Title:: Five Times Matt Learnt About the Avengers and One Time They Learnt About Him by Noxnoctisanima
Pairing: Matt Farrell/John McClane
Author on LJ: noxnoctisanima
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
When I saw this Die Hard crossover posted for Yuletide 2012, this made me bounce; 3500 words of Matt-the-geek finding out for himself that superheroes (besides McClane) are real. And the Clint as Observer POV was a nice bonus. *g*

Five Times Matt Learnt About the Avengers and One Time They Learnt About Him

Title: That Guy and That Other Guy by vinniebatman
Pairing: John McClane/Matt Farrell
Length: 5,518 words
Author on LJ: vinniebatman
Author Website: LJ Memories - Writing Entries
Why this must be read:
This is an amusing Die Hard AU, a crossover with with DC Universe/Justice League, and the sheer novelty of that combination is what first caught my attention. Then the summary was irresistible: John McClane becomes the new Green Lantern, and Matt Farrell AKA the Flash, develops a crush. And when I read the story, I was struck by how apt the crossover roles turned out--the choice worked with the canon characters of both guys.

That Guy and That Other Guy

Fandom: LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD
Pairing: McClane/Farrell
Length: one-shot
Author on LJ: dsudis
Author Website: Words Words Words
Why this must be read:
It's a holiday here in the US, and it's nearly summertime. And that, my friends, means baseball! But that isn't really why I like the story. Yes, Matt and John head out to a ballgame while Matt's recuperating, which may seem just as crazy as you think it might be, especially when you're reading Matt's POV here. He just got shot in the leg, and now John's dragging him to a ball game in a stadium full of forty thousand crazy people?

Baseball can be a surprisingly complicated sport, for all its apparent simplicity. It can be awfully confusing and perhaps even boring for fans of a more action oriented sports. You have to pay attention to really get the subtle nuances of the pitching, the angles the batters are aiming for, and sometimes the most important plays sail right by the casual observer, seeming unimportant in the grand scheme of the game.

But you'd be wrong. And so is Matt. McClane is like baseball, and not just because he plays when it's hot and sweaty.

National Pastime

Fandom: LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD
Pairing: John McClane/Matt Farrell
Length: one-shot
Author on LJ: kansasinthewind
Author Website: kansas' lj
Why this must be read:
It can be a bit hard to see UberAlphaMale McClane as someone who'd take a lover of not only the same sex, but one that's barely older than his daughter. This is a really lovely look at McClane and his thoughts about his relationships, how he got to where he is, and how he plans to move forward with Matt.

All Things Being Equal, I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia, by kansas.

But you all should definitely thank blairprovence for poking me in the ass, and thankfully NOT with a wad of C4, because I completely forgot that I was driving the Live Free or Die Hard van this month! ACK!

So, let me make it up to you. I noticed that there isn't a summary of the fandom, though there are some awesome recs here in the comm memories, so this initial post should help those who are new or new again. Note that this post gets a big picture heavy. But let me ( start a wee smidge of history. )

Now, getting to those pesky folks who actually happen to be in DH4 ( but aren't McClane himself? )

( The plot to the movie? )

I'm not going to lie to you. None of these movies are really huge on plot. It's WAY more the popcorn-shoot 'em up-big explosions kind of genre. The thing that made these stand out in the era of Rambo and The Terminator, though, was John's self-deprecating sense of humor. You see it a lot in the first two. It's mostly been buried by the fourth, but it's still there, lurking.

And lots of fan writers remembered, and well, Matt is so delicious and the snark and the fact that they're polar opposites and it's a recipe for fannish squee. There's even a comm right here on LJ for this pairing! Go and take a look at hard4brains! I mean, the entire movie these two aren't much farther from one another than this:


See what I mean?

So without further ado, let me get started on the recs!

These are my last recs for Die Hard fandom. Since there are quite a few in this wonderful series, I am submitting them as my quota for the week. *g* I hope you have enjoyed the McClane/Farrell ride into the fandom.


Fandom: Live Free and Die Hard (Die Hard 4)
Pairing: John McClane/Matt Farrell
Author on LJ: poisontaster
Author Website: Love Is Just a Bloodsport

Why this must be read: because the series evolves from the first story of Matt and John meeting to have a meal together occasionally, to the later stories of John struggling to work through his confusion at being in a same-sex relationship - at his age - and being gay. I enjoy John's revelations and his coming to terms with the fact that he wants Matt and all that entails, as it seems completely in character for McClane. Then throw in the fact that John's son reveals he is also gay, and you have some great drama going on.


Connectivity (Five Meals John Didn't Plan to Have)

Rewriting the Disk

All I Want for Christmas

Mornings After Nightmares

Save As

Technobabble

Fandom: Live Free and Die Hard (Die Hard 4)
Pairing: John McClane/Matt Farrell
Author on LJ: utopiantrunks
Author Website: East of Sanity

Why this must be read: because it's long, plotty and such a delight to read!
The premise is that Matt has nowhere to go after the Fire Sale so he crashes at John's apartment. The two men begin this weird friendship that eventually leads to more. I like utopiantrunks take on how the world would be after the Fire Sale mess. A gritty, realistic, completely in-character story.


That Guy

Fandom: Live Free and Die Hard (Die Hard 4)
Pairing: John McClane/Matt Farrell
Author on LJ: lamardeuse
Author Website: When the world is puddle-wonderful

Why this must be read: while the three stories in this series can be read as stand-alones, I think it is better for the reader to view them as the natural progression in a burgeoning relationship. The first story is about John and Matt getting together, the second is them learning how to deal with one another (and John's adult children) and the third is them meeting the in-laws at Thanksgiving. lamardeuse handles each story with humor, great dialog and hot sex - what else can you ask for?


( Excerpt From A Rut to a Groove or John Outs Himself in Typical McClane Fashion )




Life, Mid-Crisis

From A Rut to A Groove

Interlude No.1, or In-Laws in D Flat Major

Fandom: Die Hard 4
Pairing: Matt/John
Author on LJ: Tigerlady, shetiger
Author Website: Tigerlady's Twisted Thoughts

Why this must be read: I love it when Matt makes the first move on John. In this story, shetiger is able to show how over time Matt and John get closer and how their friendship develops into a whole lot more. Very hot!

How Enos Finally Caught Daisy (Or, Possibly, The Other Way Around)

I am m_lasha and I will be driving the small fandom van this month, specifically the Live Free and Die Hard part of the ride. If you can't image all-American hero John McClane of the Die Hard movies being sexy with another man, well I have to agree I was in that boat too. That is until I watched Die Hard 4. Rent it, then tell me Matt and John are not the sexiest couple since Starsky & Hutch. *g* The snark, the chemistry, the heat!!

My recs will only be John/Matt. So, sit down, strap yourself in and get prepared for one hell of a ride. With McClane as one part of the pair, could it be anything else?


Fandom: Live Free and Die Hard (Die Hard 4)
Pairing: John McClane/Matt Farrell
Author on LJ: petwritings
Author Website: None

Why this must be read: because when John McClane uses his head to subdue a crazy psycho-stalker! This is the McClane we know - and love - from the movies. Briefly summed up, after the Fire Sale John is settling back into his life, but when Matt frantically calls him claiming someone is stalking him, John is not convinced, but agrees to help the kid anyway. Of course, get the two together and chaos ensues...as does a change in their relationship. Great John characterization, as well as a brief but well-written Holly cameo.

If you are unsure of reading Die Hard slash, this could be the fic to drag you in!

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