SHARING TIME:
    .............. oh shit. ._____.
[about ten seconds pass while I start roaming over the page]
.............a;sldkfjalskjalksj fuck. >_<
.............................................*sobs*

Seriously, this is what hell looks like.
AND ONTO THE RECS:
    Avatar: The Last Airbender - 3 Fanfics
    Bleach - 3 Fanfics
    Okami - 1 Fanart
    Tales of the Abyss/Tales of Destiny - 1 Fanart
    Tales of Destiny - 1 Fanart
2008 GOAL: 653/1602


Avatar: The Last Airbender: More Than Words Can Wield by nebroadwe - This was a short piece that I really loved because it's such an interesting take on Aang and Katara. That they do approach their relationship differently, that they did come into this differently, but that each of them loves the other no less dearly for it. I love how Katara struggles to figure herself out and find the right words and how it's just not that simple for her, it's a gorgeous little piece that has a take I don't often see. (Aang/Katara.)

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Unguided by ArtemisRae - One of the things that I'm glad the series never completely forgot is that Katara and Sokka were siblings and had a shared history of loss, even if there were other things occupying their attention later on, so it's nice to see fic that deals with that sometimes. What I really love about this fic is that it's not trying too hard, it's almost sort of a dull pain that Katara goes through after the raid on the Southern Water Tribe and the fic is all the more beautiful for it. Sokka and Katara share the same loss and somehow it's when he's just curling up next to her that the fic is at its best. It's a short, but nicely powerful little piece. (No warnings/pairings.)

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Signs That Can’t Be Learned by ArtemisRae - [Note: There are SORT OF spoilers for the finale in this fic and this rec.] I think this was written well before the finale actually aired, but it still fits marvelously with what actually happened (mostly it's the pairings that ended up being canon and the connection between Fire Lord Zuko and Aang, all of which was obvious from a mile away) and is an incredibly satisfying post-finale piece for Aang and Katara. I love this Katara because she still worries, because she has doubts and fears, but she also has so much love and trust and care in her, too. I love the thoughts that chase around in her head, while she's walking through the halls of the Fire Palace after waking up without Aang next to her, the way her thoughts turn towards kids and her fears, and the background of Zuko and Mai with a baby. And I-- I love that things aren't easy, they've never been without problems, but Aang and Katara work together and end up on the same page again, there's no doubt that they would, and the author just totally nails Katara's character and her relationship with Aang. Plus OMG BABIEZ I WANTZ THEMZ. LOTZ AND LOTZ OF BABIEZ. I love that this was sweet and warm-hearted without being pure fluff, this is what these two should be. ♥ (Aang/Katara.)

Bleach: Out of Sight by ArtemisRae - Oh, this was really lovely. It's two scenes, one set in Soul Societ while Urahara and Yoruichi are still there, the other set just after they've left, and the theme of leaving and goodbyes and how they play with these two characters is really well done. Part of what I love about this fic is the teasing banter between two such powerful characters and the way they touch each other and flirt with each other, but even more than that it's... the way the author gets into Urahara's head and how he sees her and how there's something really deep that's there, but they're never going to be the attached at the hip kind of pairing. The way it's so many unsaid things and implications and everything they should be. (Urahara/Yoruichi.)

Bleach: Carousel by Kay Willow - Awww, this was adorably sweet and fluffy, yet well-written enough that the author pulls it off. It's a simple fic, Orihime wanders off at a carnival and Ichigo goes to find her, but it's full of cute little details, like how much cotton candy she eats or the way she stares off into the distance sometimes. But I also liked it for the sense of how it... moves Ichigo forward a little, he's not precisely there yet with his feelings, but you can see him slowly starting to get there, to return those feelings she obviously has. I like that you can believe he doesn't really quite notice how she feels here, too. Plus, they just make me happy. <3 (Ichigo/Orihime.)

Bleach: Double Take by ArtemisRae - A lot of times I feel like I'm fond of the idea of Isshin and Urahara interaction, but something about it just doesn't quite do it for me in fic. Except with this one, I adored the hell out of this one because the author just totally nailed the characters and got everything that made the two of them so hilarious around each other. I love it. I love it. How much they... sort of understand each other, sort of don't, and as;ldkfjaslkj the scene with Urahara and Yoruichi where Urahara has been roped into making a gigai for a wedding present for Isshin and Yoruichi's reaction and the parallels and-- yes plz, this was great. (Some implied Isshin/Masaki, Urahara/Yoruichi, neither are precisely the point.)