I couldn't find a rating for this story, and so ballparked one myself.

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: almostnever
Author Website: almostnever's Fic Index
Why this must be read:

This story takes place several years in the future. Stuart takes Alfie to the grocery store and suddenly realizes that he's old. Vince isn't actually in this story, though his presence is felt. Plus, adorable young Alfie makes up for his absence.

( Excerpt )

Uncool

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK UK
Pairing: Nathan/Vince, Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Margo's Archive @ Across The Pond
Why this must be read:

This is an interesting AU with the premise that Nathan ends up going home with Vince instead of Stuart on that first night. I like the idea of this concept. The author uses quotes from the actual series to good effect here. I also like that while the focus is on Nathan and Vince, the Stuart/Vince vibes are still there, right below the surface.

( Excerpt )

Good Boy

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Lisa's Archive @ Across The Pond
Why this must be read:

This is a pre-series story about a fifteen year old Vince who's forced to deal with the problems he's having with his sexuality because of his feelings for Stuart. It's also a story about Stuart and Vince's first kiss.

( Excerpt )

Never Been Kissed

Vidder: obsessive24
Musical artist: Death Cab for Cutie
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Vidder on LJ: obsessive24
Vidder's website: obsessive24.net
Why this vid kicks ass:

A great Stuart/Vince overview of the show, with emphasis, obviously, on the hotel bed scene from the second series. This vid also gives respect to the peripheral characters of the show: Nathan, Alexander, Hazel, and shows their struggles and the way that their lives revolve around and affect Stuart and Vince. Really, it's a can't miss.

Brothers on a Hotel Bed

There was no rating available for this story, so I ballparked one myself.

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: idicEm's stories @ Across the Pond
Why this must be read:

My favorite scene in QaFUK is the one at the end of the fourth episode. Stuart has just fucked up royally, and he trails after Vince in his car, begging Vince to get in. Vince doesn't acknowledge him at all and eventually takes off running down the street to end the episode. This story is a great follow up to that scene, because of course Stuart would show up at Vince's flat expecting to be instantly forgiven. It's great because Em's Vince doesn't give an inch, even though he wants to, and it's a lovely post-ep that fits well into canon.

( Excerpt )

Nowhere to Run

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: dexwebster
Author Website: Dex Webster's memories
Why this must be read:

This story explores the legend of Stuart and Vince on Canal Street. What the people back in Manchester are speculating about them versus what's actually happening. Lovely. It's another Yuletide story. And how much do I love Yuletide, really?

( Excerpt )

Stranger Than

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: cesperanza
Author Website: Speranza's Fiction
Why this must be read:

This is another one of the great QaFUK fics given to us by Yuletide this year. It would spoil it to give away the crossover in this fic, but it's a fun post-canon romp through America with Stuart and Vince. I love the mood of the fic, and the dialogue is spot on.

( Excerpt )

Area 51

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: solvent90
Author Website: solvent90's fic
Why this must be read:

Yuletide produced many fabulous QAFUK stories this year, and this is one of the best. It chronicles Stuart and Vince's relationship before and after canon, showing us the things we don't get to see and filling in the gaps in a very believable fashion.

( Excerpt )

Introductions

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Paddy's Fics @ Across the Pond
Why this must be read:

This is a beautiful, angsty future fic about Vince dealing with Hazel's death. I love the relationship between Vince and Hazel; really I just plain love Hazel. I like Stuart and Vince's relationship as portrayed in this story, as well. They've been together for years, and even though Stuart's still a bastard, he takes care of things when Vince can't. This story is a fantastic love story for Hazel's character.

( Excerpt )

Let You Go

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince mostly
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Offline currently, but here's the Web-archived page

Why this must be read:
For my last rec, I had to mention writing of the Rhipodon Society. I can't link to these stories directly, so I'll put them all in one rec. Anything by the Rhipodon Society is worth reading, as any long-time fan knows.

Navigate to these stories in the menu on the left of the Web-archived page.

( My brief summaries of the Rhipodon Society stories )

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: almostnever; fic journal: almoststories
Author Website: Cesare's Cabinet or Cesare's page on ATP

Why this must be read:

This novel-length series is deservedly popular. Cesare was one of the first writers I read in the fandom, and this series got me started reading fanfic in the fandom. More than four years later, you can see my enthusiasm is as strong as ever. Almost Never is one of those essential series that anyone new to the fandom must read. So what are you waiting for--go read Cesare's brilliant story! The psychology of her complex, self-aware, lovely but difficult Stuart seems dead accurate to canon Stuart, and the S/V interaction and dialogue still makes me want to hug myself in delight. I think she's got an accurate view of Vince's issues, too. I like the way Stuart's perceptions of Vince develop during their road trip in the story "48 States." Cesare mentions the minor characters, and they are recognizable, if not prominent. (I wouldn't mind hearing more about Nathan in "Unison," but that's a minor quibble.)

Try here, but if the story links are still broken, go to the Web-archived link: Almost Never series
( Index of Stories in the Almost Never Series )

"Unison," the final part of the series, is a lengthy, unfinished, post-road trip WIP, and I am commenting on it separately because in many ways it feels like a sequel, even if it is set in the Almost Never storyverse. It has a different emotional tone. In "Unison," Stuart and Vince sort of settle down in Manchester, and Alfred is a regular part of Stuart's life. The guys have to deal with the challenges of maintaining a long-term relationship. There's also an OMC, a new friend of Vince's, who could confuse things.

The link is to the Web-archived copy, and two of the eleven chapter links (5 and 9) are broken. But the story is still enjoyable, so don't let that stop you.

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: almostnever; fic journal: almoststories
Author Website: Cesare's Cabinet or Cesare's page on ATP

Why this must be read:

This is a story from January 2003 that I hadn't read before. A really good new story always makes me happy, and I'm glad to share it with you,

"But Once a Year" is an AU that takes place just after the first scene of series 2, and this Vince is as afraid to risk it all as the canon Vince ever was. The last part of the story, when Vince decides to take action, is excellent.

But Once a Year

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Nathan Maloney/Christian Hobbs
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Sue Walsh's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:

This story is for the readers who like unconventional pairings, and for those who thought Christian Hobbs was secretly crushing on Nathan. There's a rather cliched "straight boy discovers he's not so straight after all" premise, but the smutty bits are hot, and the character of Christian is appealing. This Nathan is quite a bit more mature than I saw him at this point in his life, but I let that slide for the pleasure of reading this three-part story.

Straight, With A Twist
Straight, With A Twist - Revisited
Straight, With A Twist - On the Rocks

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: lisew
Author Website: fic by lise

Why this must be read:
I'm not absolutely sure these three snapshots of Stuart go together as a series, but the characterization of Stuart seems consistent enough. Lise's Stuart is pleasure-driven and harsh with himself and others. I don't see him quite this joyless, but I remember being struck by Lise's stories when I first read them, so I'll include them in the month's recs.

laugh track
on the rocks
saturday night

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Neil Green's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
This is a post-series 2 Nathan POV piece. It's just a short scene, but I enjoyed it.

Talking Heads: King of the World

Trilogy by Julia (NC-17)

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Nathan; mention of Vince/Nathan; Vince/OMC; Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Julia's Stories on Across the POnd

Why this must be read:
Don't let the unconventional pairings put you off--this trio of stories has a recognizable Stuart and Vince and Nathan, and an absolutely delightful adolescent Alfred. It's an AU before the end of series 1; in this universe, Vince doesn't go with Stuart when he moves to London. I loved the Stuart characterization, and I fell for Vince all over again.

Ivory Tower
Dreaming
Home

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Nathan/Vince UST
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Cipher Muse's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
I like this for the Nathan voice, and I can credit Nathan with the sense to notice Vince eventually, if Stuart weren't around to distract him.

Something He Said by Cipher Muse

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Nathan/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Cipher Muse's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
And now for something completely different...
Nathan has a number of fans out there, so I thought I would rec a few Nathan-centric stories for a change of pace. (Stuart/Vince is my all-time OTP, so take these recs with that in mind.)

Bang

Vidder: Killa
Musical artist: Oysterband
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Vidder on LJ: killabeez
Vidder's website: Not sure I can link that, so I won't

Why this vid kicks ass:
When it came time to select a vid to rec for this fandom, I only knew of one (feel free to correct my ignorance). But it's such a fantastic vid that I know you'll all love it/love seeing it again.

Killa asks, "When will Vince realize that what he wants has always been his?" Her vid, dedicated to Cesca, shows us Vince's emotional journey in the series.

This is the perfect song for Stuart and Vince throughout the series--"living for the moment, but the moment never comes". Ouch! That's so on target it hurts. And the visuals! If I didn't already adore this fandom, the overwhelming prettiness of Killa's vid alone would convert me.

The song lyrics fit the the relationships in Queer as Folk, and "All that hunger, love and anger bottled up in eyes of blue"--that line kills me DED. Killa did a fabulous job of fitting the scenes to the song, and you see Hazel and Nathan's place in Vince's life, as well as how central Stuart is to Vince.

Lyrics to "Little Brother"

Little Brother by by Killa (Please right-click and Save As on the link to the zipped QuickTime video.)

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Unknown; More QaFUK stories by Koenig (and others) in the BritSlash archive

Why this must be read:
This is an AU that takes place at the end of series one--the events of series 2 never happened in this 'verse. This is a short first-person Vince POV look at their couplehood. I'm not sure what to make of the emotional tone of this story, but it's certainly one way things could have turned out between Stuart and Vince.

Domesticity

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: wannabebrit
Author Website: Alexis' stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
This is just a little fantasy AU set in their uni years in which Stuart and Vince go on a practice date. It would have been sweet for this to have happened, but...

A Good Deed

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Kalamity Kat's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
I like the edge Kalamity Kat's Stuart and Vince have. I could believe in this scenario, too.

Passing the Time

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Sue Walsh's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
For such a short little story that starts out so sweetly, the ending of this one packs a punch. Set post series 2, it's Stuart and Vince on the road.

Boys of Summer

[And this is Cipher Muse's answer to the ending of Sue's story: Scarpered (PG)]

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: RosaleenBan's Stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
This enjoyable story features an AU scenario in which Vince goes with Cameron back to Australia, but things don't work out, so Vince returns. Stuart takes action.

New Start

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: mizzhoneeybun
Author Website: Tia's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
Scenes from the past, plus one from the road: I think Stuart can be this calculating and cool, and if it's for Vince, I approve. I also think that even if it looks like Vince is Stuart's follower, Vince really is the one choosing to maintain their relationship, so he's not passive.

Only You

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: maggiecat
Author Website: Elaysian Fields/Stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
This is one of the few PWPs I've rec'd this month. I like this one for the gunplay and because Vince is sexy when he takes charge.

Gunslingers

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Shadow's Author Page on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
Another road trip story, this piece has a lot of charm. Shadow uses alternating POVs, and while that would probably annoy me in a longer story, this one is short enough that it's just a device to get the reader inside both of their heads.

Where Roads Don't End

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Neil Green's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
It's my fondness for Dr. Who that prompts me to rec this story. This is a short dialogue only piece, and it gives the reader a moment between Vince the uber anorak and his tolerant Stuart.

Maybe Paul McGann Does Count

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Neil Green's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
This story gives us a glimpse of Vince and Stuart as teenagers, and it does seem rather likely that something like these scenes played out over the years. Poor Vince.

Sex, Drugs and Sausage Rolls

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: UK
Pairing: Stuart/Vince; Nathan/Christian Hobbs
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Sue Walsh's stories on Across the Pond

Why this must be read:
This rec is for the Nathan fans out there. (I think he's a doll, although painfully young.) I like this long story (400,000 words) about Stuart and Vince getting together, and eventually taking Nathan into their circle of two. There's an intriguing set of dynamics at work. Well, OK, I admit this series isn't quite finished, but the last part feels like an acceptable ending to me, and this is a long story worth reading. (I'm not as crazy about the detail of Vince's decorating activities in the last few chapters; your mileage may vary. Those who like domestic fic will enjoy it.) There's a brief guest appearance near the end by Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor of QAF: US, but it's not enough to be called a crossover in my judgment.

Three's a Crowd