Title: while tides and seasons stream
Fandom: The West Wing
Pairing/Characters: Josh, Sam, Amy, Mandy
Author on LJ: alephtav
Author Website: circlegirl.com
Why this must be read:

(  The title of this story is 'Two Bitches and an Asshole (named Josh). )


while tides and seasons stream

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Nathan Maloney/Christian Hobbs
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Sue Walsh's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:

This story is for the readers who like unconventional pairings, and for those who thought Christian Hobbs was secretly crushing on Nathan. There's a rather cliched "straight boy discovers he's not so straight after all" premise, but the smutty bits are hot, and the character of Christian is appealing. This Nathan is quite a bit more mature than I saw him at this point in his life, but I let that slide for the pleasure of reading this three-part story.

Straight, With A Twist
Straight, With A Twist - Revisited
Straight, With A Twist - On the Rocks

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Sydney/Sark
Author on LJ: siryn99
Author Website: Shimmer and Flicker
Why this must be read: The characters are on cue and their reactions to one another are perfect. Although Sydney and Sark share a relationship that isn’t shown very much canon wise, in fanfic their characters are given the ability to react further then they are otherwise. In this Sydney must face the fact that she has no one left but Sark. Details become reality. Stunningly written.

Untitled (The Fountain of Decay Remix)

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Jack/Irina
Author on LJ: mandysbitch
Author Website: Mandy's Bitch
Why this must be read: I personally find Jack and Irina to be one of the most intriguing romantic pairs on Alias. They’re relationship has been built on all kinds of lies and yet somehow there is and has always seemed to be this underlining amount of love for each of them. Irina is very cold hearted and yet she shows some of her softer side while around Jack.

This story takes on Jack’s feelings as to having her back in his life and what he must prescribe himself to do in order to hide from those feelings. It takes on the betrayal with the lust in a very, potent and efficient manner.

( Excerpt )

Dream it Down

Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 1978
Pairing: Starbuck/Apollo
Author on LJ: None
Author Website: None
Why this must be read: Syble's "Vindiciae" is short but charming, with just the barest hint of my favourite kink (which I won't reveal, as it will spoil the story).

Vindiciae

Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 1978
Pairing: Starbuck/Apollo
Author on LJ: annaorr
Author Website: Apollolover
Why this must be read: I've decided to finish off my BSG78 recs with an old, well-read and much-loved favourite...

( The Revenant Series )

While I wouldn't call this a death fic, it might be considered so by some people; it's also an AU.

(My links go through to the first chapter of each episode. Click on the links at the bottom of each page to move onto the next chapter.)

A Fond Farewell A prequel and *death* fic, co-authored with HeidiM.
Revenant
Masquerade

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: almostnever; fic journal: almoststories
Author Website: Cesare's Cabinet or Cesare's page on ATP

Why this must be read:

This is a story from January 2003 that I hadn't read before. A really good new story always makes me happy, and I'm glad to share it with you,

"But Once a Year" is an AU that takes place just after the first scene of series 2, and this Vince is as afraid to risk it all as the canon Vince ever was. The last part of the story, when Vince decides to take action, is excellent.

But Once a Year

Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 2003
Pairing: Kara/Zack
Author on LJ: widget285
Author Website: The Widgeteria
Why this must be read: "Asterism" is a beautifully imagined re-telling of the BSG03 story so far from Kara's point of view, and although the pairing is overtly Kara/Zack, this story is primarily about the friendship between Kara and Lee. That said, widget285 does an admirable job of making the relationship between Kara and Zack real, so that we finally have some sense of why Kara loved him. Even so, for me, it's the developing friendship between Kara and Lee that makes this story so wonderfully readable.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 2003
Pairing: Kara/Lee/Helo
Author on LJ: stars_like_dust and bantha_fodder
Author Website: theoretically possible; none for bantha_fodder.
Why this must be read: I've decided to finish off my BSG03 recs with "the moments in between," because, frankly, there are not enough hot threesome fics in the world. Fortunately, stars_like_dust and bantha_fodder have done their part to help rectify this sad state of affairs. And woah! The hotness of this, despite its rating!

the moments in between

* * *

Thanks for coming on the ride with me this month. I hope you've had as good a time reading as I have driving. I've updated the Manifesto for the fandom to date, and am eagerly looking forward to further recs, now that BSG has been picked up as one of the Van's regular fandoms.

You can sign up for a turn driving for BSG here, and do your part to keep the Van on the road.

If you've enjoyed my recs, you can find more at the multi-fandom rec community, rec_room.

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Author on LJ: cesperanza
Author Website: Speranza’s Fiction
Why this must be read:

This is my last rec (*sniff*), so I decided to pick one of my old favorites, one that I’ve returned to many times.

Narrowing it down to 12 recs has been…a bitch, to put it plainly. There are so many wonderful authors and stories in this fandom, and for every fic I’ve recced there’s been another one I really really really wanted to do but couldn’t fit in. My list has undergone sooo many changes over the course of this month.

This story has been on there- and stayed there- since day one.

I know, by now it’s pretty redundant to rec Speranza (blah blah blah amazing, blah blah blah brilliant, blah blah blah so talented it makes it makes the rest of us lesser mortals weep…), but Believe You Me is one of her shorter flashfiction stories, so it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. The set up: Ray and Fraser are out at a bar with most of the ensemble cast of the show. At first, it seems like it's going to be just another of Speranza’s lighter pieces. (Of course, it’s Speranza, so by “just another” I mean deft and hilarious.)

( See for yourself… )

But then- hold on to your hats- Speranza takes this simple comedic device and runs with it in an unexpected, moving, absolutely brilliant direction. And yeah, it’s all backwards, but it just proves the words of Paul Gross’ character in Wilby Wonderful (which I feel justified in referencing as it is due South’s shiny new Canadian baby sister fandom): sometimes the backwards way is better.

I don’t know how often I’ve re-read this one, but it’s still funny and powerful and hot every time. Stories like this...well, it's all the reasons why I love this fandom.

Believe You Me


That’s it for me! I’ve had such a great time doing all the reading, agonizing, and writing for this rec set. Hope you’ve enjoyed it as well. *waves*

Fandom: Star Wars
Pairing: Han/Luke
author on LJ: caraloup
Author website: Elusive Lover archive
Why this story must be read:

Three steps across the east landing platform, Han could tell it came under the heading of 'easier said than done.' Next to him, Luke walked under the tense quiet of battle alert, shoulders held rigid against the impact of a total recall. Han edged a little closer, feeling superstitious for it, like he could dislodge the weight of a shadow by mere force of will. Luke's hand clenched and unclenched, black leather stretching tight across his knuckles.

In “A World Left Alone In The Sky”, Han and Luke return to Cloud City. This story is about the two of them taking the time to deal with everything they’ve been through, and the new dynamic in their relationship. A beautifully written, slow moving tale set from Han’s POV.
It’s an interesting perspective piece. We see Han worrying over Luke in the aftermath of RotJ and the events taking place here are coloured by this throughout. Han becomes fixated on finding something he can give Luke to hold on too, not entirely realizing his own motivations in doing so.
Upon several readings it’s easy to grow cynical about certain plot elements used here, like the inclusion of the ‘Mandra”, the “mysterious giants of Bespin’s skies”. However, on the first read these same elements are simply enchanting and draw you into the wonderfully atmospheric world Cara J. Loup’s created.

A World Left Alone In The Sky


I am *so* sorry about the lack of recs this month folks. I promise, I had reason to forget about the pimping. Hope you enjoy the rec