Title: Catherine's Fairy-Tale by ryfkah
Character: Catherine Morland Tilney
Length: 1091 words
Author Website: at AO3

Why this must be read: It's a great merge between the two canons.

Catherine is now grown and a married lady, but she hasn't lost her spirit of adventure. When a giant beanstalk shows up inexplicably in the middle of her garden and her husband gone to town, she has to weigh her options. Enjoy.

Catherine's Fairy-Tale

If you like this, take a moment to tell the author. Feedback is precious and appreciated!

Fandom: THE HUNGER GAMES/THE LITTLE MERMAID (HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN)
Pairing: Lavinia (Avox), Katniss Everdeen/Peeta Mellark (Everlark)
Length: 4829 words
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Author on AO3 | Author  on FFN | Author on Tumblr
Why this must be read: When I first read this story I instantly fell in love. Author Mejhiren has a beautiful prose style and it lends itself perfectly to this Hunger Games story by way of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. Avox Lavinia stands in for our mermaid, who trades her tongue to the witch-king for human legs. Anyone familiar with the original story knows where this one is going but there's enough deviation to make this one extra special.


( Excerpt )



Sea Child by Mejhiren

Title: Ten Impossible Companions Before Breakfast by distaff exile
Pairing/Characters: Sleeping Beauty/Ten, Sleeping Beauty/Prince Phillip

Fairy Tales/Literary characters: Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Alice (in Wonderland), Tinkerbell (Peter Pan), Ariel (Little Mermaid), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Mulan, Rapunzel (Tangled), Merida (Brave), Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty).

DW characters: One, Four, Seven, Nine, Ten, Eleven, 8 1/2 (The War Doctor), Ace McShane, Romana II, Susan Foreman, Rose Tyler, Clara Oswin Oswald

Length: 809 words
Author Website: at AO3

Why this must be read: It's a series of vignettes showing the intersection between the lives of The Doctor with those of ten Disney heroines. Appropriately, the story bounces around in The Doctor's timeline rather than linearly. Written just a few weeks ago, it also includes The War Doctor (played by John Hurt), called Eight and a Half. Ranging from light to dark; there is a non-con warning for one.

Since this was inspired by artwork, you get a twofer today!

Ten Impossible Companions Before Breakfast

If you like this, take a moment to tell the author. You will absolutely make her day!

Fandom: Fairy Tales:(all Disney versions) Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Hercules, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, Tangled, Mulan, Pocahontas, Disney Princesses, Beauty and the Beast
Pairing: canon and non-canon pairings--see tags
Length: 410 words
Author Website: at AO3

Why this must be read: Short but funny (and kinky). The various heroines get together and discuss their sex lives over tea. Enjoy.

Note: This story is restricted to AO3 members only. Membership is free but there might be a wait time to receive an invite. If you need one, email me at merlin dot 113 at hotmail dot com and I can give you one.

Damsels and Damson Jam

If you like this, take a moment to tell the author. You will absolutely make her day!

It's Xover day! Yey! Though this is not so much a crossover as a fusion.

Fandom: Naruto, His Dark Materials - Pullman.
Pairing: Hatake Kakashi/Umino Iruka
Genre: M/M slash, drama, romance.
Length: About 4300 words
Author on LJ: avocado_love
Warnings: None.
Author Websites: AO3
Author's Summary: When Kakashi first began to see people's souls manifested as animals, he naturally assumed he had lost his mind. (Using His Dark Materials themes, but not a true crossover.)
Why this must be read: I'm not actually familiar with Pullman's HDM and so I was a little worried about reading this the first time. I shouldn't have been. As the author says, the themes are there but it's firmly set in the Naruto-verse and so no extra knowledge is required to enjoy this really rather sweet romance. AvocadoLove has some wonderful turns of phrase and the insights she gives into the internal lives of the characters are more than memorable. Remember to feed the author after you've finished.


Inner Vision by AvocadoLove.

I have come to the end of my recommendations this month. There are so many more stories I could recommend, but I have run out of time, alas. Before I present my last recommendation, I must encourage you to seek out other Austen fanfic. I have found that the Austen fandom has a great deal of quality stories in it. You just have to find them.

If you are looking for a good story, you should definitely check out the Jane Austen Fanfiction Index. Login information for the site can be found at every major Austen fic site on the web. (Look at the author sites from my recent and not-so-recent recs and you will be able to track down login info on most of them.) Once you log in, hit the "Fanfiction Therapy" button. You will be presented with a random list of excellent fics, all finished and almost universally well-written. You can also search under specific categories. Looking for a fic wherein Wickham gets his just deserts? There's a whole list of them! How about fics in which Mr. Bingley has more of spine? Or in which Elizabeth learns the truth about Wickham before Darcy's first proposal? There are hundreds of categories to cater to every taste. The site is a veritable treasure trove of links to wonderful stories.

Anyway, on to my last rec:

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 5,300 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Jane Greensmith

Why this must be read:

In this excellent, excellent story, Fitzwilliam Darcy has a rare condition known as synesthesia. He sees letters and the written word in color. This affects how he thinks about people and everything around him. He inherited synesthesia from his father, and learned how to conceal it and yet use it from him.

This is a beautifully written story from Darcy's point of view. Colors are used to evoke emotion and understanding in the reader. We follow Darcy's journey in the colors he sees. I cannot explain better; I wish I could. Read it. You will not be disappointed. Highly, highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

The Color of Love

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Kitty Bennet/OMC; other canon couples
Length: 149,300 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: None

Why this must be read:

Kitty Bennet takes center stage in this story all her own. It is presumed that Mr. Bennet does not have much family, especially since Mr. Collins is his heir. However, in this fic, the author creates a couple of sisters for Mr. Bennet, one of whom asks for a companion from among her nieces to accompany her for a time. The Bennets consider the matter and decide that Kitty is the child they could most easily do without. Of course, this is just as things are getting interesting at Longbourn. The militia has arrived in Meryton, and there are rumors of Mr. Bingley hosting a ball at Netherfield!

Kitty thus reluctantly embarks on her own adventure, learning a great deal about the world along the way. She travels with her aunt to London and enjoys a season and the attentions of several suitors. Meanwhile, the events of Pride and Prejudice are happening in the background, but they are affected by Kitty's storyline as well. Excellently written and a fun read, especially since it's about an oft-overlooked character.

* * *

( Excerpt )

A Hit, a Very Palpable Hit

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 9,500 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Austen Interlude

Why this must be read:

This short and sweet story details how Mr. Bennet puzzles out the riddle of Fitzwilliam Darcy. He attempts to talk to the man before his marriage to his beloved Lizzy, but still is unable to quite figure him out. Is he, as Elizabeth said, one of the best men she has ever known? It is only upon visiting Pemberley months later that he learns the true worth of his new son-in-law.

Written in Austenesque style, this delightful story from Mr. Bennet's point-of-view is well written and has spot-on character voices. It's a quick read, but one not to be missed.

* * *

( Excerpt )

When Least Expected

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Anne de Bourgh ????/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 123,700 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Desert Musings

Why this must be read:

Do not let the pairing deceive you! All is not as it appears! (I know I started the previous entry the same way, and it's for pretty much the same reason. Once you read the prologue and chapter one, you will understand.)

This particular story has a reverse kidnapped/switched-at-birth conceit. Instead of the wealthy Elizabeth growing up in more humble (but still gentry) circumstances with the Bennets, it is quite the opposite.

The story begins with Lady Catherine de Bourgh née Fitzwilliam newly married, and she finds her husband's attentions to her at night to be uncomfortable at best. Thus, she hatches a plot to make herself appear pregnant and then produce a child (by fair means or foul) at the appropriate time.

So begins this story, which covers around thirty to forty years of time. We begin with Lady Catherine's plot, then the story switches to Anne's (??) point of view. This Anne butts heads with her mother over almost everything, and is unafraid to speak her mind. She is also witty and lively and growing into a beautiful young woman. Add to that her immense fortune and Rosings Park as her inheritance, and she is the most eligible young lady for her first (and probably only) season in London. It could go to her head. Waiting in the wings is her serious-minded cousin Darcy, whom she had declared, at the tender age of twelve, she would never marry!

Of course, the truth must come out eventually....

The premise of this story is quite improbable, but that does not take away from the quality of the writing or the just plain fun to be had in reading it. Highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

A Mother's Favorite Wish

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/George Wickham ????
Length: 84,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Roads Not Taken

Why this must be read:

Do not let the pairing deceive you! All is not as it appears! Let me explain: Within the Austen fandom, there is a sub-genre of kidnapping or switched at birth stories. Usually, Elizabeth and possibly Jane are discovered to be daughters of Lady Catherine or some other wealthy relative of Darcy's. By some nefarious plot, they are kidnapped from their true family and raised by the Bennets. There is usually a fifty-fifty chance that the Bennets themselves are complicit in the plot. I am not recommending one of those stories this time around, although they can be quite well done.

It is much rarer to find a story in which ( possible spoiler ) is switched! And yet that is the case with this story. Do not worry, I am not really spoiling anything. It is very apparent who is whom within a few paragraphs of reading the prologue.

Young George Wickham, supported by his wealthy godfather, old Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, makes his way in the world. He is appointed to be the curate of the Meryton parish and so comes to the village a few years before Mr. Bingley takes possession of Netherfield. Already humble because of his lowly upbringing, he and Elizabeth soon form a fast friendship that eventually turns into more. But that is only the beginning of the tale, and all contained within the prologue. What happens when Mr. Bingley comes? And Mr. Collins? And when ( possible spoiler ) Mr. Darcy finally makes his appearance?

This is a delightful story, full of twists and turns. The story is not about how the two main characters fall in love, though it does have that, but about how they endure together through all that life may throw at them, both good and bad. Highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

The Fortune He Ought to Have

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 93,600 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Why this must be read:

A middle-aged Darcy is surprised in his study one day by the sudden appearance of an old man. This old man claims to have changed the past, and thus Darcy's future. Darcy was supposed to marry Elizabeth Bennet, but instead he married a rich heiress, and is now miserable. His wife is constantly and publicly unfaithful, and Darcy's estate is verging on bankruptcy. The old man offers him a chance to fix everything. But, the old man cautions, it will not be easy, for time is resilient and resists change.

Thus, Fitzwilliam Darcy embarks on a strange journey through time. His first companion is the old man, but he disappears when they set the first thing right. He then gains help from two others, but I will not spoil you as to who they are.

I stumbled across this wonderful story only recently, and I am so glad I did. It's sort of like a semi-steampunk Pride and Prejudice, with a time machine and everything! (For those of you who do not favor the genre, the steampunk is mostly limited to the time machine itself.) The reader knows how the story is supposed to end, but it's the getting there that is all the fun. Ultimately, Darcy must go through the same humbling changes in every incarnation of himself, whether as a young gentleman or as a middle-aged man who seeks to set right what once went wrong. Highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

The True Adventures of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Time Traveler

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy (background)
Length: 5,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Netherfield's Library

Why this must be read:

Mr. Hurst is at best a minor character in Pride and Prejudice, easily overlooked. All we know about him is that he is married to Louisa Hurst née Bingley, that he drinks and eats to excess, and that he falls asleep on the couch on occasion. He has hardly any lines of dialogue in the novel at all. Naturally, he is an irresistible character to fanfic authors!

This fun little story from Hurst's point-of-view depicts what would have happened had the Netherfield party dined at Longbourn some time before the Netherfield Ball but after Elizabeth met Wickham. Hurst is in raptures over Mrs. Bennet's food, and events spiral out from there. Truly, the way to another man's heart is through Mr. Hurst's stomach!

* * *

( Excerpt )

A Taste for the Country

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 219,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Why this must be read:

In the closing pages of Pride and Prejudice, Darcy tells Elizabeth that he was given good principles as a child, but that he was taught to follow them in pride and conceit. What if there had been someone to teach him better? In this story, Mr. Darcy has a mentor in a Mr. Bradley, the curate of the local parish to Pemberley. Mr. Bradley has humbly served his flock for years, and Darcy comes to him for advice, comfort, and spiritual guidance, as did his father before him. This guidance and help softens Darcy's manners and aids him when dealing with stressful relations, scoundrels, and everything else in his life.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, has to deal with ill-behaving family members, gossiping neighbors, a nerve-stricken mother, and an absent father. The initial meeting between Darcy and Elizabeth goes much better than in the novel, but there are still obstacles in the way, as is so in any good story. Some characters are so altered that they are hardly recognizable--Mr. Collins is truly evil, while the reader gains much sympathy for Mrs. Bennet--but overall, everyone stays true to themselves as Jane Austen wrote them. There is a great deal of backstory before Darcy and Elizabeth first meet, so we really get to know them well individually.

This work may not be to everyone's taste, as there are clear and direct religious references throughout. (But do not let that scare you off, as this is a wonderful fic!) Mr. Bradley makes no apology for his profession and quotes scripture liberally. It was refreshing, really, to see an overtly religious character portrayed as righteous--not perfect, but righteous--while not being self-righteous or hypocritical. All the main characters, but especially Darcy and Elizabeth, grapple with moral issues and treat religion as a way to address those issues. It is not jarring at all, but fascinating how seamlessly the author has woven everything together. She also provides citations to not only any scriptures referenced, but also to Regency-era language the reader may be unfamiliar with.

The excerpt below that I have chosen is part of a larger conversation between Bradley and Darcy. They have several such conversations throughout the story, with Darcy wrestling with issues and Bradley challenging him to think beyond himself.

This is an excellent story. Highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

Given Good Principles

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Darcy/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 25,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Derbyshire Writers' Guild

Why this must be read:

The premise of this story is intriguing and fantastical. It adds a wonderful bit of the supernatural to the world Jane Austen created. There is a maze at Pemberley. One year into her marriage to Fitzwilliam Darcy, Elizabeth goes walking, as is her wont, through the maze, but she emerges into a world not her own, a world in which Mr. Darcy did not arrive in time to stop Georgiana's elopement with George Wickham, and a world in which she and her husband have never met. Not only is this inconvenient and distressing to her and to her erstwhile husband, but she is obviously pregnant. So, what is a grieving and bitter Darcy to do with a pregnant woman who claims to be his wife but whom he has never met?

I do not want to spoil too much of this wonderful story, but suffice it to say that it is wonderfully written and crafted. The reader comes to care about both worlds, and wants a happy ending for both sets of characters. The original Elizabeth's appearance is the catalyst needed for everything to change for the second sad and lonely Darcy, who desperately needs his own Elizabeth, though he does not know it yet. I dare not say more for fearing of giving too much away. Highly recommended.

* * *

( Excerpt )

Crossing Paths

I know, I know this is such a late start on my recs this month, and I do apologize for it. However, I hope that the recs I offer will ameliorate the situation. For behold, I bring Jane Austen fiction recommendations!

Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy; Charles Bingley/Jane Bennet
Length: 94,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Bennet Girls

Why this must be read:

I start with this lovely fic. It is a great example of a simple divergence in the plot of Pride and Prejudice, a "what if," if you will. What if Charles Bingley had encountered Jane Bennet while she stayed in London the winter after the Netherfield Ball? (Recall that she went to London to try to raise her spirits at Bingley's apparent desertion of her.) This story is the answer to that question.

Bingley meeting Jane neatly solves half of the romantic problems of Pride and Prejudice, but Elizabeth still despises Darcy, and he still has not learnt that his pride is a real problem for him. They must go through the learning process, but the setting and the pace of said process is quite different this time around, and quite delightful, too. No one can match Jane Austen's skill and wit, of course, but it's still fun to read others' attempts.

Alicia has been a prodigious writer of P&P fiction, and I think this story is a good representation of her overall writing. She has also thrown in a couple of Austen crossovers. Look for some characters from Northanger Abbey as well as a sly cameo of a character from Emma.

* * *

( Excerpt )

A Fortuitous Meeting

Title: When Summoning, Please Watch the Wording
Pairing: None
Length: ~4976 words
Author on LJ: ryuuzakochou
Author Website: Profile page on FF.net
Why this must be read: There simply aren't enough GO/SPN crossovers, in my opinion. This is an early one - before angels were a part of the show canon, back in the days of the Yellow-Eyed Demon (YED). A trio of amateur Satanists intent on summoning the YED are in for a bit of a surprise when their spell brings them someone else entirely. Crowley isn't one to suffer fools lightly, and brings in the big guns (namely Aziraphale) to settle the situation. Sam and Dean get their first taste of angels and demons who play by their own rules - sadly, it's not an encounter they'll remember for very long.

The story has a few small errors and it does reside at the infamous fanfiction.net, but those minor details don't negate the fact that the story is fun and engaging, and the Good Omens characters in particular shine.

( A man landed in the circle, stumbled slightly and righted himself. )

Read the story: When Summoning, Please Watch the Wording

And don't forget to feedback the author.

Title: Wizards Abroad by fourth_rose
Pairing: Gen; Draco Malfoy
Length: 8,500
Author on LJ: fourth_rose
Author Website: Master list of fourth_rose's fics on LJ
Why this must be read:

When Dumbledore sends Draco to "the perfect hide-out" the insanity of Discworld soon has the youngest Malfoy wishing that the Dark Lord had gotten to him first. fourth_rose does an excellent job combining these universes in this hilarious one-shot and this piece is a must-read for all crossover fans.

( Excerpt )

Wizards Abroad

Fandom: A Room With a View
Pairing: Charlotte Bartlett/Eleanor Lavish
Word count: 868
Author on LJ: I don't know, sadly.
Author website: As above.

Why this must be read: Another lovely, believable take on the Lavish/Bartlett pairing, this short snippet perfectly captures the mood and feel of Forster's Florence -- or at least, the characters' perceptions of it, as a wild, colourful place, where even the most uptight person can let her hair down.

 

( An excerpt )

 

Romanza

Fandom: A Room With a View
Pairing: George Emerson/Freddy Honeychurch
Word count: ~1500
Author on LJ: sine_que_non767 
Author website: Fics at Skyehawke

Why this must be read: Much as I like Lucy/George (which is a lot), there is something to be said for the sheer charming cuteness of George/Freddy. This short, steamy piece is both hot and delightfully-written -- do give it a try!


( An excerpt )


Interlude For Beauty

Fandom: A Room With a View
Pairing: Eleanor Lavish/Charlotte Bartlett
Word count: 3125
Author on LJ: minerva_fan 
Author website: Fics on ff.net

Why this must be read: Miss Bartlett/Miss Lavish is one of the most obvious femmeslash pairings I can think of, and this story does it more than justice. It's a perfect coda to the novel, wonderfully-written and true to the characters. I adore stories in which lonely people find happiness, and this one made me sigh in satisfaction.


( An excerpt )

A Scandal of Her Very Own

Hello, my name is Miss M. and I'll be reccing fic for E.M. Forster's novel A Room With a View this month. Though not an active fandom per se, there is a number of excellent stories based on this canon, and I hope to share some of them with you.

Fandom: A Room With a View
Pairing: Lucy Honeychurch/George Emerson
Word count: 1934
Author on LJ: penguin474 
Author website: Fics on Archive of Our Own

Why this must be read: The characterisation here is wonderful, and the writing is lovely, very true to the tone of the novel and its portrayal of the Lucy/George romance. The piece is romantic without being fluffy, not shying away from the fact that love often comes at a cost -- in this case, the disapproval Lucy faces after having made her choice.

 

( An excerpt )

And Have Their Chance of Joy

I've had a fabulous time showcasing GO fics this month. One final story to finish off the month, then the Bentley goes back in the garage for a little while - let's not make it too long, though, okay? Small fandoms need volunteers too. Thanks for reading; hope you enjoyed the stories!

Fandom: GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley
Length: ~ 4500 words
Author on LJ: the_con_cept
Author Website: AbstractFics on Insane Journal
Why this must be read: Anyone who's ever had to endure an office Christmas party with a bunch of people they don't really know and don't really like knows they're Hell. Apparently, we have Crowley to thank for that special holiday tradition - he takes credit for inventing the office party. He even wrote a handbook for it. So, how poetically just when Hell decides to have a party and follow the handbook to the letter - of course, Crowley doesn't want to show up alone, so naturally it seems like a good idea to take an angel with him. To Hell's holiday party. What could possibly go wrong?

( 'What’s wrong? What’s wrong? Hell’s having a Christmas party, that’s what’s wrong!' )

Read the story:
The Holidays are Hell - Part 1
The Holidays are Hell - Part 2


Don't forget to feedback the author - it doesn't matter how old or new the story is. Authors love to hear from you!

Vidder: baroqu3
Musical artist: Eagles of Death Metal
Pairing: none
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder's website: YouTube Channel
Why this vid kicks ass: People have been debating for years what a Good Omens movie would look like. This may be as close as we're going to get.

What this vidder has done is given us a beautifully realized end title sequence for the non-existent film, complete with casting choices for all the major characters. While I might argue with the choices for Aziraphale and Crowley, I can complete get behind casting Cillian Murphy as Famine. *g*

(My choices? At this moment, I think Paul Bettany would do justice to Aziraphale, and I actually think Benedict Cumberbatch (the new Sherlock) could do a respectable Crowley. After all, half the fun is figuring out who you'd cast!)

Watch the video: Good Omens End Title Sequence

Feedback the vidder and the artists!

Vidder: Rellie47
Musical artist: Matchbox 20
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder's website: YouTube Channel
Why this vid kicks ass: You're probably asking yourself: "How can you have a video for a literary fandom that has no movie or TV show to draw images from?" Well, that's the beauty of GO fandom. There are so many talented artists out there, and this video showcases some of that art; the images aren't just static either--there's an interesting amount of movement in this video. You get various representations of Aziraphale, Crowley, the Four Horsemen, and Them. I don't know the source of all the illustrations, but some of them are breath-taking. The one with Crowley in the top hat, holding the pocket watch (@ 1:28)? That makes me want to write fic just for that image! So, GO, watch, and be inspired (puns may be intended).

Watch the video: How Far We've Come

Feedback the vidder and the artists!

Fandom: GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley
Length: ~ 30,000+ words
Author on LJ: vulgarweed / quantum_witch / switchythings community for joint illustrated work
Author Website: Vulgarweed's AO3 page / Quantum_Witch's AO3 page
Why this must be read: Okay, I'm going to take a few liberties with this rec because Good Omens is a unique fandom in many ways: it has an incredible amount of talent in both art and fiction, it has a relatively small amount of epic and/or smutty fic, and it does historical fic like nobody's business.

Case in point is this series written by Vulgarweed and illustrated by Quantum_Witch. It's Epic (and the series might not be "technically" complete, but each of the three stories so far is definitely able to be read on its own). It spans centuries. It has a fantastic friendship. It has arguments. Hurt/comfort. Romance. Lust. Jealousy. Historical figures. Shakespeare. Wings! Codpieces! Swords!

I've read this twice all the way through, and I still feel like there are so many subtleties that I'm probably missing. Historical details. Character nuances. This is the kind of story you want to take up residence in for a good long time. It makes you want to be smarter. And it really makes you want to know every detail of those 6000 years--the good, the bad, and everything in between.

The illustrations add a whole other dimension to the story. They bring to life the passion, the fashion, the passage of history. You can see how much both writer and illustrator love these characters; it's in every word and every line drawn. Go and read, and encourage them both to keep doing what they're so obviously good at!

( Constantinople, Byzantine Empire, 1105 A.D. )

Read: Internal Rhyme Series

Stories in order: Amid the Sacred Wreck
Breathless Mouths May Summon
The Phoenix and the Turtle (A Metaphysical Romance)

Fandom: GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley
Length: ~ 2767 words
Author on LJ: tea_and_snark
Author Website: wrote when?
Why this must be read: One of the easiest ways to get our favourite angel and demon together is to use their love of alcohol. Copious amounts of alcohol.

After the Apocalypse-that-Wasn't, Crowley doesn't like the loneliness he sees in Aziraphale, and he wants to fix the situation. So he does the only thing he knows how: decides to get the angel drunk and offer him comfort. There's a sadness and a sweetness to this story as you realize just how long these two have known each other. Their world has shifted, and they're trying to make sense of that in order to go on.

(And if you're worried for Aziraphale's virtue, don't be: as always, he's harder to fool than Crowley believes.)

( Crowley looked at the glazed blue eyes that swam above a trembling wineglass. There was something in the angel’s eyes that Crowley hadn’t seen before. A desperate sort of loneliness that would never be remedied by the sufferer. )

Read the story: Debauchery

Don't forget to feedback the author - it doesn't matter how old or new the story is. Authors love to hear from you!

Fandom: GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley
Length: ~ 5456 / 2655 words
Author on LJ: vulgarweed
Author Website: Vulgarweed's AO3 page
Why this must be read: I couldn't let the month run out without sharing at least a couple slashy fics of the NC-17 variety. The majority of slash in the fandom runs more along the lines of friendship-turned-to-love and fade-to-black sex scenes, which is perfectly wonderful. But sometimes you just want a bit more ... more skin, more fire, more ruffled feathers.

It's Ancient Rome, circa 40 AD, the Festival of Saturnalia, where the world goes topsy-turvy, people switch places, and the natural order of things takes a holiday. Aziraphale has been named local Lord of Misrule, and his neighbours think it's high time the unassuming angel get some. In this instance (in the words of our charming author), "'do as the Romans do' involved rather publicly and noisily giving an Agent of the Adversary the shagging of his existence, while one was wearing entirely too much costume jewelry and purple drapery and the other was wearing mostly body oil, a slave collar, and a smile."

And, of course, the follow-up fic has Crowley pushing for his rightful turn at things, set in a luxurious Roman bath. Steamy, in more ways than one, and if you develop a wet wing!kink, don't say I didn't warn you.

( 'There is nobody who has ever met you in the history of the world who has ever thought you’d be interested in women,' Crowley sighed. He was sure he’d explained this before. )

Read the story: Compromising Positions
And its sequel: Detente

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Fandom: GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley
Length: ~ 3100 words
Author on LJ: kenazfiction
Author Website: Kenaz's Big Fiction Index
Why this must be read: Library smut, rec #2. Aziraphale and Crowley visit the Library of Congress, although Crowley's disappointed that it apparently has nothing to do with sexual congress. When Aziraphale shoos him away and orders him to find something to read, Crowley settles down with a copy of Fanny Hill: or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, and the 18th-century sexual euphemisms (excerpts are quoted in the story to hilarious effect) go straight to his ... head. Naturally, he wants to share his discovery with Aziraphale and the Library of Congress earns its name.

( 'I don't suppose they've got a call number for porno,' Crowley grumbled. )

Read the story: A Novel Assignation

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Fandom: GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley
Length: ~ 3400 words
Author on LJ: todd_fan
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read: I have a special fondness for library smut. There's something so deliciously wrong about fooling around amid the stacks, trying to keep quiet lest one invoke the wrath of a nearby librarian. This is the first of two library fics I'm going to rec. In it, Crowley and Aziraphale have an encounter at the Library of Alexandria. This may or may not have something to do with the building burning to the ground.

( 'We are not going to do this sort of thing in a library!' hissed Aziraphale )

Read the story: Libri Diligo

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Just for the record, I'm having a blast doing this month's recs. Remember if you want to take a turn rec'cing for your favourite fandoms, all you need to do is sign-up. Volunteers are always needed.

Fandom: GOOD OMENS
Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley
Length: ~ 14,000 words
Author on LJ: unravels
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read: There's a lot of time spent in GO fic on preventing or surviving Apocalypses (Apocalypsi?). This fic takes it one step further. The war between Heaven and Hell has ended with a clear victor; angels and demons are returned to their separate spheres. Now what?

After 6000 years of living with humans and each other, how do Aziraphale and Crowley cope? The short answer is "not very well," but this story is told with such delightful humour and a truly smartly-wicked Aziraphale that I challenge anyone to not be laughing by the end.

( 'You want to watch what you say to me, Crawly,' Hastur growled. )

Read the story: Its Own Place - posted in four parts. Just follow the link at the end of each section to get to the next part.

Don't forget to feedback the author - it doesn't matter how old or new the story is. Authors love to hear from you!