with a careful, cautious and curious Zevran, the combination is a real enjoyment in character study. This fic is so far PG. Without feeling like its in the same *country* as PG.
Higher Education, a very-in-character de-virgining Alistair fic. Via Zevran of course.
Dragon Age: The Hunt, and its sequel Dragon Age: The Kill, I enjoyed these two very very VERY long fics for the way Zevran came across in character - loyal, devoted without any real thanks, unexpectant - and the very interesting OOC characters (ironic i know)
Victory at Ostagar
What I liked about this fic: The Warden's character is well developed and consistent, Loghain's character is very developer, interesting and consistent, the court intrigue was exceptionally done, characters stick to their own opinions and aren't just swept up into what the Warden wants. The fighting in this fic is a lot more true-to-life than you would usually get in a fantasy world. The social classes are extremely starkly highlighted and this makes it interesting. The length and consideration of this fic.
What I didn't care for: As there are considerably more characters in the cast than usual - including DA2 characters and support characters playing a bigger role - most of the companions, perhaps understandably, stay too 2 dimensional for *my* taste, making them shallower than they normally would be (thought the fic would be ridiculously long if every character was given justice); they also break into groups according to their fighting styles - mages with mages, templars with templars etc - which makes it unrealistic and slightly boring, for me. The Warden suffers from the "too perfect" syndrome. She can do no wrong, is always perfectly composed, and even when Bad Things Happen, she comes out shining. I had conflicting thoughts about this fic often, but overall I still very much enjoyed it. Recommended for Loghain/female!noble!Warden fans.
Reverse-Cowgirl Diplomacy which is already well know - as is my understanding - in the community. Not for the prudishly faint-of-heart. Covers nearly every kink imaginable, but besides the sex, covers a wonderfully wide range of sexual *emotions* as self-discovered. Er, every pairing in the party except for Oghren (thankyouthankyouthankyou) and then some. please take the EVERY part seriously, as well as the 'and then some' part. Very well written, and for all that 44 chapters nearly all have sex in them, somehow? *its not just about the sex*. Definitely worth the read. Though i have to say, 1842 people read this, and only two comments? for shame fandom! for shame!
Initiative is the sequel for all you Alistair and Zevran fans :). It *will* make sense, but won't be *nearly* as kinky if you don't read the first part first.
Following the above Reverse-Cowgirl rec, you must also read the famous:
Elysium Series - A young man in post-Occupation Ferelden, Teyrn Bryce Cousland marries a whore and brings a new brand of diplomacy to his nation in the process. One which he passes down to his daughter. Armed with the skills of a courtesan, can she stop a Blight? - at first glance you might think this is Reverse-Cowgirl, but very quickly the fic splits off from the other and takes a life of its own. a *very* worthwhile read. There is also fantastic art by Dragonreine on deviantart.
A Guild-ed Cage/(scroll down) has possibly the most detailed and elaborate study of Antiva City and its culture - as well as some Rivain. The author paints a beautiful picture of sound, smell and color and completely sucks you in. The Zevran in this story is something special and well worth the read for that alone. However the story itself has somewhat disjointed transitions from chapter to chapter and it can get a little confusing due to this. (Mostly in figuring out the Warden's mental state) Additionally, the story itself is more a study on Antiva rather than a linear plot, one might even on hindsight say that the plot that *is* there is of an emotional study rather than a plot you would conventionally be used to seeing. However, when taken together with the rest of the authors fics based in that world, the story which emerges is possibly one of the clearest of Zevran, his childhood, training, and Antiva as a whole. Also has a wonderfully written OOC. Highly recommended for Zevran fans.
Other fics in that world:
Mother's Milk how little Zevran came to *be*.
Sixty Days in Jader is ... hm. Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty porn applied to Alistair and Duncan, and? with an ACTUAL PLOT. (yes *somehow* the author managed this despite the inordinate amount of sex happening, i find myself less than surprised ultimately) Its hot, its angsty, its sexual slavery and it made me lust for Dwarf cock. Something I will never forgive the author for.
The Last Inch, Anders/M!Hawke, The chantry finally managed to put the mages on a leash, literally. Hawke inherits a mage. (and *my* but doesn't this fandom love their sex slaves?)
Trouble and Strife is a long - long - wonderfully written post-Blight AU, it is MOSTLY Alistair/OOC and Zevran/OOC, and thus it is somewhat odd that i would rec it, but ... i couldn't put it down. at all. for *3 days*. so. *sheepish laugh*
Mad World Series is based on the premise that Alistair ran away from the Templars, and instead became a whore. which... the *idea* alone of a more self-aware Alistair was too fascinating to me to pass up.
That Smile is a Anders/f!Amell/Cullen fun. Corrupting Templars anyone?
Come - Surana is on the way to one of the quests and stays at an Inn overnight. Zevran happens to be in that Inn on his way to see Loghain who has a contract for him. The two of them have a one night stand and then go their separate ways each unaware of the others occupation. At least until they meet again during the assassination attempt. aaaand there is a sequel too! warning: i *desperately* wanted more even after the sequel.
Nothing Sacred Morrigan/Cullen - dark, but brilliant.
Blood Poison, is an incredibly moving Surana/Zevran fic, covering their childhood all the way to their death. Their histories are happening at the same time and i found it next to impossible to stop reading. Achingly well written.
Blood Ties sequel to Blood Poison. also wonderfully written and definitely worth the read.
The Oath and the Gem is another very moving part of the above series.
Talk is Cheap - kmeme prompt by me:
Alistair may be a virgin, but you don't live to your 20s and don't develop some seriously interesting wank fantasies. He has had no 'formal' sex education of any kind, so he has no idea when one thing is dirtier than the other and no inhibitions regarding them past "All sex without marriage is not to be had, and none for Templars ever" drilled to him by the Chantry. One night while in a Tavern, Alistair gets drunk for the first time. However, a dunk Alistair is a talker. A very *honest* talker. Zevran is honestly shocked, and insanely turned on.Ideally they have been traveling for some time for so Alistair would believably have developed *thoughts* about our Antivan, and things he would like to do to him, positions he has dreamed of seeing him in... i don't want an OOC, Alistair doesn't know the *names* of the things he wants to do, he just knows that he has been thinking about Things. i want *serious* 'innocent' dirty talk. Alistair is too drunk to be ashamed, and Zevran is the one getting totally flustered by this. Sexing happens when Zevran finally snaps and bodily has to drag Alistair upstairs.
Now again as before Logain/Alistair post-archdemon
It had started with the cloves, Wynne/Oghren - alcohol induced fun
Learning Her Lesson Amell/Templar, BDSM - Amell is given by Greagoir to a Templar to discipline after repeatedly teasing young Templars with her sexuality.
Escaping the Tower is the sequel to Learning Her Lesson, absolutely delightful.
Andraste's Kiss Kmeme prompt by me: I seem to do that a lot...
Andraste's Kiss - revised version
How often have you thought - oh god just please lock them in a room and let them GO at it already when it comes to Alistair and Zevran? Well. Zevran and Alistair are in a room. There weapons are gone and neither of them can pick locks. The room has only one door very heavy door, no windows, a bed and a jar of oil on the nightstand. Only problem, they have both been dosed with a strong aphrodisiac. The set up is up to you. How they got there, who put them there, was the aphrodisiac a gas or in their food or drink... up to you. The dub-con is a given, but ideally I would like Zevran to be the one trying desperately to resist, while Alistair is the one who is all but ripping his cloths off. Only reason Zevran is resisting is because he knows Alistair is a virgin. Zevran is struggling to be a gentleman and not do something to Alistair the other man will hate him for. So he keeps trying to reason with him. Extra cookies and love if there is a Next Morning scene.
Something Unfamiliar Zevran/M!Warden, sounding, orgasm denial
Alistair's first blowjob Zevran/Alistair , delightful de-virgining fic. (scroll down a little)
The Mages' Floor- Templars are allowed to have sex with mages in the tower anyway, anytime, anyone, and anywhere they want. And they do so frequently in public... during classes, on the dinner table, etc and mages are expected to service them. This is seen as normal in the tower. The only way to get someone with Templar abilities is to breed them. Cullen/Amell with a twisty ending!
OasisMale Warden hunts down Zevran after the events of DA:A. It's been a long time. The minute they see each other they go at it like no other. Crazy loud ohgodcannotwaitaminutelonger sex. Zevran/M!Warden
Memento Mori Fenris/Anders Anders ran away as a child, and wound up Denerius's slave. When Fenris kills Denerius, he also inherits his slave.
Little Wolf Danarius/Fenris, Before Fenris was trained as a bodyguard he was a body slave.
Leather and Silver, Slave & Master role play, F!Hawke/Fenris, Fenris is the Master and Hawke is his little mage-slave
Body swap en masse , Fic: Cue crazy magical boom. Everybody swaps body in the funniest, craziest manner and each of them are struggling to cope or taking full advantage of it. Pairing: uh... orgy? kinda? in.. a creative - oh just read it. Warning: CRACK!!!! SO. MUCH. CRACK!!! do NOT drink while reading this. no. seriously.
A Walk on the Other Side, Isabella/everyone, Isabella decides to be a man for a day, the Black Emporium obliges her. CRACK!!
[New Updates some two years later...]
The Best Policy Kmeme prompt by me: and i keep bloody losing this fic so this time I am linking it here.
Alistair got hit by an unusual darkspawn spell which was slowly draining his will from him. Zevran runs to interfere/break it and some cross-wiring happens.The backlash of the spell is that Zevran can hear Alistair's thoughts.All of his thoughts.Zevran is all set to have a good laugh over this (naturally he hasn't *told* Alistair that he can do this)... except how Alistair can't seem to stop thinking about *him*.
I want to see Zevran squirm, blush, and generally feel ...studied under a microscope. The potential for honesty!kink is high here.Bonus for emotional, sexual(slash) *and* true-friendship developments.
LOVE this fic. note: this fic is not posted ANYWHERE that I have seen save on the kmeme - since it's annon, it is also NOT in AO3. I will be asking the author to post it on their behalf and hopefully get their permission. Till then, save a copy yeah?
Recently I fell MADLY in love with Iron Bull. Since, yay Inquisition!
So below you will be seeing Iron Bull fic rec's as well.
btw, i would KILL to see Iron Bull/Zevran - because GUUUUUUUUHHHHHHH. so if ANYONE finds some? PLEASE GOD TELL ME. Thank you!!
Iron Bull Recs:
Two Weeks Iron Bull/f!Inquisitor
People are animals, says Iron Bull, and you can tame a woman like you'd tame a horse. Evelyn Trevelyan, leader of the Inquisition, doesn't believe him. Challenge accepted.
This made me wet. Very very wet. Lovely writing, and at first I feared that the dom was not investing anything emotionally but the author HAS PLANS so i am relaxing. Her Dorian voice is also spot on
Varric/Iron Bull: Burning Omegaverse. Absolutely in Character and delicious!
Zevran vs. The Inquisition YAY! Someone FINALLY wrote Zevran into Skyhold! It had to be recced. Summery: Zevran arrives in Skyhold chasing a rumor about the Inquisitor. Leliana attempts to keep him out of sight, but he still manages to encounter every member of the inner circle. Although has sad ending!! You have been warned!!
I will add to this as I find more readable-by-me things. Hope you like em.