Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: Nick/Justin
Author on LJ:fluffontop (I think)
Author Website: (currently unavailable)
Why this must be read:

This is the Groundhog Day scenario that Nick Carter lives through on Christmas Eve. First time round, he wakes up in bed with a girl, after she leaves he has to go to a TV studio appearance, and Justin Timberlake kisses him.

Obviously, something is wrong in this scenario.

Nick goes through the Groundhog Day stages of self-indulgence and self-destruction. Eventually, though, he gets it right. An elegantly written story, with lots of little details that make for a very good read.

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Fandom: Bandom
Pairing: Pete Wentz/Patrick Stump (Pete/Mikey UST, Jon/Tom, Frank/Gerard, Ryan/Brendon)
Length: one-shot; novella-length: 45,000
Author on LJ: bellheim
Author Website: Fiction Master List on LJ
Why this must be read:
Big Bang stories are often wildly AU, and this one is for sure. Non-musical setting; matchmaker Pete & co. do their best to help people find love, or a close proximation thereof. I thought this was whimsical and charming.

Match

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Length: 40k
Author on LJ: audrarose
Author Website: Masterfic List
Why this must be read: Because her RPS/SPN fic is to curl up with and die for, so it was a delight to discover that her Jim and Blair have roughly the same effect. In this one there’s a blizzard, they’re on the run, Jim has a fever, and they have to hole up somewhere, just the two of them.. Seriously, first times and hurt/comfort do not get much more endearing and warm-fuzzier than this.

And of course, there's cracking good dialogue too..

With as much calm as he could muster he sat down in the space between Jim’s legs, scooted back until he could lean back against Jim, and was rewarded when Jim moved forward to close the space.

“So what book did you bring?”

Blair showed him the cover. "Ritual Identity and the Mayan Diaspora.”

“We’re running for our lives and that’s the book you take with you?”

“Well…yeah.” Blair shrugged.

Jim settled his head back against the headboard and closed his eyes.

“Fine. You at least have to do the voices.”

“Do the voices?” Blair wondered if Jim was still delirious. “Jim, it’s an anthro text about Mayan burial rites.”

“I’m just saying, that if you’re going to read aloud, you should do the voices.”

Touch You

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: none
Length: 42K
Author on LJ: not known
Author Website: HERE
Why this must be read:

They were just partnered, they are still young, innocent and they still believe that all dreams come true – until one of them is hurt. Is caring worth the pain and the fear of losing? Or is it easier not to love at all?

Hutch paused dramatically, gazing on Starsky with what appeared to be a peculiar blending of pride and fear. "Eddie, Starsky is mean."

"Mean?" Eddie glanced at Starsky, who put on his most ferocious expression. "No! They give you a mean partner, Officer Hutchinson?"

Hutch nodded sadly. "They said I was being too easy on you all. Said I needed a partner who would crack down."

Starsky leaned close to Eddie. "If I see you look like you're even thinking about putting your fingers into somebody else's pocket, Fish, I will be the most irritated. Get my message?"

Eddie glanced at Hutch, who only shrugged helplessly. He looked back at Starsky and nodded. "I understand, Officer Starsky. Sure, I understand."

"Good." Starsky turned on his heel and stalked back to the car.

Hutch released his hold on Eddie. "You see how it is, Eddie?" he said. "I can't do anything with him. He's mean." He winked and then followed Starsky.

Neither of them spoke until the car was moving again. Starsky sighed, once more searching the passing scene. "How come," he said mildly, "how come I end up being the mean one in this relationship?"

Hutch shrugged. "Typecasting."

Rite of Initiation

Fandom: HIGHLANDER
Pairing: Fitzcairn/OFC, Methos/OFC
Length: 40, 620 words
Author on LJ:
Author Website: http://www.swordznsorcery.co.uk/methos.html
Why this must be read:

It's surprising that there isn't more Fitzcairn fic and this is an excellent one. After reading this story you'll also wonder why there aren't more stories with Methos and Fitz in them.

High Society

Fandom: Tour of Duty
Characters: Myron Goldman/Zeke Anderson
Length: 2148 words
Author on LJ henrycat
Author Website: Notes From the Underground
Why this is a must read: Based on a missing scene from The Road to Long Binh, Zeke is treated to a Myron very few if any ever get to see. Written in Zeke's voice, Mel captures exactly his tone as Zeke realizes that at least for now- thanks to a lot of alcohol- he has the vulnerable Myron, the one that hides his pain and grief from everyone, the young man behind the officer that never wanted to be in the Army in the first place. Zeke isn't sure who he'll have in the morning, but he's thankful for what Myron will give him for this one evening.

Excerpt
"Zeke?" I hear the hesitation in his voice and I turn to meet his gaze. Big mistake. Oh man, we never shoulda got this drunk. Now, now I've got the Myron no one gets to see- stripped to his soul with nothing to hide behind. Those dark eyes plead with me. "Zeke, where're you going?"

"Just gonna sleep on the floor, L-T. Don't wanna disturb you." If I don't get off this bed, I can't be responsible for what happens.

"Please...don't go, Zeke. Please stay." I can hear the barest edge of panic in his voice. He's been left behind so many times, he's afraid I'll do it to him now. He looks so lost and desperate that I can't just leave. I'll stay until he falls asleep. I can control myself that long. I hope.

'Til Morning Comes

Fandom: DC COMICS
Pairing: Kyle Rayner/Connor Hawke
Length:341
Author on LJ: leftarrow
Author Website: LJ Tag
Why this must be read:

Forget grand romantic gestures, or time spent agonising over misunderstandings. For some pairings, the result of coupledom is a foregone conclusion. What sells the pairing then isn't torturous anxiety over the evolving relationship but the gradual shift from friendship to lovers. Short yet satisfying, this fic has Kyle and Connor become more than friends in a sweet reveal.

Lighter Since I Met You

Fandom: Supernatural
Pairing: Gen
Author on LJ: mona1347
Author Website: Mona's Fic Tag
Why this must be read: What it’s like to be a prisoner inside your own body. How it feels to scream but nobody hears you. The story is delightfully creepy and will stick with you for a long time after it’s over.

( Excerpt )

Death’s Other Kingdom