Almost Never Series by Cesare (NC-17)

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: almostnever; fic journal: almoststories
Author Website: Cesare's Cabinet or Cesare's page on ATP

Why this must be read:

This novel-length series is deservedly popular. Cesare was one of the first writers I read in the fandom, and this series got me started reading fanfic in the fandom. More than four years later, you can see my enthusiasm is as strong as ever. Almost Never is one of those essential series that anyone new to the fandom must read. So what are you waiting for--go read Cesare's brilliant story! The psychology of her complex, self-aware, lovely but difficult Stuart seems dead accurate to canon Stuart, and the S/V interaction and dialogue still makes me want to hug myself in delight. I think she's got an accurate view of Vince's issues, too. I like the way Stuart's perceptions of Vince develop during their road trip in the story "48 States." Cesare mentions the minor characters, and they are recognizable, if not prominent. (I wouldn't mind hearing more about Nathan in "Unison," but that's a minor quibble.)

Try here, but if the story links are still broken, go to the Web-archived link: Almost Never series

New Planet
Close
Laid Up
Trial and Error
Higher Learning
Breaking & Entering
Father Figure
Tales Out of School
Solicitations
Chains
Camptown Races
Sendoff ~ Missing from the Net ~
Ten Minutes
Eight Days a Week
Silver Screens
Video
Testing
A Very Special Queer as Folk
Solo
Simple Gifts
Irresistible
Magic Words
Escape Velocity
Hazel's Mailbox
Gesture
Sex
48 States

Unison

"Unison," the final part of the series, is a lengthy, unfinished, post-road trip WIP, and I am commenting on it separately because in many ways it feels like a sequel, even if it is set in the Almost Never storyverse. It has a different emotional tone. In "Unison," Stuart and Vince sort of settle down in Manchester, and Alfred is a regular part of Stuart's life. The guys have to deal with the challenges of maintaining a long-term relationship. There's also an OMC, a new friend of Vince's, who could confuse things.

The link is to the Web-archived copy, and two of the eleven chapter links (5 and 9) are broken. But the story is still enjoyable, so don't let that stop you.