Good lawd y'all have been keeping me on my toes the last couple of weeks with the content you've been sending me, and I have to admit... I have been having a lot of fun and am SO SO SO proud of all the authors out there doing the damn thing. Now... onto our WIP rec list...

The House in the Enchanted Forest by maplesdonut

Summary: caseworker regina mills longs for her mother’s approval. when she’s sent by her mother to investigate (read: find problems and shut down) an orphanage for magical youth located on a remote island, she knows she cannot fail. orphanage master emma swan will do anything to protect the six children under her watch (one of whom could bring about the destruction of the world).a remote island? an orphanage with secrets written in its walls? six rowdy magical children? what could possibly go wrong? (hubris voice)

Why it has me HEAVING: An SQ rewrite of the book “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” by T. J. Klune- this fic offers an absolutely enticing premise. I haven’t read the source material, so I’m not sure how much is cherry picked from the book- but good lord it is FUN. If you’ve ever read anything else by maplesdonut, then you know there are twists and turns around every corner that will keep you scrolling well into the night. Their fics are always just an absolute delight to read and this one is no exception. I would also suggest checking out Komorebi- an extremely ambitious Season 2b rewrite, maplesdonut attacks the heavy themes of that season with biting humor and overall badassery. Admirably patient with relationship development, they let Emma and Regina have their back and forth with a very realistic rhythm that’s worth checking out. 

Bonus points for a wraith scene that was creepy, violent, and had me sitting up in bed like OMG, IS POOKIE OKAY?!

The One Who Rides Through the Wind and the Night by MpSkyfall

Summary: A mysterious fever begins to strike the children of Storybrooke seemingly at random. As the children, including Henry, run temperatures high enough to cause delirium, Regina must confront, alongside her wife Emma, a ghost from the past she thought she had buried. 

Why it has me HEAVING: Set in the time period where Emma is the Dark One, this fic answers the question of what if Emma remained the Dark One and she and Regina were married? Well, some saucy circumstances and a whole lot of exploring both the darkest and lightest sides of ourselves through poetry, is what. MpSkyfall has somehow managed to meld together spooky and sweet by having our ladies encounter an ominous new villain while simultaneously navigating through the (shockingly tasty sans the poison) cookbook of a former-Dark One. So far with the updates, the ball has really started to get rolling. Well, it’s more like a boulder, and you know what- I’ll happily let it roll over me cause this story is fun. 

Before the Crown by alyssa_gibson

Summary: Before the crown took everything from her, Regina found freedom in stolen walks through the woods, quiet moments in the stables, and a girl named Emma Swan. (AU where Regina and Emma meet in the Echanted Forest as teens)

Why it has me HEAVING: What truly captured my attention to this story was the the absolute brilliant way alyssa_gibson portrayed Cora /before/ she even physically entered the story. Her presence was felt rather than seen in an eery way that had me clutching some pearls and by the time she showed up- the author pulled together a cold, villainously pragmatic Cora that caused me to lose a few fingernails. Emma and Regina’s dynamic is utterly heart-wrenching in its innocent authenticity as they slowly get to know each other before life sweeps them up and the story really gets gasp-worthy. I could keep gushing, but then I would be giving too much away. Updates every Wednesday, 10/10 no notes. 

Again, if you haven't already- please do send me your WIPs or even your finished fics that you're proud of.

RIP YOUR INBOX,

MLEther

Hi! I’m looking for a completed story. It was Emma magically reverts to maybe 5-6, I can’t remember, but she stays with Regina. I remember Regina finds a storybook or notebook Emma has, and there she finds out that one of her foster brothers SA'd her. There was a Halloween scene too, where they dressed up. I believe it was the night before Emma was reverted to her correct age.

I thought I had bookmarked it but nope! If anyone knows pls drop the link! I’ll be grateful!

EDIT: FOUND https://archiveofourown.org/works/48606679/chapters/122606122

Can anyone recommend a good fanfic that somewhat follows the show timeline but just has Regina and Emma get together? Like no alternative realities but just stories where the two just realistically fall in love?

I’ve been rewatching the show and would love to read some good fanfics but there are thousands online and I’ve no clue where to start

I’m DESPERATE for this specific kind of angst 😭
Does anyone know any SwanQueen fics where Emma/Regina has been separated from the other for a while and they’re finally reunited, only for them to realize that the other person doesn’t remember them at all?

use this comment section to self promote ur fics or to find new stuff to read :D

I actually have trouble rewatching the show because of how hard Regina works at being better and no one seems to acknowledge it for a long time. AND things always go badly for her. It hurts when I see her trying over and over not getting a happy ending, even small ones like successes and trust.

Am I alone in feeling this way/am I being too sensitive, or are there others who just feel so bad for Regina's struggles?

...when it comes to commenting on fics? here a small lil guide that you can literally just copy and paste!

first, though, we all want more swanqueen content!!! to get that, ENGAGING with fics is so important. so many people consume without thinking about all the time and energy it takes to get stories out -- or they know, and don't do anything about it. the only payment authors get are comments!!!

why are authors leaving fandoms? low engagement AND bad engagement. with all the bots going around, the only comment emails we often get these days are bot and/or spam. or, people complaining about something on a fic / writing a hateful message.

what can you do to keep authors writing? or even bring back some older swanqueen authors? COMMENT! COUNTERACT NEGATIVE COMMENTS WITH POSITIVE ONES!

-----------

without further ado, here are some starters you can use - just copy and paste them into the comment box! if you've never commented on a fic, it's never too late to start!

easy level (literal copy and paste):

"extra kudos!"

"loved this story and your writing style"

"rereading this fic!"

intermediate level (copy and paste a line the author wrote + this comment starter):

"[copy and paste line] made me laugh!!"

"[copy and paste line] THIS PART!! A+"

"[copy and paste line] i like your use of imagery here"

advanced level (copy and paste, and then add a little bit of your own flair):

"[keyboard mash] I LOVED THIS BECAUSE..."

"reading this again! [thing you like] still hits just as hard!"

"i still think about this fic, especially the part when..."

"my favorite part was... because..."

(i say all of this as someone who used to NEVER comment until i started posting my own works. it makes a huge HUGE fucking difference for the authors. now, i make sure to comment on every single fic i finish reading - if i don't have energy for a thorough comment, it might just be keyboard mash and say that i loved it. but regardless, i make sure to SAY SOMETHING)

I’m looking for a story where Regina tries to go back in time I’m not sure if it’s to save the town or save Emma or Henry or stop Zelena or to fix her happy ending but Regina ends up back in time I think to season 1 but I’m not positive but she thinks she’s making all these changes and proving herself and breaking the curse and getting close to Henry again and getting along with Emma but it turns out in the real world she’s in a coma

The next part I’m not sure of it Emma goes into her coma dream or through magic starts getting new memories based on what Regina thinks she’s doing or if they’re able to see Regina’s dreams with magic or if Regina wakes up and tells them what she thinks happened

Either way Regina has to figure out what was really happening and sort out her new memories and stuff but it turns out Regina thought she was dating Emma or that Emma had feelings for her in the coma or alternate world and doesn’t know what to do about it because she thinks the real version of Emma hates her

Anyone know the story or author or a link? I’d love to read it again

i’ve heard people say this and queerbaiting is a big accusation, i don’t usually pick up on stuff like that so it’s very possible that i just never noticed.

i personally ship captain swan but that’s mostly because i watched the show when i was 11 and loved them since then and the concept of lesbianism didn’t occur to me then

Hi All! I’ve been searching but I don’t seem to find this fic.

From my bad memory lol

I think Regina helps out at a home improvement store and is listening and dancing to Thank you by PVRIS and doesn’t notice Emma.

I vaguely remember Emma wearing earbuds bc of sensory issues and they start to secretly date.

Honestly this is all I remember I hope you can help me! Thanks 🖤

Edit: I found out the story has been deleted 🫠 it was called Heart Renovation.

I often am asked for recommendations or offer recommendations on this sub. I wanted to share my list so far that has grown with a few entries I believe.

I am strongly considering adding a WiP section but I need time ti gather and think.

Anyway mind the descriptions.

Swan Queen

Most are found on ff. All of these should be rated Mature and most if not all are explicit even if it’s only for a single chapter. The only OuaT fics I dive into are SwanQueen, I prefer having smut most of the time but there will be a section for the general fics I love too.

Enjoy and please suggest more! I have about twenty on my tbr I’ll be chewing through but god am I always looking for more!

Back to the start by withgirl (Regina gets dropped back in episode 1)

Meeting the swan family by withgirl Emma had an adoptive family. They think her and Regina have been dating.

Magic of the heart by jedinite
Emma wakes up Henry. What now?

Take a chance on me AOBZ

As Emma recovers at the mansion from an encounter with Storybooke's latest threat, nightmares start to plague her from the trauma she suffered as a child. As Regina comforts her, the women grow ever closer. When Regina is attacked, Emma vows to do everything she can to protect the now terrified and vulnerable mayor. Slow burn SQ.

To our happy beginning by JuiceCup
Six year old Henry makes a wish for someone to love his mom Regina. The next day a new sherrif takes the job in town.

This is the greatest non magic AU for OuaT I have EVER read. The characterization of Emma and Regina is unforgettable to me.

Love,eventually by EverydayGeek
EF AU arranged marriage

Precious illusions by RowArk

After a vicious attack leaves Emma nearly dead and extremely psychologically damaged, Regina magically wipes her short term memory and takes on the task of caring for Emma during her recovery, and Emma finds herself connecting with Regina in a way she never thought possible.

Five years by MorganLeGaye
Five years after they broke up it’s time for another holiday

Of love and loathing by MorganLeGaye
Regina hates Emma as much as she loves her. Goes to get some advice. Shenanigans ensue

A stone heart needs no mourners by MorganLeGaye
The five stages of grief as a love story

How to make a monster by Velace

Regina decides to make amends after upsetting the Savior. What she doesn't realise is that in doing so, she finds the key to Emma's heart – food.

Who needs shelter by Deemn
Two years after S2 finale things have calmed down. No one is willing to shatter the peace.

Break yourself against my stones by Sinmora
Mary Margaret and David get sucked into the portal. In exchange for protecting her, Regina will work to help Emma get her parents back from the EF

Savior by MaybeWeAre
After the curse breaks the mob gets Regina before anyone can stop them. Emma is there to put back together what broken pieces are left.

By process of elimination by hope2x (they get drunk and accidentally cast magic that binds them together after a conversation of “eventually we have to end up together” etc

No more lonely knights by hope2x

Regina is there for Emma in every way that counts when others won’t be.
(This one gets a reread fairly often)

To remember her happy ending hope2x

Regina loses her memory in a car accident when she has been married to Emma for years and they have a daughter.

How a dress changed everything hope2x
Regina casts a spell to take her back to the start when Henry is leaving for Boston. But when she is faced with the savior all her plans go out the window.

Pointed by standbackufools
AU where Emma is a vampire/monster hunter.

Black lace by standbackufools
Emma ends up spying on Regina when talking with Henry via walkie talkie and sees some reaaaallll nice lingerie

Love triangles are for losers by caballah

Safe by sgtmac
Emma and Henry kidnap Regina when the curse breaks to keep her away from anyone seeking revenge and especially her mother snow. They go to a safe house Emma had from a friend long ago and work through ALL of their collective trauma together.

Whatever this is by Caroline
Emma thinks she and Regina are becoming friends

Curse you and your dinner by highheelsandchocolate
Absorbing a curse into your bloodstream can have some unforeseen side effects

A special brand of torture by highheelsandchocolate
The hard part of conducting a secret affair is the hiding part.

Incoming messages by hunnyfresh
Ruby makes Emma a dating profile. This wouldn’t be such a problem if Emma had not found Regina’s profile and started interacting with it.

General:
meaning not Mature or explicit rated. Still so very good.

Liar liar by barbie shoes

Wallpaper by hunnyfresh

A fine line by hunnyfresh

Your name is Regina mills by 13pens

Ao3.

Little pick me ups by starsthatburn

Truths you have to grow into - celaenos

It begins with trust by paradoxalpoised
(Possibly the greatest form of written prose)

Temporary distractions by amycarey

Every winter fades away by coalitiongirl

Synesthesia by coalitiongirl

Amor fati by coalitiongirl

Kissing Regina mills by misscanteloupe

A dark ocean by chilly_flame

Storybrooke Singles by coalitiongirl

Enemies with benefits by coalitiongirl

Tell my love to wreck it all by coalitiongirl

I’ve got you deep in the heart of me by coalitiongirl

Fretting over the fate of dinasaura by Harper_m

Wedding crasher by misscantaloupe

We like to swim we are not drowning chill by orphan account

General/teen:

Right there all the time by devje

Autocorrect claims another victim— coalitiongirl

Prism by coalitiongirl

Feel it bubbling from below by coalitiongirl

Something old something new coalitiongirl

Mirror tricks by starsthatburn

So does that make us the other women by coalitiongirl

Imagine me and you by bayloriffic

So I rewatched all the seasons but I'm gonna take from S4...

4x13

First of all, Emma and Regina being ok at sharing some food and beer at their office. Emma bought her food 🫠

the chasing at minute 35...

Regina: It's too late, I'm not going to let both of us die...

Regina exits the car and Emma is so desperate, she speeds up and gets rid of the demon

Regina's eyes at 35:37 my gosh! the amount of intensity

4x14

5:28 Regina going undercover

Emma despairing and her mom: I really think Regina can take care of herself

Emma's heart racing when David tells her Regina was supposed to check in an our before (this scene has no straight explanation, Emma was way too emotional)

At this point you could easily think Emma fell for Regina...

9:08 Emma's panicking 'cause Regina isn't back...

20:07 Regina: I understand your concern, but I'm in

Emma: ok, well then I'm in too

Regina: What?

Emma: I'm gonna stick by you...

31:18

Emma realises Regina threw away her cellphone "No!"

4x17

13:23

Cruella: I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted to wring her scrawny neck right now

Regina: Don't even think about it

Everyone looking at her like, Huh?

41:51 Regina to Rumple: You made me a monster,but I won't let you do the same to Emma

4x18

20:30

Regina wants to go alone to NY,

Emma: You don't have to go alone... Without your magic you...🥺

Look at Emma's face in here, she's scared to death to lose her

4x23

Contains the darkness, she's not going to let Regina to do that, she wants her to have her happy ending

5x01

Regina: how could she be so stupid?

Snow: that thing was going to kill you. She saved your life

Regina: don't you think I know that 🥺

36:45

Emma gives the dagger to Regina

Emma: I saved you. Now save me.💘

And if you can't save me do what no one else will willingly do.. Destroy me

Later... Regina: I am the savior. I'm the one who's going to free Merlin from that tree, and then we can take care of the dark one. (looks at Emma and with breaking voice:) And all go home)

She's like going to cry omg

5x05

The talk they have near the end

5x08

Emma to Regina: we're back to Miss Swan?

5x10 Emma telling Regina she was doing her a favour by trying to get rid of Zelena (like Hades did something similar for his love...)

5x15

Regina: to be honest, you're too good for Hook

5x22 the conversation the had alone at the beginning where Emma benchs Regina off only to team up with her 10 minutes later

6x3

"I'd saved her once, I'll save her again" Emma to the Evil Queen about Regina

6x4

they do the same promise as in Camelot, except this time Regina is the one to ask Emma

6x5

Conversation in the vault

6x8

Regina tries to go alone and face the Queen. Emma stops her, she won't allow her to do that

they work together to get out of the mirror's realm

6x10

Emma doesn't let Regina to go after the Evil Queen and when she's teleported Regina gets mad and "Genie of the lamp , I wish to be sent to the same place as Emma Swan"

Talk in the forest: Regina "Where we're from, we actually... share custody of a son"...(Emma's expression like, does it mean we're tog..)

You're the Savior, and your family (I) needs you

Then "You saved me": when Henry throws a sword at her

After watching all, it doesn't make any sense to me they not ending up together. I don't know what happened with the writers, and I don't know if the actors wanted something different and played against the writing like, we're going to make every interaction like we're married (the way they deliver their lines and the way they look at each other) This of course fades in the later seasons...

Regina and Emma understand each other and were connected in a deeper level. It would've been a beautiful direction to take and I hope someday the actresses work in another project where they can end up being a couple because of their chemistry

Thoughts?