Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Author on LJ: (account no longer active)
Author Website: Pros fics available on various LJ comms: most comprehensive list at: anxiousalien on T&SR; some also on the Proslib CD.
Why this must be read: for an alternative version of what's going on in the events of In The Public Interest, in a distinctive voice.

Writing stories which suggest new ideas about what is going on behind the scenes of episodes is an art I have no grasp of, but I enjoy the results very much. This is a story which fills in gaps before and during In The Public Interest, an episode in which Bodie and Doyle are sent to an unnamed city in Britain - the location of which is a perennial discussion in fandom - to seek evidence of police misbehaviour, and then sent back again, this time as members of a gay rights group.

I've said before on the crackvan that I don't mind the occasional downbeat ending. This is not a disastrous ending, but it's certainly not instant happy ever after.

( Why do I recommend it? )
Those familiar with the episodes will recognise many, many references in the story: Bodie's "not used to sharing" remarks, Doyle's claims of living off a rich woman; the noise of the trains outside their room; the double-take over the leaflets; pieces of the final conversation; and the body language. Those unfamiliar with the episodes: all you need to know is that Bodie does seem to take every opportunity to put his hands on Doyle, and that they travel to this city on two occasions: first to nose about, and then later undercover to set up the office.

Since the author is not on LJ, feedback on the comms is unlikely to be seen. But there is an email address, and this does still work: anxiousalien at gmail dot com (not clickable for fear of spambots, sorry.)

Bloody Doyle, by Anxious Alien

Well, folks. This is my last Grimm posting for the month. I hope everyone found some wonderful stuff to read. I look forward to driving this van again some time, and I hope other people start driving as well. I'd love to find more lovely ficcage. Everyone have a great weekend and enjoy the vid!

Vidder: HelenaJole
Musical Artist: Grimm-ified version (written by Iain MacKinnon) of Rainbow Connection by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher
Pairing: none; gen
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder's Website: YouTube
Why this vid kicks ass:

I adore this vid! Someone took the Muppet song "Rainbow Connection" and Grimm-ified it into something spectacular. Nick is trying to find his way through this new Portland with the help of his Blutbad and Fuchsbau friends and find the Wesen Connection. This vid just really explores Nick's new world, his trying to find his place within it, and all the while making the viewer laugh like crazy.

The Wesen Connection

Fandom: KUROSHITSUJI

Pairing: Sebastian/Ciel

Length: 943 words

Author on LJ: goodbyemyheart

Author Website: GoodbyeMyHeart at ff.net

Why this must be read:

It's commonplace in Kuroshitsuji fandom to argue that Sebastian holds all the real power in his relationship with Ciel, despite his formal (temporary) position as Ciel's servant. He is, after all, ancient, immortal, and immensely powerful, while Ciel is a mortal child who has promised Sebastian his soul. But both manga and anime suggest that this is too simple a reading: from the beginning, we see hints that Sebastian is as inextricably caught as Ciel, if only by his own unexpected fascination with his master.

In this story, set in the earliest days of their contract, a Sebastian who is both convincingly other and in the process of becoming the character we know struggles to ride the storm of incomprehensible new desires rising within him. There's not a lot of fic written from Sebastian's point of view that works: this one manages it in bravura form. Like a lot of the best Kuroshitsuji fic, it's short, but its length is deceptive. It bears re-reading, and there's more there than might first appear.

Prettier in Pieces

Vidder: Greensilver
Musical artist: The National
Pairing: Steve/Bucky, Steve/Peggy, Steve/ALL THE SAD IN THE WORLD
Vidder on LJ: greensilver
Vidder's website: on LJ
Why this vid kicks ass:

I'm so glad I'm getting to rec this, because I can't even listen to the song without sobbing now, because this vid is all about STEVE and everything he loses and how he just keeps going even though he doesn't want to move on. It starts at oh, Steve and it never, ever lets up. It's a total gutpunch for Steve and for the viewer and it's beautifully done, a perfect match of song and subject.

Sorrow by greensilver

If you like the vid, please let the vidder know!

*

I guess it's time for me to turn in the keys to the quinjet, but I hope you've enjoyed the stories as much as I've enjoyed recommending them!

Fandom: AVENGERS
Pairing: gen, with some Steve/Darcy UST in the background (the R is for violence)
Length: 8871 words
Author on LJ: meinterrupted
Author Website: at AO3
Why this must be read:

I didn't want to end on a sad note with the beautiful but tragic vid, so for my last rec of the month, have a story where Darcy is awesome! As the title suggests, this is Darcy Does Die Hard. She goes to the bank on her lunch hour and ends up in the middle of a hostage situation, and even though she didn't sign up to be a hero, she still gets the job done when it's necessary.

( an excerpt )

All things being equal, I'd rather be in Philadelphia by meinterrupted

Please let the author know if you enjoy the story!

*

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Vidder: bodiecuddle
Musical Artist: Ultravox
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Vidder on LJ: bodiecuddle
Vidder's Website: boddiecuddle on YouTube
Why this vid kicks assarse:

I sometime think that I am in the minority in liking Pros because Bodie and Doyle are not perfect - in character, dress, or anything else - and in thinking that they look best when they are all bleak and battered. Bodie undercover in a squat is a particular favourite of mine, and scruffy Doyle makes me very happy. We regularly see them forcing their way into flats, intimidating law-breakers, getting up the noses of people ostensibly on the same side as them, and flying head over heels in fights. You don't need to look pretty for any of that, and I don't think they always do.

But bodiecuddle can see deeper than me, and in this video, both of them just look beautiful all the way through.

Brilliant

Vidder: DarlaPr0duction
Musical artist: Red
Pairing: Kirk/Spock, though I suppose you could possibly see it as epic bromance
Vidder on LJ: darlapr0duction
Vidder's website:
Why this vid kicks ass:

darlapr0duction is easily one of my favorite vidders in the Reboot!verse and it's easy to see why.  She's an incredible storyteller and I'm in awe of her editing skills.  With Pieces, she does an amazing job of incorporating dialogue, scenes, music, and even text to great effect.  And the end result is a gorgeous, gorgeous vid that tells a complete story.  I think perhaps what I love about this vid, outside of the amazing editing skills is how it's the exact story of Kirk and Spock meeting in the film with the same scenes and dialogues but it's through a completely different lens because all the parallels between them are highlighted.  Also if anyone is interested, another one of her K/S fanvids has been rec'd before on Crack Van, Forget.

*This vid was made for Senses, a story by mazaher and athens7.  Which is breathtakingly beautiful but is not required to be read to appreciate the fanvid but adds an extra depth to the meanings behind the scenes and the quote at the end if you do read it (also if you like Kirk/Spock and philosophical/lyrical writing that has significant amounts of poetry then you'll probably love the story).

Pieces  (Her LJ header may not technically be SFW just as heads up)

Fandom: KUROSHITSUJI 

Pairing: Sebastian/Ciel

Length: 854 words
Spoilers: for the Circus manga arc

Author on LJ: fairbreeze

Author Website: fairbreeze on AO3

Why this must be read:

The end of the Circus Arc is one of the key moments of the manga, and the unambiguous horror of its events, combined with the careful ambiguity Toboso preserves around Ciel's and Sebastian's motives, makes it a favorite subject for writers.

Here, fairbreeze gives us a beautiful and dreadful look into the mind of one possible Ciel: a Ciel who is as damned as his demon, who knows that and may even welcome it -- and for whom it is still possible to have pity.

Rotting on the Vine

Fandom: KUROSHITSUJI 

Pairing: none

Length: 1180 words

Author on LJ: amanuensis1

Author Website: Despoiling Harry

Why this must be read:

The relationship between the serious and straitlaced William T. Spears and his flamboyant and gifted colleague Grell Sutcliffe is one of the delights of the series, whether you read it as a professional relationship, a friendship, or something more. "All's Flair In Love and War" is a charming take on a friendship that maybe shouldn't work, but that canon strongly suggests does -- if in a screwball-comedy kind of way, now with extra death. And as a bonus, it features one of the niftiest uses ever of an often-overlooked bit of canon about the shinigami and their employee benefits.

All's Flair In Love and War

Fandom: SKINS
Pairing: Tony/Effy
Length: 2:45
Music: "marmol" - murcof
Vidder on lj: dazzleme7
Vidder website: youtube channel.
Why this vid kicks ass: It's such a haunting, sharp portrayal of their beautifully fucked-up relationship. This is everything you need to know about Tony/Effy, not just in basic fact, but in atmosphere and subtleties, too, which is what makes up most of their dynamic. Not to mention that dazzleme7 is probably one of the best fan vidders on youtube.

The Stonems

Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel
Pairing: Drusilla/Angelus
Length: 1477
Rating: NC-17
Author on LJ: lostakasha
Author Website:  N/A
Why this must be read:  There is implied non-con, so please steer clear if this is a trigger for you. This very short but effective piece of writing examines the nature of Drusilla as Angelus slowly drives her insane. The prose is completely haunting and the author has a firm grasp on religion and the impact this has throughout the story strengthens it immensely. A wonderful and disturbing tale


Lamb of God

Vidder: MrsESsmich
Musical artist: Coldplay
Pairing: Buffy/Angel
Vidder on LJ:  N/A
Vidder's website:  YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsESsmich
Why this vid kicks ass: The vidder entered this into a competition which required the vidder to tell the story of their OTP with this particular song, going backwards. That pretty much sums up everything that is awesome about this vid. The scenes fit the music and the cutting and transitions work really well. The vidder also uses rewound images which fits the song spectacularly. 



The Scientist

Vidder: 1jonde1
Musical Artist: Lifehouse
Pairing: Obi-Wan/Satine
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder Website: 1jonde1 channel
Why you must see this vid:

It's complicated - tired of trying - it is what it is are bittersweet lyrics for the romance that was and is no more. Such was the Clone Wars animated show's depiction of a romance for Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and such is the mood of the piece, in washed-out tones. All the looks between the two characters, loaded with memory, speak for themselves.

With the upcoming final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars program, this vid shows the level of animation that we have enjoyed for four years now.

And so, the keys to the van go back on top of the refrigerator. I hope someone has as good a time as I have had on this comm! Bye.

It Is What It Is

Fandom: Sherlock
Pairing: none
Length: n/a
Artist on LJ: unknown
Artist Website: deviantART
Why this must be seen: I'm sneaking in one last time to rec an amazing piece of artwork. It's Captain John H. Watson on the battlefield in Afghanistan... it just gives me chills it's so beautifully done. I couldn't think of a lovelier way to bid you all adieu this month.

Thanks for all of your lovely comments here and all of the kudos and comments you've left for the writers, artists and vidders. It's been an honor to share some of my favorite things with you this month.

You want to remember - I was a soldier

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Length: 41K
Author on LJ: corilannam
Author Website: Author on AO3
Why this must be read:

I read this fic in the car to my husband and brother. I can only do that with fics with great plot and great heart. Awesome reveal and Arthur Merlin "road trip".

Author summary: Merlin was flattered to be invited to compete in a magical tournament to crown the sorcery champion of Albion. Accepting the invitation probably wasn't his brightest idea.

The Tournament of All Magicks

Fandom: KUROSHITSUJI

Pairing: none (Sebastian/Ciel pre-slash, if you want to read it that way)

Length: 1426 words

Author on LJ: sutlers

Author Website: sutlers at AO3

Why this must be read:

Given Ciel's age and background, it's only natural for fans and writers alike to wonder how he would handle the public school experience that might have been in his future had his parents lived. And indeed, Toboso herself is giving us a look at one set of possibilities in the current school manga arc.

Sutlers' take on an encounter between Ciel and the playing fields of Eton is quite different, and not to be missed. This is an older Ciel, confident, dangerous in his own right, and able to act as a full partner to his demon. It's a version of Ciel we don't often see in fic, but this is the future Ciel that's clearly implied by the 13-year-old we've seen so far in canon. Sutlers is one of those writers whose work always leaves me with that distinctive fannish reaction that goes, Wow, that was amazing, with a greedy side order of and why must she ever write in other fandoms that I might not share? Why can we not have ALL THE FIC? This story is no exception.

That Denial Takes From None

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Length: 33K
Author on LJ: corilannam
Author Website: Author on AO3
Why this must be read:

Another awesome fic by Cori Lannam. I can’t get enough Modern Royal!AU and this is an excellent turn. Angst! The end of the world! And the most awesome Arthur. Hurts so good, I read it over and over.

Author summary: Arthur, Prince of Wales, finds it hard to accept that he and Merlin have no future. Then he finds out that neither does anyone else. (fusion with the movie 2012).

It's not the end of the world (but you can see it from here)

Vidder: FateTragicLove
Musical artist: Avril Lavigne
Pairing: Mike Ross/Rachel Zane, Harvey Specter/Mike Ross
Vidder on LJ: not sure
Vidder's website: youtube 
Why this vid kicks ass:

I'm not going to lie - I do like Mike/Rachel. I don't like how they're going about it on the show, but I think they make a cute couple. 

However... I can't help but notice how possessive Harvey tends to get when Rachel's name gets up. It's almost like he's jealous or something... Well, clearly I'm not the only one, because that's what this video is basically about. Jealous!Harvey, confused!Mike, and unaware!Rachel. Good stuff!

Girlfriend

So. It's the end of my ride driving the Crack Van, and I have to say - it's been a blast. I'm sorry I didn't get more variety in, but unfortunately life got a little crazy for me, and all my prepwork that I did was lost in a partial system restore - I had to do a lot of this on the fly. I apologize for that, but I'll do better next time. I hope you enjoyed my recs, though! xo's Meg

Fandom: SUITS 
Pairing: Harvey Specter/Mike Ross
Length: I think it's around 3k? Not listed
Author on LJ: sam_storyteller
Author Website: Dreamwidth
Why this must be read: 

This is such a guilty pleasure fic to me, it always had been. I'm not going to lie, I always wanted to see Harvey stoned. And for the longest time, this was my perfect headcanon. That's changed by now, but it doesn't change the fact that this is a fantastic fic, and a definite must read. 

Warnings: drug use and consensual sex while intoxicated


( excerpt )
Or Down You Fall

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Length: 15K
Author on LJ: minor-hue
Author Website: see Author’s LJ
Why this must be read:

If you enjoy angst and love and vulnerable Merlin, then this is the fic for you.

Author summary: In which the boys pretend to still be together for Christmas (and there is more than one kind of charade).

the good times are killing me

Fandom: KUROSHITSUJI

Pairing: none
Length: 653 words

Author on LJ:
 dfledermaus
Author Website: kitsune at AO3

Why this must be read:



Ciel and Sebastian find themselves in a Canadian shack, and cope in their own distinctive fashion. That's probably all you need to know, right?

This one's a sentimental favorite of mine, not only because it works beautifully both as a Kuroshitsuji story and as a Canadian Shack story (which it does), but also because by its very existence it joins Kuroshitsuji fandom to a particular multifandom tradition, a tributary to another of fandom's many greater streams.



The Mystic North

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Length: 4.5K
Author on LJ: RurouniHime
Author Website: Author on AO3
Why this must be read:

This is a quick Modern AU about the beginnings of their relationship with a lovely vulnerable Arthur.

Author summary: Tonight's the night that Merlin will invite Arthur over to his place.

The Good Life

Fandom: KUROSHITSUJI 

Pairing: Sebastian/Ciel

Length: 208,815 words

Author on LJ: unknown

Author Website: KittyGetsLoose at AO3

Why this must be read:

Okay, so this is a little awkward.

Sooner or later, anyone trying to pimp her shiny new small fandom, or to compile a solid set of recs for it, is likely to encounter the problem of the really excellent fic that happens not to be to her own personal taste. If Kuroshitsuji were a regular fandom on crack_van, I'd leave the rec for "Devilish Impulses" for another reccer, because it deserves a writeup by a reader who loves it. But it also deserves to be recommended here, and the readers who will also love it deserve to know about it. And since I don't know when Kuroshitsuji will have another turn here, I think it would be a disservice to the community to leave it unmentioned.

"Devilish Impulses" is a novel-length redemption story spinning off from the end of the first anime series, intricately plotted, well written, and chock full of angst, hurt/comfort elements, and overall themes of the redeeming power of love and sacrifice. It has a lush Victorian sensibility that is absolutely appropriate for the era in which Kuroshitsuji is set. It is sensitive about the abuse in Ciel's past and its consequences, and it does thoughtful things about cosmology, good and evil, and Sebastian's role in the universe. Many, many readers have loved it, and if your tastes run to the popular fannish flavors of angst and hurt/comfort and redemption, there's every reason to think that you will love it too.

Devilish Impulses

As you can probably tell from the spam-like series of entries, this month got away from me in ways I wasn't expecting when I took the August time slot, and I'm making up for it as best I can in the few hours of August remaining to me. Alas, I am likely to run out of time before I run out of recs, and I can only apologize and hope the next driver to take on Kuroshitsuji will make up for the worst of my oversights and deficiencies. And with the apology out of the way, on to the next rec . . .

Fandom: KUROSHITSUJI 

Pairing: none
Length: 3150 words

Author on LJ: fireflyboys

Author Website: Odessa Castle

Why this must be read:

While this fic is the first of what was apparently intended to become a (sadly never continued) series, it stands on its own as an alternate ending or continuation for the first anime series. I love it for its imagery, and for the ways it plays with the essential elements of the controversial ending of the second anime series, keeping many of them while transmuting them into the pieces of an altogether different story.

I suspect this fic of having been underappreciated when it was first posted because of the lack of any central organization in the fandom, which can lead to a certain lack of visibility. I only found it by accident, and I'm glad I did; it's very much worth the finding.

Kuroshitsuji Arcana - (0) The Fool