I think DTH may actually kill me this year

[birdsofshore]

IT'S JUST THAT GOOD. I always say I don't care who takes it up the arse. But OMG I care SO MUCH about a Toppy, Dommy Draco. And the dracotops_harry fest always delivers.

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The art and fic from the first day have just about slayed me. SERIOUSLY. Have you SEEN them? I think the rest of the fest will finish me off. There's fic and art coming from some of my favourite people. And two of my prompts got claimed and whoever is writing them, I love you already.

That first fic just has me wanting to follow the writer around forever with a soppy look on my face. I NEED AN INTERVENTION HERE.

Meanwhile, have some recs:

Newts by astolat at DTH. You should really really read it. It's a back to Hogwarts fic with Harry as a NEWTs student and Draco as the potions professor who does NOT want him to pass... until Harry bends over uses more unorthodox methods. The dynamic between them is so hot I thought I was going to have to breathe into a paper bag.

And Good Boy by apriicat at DTH. This art is NFSW. And so beautiful. It's explicit, but it's really the dynamic again that makes it so hot, the intimacy of it all, the dialogue and the body language and the breathless intensity between them.

And two more recs, not from DTH:

Not Just When You Want to Be by gracerene. This is part 1 of a series, and is epilogue compliant for H/D, so please take that as a warning that there is no happy ending... yet. I don't usually read angst, but I really enjoyed this. It was so satisfyingly heart achey, with plenty of smut, and completely (infuriatingly!) in character for both of them.

House Proud by astolat. This is a smasher. Funny, thrilling, and wildly inventive. Everything I read by this author is intimidatingly good.

I feel like I've been quiet lately; I've not been in the best state of mind and have been feeling a bit low in mood and confidence at times, but I'm trying to be around more. I'd love to hear if you've enjoyed any of these, or what you've been reading/writing, or what you're excited about, or ANYTHING.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_melodic_/]

Yesss I love the first three posted recs!! That art had me staring eyes wide and mouth open for several minutes before I could really process and function again.

Ooo and the final rec on your post has been on my to read list for a while! Perhaps I shall bump it up before I dive into my super long fics~

[birdsofshore]

Yes! Gobsmacking art! I lost track of how many times I looked!

My final rec is really jolly good. You could enjoy it as a little palate cleanser before you get engrossed in a long one?

I don't know if I have ever told you how much I love your icon? Well, I do. ♥

[http://users.livejournal.com/_melodic_/]

Aw thank you <3 I had this icon made for me because I am pants at graphics but I used to stare at that gif on my pinterest mesmerized for hours and just had to have it as an icon <3

[birdsofshore]

Lovely Tom. It's everything at once here - the Adam's apple, the mouth, the eyes...

[gracerene]

You know, the FIRST thing I though after seeing that gorgeous DTH art (after my brain came back online, of course) was "Birds is going to lose it over this." I mean, that third panel..... !!!!! Draco's hand splayed possessively over Harry's neck gives me SO MANY FEELINGS!! Also loved that first fic, and House Proud! I do so adore astolat, and considering she's a profession (and relatively successful) writer, I try not to feel too intimidated when I read. Which is hard, because GOD she's so good. And in so many different fandoms!

But yes, I am so excited for DTH and getting wonderful toppy Draco goodness every day! It's glorious. That, combined with Daily Deviant's Banging Birthday fest is going to make for an awesomely porny April. Which, I think I need right now, because I've also been feeling a bit blah and weird about my writing and fandom. I'm sorry to hear you've been feeling similarly, but I hope all the awesome fandom things going on this month will entice you and help bolster your spirit! :D

Also, thank you SO MUCH for the rec! Being my first longer H/D fic and one of the very few H/D things I've written outside of my 50 Reasons series, I've been kind of all over the place with posting it. I had fully prepared for a lower readership due to the ending, and it really means a lot that you read it despite the angst, and that you enjoyed it enough to rec. <33 And, actually, writing the sequel is my current writing project. :D

[birdsofshore]

AAAHHHHHH I love that you thought of me when you saw that art. I didn't begin to do it justice with my comment - I can't describe how I feel about the 3rd panel. The first fic is really the same for me; I'm not coherent about it. That dirty talking, and Draco being so... SO DRACO. I'm useless, just thinking about it. My god.

I'm sorry you've felt weird about fandom. Perhaps we should get together and whine. ;) Hoorah for DTH and DD to lift our spirits! And I can't wait to read the sequel to Not Just.

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

I can probably just say "ditto" to everything _melodic_ just said! I have plans to read everything DTH but I don't care much of which bits go where. It does take a little bit of the mystery out of that part of their dynamic. Remix was really fun, too! I had barely read any of the original works so each day was like a 2 for 1 for me. I've read several of astolat's things and that one is next.

I really enjoyed Grace's fic! I'd never read a getting together/epilogue compliant fic before. I broke my heart but I know she's gonna put it back together one day. Yes, gracerene?!

Well boo on feeling low these days! I've read nearly all of your H/D and am considering your Draco/Albus stuff just because I really miss your beautiful and smutty little mind! Whatcha working on these days? I'm asking out of adoration with no pressure at all!
💜

[birdsofshore]

I don't so much care which bits go where but god, I love it when Draco's in charge. You tend to get a toppy dynamic, unsurprisingly, at DTH, and that includes all sorts of delicious things like Snarky!Draco, Competent!Draco, Arrogant!Draco, Experienced!Draco, Dom!Draco, Clever!Draco, and my guilty pleasure, Arsehole!Draco :DDD So it really is like Christmas every day for me when DTH is posting.

Ohhhh, Draco/Albus. I won't lie, I'd be so pleased if I could tempt you to read that pairing. The first part of that series is one of my all-time favourite things I've written. The series is hopelessly unfinished but I do hope to return to it one day. And gosh, thank you so much for the kind words. I have a couple of things I'm working on and I'm a bit stuck with both of them. One H/D, one... not. I am really pushed for writing time right now. But your encouragement is massively appreciated. <333

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

Unguarded? Is that the one? Ok, fine. Twist my arm.....

[birdsofshore]

Yes, Unguarded. Oh, I hope you like it! I'm all nervous now. I completely understand if it's not your thing, of course.

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

I'm usually all "Draco is Harry's and Harry is Draco's" and cross gen used to be a little squicky for me but I got over that. And I have read a super steamy Harry/Draco/Albus/Scorpius by who_la_hoop that pretty much blew my mind, so yeah. What is my excuse then?!?! I'm sure I will love it!

[birdsofshore]

Ahahahaha, the Evil Devil Child and the Perfect Gift is my ALL TIME FAVOURITE FILTHY THING.

I totally blame who_la_hoop for my Draco/Albus Severus obsession.

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

Yaaaaas! That's the one. Holy god, just thinking of that makes me flush.

I read it last night. It was okay, I guess. I left a comment on AO3 and LJ really just out of a sense of obligation. It's not like went to bed thinking about it and woke up thinking about it. And it probably won't read the rest of them by the end of the day or anything like that. Nope, not at all. (Are you buying any of this? I'm totally keeping a straight face on the Internet.)

[birdsofshore]

Hehehe I just found this comment and realised I never replied. You made me squirm :DD

[http://users.livejournal.com/_melodic_/]

YES YES I highly encourage you read the Draco/Albus fictions. That little series is mind blowing!

[kerrilee75.livejournal.com]

Well now I'm excited! 😄

[vaysh]

But OMG I care SO MUCH about a Toppy, Dommy Draco.
That! And clever, confident, bottom!Harry who can't help but be submissive IN BED (and only in bed). It's a dynamic that pushes all my H/D buttons.

Thank you, sweet, for all the recs. ♥

[birdsofshore]

Oh, heaven, yes. A confident Harry who just NEEDS to be taken. *beams with happiness*

Don't thank me - thank YOU for the fest ♥

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

You top!Draco fan, you!

:D

I have a Catch-22 this week. My Mom is having eye surgery on Wednesday (boo!), but my sister (and her evil mini-me) will be coming down for a few days (yay!). AND they're bringing the new puppy. PUPPY!

Is it wrong I'm looking forward to meeting the puppy more?

*giggles*

[birdsofshore]

Oh, gosh, I hope the surgery goes well. And puppy! No, I don't think puppy!excitement is wrong at all!

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

I adore everything so far from the DTH fest :))))))))

[birdsofshore]

I'm a bit behind now, but I feel the same way!

[shiftylinguini.livejournal.com]

Oh my god that artttttttttttttttt! I saw that the other day and just melted (and tried very hard not to despair at my own ability to ever produce anything like that. just damn!). I have a new policy which is that I am banned from comparing myself to other artists, and only allowed to enjoy their work. And that art is like...so bloody good. ugh, the cradling Harry's neck panel. Hells bells!

I was just thinking of messaging you the other day, and wondering how you have been! I'm sorry your mood and confidence is low. If it helps at all, I think the sun shines out of your derriere, and I am always here to cheer lead anything you write *is shameless*.

As for me, I haven't been reading much fic lately, because I've been dabbling in writing and I have zero faith in my abilities - and I really miss fic. I think I might take Newts to bed with me tonight! I really want to read Grace's fic, but I might wait til the sequel is out, because I'm the worst like that *toothy grin*

How are YOU??

<3

[birdsofshore]

*shakes head sternly* No comparing. There'll always be people who do some things better / differently to you. But those same people are probably looking at your stuff and comparing and saying "But why can't I draw elemental chickens? WHYYYYY? Why are my noses not half as sexy and suave as hers? And why can't I draw Draco with the arse of a Greek god?" :DDD

And why zero confidence in writing? This is a ridiculous thing! You're good at EVERYTHING, which is sickening and should make me hate you, but somehow, I can't. *Hufflepuff sigh*

You're a darling. You made my birdy wings flap today. I could do with a little cheerleading. I'm a bit stuck on something, and it's at the difficult hard work stage, and I need to push myself through to do it and get the thing finished this decade.

[shiftylinguini.livejournal.com]

You're good at EVERYTHING, which is sickening and should make me hate you, but somehow, I can't. *Hufflepuff sigh*

OH MY GOD you can't just go around saying stuff like that and making me so happy I become useless at all of my responsibilities! I'm useless mush now haha. My head is as big as a Malfoy's *falls off chair while preening*

*grabs pompoms* Right, what's this thing? is it for DTH? Well, you can't tell me because ANON, but whatever it is, I have full faith it is going to be bloody brilliant. I'm still all wibbley from your Erised piece, and the immense Harry feels it gave me (oh God, give Harry nice things? Like wholesome meals and unexpected blowjobs from blonds which shatter his concept of who he is? ) Or don't, I don't even mind - give Harry an ambiguous ending and lots of unresolved emotions, and unffff, fucking when meant to be on the clock like in Kinkfest!!! Because that was bloody epic. You can pull anything off, your characters are so well rounded and delicious, and the scenarios you put them in are divine! *does the splits, shakes poms*.

In fact, hearing you are stuck in a tricky bit has made me really excited because that means you are working on something really fab :D That's terrible of me to say hahaha...but I just mean that you could bash something out in afternoon and have it be hotter than most people manage in a lifetime, and the fact that you care so much to get it just right makes it perfection for us to read and lose our minds over!

And of course, never forget that you wrote smut so powerful I was forcibly ejected from hiding and into existence. Ten years of stalking, woman! Thrown to the curb with Albus' virginity. (OMG IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON?! No, it isn't. Calm down, Linguini *breathes into paper bag*) That is the power of your writing! Involuntary ejections *waggles eyebrows*. Ew, no seriously haha, PUSH THROUGH, the world needs whatever you are writing!!!

YOU CAN DO IT BIRDS!!!

*gets up geriatrically from the splits*

[birdsofshore]

You're SUCH a darling. You always lift my spirits ♥

I will email you secret emails about secret things, secretly. *evil laugh*

[shiftylinguini.livejournal.com]

YAY and ooohhh that sounds tremendously clandestine *dons spy outfit*

[oceaxe.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for these recs - I went and read nearly everything Astolat has done in HP and I'm in heaven. BTW, don't you think Newts may have been written by her? Seems likely to me.

I did some stalking because that's something I do and come to find out (what you may already know) - she's a prolific published author with a long-running series called Temeraire, which I will be looking into as soon as I can get my mind out of the gutter of Draco fucking Harry fourteen ways to Sunday.

[birdsofshore]

That particular gutter is one that you should STAY IN...

Astolat is a marvel. I did hear she was a published author capitu told me when I was about to drown myself because my fics are so crap compared to hers

[oceaxe.livejournal.com]

I read the first of the Temeraire series and liked it quite a bit, tho it wasn't really my thing per se (well, in some senses it was, but overall I probably won't read more in that series). However, I also bought her latest, Uprooted, which looks quite good and sold me with a blurb from Ursula Le Guin.