Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Jayne/Vera (ha!) This is gen, so no pairing.
Author on LJ: boniblithe/alsoboni
Author Website: Some Distant Galaxy or Bonibaru's Stories on Skyehawke

Why this must be read:
Jayne's got feelings, too, you know. Here you see how Jayne really feels about Vera, and you also learn more about how he perceives the world. I love the Jayne voice in this short piece. I gave this story an R rating for language and mention of violence.

Unchained Melody

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: John/a multitude of folks, including males
Author on LJ: kernezelda
Author Website: None that I know of
Why this must be read:

First let me give you a little background on this trilogy. It started out with a drabble (Stepford Life)that left the masses gasping in horror and wanting to know why, then we found out why (Stepford Lies) and how and then the people clamored for more (I think I threatened Kernezelda if she didn't finish this piece there would be violence), and she finally ended (Stepford Leman) it in a place we all could live with. This is a case where sometimes in fandom the pointy sticks and death threats really do work and we are given masterpieces such as this.

This is an AU the branches off during the Into the Lion's Den duo at the end of S3. ( Cut for those who haven't gotten that far )

Many writers would either have not written this piece or would have taken the easy route. Kernezelda did neither. She created a world based on a set of "What ifs?" and then followed through on them, even though it is a place most of us would never go or want to go. It is a well written story with three-dimensional characters, both the ones we know and the ones she's created, that make us care, make us feel and make us react. This story is not nice in that fluffy happy way, but it is real and true and there is not much more that one can ask for in fanfic.

Fandom: HORATIO HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio Hornblower/William Bush
Author on LJ: versaphile
Author Website: http://versaphile.com/main.html
Why this must be read:

Post-Mutiny and Retribution Hornblower/Bush is a difficult pairing to pull off well. No matter what choices the author makes, the shadow of Archie Kennedy will always be hovering over things for many readers. in The Virtue of Fools, Versaphile confronts the (figurative) ghost of Archie Kennedy head on, with a heartwrenching and beautiful story about the price of mourning too much. It's not about letting go of the past, it's about making room for the future. A gorgeous bittersweet love story with strong characterizations and a beautifully spare style that fits perfectly with both characters.

The Virtue of Fools

Fandom: STAR WARS: TPM
Pairing: Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: unknown, and these e-mail addresses may be out of date — dbkate2@aol.com; kassxf@aol.com
Why this must be read:

It is rumored that one night a year, on Ootlak, they set out a dinner plate for the dead, leave the door wide open and await their arrival. "We must be ready," they chant, until the food is grown cold and the night has rotted away.

I never knew if any deceased actually make it to these strange suppers, but in my desperation, I confess, I've given it a try. Placing a goodly portion of my life aside, leaving the door to my soul open and inviting you to come in and feast on it, come what may. Night after night I did this, even if I was forced to starve so that you might come and partake of what was left of my existence.

So how ironic it is that you show up on this of all days, Qui-Gon.

The very day I stopped setting a place at the table for you.

Welcome to the I Love My Dead Gay Master Angstapalooza! As the authors of the crack_van SW:TPM overview have pointed out, “Qui-Gon's death is the object of a huge denial cult within the fandom,” but some writers choose to tackle it head-on. This series, set sometime before Episode IV: A New Hope, is a collaboration in which one author channels Obi-Wan while the other takes Qui-Gon’s point of view. Their duelling monologues brim with anger, guilt, grief, and longing. The writers also do a masterful job evoking the pitiless landscape of Tatooine and Kenobi’s metamorphosis from Obi-Wan the Jedi Knight to that strange old hermit, Ben.

Eclipse
Penumbra
Sunrise

Fandom: BLAKES 7
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: I don't think so
Author Website: nothin' here, either
Why this must be read:

B7 is a very political show. Sadly, few fics really reflect this; there are plenty that pay homage to the idea that there's politics going on, but almost always, it comes second to romance. Not that this is always entirely a bad thing, but if you're a politics geek like me then sometimes you want something a little less diluted.

Not here, though. This one is all about the politics, and has become one of my favourite PGPs because of it, although the quality of the writing and the confident way the author deals out the story certainly help. I especially like the way you're brought to realising what's actually going on... very cool, and tells you a whole lot without it being said explicitly. Mmm. I like to think all that makes it a lot more than the sum of its parts, and really, isn't that how you tell a good story from a bad one?

It's also, in my opinion, about as close to a happy ending as the show could ever get... though, uh, please bear in mind that this is B7, so that isn't saying very much. Heh.

Gemini Rising

Fandom: X-MEN MOVIEVERSE
Pairing: Logan/Kurt
Author on LJ: virtualinsomnia
Author Website: I-S.net
Why this must be read:

This fic provides some wonderful insight into Logan, and the lack of permanence in a life lived at a different rate to that of everyone else.

Additionally, it's also a joy to read, just for the words themselves. Quiet, reflective, and beautifully atmospheric; it's the kind of writing that's you can just lose yourself in.

'They aren't ordinary scars, not by a long shot. Intricate patterns that weave over Kurt's body, swooping and swirling like some kind of fairy tale over exotic skin.'


Scars

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Dom/Billy
Author on LJ: puddle_took
Author Website: LJ
Why this must be read: Because it's delicious, sparkly fun - a lovely long story following Dom's enthusiastic and often frustrating courtship of Billy. Even the angst (and there is some) sparkles. Billy's stubborn resistance will have you itching to shake him, but he never loses audience sympathy thanks to Dom's adoring yet understanding narrative POV (and of course Billy's own charm). One of the real joys of this story is the organic incorporation of fandom and fannishness; anyone who has fallen under Billy Boyd's spell knows exactly how Dom's flailings and squeaks and paroxysms feel, and Dom's interest in Rings PR, particularly as it pertains to his own situation, is an integral part of the story.

No rating given, so I'm guessing R for language.

( excerpt )

A Squee By Any Other Name

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Viggo, BK
Author on LJ: malisita
Author Website: Malisita.com
Why this must be read: One of the highlights of the Fellowship extended edition extras was hearing stories about the scale doubles like Kiran (Frodo) and BK (Sam). BK in particular left a very strong impression as a bossy and almost motherly figure who could kick Sean's ass at chess and whip Viggo round the kitchen ("Open oven and cook rice and get colander and bring me knife and bring me fork!") This funny, thoughtful little fic is very much in keeping with those stories: BK (and the rest of the cast) as seen through a weary Viggo's fond, intrigued eyes.

( excerpt )

Slippery When Wet