Be My Valentine by Gwyneth Rhys (PG-13)

[0ftgx]

Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Author on LJ: gwyn_r
Author Website: http://www.drizzle.com/~gwyneth/

Hi, I'm Nell and I'll be reccing stories in my first, still primary, and much beloved fandom, Pros. I'm going to present holiday-themed stories this month, starting early in the year, moving to what Bodie and Doyle get up to during their leave or spare time, and finishing with stories fashioned around winter holidays. Subject matter and tones will range from light to dark, so I hope there'll be something for every taste to enjoy.

Why this must be read:

Valentine's Day stories don't abound in Pros, but this is a fine example of how a somewhat unapt (for CI5 agents) theme can work. It's light and charming, mushier than this author usually writes, but avoids over-the-top sappiness. A grumpy Bodie wants nothing to do with Valentine's Day:

Bodie generally hated holidays, anyway, but at least he could swallow Christmas and things of that nature. They represented something real. But bloody Valentine's Day...well, it really was bloody, wasn't it? Named for some geezer who got his hands cut off.

...but someone is courting him anyway. Gwyn is a stylish writer and this story is just plain fun.

Be My Valentine