First, Do No Harm by Poi Lass (PG)

[andraste]

Fandom: X-MEN COMICVERSE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: poilass
Author Website: Quite Possibly Poi

Why this must be read:

Poi Lass, the author of the Crack Van summary for this fandom also happens to be one of the most gifted authors ever to write in it. I think this is probably her most highly regarded story - and with good reason.

There's little I can say about it without giving away the plot, but it's one of the best portraits of the relationship between Hank McCoy and Bobby Drake ever written. In spite of the serious subject matter, Poi doesn't forget that one of the defining features of both characters is their keen sense of humour. This is a story to make you laugh even as it's making you cry - and it may well accomplish both. There are exactly two stories in this fandom that I've shed tears over, and this is one of them.

First, Do No Harm

Comments

Good choice.

[kassia06.livejournal.com]

I'd like to enthusiastically second the recommendation - not just for this particular story, but for her entire oeuvre. Her stories are excellent the first, second, and third time around.

Re: Good choice.

[andraste]

I'd like to enthusiastically second the recommendation - not just for this particular story, but for her entire oeuvre. Her stories are excellent the first, second, and third time around.

You have no idea what a hard time I had choosing which of her stories to rec - or maybe you do *g*. I was very tempted by You Did *WHAT* In A Cave?! but that really does require some comic (and fandom) knowledge in order to get the joke. First, Do No Harm works better for someone not fully immersed in the fandom.

[twigged.livejournal.com]

Wow that did make me tear up a bit at the end. Really effective considering the format.

[andraste]

Wow that did make me tear up a bit at the end. Really effective considering the format.

Yeah - tragedy via e-mail sounds like something that shouldn't work. But it fits the characters surprisingly well. Glad you liked it *g*.

[villeinage.livejournal.com]

I remember that after I read this story and "Throw My Head Away" I was convinced that I'd read the the two best love stories in comicsfanfic.

Haven't stumbled across anything that's shown me I was wrong, either. And it's not for lack of trying.

Great recs!

[pollymel.livejournal.com]

Very belatedly I found this, reread it and dude, it gets worse when you reread it! This time (only about the 15th time I've read it) I was crying a third of the way into it.