Accidental Bonding Recs

Accidental Bonding Recs

So I put together another rec list for a friend asking for these who wanted some that weren't angst-heavy, and then another friend said they'd be interested in the ones with more angst. So we have a two-parter, of sorts, and I thought I might as well slap it up here, too.

Accidental Bonding Recs (not so angsty)

Two Weeks by shiftylinguini (E, 21k)

Thoughts: At first I was like.. veela Harry? Ehhh. Then I saw the author, and I was like, "It's shiftylinguini. Who cares what else it says?" I'm quite happy I took the plunge because this was so good! I think ultimately I still prefer veela Draco if either of them is going to be a veela, but it was very like Harry to try to suffer through the symptoms of longing for the person he'd fixated on for fear of alienating them. And of course that person was Draco. The smut was incredibly hot, also. I highly recommend this.

In Evidence of Magical Theory by bixgirl1 (E, 43k)

Thoughts: The detail that went into the theory of magical cores and how Harry's and Draco's were represented by their respective elements and the way they each experienced the other's as they explored their link was mind-blowing and so impressive. I was enchanted by the way they crashed together and the constant thrum of their classic push and pull made me smile throughout the entire fic. The smut was on fire, but the true draw of a bixgirl1 fic is the depth of the emotions. Amazing work and a must-read.

Let's Take A Chance On Happiness by endless_grey (E, 21k)

Thoughts: I liked the idea of Harry working with Luna in her shop. I've read one where they owned a book shop together before, but this was new for me. I enjoyed her friendship with both Harry and Draco in this. It felt very true to her character. Harry and Draco's bickering and tension was also well done. I liked that Harry was the one pining, as it's usually Draco. This is definitely worth a read.

Celestial Bodies by (again, haha) shiftylinguini (E, 20k)

Thoughts: Harry and Draco being bonded by 'space magic' as they both looked up at a comet during a stake out was too funny for words, and I loved that it was merely a catalyst for them to admit to something that had already been building between them for some time. The sexual tension was through the roof, and the smut was on fire. You can usually count on shiftylinguini for an amazing read, and this was no exception.

Accidental Bonding Recs Continued (these hit harder, but the payoff is just as sweet)

The Light More Beautiful by firethesound (E, 81k)

Thoughts: Draco was so clever and creative in this, and the way he felt about Harry took my breath away. He appreciated the exact things about him that make me love Harry so much as a character, and it was probably my favorite thing about this fic. The pining was achingly lovely, the banter and teasing was fun, and the smut was scorching hot. I loved everyone's rivalry with the famous Agnes from the Floo address department, and both Harry's and Draco's battle for approval of their department acronyms had me dying of laughter. This fic was fantastic and definitely worth a read.

Harmonized Consciousness by Talizora (E, 24k)

Thoughts: This was hilarious and incredibly smutty. I love a good soulmate fic, and the fact that they found out through a spell they expected to end after an hour was too priceless for words. Of course Draco, giant wanker that he is, doesn't want to end the spell and instead spends all day fucking with Harry. These two fit the rivals to lovers stereotype so well it almost writes itself.

For The Greater Good by jadepresley (E, 62k)

Thoughts: This was forced proximity done right, and I loved how it felt like a slow burn even though the story only took place over a couple of weeks. The sexual tension was off the charts, and the smut was sizzling hot, though I was just as gripped by the intensity of the feelings as I was by the physical intimacy itself. If you like bonding fics, then this is definitely a must-read.

Grounds for Divorce by Tepre (E, 122k)

Thoughts: I loved Draco's little idiosyncrasies and Harry's fumbling brashness. I was by turns frustrated and charmed by them as they danced around each other. The author's style is so poetic that I was brought to tears at several points of this fic. I loved several of the OCs, and the absolute best part of the fic is the whole trip to Luxor. Hold out for that, and you're golden. This is a must read. It's been on my top ten for ages, and I've read it at least four times now. I'll absolutely do so again. Grounds for Divorce is a thing of beauty, and it would be a travesty to miss out, in my opinion.

Chain Me Up or Set Me Free by alpha_exodus (E, 12k)

Thoughts: I thought that Neville giving Draco a chance was really nice, and the situation of Harry coming to work at the same company and immediately going off on Draco was hilarious even as it had me shaking my head in exasperation at his temper. Accidental bonding fics are a great part of the forced proximity trope, and this one was a treat to watch develop. Draco and Harry's animosity at first felt very realistic, and Draco being evasive and keeping his feelings hidden was very much like him. I liked how we got to see him slowly falling for Harry while mistakenly thinking that Harry wasn't doing the same. I won't spoil it, but this was a nice read.

Ship Sizes

Supercarrier: fandom flagship.  Everybody and their dog ships it.  The fandom is glutted with artwork and fic.  You cannot escape this ship.

Dreadnought: massively popular.  Nearly everybody ships it.  You can, with dedication, in theory, reach the end of the AO3 archive for the ship’s tag, but it’ll take a long time.

Cruiser: pretty popular ship.  Not everyone ships it, but everyone knows about it.  Has a good amount of fic/art, and probably multiple ask blogs.

Frigate: just plain popular.  Feels like it could use more fanworks.  New people to the fandom might not know about it, but they’ll stumble across it sooner rather than later.

Gunboat: bit of a rarepair.  It might have an ask blog or two.  A couple big name fans ship it.  Probably only takes a few weeks to get through the entire AO3 backlog, and one new fic gets added during that time.

Tugboat: rarepair.  Almost never seen except as a side pairing to a more popular ship.  You can usually get through everything on AO3 in a matter of days.  You’ve forgotten what it is to be picky about what you read.

Rowboat: less than a dozen people ship it.  You all know each other.  You exist in an endless cycle of the same five people desperately producing art and fic and one person who constantly contributes headcanons.

Canoe: you are one of maybe three people who ship it, and there’s a not-insignificant chance you’ve never encountered those other two hypothetical shippers.  You spend your days paddling furiously in hopes of keeping the ship afloat, dreaming of the day you upgrade to a rowboat so you can finally rest.

I squeaked when I saw this. I love him. He's perfect! 😭😭😭😳😳😳

gadgets

/insta: kedroboiz/

Lights and Candy, Turning Prettily

Author: Anonymous

For: corvuscrowned, @corvuscrowned​

Pairings: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter

Word Count: 10,821

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Content: Slytherins Being Slytherins, Christmas Presents, Christmas Fluff, Christmas Shopping, Happy Ending, Seuss references abound, Miscommunication, Hot Chocolate, oblivious idiots, Mutual Pining, Mutual Idiocy, so much emerald velvet, winter is about hot drinks and knitwear, and snow but only snow in an aesthetic way not an annoying way, there shall be no mention of shoveling in my fic, plot-relevant giggling, The Bi Who Lived, dramatically sad draco, he really needs a fainting couch, hands it’s about the hands

Warnings: Passing mention of vomiting, Alcohol, but just holiday drinks, draco does get drunk and tipsy, emotionally complicated phone contacts

Summary:

In which Draco Malfoy pretends to enjoy hot chocolate, Pansy Parkinson quotes the Grinch, Greg Goyle enjoys canapés, and Blaise Zabini says what everyone’s thinking.

Read it now on AO3!

⛄️ This work is part of H/D Mistletoe, a Gay Wizard Boys server gift exchange. Please help spread the love by sharing your favourite works and leaving kudos and comments. If you would like to join the GWB, you can do so with this link: here. 🌨

In the Early Hours

Author: Anonymous

Pairings: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter

For: @seekercass, alrespirar

Word Count: 10,715

Rating: Mature Audiences

Content: Post-Hogwarts, One Night Stands, Casual Sex, Long-Distance Relationship (sort of), Falling in Love, Conversations After Sex, Morning After, Breakfasts, Getting Back Together, New Year’s Eve, Angst with a Happy Ending, Moments of fluff, Vignettes, Time Skips, Decade-long timeline, mentions of sex and sexual acts, Smut-adjacent

Warnings: Drunkenness, Alcohol, Breakup

Summary:

It started with one night, which turned into months, which turned into years. And then, Harry realized he was in over his head.

Read it now on AO3!

☃ This work is part of H/D Mistletoe, a Gay Wizard Boys server gift exchange. Please help spread the love by sharing your favourite works and leaving kudos and comments. If you would like to join the GWB, you can do so with this link: here. 🌨

bambi

Author: Anonymous

Pairings: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter

For: @manixzen​, manixzen

Word Count: 32,642

Rating: Mature Audiences

Content: EWE, Curse Breaker Draco, Ex-Auror Harry, Fairytale Elements, Hogwarts Inter-House Friendships, Getting Together, Soft Draco, Awkwardness, Christmas, Hurt/Comfort, Found Family, Bad Flirting, Mild Sexual Content, Nonbinary Character, Muggle Studies

Warnings: Injury Recovery, Angst, Anxiety

Summary:

Hogwarts is putting on a fusion of muggle and wizarding plays over the Yule holidays, to get the students involved with members of different houses and give them something hands-on with their muggle studies. Draco, as a curse breaker on holiday due to an injury that won’t seem to heal, is asked to help prevent the kids from accidentally blowing something (or each other) up. And because it’s Christmas and he’s 100% a caretaker by nature, despite the things people say about him, he agrees immediately.

Draco didn’t know that Harry Potter would be there too, showing up after years of complete silence in the wizard world. Nor did Draco expect that seeing him would rekindle… whatever it was they had in their eighth year.

Read it now on AO3!

☃ This work is part of H/D Mistletoe, a Gay Wizard Boys server gift exchange. Please help spread the love by sharing your favorite works and leaving kudos and comments. If you would like to join the GWB, you can do so with this link: here. 🌨