Is Peter Smith Kingsley a new comfort character of mine? Probably. Is he also dead like all my other ones? Yes.
Posting this not only so I have all my favorites in one place, but also so that maybe someone out there randomly scrolling could potentially find their new favorite story! That’s how I found a lot of these to be honest, from recommendations. Note that probably not ALL of my favorites are here, but like 99% of them are….and, if i do say so myself, I have excellent taste so just trust me on this ;)
(Also, these are all Death Note because…y’know)
(Also warnings galore, I like my works nice and dark and scarring.)
Those Who Stand For Nothing Fall For Anything: By Halfpromise. https://archiveofourown.org/works/786716/chapters/1483998
I mean…God, do I even really need to say why this is my ultimate favorite not just Fanfiction, but work of literary art out there?? Whether you’ve been in the Death Note fandom for twenty some years or you just watched the show yesterday, if you read fanfiction, I’m sure you know about this fic. It’s on every recommendation list, and for good reason. It’s an political AU masterpiece and it inspires so many different emotions, not only is it wickedly funny as well as beautifully sorrowful, it has the best writing of anything I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes upon. The way Halfpromise writes-I hardly even have words for the sheer brilliance of her mind, and how she perfectly encapsulates and takes these two despicably horrible bastards and not only makes them relatable, but characters you feel you know inside and out while at the same time feeling as if you’re reading them through a foggy glass, rose-colored spectacles. The author took every single fanfiction troupe that is so incredibly difficult to pull off, and not only did so flawlessly, but did so in such a way that I can no longer read anything without comparing it to Those. Every single word is pure poetry, and reading Those felt like a dream I never wanted to wake up from. AND and! Though I don’t really know anything about politics outside of America, nor was I ever interested in the first place, Those made me such a political whore who is not only interested now, but fully capable of pointing out every single flaw. These hypocritical men in suits make my blood boil while simultaneously rooting for their victory. The corruption was exposed, and it was done so with a nice little head pat and cheek kiss before being booted into the unfathomable pit of snakes. The attention to detail is immaculate, every time I reread I find new little details or clues, and every single time I feel my opinion of the two developing. And the relationship between L and Light, the best way I can describe it is a burning car wreckage you’re trapped inside of, but the heat is just so comforting you never want to get out. Of course I ship lawlight, but this is THE fic that made me ship them in the first place, and I will go down on this ship proudly. I can’t ramble on about it all day for then this post would be 47849083736 words long but just read it, okay? Okay.
2. Counterfeit Emotions: By SolitaryViolence. https://archiveofourown.org/works/20762408/chapters/49335320
Gee whiz….oh boy this was the first Death Note fanfiction I ever read, and it will forever stay with me for so many reasons. It is so stunningly written, I have to say that right out of the gate because this was like journeying through a literary masterpiece heaven. The way this author writes….take all of my money and my life, their words inspire something within me I cannot even describe. And the storyline while so original really touched me, as person who has struggled with an ED, it was so raw and powerful every time I read a chapter I sob. (in the good way, obviously)
3. Devil’s Trill: By Le KING. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4166800/1/Devil-s-Trill
AHHHH bro. BRO. I’m gonna be repetitive but again, this is so good?? To summarize briefly the tables are turned in a sort of way, L is a serial killer and Light is a poor sod who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. But that’s not to say Light is entirely innocent either…it’s so insightful, and I love how the author crafted the lawlight relationship. it’s incredibly funny, but then hits you in the feels and makes you think at the best of times.
4. Asylum & Silence: By bahari. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5332423/1/Asylum https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5454238/1/Silence
Okay so if you read this one, prepare to have your socks knocked off and thrown into the landfill. Not only was the plot so original and so heartbreaking….not only was it something that could hypothetically happen in canon….if you are a light hater, this will make you cry for him. It was so, so incredibly dark and the best way I could describe it in so little words is watching a movie you cannot pause no matter what.
5. And Now, I Hurt: By theredplace. https://archiveofourown.org/works/32709142/chapters/82439434
Okay, canon divergence in the best way possible!! I love how mental health is explored in this story, and how even though the Death note is found in different circumstances, it still has the same effect on Light that I feel really isn’t explored much. And the symbolism…and the way emotions are written….ugh, you’ve just gotta read it!
6. who could love me better?: By foreskinsmoothie. https://archiveofourown.org/works/32740672
Okay, once again, the writing!! Good writing always gets my gears turning, which isn’t unique, but some authors just have such a profound spectacular way with words and with the subject matter…this author really hit the nail on the head! That being sad, the material is so incredibly dark, and if the tags trigger you I encourage you to proceed with warning. But as a victim, I think the mentality of someone who has suffered such horrific abuse is so hard to capture, and yet this story did so perfectly.
7. kuromisa: By raisuki. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10734718/1/kuromisa
Again…the poetry in which this is written, the format it’s written in, and the plot is so simple yet so utterly captivating, this is a oneshot that stayed with me for days after.
8. Light, Interrupted: By MissionCatalyst https://archiveofourown.org/works/30562913/chapters/75384137
Girl, interrupted is one of my favorite movies of all time, and as someone both fascinated and afflicted with mental health, I always love stories that further explore the hints of Light’s depression we were given in canon. And this story….there’s hope, though it seems bleak, it’s there and I love the way the lawlight relationship is portrayed. And this author has a few amazing oneshots as well, I love their writing, but by now I’m going to say that about pretty much everyone on this list lol.
9. Passengers: By Pyreneese. https://archiveofourown.org/works/27740668/chapters/77921204
So, the storyline/plot is just simply fascinating, and so utterly captivating I just could not put this fic down and pined for every single update! I’ve never really dabbled in crossovers, but this was brilliantly well done, and it’s slowburn as hell and executed in the most perfect way. And it shows real human growth, and the OCs aren’t just thrown in there to say ‘hey look, this story has OCs!’ Everything in this story is just brilliant, and the ending…no spoilers but, read it for yourself! I think you’ll like it.
10. It’s only better if you give me your heart: By olympiansally. https://archiveofourown.org/works/31488980
Possibly the best smut with feels ever!! This is so angst heavy, and the way feelings and thoughts are written in this is simply to die for. Unrequited love at it’s best, and I found myself heartbroken by the end and yet still wanting to read more.
11. Light, Now Turn Back And Die: By Teethreader https://archiveofourown.org/works/31293989/chapters/77366933
As a theatre kid, this story is so fun to read and the plot is very, very interesting and the way both L and Light are characterized is so fascinating and yet still so in character, and it has a murder mystery? The perfect drama club fic doesn’t exist-
12. Name Convenience: By Vehn https://archiveofourown.org/works/25829395/chapters/62748514
Okay, the tags were what got me on this story I have to admit. But not only is this incredibly well-written, it’s so very funny and if I ever had a favorite canon divergence this would be it. And I love, love, LOVE how there are multiple POVs, and the author makes them all work together beautifully, and not only is this a lawlight story, I feel in love with each and every portral of every character tbh. And, there’s smut. What more could you want?
13. You’re a wasp’s nest: By raisuki https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11283765/1/you-re-a-wasp-nest
This oneshot starts off hilarious, and then goes real deep real fast. The concept is very, very interesting and very well executed, and it’s very fluffy and heartwarming and…just a story that will make you smile.
14. Corpse Candle: By the-night-gods-moon (HelloMyNameIsAlias) https://archiveofourown.org/works/31106759
Okay, so, the title? BRILLIANT! The way it’s written? TO DIE FOR. The symbolism? GAHHHH This is such a fun read and for only being 6oo some words this really told a whole story that I was wholly invigorated by.
15. Primitive Liars: By Nilahxapiel https://archiveofourown.org/works/3907021/chapters/8743810
Okay, so, while the a/b/o universe is an interesting concept, it’s not usually my cup of tea. But…whewwwww the way this story was executed was flawlessly brilliant, as well as the relationships not just between L and Light, but all of the characters to be honest. And the exploration with gender and sexuality was just *chefs kiss* I don’t think I’ve ever read a fic that turned so many real-life issues into something that not only worked for the universe it was set in, but made points one would be hard-pressed not to recognize in real life. I would have never thought I would relate with an omegaverse fic, but, well, it’s just stunningly and beautifully written and it will leave you thinking a long, long while after you put it down.
16. Butterfly Caught: By retroelectric https://archiveofourown.org/works/480199/chapters/834624
The title makes me think of Silence of the Lambs, i love that, and I think that’s what was intended. Anywaysss…..this fic is perfectly smutty, but ALSO one of the only BB/Light fics that caught my attention. This alternate universe was written amazingly, and I really never wanted the story to end. Even though it did. And…no spoilers from me but all I have to say is the tissues better be right by your side the whole time. I think the way Beyond’s character was written in this made him so much more interesting too, I was fully in love with Beyond Birthday after finishing this fic and kinda didn’t want to read another version of him ever again. the way this author writes him IS canon.
17. For You I’ll Take A Life: By Aspen System (dementedsoldier) https://archiveofourown.org/works/30922757/chapters/77206859
AHHHH I might be biased but I don’t think so? Because even though this was a gift to me, and I’m so glad it was, I really do feel like it was a special little present because of the way it’s written. And the storyline?? The way the characters interact and are characterized?? I love everything about this fic honestly! And the alternate universe this story is set in is so amazingly captivating and original, you’ve just gotta read it.
18. Prisoners (or honestly any of TrashKing’s fics) https://archiveofourown.org/works/29484966/chapters/72428436
So this was my first fic I’ve read by the author? And I didn’t want to include every single one because boy oh boy this list would be longer then the Nile River. This fic is a Death Note fic, but it’s a sort of Hannibal AU and the uncertainty I felt while reading it was so special, I was genuinely conflicted by the end. Not to mention the true crime cases added in was truly something, as a junkie of true crime I was sated. And the question of Light’s sanity? Yes, yes, I was truly wondering if Light was a mad bastard the whole time, and his madness was extremely convincing. But I really would recommend every single fic this author has written, because the way the words are written is truly something special and something I’ve never ever seen before, but am now completely in love with. And the way the relationship between L and Light is written? To DIE for every time!!
19. Seeking His Hand : By magic_mind https://archiveofourown.org/works/4372571/chapters/9924407
Now the writing in this….this is literally a literature novel ripped straight out of the 1800s. The relationship between L and Light, while so deliciously slow-burn, was so sweet and seductive and ahhhhhh AH just so, so darling. Perhaps the slowburn in this story makes everything better, because when they do have those stolen glances or forbidden touches it just makes the stakes that much higher. And the poetic way in which words are said and feelings are felt is truly awe-inspiring. And, there’s a murder mystery. Yeah. This universe is absolutely breathtaking and I applaud the author for not only their writing, but how they made this universe so tangible and real and something I really felt like I was right in the middle of. This was such a treat to read, so go get your appetites sated!
20. S&M: By uberneko_zero https://archiveofourown.org/works/11164809/chapters/24919686
Should I be ashamed to say I found this fic because of a TikTok? ‘Show me your resolve.’ aGh. Not only is the smut very, very hot and very, very enjoyable to read, it’s very aesthetically pleasing to be honest, that’s how the whole storyline is?? i do so love the ‘sheltered child gives in to their natural instincts and lets loose with the hot older bad boy’ troupe. The original characters were so amazing too, okay? i love Jayden with my whole heart and soul. And the way L and Light’s relationship is portrayed is so raw and real and so…dare I say relatable? And the way they grow as people is so awesome to read, I swear to god this fic was over 500,000 words and I read it in about a week.
21. Minor Annoyances: By Mysterious Penname https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4021285/1/Minor-Annoyances
THIS is my ultimate favorite comfort fic for when I need some nice laughs and warm smiles, it’s just the right amount of humor and fluff to be honest. And the way Light is characterized, though OOC, is so amazingly funny I had tears rolling out of my eyes. Light is so sassy and precious in this I just wanna hug him and never let go, y’know? I think this fic is really important too because if you’ve been reading Death Note fanfiction then you know all too well how soul-crushingly bleak and brutal most of them can be, this is a nice little breather and I recommend it to anyone and everyone who needs a reprieve from having their heart broken.
22. Seven is a Holy Number: By WhyDoesEverythingHappenSoMuch https://archiveofourown.org/works/28531404
I’m a sucker for biblical imagery, this you must know. The title had me hooked the moment my gaze fell upon it…and the way light is written? It brought tears to my eyes, truly. This whole concept was so gorgeous and macabre in all of it’s raw power, and it left me with so many conflicting thoughts that I usually go back and read it once a month, it’s just that good.
And there endeth the long fanfiction favorites! I recommend each and every fic on this list I will die with my love for them honestly. I hope you enjoyed reading this, and I hope maybe this led to some finding their new favorite fic!:)
Okay, I think i have it now and i appreciate it.
I didn’t realise how much 2 million was and i couldn’t take that number down now. It should look like 2,000,000 in the notes bar.
He’s convinced that this will never reach that number, and very confident about it so Let’s prove him wrong!! He thinks this will get about 25 notes beofre it’s left in the dust.
You don’t have to do it for me. But for the point and to prove him wrong. He has to pay and everything so let’s make him suffer with it!!
I’m counting on you!!!
Remember it’s 2,000,000!
A little late to upload this lol, I had forgotten I had this saved for Ritsu's birthday. Anyway, I'll leave it here.‼️
Can someone talk to me about George if he had survived the Mortal Cup?
Simon finally starting to teach all about the pop culture to George
George meeting Clary properly and becoming friends
George siding with Simon against Jace
GEORGE LOVELACE AND ISABELLE LIGHTWOOD FRIENDSHIP
Simon presenting George as his friend from military school to his mom, and George saying ‘He’s like a brother to me’
George and Simon having inside jokes from Shadowhunter Academy
Naming all the demons they meet ‘Jon Cartwright X, XI’ etc
George and Simon going in mission together
GEORGE BECOMING IZZY’S PARABATAI
George overcoming his fear of Max, and offering to babysit him
Max LOVING George so much that Alec is always to Simon ‘Can I leave my son with your brother?’ and George loving it
Jace putting George under his protective wing
SIMON AND GEORGE BEING ROOMMATES AGAIN
Clary being Izzy’s bridesmaid and George being Simon’s best man
GEORGE LOVELACE
wow I can’t believe Ash faked his death again and took the ticket and is now living in Japan with his photographer husband and learning to live a happy, normal life. iconic. 👏🏽
En realidad esta mujer es la puta ama
will we maybe get to see Ty and a certain Herondale become... more than friends? :)
Ty and Jace are purely platonic, friend.
I feel the same here. I wanted so bad to read The Last Hours as soon as I could. Finally someone who understands me
This is gonna sound so stupid but I was really looking forward to TLH in 2018, and though OBVIOUSLY I’m thrilled to have QoAaD a year sooner I’m just so upset over having to wait TWO YEARS for TLH aaaah.
me @ any suggestion lucie/matthew might happen:
Scenes marked * are mostly smaller moments that I like and might not necessarily be from Kit’s pov either but kinda have to do with Kit x Ty.
1. Ty waking up after Livvy’s death: pg 32 - 34
2. *Before the funeral, “A moment later Kit was downstairs…..shoulders relaxed slightly.”: pg 46
3. Livvy’s funeral: pg 50 - 52
4. *Ty climbing up the pyre: pg 60 - 61
5. After Livvy’s funeral, the necromancy talk: pg 73 - 78
6. *wholesome potato chips scene: pg 108
11. Ty walking in while Dru and Kit talk about him + Ty being introduced to uber: pg 170 - 172
7. Eating chips on the beach + Ty giving Kit his first witchlight rune-stone: pg 115 - 120
8. *Kit excited about going to shadow market: pg 153
9. *Aline: “You’re the one glued to his side.”: pg 154
10. *Kit teaching Dru how to pick locks (i’m a sucker for this friendship) + kinda talking about Ty: pg 169 - 170
12. Kit and Ty visiting the shadow market: pg 187 - 192
13. Kit and Ty on the roof, “You seem sad” + TY BRUSHING KIT’S HAIR AWAY FROM HIS FACE (this scene killed me): pg 204 - 206
14. Library scene, Mark, Kieran, and Christina packing + Mark saying “You’re the one he wants.” (killed me btw): pg 237 - 241
15. Jaime’s arrival scene: pg 249 - 253
16. Kit and Ty on the roof 2.0 + “The feeling of his own heart turning over was now so familiar that Kit didn’t question it or what it meant.” (this killed me too) + WHOLESOME WINDOWS SCENE: pg 272 - 275
17. *“Drusilla Blackthorn, meet Uber.”: pg 295
18. *“You are so forked.” + our iconic trio content: pg 310 - 311
19. Meeting Shade + “I would never let anything hurt Ty.”: pg 320 - 325
20. MY FAV SCENE: Kit and Ty on the beach + WHOLESOME HUG (“When Ty leaned into him with a sigh, he felt like he’d won a race he didn’t know he was running.”) 😭❤+ KIT BASICALLY DYING OVER TY: pg 350 - 352
21. *“Kit, who was sitting beside him, tentatively put his hand over Ty’s where it lay on the table.” (jUST KILL ME OKAY???? WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT😭): pg 522
22. Kit on the beach without Ty + talking to Shade aka Ragnor + “Ty’s not my shadow.”: pg 540 - 543
23. Kit and Ty on the roof 3.0 + reading livvy’s letter + “I love you, I love you, I love you Let him hear it, let him believe it and let go.” 😭😭: pg 561 - 563
24. *“He saw Ty and Kit standing a little apart from the others; Ty had his head tipped back, as he often did, and was pointing at the stars.” (so soft): pg 581
25. *Kit thinking about parabatai + talking to jace: pg 603 - 605
26. *Kit and Dru talking about Ty: pg 606 - 609
27. Kit and Ty visiting Shade + Dru joining them + “Kit remembered hearing somewhere that it was soothing to rub circles on someone’s back, so he did that. Ty’s breaths began to regulate.”: pg 623 - 629
28. *“Kit being the missing piece they had never known Ty needed, stealing a potato from Ty’s plate and making him smile.” (my heart): pg 633
29. Campfire scene + “To never being parted.” 😭😭: pg 668 - 670
30. Kit and Ty talking about going to the lake to raise Livvy (things are getting bad guys ugh): pg 672 - 674
31. Ty raising Livvy from the dead + Kit freaking out (+ me freaking out) + “I love you, Ty. I love you.” (i’m sad again don’t touch me): pg 682 - 689
32. “Are you ever going to talk to me again?” + Kit giving ty livvy’s necklace: pg 700 - 702
33. Magnus tying Kit and Ty up + “I thought you cared” + that one awful thing that made my baby ty cry + ghost livvy reappearing: pg 727 - 730
34. Kit and Ty going to the battle + “What are you doing?” aka the last thing Kit says to Ty before leaving (this is so painful i’m): pg 736 - 737
35. *“One of the Riders jerked and yelled, clasping at his arm. Ty’s slingshot, Kit realized, and felt a rush of reluctant warmth and a sudden stab of fear - what if he never saw Ty again?” (i’m depressed): pg 743
36. *“Tell Ty-”: pg 746
37. *Kit and Tessa talking about Kit’s lineage + kit moving in with tessa and jem + “..Julian driving him to the market and listening to him talk about Ty - even then he’d wanted to talk about Ty.” + “Now that he knew he meant nothing much to Ty, how could he live in the institute again?” (WDYM HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH YOU FOOL): pg 800 - 808
38. *Ty asking about Kit + talking to Magnus: pg 810 - 814
39. Kit watching Ty on the beach + “Remember him like this, Kit thought, happy and smiling.” aka when I decided i no longer want to be on this goddamn earth: pg 868 - 870
20. you
19. can’t
18. rank
17. characters
16. because
15. everyone
14. has
13. different
12. favs
11. and
10. every
9. single
8. character
7. has
6. different
5. strengths
4. and
3. endearing
2. qualities
1. jem carstairs