Fandom: RESERVOIR DOGS
Pairing: Orange/White
Length: 3759 words
Author on LJ: nigeltde
Author Website:  LJ
Why this must be read: This is another classic Orange/White story. The author creates an interesting backstory for Orange and also gives a few glimpses into White and Orange getting to know each other.

Free Agent Orange

And there's a funny fucking story that happened to Freddy Newendyke.

Fandom: RESERVOIR DOGS
Pairing: none
Length: 714 words
Author on LJ: wickedblackbird
Author Website:  LJ
Why this must be read: This is a great take on how Freddy Newendyke and Marvin Nash first met.

First Day

"Frankie Ferchetti introduced us about five months ago."
"Shit. I don't remember that all."

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Length: 18,918 words
Author on LJ: neathsunnyskies
Author Website: AO3 profile
( Why this must be read )

World Enough and Time

Fandom: INCEPTION
Pairing: Arthur/Eames, Dom/Mal, Yusuf/Ariadne (budding), Arthur/Ariadne (past; casual)
Length: ~82,500 words
Author on LJ: quoshara; speak_me_fair
Author Website: quoshara's stories on AO3; speakmefair's stories on AO3
Why this must be read: I love this story. Truly, madly, deeply, I love it because it's beautiful and brilliant, and the world these two authors have created is amazing. I put off reading it for a while after the Big Bangs were posted because I found the summary very complex and it almost seemed like it might be a crossover of some type. It's not. But I can honestly say, the summary does not do it justice.

Here's what the story is: It's world-building at its best - I fell into this world, believed it, wanted to see more of it. Not everything is explained or immediately clear, but you need to be willing to let the story unfold. It's the Inception characters but somehow larger than life and still not quite on the right side of the law. It's the team coming together and learning about one another and fighting for something. It's about love and loyalty, tradition and technology, how society teaches us to take sides.

You'll recognize aspects of the movie, but in completely different ways. Ariadne is forced to grow up and accept some hard truths because of her association with these men. Yusuf is a good friend, but can he be trusted? Dom, still learning how to leave Mal behind. Arthur and Eames trying to reconcile their differences with their strange compatibility; they should hate each other, but they're saving one another.

I don't want to tell you too much, but honestly, read it for the image of Eames as a tattooed man out of time who wears the sins of the world on his flesh in order to remember, and Arthur, who is just broken enough to be able to see beyond the technology Eames hides behind ... it's the kind of screwed-up love story that makes me ache in every way possible for everyone involved. It's absolutely something you should read. I can't recommend this one highly enough.

( 'Eames, why Station Nine?' [Ariadne] now had time to ask questions since they seemed to have lost their tail, both physically and electronically. )

Masterpost on LJ with links to art post: Chaos Out of Shape
On AO3: Chaos Out of Shape

If you enjoy the story, remember to feedback the author!

Fandom: SKIP BEAT!
Pairing: sort of Kyoko/Ren
Length: one-shot at 3,397 words
Author on LJ: golden_meliades
Author Website: author page at FF.net
Why this must be read: Most Skip fics that invoke Ren's darker nature use it for outright violence or dub-con. This fic, however, gives us a delightful look at that dark side used in a subtle, manipulative way that makes me snicker every time. After all, Ren is quite devious intelligent, and an accomplished actor! [Set after the incidents in Karuizawa/Act 95 or so.]

Lip Gloss

Vidder: be_cum
Musical artist: Florence and The Machine
Pairing: Brad Colbert/Nate Fick, ensemble
Vidder on LJ: be_cum
Vidder's website: be_cum
Why this vid kicks ass:

"No Light, No Light" is a fantastic song choice for Brad/Nate and it's wildly impressive how much there is in this vid. It pulls in the ensemble and the setting, but ultimately, it's a vid about Nate - about his competence in the face of chaos, even as he's plagued by doubts. And there is chaos. While I wouldn't call Generation Kill particulaly graphic, this vid uses many of the more violent moments to really hit us with the source of Nate's doubt, even as it shows us Brad bolstering him through. Some great editing here, particularly the "kill on three" sequence and its perfect integration with the song. Same, too, at the end with "you are a revelation" landing on Brad looking up at Nate.

Most importantly, it captures the emotion of Nate's journey, through the war and his relationship with Brad. Which is everything, really.

what you want me to say: YouTube / LJ

Fandom: SHERLOCK
Pairing: John Watson & Sherlock Holmes
Length: 25755 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Chappysmom on AO3
Why this must be read:

John's gift is that he can be invisible - more or less. With effort he can even extend invisibility over nearby people. But Sherlock sees him. When Mycroft discovers John's ability he wants to use him. The tug of war between Sherlock and Mycroft over John turns into a competition - if John and Sherlock can avoid Mycroft's agents for 24 hours, he will leave John alone. Then Moriarty gets involved and everything goes to Hell.

Chappysmom crafts an exciting tale full of twists and turns that keeps upping the ante. John's gift isn't a superpower. It's just a little advantage and it brings its own dangers. The characters are recognizable, well-developed, and engaging. "Invisible" is the first in a series and I can't wait to see how the latest one turns out.

( Try a sample... )

Invisible
Invisible Series

Fandom: RESERVOIR DOGS
Pairing: Orange/White, some gen, a bit of of Vic/Eddie
Length: 3481 words
Author on LJ: thisismsmercy
Author Website:  LJ
Why this must be read: This is a great ensemble piece. The characters' voices are spot on and the author manages to bring across hilarious banter as well as thoughtful character insights.

Resdog Drabbles

The general consensus, given the very nature of the job, was that the moment the heist was pulled they’d all be gone and out of the warehouse and then the country, in different directions, like rats from a sinking ship- so White wondered why a man with a wedding band would want in.