mific: (Heated rivalry)
[personal profile] mific posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Game Changers series (Heated Rivalry)
Characters/Pairings: Hayden Pike & Shane Hollander, Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Hayden Pike/Jackie Pike, Montreal team ensemble
Rating: Mature
Length: 5450
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: gurlsrool on AO3
Themes: Friendship, Five things, Humor, Outsider pov, Established relationship, Canon LGBTQ+ characters

Summary: “I don’t hate him!” Hayden says, which is only true because hate doesn’t quite capture it. No, he despises Rozanov. In his defense, everyone with a pulse and without the last name Hollander does.

Or: 5 times Hayden doesn’t get Shane and Ilya’s relationship, +1 time he does.

Reccer's Notes: This is set just after the end of the Heated Rivalry book so I guess mild spoilers for ep 6 follow (it's really not very spoilery). In the fic, Shane and Ilya have acknowledged their feelings and are exclusive, and Shane's told Hayden, his best friend on the Montreal team. The story focuses on Hayden's incredulity and his conviction that Ilya Rozanov is a giant dick (which Ilya delightedly feeds into). The more Hayden learns about Shane's relationship with Ilya, the more horrified he gets (the bottoming, their mild D/s dynamic). Then, in the sixth part, he sees another side of Ilya entirely. The story's very well written and extremely funny, with brilliant characterization of Hayden, Ilya, and Shane. A ton of fun!

Fanwork Links: fresh out of any good judgment

sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
A WISHED-FOR BIRTH

And while they [Joseph and Mary] were there, the time came for her to give birth. (Luke 2:6)

There’s one thing nobody can stop, and that is the birth of a baby when its time has come. Then it doesn’t matter where you are, if you are busy, or if you have a safe place to give birth. That baby is coming out regardless.

And so it was with Jesus. Joseph found her the best place he could to labor and give birth; but it wasn’t what any of them wished for. There was no room for them in a better place. And so Mary bore Jesus and laid Him in a manger, like the poorest of babies.

Because God did wish for this birth—at just that time, in Bethlehem, far from the help of family, in conditions so poor they make me shudder. His Son Jesus would be born the same way He lived the rest of His life— usually homeless, generally poor, but fulfilling the Scripture. He chose this birth because He came to be Savior for all of us—not just the comfortable and well-off, but the poor, the homeless, and the ones without family or friends to care for them. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has made Himself our family—our help—our home forever. Because He loves us.

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, thank You that You came into my life and lived as I live. Not in ease but in difficulty—because You love me. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • If you had been Joseph, where would you have looked for help when Mary’s pains came on?
  • Do you think he was able to find help? Why or why not?
  • Why would Jesus choose such a birth? Why did He choose such a death?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
JOSEPH THE PROTECTOR

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. … And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with Child. (Luke 2:1, 3-5)

I love the way Joseph protects his family. Here we see him taking Mary and her unborn baby roughly 90 miles to Bethlehem on a tax registration trip. At first glance it looks like the opposite of protection; Mary is close to giving birth, and probably didn’t enjoy the trip at all!

But in those days, having her give birth far away from home was probably the kindest thing Joseph could have done for her. For her to give birth at home when everyone knew she’d only been married for six months or less—no. There was probably gossip already because she looked nine months pregnant!

So Joseph took her with him—knowing that the longer they stayed away, the harder it would be for gossipy neighbors to figure out exactly when the baby had been born. Thus he protected both Mary and Jesus. And if it fulfilled God’s prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem? Why, that was even better!

WE PRAY: My Savior, You protect me from sin, death, and the devil. Thank You for loving me so. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do you behave when you’re protecting someone?
  • Do you think Mary appreciated what Joseph was trying to do?
  • Jesus protected us by suffering, dying, and rising again so that we could be set free from sin, death, and evil. Why would He do this for you?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. 
mific: (Heated rivalry)
[personal profile] mific posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Heated Rivalry
Characters/Pairings: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov (background relationship), Jackie Pike, Original Characters, Background & Cameo Characters
Rating: Teen
Length: 2407
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: Ravenesta on AO3
Themes: Hurt/comfort, Canon LGBTQ+ characters, Women being awesome, Female friendship, Unconventional format and style, Humor, Teams

Summary:

Sarah
Does anyone have the number for Shane's girl from Boston? I feel bad that they've been seeing each other for this long and we've never added her here.

Jackie
Oh good point! Let me ask Hayden.

Jackie has added Lily to the conversation

Lily
what
what is this

Or: Ilya Rozanov is, apparently, one of the girls.


Reccer's Notes: This stems from the pseudonyms Ilya and Shane use over the years to text each other (Lily and Jane). The Montreal WAGs (Wives & Girlfriends) grouptext realizes that Shane's "girl", Lily, hasn't been added, partly as Lily is based in Boston not Montreal. So Ilya gets added to the grouptext and (of course) fits right in. The fic's probably more enjoyable and easier to figure out if you know canon, and I also found I picked up more of the humor and details on a second reading. It's an amusing fic, but also about (largely) female support systems, and shows that NHL partners are not unlike military wives. Very well done. (Check out the "inspired by" links as well - it's becoming a whole WAGs 'verse)

Fanwork Links: please leave a message

mific: (Heated rivalry)
[personal profile] mific posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Heated Rivalry
Characters/Pairings: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Yuna Hollander, David Hollander, Hayden Pike, Zane Boodram, Evan Dykstra
Rating: Explicit
Length: 26,873
Content Notes: contains depictions of homophobia and slurs, state-sanctioned and from individuals
Creator Links: pucksandpower on AO3
Themes: hurt/comfort, angst (with a happy ending), established relationship, canon LGBTQ+ characters, character development, au: fork in the road

Summary: One security camera. One leaked video. One choice that changes everything.

Ilya Rozanov loses his country, his team, and his shot at Olympic gold in a single night. But he doesn’t lose Shane, and that makes all the difference.

A story about finding home in a person, not a place. About choosing love over legacy. And about winning the medal you never knew you needed, standing next to the one person who matters most.

Reccer's Notes: Time to emerge from my Heated Rivalry obsession, with... Heated Rivalry recs! This goes au after the book (after season 1 of the show), so I guess it's a little spoilery if you haven't read the book or seen season 1. The plot takes a very different turn at the 2018 Korean Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. It's told from Ilya's point of view after what initially seems an utter disaster following which he has to flee the Russian authorities. Although it starts with trauma, most of the story is about how Ilya's life is rebuilt, with Shane being central to that, as are his teammates, and Shane's parents. It's an engaging story with great characterization and fun banter between Ilya and Shane, Ilya often being his usual in-your-face, snarky self. A heartwarming story with plenty of comfort to offset the initial hurt.

Fanwork Links: when the world sees (we run toward each other)

sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
JOSEPH THE DREAMER

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And he called His Name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25)

It interests me that God communicates with Joseph purely through dreams. It’s maybe not surprising, though, since Joseph is named after the man in Genesis 37-50 who had dreams from God—and God used him to rescue the whole family of Israel from famine.

God used the Old Testament Joseph to rescue a whole country—and foreigners, too!—since he was in charge of all the grain of Egypt. By contrast, Joseph in the New Testament is caring for a single mother and her baby, which might not seem like much. But this baby is Jesus, who is the Bread of Life—and through His life, death, and resurrection, He will save the entire world.

As He tells us, “I am the living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51a). No one who trusts in Jesus will ever be destroyed.

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, Your Name means “God is salvation,” and that’s what You are to me. Thank You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • What does your name mean? Are you named after anyone?
  • Why is Jesus’ Name appropriate for Him?
  • How do we “eat” the Bread of Life that Jesus gives us?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


2026 Monster Theme Poll

Dec. 20th, 2025 10:43 am
runpunkrun: combat boot, pizza, camo pants = punk  (punk rock girl)
[personal profile] runpunkrun posting in [community profile] fancake
Arrrre you rrrrready to rrrrrrumble??? It's the MONSTER THEME POLL at Fancake Memorial Coliseum!! In town one week only!! Polls close on the 27th!

Poll #33979 2026 Monster Theme Poll
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 107

Pick 10 new themes for 2026:

Adoption
18 (17.1%)

Afterlife
13 (12.4%)

Aliens
20 (19.0%)

Angst
17 (16.2%)

Books & Writing
19 (18.1%)

Character Study
25 (23.8%)

Collaborations & Remixes
20 (19.0%)

Coming of Age/Rites of Passage
20 (19.0%)

Community
20 (19.0%)

Crack Treated Seriously
38 (36.2%)

Fandom (characters involved in fandom, works involving fandom, meta about fandom)
18 (17.1%)

Fannish Non-Fiction (meta, tutorials, resources)
23 (21.9%)

Fantasy (elves, unicorns, et al)
25 (23.8%)

Fluff
23 (21.9%)

Games & Competitions
9 (8.6%)

Gothic
20 (19.0%)

Holidays & Celebrations
13 (12.4%)

Horror
16 (15.2%)

In Denial
21 (20.0%)

Inept in Love
26 (24.8%)

Journey/Travel
27 (25.7%)

Just Like Canon
20 (19.0%)

Kink
20 (19.0%)

Kisses
16 (15.2%)

Manners & Etiquette (including mannerpunk)
16 (15.2%)

Matchmaking
18 (17.1%)

Meet the Family
22 (21.0%)

Mentors & Protegees
23 (21.9%)

Music
16 (15.2%)

Neurodivergent Characters
19 (18.1%)

New Releases (I'll let you determine what's "new" for the fandom)
15 (14.3%)

Original Characters
13 (12.4%)

Outstanding Prose
21 (20.0%)

Podfic
11 (10.5%)

Power Dynamics
24 (22.9%)

Protest & Revolt
8 (7.6%)

PWP (Porn Without Plot or Plot? What Plot?)
14 (13.3%)

Role Reversal
17 (16.2%)

Romance
16 (15.2%)

RPF
16 (15.2%)

Short Fiction (under 2000 words)
20 (19.0%)

Siblings
24 (22.9%)

Social Media
13 (12.4%)

Unpopular Characters
23 (21.9%)

Unreliable Narrator
38 (36.2%)

Vampires
19 (18.1%)

Villains
13 (12.4%)

War
9 (8.6%)

Whump
21 (20.0%)

Pick 3 classic themes you'd like to revisit:

Arranged Marriage
43 (40.6%)

Cops & Crime
13 (12.3%)

Epistolary
34 (32.1%)

Forced Proximity
31 (29.2%)

Future Fic
23 (21.7%)

Historical AUs
33 (31.1%)

Pining
35 (33.0%)

Threesome
36 (34.0%)

Worldbuilding
53 (50.0%)

sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
DO NOT FEAR

But as he [Joseph] considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:20-23)

The angel says, “Do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” Joseph had good reason to be afraid before the angel came to him. At that point, he still thought Mary was pregnant by another man. And if Joseph had gone ahead and married her under those circumstances, what kind of a life would he have had with a woman whose heart was elsewhere?

But God sees the problem and deals with it openly in His message to Joseph. God always does see the problems that we face—even the ones that seem too sordid or too embarrassing to confess to anybody else. And in His kindness, He deals with them—even when it means coming down to earth as our Savior, to give His life and to rise from the dead for our sake. Nothing and no one is too low for Him to love and to rescue.

WE PRAY: Dear Savior, thank You for noticing me and my problems, too. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • Do you have embarrassing worries and problems?
  • Do you ever hesitate to bring them up when you’re praying and asking God for help?
  • How does it make you feel to know that Jesus has already noticed your problems and is finding ways to help you?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON?

And her [Mary’s] husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:19)

Poor Joseph. There he was, happy and planning for his wedding. Then, in a single hour, all his hopes were shattered.

But look at how he handles it! He isn’t shouting and screaming about the wrong he believes Mary has done to him. He doesn’t try to pay her back. No, he’s already looking for a way to let her out of the marriage arrangement as quietly as possible, because he doesn’t want to shame her.

Now that’s a good man, humanly speaking. That’s a man who reminds me of his future foster son, Jesus Himself. Because Joseph is willing to bear as much of Mary’s pain and shame as he can, given the circumstances. His main concern is how to protect her. And that is how Jesus feels about us.

Jesus, of course, takes it further—because He’s never going to find out that the bad news about us was all a mistake as Joseph did with Mary. No, we are truly the broken, sinful people we’ve been called. And so Jesus expresses His love for us by showing us mercy all the way to the cross. He suffers and dies for us. And when He rises to life again, He gives that same life to us—who are no longer condemned sinners, but are now His own bride, the forgiven people of God (see Romans 7:4, Revelation 19:7-8).

WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us and making us Your own, though You knew the truth about us. I love You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • If you were in a parallel situation, would you have behaved as kindly as Joseph?
  • God chose Mary to parent His Son. Would you say God chose Joseph also?
  • What characteristics do you think God was looking for in them both? Why?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
FOUND TO BE WITH CHILD


Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with Child from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)

Those words “She was found to be with Child” show a major shock to Mary’s family. Because in that time and culture, nobody would have wanted to find out that their daughter was pregnant—especially when the father was not the man she was engaged to! I suspect there was a lot of screaming and yelling! Someone would have had to break the news to him. Depending on how Joseph took it, that could ruin the family’s reputation.

Mary had just spent three months living with a family who believed her story. Now she was back home, and probably facing conflict, anger, fear, and shame. Did Mary try to tell her family the truth? Did they refuse to listen?

This is the world Jesus would be born into—a world filled with pain and fear and shame, a world where even those who love each other still suffer from distrust and grief. It’s what Jesus came to fix—the effects of sin and evil on our lives. He would give up His own life to set us free from that. He would even rise from the dead to give us new life, life forever—filled with peace, trust, and love for God and each other.

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, I’m so glad You came to help us in our need. Thank You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • If you had been part of Mary’s family, would you have believed her story about the child being from the Holy Spirit?
  • Why or why not?
  • How do you think Mary found the strength to make it through this time?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
ABOVE AND BEYOND

[Zechariah said:] “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)

I love that image of the sunrise giving us light so that we can find the way of peace and walk in it. But surely that’s going a bit far? I mean, there’s no need for the sunrise to actually leave heaven and come down to earth to help us find our way. It can sit up there in the sky far away and shed its light on us. That would be good enough, right?

Apparently God doesn’t think so. Because this sunrise is Jesus Himself. And He’s not happy to stay in heaven far away from us and give us salvation from a distance. No, He’s going to come down from heaven, down to the human race—down to a manger bed filled with straw. And He will come down even further than that—from life to death on a cross, and three days in the grave.

But He won’t stay there! Like all good sunrises, Jesus will indeed rise—and He will become our light and salvation forever.

WE PRAY: Lord, thank You for going above and beyond for my sake. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • Think of the last person who helped you. Did they go above and beyond, or did they do just enough?
  • Why is Jesus going so far to help you?
  • How does that affect the way you relate to Him?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


Only two days left to suggest themes!

Dec. 17th, 2025 11:16 am
runpunkrun: combat boot, pizza, camo pants = punk  (punk rock girl)
[personal profile] runpunkrun posting in [community profile] fancake
Hello everyone! You have two more days to slip your theme suggestions into the suggestion box for our rounds in 2026. I went ahead and added some more themes to the pool, taking popular suggestions from past years but also filling in a few more gaps in our coverage (vampires! aliens!), so take a look at the list and see if it doesn't shake something loose.

I'll close that post the morning of the 19th and put up the big theme poll on the 20th. If you're going to be out and about around that time, you can track the admin: poll: theme tag. Just click on the little bell icon or "track" link on any post with that tag, select "Someone posts an entry tagged admin: poll: theme," hit save, and you'll get an email when the big poll goes up. You'll also get an email every time I post a theme poll thereafter, which is monthly. If you don't want that, you can cancel the notification later; it's the same process, just uncheck the box and hit save.
runpunkrun: Pride flag based on Gilbert Baker's 1978 rainbow flag with hot pink, red, orange, yellow, sage, turquoise, blue, and purple stripes. (rainbow queer)
[personal profile] runpunkrun posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Stranger Things
Pairings/Characters: Will Byers/Mike Wheeler
Rating: Explicit
Length: 26,183 words
Creator Link: [archiveofourown.org profile] mistresscurvy
Theme: Amnesty, First Time, Canon LGBTQ+ Characters, Research, Futurefic, Friendship

Summary: "Did it ever occur to any of you that I might not want to have my only sexual experiences be with someone who isn't actually interested in me?" Will asked.

He was met by three identical looks of confusion. "I mean, it would still be sex," Dustin said finally.

Reccer's Notes: Set after a season four where, yes, a lot of people died. But the kids are seventeen now, and Mike and Will are both virgins, which Mike is very concerned about: Cue the 80s teen sex comedy. Unlike much of that genre, though, this isn't gross or embarrassing, and everybody's having a good time. I adored Will here, kind of baffled by what Mike's gotten them into, yet excited about it too, and it's wonderful to see him stand up for himself, confident enough to be honest about who he is and what he wants. Plus it includes the entire crew, even Argyle.

Fanwork Link: Like a Virgin
sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
SURE AND CERTAIN

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us ….” (Luke 1:67-71)

Did you ever notice the weird way Zechariah describes what God is doing? He says, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.” Zechariah puts it in the past tense.

Now, that makes sense if you realize that Jesus is already on earth at the moment Zechariah is speaking. Jesus is inside His mother Mary as an unborn baby, and it will be six more months before He is born in Bethlehem. So yes, I can see why Zechariah says, “He has visited” His people.

But why does he say, He has “redeemed His people” ? Because Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross is more than 30 years in the future! Why the past tense?

I think it’s because Zechariah—or maybe I should say, the Holy Spirit—knows that what Jesus will do to redeem us from sin and evil is so guaranteed to happen that he can use the past tense about it. Jesus’ death and resurrection is so sure and certain that God can talk about it as already accomplished. He is our trustworthy Savior forever.

WE PRAY: Dear Savior, I know nobody as trustworthy as You. Thank You that I can lean on You with all my heart. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do you know when someone is trustworthy?
  • How can you tell whether Jesus is safe for you to trust or not?
  • Tell about a time when God came through for you.

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
TALKED ABOUT

And he [Zechariah] asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him. (Luke 1:63-66)

I don’t think I ever noticed this verse before, that “all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea.” The little drama going on in Zechariah’s family was apparently pretty public. It looks like Zechariah wrote down his story for Elizabeth—and whoever she passed it on to. During those nine months, the neighbors would have found out everything—from the angel’s appearance to Zechariah’s mistake, and how God kept His promise anyway! And now, the final installment—when Zechariah gets a second chance to trust in God by naming the baby John—just as God told him to.

But the neighbors missed an even bigger story. No doubt they overlooked young Mary, the helpful cousin from Nazareth. It was too early in her pregnancy for them to realize she was carrying a Child, too. But she was, and her baby would turn out to be Jesus the Messiah. He is God Himself come into this world as a human being—why? To serve and to save and to give Himself up as a ransom for all of us, so that we might become children of God. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have life and joy forever.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, Your coming is the best news ever. Thank You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • Are you interested in your neighbors’ lives?
  • Do you think the neighbors ever found out about Jesus?
  • Is there someone you could tell about Him? Ask the Lord for help.

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


full_metal_ox: A gold Chinese Metal Ox zodiac charm. (Default)
[personal profile] full_metal_ox posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Mo Dao Zu Shi
Pairings/Characters: Gen; Lan Xichen & Lan Wangji; Lan Xichen & Wei Wuxian; background Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian; background past Lan Xichen/Jin Guangyao; Lan Xichen, Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian, Jin Guangyao (in past anecdote)
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 2,495
Content Notes: No Archive Warnings Apply, eating one’s feelings, food as mnemonic trigger, innuendo, mourning, snarky food criticism
Creator Tags: Post-Canon, Food as a Metaphor for Love, Xichen Week 2020
Creator Links: (AO3) [archiveofourown.org profile] dragonofeternal, (Dreamwidth) [personal profile] dragonofeternal, (Tumblr) [tumblr.com profile] dragonofeternal

Theme: Amnesty, Food & Cooking, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Family, Post-Canon, Trauma & Recovery

Summary: Food can do more than just feed- it nurtures the soul and the bonds between people.
In which Lan Xichen briefly leaves his seclusion to taste Wei Wuxian's cooking and awakens warm memories of meals long passed.


Author’s Notes: For [archiveofourown.org profile] SetsuntaMew.

<3 For my lovely wife, who inspired this when we talking Xichen feels over spicy Korean BBQ.


Reccer's Notes: When Lan Wangji checks up on Lan Xichen in his seclusion, Wei Wuxian comes along—bringing his idea of a care package. Despite Wangji’s apprehension, the Fires Of Yunmeng Cooking prove just the thing to help his despondent brother come to terms with his complicated feelings about fellow Yunmeng boy Jin Guangyao—prompting memories of their adventures (and meals) together.

(An added bit of poignancy is that Lan Xichen is being served this bittersweet nostalgia by a man who now bears Jin Guangyao a family resemblance.)

Fanwork Links:
The Spice of Life by [archiveofourown.org profile] dragonofeternal
Collections: Lan Huan Protection Squad.
sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe

What God Was Willing to Do


Hollywood would recast the Christmas story. Joseph’s collar is way too blue. Mary is green from inexperience. The couple’s star power doesn’t match the bill. Too obscure, too simple. The story warrants some headliners. And what about the shepherds? Do they sing? A good public relations firm would move the birth to a big city. The Son of God deserves a royal entry. Less peasant, more pizazz.

But we didn’t design the hour. God did. And God was content to enter the world in the presence of sleepy sheep and a wide-eyed carpenter. No spotlights, just candlelight. No crowns, just cows chewing cud. If God was willing to wrap himself in rags, then all questions about his love for you are off the table. When Christ was born, so was our hope. That’s why I love Christmas.


Read more Because of Bethlehem

full_metal_ox: A gold Chinese Metal Ox zodiac charm. (Default)
[personal profile] full_metal_ox posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Green Hornet (1966 and 2011 versions), Batman (1966), Al Hirt (musician), Bruce Lee
Pairings/Characters: Gen; Britt Reid | Green Hornet, Kato, Bruce Wayne | Batman, Dick Grayson | Robin, cameo by Beatrix Kiddo | The Bride (Kill Bill), Black Beauty is practically a character, right?
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 3:03
Content Notes: Rapid flickering image shifts; earworm hazard.
Creator Links: (Instagram) [instagram.com profile] Dorodigital; (YouTube) [youtube.com profile] Dorodigital
Theme: Amnesty, Crossovers & Fusions, FANCAKE IS FIFTEEN, Fandom Classics, Fanvids, Older Fandoms, Underloved Works

Summary: What started out as an attempt to learn flight of the bumble bee on the trumpet evolved into a fascination with the green hornet theme song. Although the show featured one of my favorite Martial Artist ..Bruce lee..the main attraction for me was the frentic trumpet solo performed by another hero of mine Mr. Al hirt. This song was also used in the motor cycle scene in kill bill. I was delighted to learn that they were making a movie version in 2011 starring Seth Rogen and Jay Chou..Alas there could be only one Bruce lee as well as one Al hirt. However I decided to perform this cover in tribute to Al and Bruce...Enjoy

Reccer's Notes: Two great tastes that taste great together: against a montage of thrilling stunts and snappy dialogue, trumpeter Ricardo Dowridge multiplies himself into an orchestra to celebrate his musical and martial heroes.

Fanwork Links:



One man’s Green Hornet.mpg, by Ricardo Dowridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8UVF7tkdRw
full_metal_ox: A gold Chinese Metal Ox zodiac charm. (Default)
[personal profile] full_metal_ox posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Oingo Boingo
Pairings/Characters: Gen; background F->M (Emily ->Victor); Jack Skellington, Bonejangles, and the whole Halloween Town and Underworld crews.
Rating: Teen and Up
Length: 4:22
Content Notes: canon-typical death, undeath, decay, dismemberment, creepy-crawlies, monsters, and Body Horror.
Creator Links: (YouTube) [youtube.com profile] DylanWhitesChannel (formerly [youtube.com profile] weareactualsize
Theme: Amnesty, Crossovers & Fusions, FANCAKE IS FIFTEEN, Fandom Classics, Fanvids, Older Fandoms

Summary: Oingo Boingo's "Dead Man's Party" mashed with "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Corpse Bride." All copyrights held by original owners. Happy Halloween.
(HD re-edit from my weareactualsize channel)


Reccer's Notes: Although this repost is dated 27 October 2014, the original on White’s now-defunct previous channel dates from circa 2010. This fusion is a relentless tour-de-force of music synced to visuals synced to lyrics; Danny Elfman’s having scored both movies creates a certain built-in compatibility, and Oingo Boingo’s Halloween anthem makes for an Elfman trifecta.

Fanwork Links:


Dead Man’s Party, by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndhDaEqjKAc
sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
GREAT MERCY

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. (Luke 1:57-58)

Elizabeth’s neighbors heard that God had shown her great mercy, and they were happy for her. They came together to celebrate at the time of John’s circumcision, eight days after he was born.

But what does that mean, “great mercy”? I suspect the first thing they were thinking of was her safety. Childbirth was a dangerous thing in those days, all the more for a woman as old as Elizabeth was. But of course that wasn’t all. In a culture where childlessness meant you might not have anyone to take care of you in old age, the birth of baby John was indeed “great mercy.”

So John represents both safety and security for Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah. But he means something to us, too—because John is the “first installment,” if we can say that, of God keeping His promise to send the Savior—Jesus, His own Son, who would be born just six months later. John will prepare the way for the One who makes us truly safe forever, at the cost of His own life. Now that Jesus has broken the power of death over us by rising from the dead, He will raise us also on the Last Day—and bring us safely into His kingdom.

WE PRAY: Lord, You are my true safety. Thank You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • What kind of safety does Jesus offer us? How do you know?
  • When you are afraid, how does He help you?
  • How does Jesus embody God’s mercy to us?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name. …” And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. (Luke 1:46-49, 56)

Mary is overjoyed, so much that she can’t help bursting into poetry, trying to describe what God has done for her. She has good reason!

For the next nine months, Mary will live more closely connected to God than anybody before or after her. While she carries Jesus, her body will provide everything He needs—oxygen, food, warmth, all physical needs. Her choices will influence His future—what she eats, the stresses she endures. Her voice will be the first that He hears; and He will feel her emotions through the effects they have on her body. He will be wholly dependent on her. What an honor, and what trust God shows in Mary!

And after Jesus is born, He will be almost as completely dependent on her and on Joseph for years to come. They will protect Him; they will feed, shelter, and teach Him. God set all of this up so that Jesus, in turn, would become the One we all depend on—our dear Savior, who rescued us at the cost of His own life, and who lives forever as our beloved Lord and the home of our hearts.

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, I am glad to depend on You. You have never let me down, and You never will. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • What do you need in order to feel safe being close to someone?
  • Are you comfortable depending on someone other than yourself? Why or why not?
  • How about depending on the Lord—what has your experience been there?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


pedanther: (Default)
[personal profile] pedanther posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Tangled
Pairings/Characters: Flynn Rider/Rapunzel
Rating: General Audiencees
Length: 714
Creator Links: [archiveofourown.org profile] lalaietha
Theme: Amnesty, Old Fandoms, Comfortfic

Summary:
"You know," Eugene's voice comes from the side of the tower, "I am really out of practice in climbing up sheer rock-faced walls and across rickety shingles. D'you think I should start a workout regimen again? I mean, I'd kind of let it slide because these are skills commonly associated with thievery and I'm all reformed, but - "

Reccer's Notes:
In which Rapunzel is feeling overwhelmed by her first birthday celebration that involves more than one person and a chameleon, and Flynn offers sympathy and helpful(?) advice.

Short and sweet, and seemed appropriate for Fancake's birthday.

Fanwork Links: The Next Birthday on AO3

Fancake is FIFTEEN

Dec. 11th, 2025 10:16 am
runpunkrun: combat boot, pizza, camo pants = punk  (punk rock girl)
[personal profile] runpunkrun posting in [community profile] fancake

Photograph of a grinning Shiba Inu dog wearing a pink party hat with a 15 on it. Text: Happy Birthday, Fancake. On this day in history, [personal profile] jerakeen made the very first post to this comm. Happy birthday to us!

To celebrate [community profile] fancake's fifteen years of operation, we're taking a two-pronged approach, with thanks to [personal profile] full_metal_ox for suggesting the second prong:

  1. post recs to the comm for fanworks published in 2010 for amnesty (if all else fails, theme: old fandoms should probably cover you, but consider also theme: favorite fanworks, theme: fandom classics, and theme: underloved fanworks)

  2. comment on this post with what you were into when you were fifteen—or what you were into fifteen years ago—what you're into today, and how your tastes have changed—or not!—over the years, or share your thoughts in your own journal and leave us a link here in the comments

  3. a secret third thing???

Happy birthday, Fancake! Thank you for making this comm a community. 🎂

sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
GOOD BEYOND BELIEF

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country … and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. … And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:39a, 40, 41b-44)

I love Elizabeth’s reaction. As soon as she realizes that Mary—and Jesus, in Mary’s womb!—have come to visit her, she cries out with joy. And her baby, John, leaps inside of her for the same reason.

We too have good reason to cry out and jump for joy, because Jesus has come to us—we, who had no claim on Him at all, no reason to expect such love and blessing! But God has come to us in human flesh and blood, one of us—and not just for a short visit, but to be our Savior forever. Through His suffering and death He broke the power of evil over us; and now that He has risen from the dead and lives forever, we know that we, too, will live with Him forever. We will never lose Him, and He will never lose us. His lovingkindness is forever.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for coming to me in my own life, and making me Yours forever. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • What is the best thing that ever happened to you? (No fair saying “Jesus”!)
  • When you first had that good thing happen to you, how did you react?
  • Does it surprise you to know that Jesus considers you—you personally!—to be His joy? (See Hebrews 12:2.)

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


sparowe: (Christmas)
[personal profile] sparowe
CONSENT?

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)

Mary is in an interesting spot. God has not asked for her consent, at least not directly. The angel has simply told her, “This is how it will be.” Does that sound unfair?

And yet, isn’t there a sense in which all of us who belong to God have given our consent to be used by Him long ago? My husband doesn’t need to ask me before he commits me to helping a friend who is in an emergency. He knows my heart already. Of course I’ll say yes!

And the Lord knows Mary’s heart as well. He knows she loves Him. He knows she will consider the Gift He is giving her to be exactly that—the best gift ever!—and a great honor and responsibility as well. And we can see that He is right—because when she visits Elizabeth, she bursts out in a great song of praise for the wonderful thing God is doing through her, sending our Savior Jesus into the world.

It’s the same for us. We know that serving Jesus is an honor and blessing, because He’s the One who loved us so much He died and rose for us. It doesn’t really matter whether we enjoy doing the particular thing He’s asked of us or not. We have the chance to love Him by our actions—and we are glad to take it.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, I know how greatly You love me, and I love You back. Use me as You see best. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

  • Who loves and trusts you so much they wouldn’t even need to ask if they needed your help?
  • Why would you come through for those people?
  • What service has God trusted you with, knowing you’ll do it for love of Him?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.


22degreehalo: (GBH hotel)
[personal profile] 22degreehalo posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Night at the Museum
Pairings/Characters: Jedediah/Octavius
Rating: T
Length: 10,180
Creator Links: [archiveofourown.org profile] liviapenn
Theme: Amnesty, Cultural Differences, Enemies to Friends (to Lovers), Enemies Working Together, Missing Scenes

Summary: There are secret articles in our treaties with the gods, of more importance than all the rest, which the historian can never know. -- Henry David Thoreau

This hour I tell things in confidence,
I might not tell everybody, but I will tell you.
-- Walt Whitman, "Song of Myself"

Reccer's Notes: This is so much fun, charting the growth in these boys' friendship starting from their trek through the snow in the movie to their awkward, gradual romantic advances post-canon ❤️

Fanwork Links: if this was a cowboy movie (i'd give you my boots)

BG3: Glad Tidings by partingxshot

Dec. 10th, 2025 12:41 pm
22degreehalo: (Nutcracker and the 4 realms)
[personal profile] 22degreehalo posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3
Pairings/Characters: Wyll/Astarion
Rating: T
Length: 25,638
Creator Links: [archiveofourown.org profile] partingxshot
Theme: Amnesty, Black Characters, Characters of Colour, Character Development, Established Relationship, Family, Just Plain Fun, Marriage, Outsider POV, Politics, Post-Canon, Unconventional Format & Style, Working Together

Summary: You are ULDER RAVENGARD.

Your son is completely besotted with his fiancé, but you can’t figure out the appeal. He’s spoiled, and petty, and seems chiefly concerned with draining the Ravengard coffers. You are, frankly, at your wits’ fucking end.

Surely the only solution is to declare an INSANE SECRET WAR on him before he can ruin the MIDWINTER'S EVE BALL. This cannot possibly backfire.

[A choose-your-own-adventure Astarion son-in-law simulator. Happy Holidays! Or possibly the opposite of that.]

Reccer's Notes: This is just so much fun 😄 The notion of how Astarion would fit in at Wyll's childhood home is a common topic for Wyllstarions, and this is such a fun take on it!! It's remarkably coherent no matter which paths you take, and there are so many fun running jokes or weird endings to find! (And also, if you enjoy the writing style... Might I have a particular webcomic called Homestuck to recommend? Because it was very clearly an inspiration :D)

Fanwork Links: Glad Tidings

I need a Baldur's Gate fandom tag please, mods!!
22degreehalo: (J&W !)
[personal profile] 22degreehalo posting in [community profile] fancake
Fandom: Blackadder Goes Forth
Pairings/Characters: Blackadder/Darling
Rating: T
Length: 20,605
Creator Links: [archiveofourown.org profile] nomadicwriter
Theme: Amnesty, Casefic, Cuddling Snuggling & Bed-Sharing, Enemies to Lovers, Enemies Working Together, Forced Proximity, Historical Settings, Just Plain Fun, Old Fandoms, Rare Pairings, Pretend Couple, Small Fandoms, Time Travel, Uncommon Settings, Undercover as a Couple

Summary: Darling's remarkable resemblance to French traitor the Duc de Darling - no relation - sees him unwillingly sent to infiltrate a German-occupied château. Blackadder accompanies him even less willingly, especially when he learns exactly what it is they're looking for.

(Baldrick is also there, but no one bothered to find out if it was willingly or otherwise.)

Reccer's Notes: This is just so fucking good. It has been an age since I last watched Blackadder but this fic brought me all the way back immediately: the character voices are just chef's kiss! It really feels like it could've been a special episode, except with added totally in-character shippiness! 10/10, perfect characterisation, perfect dynamics, perfect silliness, no notes ❤️

Fanwork Links: General Relativity

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