Sunshine Challenge 5: Bloodstone

[impala_chick]

The name of this gem makes me think of horror tropes and bloodshed. It represents courage and motivation, which are both important traits to utilize when facing your fears and warding off ghosts, monsters, and other scary things.

In that vein, I'm going to recc my favorite fics from summerofhorrorexchange! (Please mind the tags/warnings)

The woods are lovely, dark and deep (554 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Stardew Valley (Video Game)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Leah/Female Player (Stardew Valley)
Characters: Leah (Stardew Valley), Marnie (Stardew Valley), Emily (Stardew Valley), Jas (Stardew Valley)
Additional Tags: Treat, something nasty in the woods, Horror
Summary:

Once you get past the outer layers, the true nature starts to show...

My Notes: Stardew definitely is ripe for spooky tropes, and this is so well-crafted and tightly written. I love the mystery of the whole thing, and the bits about the farmer's strength.

Ways to Return (2794 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, WandaVision (TV), Doctor Strange (Movies)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Wanda Maximoff & Pietro Maximoff
Characters: Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff, Stephen Strange
Additional Tags: emotional support systems from beyond the grave, Not DSMoM compliant, 5+1, 5 times Wanda sees a ghost, and 1 time Stephen Strange does
Summary:

This time, when Wanda sees him looking at her in her rearview mirror, a grim line slowly setting between his furrowed brows, she doesn't cower or wonder.

She stares right back, tears streaking silently down her cheeks and asks: "Are you real?"

My Notes: A spooky and sad look at Wanda's grief in relation to Pietro. I really like what the author did with the ending.

Sokovia, still (1200 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes & Sam Wilson & Helmut Zemo
Additional Tags: Geographical Horror, Ghosts
Summary:

Although it had fallen, Sokovia refused to go quietly.

My Notes: Sokovia and ghosts! This fic makes me want to read a million more fics like it.

Comments

[enemytosleep]

Thank you for the recs, and also for highlighting the exchange itself! I am investigating the full page directly after this comment :D

Also, is this a new journal theme? It's so crisp and tidy, and I love the sort of galaxy feel to the background.

[impala_chick]

Yay, hope you find things you like! I'll have to sign up for that exchange next year.

Yes it is! Thanks for noticing :D The galaxy feel of the background is my favorite part of it. The header is more spring than summer but maybe I can figure out how to change it.