crack_van | A Maze of Twisty Passages, All Alike by Merry (Gen Aud)

Fandom: VORKOSIVERSE
Characters: Ivan, Gregor
Length: 9909 words
Author on LJ:

merryish
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

Loyalty and familial concern had driven him to join the search for Gregor; he'd never for a moment considered he might actually find him.

This is an adventure comedy starring Gregor, Ivan, and a bunch of incompetent kidnappers. My biggest problem writing this rec was picking which bit to quote; I wanted to do all of it. It's funny and exciting to read, and I love the way it shows Ivan and Gregor's relationship as cousins and friends. There's not enough Ivan and Gregor out there; Merry shows how wonderful it can be when done well.

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, stop that." A firm grip settled on his shoulder, pressing him to the floor and preventing any further misguided attempts at movement. Ivan gazed nervously up into hazel eyes that sparked with annoyance under an elegant shock of dark hair. He tried to smile charmingly. "Stop that, too, if you don't mind," Gregor said. "You've got blood in your teeth. What were they hitting you for?"

"Amusement, I think. And a shocking lack of fast-penta. Kept asking me what I knew about you, what I knew about Miles, what I knew about Illyan, what they knew about you... Like either of them would've told me anything." He hauled himself up against the nearest stone wall, clutching uncomfortably at his stomach. "I hate amateurs."

"How did you get here?"

"Big guy tossed me in, just now. You were here, I think, Sire..."

Gregor shifted a millimeter away, and the temperature in the room dropped a good five degrees. Ivan was sure it would be measurable, if only he had the proper equipment.

"Sorry," Ivan said, shrugging with one shoulder. "It's just that I'm not used to getting assaulted by strangers with anybody but Miles."

A Maze of Twisty Passages, All Alike