Kylo and Armitage have been friends since they were kids. Now in university, they run a semi-popular YouTube channel called “London Below” where they investigate all sorts of haunted and paranormal happenings in and around London and try to answer the question, are ghosts real? When they take on the mysterious and tragic case of the Pendle Witches, they come face to face with the spirit world in a way they never have before. Will they make it out of Pendle alive? Are ghosts real? And most importantly, does Armitage return Kylo’s affections?
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This beautiful commission is by @arianwen44 – I love Armitage’s perfect posture and smug smile! Thank you so much, I love them!
(Here is a list by the amazing @harlanhardway, who will be a guest on this blog as often as I can wheedle a list out of her. The woman has incredible taste, lemme tell ya all. -DustyRecs)
E, No Archive Warnings Apply, 17k (+29k sequel), 1/1 chapters (2 part series)
Summary: Maestro Hux is at the helm of the Erste Orden Sinfonie for their big gala concert, a programme of the most stunning piano concertos ever written. With his continued employment and the future of the whole orchestra on the line, the last thing he needs is the incredibly arrogant (but wildly talented) piano soloist Kylo Ren.
Why this work is exceptional: The use of music is stunning. The character development and portrayal of the day to day workings of a professional symphony is spectacular. The way Hux and Kylo fight like crazy, and then somehow manage to come around to each other and bond over music is so excellently done. Come for the kylux, stay for the music. Part 2 is equally good, but Part 1 can be read as a stand-alone.
Summary: Kylo is a street musician in Prague. Hux is touring with the prestigious First Order Orchestra. They collide. Hard.
Why this work is exceptional: The way the music is described as well as the experience of playing it is a really significant and integral part of this fic. Hux and Kylo connect through the music first and then their backstories and relationship sort of develops from there. The setting is also really well fleshed out, fully realized but also very dream-like and atmospheric at times.
M, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, 18k, 1/1 chapters
Summary: “It’s better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all,” Ren sneaks up behind him in the courtyard, his deep voice suddenly echoing in Hux’s ear.
Hux grimaces, clenching his teeth together in an effort to keep from lashing out with his fists. “You butchered that.” He wouldn’t stand a chance against Ren. One day, that’s not going to stop him.
Why this work is exceptional: This fic is incredibly atmospheric. It’s very well written, the use of music and poetry is spectacular, as is the use of time-jumps. It has a happy ending, but the whole tone is very melancholic.
Summary: An AU based on the Force Awakens characters and the general plot of White Christmas.
After WWII Poe and Finn Dameron take to the stage as a power house entertainment duo. Every Christmas Eve they can’t help but think of General Hux, the commander of their former division, legendary singer, and the man who saved their lives. They don’t know what’s become of Hux, but want to pay him back if they ever find him.
Rey and Ben Solo are an up and coming act on the showbiz scene, but Ben’s time serving overseas is catching up to him. In a last ditch effort to secure Rey’s future, he turns to the Dameron’s and an old army connection.
Why is this work exceptional: This does exactly what it says on the tin. It is unrepentant feel-good fluff that follows the basic premise and plot of White Christmas. It’s definitely soft-kylux and incredibly heartwarming.
Summary: Hux loves two things – his bass and his husband.
One of them, however, is a lot more fun to play.
Why this work is exceptional: Hux and Ren are married and both play standup bass in a classic orchestra. It’s a fun little window into their lives, the details about their routine as professional musicians is really well done and their back-and-forth is equal parts funny, witty, and also kind of sweet. It’s also really unapologetically smutty, bordering on PWP territory, so definitely check this one out if that’s what you’re in the mood for.
SFW, 3min 26sec, music video, French with English/Japanese subtitles
Summary: The First Official Kylux Song.
Why this work is exceptional: It’s quite a good song and it’s not everyday that a band writes a song dedicated to your ship. Kylux is not mentioned by name in the song, but I linked to the Tumblr post where the singer/songwriter explains their motivations in writing it and dedicates the song to the kylux fandom. I definitely thought it was pretty cool and the song is well worth a listen.
Explicit. No archive warnings apply. Words: 116,927 Chapters:13/13
Summary: It starts the way a pornographic film might: one summer, cable installment technician Matt begins a torrid affair with Madeline, the disaffected widow of a pharmaceutical executive. It seems to be a perfect match – both of them volatile, both of them lost. But it isn’t long before Matt meets Madeline’s son, a reclusive and put-upon young man who is known by his few friends simply as “Techie.” As the bond with Madeline begins to deteriorate, Matt becomes increasingly fascinated with Techie, and Techie with him, and a relationship begins that is unlike any either of them has ever had.
Why this work is exceptional: The writing is A++. This is a very original story. It’s one of those that you read and think, damn, if the author were to replace the names, this would 100% be an original novel. I thought about these characters long after I finished reading.
Explicit. No archive warnings apply. Words: 19,394 Chapters:2/2
Summary: If there is one person on board the Finalizer Techie cannot stand, it’s that Matt the radar technician.
That’s too bad for Matt, because he is desperately in love with Techie.
Why this work is exceptional: Matt struggles with certain urges in this one in ways I have not read in other works. His pining for Techie and the lengths he is willing to go to for him make this story especially memorable.
Explicit. No archive warnings apply. Words: 15,632 Chapters:1/1
Summary: Techie and Matt are Star Wars fans who meet at a convention.
Why this work is exceptional: I laughed the entire way through, but at the same time, I really felt for these characters. For_autumn_i_am is an amazing writer and it’s so easy to sink into this story and live through these characters. Plus, Matt is a walking human disaster and it is amazing.
Explicit. No archive warnings apply. Words:10,134 Chapters: 3/3
Summary: Matt’s dry spell has turned into more of a four-year drought. Fortunately, the answer comes in the form of anonymous sex. Unfortunately, Matt’s not so good at keeping things anonymous. Shameless filth with the barest hint of plot, tags will be added as we go.
Why this work is exceptional: True, there is a lot of porn. But I would say there is way more plot than the summary let’s on. The premise for this one is just so… weird. Good weird. Matt and Techie’s first meeting is very, very memorable.
dispatches from the dumpster 