Hallo! xparrot here, steering the MUNCLE van for the month. I'm relatively new to the fandom (still trying to figure out how I missed out on Illya for all these years!) but have been greatly enjoying all the fic around, from long-time writers to newcomers like myself. Both slash and gen do it for me, so long as Illya & Napoleon's partnership is at the heart.

Fandom: THE MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Length: 4,479 words
Author on LJ: unknown?
Author Website: Fanfiction.net, Ravens Lair
Why this must be read: Secret agents live complicated lives, especially when the personal overlaps with the professional, as occurs here, with delightful results. Short and sweet, this story's predicament unfolds with charming precision. Illya is ordered to compromise Napoleon, Napoleon is ordered to be compromised, and oddly enough, neither of them finds this as arduous a task as should be expected...

( Excerpt )

Read "The Affair for Affairs Affair" On Fanfiction.net or on Ravens Lair

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Ray Kowalski/Ray Vecchio
Length: 2500 approx.
Author on LJ: inlovewithnight
Author Website: http://www.inlovewithnight.com/blankverse.html
Why this must be read: This fic is sweet, funny, and hot. The voices are perfect, as is the case with anything inlovewithnight writes. This is another one of those "the boys hook up after being friends firs" fics, and the way it happens--it's original and awesome, so I won't spoil you. But this fic is just adorable and happy-making and has some awesome snark and banter, which is one of my most favorite things about Ray/Ray, but what I love most about this fic--it's so real, and there's so much affection between them, and I just think you should read this and fall in love with it, okay?

( Excerpt, in which the boys discuss going to bust Pete Wentz's bar in Chicago! )

But Hey, You're All Right

Fandom: BTVS/ATS
Pairing: Willow/Angel
Length:35 chapters plus epilogue, plus three short complete sequels and one incomplete sequel
Author on LJ:no clue
Author Website: http://www.redssoulmates.com/angel/awd.html (the above mentioned sequels)
Why this must be read:Where do I start? Is it the fact that this is the fic that cemented my love for Buffy fanfic and played a huge role in drawing me into the fandom? Is it the fact that I'm not even a Willow/Angel shipper and yet this fic kept me enthralled? That and so much more. Melinda began to write this story before Season Two began, based on a promo of Buffy and Xander doing the sexy dance with a heartbroken Willow on the sidelines. Thus was born the idea that there would be no Buffy/Angel relationship (and no Willow/Xander, as well) so where did that leave Angel and Willow? Melinda's story deals with a friendship that becomes so much more, and she develops Willow in a very intriguing way--her history, her abilities, her personality. She also deals well with Buffy and Angel's relationship. And there's a new clan of vampires to deal with and a prophecy (because there has to be a prophecy!). This story was written over ten years ago and it holds up. I have no clue if Melinda is still around; I'm just glad her story is still on a public archive.

( excerpt )

Friendship This is chapter one; just follow the "next" buttons or go to the website above where all the chapters are linked separately.

Fandom: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
Pairing: None
Length: 1800 words approx.
Author on LJ: mardia
Author Website: Fic Tag on LJ
Why this must be read: I thought I would kick off the AOGG fandom recs with a look at Anne and Diana's friendship, from Diana's point of view. This short story takes the popular "five times" theme and delves into some of the ways Diana Barry Wright might have envied her bosom friend Anne throughout their lives.

I think this is a highly intriguing question, especially about a character whose blemishes are few in the novels, and who represents a point of envy for Anne herself at times. Mardia does a great job capturing Diana "through the years" and her characterization is top-notch.

If you're an old hand at AOGG fanfic, or this is your first ever, I think you'll find it captures the spirit of the novels extremely well.

a (most dreadfully) involuntary sin - by Mardia

Fandom: WATCHMEN
Pairing/Characters: Rorschach/Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan, others
Length: Multi-part series
Author on LJ: i_am_your_spy
Author Website: Collected fic post
Why this must be read:

I mentioned before that I was going to be going back to rec some of the real jewels of pre-movie Watchmen fandom in my introductory post.

( This is one of them. )

( Excerpt from Ordinary World: Mutually Assured Destruction )

The first part of Ordinary World: Hey Jupiter

The rest of the chapters of the story (as well as its sequels) are collected here.

Fandom: BLEACH
Pairing: Orihime/Everyone. No, really.
Length: 799
Author on LJ: None, as far as I know
Author Website: profile on FicWad
Why this must be read: Orihime's way of thinking is definetly not a normal one, and in this cracktastically hilarious story by Annwyd, she's found a way to unite her friends together in the most unique of ways. To say anymore would give away the fun, but let's just say that, as usual, poor Ishida is stuck on the bottom. Anyone who loves a good funny story will love this one!

Terrible Pink Monster

Fandom: BANDOM
Pairing: Bob/Frank/Gerard
Length: 3,430 words
Author on LJ: minervacat
Author Website: Band RPS & Bandslash fic tag
Why this must be read:

There are a lot of things the band doesn't talk about. Bob thinks he's getting a handle on them all.

This is one of the best Bob centric stories from when he'd just started as the MCR drummer. It's got a fabulous Bob voice, great characterisations, and a wonderful atmosphere. The way it manages to balance the uncertainty and worry with a quiet hope for the future is beautiful and captivating.

( Excerpt from the story... )

Ever Notice How Drinking's Like War or here

Okay! Time for funny. And... an unusual pairing.

Fandom: MARVEL COMICS -- Iron Man movieverse
Pairing: Tony/OMC, AI!Jarvis/Tony via Suit/Tony
Length: 4,500
Author on LJ: mayatawi
Author Website: zippos and safety pins
Why this must be read:

Because this is one of the funniest fics I've ever read. It's ridiculous and plausible and oh dear God. I mean, it's hard to get more cracky than The Living Armor, but this one might just exceed the comics canon. And it wouldn't work if the Tony POV wasn't so spot on:

When he finally found his voice, he was impressed by its evenness. "Uh, Jarvis? What the hell was that?"

"I had assumed you would be familiar with the experience, sir." Still smug, with an extra helping of self-satisfied. "Should I do it again?"

"No!" Tony took a deep breath. It didn't really help. "We should go home," he said, with what little dignity he could muster. "Home, now, right now, really fast."

"As you wish." And did he sound a little... disappointed?

"No more fun for you," Tony muttered.

Clearly he still had to work out some of the kinks. So to speak.

The Value of Secrets