Fandom: INCEPTION
Title: When the Woman that You Love
Pairing: Ariadne/Mal
Length: 4,266
Author on LJ: sinuous_curve
Author Website: author's works on AO3
Why this must be read:

Another mainstay of Inception fic is, of course, sex with projections. It's inevitable that a canon that causes you to question reality breeds all kinds of fics where characters aren't sure what's real, or even *who's* real. Ariadne/Mal poses an interesting problem along these lines, because Ariadne *only* knows Mal from Cobb's mind. I really love how this fic deals with the questions that come when Mal starts showing up in Ariadne's dreams after Inception, and I love that Ariadne knows full well she's not real, but can't shake the addiction anyway.

Disturbing, eerie, mysterious, and hot, hot, hot--this fic is a fabulous example of the mindfuckery this fandom does so well. :)

( There’s always something missing, something too perfectly created in perfect worlds. )

When the Woman that You Love

Fandom: LIFE ON MARS
Pairing: Sam Tyler/Gene Hunt
Length: 1,500 words
Author on LJ: hackthis
Author Website: the author's memories
Why this must be read: This is a hopeful, realistic look at Sam after his decision in the final episode. It will make you smile in a very quiet, understated way. It also has perfect banter and character voices.

Sam doesn't care when he puts on a few pounds and isn't always the fastest down the corridor when they're kicking the ball about. He doesn't flinch so much every time the Guv works his magic on suspects either. Some of the time Sam wishes he were the one doing the work, but everyone has their place in the food chain, and if his place is keeping Gene in line, well, it could be a lot worse.

Baby, Set My Soul on Fire

Fandom: WB/CW RPF
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Length: ~3300
Author on LJ: bertee
Author Website: link to master list on LJ
Why this must be read:

This is the first fic Bertee wrote for the Thieves ‘verse, which started based on the following blindfold_spn prompt: Jared and Jensen are thieves of high caliber and occasional collaborators. Sometimes, in the adrenaline rush of a heist, they tease and play and fuck. They love the extra risk it brings to everything, and the higher the risk, the harder they get.

Do you really need more?

( here’s a sample )

So go read it. *makes shooing motions* seriously, go!

Steal a Moment

Let’s hope the mechanic’s fix keeps me on the road today. *g* (Checks tyres.)

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/OC, Doyle/OC, Bodie/Doyle
Length: 5,640 words
Author on LJ not known
Author website/archives The Circuit Archive On the home page, search under ‘Author’.
Why this must be read: Today’s rec is a slightly more serious/realistic story, set overseas. The use of well-developed and well-written OCs (without a Mary-Sue in sight) is what makes this fic interesting. They are used to support and kickstart the main relationship. The lads are in Florida in the line of duty and have a few days to spare. They meet an American couple, a brother and sister, and their romantic interactions with these make them rethink their own relationship. The story is rated adult for the OC part. The slash pairing is only just on the horizon when the story ends and readers are expected to exercise their imagination which is something I enjoy doing. The OC entanglements provide plenty to base that imagination on, just as they do for the lads!

Florida Sunshine

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: dave/jade
Length: 7k
Author on LJ: dellaluce
Author Website: A03
Why this must be read: This is the first Homestuck fic I ever read that punched me in the heart, and after that I was hooked.

It’s a meticulous and kind of chilling dissection of Jade Harley, the girl who grew up with a dog and dream robot on an tropical island. It’s also about taking the script you’ve been handed in the fairytale you’re supposed to conduct and giving it double middle fingers. It’s cold, creepy, and utterly beautiful.

She is a character in a story that's been planned since long before she was born, her life on rails made of words and ink and binding glue.

Stitching up the Circuitboards on AO3

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none/gen
Length: 1610 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author website/archives: NFA
Why this must be read: If you need something to make you smile (or laugh out loud actually), this is the story for you. It's funny, hilarious, and in a way, something that could happen on the show (which is a bit of a scary thought *g*). After reading this, you'll never look at sprinkles the same way again.

(To Whom It May Concern)

Hi again. This month I'm behind the wheel of the Small Fandom van showcasing the USA Network legal drama Suits. (This is the second time Suits has been spotlighted here.) Actually, if you've never seen the show now is the perfect time to jump on in! Season One has been released on DVD and the second season premieres June 14.

Fandom: Suits
Pairing: Harvey Specter/Mike Ross
Length: 37,755 words
Author on LJ: xanthestories is her story journal
Author Website: Xanthe Stories
Why this must be read: This is the very first story I'd read in this fandom, so it has a very special place in my heart. Mike is being hassled by Louis, who's trying to get Mike to change his allegiance from Harvey to himself, when Harvey appears out of thin air offering Louis a wager that in 24 hours he can prove that he possesses Mike and whoever wins the bet, either Louis or Harvey, wins Mike. For good.

Harvey is sinfully seductive as gives Mike exactly what he craves. What he needs. Spanking, D/s and BDSM themes (but nothing graphic) are central to the story and meld seamlessly with the characters we see on television. (Oh c'mon, Harvey actually refers to Mike as his "puppy" in the show!) The story is a complex one; giving us a glimpse into the truth driving Mike's insecurities and Harvey's mysterious past as well as how this night will change their lives going forward.

Possession

Fandom: INCEPTION
Title: fly me to the moon (and let me dream among the stars)
Pairing: Arthur/Eames, Cobb/Saito
Length: 6,670
Author on LJ: saucy_kate
Author Website: tag listing on author's fic journal
Why this must be read: So far, I've recced fics that have amazing world-building in the figurative sense, but Inception canon allows for actual, literal world- building! This fic has all kinds of fun with the concept of the dreamscape and the way you can build whatever kind of universe you want in it. In this fic, after Inception Saito decides to look into dreamscape tourism, which is possibly just an excuse to get the gang to go on a field trip. This naturally leads to all kinds of debates about what to build and where to go when you can build anything and go anywhere--with plenty of room for Arthur/Eames snark and teasing and falling in love.

The things the team does with dreambuilding in this fic are delightful: space travel, fantasy worlds, steampunk, even the Regency--they do it all (and of course Eames is in Slytherin). The best part of this fic is watching the whole ensemble from Inception working as a group towards the common goal of having fun, and it's impossible not to have fun with them. And, of course, the delightfully sweet and saucy Arthur/Eames dynamic.

( 'You have so little imagination about this,' Eames points out, reaching over Arthur to gesture at the list of ideas for possible group dreaming retreats. )

fly me to the moon (and let me dream among the stars)