Title: A Ways Away
Author: shinusual
Characters/Pairings: MingyuxWonwoo (Meanie)
No. of Chapters: 9+
Status: Ongoing
Warnings: None so far...

Summary:

Mingyu hates relationships, almost as much as he loves cats. There's no one who could change his mind about that. But when Wonwoo meets this boy, he refuses to accept that there's no hope. With his special circumstance, he can't afford to. Twelve hours a day doesn't seem like enough to make someone fall in love, but Wonwoo has no other choice.

Why I love it: 

The au alone is unique, I won't specify what alternate universe this takes place on. I'd just let you explore the story because telling you would be spoiling the story. However, this would not stop me from discussing the story's charms.

First off, I already said it's unique, given the tag(s) fantasy, I'd say that this story is not your usual one. It'd also be well noted that this is the first time I have encountered something like this, either from Seventeen or any fandom I am in. 

Second thing I want to emphasize in this would be Mingyu's character. It's easy to relate to him and to develop a certain attachement to this kind of persona because it's real. Mingyu and his group of friends are the normal ground of this whole story. The mundane and the easily taken for granted are portrayed and reflected by him and his friends. His character has this endearing solitude that I would and could easily connect to.

Third, the mystery. It takes so little for time for me to find out what (and how) exactly is Wonwoo's role in this story but it does not remove the mystery of the whole thing altogether. Wonwoo's character is an open book, it's easy to understand and play off his vulnerability and his strengths. However despite this, it is quite ironic how I still find it difficult to grasp what his actions and reactions would be with the situations that were thrown at him.

Fourth, the dynamics of Mingyu and Wonwoo's relationship. It has this fast paced but justified shift of perspectives from Mingyu to Wonwoo that explained and gave me ample grasp as to how and why this works despite the really fast formation of the relationship. It also good to note how endearing and cute, if I may use the word, the way the whole relationship was formed. The incident that pushed them to bump into each other and that propelled them to meet again were, to put it simply, funny and well thought of. 

Fifth, the sense of home amidst uncertainty. For most parts, when these kinds of situation arises, there's this sense of instability that would arise, even if the situation presents itself on a daily basis, it does not get easier. However, the story have this kind of stability to it. It had given me this feeling, and sense of belonging and hominess.

It felt warm and exciting and mysterious. I had this good mixture of anticipating, needing idleness from the adventure yet wanting to move and fast forward so I can understand more. This story has this vibe in it that needs the constant flow of moving forward to the future yet craving for the stagnant bloom of  the "now".

To be quite honest, the story has a lot of strong points, these are just a few, and the story isn't even close to being finish. I'd discuss them all but I'm afraid it might spoil the story for people who wants to read it, so I'll stop here. Just, if you're wondering, the other Seventeen members do play great parts in this, so you won't be missing them much. Although this is a Meanie centered fic, the author has been able to incorporate and make use of Seventeen members aptly, if I may claim so.

A double update to make up for the whole month I was away. I'm still sorry for that, so I'll make it up to you. I'm working on the other recs, so wait for it!
Offer still stands, RECOMMEND your favorite stories and I'll read them too! Share the love!