Fandom: AVENGERS (2012)
Pairing: Natasha Romanov/Clint Barton
Length: 5,150
Author on LJ: thoughts_to_ink
Author's website: None that I'm aware of.

Why this must be read: In general, I'm wary of Natasha/Clint fics, because I so very much love a non-sexual soulmate thing between them. But, when it is done right, it really is perfect, and oh man, is it done right here. This is a 5+1 with scenes showing the Avengers finding out that the two of them are married, and it has great team feels and a perfect N/C vibe.

( Excerpt )

If Ever Two Were One

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Dominic Toretto/Brian O'Conner
Length: 6743 words
Author on LJ: not anymore, as far as I know
Author's website: AO3
Why this must be read: This is a very compelling look into Brian's mind while he's having sex with Dom in the garage during the first movie. The author does a great job depicting all of his uncertainties concerning both Dom and his being undercover.

Brian turns, meaning to toss the valve on the nearby table and take a beer break himself, and pulls up short. The valve slips from his fingers, which have gone slack with startled surprise. Dom hasn’t left. Dom’s right there, standing less than a foot away and not quite looming over him.

Then Dom takes a step forward, a towering wall of muscle and intent, and okay, sure, now he’s looming.

He owns you now, Mia’s voice breathes, and then she’s gone.

Ten Minute Cars

Fandom: PSYCH
Pairing: Shawn Spencer/Carlton Lassiter
Length: about 17,500 words
Author on LJ: plainapple
Author Website: plainapple on AO3

A couple of notes, before we get to why it must be read - and it must:
Note 1: If you've been in the fandom awhile, you may be familiar with this fic by its original name, Plainapple’s Opus: A Slashtacular Adventure of Psychish Proportions!. It's one of the classics in the fandom, and it needs to be included among the crack-van recs. For newbies to the fandom, this one's definitely a must-read.
Note 2: I've listed this as NC-17, but only the last part (which plainapple helpfully calls Bonus Porn in her lj version) is actually NC-17. The rest of the story is no more than R and the story can be read without continuing on to the porny bonus, so whichever audience you are, this fic is for you.

Why this must be read: I love case fic. I've probably mentioned that already. I especially love case fic that just nails the voices of the characters, and that's what we get in this story. The case involves the suicide-that-might-be-murder of a councilman's intern. I won't say too much so as not to spoil the ending, but in my personal head canon the carpenter of the title is played by Carter Oosterhouse. Really, I think one sign of a great fic is that the reader can cast the OC's from the way they're presented in the story. And when the casting can bring to mind a real-life hot carpenter, that's another plus.

The story reads like the best Psych episodes, and the dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny. The underlying Shassie development is well-done and feels true to the guys we know and love. But the main thing about this fic is that the banter - between Shawn and Gus, as well as Shawn and Lassie - is just perfect. Snarky but affectionate, just like Shawn himself.

( An excerpt for your reading pleasure )

On livejournal, where it's called: Plainapple’s Opus: A Slashtacular Adventure of Psychish Proportions!

Or on AO3, where plainapple has updated the name to the absolutely perfectly Psych-like: The Walrus and the Guy Who Carpents

Now that I've gotten the crack van back out of the shop (that is, I'm back from my weekend trip, despite United's every attempt to prevent me from getting home), it's time to take it out for a spin again. And now for something completely different...

Subject: Fear and Loathing by Dorksidefiker (Teen)
Fandom: Rise of the Guardians
Pairing: Bunny/Mother Nature
Length: 16,558 words (18 chapters)
Author Website: AO3

Why this must be read:

Author Summary:

There are few things in the universe who hate Pitch Black more than Mother Nature. Unfortunately, when she lets that anger out things tend to explode, so it's in the Guardians' best interest to run interference.

The most notable thing about this work is the unusual pairing of Bunnymund and Seraphina/Mother Nature. It would be unusual enough if it were just a slice of Seraphina's POV, as few works include her and fewer give significant insight into her mind, but the fact that she and Bunny here have some uncertain level of romantic relationship makes this work stand out even more. The fact that it also delves into the relationship between Seraphina and her (former?) father Pitch Black is only icing on the cake. Also unusual is the fact that Jack's been relegated to a supporting character.

And because Dorksidefiker's words are so nice, and it's hard for me to describe what I like about this work what with my brain fried from being stuck in an airport on standby for more time than I actually spent traveling back home today, here's a couple spoileriffic quotes. (Yeah, I'm totally eloquent today, didja notice?)

( Spoiler Quotes )

Fear and Loathing by Dorksidefiker (Teen)