Fandom: HAWAII FIVE-0 (NEW)
Pairing: Steve/Danny
Length: 12,500 words
Author on LJ: cattraine
Author Website: Masterlist on LJ
Warnings: Character death , Mental health issues , Attempted suicide
Why this must be read:

This fic broke me into tiny little pieces; it's one of the saddest fics in H50 fandom I've read so far. It still has the power to bring tears to my eyes even reading it half a year later. Where Cattraine takes Danny and his team in this is mind-boggling and deeply emotional. Her exploration of how far a man can be broken and still be brought back towards healing with the love his family will leave your heart on the floor and a hand to your mouth in wonder. Don't forget the tissues as we see a Danny without his monkey but with his beloved aand ohana.

Sock Monkey

Fandom: MEN'S PROFESSIONAL TENNIS RPS
Pairings: Marcel Granollers/Nicolas Almagro; David Ferrer/Tommy Robredo, Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco and hints of Lopez/Verdasco/Ferrer and Granollers/Robredo
Length: ~ 3500 words
Author on LJ: xerricara
Author Website: ximpleta on AO3
Why this must be read: One thing that you discover as you go further into this fandom is that certain writers are gravitated toward writing certain players.  The player that is your favorite doesn't always correspond with the player that you like to write or read.   I personally like reading stories involving the less popular pairings because it's less formed as to the dynamic.  One writer can basically set the characterization if they believe enough in who they're writing.

I admit I knew very little about Marcel Granollers and Nicolas Almagro before encountering this author but don't let that keep you from reading.  This fic is so good precisely because these are obscure players and it'd be a pity to miss it.  The more popular members of the Spanish Armada (the other four listed in the pairings) put a plan in motion to give Marcel what he's always wanted but Nicolas can sense this is not going to end well.  There are two earlier fics Champagne and Nakedness and No Real Emotion which go into more detail into the Marcel/Nico "relationship" but the heartbreak comes through this all on its own.

( Excerpt )

Never That Easy

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim Ellison/ Blair Sandburg
Length: 208k
Author on LJ: bluewolf458
Author Website: Artifact Storage Link
Author Website
This story in a well written alternate universe, explores the sentinel/guide relationship in a new watery world. The characters use great personal resourcefulness to overcome hardship and work well together. I love how real this world feels and how the characters have chances to grow.

Summary from Authors note:
"This is an AU set a considerable time in the future. Rapidly rising sea levels have altered the coastline during that period, drowning or half drowning coastal towns and creating islands where none exist today. Civilization has collapsed. A Government anxious to maintain power by finding a scapegoat looked to minority groups to blame for their problems..."
A Safe Harbor
another link

Fandom: WATCHMEN
Characters: Silk Spectre II, Nite Owl, Rorschach
Length: ~1600
Author on LJ: Anonymous
Author Website: Watchmen Kinkmeme v. 5.0
Why this must be read:

Rorschach didn't take the Roche case; Laurie did.

This AU is as chilling as it is because it could have happened. It's very real, and inspires compelling questions. No punches are pulled here; not for the faint of heart.

"Rorschach surges ahead of him when they reach the abandoned dressmakers building, eager to kick the door in, and then pulls up short with a surprised noise. The door is already sprung and hanging open. It’s not as neat a job as Rorschach would have made of it; the door is bowed in the middle and it looks like whoever broke in did it by hurling themselves bodily into the door until it gave."

Awake in the Dark

(This section of the Kinkmeme still has room for comments; even though the author is anonymous, chances are good they will see – and appreciate – feedback.)

Fandom: STAR TREK: REBOOT
Pairing: McCoy/Chapel
Length: 14,400+ and 25,500+ words
Author on LJ: silverlining_99
Author Website: n/a
Why this must be read: The ultimate in McCoy/Chapel Reboot fics, I consider these two stories to be a necessary primer for anyone who wants to know the story of how McCoy and Chapel met in the Academy. The first story is from Chapel's point of view, the second from McCoy's, and between the two they cover their meeting at the Academy, the events of the movie, and the immediate fallout after the credits. With pitch perfect characterisations, dialogue and writing, and scenes that run the gamut from funny to sexy to sweet to angsty, the "Jim Kirk" fics are a must-read for any fans of McCoy/Chapel.

( Excerpt )

I: Jim Kirk's Limp Dick and Other Obstacles on the Path to Love
II: Jim Kirk is an Insufferable Idiot and Other Lessons Learned Along the Way