Fic Clique

78: FYC: Maybe the Truth

In this episode, your hosts discuss "Maybe the Truth," by aceaceaceace (SHINee RPF).

We hope you're enjoying our new "For Your Consideration" series, because we're back with another installment! It's easy to see why host Brenna championed this fic, as we all really enjoyed the smart authorial choices, realistic portrayals of the human experience, and multiplicity of truth that this story had to offer.

Alternate titles include: "See If I Ever Validate You Again," "Don't Be a Coward, Read the OCs," and "Making a Gay Guy Happy Is So Ally of Me"

77: “You’ve Set Me At A Grueling Pace”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "And Then We Shot the Ox," by coltsbane (Oregon Trail) @9:53, "RICHIE TOZIER IS...THE COMEBACK CLOWN," by owlinaminor & tinypersonhotel (IT) @35:52, and "it walks among us," by strangehunger (She-Ra) @1:02:58.

This episode features lots of unintentional throughlines between our fics, from literalized video game mechanics to the many sides of someone's persona to delightfully clever twist endings.

76: “My Youth is Slipping Away”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Distraction Management," by sinsense (Semantic Error) @17:02, "Her Heart is a River," by angelan (Six of Crows) @43:00, and "Ere," by audreycritter (The Queen's Thief) @1:07:13.

When there's someone you care deeply about and you need to talk to them, how do you communicate? Is it via a series of increasingly unhinged text messages? Letters where much is left unsaid? Stilted conversations in royal bedchambers? The fics of this episode offer you a plethora of really viable and useful options to explore in your own life.

75: “Ballin’ On Your Birthday”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Le Cirque Des Souvenirs," by AirgiodSLV, CompassRose, Ellejabell, epaulettes, kitkat50311, mahons_ondine, minnapods, & sisi_rambles (The Night Circus) @15:15, "gone to ground," by merionettes (FE3H) @44:25, and "if you would only let you," by gdgdbaby (Untamed RPF) @1:11:56.

Your hosts have returned from their annual spring/summer break and we're ready to party, so put on a festive shirt and let's get celebrating with Reid's birthday episode! Alongside a lovely guest of the pod, we discuss creation for the pure joy of it, implicit trust in relationships, and the unstoppable train that is life.

74: “They’re Repressed as Hell”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Restitutio ad integrum," by AirgiodSLV (Locked Tomb) @12:26, "Life is Very Long," by Vamillepudding (Untamed) @38:21, and "A Cornstalk Fiddle," by notbecauseofvictories (Devil Went Down to Georgia) @1:00:34. 

Your hosts debated starting drama with each other this episode, but instead decided it would be better to discuss humor in dramatic irony, music as a source of soulfulness, and the cruellest thing Nic has ever said to Reid. 

73: FYC: Give Me a Tempest

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "give me a tempest," by Klavier (SVT RPF). 

Welcome to the start of a brand new series here on the pod: For Your Consideration! Similar to our Fandom Classic episodes, this series aims to take a look at one fic in a fandom that we think has the makings of a Fandom Classic without quite having obtained that status yet. 

We could not have picked a better fic to kickstart this new series, as this delight of a romcom premise takes us through a story rich with impressive setting work, fantastic friendships, and dynamic protagonists living authentic human experiences. 

Alternate titles include: "Be Gay Do Crimes Commit Marriage Fraud," and "Oops! In Love with My Fake Husband" 

72: “Can a Mullberry Do a Little Jig?”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "you can change right next to me," by simonlorden (Jolene) @15:00, "the love stories we share around starfires," by distressedgremlin (F1 RPF) @41:27, and "any greenness is deeper than anyone knows," by DesdemonaKaylose (OTGW) @1:07:48

This episode is packed with journeys of all kinds, from growth & self discovery to apocalyptic roadtrips to beastly fairytale woods. Watch your step - it's a twisting and unfamiliar path out there. 

71: “Mark Antony Hive, Rise”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Chapter 7.5," by ionthesparrow (Murderbot Diaries) @18:25, "Psychopompeii," by Eastling (Ancient Pompeii Graffiti) @44:00, and "...and a partridge in a pear tree," by strangehunger (The Locked Tomb) @1:06:30. 

Take a break from the weight of the world with these three lovely fics, and the ensuing discussions on otherness, marks of human existence, and laugh-out-loud humorous prose. 

70: “Nothing Says Valentine’s Day like Breaking Up”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "bad coffee & lemon bars," by abillionstars (Haikyuu) @11:00, "Strange Bedfellows," by orphan_account & ravenclawsquill (Harry Potter) @36:25, and "obliged to defend every love, every ending," by shinealightonme (Raven Cycle) @1:03:26.

Caaaaan you feel the love tonight? It is where we are... and is also the theme(ish) of this episode! For this belated Valentine's Day ep, your hosts are here to deliver some classic romance tropes. In addition to tropey delights, we chat about ensemble casts, incisive fic choices, and Brenna's gripes with fiction authors.

69: “Grazing the Fandom Pastures”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Days & Years," by hkafterdark (SHINEe RPF) @15:22, "A Field Guide to Common Birds in New York City," by Toft (Person of Interest) @40:41, and "sing each song twice over," by uraneia (Hockey RPF) @1:05:15.

For such an auspicious episode number, we thought of a really nice (haha, wink) theme for you all. Whether or not our discussions actually pertain to it, however, is perhaps up for debate. Still, we hope you enjoy the themes of second chances, finding unspoken ways to voice your needs, and good fictional therapists.