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black-emporium-exchange · 7 months

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Can finally post this !!

#beficrecs #art recs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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black emporium 2023 recs

This is a little late, but I wanted to share some awesome fics from this year's @black-emporium-exchange!

I really loved the gifts I got, which were:

let's dance by dabs_into_oblivion, F!Hawke/Loghain, T

Just a wonderful set of scenes between these two, I really liked the shared history they have with Ferelden and the pain there; it was a wonderful connection!

The Second Stage of Grief by Missjlh, F!Hawke & Aveline, G

I have such a soft spot for the friendship between Hawke and Aveline, especially if she's the one to comfort them after All That Remains. The characterization here is so sweet, with the two of them just knowing each other in such a good way.

There were so many amazing fics this year, and the following are just a handful that stuck with me!

somewhere in the half-light by havvke, M!Cousland/Zevran, M

This was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL work that had me so emotional throughout: amazing characterization, and the relationship between Cousland and Zevran develops so naturally as they work through all of their obstacles. This work has been haunting me since I first read it.

Subtlety by SidheLives, F!Hawke/Loghain, E

Again, wonderful characterization and a plot that had me hooked! Hawke's scheming and the pure friction between her and Loghain were entertaining and clever. This was a very fun read, and the dialogue was amazing.

caging the best of us by SourFacedLemon, Gamlen/Malcolm, T

The headcanon that Gamlen had a little crush on Malcolm before Leandra and all the implications of that, seen in an AU where Malcolm survives rather than Leandra--there is so much possibility in this fic!

falling by havvke, F!Cadash/Cassandra, T

My god, I love Cassandra, and I love how she's portrayed here: wonderfully awkward in the face of a brash Inquisitor, and still such a romantic. A perfect mix of moments that had me laughing out loud, and angst; they're both a little bit of a mess, and their relationship development is just lovely.

a far cry from spring by sweettasteofbitter, Josephine/M!Trevelyan, M

A beautifully tender fic exploring the negotiations of their relationship. The atmosphere is so vivid, and the way Josephine and Trevelyan are so comfortable with each other but still have so much to work through is portrayed so well.

The whole collection is such a treat if you'd like to read more <3 I had such a wonderful time participating!!

#beficrecs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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Rarepairs! - A Dragon Age Black Emporium Exchange Rec List

Maybe a bit late, but then again, it's never too late to read great fic, right? ;)

So here are some recs from the @black-emporium-exchange

First, of course the amazing gifts I got! Every year, I'm so blown away by everyone's generosity and talent <3

Subtlety by SidheLives, Female Hawke/Loghain Mac Tir, Explicit

It has it all: Fake Relationship, Bed Sharing, Feelings, and really great smut. I love this fic so much!

Mistakes have consequences by Toshi_Nama, Female Hawke/Loghain Mac Tir, Mature

More Loghain for me, and it's so good! Hurt/Comfort and Enemies to Lovers, yes thank you!!

Vigil Kept by SidheLives, Jowan/Male Surana, General

It's so sweet! Thinking the other one is dead so that pushes you to confess your feelings? Always a great trope!

And some other fics, that weren't specifically written for me, but are just as amazing!

Reaching Out to Him by MeganMoonlight, Zevran Arainai/Jowan, Teen and Up

Not a pairing I ever considered, by I love them both, and this is so lovely!

Special Delivery by taintandlothering, Anders/Cullen Rutherford, Teen and Up

It's so sweet and lovely and funny at the same time! Spot on character voices!

The Maker's Sense of Humor by Toshi_Nama, Gamlen Amell/Orana, Teen and Up

Soulmate AUs always get, and I never thought of those two together, but it works so well!

Looking for a Bargain by SidheLives, Mouse/Male Surana, Explicit

Demon Sex? Demon Sex! So hot and such an interesting dynamic!

xX dReAM a LitTLe DreAm oF ME Xx by Anonymous, Nonbinary Lavellan/Solas, Mature

It's a My Immortal retelling, and I died laughing! Seriously, I couldn't breathe. Please comment so that they get 5 good "revows" and we get the sequel next year XD

And of course, go check out all the other wonderful works in the collection too!

(Sorry for the long post, but there's a lot of good stuff there!)

#beficrecs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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Black Emporium 2023 - Recs (Part 1/?)

My personal favourites from this year's exchange. :) Authors not included as they're not revealed yet. Will update later on.

Cold Feet by ____ (Male Hawke/Cassandra Pentaghast/Varric Tethras, 5.7k, Explicit)

Summary: Domestic intimacies and polyamory negotiations. Mostly post-Inquistion.

Reccer Note: Adorable mix of fluff and more steamy scenes. Bonus points in my heart for Varric/Hawke being such a steady start point for this. Varric sounding very much like Varric and ofc connecting with Cassandra through his writing.

Of Solitude and Contemplation by ____ (Anders/Cullen Rutherford, 2.9k, PG13)

Summary: Cullen Rutherford contemplates his relationship with Anders as he goes about his morning routine. Shameless domestic fluff.

Reccer Note: This is one of those ships that I technically like but have yet to see written in a way I could truly appreciate. That being said, this one got very close. My only issue is that whenever I seem to stumble upon fics with Cullen and a mage (various characters), they're always fics from Cullen's POV and lean towards how difficult it is for him to be with a mage. And not, you know, how he was shit to mages and maybe that should be addressed before the blissful happy ending. This fic at least brushes on this, so again. One of the best fics I've read for this ship.

Full Circle by _____ (Anders/Bethany Hawke/Nathaniel Howe, 3.1k, PG13)

Summary: Life would go on no matter what.

Reccer Note: I love when fics about Anders do not ignore Justice. That's a small note, aside from that: great and in-character Bethany, as well as Nathaniel, but it's especially noteworthy with Bethany. Also I'm always impressed with authors who within a small word count can show a progression of a relationship over the years.

Mistakes have consequences by _____ (Female Hawke/Loghain Mac Tir, 1.8k, Mature.)

Summary: In which Hawke has an unfortunate encounter with too many bandits, a fortunate encounter with Loghain Mac Tir, and a bit of accidental nudity.

Reccer Note: I can't be the only one who always finds it confusing and hilarious how Hawke refers to Loghain as their Warden friend in Inquisition. This is an interesting take on that. But mostly I love the way Loghain is written here. 10/10.

The Maker's Sense of Humor by ____ (Gamlen Amell/Orana, 2.8k, PG13)

Summary: Gamlen had given up on finding his soulmate. But the Blooming Rose had become his haunt, and one of the only places he wasn't judged and found wanting. Which is why, of course, he heard the words stamped on his skin from a woman less than half his age, after he'd made peace with the fact he'd never have what his sister did. The Maker had a sense of humor, and once again Gamlen was the butt of His joke. Except this time, there was no joke.

Reccer Note: What can I say? I have a giant soft spot for Gamlen. And he is so sad in this one. I love the melancholy feel of this fic and would happily read something longer for this unexpected ship.

hold tight to everyday life by ___ (Leliana & Josephine Montilyet & Cullen Rutherford, 5.1k, PG13)

Summary: In days, months, and years, a family is formed.

Reccer Note: I don't read Gen fics very often but this was really a love take and on the few and far between slower moments for this trio that truly made them into the team and friends that they are.

#beficrecs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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It's been a week since the @black-emporium-exchange wrapped up and it was SUCH a blast to participate in!! I'm so glad I signed up!

I only started writing a few months ago, so I was very nervous, but I'm actually so proud of how my contribution turned out! And my recipient was really happy with their gift, which brings me infinite joy.

If you want to check it out, you can find it here:

Featuring MHawke/Varric/Cassandra in some sweet fluffy (with some awkwardness along the way) polyam relationship.

I also received the sweetest gift of a FHawke/Cassandra fic, which you should absolutely read:

And there are SO MANY amazing fics in the collection, like this one that wasn't a gift for me, but sure felt like it:

(Also with FHawke/Cassandra)

And there is some STUNNING fanart too! Like this Josie/Lavellan piece I am RABID over:

I can't wait for next year!! ❤️

#beficrecs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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Black Emporium Gift Recs!

BE is still in the anon period so I will no doubt be reccing these again after creator reveals 😉 but I received three AMAZING gifts that I love very much and must share so that you can go give them some love too!

a friend in need. Sera & Slim Couldry, 3000 words, rated T. A fic that captures everything I love to imagine about Sera's early life in Denerim and how she could have known one of my favorite minor characters! Really gets at the sense of rejection that hit her so hard in childhood and shaped who she becomes.

Letters to the Office of the Viscount. Varric Tethras & Bran Cavin, 1399 words, rated T. The very entertaining story of Viscount Varric, his unanswered mail, his approach to diplomatic relations, and his very put-upon seneschal.

gold dust woman. Branka/Hespith, 3000 words, rated M. A beautiful and atmospheric fic exploring the relationship from Hespith's perspective, from their early lives to the tragic Deep Roads expedition.

Happy Black Emporium reveals, friends, and happy reading!

#beficrecs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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Elf often writes letters to Bethany and shyly wants to plan a meal together ;D

ating:

General Audiences

Archive Warning:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category:

F/M

Fandom:

Dragon Age II

Relationship:

Fenris/Bethany Hawke

Characters:

Fenris (Dragon Age)

Bethany Hawke

Varric

Original Characters

@black-emporium-exchange

#beficrecs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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climbing trees. for @keita52

#beficrecs #art recs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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"bound to be something"

A king without a queen, a prince without a kingdom, and love.

Written for wildmishmash for the 2023 Black Emporium Exchange (@black-emporium-exchange)!

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: F/M Fandom: Dragon Age: Origins Relationship: Female Aeducan/Alistair (Dragon Age) Characters: Alistair (Dragon Age), Female Aeducan (Dragon Age) Additional Tags: Post-Dragon Age: Origins, Identity, May/December Relationship, Older Woman/Younger Man, Past Female Aeducan/Gorim Saelac - Freeform, Name Changes Collections: Black Emporium 2023 Words: 2,693

#beficrecs #fic recs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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"caging the best of us"

Malcolm can only be grateful that Leandra is no longer with them to witness the destruction of the home they built together.

Written for andy_deer (@other-cullen-ficrecs) for the 2023 Black Emporium Exchange (@black-emporium-exchange)!

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: M/M Fandom: Dragon Age II Relationship: Gamlen Amell/Malcolm Hawke Characters: Malcolm Hawke, Female Hawke (Dragon Age), Carver Hawke, Gamlen Amell Additional Tags: Minor Ewald/Female Hawke (Dragon Age), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Malcolm Hawke Lives, Leandra Hawke Dies, Implied/Referenced Gambling Addiction, Pre-Relationship Collections: Black Emporium 2023 Words: 2,071

#beficrecs #fic recs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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Svarah Sun-Hair and Cassandra, drawn for @ripplesofaqua in @black-emporium-exchange 2023

#beficrecs #art recs

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black-emporium-exchange · 8 months

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The first time they actually spoke one-on-one was when the Chargers came back from the Storm Coast. Leliana was in the Herald's Rest when The Iron Bull stumped in, his face like a storm cloud, and parked himself at the bar. His men were all giving him a wide berth.

Leliana's self-preservation instinct sometimes took a nap. This might have been one of those times. She slipped onto the stool beside him, on the side with his good eye, and rested her forearms on the bar.

He grunted. "Never seen you out of your tower before, Red."

"No," she said. "Josie kicked me out. She says I need to… talk to people more."

The Iron Bull chuckled, but his heart wasn't in it. "You're a spy. You talk to plenty of people."

"That's what I told her!" She tracked his movements. He wasn't moving the way he usually did; he was sluggish. This did not bode well. She placed a firm hand on his arm. "I do not think you should drink tonight."

He pulled away from her, twisting. "Who are you to tell me that?" he demanded.

She glared up at him. "The Inquisitor needs you to be at your best in the field."

"Fuck you," he snarled. "You have no idea what it's like."

"Fine. Drink. It will not ease your pain," Leliana shot back.

"Oh, and you know my pain."

"No," she said. "I do not. But I know what it is like to have my faith questioned and brought to breaking point. I know what it is to have my entire life swept out from underneath my feet. I know what it is to lose the center of my world."