Cornerstone Characterisation
A collection of fics that get a character so right that I would recommend them to somebody who has never encountered the source material as a guide to understanding that character. Frequently these works have given me new headcanons simply because their characterisation is good enough that it not only follows canon, but enhances it.
(Open, Moderated)
Random works
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In the intake room, he says to the nurse, “I mean I work in a kitchen for chrissake. I eat all the goddamn time.”
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You Taste Like Suburbia by CannibalGender
Fandoms: Interview with the Vampire (TV 2022), Anne Rice's Talamasca: The Secret Order (TV 2025)
08 May 2026
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“We aren’t together anymore,” he says. He does not ask if she overheard, simply arches his brows, waits for her to speak. “I only wanted to observe.”
“Mhmm. Fuck you,” she says, halfheartedly. “Observe what, us?”
“I wanted to see him where he belongs. Among his…peers, you could say.”
“With me? With the girls? He doesn’t belong to me. I wouldn’t want him to. He doesn’t even belong with me. As far as I’m concerned, you can have him.”
Armand, looking less the boy than ever now, narrows his eyes just slightly. He studies her like a stray animal trying to figure out how to open a garbage can: if he can just understand, he can feast. “Why? You love him.”OR:
Armand, famously normal about his partners' families, haunts the Molloys. -
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In which Matt Murdock does not need nice things or non-essential feelings such as happiness, and Foggy Nelson is an unexpected (and vaguely bemused, though mostly skeptical) addition to the ongoing saga of 'Matthew Murdock Walks Alone'.
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come down off your throne and leave your body alone by blacksneakers
Fandoms: House of the Dragon (TV)
06 Feb 2023
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Summary
“Did Viserys ever tell you that her first word was—”
“Uncle, yes. He was very unhappy about that, I can assure you.”
“He still is, he was complaining about it when Aegon learned how to talk.”
“Ridiculous. Everything he’s had, and it’s never been enough for him.”
“Sometimes I think he’d be happiest if he could have both of you in your own separate boxes. And he’d keep you in different rooms, and he’d never take you out at the same time.”
“And what about your box?”
“I would never be important enough for a box of my own. If he could control both of you, exactly as he liked, he wouldn’t even know that I existed. I’m nothing, in the end. Or I am a box that children can come out of, and that’s all. That’s all I’ve ever been to anyone, my whole life.”
“I’m sure Rhaenyra wouldn’t agree with that.”
Alicent rolls her eyes. “Rhaenyra hates me.”
Series
- Part 1 of the dragon must have three heads
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Summary
Allison and Klaus get ready together before the Wedding At The End Of The World.
(Please note this fic deals with some dark topics but it's all mostly alluded to rather than actively happening. This is NOT an Allison bashing fic, but it doesn't shy away from her unacceptable actions regarding consent either.)
Random bookmarks
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Park Humin's chain of memories about one of his childhood friends.
Bookmarked by mayfriend
06 May 2025
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Bookmarker's Notes
Back when Baekjin was still alive, Humin could’ve broken out of this. Just ripped himself from him, fucked off to China, Taiwan, America, taken up basketball, remembered him ten years later over a family dinner, silently smoked a cigarette on the porch, wondered how he was doing. Then forgotten — this time for good.
But he’s dead now. And bound to Humin forever.
He would’ve liked that.
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come down off your throne and leave your body alone by blacksneakers
Fandoms: House of the Dragon (TV)
06 Feb 2023
Tags
Summary
“Did Viserys ever tell you that her first word was—”
“Uncle, yes. He was very unhappy about that, I can assure you.”
“He still is, he was complaining about it when Aegon learned how to talk.”
“Ridiculous. Everything he’s had, and it’s never been enough for him.”
“Sometimes I think he’d be happiest if he could have both of you in your own separate boxes. And he’d keep you in different rooms, and he’d never take you out at the same time.”
“And what about your box?”
“I would never be important enough for a box of my own. If he could control both of you, exactly as he liked, he wouldn’t even know that I existed. I’m nothing, in the end. Or I am a box that children can come out of, and that’s all. That’s all I’ve ever been to anyone, my whole life.”
“I’m sure Rhaenyra wouldn’t agree with that.”
Alicent rolls her eyes. “Rhaenyra hates me.”
Series
- Part 1 of the dragon must have three heads
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 7,403
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 2
- Comments:
- 33
- Kudos:
- 659
- Bookmarks:
- 107
- Hits:
- 6,917
Bookmarked by mayfriend
12 Feb 2023
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Bookmarker's Notes
“I am sorry, by the way. About your wife.”
“I’m sorry about my wife, too.” Daemon has a hollow, miserable look on his face now—a look Alicent recognizes herself, a look that has stared back at her from the mirror. “And I’m sorry about your husband. At least my own marriage never had to be consummated.”
This comes as a surprise to Alicent. Of course she’s heard all manner of rumors about Daemon, but she’s never had any of them directly confirmed or refuted by the source himself. “You mean you never—”
“No.” Daemon continues to look miserable. “I couldn’t. You understand, don’t you?”
She does.
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you hold my head underwater by endocarp
Fandoms: Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
14 Aug 2016
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Summary
AU where Poe and Ben grew up together and it's completely miserable. Maybe they all should have seen it coming when Ben went bad, but hindsight is 20/20.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 30,008
- Chapters:
- 4/4
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 34
- Kudos:
- 178
- Bookmarks:
- 32
- Hits:
- 2,481
Bookmarked by mayfriend
14 Mar 2023
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Bookmarker's Notes
He would have to hate me, he thought, that first time. He would have to hate me, and he doesn't.
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“There’s nothing worth falling in love with you.”
The words land like a blade. But Seongje doesn’t flinch either. Another beat of silence. The smile stays, but it’s different now. Less playful. More… feral.
“And Baku does?”
There is something different about Seongje today. Baekjin feels it. He wonders if Seongje even knows what he’s asking for—or if he’s just trying to see who flinches first.
Bookmarked by mayfriend
11 Jul 2025
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Bookmarker's Notes
When Baekjin finally speaks, his voice is soft, but absolute. "Seongje-ya, it doesn't suit you."
"What?"
"Being pathetic like this."
Seongje stares at him with a glint in his eyes. A slow smirk stretches across his lips — unreadable. Offended, amused, or simply entertained, Baekjin can’t tell. Suddenly Seongje laughs silently on his face. Puffs of smoke hit his face this close. Making him nauseous and intoxicated at the same time.
Seongje sucks a breath through his teeth. "But, doesn't it make you feel powerful?" He hasn't moved an inch. Not a step forward, not a step back. Just stillness, daring Baekjin to flinch.
"It does," Baekjin breathes into the air between them. "But more than power, I feel pity for you."
Seongje breaks into a low chuckle rolling his head back. As if Baekjin just told the best joke of the night.
"Aish," He steps back, and strides towards the dusty sofa with a hand in his pocket. Slow and leisurely, as if he has all the time in the world. He sinks into it, legs wide, posture loose. Pulls out a cigarette and lights it with the same lazy flair.
"It's such an interesting story," He looks at Baekjin then, who is still standing where he was. "I pity you and you pity me." A smile on his face like he is so fascinated by this realisation.
Smoke curls up in front of his face. Silence follows.
Baekjin stares at him but beneath the surface, something simmers. Not anger. Not quite. Something closer to recognition. Or maybe denial. But sharper.
“Pity me?” His voice comes quieter now. Tighter. “For what?”
Seongje takes his time. Taking a drag and releases the smoke in the air lazily. "You are just like me." He says at last. “We could’ve been something, but you’re just like me.”
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Summary
The four relationships of Nathan's life.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 1,048
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 8
- Kudos:
- 185
- Bookmarks:
- 23
- Hits:
- 1,751
Bookmarked by mayfriend
31 Mar 2019
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He stays out longer than he should, shivering in an alley. The sky gets darker and darker, and Nathan’s childlike stubbornness is outweighed by the sheer terror that creeps into his chest. He feels like a failure as he takes the path back home. He’s only been gone twelve hours, if that. Not enough.
When he gets home, his mom is still out. There's a note tacked up to the fridge with a few quid. She's going on a date, loves him very much, and here's some cash for a pizza. Nathan stares at it, his little boy hands smarting as they warm up, and fights the strong urge to cry. She hadn't even noticed he'd been gone.
This is Nathan's relationship with his mother. He never expects better.