crack_van | Penelope by sunshine_queen (unrated, perhaps PG-13)

Fandom: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Pairing: I'd probably consider this an Elizabeth Swann gen piece - albeit with elements of Elizabeth/Jack, Elizabeth/Will, Elizabeth/James, and Elizabeth/OMC.
Author on LJ:

sunshine_queen
Author Website:

olvidarling
Why this must be read:

sunshine_queen reaches into classic mythology to find a parallel to a modern myth: Elizabeth, like Penelope, is left waiting at home for her husband to return from his odyssey at sea. Except, Elizabeth is too restless to be sure she can remain that faithful, as her thoughts turn to other men who loved her and maybe she should have loved in return.

sunshine_queen weaves a sublime parallel in this story: one that seems obvious once you've read it, even though you never thought of it yourself.

Will's techniques are the only man she knows intimately. She assumes that Jack would be a considerate, if unorthodox, lover. It's James her mind fixates on. She pictures him, his crisp uniform, his profile in the sun, his fine posture. Would he have been quick and efficient, or hungry? She can see the look in his eyes he had in the last years of their acquaintance, the way he watched her, tightly coiled and waiting for the least sign. She thinks maybe his adoration would have overwhelmed her, but in the manner of a warm wave when the shore was close- a rolling, breathtaking moment beneath and the blessed feeling of powdered sand before wishing you were being turned over again.

Penelope