This is my last rec. I had hoped to rec more stuff this time around, but it didn't work out that way. I hope you found something you enjoyed and if you're new to the fandom I highly recommend pretty much everything by khaleesian and verdreht. But don't hesitate to check out other authors for yourselves. It's a wonderful fandom and I'm sure I don't know everything that's out there.

Vidder: talitha78
Musical Artist: Rihanna
Length: 3:33
Vidder on LJ: talitha78
Why this vid must be viewed: For me this is Rome and Brian in a nutshell. The vid perfectly showcases their wonderful chemistry and it's so very shiny and sexy and happy making.

Don't you feel the passion ready to explode?

Title: Recharging by Khaleesian
Characters/Pairing: Brian O'Conner, Dean winchester, Sam Winchester, Bobby Singer
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read: Brian looks for a new charger he can give to Dom. His search brings him to Singer Salvage where Sam and Dean are taking a short break from all the end of the world stuff for a little while. I love this set up and the title is perfect. This story shows these very different characters doing some very much needed recharging. Brian's quest just warms my heart and even though Dom isn't physically present in the story, he's still very much there.

Dom sacrificed the Charger to save Letty...where will Brian find another?

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Dominic Toretto/Brian O'Conner
Length: 902 words
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Author website: AO3
Why this must be read: It's Dom and Brian cuddling for warmth. That's all, but what more do you need? This was one of the first things I read in this fandom - instant love!

Dom cocked his head. “Is being mad keeping you warm?”

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Dominic Toretto/Brian O'Conner
Length: 987 words
Author on LJ: ash_carpenter
Author website: LJ
Why this must be read: In this story the undercover aspect of the first movie gets handled a bit differently. Dom figures Brian acted the way he did, got close to him, because Brian was interested in him sexually. That's not the reason, but Brian can't tell him that, can he?
The author has a brilliant way of getting into the characters' heads and depicting their voices and motivations.

When Brian had wished to be close to Dom, this wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind.

Hi everyone,

I had signed up to drive the crack van for The Fast and the Furious this month. However, due to Paul Walker's tragic death I wasn't really in a reccing kinda mood and considered just letting it go. Now I'm thinking, this is the last round of the crack van and this community is such a wonderful resource and I don't want to miss the very last opportunity to share some Fast & Furious love here.

I'm gonna start with this lovely little story and I hope that you'll enjoy.

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Dominic Toretto/Brian O'Conner
Length: 2482 words
Author on LJ: not known
Author website: AO3
Why this must be read: This author has written a few wonderful F&F stories, most of which are WIP. This one, however, works as a wonderful stand alone story. It's an alternate take on part 4 and deals with Dom and Brian living together after Brian freed Dom from prison. The characters' voices are wonderful and the entire story is beautiful and happy making.

It's 2AM and Brian can't sleep. Dom's planning to change that.

Vidder: talitha78
Musical Artist: Britney Spears
Length: 3:18
Vidder on LJ: talitha78
Why this vid must be viewed: Because it's awesome! There are many great vids for this fandom, but this was the one that made me really wanna check out the movies. It's so much fun to watch (and Brian really is such a sweet baby). Plus the car repair = sex  part - pure brilliance!

With this fast car, I can really get far

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Roman Pearce/Brian O'Conner, Dominic Toretto/Brian O'Conner (mention of Brian O'Connor/Monica Fuentes)
Length: 51.075 words
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Author website: AO3
Why this must be read: I love this story for many reasons. I love Dom/Brian and I love Rome/Brian and here both pairings are wonderfully realized, both with their very own, very unique dynamics. It starts with Brian and Rome having a casual thing going on while Brian and Dom both realize that there might also be something there between the two of them. I love how both Dom and Rome can't really stand each other and the only thing they have in common is that they both really like Brian. Without wanting to give too much away let me just say that the characters' motivations as well as their actions are wonderfully complex and this is one of my absolute favorite stories.

A little example of what I love about this:

Brian wondered if this was the hangover, shit, he sure hoped it was. The nausea was like a fist through his guts. Why, just why oh why could it never be easy? Here was Roman here beside him, couldn’t hold onto a woman for a month running either…but if he reached for Roman right now, in the open, in sunlight, Rome would probably punch him so hard that Brian would throw up. Or maybe he wouldn’t. But he wouldn’t look at Brian the way that Dom had that last time…

Inertia, momentum, gravity

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Dominic Toretto/Brian O'Conner
Length: 6743 words
Author on LJ: not anymore, as far as I know
Author's website: AO3
Why this must be read: This is a very compelling look into Brian's mind while he's having sex with Dom in the garage during the first movie. The author does a great job depicting all of his uncertainties concerning both Dom and his being undercover.

Brian turns, meaning to toss the valve on the nearby table and take a beer break himself, and pulls up short. The valve slips from his fingers, which have gone slack with startled surprise. Dom hasn’t left. Dom’s right there, standing less than a foot away and not quite looming over him.

Then Dom takes a step forward, a towering wall of muscle and intent, and okay, sure, now he’s looming.

He owns you now, Mia’s voice breathes, and then she’s gone.

Ten Minute Cars

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Dominic Toretto/Brian O'Conner
Length: 84.000 words
Author on LJ: maygra
Author's website: assignations.org
Why this must be read: This story is recced in many places and deservedly so. It has the status of being a fandom classic. It's long and plotty and a wonderful read. Plus, there are sequels and other stories that take place in the same story universe. Unfinished Business is an alternative ending of the first movie and a great Dom/Brian first time story.

He saw the shadow move before he actually registered the sound, the click. Instinct and surprise should have made him move faster, but he was almost on the shadow before he noticed it, before it moved. It was no tackle, more like tripping, legs tangling with his, a heavier body and an amazingly solid fist punching into his lower back even while he twisted around to meet his attacker head-on. That faint filtered light from the windows and the kitchen shone off skin and a white t-shirt. A mostly white t-shirt. So glaring now even in the half-light and how had he missed it? How had he missed Dom sitting in his living room?

Unfinished Business

Hi there,

I'm going to drive the van for the Fast & Furious movies this month. I hope you'll find something, you'll enjoy!

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Dominic Toretto/Brian O'Conner
Length: 35.232 words
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Why this must be read: This was one of the first stories I read in this fandom, in fact, I read it before I watched any of the movies. It deals with the question of what if Brian's car had flipped at the end of the first movie. Here Brian loses his memory of the last few years of his life and looks to Dom to tell him who he is. This isn't easy for Dom, because he just found out about Brian not being who he thought he was.

When I first read this, I knew nothing of the plot so I kinda shared Brian's point of view. After having seen the movies I re-read it and it has a different ring to it now, still awesome, of course. I can say that both reading experiences have been very rewarding, so I can really recommend this fic to everyone, whether they know the canon or not.

“Who are you?” Dom muttered, feeling cruelty and fury wash through him.

It felt like he was hovering about 10 feet off the ground, looking through the windshield, watching himself have this conversation with Brian.

Brian opened his mouth and no sound came out. Jesse had once explained what was happening when a computer froze. A script command running over and over, trying to find a way out of a logical loop. Brian looked like that now: frozen in a loop. His breath was starting to come even faster and he was blinking at odd intervals.

Brian pulled the cloth away from his head, saw the blood and flinched. He pressed it back on his brow and looked over at Dom plaintively. “Don’t you know?”

And that was it right there. That question which was both easy and impossible to answer.

Who's right/who's left

Fandom: FAST AND THE FURIOUS SERIES
Pairing: Mia/Letty
Length: 4400 words
Author on LJ: brandil (but no longer active)
Author Website: LJ Fic Tag
Why this must be read:

(Note: Another Yuletide story for me.)

It's such a simple premise -- Letty moves in with Mia after prison -- but it's so delightfully layered as Letty and Mia struggle to find the ways their lives fit together with all the guys gone. It's down to just them and they are very different people than they were in The Fast and the Furious, but they are also very much the same.

I really enjoy the romance, which is more about two people trying to learn to be friends and Mia trying not to resent all the pieces she's had to pick up for Dom and Letty trying to deal with being free again. I found it lovely and sharp and believable.

Flowers Can Grow Between the Cracks in the Sidewalk by brandil

Fandom: FAST AND THE FURIOUS SERIES
Pairing: Dom/Brian UST
Length: one-shot
Author on LJ: carodee
Author Website: Carodee's Insatiable Site
Why this must be read:

(Note: I betaed this fic. Yes, despite my lack of interest in Dom/Brian and my dislike of Brian. I do so love Dominic, helping people, and Carodee's writing.)

"What He Can Have" is an excellent Dominic piece with a fantastic, strong character voice, and a masturbation scene that will heat the coldest room. It's difficult to take an action movie with a tough guy main character and keep him in character while balancing his tough guy exterior, his more emotional side (here particularly the family loyalty at the core of the movie and the character of Dominic), and some really hot lust.

The language is particularly effective, catching little details which build into an intense short story.

"What He Can Have" by Carodee

Title: Her Attention by nikitangel
Pairing: Sort of Mia/Letty, Faith/Letty. Faith's a big flirt.
Author on LJ: nikitangel
Author Website: Fic Tag on LJ
Why this must be read:

(Note, this was another story written for me. Because have I mentioned I really push Faith/Letty on people? A lot? Yeah, I do.)

"Her Attention" nicely captures all three women and their various attitudes. Set after Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended but before The Fast and the Furious, it revels in the way powerful women can size each other up and check each other out, and the way there's an edge to their flirting. Faith's awareness of her own sexuality is wonderful, as is her knowledge that she turns on other people just by strutting into a room.

There's some subtle bite to the exchanges between Letty and Mia, too, the way Letty demands so much from the people around her and how Mia is awkward in her love.

And, as always, there's Dom in the background, not even the point of the story, but always, always there.

"Her Attention" by nikitangel

Fandom: FAST AND THE FURIOUS SERIES
Pairing: Gen, but with Letty/Dominic and some Mia/Brian
Length: short one-shot
Author on LJ: obsessivemuch
Author Website: LJ fic tag
Why this must be read:

First, a disclaimer: "Loyalty" was written for me for the 2009 apocalyptothon (which is an incredible ficathon that brings the apocalypse to a wide range of fandoms). I never actually expected to get Fast and the Furious apocalypse fic from it, and I was thrilled when I received this story. (One of my fandom goals is to encourage more people to write Fast and the Furious fic which includes an apocalypse, Letty/Dominic and/or Letty/Mia, so this worked well for me.)

You should read this story because it does a wonderful job of presenting the idea of family and who does and doesn't belong against a backdrop of horror and the end of the world. It has all the things I love most about the series: the family ties that bind even when you don't believe in them, the way Letty loves and is protective of both Mia and Dominic, Dom trying so hard to protect both his girls, Mia being stubborn and strong, the incredible teamwork between Letty and Dominic, and everyone struggling so hard to protect the people they love, set against a delightfully creepy apocalypse.

Basically, Mia, Letty, and Dominic are on the run, trying to survive the end of the world, when Brian shows up again and Mia's ideas of family and love run up against Letty's hatred of anyone who has ever hurt her people. They band together, but an apocalypse story really has no happy ending.

My favorite Letty and Dominic bit, which also nicely shows off how Mia feels about Brian:

( Story excerpt )

"Loyalty" by obsessivemuch

Hi all. I'm driving the crack_van for the Fast and the Furious series this month. I was waiting to rec anything until I finished an updated fandom overview (this overview is really useful, but there's been a fourth movie since it was written), but it is taking longer than I expected. Instead, I will start reccing stories, and I'll put up the fandom overview when I get a chance.

In short, I love the Fast and the Furious series because it deals with created families, loyalty, love, friendship, and an evolving sense of self all wrapped up in shiny, fast cars and super hot characters. Good times. Mostly, I love the different ways families are created, the way they hurt each other and help each other, the way they're filled with love and hate.

A huge part of the fandom is mostly interested in boy slash, but my interests lean toward girl slash and het, so my recommendations will echo that interest. (I'm also a big fan of crossovers, so look for those on the appropriate day.)

For my first rec, a story that so very well encompasses family it fills me with emotion every time I read it.

Fandom: FAST AND THE FURIOUS SERIES
Pairing: Gen, Letty and Mia
Length: approximately 3,000 words
Author on LJ: turnonmyheels
Author Website: Fic Masterlist
Why this must be read:

"Gravity" encompasses so much of what I love about The Fast and the Furious in general and Letty and Mia in particular. It's a lovely story about families, born and created, and the way your family can hurt you even while trying to take care of you, and how loss can rock a family to the core without actually destroying it.

( More reasons you should read this fic. )

"Gravity" by Turnonmyheels

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Author's Website: Reflections in the Inward Eye
Why this must be read:

Well, this is it for me for the month. I hope that there was a little something for everyone. And since we started with khal, I figured it made sense to end with her as well. This is another long, plotty one (maybe go get a snack before you start). There's a fire, a jail break, an attempt at revenge, and an attempt at redemption. And dead-on characterisations of just about everybody, as usual.


And even though Brian had never said anything about the botched operation, Tanner somehow knew that Brian's loyalty was no longer his to command. Brian could feel Tanner's distance growing in the wake of the incident, until they barely spoke.

Am I meant to bring grief to anyone who trusts me?

Brian rolled to his side and closed his eyes. I'm not lying. I do want redemption. Forgiveness. I just didn't say whose.


Deus Ex Machina part I
Deus Ex Machina part II

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: ixchel55, and maybe one day she'll actually use it.
Author's Website: none, the story is being temporarily hosted by me
Why this must be read:

One issue that I encountered with the recs this month is the fact that many of the longer, plottier stories in the fandom have only ever been published to one of the lists. But the lovely dawn has allowed me to host this one so that everyone can take a look. Here she takes a fandom cliche (Dom, Brian, post-movie, Mexico) and makes it epic and sweeping and fabulous. There's action, there's romance, there's sex (lots of sex), there's pretty lovesick boys. Just make sure you've got the time. I'm not kidding about it being epic.


Dom's breathing had accelerated again. "Maybe we should take this discussion into the bedroom," he said intently.

"The garage," Brian countered gently.

"What?" Brian smiled at the nonplussed look on Dom's face.

"In the garage," he repeated. "It's one of my best fantasies. My first fantasy. I want you to fuck me for the first time while I'm spread out on the hood of your car."


Gravity

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Mia/Letty
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: n/a
Why this must be read:

Pretty girls. Pretty girls having comfort sex. Uh-huh.


Mia had been sitting on the front steps, waiting. She rose to her feet as Letty approached. Anticipation and excitement made her tremble slightly.

"I was right," Letty said coldly as she mounted the steps to stand beside Mia. She twisted her torso and gazed toward the south. "His car was there."


Anger Management

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: kelly_girl
Author's Website: none, the story is being temporarily hosted by me
Why this must be read:

This is a five things fic, and like all the others in the genre it's a cool look at could haves and should haves. The author rewrites five scenes in the first movie, and it just kinda makes you go, "oooooh."


After the raid on Johnny Tran and his friends, Brian wasn't surprised when Bilkins pulled him off the case. He cleared out of Harry's back room and returned to his apartment, noticing he'd have to get some more houseplants. He'd forgotten to have someone water them. He had no clue what he was going to do now.


Five Things that never happened to Brian O'Conner

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: creedcascade
Author's Website: Open Air Insane Asylum
Why this must be read:

If you've ever tried to randomly search for TFATF fic, you know how often the typical scenario pops up. Dom shows up post-movie, growls a bit, and Brian swoons and falls into his arms, the end. This story has the author purposely flipping that cliche, and making Dom sing for his supper. Fun and smut ensues.


"You hit me," he muttered.

"What were you expecting, asshole!" Brian hissed. "Were you expecting me to throw myself onto the closest piece of furniture and start weeping?"

"No..." Dom answered. "I would've settle for, 'Hi Dom'."


Male Pride

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Dom/Letty
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: n/a
Why this must be read:

I know I said I didn't think we'd be reading any het this month...but obviously, I lied. This is a cute PWP, and manages to get past Letty's forceful nature and give her a double-sided characterisation. Dom, too, gets a welcome chance to crack a smile in ths story, in a fun and silly moment between the couple.


"You gonna sit there all day or are you gonna get up and help?"

The louder than normal thump of her boots across the wooden floor filled the room and soon her small form blocked the remote censor on the television. She watched in annoyance as his eyes traveled up her legs, over her well worn denim cutoffs, up past her sweat and dirt covered white tank top, to finally lock with her arched brow and none-too-thrilled look.


Picking Your Battles

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Rome
Author on LJ: kelly_girl
Author's Website: none right now, the story is being temporarily hosted by me
Why this must be read:

Okay. I won't lie. This story exists in large part because I harassed the author until she wrote it for me. But that's not why I love it, I swear. It's got Brian and Rome in it, Brian and Rome laughing and joking and being best friends, which is the dynamic from the movie that I adore so much. Plus, it's got Brian and Rome having sex. Yes. Kellygirl has a knack for picking up character motivations, which she does here to great effect, from Rome's point-of-view. This is a fun quick PWP, Brian and Rome washing their cars on a hot Miami day.


A wet tee shirt hits me in the chest. I pick it up and sling it onto the top of Brian's car. He scrambles for it and my eyes zero in on the way the muscles in his back move underneath his skin.

"Rome, where's my beer?"

I laugh and hold up the empty bottle.

"You slow, Brian. It's hot as hell out here and I didn't want it to go to waste."

He just rolls his eyes and finishes washing his car. I'm in a playful mood so I decide to play.

"You gone wash mine next?" I know he doesn't miss the fact that I didn't say car.


Knowing Brian

Title by Author: Repo Men by khaleesian
Pairing: Brian/Dom, Van/Deaq
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Author Website: Reflections in the Inward Eye
Why this must be read:

A too-pretty undercover officer, and his fast-driving risk-taking dark-skinned sidekick...these two fandoms match each other like Mary-Kate and Ashley. This story reads like an episode of Fastlane, as it builds around an assignment for the guys. There's action, adventure, snarky banter, and smart details from both fandoms mixed in pretty seamlessly. And lots of gay love.


"Two theories," Deaq held up two fingers. "Maybe he's turning. Maybe he's more con than cop and he needs the moral gray area like a junkie needs the spike. Hollywood wouldn't be nearly exciting enough for him."

Van had gone still. "What's your other theory?"

"Maybe he’s just like us, partner," Deaq smirked at Van's bemused look. "Maybe he's just a fucking idealist."

Van grinned again, a real grin this time. "Idealists. Is that what we are?"


Repo Men

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: n/a
Author Website: The Speculations of DevilChild
Why this must be read:

This is a classic post-TFATF story, pretty much depicting the way their romance happened in the head of every Brian and Dom fan. Brian meets Dom, hiding out down in Mexico. Dom is angry, Brian is sorry. Sulking, hitting, and much sexual tension, with a healthy dose of denial, ensues.


Dominic grunted, went into the kitchen, and came out with a Corona, framed only by the harsh light of a naked 40-watt bulb. Brian's heart sank a bit. Maybe he had underestimated the depth of Dominic's anger. Dominic took a long swallow, tilting his head back, yet never taking his eyes off of Brian, who stood uncertainly in the nearly empty front room. "Why did you come here?" Dominic asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.


Baja

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Author Website: Reflections in the Inward Eye
Why this must be read:

Yeah, it's another khaleesian rec. It probably won't be the last. I wanted to rec another story that wasn't all about the porn, plus I love the way that she gets inside Dom's head, underneath his heavily-muscled leader-of-the-pack exterior. The summary on her site is "the morning after the night before", which just about says it all.


Then Brian smiled and things suddenly snapped back into focus. Dom squinted against the dazzle.

"So what you're saying is," Dom rolled his reply around in his mouth, pushing it through the cotton. "Bugs isn't afraid to explore his feminine side."

"Yeah, man. Perfectly confident with his sexuality."

"Mmmmmmmmmmmm," Dom replied like Brian had just explained something really profound.


Samurai Jack'ed

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Rome, Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: damson
Author Website: motherboard
Why this must be read:

This is a roadtrip story, of which I think there aren't enough in this fandom. It seems so obvious, because of the cars and the ansgt. And it's a love story, but in a quiet, barely noticeable way, which I love. It's set after 2 Fast 2 Furious, but the author has spent a good amount of time making up some history for both Brian and Rome. Which is great, since the movies don't bother. The author shows us just how far back the two friends go, and deals with Brian's connection to Dom as well. And there's sex, but it isn't really the point, which I thought would be a nice change of pace.


Rome left Miami without a second thought. Once Brian had said he was, Rome had followed suit. There was nothing else tying him there anyway. He hadn’t even asked how long they were going for, just grabbed some clothes in a bag and jumped in Brian's car.


When the Dust Settles

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Dom, some Mia/Vince
Author on LJ: creedcascade and n/a
Author Website: Open Air Insane Asylum
Why this must be read:

It's like candy. Except in slash format. It has ansgt, hurt/comfort, pretty boys in love who don't realise that they're in love, and more hurt/comfort. It centres around Brian, who's just been released from prison, meeting up with Dom for the first time in Mexico. Some bad things (*really* bad things, in case that's not your speed) have happened to Brian while in prison, and Dom has to take care of him. With touching. Yeah.

"I couldn't let them take you," Brian admitted. "I couldn't let you go back to prison. This... it was worth it."

"No it wasn't," Dom repeated, slowing the car and turning onto a smaller gravel road. "And now you're gonna let me take care of you."

"Why would you want to?" Brian asked. None of this was making any sense. Dom wasn't acting like he'd expected him to and Brian couldn't figure out how he was supposed to act.

Freedom

Gilded Cage

Fandom: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: allyoops
Author Website: Restless Spirit
Why this must be read:

It's a story that points out the major problems with a sweet and pleasant ending for these two. And picks up on the craziness of Dom's temper. This one's quick, and rough, and hot.

Images flashed before his eyes--memories of the feel of skin on skin, of muscles shifting beneath caresses both rough and soft. The intense pleasure and pain of Brian inside him, fucking him. So many conflicting feelings and emotions from one night of madness. They angered and aroused him.

Dom held onto the anger with an unshakable grip.

After

Fandom: The Fast and the Furious
Pairing: Brian/Dom
Author on LJ: khaleesian
Author Website: Reflections in the Inward Eye
Why this must be read:

Because it's a fun and well-written first-time story, set during the first movie. This author has a fabulous take on both Brian and Dom's characters, portraying a tenser, more even-powered relationship than often gets written for these two. The story centres around an impromptu night-time race, and khal is something that weirdly rare for the fandom - a writer that actually knows about cars and driving, as well as driving in Los Angeles. She gives us a cool, realistic backdrop for Dom to brood in, weaving in the sex and relationship stuff easily.

Brian was using every intimidation tactic in the book to try to get over on Dom. His engine was roaring and he weaved from one side of the road to another in an effort to pass. He was doing everything short of tapping Dom's rear bumper. Dom dared a glance into the rearview and just managed to see the lower part of his face. Brian’s lips were pursed, pressed together. He almost looked as if he were trying not to laugh.

Madrugada