rainwaterspark | The Old Guard fanfic recs

(New fandom, who dis??)

The Old Guard is the first fandom I’ve been part of ever since Captain America six years ago (so long ago, yeesh). Reading fanfic for this fandom is somewhat agonizing at times considering the vast majority of the historical fanfic have egregious errors when it comes to historical accuracy, sigh. I’ve managed to find a few fanfics that I like, though. (Most of these are Joe/Nicky fanfics unless otherwise stated.)

(As always, this is a work in progress!)

Recommendations:

try it again (breathing’s just a rhythm) by bookerapologist
This is a Booker-centric fanfic that takes place after the events of the movie. It’s beautiful and exquisitely heartbreaking. I can’t recommend it enough.

A Past Life Bleeding Through by idiom [AU] [crossover]
Ever thought that a crossover between The Old Guard and Assassin’s Creed would be perfect? This fic has got you covered.

Lion Hearts by romeoandjulietyouwish
The ace Joe/Nicky fanfic of my heart. :)

how could something so bad look so damn good? by FereldenTurnip [crossover]
This is a crossover between The Old Guard and the FX TV show Trust, where Luca Marinelli played an Italian gangster named Primo Nizzuto, and it’s hilarious.

The Two Sides of Forever by CypressSunn
The one historical Joe/Nicky fanfic that doesn’t make me want to jump into a lake (also, it’s rather sweet).

~~Cat and Crown by Wind_Ryder~~ [AU]
This is a fantasy AU without a romance between Joe and Nicky. Yusuf is a Giver, someone who can heal and raise the dead with a touch, while Nicky is a Reaper, someone who can kill with a touch, and they are on opposite sides of an endless war. There’s political intrigue and an interesting magic system and world.

Missed You By a Few Minutes, a Few Centuries by just_another_tinker [AU]
A canon-divergent AU where Joe and Nicky didn’t realize they’ve met in the Crusades and neither knows the other is immortal. This fic is major angst city.

Runners-up:

let not time deceive you (you cannot conquer time) by Draco_sollicitus [AU]
AU where Joe is immortal and Nicky is mortal. This is well written and started off promisingly, but I didn’t really like some of the character choices later. Also, there’s some casual transphobia, sigh.

the other side of this wide night by mellyflori [AU]
No immortality, modern day AU. This is probably the strangest concept I’ve ever seen for a Joe/Nicky fanfic, but it’s written in a surprisingly engaging way.

in the shape of the dead by novaquill [AU] [crossover]
The Old Guard and The Umbrella Academy crossover (a.k.a. the immortals have superpowers). I don't have any feelings about The Umbrella Academy, but I thought this fic was pretty interesting.

All Things Sacred by Valhela [AU] [crossover]
Crossover with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where Nicky is the Winter Soldier.

Retrograde by Pinkninja [AU] [crossover]
Crossover with The Time Traveler’s Wife. I didn’t like TTTW as a movie/concept, but I find this fic really well done and can’t wait to see what happens next.

Lights Out by Avelera [in progress]
There are several different "Nicky gets amnesia and forgets Joe" fanfics, but I think this one is my favorite.

all hail the algorithm by silvyri [AU] [in progress]
Modern day AU where Joe and Nicky are matched by a dating algorithm but think the match is a mistake. Great premise, and Nicky with self esteem issues makes my heart hurt in the best way.