Fanfic Recs / Durarara!!

Proof that the remaining 10% is worth being decapitated for here:

These are recommendations made by Tropers for Durarara!!! fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic to the list, but remember to use the template found here.

You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page. Discussion of the recommendation is welcome on the discussion page. As such discussion is important, do remember to add the discussion page to the watchlist if need be.

Do warn when a fanfic may head into sexually explicit or non-canon territory. Some people just don't like it, and as we all know, Shipping is Serious Business.

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Authors and Websites

Authors and Websites

• v-e-i
• Recommended by GintaxAlvissforever
• If you love Aoba, don't like smut or if you love violent dark fic, then this is for you. Most of her stories focus on Aoba, Mikado and Izaya and her pairings tend to lean toward Mikado/Aoba (despite saying that she doesn't like the pairing) and Izaya/Mikado/Aoba. The characters are always in character. There's a lot of dark humor and character death in her fics. She has a few funny fics that will make you smile at the end but most of her fics have Downer Endings/Bittersweet Endings. Also, this author seems to love torturing Kida in the most horrible ways possible. If you love Kida, her fics are not meant for you and if you don't like him...then these are perfect for you. (Saki also gets the same treatment, only worse.) Also, she tends to portray Mikado as Bosskado.

• MerryCheri
• Recommended by wantit
  • Nicely written and for the most part grammatically correct Shizaya fics that are a bit angsty/depressing but don't overdo it. Her writing style is really brilliant, and even though she's sporadic about updating at best I really think it's worth the wait. Especially considering she comes out with things like the epically beautiful If There is Light.

General Fics

Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.

General Fics

Hard Surface by v-e-i

• Recommended by GintaxAlvissforever
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis/Kink Meme: Dark AU Izaya suffers from a huge humiliation and he tries to put the pieces together...but some things will never change (or get worse) and he'll drag the people down who think he'll change.
• Tags: Dark, Rape, Angst, Tragedy
• Comments: A suspenseful Dark Fic. To sum it up, Kida is tired of Izaya being a Manipulative Bastard and seems to cross the line by having the yazuka come and humiliate him by any means necessary. Which includes rape. It seems to start falling into your typical Shizaya fic when Shizuo rescues Izaya from them but it's far from that. In fact, the author admits that she's not good with smut and as a result, all the pairings come off as unhealthy. She tends to focus on Izaya/Kida and Shizuo/Izaya with Mikado/Aoba if you squint. Aoba is very in character and has the best lines as well as the best scenes. His lines will make you laugh because of his dark humor. This story is a major Tear Jerker as it goes on, and you won't get the happy ending expected.

Maybe I Need You by mellish

• Recommended by: chibiaries
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: It's deceptively familiar, but this is not the Ikebukuro he knows. Shizuo dies. Izaya deals with it the way only he can.
• Tags: Drama
• Comments: Not a shipping fic. This oneshot maintains a melancholy mood throughout without being overwhelmed by angst. Izaya is in-character. A good piece that also perfectly captures the whole Durarara!! cast's possible reaction to the loss of Shizuo.

The Mercurial Mask by knkfics

• Recommended by: Weaver, Lara
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: A new gang comes to town looking for something special, and is willing to turn all of Ikebukuro upside down until they find it.
• Comments: Good characterization of everyone involved, as well as an engaging plot that includes an inventive use of folklore. The story also gets bonus points for including something that has long been suspected by the fandom regarding the nature of a couple of the main cast and making a good job of doing so.

The Dangers Of Curiosity by Uphill Both Ways

• Recommended by: Enunciability
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: Izaya regrets the day he discovered the Shizaya fan-base.
• Tags: Humor
• Comments: Who made these atrocities?

To Try Again, or the Tale of a Family by ThreeSmallCrows

• Recommended by: wantit
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: A beautiful, in character story of the Orihara's home life. Izaya gets sick and returns home, a place he hadn't been in years, where he is not so welcome and not so trusted, by almost everyone in the family. It's a really interesting and emotional exploration of the burdens of being related to the someone who is pretty much the devil, and with oddly relatable themes throughout.
• Tags: Drama/Family
• Comments: YMMV on whether it's in-character or not, but either way, this is a wonderful story. The prose is unique and slightly embellished, but thankfully, it isn't flowery at all. A wonderfully realistic family-centered story and well worth the read, even for Izaya/Orihara-haters. Maybe tear-jerking for some.

A Simple Phonecall by damienne is dead

• Recommended by: catspeak
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: Izaya birthday drabble. He can't read her, but maybe he doesn't want to.
• Tags: Friendship/Romance
• Comments: Centers around Izaya and Namie while "working," but not really a shipping fic. A refreshing change from a lot of the more recent Izanami fics because of its wonderful characterization. The prose is reminiscent of Narita's own writing and very simplistic and short, but it manages to say so much in so little and it adds a little bit of depth into the characters, especially Namie.

Hush, Little Bartender, Don't You Cry by DRRRLover1224

• Recommended by: Sophiebybophie
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: After a little "accident" with a bad bottle of milk, Shizuo ends up turning into a baby. He's practically rendered helpless, but when Izaya finds the blonde infant on the street, he sees a side of the informant that he never knew existed.
• Tags: Family/Hurt/Comfort
• Comments: This fic's main ship is Shizuno/Izays but it's mainly story based and romance only comes at the end of the fanfic.

Cat's Game by iguana blogger

• Recommended by: Mercury Coyote
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: Shizuo and Izaya have finally met it- their draw. Their stalemate. Their cat's game. But... they didn't expect to meet it as actual cats.
• Tags: humour/suspense
• Comments: This is not a shipping fic (unless you're Erika, but she doesn't really know what's going on). It centres mainly around Shizuo, and less around Izaya. It's pretty good for having a strange premise and everyone's in character. There is an OC at one point, but, they're minor to the story.

We Should Make It Canon by Casting Moonlight

• Recommended by: fruitstripegum
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: The Director was beginning to give. He was starting to think it just wasn't possible. They were amazing actors, at the height of their careers, everyone wanted them. He couldn't imagine why. How was he suppose to get anything done if they kept kissing when they were suppose to be fighting?

Under The Surface by Caelice

• Recommended by merefire
• Status: Complete
• Pairing(s): Implied Izaya/Shizuo
• Synopsis: Izaya wakes up in a coffin with nothing but a flashlight and a cell phone. He doesn't know where he is or how much air he has left. All he knows is that he's running out of time and there's only one person who can save him – Heiwajima Shizuo.
• Comments: Holy shit. If you don't read any other story in this section, THIS IS THE ONE YOU HAVE TO READ. It's impeccably on point for each character and will stick in your head for months. It's beautiful, not at all over-done and heartwrenching without being too angsty. Bring tissues. This is definitely one of the best fanfictions I've ever read in any fandom. Hands down.

Shipping

Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.

Shipping

Sacramental by batman

• Recommended by Liah_Faile
• Status: Complete
• Pairing: Izaya x Shizuo
• Synopsis: A stream-of-consciousness look into Izaya and Shizuo's relationship throughout the years. (Canon backstory + post 2x12 trying-to-fix-it.)
• Comment: This has been highly recommended by several high-profile writers in the fandom, and shows up on multiple tumblr lists of best durarara works. When I read it, I was blown away by the vivid imagery and the emotion in it. Warning: there is Mature content in here, so please beware.

Complication by Junjou-is-pureheart

• Recommended by GintaxAlvissforever
• Status: Dormant
• Pairing: Shizuo/Izaya, Shinra/Celty and Kasuka/Ruri (probably more to come)
• Synopsis: Besides of one unpredictable person, he loves all humans. There are so many kinds of humans and observing their behavior is simply enthralling. He forgets one thing to observe though. His own feelings.
• Comments: This one stands out from the other Shizaya fics for many reasons. First, this author brings in the characters from the novel and does a good job characterizing them. Next, this person brings a lot of novel references from the more recent chapters like Izaya getting stabbed by Yadogiri Jinnai uses them as plot points to explain why Yadogiri Jinnai wants to ruin Izaya. Izaya might be OOC every now and then, but this is what would happen if the characters actually made an attempt to talk to Izaya. This story is definitely aiming for the Break the Haughty trope and as of recent chapters, it seems to have worked. A definite read but beware of spoilers from the novel.

Old Friends and New Lovers by thereisafire

• Recommended by Maxi 1234
• Status: Complete
• Pairing: Shinra/Celty/Shizuo
• Synopsis: Shizuo doesn't know it, but Celty and Shinra care about him and want to show him that he's loved.
• Comments: Best OT3? We have a winner.

Without by Nocturnalux

• Recommended by Statuess, Blizzagone
• Status: Complete
• Pairing: Shizuo/Izaya
• Synopsis: Deathfic. Izaya makes sure that Shizuo sees him fall from a building.
• Comments: The best DRRR fic' EVAR. Extremely bitter, with a hint of sweet. This person deserves an award, seriously. A world so beautifully created but not AU.
  • This fic is so beautiful, my god. Izaya is so perfectly in character and it actually makes Shizaya seem beyond plausible—inevitable, really. I spent an afternoon reading it, bawling my eyes out at some parts, and, yeah. All the other Shizaya fics I've read pale completely in comparison.

You're Just So Pretty In Your Pain by Anon

• Recommended by Solipsism IF
• Status: Dormant
• Pairing: Izaya/Shiki
• Synopsis: Izaya is being tortured by a yakuza boss and comes to Shinra for treatment. Slowly his knot of lies unravels as the truth regarding his injuries comes out...
• Comments: Fail summary is fail. This fic is EPICALLY good and has some of the most IC scenes This Troper has ever read. Worth reading just for Izaya's psychological study alone.

If We Ever Meet Again by Shitsuren69

• Recommended by Zarclonia
• Status: Complete
• Pairing: Shizuo/Mikado
• Synopsis: Mikado thought that the biggest event in his life was when the love of his life ran off with his best friend. This was, of course, before Celty invited him to Ikebukuro
• Comments: I love this fanfic because I made me fall in love with the pairing of Shizuo/Mikado and make it seem believable while building a world and story that feels like episodes of Durarara!! It also creates interesting chemistry between Izaya and Mikado. Although, there is the reminder that this fic is a prequel to another fanfic by the same author,Operator. If you had read Operator, you know how it might probably end.

Would You Remember Me? by Navigate Me

• Recommended by: CJ Croen 1393
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: As Shinra's birthday draws near, he begins to think about getting older, death and dying. He then wonders if Celty will remember him when he dies...
• Pairing(s): Shinra/Celty
• Comments: I've seen many DRRR!! fics that tried and failed to be tear jerkers (they were usually terrifyingly OOC Shizaya fics) but this definitely qualifies as a fanfic that you will need a box of tissues for. Shinra is in character (Celty's asleep for most of the story so she doesn't really need to be in character) and the ending will definitely make you want to hug him, tightly. Totally recommended if you love Shinra/Celty.

Sepia Tone by faces sunward

• Recommended by: Oberyn
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: She captures him through the camera lens...
• Pairing(s): Kida/Saki
• Comments: Because of her status, there are few Kida/Saki fics, let alone good ones. I found this one to show more in a relatively short one-shot than a twenty-chapter fic. It's a downright haunting story that is not bogged down by a lot of the cliches one finds in Shipping Fics and both Kida and Saki are very in character.

The GainLoss Theory of Attraction by caffeinekitty

• Recommended by merefire
• Status: Complete
• Pairing(s): Izaya/Shizuo
• Synopsis: In which we value more the things we have to work for.
• Comments: Not at all mushy or overly graphic. It's a realistic, introspective take on the popular pairing, and takes all the other factors of their characters into account.

rhyme of another summer by Lily Jadeth

• Recommended by merefire
• Status: Complete
• Pairing(s): Izaya/Shizuo
• Synopsis: Shizuo falls in love with a faceless pianist – but when he finds out the virtuoso's identity, will his attitude change?
• Comments: Okay, admittedly, this one is a bit of a stretch. It's sweet and melancholy and makes Izaya look like a better person than he actually is, but this is a good piece of writing anyway. It doesn't take Izaya out of character and gives a whole new dimension to Shizuo. The imagery is lovely and the story moves with an amazing flow.

A Stranger Country by Neko-chan -Silvered Tongue

• Recommended by merefire
• Status: Dead
• Pairing(s): Izaya/Shizuo?
• Synopsis: It's a long, slow journey to awareness for someone who is so willfully blind. But, eventually, sight will come.
• Comments: I'm not really sure whether this should be under shipping. It's obviously leaning towards there, but this is more like a reflective glance into Izaya's headspace for now. Written believably and convincingly, and shows some good insights into Izaya's relationship with Shizuo. Brilliant.

What You Don't Surrender by caffeinekitty

• Recommended by Ashenphoenix, Iplewhelmed
• Status: Complete
• Pairing(s): Izaya/Shizuo
• Synopsis: No one else needed to know all the ways Shizuo could break. No one else had the right to see him that way. When Shizuo fell apart, he needed to know Izaya was the only reason for it. The only reason there could ever be. And a broken, afraid Shizuo was of no use to him whatsoever. So there was only one option. I’ll fix you, Shizu-chan. Make you good as new. And then I’ll be the one who brings you to your knees.
• Comments: A breathtakingly well written, heart-wrenching examination of how The Strongest Man In Ikebukuro would handle an almost imaginable trauma, and how Izaya responds when a presence so integral to his world is made unrecognizable. Caffeinekitty shows a truly fascinating take on this pair, impeccably in-character, thrilling, sexy, and achingly human, this fic is one of the best I've ever read of any fandom. Be forewarned: This fic deals with the aftereffects of gang rape.

What Is Love? by addude

• Recommended by Wisest 1
• Status: Complete
• Pairing(s): Anri/Mikado
• Synopsis: Anri and Mikado get a chance to start up a relationship if they survive the people out to kill them and the mystery behind Saika. Will Anri understand her own feeling and will Mikado be able to help her. There are forces around them setting them up for something will they be ready for it.
• Comments: A fun story taking place in the anime universe. The story is funny while trying to stay true to the characters.Overall all an enjoyable reading especially fans of the ship.The author also brings in the occasional guest appearance of a notable pair from Baccano without it feeling forced. Side parings include Celty/Shinra, Masaomi/Saki and some hints of Erika/Walker.

365 days of winter by Zauberer S

• Recommended by Adept
• Status: Complete
• Pairing(s): Izaya/Namie
• Synopsis: Izaya and Namie try this thing called cohabitation.
• Comments: A well-written story which depicts a believable progression of the relationship between Namie and Izaya, mostly told in the former's POV. The characterizations are pretty spot on, as Namie slowly and begrudgingly becomes more and more familiar with her boss, and eventually becoming his lover while still insisting that their relationship is strictly a form of convenience. Their actions and dynamics feel very natural, and it's actually rather sweet to read, despite the lack of explicit fluff or "feels".

Dying Message by Rukazaya

• Recommended by vector-sama
• Status: Complete
• Pairing: Izaya x Shizuo, Phyche x Shizuo, Shinra x Celty
• Synopsis: Izaya dies and Shizuo, unable to contain his guilt and sorrow, sacrifices everything he has to create Psyche, a robot made to look like and act like Izaya.
• Comment: How was this not here yet? Izaya passes on but not without leaving Shizuo a message; links to the songs in the fic itself. Highly recommend you bring some tissues

Alternate Universe

Alternative Universe. The characters are written into a different world/universe than the one they are typically from.

Alternate Universe

Network by Azurelitestar

• Recommended by: Katherine-Sanderson
• Status: Complete
• Synopsis: "But you knew, didn't you? You've always known, from tapping into that boundless network of yours. And your inactivity or supposed indifference is not because of fear. Oh, no." He takes a gleeful step forward. "You've simply been waiting for the perfect opportunity to get yourself involved in these things."
• Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Superheroes/Superpowers
• Comments: Probably the best Durarara!! fic I've read period.

Crossover Fics

A fan fiction which incorporates characters, events, places, ideas, etc from another fandom.

Crossovers

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