Fandom: X-MEN COMICSVERSE (ULTIMATE)
Pairing: Ultimate Peter/Logan (Ultimate Colossus/Wolverine)
Author on LJ:azurine
Author Website:Will Bite When Provoked
Why this must be read: So we've had some angst and all that sad stuff. Let's take a trip back in time to when everything was much... wait, this is Ultimate X-Men, which means life started out shitty for the X-Men and has only gone downhill from there.

Peter has a huge crush on Wolverine. Peter is gay. These are facts in the Ultimate universe that I'm sure even the most ardent fanboys must concede. What's interesting about this story is the way that azurine takes that piece of canon and shows us this whole other side to both Wolverine and Peter.

Peter's desire for acceptance and Wolverine and his coming to grips with his feelings is beautiful. Wolverine, so strong and brave and even though he doesn't really speak, the fact that he let's Peter take care of him speaks volumes. This is Ultimate X-Men to the core. So bleak and heartwrenching.

Rusting in the Rain

Fandom: THE WEST WING
Pairing: Ensemble
Authors on LJ: jo_march, winema, em_meredith
Authors Website: The Jo & Ryo Collective,
Why this must be read:

There was a phenomenal amount of fic produced around the events at the end of Season One, because as far as cliffhangers go... needless to say, even I had a crack at it. Fortunately I'm not going to inflict my efforts on the Van regulars, but instead I'm going to give you two spins, one of which was inspired by the other. The first, a Sen/March Angst Classic, gives you what would end up partially mirroring the canon path. Em's version deviates, but in it's own way is just as satisfying and fulfilling. Oh, and the Healthy Interest website holds a ton of goodies, both West Wing and other. Worth a couple of hours to trawl and pick out the best bits.

Enjoy.

Background

Forefront

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney/Sark
Author on LJ: mciac
Author's Website: Perchance To Dream
Why this story must be read: Insta-rec! Hot off the presses, this story just came out this morning and I had to rec it. Based on a very brief scene from a Season 4 preview, this story takes the conceit and uses it brilliantly. The devil is in the details, and I love every tiny one here. Not to mention M has a deftness of language here that enviable. And the ending - well, I don't want to spoil it, but it's everything and nothing like you're expecting.

Well, what are you waiting for? Go read it!

Forty Winks

Fandom: Popslash
Author: Betty Plotnick
Author on LJ: bettyp
Author Website: Untitled
Pairing: Justin/Trace, JC/Lance
Rating: R

Why this must be read:

Having a look through past recs and I noticed that Betty Plotnick's name came up several times which is perfectly understandable as she's a fantastic writer. There's just something else about this story.

It's mpreg but not in a traditional way, it's popslash but also sort of fantasy and science fiction and calmly logical and believable while being totally outrageous at the same time and I can't work out how she does it. The characterisations and the interactions are excellent and sharply observed.

Usually both mpreg and RPS fantasy stories leave me cold but there's a subtle charm in the writing and it's very clever and very readable.

The Seahorse Story: Clutch
The Seahorse Story: Incubate
The Seahorse Story: Hatch
The Seahorse Story: Nest

Fandom: STARGATE SG-1
Pairing: Jack/Danielle
Author on LJ: [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]
Author Website: A Curious Mix
Why this must be read: Okay, back before genderbending was something that was done rather often, [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] decided to give Daniel Jackson a bit of a gender switch and Danielle was born. There's actually series of stories, but personally, this one is my favorite. It's not overly long but it's a nice introduction to Danielle and the relationship that she and Jack have. It's wonderfully written and descriptive and wow...

The title pretty much says it all, I think.

You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This

Small fandoms need love, too!

Post a comment below to take a turn as a crack_van Monthly Featured Fandom!

A week in advance of your assigned month you will be notified with a reply to your comment. During that time, you agree to post a minimum of 1 fic per week in the following format:

Subject: Title by Author (Rating)

Fandom: YOUR FANDOM
Pairing: (no abbreviations, please)
Author on LJ: (if applicable)
Author Website: (author's fics, if available)
Why this must be read:

Emphasis should be on fics that you feel are especially outstanding and accessible examples of your fandom, e.g. it plays on a repeated theme in the show, it's a fandom or a personal favourite, it was a controversial fic, it's good smut. Whatever.


Fandom Overviews
If a fandom overview has not already been completed for your fandom, you are encouraged but not required to provide one. A list of the fandom overviews already submitted can be found HERE. Your overview should include, at minimum:

Pics & Bios - thumbnails and a brief introduction to the main characters
Overview - including major plot points/story arcs
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Thanks for playing and remember, kids! Without you, the crack_van will run out of gas!!

(snerk)

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Simon/Jayne
Author on LJ: tynantblue0162
Author Website: n/a

Why this must be read:

Jayne and Simon. All fun and games until someone gets betrayed to the Feds. Also, I thought it was time for some random porn.

I Spy
Inside
Anatomy

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Connor/female
Author on LJ: no idea
Author Website: stories archived on Daire's Fanfic Refuge

Why this must be read:
Connor's not one of my favorite characters within the tv series universe, but in the right hands, I enjoy him. More than him, I love Connor's stuff, and as the author illuminates, his relationship to the things he surrounds himself with is different from that of the slightly more self-conscious (and possibly less secure) Duncan MacLeod. There's a nice give and take between the two Highlanders about the significance of objects in Connor's collection, in particular a certain fragile African pot.

The delight of this story is the wonderfully realized young woman at its heart.

( Read more... )



To Hold the Lightning