but i was so much older then, i'm younger than that now

Avatar: the Last Airbender

Blue Rendezvous by beepbeepsan
When Zuko frees Appa from the Dai Li, he’s forced to flee Ba Sing Se along with Sokka. Separated from Iroh and the Gaang, the two boys end up camping together while waiting for the dust to settle.

The catch? Zuko is still disguised as the Blue Spirit, and Sokka wants to be his friend. Sokka's life-changing road trip with Zuko happens a little earlier than canon. I enjoyed this a lot.

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Six of Crows

Homeland by unfortunate17
the town of Lij is endlessly fascinated with the mysterious Mr. and Mrs. Rietveld each and every time they visit. I really enjoyed this outsider POV on Kaz and Inej's relationship, told from the POVs of the townspeople of Lij, where Kaz was born.

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laced drill bits to my pointe shoes

Avengers

a balanced, careful weave by napricot
There are few rituals among the girls of the Red Room, and fewer still that retain some innocence, but this is one of them. The Widows play with each others' hair, combing and curling and brushing and braiding. It's a practical enough pastime that the handlers have never cracked down on it, though they have looked askance whenever the Widows get too creative with their makeshift hairdressing.

Five times someone braids Yelena's hair, and one time she braids someone else's. I'm not crying, you're crying.

wake up, your life's a wreck by biblionerd07
He knows he's Bucky Barnes. He knows he's dangerous. The rest of it's going to take some time to figure out. Aw, heart.

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I've fallen out of favor and I've fallen from grace

Star Wars

The New Sith Order by gestalt1
Luke gets taken by Inquisitors at 10, which makes for a very different trajectory for him. Long, engrossing read.

This Lightsaber Is Your Life by Vinyarie
Anakin, having defected from the Empire after being its most notorious monster for years, questions whether he can ever truly be anything other than a Sith. Ahsoka, after finding her old master again, nearly being killed by him, and then being saved by him, questions what it means to be a Jedi or not to be one. And the Empire continues its path of destruction across the galaxy even without Darth Vader to lead it. I enjoyed this a lot. (It probably helps to read the other stories in the series, previously recced.)

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I know the truth and I know what you're thinking

Batfamily

All Roads by AcornsOnTheGround
Dick and Jason end up undercover as fake boyfriends on a mission and it makes Jason consider things he never thought he'd get to have.

Boys Will Be Boys by vanishinghitchhiker
Alfred didn’t mean to raise a costumed vigilante. Excellent look at Batman's origins from Alfred's POV.

but hold me fast by Nokomis
Steph/Jason Tam Lin AU. Very clever.

How Far Love Goes by BeatriceEagle
A mass Arkham breakout brings all of Bruce's children home, and with them, all the drama, secrets, and anger they've been keeping for years. Amidst rising tensions and a mysterious new threat in Gotham, the family has to work together to round up the rogues—and confront their feelings about each other. This is really well done, with fantastic characterization, and an examination of the ways Bruce mistreats his kids and how they handle it.

jallipí by hedgebitch
The thing about never really being wanted anywhere is that Steph's gotten pretty good at getting people to begrudgingly bond with her via sheer force of will. Dick Grayson, with that sad little downturn at the edge of his smile, is no match for Steph's friend-ification beam. Oh heart.

Let The Right One In by whaleofatime
Hot on the trail of Deadshot threatening mayhem in Japan, Dick and Damian find themselves going undercover as a father-son duo on House Hunters International.

Deadshot won't be the only source of chaos in Tokyo this summer, and Dick's only a little apologetic. This is super adorable.

letter of complaint by envysparkler
Red Hood reads Batman for filth (while Batman doesn't know who he is) and I enjoyed it a lot.

one step forward by envysparkler
Jason starts working his way back into the heart of the family. Oh Jay. <3

ten cents richer by Ms_Trickster
"Appendicitis," Tim breathed in disbelief. "Are you fucking kidding me?" Tim – and his internal organs – just can't catch a break. Oh Tim.

The Ghost And Ms. Kyle (the Casa Familiar Remix) by Beatrice_Otter
Everyone knows Wayne Manor is haunted--that's why the last several sales fell through. Selina doesn't care; she's got plans. I enjoyed this.

To see you through the dark hours by Ptelea
Two nights dealing with the aftermath of fear toxin, or, Dick and Jason, trying to be there for each other with food and storytelling. Sequel to "Shelter" (previously recced & written for me!) with Dick and Jason building on the trust and friendship that began in that story. <3

Waylaid by Elya_Rho
All Damian wanted was to spend the day alone with his father. Then Drake had to go and ruin everything by getting himself kidnapped ... Aw, Damian, begrudgingly protective little brother. I enjoyed this.

World's Saddest Breakfast Club by motleyfam
Following a couple of Very Bad Weeks™ (which may or may not have involved being kidnapped and mildly tortured), Jason decides the best way to cheer himself up is to break into the Manor for a 3 a.m. snack.

Turns out he isn't the only one awake. Siblings! <333

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Legends of Tomorrow

Vids

Time Warp by JayneL
Super fun Legends of Tomorrow vid! Perfect song is perfect!

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