Hi! My name is Amber, and I'll be driving the RPF van this month! As it's my first time behind the wheel I've picked a rather scenic country lane to drive and gone with a somewhat more rare niche of RPF fandom, that being British Comedy RPF. For the most part you can expect gen or slash (or slash if squint) pieces starring various individuals from BBC staple comedy programmes including sitcoms, sketch shows, and panel games... or, in most cases, crossover double acts that are a little bit of all of the above. So, sit back and enjoy the ride!

Fandom: RPF (British Comedy)
Pairing: Stephen Fry/Hugh Laurie
Length: ~2k
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: On AO3
Why this must be read:

For my first RPF pairing I come bearing a bit of Fry & Laurie - staples on both British television and Hollywood... which is where this piece picks up.

Just Trying To Maintain gives us the perspective of an increasingly Americanized Hugh as he struggles to pin down his identity in LA and acclimate to the way things work in Hollywood. I've found that for many friends who have started in the House M.D. fandom, this piece is a great stepping point the tight, but very well written world of Fry & Laurie RPF. morganya's style is very fitting to Hugh's character, and she does a brilliant job of capturing the vague sense of emptiness that LA is for Hugh. The ending gives us a bitter-sweet reality with just a hint of what he left behind, namely Stephen. The subtlety of the Hugh/Stephen subtext creeps on you, as you realize exactly what it is that Hugh is searching for in his day-to-day life. It's funny, in a way that makes me chuckle... but also in a way that's sort of sad.

Just Trying To Maintain

Fandom: BONES
Pairing: Zack/OFC
Length: 1,134
Author on LJ: lostakasha
Author Website: lostakasha’s Bones tag
Why this must be read:

Author’s summary: Zack can’t get what he wants, but that’s okay.

This fic is so sweet. Zack gets over his feelings for Brennan by looking for love elsewhere. I love Hodgins’ dating advice and lostakasha creates an entirely likeable and believable OC. It’s a treat to read Zack-centric fic that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

If You Try Sometimes

Fandom: Star Trek: Reboot
Pairing: Gen, Jim Kirk, Tiberius Kirk
Length: 5607
Author on LJ: northatlantic
Why this must be read:

This story, although I've read it many times, still brings tears to my eyes and I rec it every chance I get. The author gives us a wonderful backstory for Jim, weaving moments from the movie in and out of the story.

Tiberius Kirk, Jim's grandfather is a tough, uncomprimising old man and is the most stable influence in Jim's life. I love how the author writes the relationship between the two and their bitter-sweet interaction as Jim grows up. The glimpse of the Tarsus aftermath is just so sad and I like that Winona is not pictured as bad, but just broken.

If you haven't read this fandom staple; check out Collecting fallout from the blast.

Fandom: STAR WARS
Length: 1195 words
Pairing: Obi-Wan/Duchess Satine
Author on LJ: truthtruthlie
Author Website: Tags on LJ
Why this must be read:


Written for au_bingo with the Duchess and the Negotiator together for a partnership and also a marriage, this story describes their prickly, strongly emotional union. With truthtruthlie's imaginative use of visuals, we get a sense of the passage of time and the marking that the death of the entire Jedi society had on one of its own. Adding to the happier circumstances of the romance *well, at least thus far the Clone Wars TV series has shown us of it*, is the notion that they took some time off from duty to enjoy their togetherness without so much stress. When I think of nobility using its prestige for the good of all citizens, I am reminded of Baroness Cheshire, whose birthday the third of July is. Baroness, you and Duchess Satine knew what to do with your power. I salute you.

Passion, Wit and Bravery, True Love & Duty

Fandom: BANDOM
Pairing: always-a-bio-girl!Frank/always-a-bio-boy!Jamia, always-a-bio-girl!Frank/Brian
Length: 3,482 words
Author on LJ: graceoftheworld
Author Website: Author's masterlist
Why this must be read: This story takes something done pretty often in bandom - changing sex/gender - in a way I've never seen before: Frank has always been a girl (Frankie), and his wife Jamia has always been a boy (Jamie). The characterizations are incredible, so well-developed that even the hilarious side-conversations between Jamie and his friends could carry the story alone. Frankie shows up in their lives by sleeping with their RA (they live in a college dorm) and running into them, smoking and half-dressed, in the common bathroom. She's just as crass and headstrong as Frank would be - she forgets people's names, double-fists her beers, and humps frat boys while playing guitar - but she's also complex, passionate and competent. The story is smart and witty from start to finish, shows us just how messy gender can be, and has a feel-good ending; I dare you to read this and not fall for Frankie just as hard as Jamie does.

( Excerpt )

But I Was Tinkerbell and You Were Peter Pan

Hey everyone, my name is fincalian and I'll be driving the van for Glee this month. I'm going to rec as much as I can, in as wide a variety of stuff as possible, so I hope you all enjoy it! Sorry for starting a little late, things have been busy, but keep your eyes open because I plan to make up for my tardiness!

Fandom: GLEE
Pairing: Quinn/Rachel
Length: 6000 words
Author on LJ: anomalousalanna
Author's Website: ficsbyalanna
Why this must be read: I've only recently become a Quinn/Rachel fan, but this is one I've had saved for a while. I love the slow evolution of Quinn and Rachel's friendship, and eventual romance, and I like how each character has to adjust to the new family dynamic. I think anomalousalanna really captures the softer, more insecure side of Quinn really well, and her Rachel is very adult, something we don't see enough of on the show. Everyone should read this, because I miss pregnant Quinn, and anomalousalanna shows another way she could have developed.

( Excerpt! )

Wonderwall