Kay's fanfiction recs

This is just a collection of fanfics that I particularly love, and keep coming back to. A lot of them are Good Omens, and a lot of those are human!AUs. I don't know why I love that particular genre so much, but I do! I think it's the idea that two characters would keep meeting and finding each other in every universe you put them in. There's something beautiful about that.

Also, I've noticed that many of them are E-rated - just a heads up.

As a disclaimer, I haven't asked any of the authors in this list before recommending them - that's how rec lists worked as long as I've known them, and unless there's been a shift in the protocol recently, that's still how they work. But on the off-chance your work is on here and you don't want it to be, please reach out and let me know and I'll take it down!


If Not Now, When?

Author: Ineffablefool

Fandom: Good Omens

Rating: T

Chapters: 29

Summary: Anthony Crowley has learned by now that anything that makes him happy will be temporary at best. His quietly desperate routine is challenged when he happens to strike up a conversation with a customer at work, and he starts realizing three things, in this order: 1. oh huh this Aziraphale guy is actually interesting; 2. he can't stop embarrassing himself by accidentally flirting with him; and 3. oh no this Aziraphale guy is actually extremely attractive what do I do.

My thoughts: This is one of my all-time favourite stories! I'm a sucker for a good human AU, and this is the pinnacle for me. I can identify strongly with the two main characters' insecurities, and it feels so real - and it's also joyously funny, with an excellent cast of background characters. I wish I could crawl inside this world, I'm frequently turning it over in my mind like a toy. And the best thing is that the author (who is also one of my all-time favourites) has continued to write things set in this universe with these characters! It's so soft and fluffy. Highly recommend.

On Espionage and Prophecy (or How to Accidentally, but Wholly, Fall in Love With a Soho Bookseller)

Author: RockSaltAndRoll

Fandom: Good Omens

Rating: E

Chapters: 21

Summary: 1941 is the London Blitz and the year that MI5 really comes into its own with the now infamous ‘double cross’ system. The service keep tabs on suspects, root out enemy agents and try to turn them into doubles.

Anthony J Crowley is fucking great at this job. He can be sneaky, underhanded and damn ruthless but also charming and kind. It’s what makes him good at turning.

Aziraphale is just a regular Soho bookseller who loves his shop and books and good food and wine when he’s approached by a woman claiming to be MI5, wanting to recruit him for espionage. The poor man is too trusting and gets the shock of his life when he’s approached by a charming but dangerous-looking man also claiming to be MI5.

Crowley recruits Aziraphale to double cross a double crosser and Aziraphale takes to espionage like a duck to water.

Danger, hijinks, and sex ensue.

My thoughts: This is a great thriller set during the Blitz, and a very interesting exploration of the sort of relationship the two could have in that time. I love how the author expanded on the glimpse we saw of the 1940s in season 1 - this story is asking "what if the deception was real, and they were both human?" And the answer is fabulous. The worldbuilding is great, and I really enjoy coming back to read this one.

Coffee, Wine, Textbooks

Author: shaniacbergara

Fandom: Good Omens

Rating: E

Chapters: 25

Summary: They're professors. They're ridiculous. What more could you want?

My thoughts: Another good human AU, this time they're college professors, with the added bonus of Jewish Omens! As well as the awesome story, I learned a bunch about Judaism from this story, which got me really interested in learning about conversion and my local Jewish community - something that's still in the very early stages of progress. I love these characters and this world so much.

What We Make of It (Shotgun Wedding)

Author: charlottemadison

Fandom: Good Omens

Rating: E

Chapters: 37

Summary: The important thing, Crowley tells himself -- the most important thing -- is Adam, his brilliant, creative, empathetic nephew. Being fourteen's hard enough; the kid didn't ask to deal with the weight of the world on top of it.

And if taking care of Adam means Crowley has to tough it out at a job he can’t stand, so be it.

And if Crowley's job means that Adam’s charming English teacher is NOT a romantic possibility, well, that's just how things go.

But the occasional drink with Aziraphale proves hard to resist. They frequent the same pub, so who can object to them saying hello? Briefly sharing a table? Perhaps a little conversation? The painful knowledge that it can’t be anything more -- not without somebody getting fired or sued or both -- well, that can't be helped.

Until Crowley stumbles onto a terribly reckless idea...

My thoughts: This human AU has one of the most realistic and compelling reasons for 'forbidden love' outside of the usual 'societal homophobia' or similar that we normally see in stories - a professional conflict of interest. I live for Crowley's parenting in this, and the description of their lives feels both real and aspirational at the same time. Also bonus recipes in the final chapter - something that I've had bookmarked for ages as there are some great meal ideas in there!