Fandom: GRIMM
Pairing: Nick/Monroe
Length: 16,389 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: AO3
Warnings: violence and disturbing imagery
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: "Blutbad," she sighed disgustedly, as if he were some idiot child who'd confused mud and chocolate. "You're meant to want his literal heart. Not the figurative one." Semi-AU. The Grimm are creature-hunters because they have to be. Any creature that eats the heart of a Grimm will live forever.

A lovely example of the creativity in Grimm writing, this fic explores the idea that to eat a Grimm's still beating heart brings immortality to Wesen. Laetificare brings us a well-written tale of love, sacrifice, loneliness, and another look at how the Wesen world works. The main idea is well-fleshed out (pun not intended! XD) and very unique; it brings about so many possibilities for h/c as well. I mean, who doesn't want some comfort after reading about poor Monroe having to watch as Nick's chest is carved open for his still-beating heart to be stolen, right?

Beyond the lovely h/c, we get some wonderful possible back story on why Grimms starting killing as they did, great character voices (Monroe especially shines), smile-inducing humor bits, and a get-together that will make you sigh in slash-y happiness. I also really liked the "villain" of the story. Laetificare makes her sympathetic in the desperate love she has for her daughter and the loneliness of her long life. My eyes almost started to tear up in the middle of my urge to string her up for what she was doing to Nick.

Of All

Title: Things To Do In Portland When You're Not Really Dead by Lacey McBain
Pairing: Nick/Monroe, Clint/Phil, Monroe/Phil (past)
Length: 31,702 words
Author on LJ: laceymcbain
Author Website: Sticky Man Press, AO3
Why this must be read:

Author's Summary: Agent Phil Coulson really does have a cellist in Portland, but it's not exactly what anyone thinks.

A fantastically written crossover, this fic does what many crossovers never manage to do. It balances both worlds evenly with none getting short changed in character exploration or world building. She has built an intriguing backstory from a simple line in the Avenger's movie, and it blossomed into this epic study of secret superhero government agency meeting Wesen creatures and Grimms and just working.

I loved how the worlds were intertwined. With small, subtle details like going into how S.H.I.E.L.D. helped Monroe control his Blutbad tendencies and how he met Phil, both fandoms just seemed like one big world. And that's a sign of a well written fandom. With believable characterizations and a fast-paced adventure with additional show down at the end, this fic will keep you occupied for hours. Your eyes will be dragged through all 30,000 + words and never want to stop.

Things To Do In Portland When You're Not Really Dead

Title: It Starts Out Like an A-Word (As Anyone Can See) by Amy (G)
Pairing: none; gen
Author on LJ: fox1013
Author Website: at AO3
Why this must be read:

Because it's THE AVENGERS ON SESAME STREET.

The Avengers come to Sesame Street to help rebuild after the battle with the Chitauri. Steve and Elmo! Natasha and Big Bird! Thor and the Count! If for some reason, that is not enough for you, read it because it is absolutely true to all the characters - sweet and funny and poignant. If you are a crier, you might want to have tissues handy; if not, it will make you achy in the chestal area for sure.

a brief excerpt:

Mr. Thor is teaching Abby and Zoe how to use tools so they can help fix the flower boxes that fell from windowsills, even though his hammer is much bigger than theirs are. Mr. Clint is helping Big Bird rebuild his nest, and Mr. Bruce is sitting in a corner fixing the electric blanket. Miss Natasha is trying to help fix Oscar's trash can, and even though he keeps yelling at her she just smiles like she deals with this all the time and says she's used to dealing with cranky green men, which makes Mr. Bruce smile a little when he hears it. Elmo's pretty impressed with Miss Natasha for that, because it took him a long time to understand how to handle Oscar. But he's the most impressed with Mr. Steve, who just smiles and listens and helps everyone with whatever they need. Elmo is pretty sure he wants to be Mr. Steve when he grows up.

You and me both, Elmo.

It Starts Out Like an A-Word (As Anyone Can See) by fox1013

If you enjoy the story, please let the author know.

*

Title: Hi, I'm Captain Jack Harkness
Pairing: Chewbacca/Captain Jack Harkness
Rating: R-ish
Author on LJ: frostfire_17
Author Website: Fics on LJ
Why this must be read:

In a bar on some interstellar crossroads, Han strikes out. The Doctor and Rose have each other. That's about it for a description, because as a crossover, this one delights. Chewbacca finds a kindred soul in Harkness, each looking out for his Primary Adventurer in unique ways.

Hi, I'm Captain Jack Harkness

Title: To All Of Time And Space by luxover
Pairing: Harvey Specter/Mike Ross 
Author on LJ: luxover
Author Website: Ao3
Why this must be read: 

When I first found out that I was going to be driving the Van this month, I immediately knew what I was going to rec for Collision Day. I've seriously been waiting for this, and despite my computer's best attempts to melt down earlier this week, I knew I had to have things back up and running for this.

There have been a ton of fics based around the premise of what would happen if Mike got fired, and I have to say, this is one of my favorites. The characterization is absolutely incredible; if you don't watch Doctor Who, don't worry - you'll still be able to understand it. If you do watch, though, it's that much better. 

Now, if only there was a way to get Aaron Korsh and Stephen Moffat to work together to make this happen....

( Excerpt )

To All Of Time And Space (also on LJ)

Title: Decrescendo, by Erushi
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Length: 2600 words
Author on LJ: erushi
Author Website: Erushi at the Automated Hatstand
Why this must be read:

This is a strange way to start a crackvan rec, but I'm going to start by saying that this is not necessarily a story you must read.

If there are specific sorts of story you don't ever want to read, or that you want to know about first, well, the answer in Pros fandom is usually the Hatstand's story lists, and I just assume that Pros readers know to check there. But this is the crackvan, so hello, new readers, and bookmark that link! And in this case, the author did provide a warning when posting it originally. She also hoped people would read the story without the warning, because the warning does contain a huge spoiler. I did read the story without the warning first, and I thought it was strange and unsettling but very, very memorable.

I was also struck by the very careful construction. It's a very short story. It's full of sequences and progressions, from colours - there's a lot of shifting colour - to time. We read it backwards. And things are doled out just a little at a time. So that all we know at the beginning is that Doyle (Doyle!) is being ordained (ordained! - if you are new to the Professionals, it helps to know that Martin Shaw, who played Doyle, later played a Catholic priest in Apparitions); and he thinks he caught sight of Bodie, but Bodie isn't there when he goes to look; and Doyle's emotions are not quite what we might expect.

And in seven (what a very biblical number) segments, we work backwards to why.

Decrescendo, by Erushi

(This link is to the Safehouse posts for that day, and you can choose then: there's a link straight to the story, or there's a link to the warning first.)

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: Jim Ellison, Blair Sandburg
Length: 1012 words
Author on LJ: sallymn
Author Website: Sally M on AO3
Why this must be read: Because sometimes we just want to read something small and satisfying.

Summary: Sometimes it’s best not to divulge everything to your guide….

Sally M does a great job in this delightfully written short piece; the banter flows effortlessly back and forth between the guys as Blair bounces in awe and excitement, and Jim reluctantly explains what he saw when he zoned out on a soap bubble. You can hear the joy and wonder ramping up in Blair’s voice as he scrabbles for more information, just as clearly as the whine starts to break through in Jim’s. This is a lovely read which holds an abundance of personality, camaraderie and wit.

( Bubble )

I'm going the angsty route today, it seems! I'm going to go ahead and let you guys know ahead of time, this is a fic that deals with Parkinson's. Don't worry, though, there's a happy ending.

Fandom: SUITS
Pairing: Harvey Specter/Mike Ross
Length: 2128 words
Author on LJ: butterflycell (the majority of her fics are on Ao3 now, she's switched over)
Author Website: Ao3

Why this must be read:

Chronic illness can be a tricky thing to write. Speaking as someone who grew up with a disabled sister, it's hard to live with that and stay positive. However, the author manages it beautifully. 

What I love the most about this fic is how everyone adapts when Harvey begins to show signs of Parkinson's, despite his utter and complete denial about the fact that something's wrong. Butterflycell's writing is always gorgeous, and the subject topic is something that she approached with candor. You'd never be able to guess that she doesn't have firsthand experience with Parkinson's - she really did a fantastic job with her research and applying it. Although I wouldn't want to see this in the show, it's not hard to visualize it happening. 

Although it's a bit heartbreaking (go figure, it's hurt/comfort), I love that it also has a positive ending. Definitely check it out!


( excerpt )

Adapt and Survive

Title: The Nice Young Man Upstairs by irisbleufic
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Aziraphale/Crowley
Author on LJ: irisbleufic
Author Website: On AO3
Why this must be read: It takes a lot to unsettle Sherlock Holmes. Crowley does it by merely being in his presence. This is a short, darkly wonderful piece that will leave you feeling decidedly unsettled as well. In a good way.

The Nice Young Man Upstairs

Fandom: DUE SOUTH/DRESDEN FILES
Characters: Ray Kowalski, Maeve (the Winter Queen)
Length: 4,100 words
Author on DW: melannen
Author Website: AO3 page
Why this must be read: I am not sure what to say here, since this story blew me away and I really want you to read it, but I don't want to spoil it for you, either. I came to this story with very little knowledge of the Dresden Files, but that didn't matter (there is a Faery court in Chicago, that's pretty much all you need to know). I have no idea what you'd get out of it if you knew DF but not dS. Anyway, there are some character insights into Ray Kowalski here that just gave me a huge wave of love for him. It's about Ray, his competence and persistence and vivacity and how he relates to Fraser and the North, and there are some pretty neat ties between Faery lore and due South canon, too.

One Warm Line

Fandoms: KUROSHITSUJI/GOOD OMENS

Pairing: n/a

Length: 1545 words
Author on LJ:
 unknown
Author Website: vitalsigns1719 at ff.net

Why this must be read:

So, two demons walk into a bar . . .


Kuroshitsuji and Good Omens make for one of those natural combinations, the kind that enhance each other like raspberries and chocolate. Two representatives of Hell walking the earth, each with his own perhaps less than officially-sactioned motivations and agendas: surely they must have interesting matters to discuss.

Like angels, and corsets, and the nature of humanity. The Crowley voice here is pitch-perfect, and Sebastian as seen through Crowley's eyes is not to be missed.


His Butler, Dreamwalks