Saudade de Mim

by: lightbird (dramatic owl on AO3)
trope_bingo trope: au-mundane
fandoms: Star Trek: DS9, Star Trek: TNG, Bambi, Good Omens
Recs/Word Count: 6 Recs/530 Words

Although I read in several different fandoms, the ones I write in aren't really compatible with this prompt, since everyone is human and non-magical, etc. I had considered writing a Quantum Leap story with no time travel, but wasn't sure if that counted, so I decided to put together a rec set instead. I've included recs over a couple of different fandoms.



Rec 1

Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Fic: Deep Dish Nine a la LadyDrace (Series)
Author: Lady Drace
Characters: Julian Bashir, Elim Garak, Kira Nerys, Jadzia Dax, Ezri Dax, Miles O'Brien, Jake Sisko, Tora Ziyal, Benjamin Sisko, Worf
Summary: Pre-slash, background slash, het. Series of ficlets written in the Deep Dish Nine alternate universe.

Why I Like It: I'm including several selections from the Deep Dish Nine Alternate Universe, an AU Star Trek: DS9 series that originated on Tumblr, in which everyone is human and the action is centered around a mall with a pizzeria named Deep Dish Nine in it, run by Sisko. A large number of the stories I've read in this AU are lighthearted and a lot of fun, but there are some great serious and angsty fics too. The world building is excellent. This particular series of ficlets by LadyDrace set in the Deep Dish Nine AU is well-written, humorous and keeps the essence and spirit of the original verse as well as the core of the characters as they are transplanted in the new universe. The ficlets focus on various characters from the series and their relationships, including main, supporting and guest characters. It's Just Poetry... And Pizza is a particularly sweet and lovely piece about Jake Sisko and Tora Ziyal, and Safe Space is an especially touching piece dealing with homophobia and gay rights. The fifth story in the series There's Something There is a longer story which gives some backstory for Elim Garak in the new universe and how he met Julian Bashir. According to the author this is an ongoing series so more works will be added to it. Highly recommended.

Rec 2

Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Star Trek: The Next Generation
Fic: Devil in Disguise
Author: Mychelle_Wilmot
Characters: Geordi La Forge, Deanna Troi, William Riker, Worf, Jadzia Dax, Reginald Barclay, Data mentioned), Spot (Star Trek)
Summary: It's getting hard and harder to have someone to look after Spot everytime Data needs. Written for tumblr's Deep Dish Nine AU.

Why I Like It: It's about Data's cat Spot. Another light-hearted, humorous entry. Cute fic with good characterizations from both Trek verses, and the author did a lovely job transferring the core and essence of the original verse into the alternate verse.

Rec 3

Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Fic: Deep Dish Nine (Series)
Author: Vyc
Characters: Julian Bashir, Kira Nerys, Worf, Dukat (Star Trek), Elim Garak, Jadzia Dax, Ezri Dax
Summary: Slash. Series of three stories comprising Vyc's version of tumblr's Deep Dish Nine AU.
Content Notes/Warnings: One of the stories in the series deals with internalized homophobia.

Why I Like It: Vyc does a lovely job with the characterizations in this alternate universe. A Masterpiece of Western Epic Opera is a fun story with a hilarious plot in which Dukat comes looking for Kira and has to deal with Worf and his opera. It's a particularly wonderful portrayal of Worf. Vyc does a fantastic job capturing his voice and personality. The other characters are well-done as well. An Evening with Schoenberg is a longer story about Julian Bashir and Elim Garak's relationship. There is some internalized homophobia and it's more serious in tone than Vyc's other work, but it's also very clever and humorous. And No Wrong Answers is a sweet, funny, quiet fic about Julian Bashir and Elim Garak's relationship. The plot revolves around Julian trying to find out when Elim's birthday is.

Rec 4

Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Fic: Soon
Author: CassiCat
Characters: Julian Bashir, Elim Garak, Mila (Star Trek)
Summary: Slash. From a park bench, Elim Garak reflects on the last two years of his life and all the things he lost when he left his shop, and Julian, behind. Written for tumblr's Deep Dish Nine AU.

Why I Like It: A sadder, more serious entry in this AU series. Beautifully written and heartbreaking Elim Garak-centric angst fic set in this alternate universe. CassiCat vividly paints a picture of the setting and the melancholy mood of the story. The portrayal of emotions, the interaction between Elim and his mother and the background of Elim’s and Julian’s parting is all exquisite. Highly recommended.

Rec 5

Fandom: Bambi
Fic: Fire in the Throat
Author: drinkginandkerosene
Characters: Bambi (Bambi)
Summary: Bambi still can't speak in Group Therapy.
Content Notes/Warnings: Very dark, asylum fic, PTSD.

Why I Like It: This is a really inventive and creative (and also extremely dark) fractured fairy tale. It’s a quick read and worth checking out just for the author’s clever rethinking of the universe and characters.

Rec 6

Fandom: Good Omens
Fic: Herbal Hell
Author: greywolfheir
Characters: Crowley, Aziraphale
Summary: Preslash. A Crowley/Aziraphale Teashop!AU and Human!AU as requested for a "fic war" AKA "kill each other with feels".
Content Notes/Warnings: Major character death, fluff-turned-dark/angsty fic.

Why I Like It: This is a fluff-turned-angst fic with a major character death and the ending is jarring, be warned. But greywolfheir does such a good job capturing the voices and personalities, as well as the spirit of the novel (up until the last part) and the alternate universe world-building is nicely done.