Fandom: HORATIO HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio/Maria, Horatio/Archie Kennedy (implied), Horatio/William Bush (implied)
Author on LJ:lance_nerd
Author Website:Nsnicker
Why this must be read:

This is another short fic anchored in the A&E adaptations of the Hornblower novels that deals with Horatio Hornblower and his relationship to his wife, Maria Mason. This time that relationship is juxtaposed against both Archie Kennedy and William Bush.

There is a nice rhythmn to this fic as it moves back and forth between the thoughts in Hornblower's mind and the physical acts that define his duty as a husband to Maria. With a graceful slide, in a few well chosen words, we go from Hornblower's bright memory of Archie Kennedy to his present imaginings & desire for William Bush as he consummates his marriage to a woman he does not love.

Blemish

Fandom: LotRiPS
Pairing: Viggo/Orlando, Kate/Orlando
Author on LJ: azewewish
Author Website: Broadwriting
Why this must be read:

Excidera and Desiderium (Excidera is the prequel/sequel to Desiderium) are examples of maybe the most honest RPS writing I've ever read. This pair of fics feels incredibly rich and tangible. Even the peripheral characters (Dom, Kate, Karl) are multi-layered. The author never resorts to cliches and there are no any big realizations, epiphanies or confessions. Rather, the bulk of the story is told in the small moments and the spaces between.

"I believe in regret," he'd said. "I believe it's possible...to regret without remorse."

I remember that I'd thought about that for a long time, remembered thinking I was drunk and it would make sense in the morning.

But it didn't.

It made sense now.

Desiderium
Excidera

Fandom: ANGEL
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read:

Wonderland is sort of a fandom classic. It's been rec'd all over the place since it first came out for good reason. The story is a short snapshot that really is the perfect representation of the beige Angel months, building on that background desperation that outline many of the Cordelia, Gunn, and Wesley scenes.

Wonderland's a quiet, sad Wesley POV that focuses on how the three cope with the visions post-firing. Go read it.

Wonderland

A reminder: tomorrow is the 15th of the month and that means Crack Van Collisions, a.k.a. cross-over day.

Drivers, you may rec one fic that crosses over your fandom with another (no, this does not count against your maximum). Please post crossovers in the following format:

Subject: Fandom/Fandom (Rating)

Title: Title by Author
Pairing: (no abbreviations, please)
Author on LJ:
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

(link to story)

Thanks, all!

The cue_the_pulse rare pairings challenge earlier this year turned out a lot of great stories. Here's one, and I'll be reccing more from there later this month.

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK US
Pairing: Justin/Cody, Justin/Brian
Author on LJ: zeldachilds
Author Website: n/a as far as I know
Why this must be read:

Justin/Cody is not a hard leap, what with all the making out and gunjobs and such. Cody brought out of side of Justin we rarely got to see before, and the pink posse storyline demonstrated how his anger and strength could possibly get out of hand. This story looks at a more comedic side of Cody and Justin with spot on dry humor and just a touch of the slightly ridiculous. It had me laughing out loud at several points. Okay, who am I kidding, I laughed at pretty much the whole thing.

( Excerpt )

Today I Woke Up Uncertain

Fandom: YAMI NO MATSUEI
Pairing: Tsuzuki/Tohda
Author on LJ: elynrae
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read: Even if you haven't read Tohda's backstory in the manga, the anime image of Tsuzuki on his knees imploring Tohda to burn everything is powerful; but it is the earlier moment, when the characters face one another in silent communion, that really intrigues me. How did two such damaged and destructive individuals get to this point, and what happens in the aftermath? This story acknowledges the dark, complicated nature of Tsuzuki and Tohda's relationship; theirs is a pairing founded in pity and obligation, an uneasy master/servant dynamic in which the servant's greater power is stayed only by his reluctant devotion to his adoring master. For all that, their love is as sincere as it is messed-up (in true YnM style) and indeed, this story plays beautifully with the notion that everyone must needs love Tsuzuki. The writing is subtle and darkly tender, lending all the characters, including Hisoka and Tatsumi, a complexity startling in such a short piece.

( excerpt )

Only On A True Return Will You Find That You've Never Left

Welcome to Never Gone Day! I hope to load up on recs to day in celebration.
Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Nick Carter / Brian Littrell
Author on LJ: zoicite
Author Website: Commoner's Tales
Why this must be read:

If you polled pop fans, Howie would be among the top contenders for most likely gay in real-life. But in this story Howie is not gay and it comes as much as a surprise to the rest of the Backstreet Boys as it does to the reader. Brian is just as surprised to find out maybe he isn't as straight as he always assumed.

One of the best things I love about this story is how all the Boys are invested in each other's lives. They've been wrapped up in each other's lives for years but it isn't just a job, it's a family. But what I love more is how it shows they can live in each others pockets but still be wrong about the people closest to them. We all make assumptions and sometimes see what we want to see instead of what is there.


( “We really thought you were gay,” Kevin said. )



Mind The Gap by Zoicite

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: redstarrobot
Author Website: None Known
Why this must be read:

Like the last Rec, and many others before it, this story rose from one of the challenges on farscapefriday, specifically the Fairy Tale challenge. The Farscape universe being the vast and diverse place it is, the stories and myths of some of the myriad races presented proved to be an irresistible challenge.

In her typical style, however, RedStarRobot went two better and presented three legends, tied as closely together yet as individually diverse as the races that tell them. Here we find flawlessly presented the simple concept language of the giant Leviathans, the multiple parallel narrative tracks of their multitasking Pilots, and the sad, elegant speech of the Builders who brought them together.

Including an excerpt from only one of these short tales would lessen them all, so I will only encourage you to go and listen as a story begins "Once, A Leviathan..."

Three Stories About Seeing The Stars

Fandom: YAMI NO MATSUEI
Pairing: Tsuzuki/Watari
Author on LJ: brightwanderer
Author Website: brightwanderer.net
Why this must be read: Because post-Kyoto stories never get old, because suicide has almost unimaginable ramifications, and because Watari's not a mad scientist - he's angry. His relationship with Tsuzuki, strained almost beyond repair, is beautifully described in this story. Watari's fury, Tatsumi's resignation, Hisoka's helplessness and Tsuzuki's despairing guilt seep through a series of quiet scenes in which all four characters come to terms (of sorts) with what has happened. The final part - comprising of a healing reflection of Tsuzuki's past trauma as well as a simultaneous realisation and rejection of the idea that if you love something, let it go - is particularly moving.

( excerpt )

Silence is Golden

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Julian Sark/Sydney Bristow
Author on LJ: corngirl_jo
Author Website: SARKasm
Why this must be read:

I'm especially fond of "Like This," but "Aflame" should be read first to understand the events of "Like This." "Aflame" is an AU for season two, assuming that the episodes "Double Agent" and "The Telling" haven't occurred. Sydney and Sark, of course, barely escape death, and Sydney witnesses Sark in an uncharacteristic moment of weakness. Syd's had enough, she's seen too much--what with her mother and Danny--and the fire she escapes in the early scenes of this story is the final straw.

In "Like Time," Sydney's moved to Milan, and frequents a small, family owned trattoria every day. One day, she runs into an old enemy. The thing I love about this story is the language, especially in the descriptions of the trattoria and its owners, and the Italian atmosphere. It's interesting that Joanna's imagery and description is so lush, because she warns on the home page that English is not her first language. Either she's from Italy, or she's visited, because the setting is so real, that it has to be an actual place.

For instance, here:

( Excerpt )

It's not all beauty and serenity however, after Sark makes his appearance. Joanna gives us some of that Sydney piss and vinegar that makes the character so fun to watch and root for, even though her life's a big soap opera.

( Excerpt )

Both links take you to the cover art for the story. Just click on the links below them. Enjoy!

Aflame
Like Time

Fandom: STARGATE ATLANTIS
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Author on LJ: danvers
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read:

A long slow development of a relationship. Fantastic snark, perfect character voices. Angsty, funny, complex, romantic, and a great read.



Complicated

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK US
Pairing: Justin/Cody (Justin/Brian)
Author on LJ: josselin
Author Website: blatant narcissism
Why this must be read:

Justin/Cody is perfect for angst. Their entire relationship is based on anger, hatred, revenge, and violence, and that creates some great opportunities that a lot of people haven't explored yet. Josselin explores it in this story. It's short, but it packs a punch. It also deals with the bashing, the Sap's party, and how Justin handles fear.

Warnings for semi-graphic descriptions of (almost) fisting and discussion of fisting.

( Excerpt )

Mind Killer

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: vaguely Howie Dorough / Kevin Richardson
Author on LJ: cjmarlowe
Author Website: The Studio
Why this must be read:

Four days focusing on the lives of the older Backstreet members Kevin and Howie back when Europe was still unconquered, Nick was still an irritating boy and AJ was maybe savable from himself. By all accounts Kevin seems to have worn the mantle of responsibility being the oldest thrust upon him but no one ever said he didn't want to be living it up as a hot, young popstar instead. I like the mundane concerns and trivial inconveniences that makes up Kevin's days. It's a great snapshot into the possible reality of the early years. I especially love Kevin and Howie's unspoken tag-team wrangling of the other Boys.

( So what do you think our chances are of getting out tonight? )


Four Nights in Amsterdam by Chris J.

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: ???
Author Website: Popslash Fiction by MI
Why this must be read:

Howie ponders his hair and decides to take action.
Baffling but true, probably one of the first side-effects of joining the pop fandom is your sudden interest in hairstyles. Sometimes it seems like the new hairstyle your favorite boybander or pop princess is sporting is of keener interest than what the music sounds like, who they are dating, or what they are wearing. Even if you don't give two thoughts to your own hairstyle, you find yourself captivated by every follicle change of theirs. Whether it is Howie's curls (or lack there of), Justin's curls (or lack there of), JC's curls (or lack there of), AJ's hair (or lack there of), Nick's hair (or lack there of), it's going to be someone's. So here's a fun short story as the author says, "Written when Howie had long girly-hair and I had issues with it." Because we can all relate to that.

( Howie wondered how Justin Timberlake dealt with it. )


Fuck Vidal Sassoon and the Flatbrush He Rode In
On by MI