Fandom: DC COMICS, SMALLVILLE, SUPERMAN MOVIES
Pairing: Jason Lane (Kon-El)/Tim Drake (Robin III)
Length: 22,496 words
Author on LJ: hackthis
Author Website: dysfunctional
Why this must be read:
I was absolutely amazed to see this story has never been rec'ed here. Jason "Kon-El" Lane goes to Gotham University where he meets the boy of his dreams, Robin - no, Tim Drake. An examination of identity, self-definition and acceptance of others, "The Way I Was Made" is set following SUPERMAN RETURNS canon with Smallville backstory, yet is firmly planted in the DC Universe. Although Zahra successfully weaves the differing Superman canons together, the story is thought provoking, moving and HOT even without the reader knowing the characters or their histories. It's one of the first stories I read in this fandom and it is as rewarding on re-read as it is compelling the first time.

( Excerpt )

The Way I Was Made

Fandom:Psych
Pairing: Shawn/Lassiter
Length: Very Long
Author on LJ: lucyhale@lj
Author website: n/a
Why This Must Be Read:
Fun though the show is, dark is also good. Sometimes very good. Sometimes just what you need. This is a long, satisfying, somewhat angsty story that hits all the right spots. Perhaps it's so satisfying because of the length; in no way does the author cheat or skimp or rush to get to the smut or the happy ending (as is often the case). Nor does she linger too long on the harsh details of the case or Lassiter's pain, but presents everything as matter-of-factly as Lassiter himself would probably try to do (the anguish leaks through just fine on its own). (At the risk of carrying this too far, this story is the porridge that Goldilocks would have chosen if by porridge I of course meant a good, long, in-depth story detailing Shawn and Lassiter finding each other amid an overwhelmingly bad case. It's just right).

While the case is the primary focus of the story, as it would be for Lassiter (have I mentioned my love for the author's very serious and dedicated Lassiter yet? Well I loff it), the subplot of Shawn and Lassiter growing ever closer is just short of adorable. The road to love is rocky of course, and there are all sorts of obstacles--Lassiter and Shawn themselves being the most obvious two--and Lassiter's confusion and worry and heartbreak really come through without being overdone. (Again...Loff!)

This story features an Original Male Character but don't let that scare you. There is a happy ending, I swear.

A Different Corner

Title: Ain't No Gorram Robot
Pairing: A little Jayne/Kara
Length: 2,200 words
Author on LJ: ana_grrl
Author Website: Check out her memories
Why this must be read:

As the summary says: Jayne Cobb. On the Battlestar Galactica. The contrast is just perfect and perfectly hilarious.

They get off the gorram robot-filled planet, and Helo gets them to some damn big ship. Bigger than Serenity, that's for sure. And the first thing Jayne sees when he steps onto that ship – besides all the people, and the soldiers with guns – is a little bitty girl Cylon that needs to get shot. He does that – shoots her right in the head without thinking twice – and then people are yelling, there's chaos and a prison cell, and some doctor poking and prodding him and taking his blood.

There's another doctor too, one who makes Simon seem relaxed, and rutting River Tam look like the picture of mental health.

People ask him questions. Too many gorram questions.

Ain't No Gorram Robot

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Length: 2,200~
Author on LJ: merryish
Author Website: any road
Why this must be read: Because of the banter, man, the banter. She’s brilliant at it, and can have you laughing aloud one minute or snuffling into your sleeve the next. Here it’s all smiles as Jim tells Blair something that has the popcorn freeze on the way to his mouth..

Also known as Antimony Hayes, few get these guys’ narrative voices as spot on as she does. This is short, sweet, fun, and a perfect pick-me-up..

"What would you call joining the military if not fighting for a cause I believe in?"

"Selling out to the nationalistic propaganda machine that chews up America's youth and spits out perfect little soldiers, and--"

"Oh, for god's sake--"

"--blatantly surrendering your right to self-determination--"

"Okay, okay, fine. I'll have you know that I'm a member of a very active, very liberal group right within the police department."

"Yeah? Somebody start a movement to bring back the Betamax?"

People Like You

Fandom: TOUR OF DUTY
Pairing: Myron Goldman/Zeke Anderson
Author on LJ: dawnchsr 
Author website: Notes From the Underground

Why this must be read:

Two words. Myron angst. No one can suffer like Myron Goldman.

And Zeke taking care of Myron is classic in our fandom. Enough said.

( Excerpt )


CROSSROADS

Fandom: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER/ ANGEL  
Pairing: Buffy/Angel
Length: long
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: With Peaches On Top
Why this must be read:
I had a really hard time choosing which fic of Indie's to rec, since I love everything she writes, but I finally decided on 'That Night'. Its an AU, but I love the relationship between Buffy and Angel. It starts out almost the opposite of the show, with Buffy having the darker side and Angel being the more innocent, but still willing to give everything up for her.  She's forced to break his heart, but then he meets her again years later and finds that not everything is as it seemed. Its a beautiful story that though it does have some dark parts and angst, also has a beautiful realtionship. It also has some Doyle, a great Faith, and a Spike that while not dark isn't really light either.





That Night

Fandom: HEROES
Characters: Peter/Claire
Length: ~6100 words
Warning: Incest
Author on LJ: marble_rose
Author Website: entries tagged "fic"
Why this must be read: "The Long Wait Till Judgment" is one of the classics of the Peter/Claire fandom, and for plenty of reasons. Posted in early 2007, it was one of the first to be written after the "Peter/Claire are related" reveal. Written from Peter's point of view, the story chronicles their relationship from their friendship (with a heavy dose of UST), to their initial attempt at a relationship, to their ensuing awkward boyfriends/girlfriends, to the implications of them living forever. Long on the angst/drama and short on the fluff, "The Long Wait Till Judgment" is an intense and rewarding read.

( Excerpt. )

The Long Wait Till Judgment

This is a little early, but as I just got a big fat reminder, I really need to get some sleep. So, for tomorrow...

Fandom: Psych
Pairing: Shawn/Lassiter
Length: Short
Author on LJ: ryann_blackwood
Author Website:unknown
Why This Must Be Read:

Because it's pure silliness, and pure fun, and also because it's St.
Patrick's Day today (ish). Fluffy though it may be, it still features a
grumpy, sourpuss Lassiface defending Shawn's honor *and* ending up in
a holding cell, and Juliet kicking ass and taking names. Shawn's kind
of a ho, but he means well, and he loves Lassi so much that we'll
forgive him.

Overall, just read if you want something short to make you smile. It
is part of a series, but it's a series of similar fluffy
one-shots, so it works just fine on its own.

St. Pat's