Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Simon/Jayne; Simon/Mal
Author on LJ: kirbycrow
Author Website: Slash Girls
Why this must be read: I like this fic and it’s sequel because I thought it was going this way and it ended up going that way. The first fic is Jayne/Simon, then Mal’s jealousy comes into play and things get violent…and interesting ;)

Didn't seem right for a boy to be so pretty, to have such bright eyes and pretty mouth, prettier than a girl in some ways, better in others. He'd be all soft under those tidy clothes, no roughness to that skin that had only been touched by clean linen and silk all his life. He'd yield so sweet to him, and Jayne would be gentle. He knew how to be, despite what the doc might think, and he'd been thinking, all right.

Close
Closer

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape
Author on LJ: icarusancalion
Author Website: Icarus.Slash.Fiction

Why this must be read:
I saved this for last because it's one of my all-time favorite Snape/Harry stories, and I couldn't resist being the one to rec it in crack_van. Part of the Primer to the Dark Arts universe (a lengthy series definitely worth reading), the events take place later than the other stories in this 'verse. In this established relationship fic, we get a hilarious look at a Snape who keeps Harry on his toes, and the affectionate tolerance that Harry has for Snape's obsession for collecting cursed objects is a joy to read. The absorbing details make this slice-of-life story a great read, and for such a short piece, I get an inordinate amount of pleasure from re-reading it. The one-sided conversation in which Snape yammers on about his obsession while Harry tunes him out makes me laugh every time because it reminds me of when my husband gets started on one of his pet subjects. The magical detail and the cozy domestic love make this the perfect comfort read when I am feeling down.

A sudden thought occurred to Harry. "Severus. If you gave me a cursed object for Christmas -- you'd tell me, right?"

"Harry. You know I would never respect you if you couldn't tell it was cursed in the first place."

He launched into the air. Harry stared after him a moment before following. That was not the most reassuring answer.

Cursed Artefacts for Sale

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Author on LJ: copper_rose
Author's Website: No
Why this must be read:

I'm going to end my November tenure with three of my very favorite Pros fics.... Today it's Trip Through Your Wire by Garnet, an author who sadly is not currently writing in Pros (though she is writing good PotC Sparrington fic!). I wish she were, because I adore this story.

I have a thing for Pros stories that play up the slightly damaged, slightly dysfunctional side of Bodie and Doyle - the barriers they've had to put up in order to be able to survive the life they've chosen, the violence and grittiness of it; the way they live always on the edge, and how that inevitably affects their ability to connect with others; how affection is such a scarce commodity in their violent lives. I like stories in which they get together - i.e., start sleeping together - before they're able or willing to admit they love each other; I like when an author keeps the surface toughness while letting us see the slow letting-down of the barriers, giving us glimpses of the vulnerability and longing that are so closely guarded. I love the whole dynamic of them being too tough, but also too gun-shy, to acknowledge or trust those softer feelings readily.

Trip Through Your Wire pushes all of these buttons for me. Ray's close brush with death unsettles Bodie enough that he reveals his feelings, and Ray finds that he really wants Bodie too, but despite the obvious (to us) depth of their feelings as they come together in what is really a gorgeous blaze of lust and love and tenderness, neither is willing to make any sort of promise or declaration - even though we know, reading, that that is in fact what they're doing, however reluctant they might be to put a name to it. And Ray, looking back, knows it too, and, fearing that he might not get another chance, wishes he'd had the guts to say it.

It's a wonderful story, capturing the best of the characters, the things I love most about them, and it's slash the way I like it - great, solid voices and characterization, the guys being guys, with a bit of angst, a bit of hurt/comfort, tenderness that hesitantly shows itself despite the characters' natural wariness, some fairly hot sex, and a touching, satisfying ending.

Trip Through Your Wire

(Originally published in the zine Secret Agent Men 2, Devious Developments Press, 2003)

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK US
Pairing: Brian/Justin, Ted
Author on LJ:lennongirl
Author Website:?
Why this must be read:

Brian and Justin's "relationship" from a third person point of view (and what a view). Ted gets to "see" what we all want to see. ; )

Fluff (again), funny, romantic (in a Brian-Justin way).



Overtime supplement

Comments always welcome



ETA : Sorry I forgot to put in the link. Blond moment. Again sorry.

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Jeremy/Natalie, minor Dan/Casey
Author on LJ: tstar78
Author Website: Seeing is Believing
Why this must be read:

Jeremy's got a secret and when Dan and Casey manage to pry it out of him, it makes both of them sit back and consider the changes that life brings.

This sweet little fic has everything you would expect from any good Sports Night story; witty banter, ridiculous conversations that go around in circles, Dana losing her shoes and Natalie threatening Dan and Casey with their pants. Caro has a wonderful way with these characters and her writing shows just how much she understands what makes them tick.

Please, read and enjoy.

More Commonly Known as Bigfoot