Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Author on LJ: ingrid_m
Author Website: N/A, I think
Why this must be read:

Ingrid truly knows how to bring the funny. And the schmoopy. And the old-school. And did I mention the funny?

Emerald Eyes

Fandom: STARGATE SG1
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Author on LJ: paian
Author Website: enkomion
Why this must be read: 

Sara O'Neill drops by Jack's unexpectedly.  Daniel isn't sure how to handle it.  A story with great characterization, a  wonderful portrayal of Sara, and a very real glimpse into what Jack and Daniel are forced to deal with living as they do under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell laws.

"Is he happy, Daniel?" she asked. This time her tone was gentle, but there were overtones of something else. Not quite pain, not quite wistfulness. Something ...

Daniel made himself look at her. "I think so," he answered, honestly, with direct eye contact. "As happy as he can be, under the circumstances. All the circumstances."

Syllepsis

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS

Pairing: Bodie/Cowley
Author on LJ: the_shoshanna
Author Website: This Land

Why this must be read:

This story takes place in Jane Carnall's "The Fox and the Wolf" universe, after "Lest these Dark Days", in a context of established relationship between Bodie and Cowley. As you can guess, the Fox refers to Cowley and the Wolf to Bodie: A very appropriate blazoning, which also seems to imply that the interaction between the two characters is neither easy nor natural and may become conflictual.

In this text the author presents precisely such a situation, where unvoiced misunderstanding and frustration can only be expressed through a sexual outlet, leading to some rather awkward interactions in bed. Cowley has really chosen the wrong time for inviting (summoning?) Bodie to spend the night with him. An agent has been killed in the line of duty and there must be, according to an old custom, a mourning vigil at his partner's place after the funerals. In order to satisfy Cowley, Bodie has to leave the reunion quite early, confronting his colleagues' (and Doyle's!) surprise and silent reprobation.

Cowley is himself feeling guilty: He'd been almost surprised to hear himself issue the invitation, and more so when Bodie agreed. But Bodie had left them, and come to him. It wasn't right, wasn't fair of him to make Bodie choose like that; he was sorry he'd done it, but at the same time he was poignantly glad of the choice Bodie had made. He wasn't sure if Bodie was, though; and if Bodie was angry, well, he had the right.

Not frankly a good start for a love encounter. Bodie, usually (and gladly) more submissive to Cowley's desires, feels the need this time to assume for once a dominant position. That's a good opportunity to show, with some cruelty yet tenderness, a clumsy, ashamed and almost frightened Cowley, obliged to cope with a somehow degraded self image. There is nothing kinky or especially disturbing by the way and Bodie even hardly notices the old man's discomfort.

Maybe Cowley is described here more timid and vulnerable than we are accustomed to see him, but that's not unlikely from a man of his breed and generation, who is, obviously, strongly repressed. And, as for me, I find his shyness and awkwardness quite endearing. Will you too?

Neither Merciful nor Just