Fandom: OZ
Pairing: Beecher/Keller with shades of everybody/everybody else
Author's LJ: Not that I know of
Author's Website: Same as above

Why this must be read:

For me, though Oz does indeed have fun, clever dialogue, it's all about the visuals. Words are often inadequate in describing the intensity of the looks these characters give each other. It's one thing to say that one character eyefucked another, but it's another thing to watch Keller stare at Beecher from across the room. The amazing thing about this story is that Flyboy is able to translate the amazing visuals of Oz into poetical, beautiful words. I wouldn't usually describe an OZ fic as being beautiful, but this one is. It's business as usual in Oz, but the rapidly changing perspectives, the way the characters are brought to life with all the good and all the inner demons intact, makes this story an absolutely most read. It's a long, intense eye fuck with words. Guh!

Covert Realities

Fandom: THE X FILES
Pairing: Mulder/Scully implied; Scully/Doggett friendship piece
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: http://www.pteropod.net

Why this must be read:

This sad vignette covers S8 up until "This Is Not Happening." It tells the story of Scully and Doggett's partnership in alternating points of view: two lost, confused people struggling to get by, surrounded by absurdities, catastrophes, and miracles. At first it seems like their perspectives will never intersect, like they'll never be able to talk to each other instead of past each other, two people stuck in missions with each other instead of two partners.

Pteropod's strengths are her lovely use of language and her keen understanding of both these characters. Her scenes center on the perfect detail, the emblematic thought, the precise turn of phrase. In other hands, this collection of moments might seem random; in ptero's, they form an intricate structure displaying connection, disconnection, hope, and loss.

( Excerpt )



"Moments of Inertia"

Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: sef1029
Author Website: Here
Why this must be read:

For a show that has an SF setting, Stargate fanfic doesn't actually have a lot of, you know, science fiction content. This is, of course, not unusual for fanfic, and particularly in later seasons it's actually pretty true to the canonical form of what's become more of an action-adventure show, but I always appreciate it when an author hauls out some actual thinky SF for me to read about.

( Spoilers beyond the cut )

We soon discovered that all four Gadmeer had voiceboxes programmed to sound like Daniel. I'm not sure if the choice was intended as a tribute or if the Gadmeer were insensitive to the normal human range of variation. Perhaps our voices all sounded like whale song to them.

After missing Daniel's voice for so long, it was odd to be surrounded by it in quadraphonic sound. I'm sure Daniel found his chorus annoying, but he was far too polite to say so in front of the Gadmeer. The colonel, of course, found endless amusement in the situation.

Meeting of Minds

Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Pairing: Jack/Daniel, Jack/Sam, Daniel/Paul Davis
Author on LJ: danvers
Author's Website: d-webb
Why this must be read:

Danvers jumps off of S7's "Fragile Balance" to write a story that's both funny and heartfelt. This is actually a sequel to her Fragile Balance post-ep Send In the Clones, but I think this is the stronger story, because, yes, of the SF content. Buried under the snarky dialogue - which is a huge strength of danvers', don't get me wrong - is some serious thought about what it would mean to be a clone among clones, and what happens when you try to go home again.

( Spoilers beyond the cut )

Paul pointed the remote at the slab. A small ring of light lit up on it and the slab slowly began to rise from the floor with Daniel precariously perched on top. Daniel stuck his arms out as the slab began to wobble and climb higher.

"What the hell is that thing?" I asked.

"An anti-gravity unit," Paul said with pride. "Sam and I finally figured it out. Who says reverse engineering doesn't work?"

And this is what I like about karma, fate, kismet, whatever you want to call it. Just as Paul was getting all big-headed about it, there was a small burping sound from the slab and suddenly it just went kaput. It was a few feet off the ground before it fell back and Daniel lurched forwards and fell flat on his face.

Paul stared at Daniel who was lying face down and groaning in pain. I could see him considering jumping over Daniel and running out.

"Wow," I said. "That was cool. Make it do that again."

A Clonely Existence

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Author on LJ: I Don't Know
Author Website: Browse: http://www.squidge.org/~flamingo/starskyhutchslash/classic/classics.htm for lots of Charlotte Frost's stuff

Why this must be read:

Originally published in the 'zine "Heart and Soul 6", which is probably still in print, or at least it should be.

On a routine stakeout, (and you've just gotta love all the mischief these two get up to while on stakeout), Starksy's got nothing to do but lust after women in a girlie magazine. Not wanting to leave Hutch out of the fun, Starsky innocently draws him in... but what he's got on his mind is anything but "girlie"...

"All right, let’s see how you do with these questions. This section is called, ‘Dear Sexperts’, and it’s where people write in with their sex problems. So, let’s see how close your answers come to those of the sexperts."

Hutch nodded, feeling smug that he could answer with far more superiority than anyone who wrote an advice column for a skin magazine. "All right." He ran his fingers along his mustache.

Sexperts is a simple, yet funny "first time" story. I'm reccing this story because who couldn't love AnalSexCurious!Starsky, quizzing self-proclaimed "sexpert", and hilariously smug Hutch about the joys of sex... particularly the male/male kind.

I like the idea of two guys as close as S&H frankly discussing women and sex... and sounding like two guys while doing it. (Charlotte's very good at the "hey we're guys" aspect of S&H).

What follows is a lovely form of seduction. Starsky seducing Hutch with his frankness and curiosity, Hutch seducing Starsky with his honesty and openness. Nothing like being seduced by conversation.

"Come on, Starsky." Now Hutch was getting uncomfortable and he heard the irritation in his own voice. "If I ever slept with a guy, it could only be you." There. That’ll shut him up.

After a long moment, Starsky said, "Really?"

Do I really have to explain this? Apparently so. "Starsky, I at least have feelings for you. I can’t sleep with someone I don’t feelings for."

Was that a gauntlet thrown? A challenge issued? A yearning voiced?

"Hmm." Starsky shifted to toss the magazine into the backseat. When he settled back against the door, his voice was soft and quiet. "You know, Hutch, I’d do it for you, if you wanted."

Ah, seduction.

Sexperts

In Case You Forget to Go To Part 2

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: NA
Author on LJ: maystone
Author Website: none
Why this must be read:

Book is an under-represented character in Firefly fic especially as a main character. This brief glimpse into Book's thoughts is an interesting and humanizing character study that opens up his relationship with God and how his time on Serenity fits in with that; it also offers some good insights into a few other characters.

The Uses of Temptation

Fandom: BLAKES7
Pairing: None
Author on LJ:?
Author Website:?
Why this must be read:

Like "Between Life and Death," this is a fascinating and, I think, profound piece of meta-, not only about B7 fandom but about what fandom is.

The set-up for this story is that a one-time underground Feelie creator is able to go mainstream when the Feelies are legalized. The first project that the narrator works on, using the sophisticated DreamArts Random Retrieval/Output Web (DARROW) is a follow-on project for the forty-three and a half hours of source material Terry provided. And, like the DeathWatch sensornet, the narrator experiences various scenes of differing levels of sophistication and impact:

( Read more... )

It is by no means irrelevant that before this story was archived, it appeared on the Space City mailing list.

So, what is at the center of the web? And when the voice of the machine is heard, what does it say?

Radioheads

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: N/A
Author on LJ: merryish
Author Website: any road
Why this must be read: If you like Richie, then this is a chance to enjoy his youthful presence. And if you don't like him, then this is the story that might change your mind. Told by Richie in first person with a perfectly in character voice. A very short vignette of his life after he became Immortal, with the most bittersweet of endings.

Intimations of Destiny

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: The Twins (not really a pairing fic)
Author on LJ: eponis
Author Website: Luminous Whispers
Why this must be read: Because this is witty and clever and everything lovely about the HPverse. Plus, I love lists. That's my kink: lists.

An Alphabet of Objects

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Harry, Draco, Cho
Author on LJ: prillalar
Author Website: Halrloprillalar's Fanfiction
Why this must be read: Start with this one, then read all of her fic in every fandom, damn you! Her milkshake's better than yours, she could show you, but she'd have to charge.

One of those stories Jossed by OotP that still needs to be read.

P.S. I detest Cho and adore this story.

The Curious Vengeance of Draco Malfoy

Previously on Popslash: Chris got off the phone and sighed. "I have to go already. That was Johnny. Something about a tabloid fashion disaster and a crying JC. I hate it when JC cries, so I have to go stop him now."

Today on Popslash: Superconnected

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Not the point.
Author on LJ: kittiec
Author Website: ...Yum
Why this must be read:

( He wanted to be a superhero, not a sidekick. But his parents had decreed that their son would not be a full-fledged superhero until he was at least eighteen years of age, and had spent a minimum of two years learning the art of heroism at the feet of an experienced superperson. Hence, the sidekick auditions. And the fuzzy tights. )