Fandom: GENERATION KILL
Pairing: Ray Person/Walt Hasser, Nate Fick/Brad Colbert
Length: 4000
Author on LJ: sparky77
Why this must be read:

We're going to stick with this combination of pairings for a quite-different fic. It's one of the first - if not the original - Generation Kill wing!fic. It is also hilarity of the highest order - as one of the generation_kill fen commented, it's 'pure cracky amazingness'. sparky77 is my go-to author if I want to laugh my ass off, and not have to worry about the plot (because the plot and the world hold together - and it takes talent to do that, as well as making it hilariously funny).

Anyway. Walt is an angel (because face it, he looks like one). Ray isn't, but he's in Heaven anyway; the angels are pretty sure he's a punishment. The dialogue is snappy and absolutely spot-on, and the way the description is done fits perfectly. If this doesn't make you laugh at least a little bit, you may be dead inside.


( Excerpt... )


How Ray Saved the Universe, Blasphemed a Whole Lot, and Finally Got Laid

Fandom: SHERLOCK
Pairing: Molly
Length: 2K
Author on LJ:luthierdreams
Author Website: Ao3
Why this must be read:

When I volunteered back last June to drive this particular van several stories popped immediately to mind that I would rec. Every time Sherlock came 'round I would watch like a hawk to see if they were being recced already. Some of them were. The past drivers have had excellent taste. But this one was the top of my list, and has continually slipped under the radar. I am delighted to be able to bring it to you now. One of my favorite things about this fandom is that it can be light and bouncy or it can be very dark. This story is quite dark, but deliciously so. It's about dear Molly Hooper, but a side of her that isn't all flowers and kittens.

Molly

Fandom: THE MENTALIST
Pairing: Jane/Cho
Length: 19000
Author on LJ: geelady
Author Website: On AO3 and FF.net
Why this must be read:

So, I'm a case!fic lover. Any fandom, any type of crime, any time period: if there's a whodunnit to be found, I'll do my best to ferret it out. The Mentalist fandom tends to lean more toward relationship fics, but--as you would hope in a show about an investigative unit--there are case stories as well.

This is one of my favorite case!fics in the fandom: After the death of her grandmother's husband, Lisbon goes to stay with her to pay her respects. Jane, ever nosy, follows and insists that everything is not as it seems, all the while charming the pants off Lisbon's family.

Lisbon's grandmother is an EXCELLENT OC that I would love to see more of. The case and the method of solving it wouldn't at all be out of place on an episode, the entire team is well-represented, and there's just enough Jane/Cho to keep a slasher like me happy. Totally a worthwhile read (and, as it happens, the author is writing a fairly epic Jane/Cho series, so if you enjoy Rouge, I highly recommend checking it out).

Rouge

Fandom: HAWAII FIVE-0 (new)
Pairing: Steve/Danny
Length: ~ 6006 words
Author on LJ: stillane
Author Website: Fic Tag on LJ; fictions and the like
Why this must be read: This story and my last rec literally were posted within a few days of each other. That was when I really knew H50 was going to be a solid fandom: when within three days I had two entertaining stories from two writers I'd admired and appreciated in other fandoms. The fandom really has a lot of terrific writers.

Stillane's story has Danny's parents coming to visit the island, and although Danny knows his parents will get to meet the crazy team he's been hanging out with, he doesn't give it a lot of thought. But Steve does. Steve dresses up. Steve puts on a tie (and to Danny's horror, looks like a junior accountant.) And you know, Danny's a detective ... he gets there eventually, realizing that Steve's pretty invested in having Danny stay in Hawaii and being a part of his life. The thing is ... Danny's pretty invested too - he just doesn't realize it yet.

This story has wonderful characterization, the trademark banter that really makes the show what it is, and a nice view of the team and Danny's family. It's a feel-good story. It's a dopey grin story. It's one that I go back to and reread when I want something fun and a little bit sweet.

( 'My parents are flying in for Grace’s birthday next month and I’d like not to have to stuff them in the back of a sports car like aging sardines.' )

On LJ: Make a Move ('Cause I Ain't Got All Night)

On AO3: Make a Move ('Cause I Ain't Got All Night)
It doesn't matter how old or new or how popular a story is, authors love feedback!

Fandom: HAWAII FIVE-0 (new)
Pairing: Steve/Danny
Length: ~ 3000 words
Author on LJ: nova33
Author Website: Master Fic List on LJ
Why this must be read: First-season Steve initially hates Danny's apartment, that much is clear in canon. Naturally, when Danny says he needs to go shopping for a new bed, Steve decides to go along, although it isn't clear if he's there to help or just to drive Danny insane. So, business as usual.

Anyone who has ever roamed an IKEA (for better or worse) will appreciate this fic, and Danny does love to get his rant on. Steve patiently goes along for the ride (and the ridicule) because really, it's in his best interests to make sure his partner is well-rested, and therefore a bed is essential.

But, will an IKEA bed stand up to Steve's, um, "scrutiny"?

( 'I really don’t need your help on this one,' Danny says, putting his hands up in front of him. 'I know you like being around me and all, but I think I can manage this really dangerous and incredibly exciting shopping trip all on my own. And, weirdly enough, I’d like to be able to drive to a freaking furniture store without any risk of death, if that’s okay with you.' )

On LJ: what the hell is a lillesande anyway?

It doesn't matter how old or new or how popular a story is, authors love feedback!

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Gibbs/Tony
Length: 5223 words
Author on LJ: justhuman
Author Website: PrimalGlyph
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Tony visits the alma mater and takes a detour on his way home

I was sad when the powers that be killed off Kate; she had such a brother/sister dynamic with Tony that I enjoyed watching to the hilt. They had their moments where they wanted to scratch each other's eyes out, and yet they also stuck by each other, pulled together to play pranks on the younger sibling (McGee), and were generally there to support the other. Her death made such a hole in the team dynamic that no one has been able to fill.

And so ficcage where Tony comes to her grave to vent and seek clarification in his life is so in character. I could see him doing this in life, so why not in death? The banter and the caring that existed in their living relationship is so evident in this story through Justhuman's capable hands, even if the banter is one sided and the caring is ethereal on one side. Then Gibbs knowing where he'd be and ambushing him? How in-character is that, the all knowing Gibbs. :) Loved the kiss and the final goodbye to a friend that is dearly departed until the next time they visit Indiana.

A Friend in Indiana

And we are back to another round of Crack Van with rocks_not_dead who promises Minutemen recs, angst, and most likely booze.

Fandom: WATCHMEN
Pairing: Bill/Byron
Length: 1200
Author on LJ: tortoisegirl
Author Website: I couldn't find an author website, but there are a few fics on strapsandstars and now we have tortoisegirl on AO3
Why this must be read: Now, personally, I already love this fic because it was one of the first I read in the fandom, from what I can remember. And for me it hit right where I wanted it. Byron. Post Bill. ANGST! This fic hurts and it hurts so good. The writing style sets a chilling atmosphere and it's a very creative take on Byron's road to insanity.

The Little Match Boy

Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: none
Length: short
Author on LJ: not known
Author Website: HERE
Why this must be read: Another Academy story? Yes, please! But it’s not just another academy story. It’s a wonderful moment about what being a cop really is and about how Starsky and Hutch really met. It’s Starsky h/c with some serious talking and with a lot of sweet comforting. It’s short but it’s meaningful. This is how it could have happened!

He shifted his eyes downward and continued past Hutchinson. He’d almost made it.

“Hey, that’s quite a bruise on your cheek.” Hutchinson reached out and briefly touched Starsky’s arm to slow his escape, but quickly withdrew it when he saw Starsky draw back, wincing. “How’d you get the shiner?”

Starsky weighed his response. Hutchinson’s comment had sounded sincere—not a hint of sarcasm in it. Obviously, he hadn’t heard about what had happened, but Starsky ached and he was too tired to offer an explanation. “Don’t wanna talk about it.” He again started up the stairs to his room.

Letting his arm drop to his side, Hutchinson watched as Starsky painfully continued his ascent.

Lesson Learned by Linda B. (R)

Fandom: BANDOM
Pairing: Gerard/Ray, Bob/Gerard/Ray, Frank/Mikey, past Bert/Gerard
Length: 19,790 words
Author on LJ & DW: missmollyetc & missmollyetc
Author on AO3: missmollyetc

Why this must be read: The one where Gerard is Handsome Don's oldest son, the one supposed to take over the business when his father dies, but Gerard's got other ideas.

This starts out as an outline of a story, but rapidly swells into something much more. The atmosphere and characterisations are absolutely wonderful and it's shockful of tension and suspense and action.

I can't believe that this story hasn't been recced here before. It was one of the earliest stories I read when I fell into MCR fandom and I've always considered it a minor classic.

I'm usually allergic to stories where the Used are the Bad Guys but here I don't mind it at all. In this story there are no black or white, just many shades of grey. The only real difference between Gerard and Bert is that one of them had a Mikey and the other didn't...

( Excerpt from the story... )

The Watch (on AO3) or here (on LJ)