Library

Austen (Persuasion)

A story in which, the author regrets to confess, there is no parrot. by greyathena
As the War of 1812 continues to occupy the Royal Navy, newly married Anne Wentworth - determined to be a proper sailor's wife - has the opportunity to accompany her husband to the New World.

I love stories where Anne and Frederick get to just talk to each other about anything and everything.

Aloft in Splendor by StarSpray
One such evening gathering, however, brought a new acquaintance to the Elliots’ attention. He was known to Lady Dalrymple, and had connections to the De Bourgh family, and to the Darcys of Pemberly, and happened to have come to Bath on business that week. “He is a most marvelous musician, however, “Lady Dalrymple told Miss Elliot. “Perfection at the pianoforte!"

Persuasion/Silmarillion crossover. Absolutely lovely prose and characterization.

*All That Had Once Been Embers by Jay Tryfanstone (tryfanstone)

Frederick gets a dose of, ahem, a certain kind of pollen and Anne is there to, ah, tend to his needs (and her own). With a premise like this you sort of expect something akin to a 70s D-list movie but instead you get one of the most poignant character studies ever plus a bucket-load of pained longing (so it fits Persuasion perfectly). Can't recommend enough.

A Sailor's Christmas by Margaret C. Sullivan
The first Christmas of Anne and Frederick Wentworth's marriage is approaching, and Captain Wentworth is ordered to the West Indies to escort a convoy to England and protect it from a marauding pirate. Will he get home in time to spend Christmas with Anne?

Frederick's adventures at sea, post-canon! Witness him be a swashbuckling sea captain and a loving family man in one.

A Very Affectionate Brother by Margaret C. Sullivan
Charles Musgrove is surprised by the news of Anne Elliot's engagement to Captain Wentworth.

Another outsider reaction to Anne and Frederick's engagement - via Charles Musgrove! Very thoughtful fic examining his relationship to his sister-in-law Anne, his marriage to Mary, and marriage in general.

*Come Home to the Sea by greyathena
Anne Elliot was taken to the seaside three times.

Beautiful, descriptive writing. Also, I love when authors have Anne and Frederick's first meeting be through conversation, music, or intellectual pursuits and passions instead of a standard ballroom setting.

Constant by TwoWeevils

Anne's post-novel adventures at sea, in epistolary form. Consistent with my fervent belief that Anne would make a great physician :')

Envy a Musgrove? Indeed! by Lokei
An evening at the Great House in the company of a gallant captain shows that there are points when even an Elliot might envy a Musgrove.

It's about the yearning.

*For Those In Peril On The Sea by OldShrewsburyian
1827: England's Navy goes to war. The Wentworths face anxieties and perils by land and sea. Anne visits the Crofts. Frederick writes a letter. With somewhat limited success, they try to prevent each other from worrying.

Amazing post-canon look at the Wentworth household and their circle. I particularly love the examination of (spoilers) pregnancy later in life and what that meant for a lady of this time period. Much of Persuasion is arguing against the notion of women ever being "past their prime," with Anne fully restored to her younger self's beauty and health by the end of the story; this is why I'll always rally against the idea among some fans that she and Wentworth would struggle to conceive or achieve less marital felicity than if they'd married much younger (and if your hero is described as "full of life and ardour," having "a glowing, manly, open look," and being "the handsomest and best hung in Bath" - albeit indirectly - then, sorry, but I don't think there's any issues with virility here). I say the Wentworths have 5 kids at least and they all grow up to be active, intelligent, conscientious people.

Gold and Tinsel by Rusakko
Anne and Frederick lay some lingering ghosts to rest.

I think it's strongly hinted multiple times in the novel that Frederick is on his way to earning a baronetcy, and plenty of fics (at least the older ones) have gladly accepted this. But first he would have to earn a knighthood and this fic is a great look at the immediate aftermath of that.

Home to Harbor by Laura Kaye (laurakaye)
She had dreamed of this, in those short heady days when her heart had been alive with love and hope for them, before her father—before Lady Russell—before the look in Frederick’s eyes while she broke his heart became the worst thing she had ever seen. She’d imagined herself coming home to visit, Mrs. Wentworth, an honored guest in her father’s house. Well. She was an honored guest in her father’s house, even if her father wasn’t her host.

The perfect exploration of Frederick's assertion to Anne, "You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others."

Inductio by scrimshaw
A different tragic love haunts the Trojan War as the Athenian sailor Kallikrates is forced to relive his past.

Persuasion, ancient Greece AU. A favorite. Excellent characterization and translation of canon into a different context that works perfectly. And if that doesn't appeal to you (though how could it not), at least read it for Frederick being smooth:

She blinked in surprise. "You confuse me for my father," she demurred. "I have no sway with the gods." "Do not speak so harshly of their handiwork," he answered with a wit he had not known existed till then. "Do you not know that the lady Artemis is fond of maidens? I am but a foreign Athenian, and yet I can recognize where she may have granted favor."

it wasn't anger, but longing by elegantstupidity
In every universe, in spite of every way she's broken his heart, Frederick Wentworth still loves Anne Elliot. In some of them, though, it takes him a little longer to figure it out.
Or: Five universes where Frederick Wentworth was in denial and one where he accepted the truth.

Read! this! Every AU is so well-thought out and compelling (I want to read the Star Trek/in space AU so bad) and the long-awaited resolution is only sweeter for it.

*Old Yule Traditions Made New by fresne
It may be understood that a new couple going forth into the world, whatever their age upon their nuptials, may build new traditions from the old. Find new ways of sharing the joy of the season of sharing.
Or the Wentworths share Christmas traditions at: less than a year of marriage, 5 years of marriage, 10 years of marriage, 15 years of marriage, and 30 years of marriage.

Another Christmas fic and another one of my personal favorites. Incredibly well-researched and heartwarming to the highest degree. I periodically re-read this because it's so perfect a sequel to canon.

Poor and Plausible by Sandel
Miss Elizabeth Elliot receives two letters from her former friend Penelope.

You have no idea the sense of camaraderie I felt after reading Persuasion for the first time and picking up on a Vibe between Elizabeth Elliot and Mrs. Clay, then going on the internet and finding out other people did too.

*Scenes From a Marriage: The Hundred Days by eyrane
Napoleon escapes from Elba. Anne and Frederick take a pleasure cruise. There are pirates.

Awesome look at the Wentworths' life at sea immediately after marriage, love seeing Anne dare to go out of her comfort zone and thrive (and Frederick too!). With excellent characterization and details.

Slipping Anchor by derryderrydown
"Six frigates, gentlemen," he said, "with four or five unrated to add spice."

Pre-canon. Wahoo naval battle! We deserve a million such Aubrey-Maturin/Hornblower-style spinoffs of gallant Captain Wentworth and his exciting adventures at sea.

Stellar Cartography by scrimshaw

I like to think Anne and Frederick befriended some of the best and brightest minds of their time. Let them have weekly afternoon tea with the Darwins!

*Steps leading into the sea by lotesse
Three things Anne Wentworth, née Elliot, gained by her marriage.

Neat summary of what Persuasion tells us has been missing from Anne's life, and how her marriage to Frederick gives it all to her.

*Taken the risk by elsa
He had resolved, when he left, never to enter her father’s house again. He could not imagine a path in his life that would lead him proposing a second time to Anne.

This one's so moving and the ending gets me every time. When you can't help but fall in love with the same person over and over, even when they've hurt you, even when you're actively trying not to. When you realize you've never fallen out of love in the first place...

Tales of HMS Laconia by Jack C.
Thus begins a collection of four short stories about Captain Frederick Wentworth’s beloved frigate, HMS Laconia.

Pre-canon. More of life aboard ship for Captain Wentworth!

the natural sequel by rain_sleet_snow
Five people who were surprised by Anne and Wentworth's engagement, and one who wasn't.

Perfect characterization of everyone's favorite side characters and also wish fulfillment for people like me who wanted to see their reactions at the end of the novel <3

Austen (Pride and Prejudice)

Five Careers for Five Brothers by AMarguerite
What careers would each Bennet sibling have, if there were five Bennet brothers instead of sisters?

What does it say that this AU is so much happier than canon? I love the cameo from Persuasion characters in the first chapter.

On the bank of the green river, long ago by Rusakko
The stream flowing through the Pemberley grounds bears witness to both romance and heartbreak.

I'm pretty indifferent to Elizabeth/Darcy, I think they're the You've Got Mail to Beatrice/Benedick's The Shop Around the Corner. But I can believe Darcy's type is lively, self-centered, short-sighted people with a love of gossip and trash-talk (of course Elizabeth is a much better person than Wickham despite sharing these traits with him), so I love the angst of Wickham/Darcy. I know, I know, I will (not) repent for my crimes by dawn.

Crime and Punishment

The Road to Hell by zelempa

DC Comics

Auld Lang Syne by Moontyger
Matches by Unpretty
Rolling With The Punches by Liviapenn

Harry Potter

Back Again, Harry? by Jedi Buttercup (jedibuttercup)
How to Prune and Water Your Prongsfoot by JustAboutMidnight
Pivot by bors
proof by orphan_account
Show Me How to Lie (You're Getting Better All the Time) by hebravelyranaway
Since 382 BC by xylodemon
The Power of Names by Ninjette
we haven't been introduced by ironicallyinternational

Hunter x Hunter

Domestic Divergence by Chyme
On Whale Island by orphan_account

Princess Tutu

Frame Story by jibrailis
Inscribed on Glass Plaques by orphan_account

Star Wars

*After the Last War is Won by Tenshi
The Quality of Mercy by Peradan
Repair by BananasAreForParties