Salt of the Earth by Septicemic (R)

[likethesun2.livejournal.com]

Fandom: BAND OF BROTHERS
Pairing: Bull/Johnny
Author on LJ: septicemic
Author Website: cinnap (public fic journal)
Why this must be read: Bull/Johnny is one of this fandom's more popular pairings, thanks to their interactions in "Replacements"--and to this fic, which launched a thousand slashers. (Or, given the size of the fandom, at least a dozen!) All of Septicemic's work is well worth reading, and you should waste no time in checking out her archives, but I picked this story because it takes on two oft-ignored characters with two very distinctive voices and nails them both, in prose as clear and precise as crystal. Not to mention the fact that Septicemic portrays the wartime overlap between trauma and tenderness as well as anyone I've ever seen. And if you're looking for an example of how a (very good) sex scene can work organically in a story, look no farther.

Why? Because they stitched him up at the aid station, but he still feels the pain.

Why? Because sometimes when he's thinking about the little green-eyed girl who was his first ever, he tries to remember how her mouth looked around his cock and his mind wanders a little and her face turns into someone else's.

Why? Because it's been four years since he lay down with the little green-eyed girl on the riverbank, took off her dress, cupped her breasts in his hands and made her giggle, and when he looks into Johnny's eyes he can't help thinking of sex and the river and the heavy summer air.

Why? Because two nights ago, he stabbed a man in the face.

Salt of the Earth