Fandom: INCEPTION
Title: Side-wise, headlong - NC-17
Pairing: Arthur/Eames, casual Ariadne/Eames
Length: 8,000
Author on LJ: ineptshieldmaid
Author Website: author's AO3 profile
Why this must be read: There are several really well-done fics in the fandom where either Arthur or Eames is asexual, and he and Eames navigate their relationship accordingly. And then there are fics where Arthur's very sexual, but something of a slow-burner. This fic falls somewhere in-between, and I like how smoothly it presents fluid sexuality while still being smoking hot and retaining all kinds of intimacy between Eames and an Arthur whose interest is keen, but whose libido is somewhat... lackadasical. :D

( Arthur’s not entirely sure *why* he wants to suck Eames’ cock, although part of the appeal is certainly his expectation that it would shut Eames up. )

Side-wise, headlong

Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Length: 6,755 words
Author on LJ: erobey (account purged, don't know if they are still on LJ or if they have moved on)
Author Website: on AO3, Tawarwaith
Why this must be read:
I literally chewed my fingers up trying to decide which story by erobey to recommend -- they're all so good. In the end, my love of Gimli (and especial Gimli with Legolas) reared it's head and I am recommending this story (which is pretty short for my tastes, as my penchant in LotR is to read epic stories, which fortunately erobey also writes).

This story is. Surprising. Yes. It starts out profound and awesome, then suddenly takes a turn for the silly and awesome. This is one of those stories that I keep coming back to and rereading because it just makes me happy. ^_^ I am continually awed by erobey's characterizations, even when they're just a bit cracktacular like in this story.

Enjoy this and the rest of erobey's fics!

Spoils of War by erobey

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: J/B slash
Length: 760 words
Author on LJ: carodee
Author Website: Caro Dee's Insatiable Site (this fic hasn't been uploaded here yet, however); she's also uploading her fic (including this story) to AO3 here (Thanks, magician114!)

Warnings: NON-CON (rohypnol) / fantasy

Why this must be read:

Because it's still MMoB, and this amazing, haunting -- eviscerating -- short fic takes that first "M" and carves "Merry" right the heck off, replacing it with words like "Perfect" and "Dark" and "World-View-Shattering" and "Oh my God I can't bear this".

Note that "dark", okay? Cat on the Roof is the epitome of dark!fic. This fic is NOT for everyone. The fantasy that Jim's getting himself off on isn't fluffy bunnies and pretty unicorns and "I Love Blair", or even "Blair's an okay guy, not too bad-looking, and I spend half my life with him anyway with him so what the hell"; the fantasy that Jim gets himself off on is profoundly disturbing.

Like the best dark!fic, this is more than just a gut-wrenching read; it opens the door to issues (and to possibilities) that make you think (make you shiver), make you see through new eyes, before it leaves you in a broken heap on the floor afterwards.

Caro Dee owns dark!fic, and this compellingly written (and also very hot, in its twisty way) ficlet is a masterful example of that.

BTW -- the fantasy Jim gets himself off on is NOT what you're probably thinking it is. I'm not going to say anything further, though, because Jim says it perfectly, so terribly perfectly...

Links:
  ~  Cat on the Roof (at AO3) -- Thanks for the headsup, magician114!
  ~  Cat on the Roof (at the dreamwidth multikinkmemes comm where it was first posted)
 
 

This is my final day on the road. I’ve reached my quota of fics and the only thing I missed out on was the drive-in-night vid rec - through no fault of mine, or crack_van’s or even LJ’s. (I’m blaming my ISP.) I’ve enjoyed the drive and I hope you’ve enjoyed the ride. I’d better start clearing out the glove compartment and removing my rubbish for the next driver. First, one last spin.

I seem to have got into supernatural gear and can’t get out of it. But at least we’re back in London. It’s just the date that seems to be uncertain.

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Length: 19,802 words
Author on LJ sc_fossil
Author website/archives Automated Hatstand. This will take you to Lily K’s more recent Professionals stories. Her older ones are at the old Hatstand: Hatstand but be careful to scroll down to LilyK - there’s another Lily just before the one you want!
Why this must be read: This unusual and delightful story was apparently inspired by the Keanu Reeves film The Lakehouse, in turn inspired by a story, etc. etc. The whole idea hinges on a kind of time travel but not huge leaps into the past or future. The lads are only a couple of years apart but it seems impossible they should ever meet, or at least meet at a time when they are both aware of the situation. However, they start a correspondence which is sometimes amusing, sometimes angry and sometimes romantic. There is a rented house, with a time-travelling letterbox. There is also a cat which may or may not be clairvoyant. I was so intrigued by the story that I rented the film, to compare. Lily K does a better job, I think, and explains the problems and the ending, or at least her ending, more satisfactorily. You don’t need to have seen the film; I understood the story perfectly well without it.

I first became aware of the story when the author contacted me (knowing I’m Brit) to ask about letterboxes in UK and whether there would be a problem with the concept. (She was putting the fic online after a zine version timed out, I think.) I reassured her that although they aren’t common they aren’t unknown, but usually lie nearer the house than their US or European counterparts, sometimes even on the wall of the house or porch. In any case, the idea would not be foreign. The idea of the time-crossed lovers, however, is one that takes getting used to wherever you're from. I found myself lying awake puzzling about it... You have been warned!


The Letterbox

Fandom: INCEPTION
Title: here's to the end of our sanity - PG-13
Pairing: Arthur/Eames
Length: 7,719
Author on LJ: dearprose
Author Website: masterlist on author's LJ
Why this must be read: you wouldn't think that a fic about Arthur opening up to Eames about his serious OCD would make for compelling drama, but this is wonderfully written and tense and IC. oh, my heart.

( He’s used the endearment before but never like this, never murmured against the shell of Arthur’s ear in request for his willing submission. )

here's to the end of our sanity

Fandom: SHERLOCK
Pairing: John Watson/Sherlock Holmes
Length: 47,615 words
Author on LJ: mamishka
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read:
In this story, John is literally Sherlock's Guardian Angel. That is, until he Falls because he interfered too much... because he cared too much.

Love the use of supernatural elements in this story! Sherlock can do magic, John's an ex-Angel, there are invisible creatures all around! Good stuff, highly recommended.

Fallen by mamishka

Fandom: HOMESTUCK
Pairing: Eridan/Sollux
Length: 10k
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read: This is a great Helmsman fic, a great Eridan Ampora fic, and a fantastic quadrant-flipping fic. It's a wonderful ride the whole way through. 

Just because you don't believe in ghosts doesn't mean the ghost doesn't believe in you. Suddenly being 'haunted by your past' isn't just a metaphor anymore.

Ghost In The Ship

Fandom: SHERLOCK
Pairing: none
Length: 9,114 words
Author on LJ: harriet_spy
Author Website: on AO3, Sometimes You Need A Story
Why this must be read:
This is one of those fics that has had me thinking about it ever since I first read it. What if Mycroft was the Holmes that John met first? What if Mycroft liked to collect useful things, like ex-military doctors that can shoot well and without remorse? This is a fantastic story with dark themes. The characterization of John here is lovely and scary precisely because you can see how close to the canon the author has kept the psychology of the character. Got to love dark!John fic. ^_^

( An excerpt from the fic. )

you'll never be alone in the bone orchard by Sarah T

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: none, gen
Length: about 45,000
Author on LJ: unknown
Author website/archives: FFN
Why this must be read: So, do you like competent Tony? Because I sure do! And this story shows how amazingly competent he can be. The characters--most notably, of course, Tony--are spot on, we get to see Tony in all his obscure-yet-brilliant Very Special Agent glory, and Vance finally realizes that Tony isn't a liability but the best gosh darn Senior field agent NCIS has to offer.

Besides, you can't not love a story that features a scene that starts with, "Agent DiNozzo, two Mounties, a guy from La Unidad and a hotel waiter go into a karaoke bar..." :)

(Obstructed Views)

Fandom: THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Pairing: Third Marshal Éomer of the Riddermark/Captain Faramir of Gondor
Length: 28,287 words
Author on LJ: melblue
Author Website: on AO3, Master Post - Fic List, FF.net
Why this must be read:
Faramir is one of those characters in the books (and movies, for that matter) that I find absolutely fascinating. I love reading stories that reinterpret his character. In this story, Éomer has come to Minas Tirith to negotiate treaties between Gondor and Rohan and his eye falls on Faramir. Denethor, seeing a chance to turn the negotiations in his favor, orders his son to seduce Éomer (basically, to become a whore for Gondor). Faramir's sense of duty obliges him to do so, even though he is more than reluctant, but fortunately Éomer is a good guy and senses a Steward-sized rat.

This is in no way canon-compliant. I shall always and forever love Éowyn/Faramir bestest, but this story is a lovely alternative.

The Gleaming Road by melblue