recs and links

We wanted to warn people, but we didn’t want to get taken back to Perryville—or worse, back to the lab. We figured Scott might even just send hit men after us or something. Who’d’ve listened to us? So we stayed together and kept a low profile, just in case anyone was looking. I even started praying of an evening, though I still don’t know as I think anybody’s listening. Any port in a storm, though, right? I guess when times are bad, at heart we’re all just on our knees in a gravel road, hoping that light in the sky ain’t just an oil fire. Reads like it could have been part of the book. Really well-characterized and the ending surprised me.

“Is this that thing where you pretend to be somewhere else?” she asks, annoyed. He opens his eyes and looks at her like he’s surprised. “Yeah,” he says. “It is that thing.” Dani nods and waits until he closes his eyes again. “That mean you don’t want to be here with me?” Charlie sits up straight, pushing his sunglass up on to his head and blinking at her. “No,” he says. “I want to be here with you.” Sharp, subtle story set after the series finale. The dialogue sounds just like the show.

Dani didn't get how Crews had turned into the exception. Crews, who ignored her lines in the sand and her pointed silences, but tossed her the keys every time, bought her coffee with his fruit and listened when it was important, listened when she didn't say anything at all. Maybe that was zen – to give without expecting anything, and get everything in return. She'd given her trust almost without realizing it – believed so hard that she could stare at a photo and trust him blind, taunt Nevikov to his face and never doubt that Crews would come for her. But there was no debt there, even after he climbed into a deathtrap to get her out. Like many things about Crews, it didn't make sense. She wasn't sure it ever would. really excellent post-series story in which Reese comes to a realization about Crews. Really great Dani voice and I loved the inclusion of Seever, as well.

I was really hesitant to read this - it transposes Steve and Bucky to the (American) Civil War - but it totally works, and it has a lot of great Steve/Bucky moments in it. really well done.

It is well that Esca builds a fire, because the April rain comes down like sling-stones on a forward rank, and the black thatch above their heads is more space than substance. On summer nights it might show a vault of stars, grander than the great tombs at Veii; now it is only dark, and the little rivers that run through the rafters are dark as well. Marcus shuts his eyes, tries to remember - when we have turned the wheel of time a thousand years - but the line is gone. At his feet, Esca crouches, and his hand coaxes smoke from scattered ash and sodden straw. Soon they are piling the wood they have carried, square like a pyre; Marcus feels like a child, somehow, making camp in his own home. Really gorgeous, subtle and inevitable story of Marcus, Esca and Cottia making their life in their little farmhouse after the end of the book.

“Oh no,” said Jensen. “Jensen, we need to... talk,” said Clay, like the words pained him. “We’ve noticed that you seem...” Aisha began. “Please stop,” said Jensen. “Please, please, stop.” “Your head is up your ass,” she finished, matter-of-fact. The kind of matter-of-fact that meant Aisha was about wade into topics that made her deeply uncomfortable, like feelings. Shit. “Tell us why.” “Would you believe me if I said I didn’t know?” “Sadly,” said Clay, “yes.” *dies and is dead* This is hilarious and perfect. The Losers v. dinosaurs, and Jensen's complete obliviousness to his own and Cougar's feelings. I laughed out loud many, many times and the story isn't even that long.

Jo considered her captor. "If I wrote this scene, the heroine would be forced to kiss the villian in order to escape." Laurie shrugged. "If you wrote this scene, the heroine would kiss the villian only to discover he was, in the end, her hero." "Not likely, if I were true to the tale playing out here." Laurie feigned hurt. "You wouldn't know your hero if he was right in front of you, milady?" She shook her head again, another pin flying loose. "I have no hero, for I am in need of none." Laurie had to kiss her then. Her muffled surprise faded, and her hands went slack in his. He broke the kiss first, and Jo's eyes remained closed. "Um...Teddy....we...." Her face was soft, and he was surprised at himself, at her. It hadn't come of anything, he thought firmly, determined not to fall into romanticizing something Jo would likely rather forget. Teddy, we must not, was surely what came next. Oh, this is what I've always wanted for Jo and Laurie. Really lovely story of their romance. *sniffle*

This story totally gets why Golden Girls was so good.

Patroklos is the first thing you seek when you return to Phthia, and he is the thing you had most missed while in Skyros. Deidamia resembled him, somewhat, but she didn't have his apple-crisp laugh, his wine-dark eyes, his ability to take you captive with a single glance. Alone with him, you re-map the planes of his body, re-learn the different cadences of his voice, re-fit yourself to the dips and curves of his form, and it satisfies the humming in your blood, relaxes the tension in your chest, which, like an unwelcome guest you could not dismiss, had stayed for so long that you had forgotten it was ever not there, until it no longer was. Utterly gorgeous Achilles/Patroclus story. I wish I could write like this.

fantastic animated YJ vid that made me all teary. Oh, TEAM.

It keeps happening; David thwarts him without even trying during the day. Soaks up all the attention and all the regard Silas gives him, takes Jack's seat, takes his job, takes his life like he's slotting into a place Jack was never in at all. Oh, Jack. During sleepless nights, David provides the softness he needs but doesn't want/can't ask for. Lovely.

This does a really nice job fleshing out Maggie Sawyer. Not having read much Superman, it didn't occur to me to think about her relationship with him (and how it mirrors/parallels Batman's with Commissioner Gordon), but this story handles it really well and makes me want to know more (and also to be a fly on the wall when he discusses her with Batman, or discovers she's dating Batwoman).

For as long as Poly could remember, Uncle Charles Wallace has been a mystery. He appeared occasionally, staying for a few weeks, and then disappearing again, maybe for years. Her parents wouldn't tell her where he went when he was gone, or when he'd be back, or where he lived, or what he did for a living. He wouldn't tell her any of those things either; he never told her how long he'd visit, he never promised he'd see her soon. This is a beautiful story I never realized I needed. Charles Wallace visits his family after Joshua dies, and Poly (and I) take solace in his presence. Oh my heart.

Nanny Ogg organizes a hen party for Tiffany before her wedding. This is just note perfect - hilarious (Greebo's appearance is AMAZING) and then touching and true at the end. *sniffle*

Little Women in SPAAAAAAAAAAACE! No, really, and not as a parody. Works amazingly well to translate the March family story to a futuristic setting, with a perfect Beth voice.

The author says: After Steve's plane goes down, Peggy undergoes an experimental attempt to recreate the Super Soldier serum and winds up a superhero herself. Seventy years later, they find Steve. Yes, and so much more. Peggy and Steve finally get that first date. And a very hot first time. I wish this could happen in the movie.

Remus and Sirius visit the Whispering Gallery at St. Paul's. Lovely and evocative, with an ending that packs quite a wallop. Oh, my heart. *sniffle*

“I had a dream about you,” he announced. “I think it was a true dream.” Hephaistion prodded him with his foot. “Sounds exciting.” “You and I were walking by a river.” “Which river?” His foot had come to rest under the hem of the prince’s tunic. “I did not recognize it, but it was very large, and rather fast. We spoke to each other.” “That’s not a very exciting dream.” Hephaistion brushed his toes up Alexander’s thigh. Alexander fixed his piercing blue eyes on Hephaistion as if to focus him “You gave me a star.” Hephaistion paused. “A star? Are you sure?” “It was my dream.” “What does it mean?” Alexander shrugged. “I do not know.” Really fantastic Alexander/Hephaistion that does a nice job portraying the depth of their love for each other and also shows Hephaistion as good at his job. Plus, footnotes!

So now that Biff and Maggie have written their gospels, what next? The internet, of course. And trashy airport novels. This story feels like the perfect epilogue to the book. Wonderful.

Really wonderful look at Cissie, growing up and choosing her way, with a great cameo by the Lane-Kents.

They know her, and they're all still here. If family meant people you sometimes choose to be with and sometimes don't get to choose not to be with, who see you at your best and also at your worst, who can recite your three favorite cocktails without pausing to think, who'll be there if you need them (and even if you don't) -- Dana's not sure she knows any families which actually operate like that, but Sports Night does. These people are her family. The realization makes her feel strangely warm and fuzzy inside. Five times the Sports Night crew go out for drinks. Oh, heart.

Really lovely look at Tenar and her daughters and granddaughter.

Really sweet and lovely story that goes AU from the movie, because in this story, Priestly is actually Jen's internet friend (AS HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN) and this is about how they work through the complications of that and eventually get together. *happy sigh*

"Casey, I think the issue we have in calling it coaching is that to do so would imply that what Charlie, and you know how dearly I love your son, right? Well, if we call it coaching, that firmly implies what he has been doing is a sport. And I think if nothing else, we can both agree it's not." "How is it not a sport? There are balls and hoops and two teams and, and other stuff," Casey said, arms folded over his chest. Dan smirked. "The 'other stuff' to which you refer is broomsticks, Casey, broomsticks and silly hats. Your son wants to be a professional Quidditch player, and I think we both know that's your influence right there." "I'm only not punching you in the mouth because I know you do have his best interests at heart." Hee! This is utterly adorable! Charlie plays Quidditch and Dan and Casey argue about it. (a little British in the dialogue, but still hilarious and adorable)

Absolutely perfect look at pre-canon Peggy Carter, and how she takes the first step on the path to becoming the awesome and formidable woman she is in the movie.

Did I ever tell you I used to pretend that you were standing next to me, encouraging me, when I wasn’t sure if I could do something? Probably not, that shit’s embarrassing. Any way, I just changed my mind. Dressing up in your Batgirl costume is a great plan. Cos it really is like you’re there with me, telling me I can do it. Oh, my heart. Steph writes letters (that she doesn't send) to Cass while Cass is in Hong Kong. So lovely and true to their friendship. It made me all sniffly.

Terry has to find a doctor. I really like how this played out and how the author brought Melanie back into the picture. Plus, Max as Batwoman!

In which Kim in all her awesomeness saves Sports Night. hee! SO AWESOME! With the perfect late 90s/early 2000s NY sports references, too! ♥♥♥

A potions accident puts Remus in an uncomfortable position. Hilarious and full of ridiculous MWPP shenanigans and banter.

Wendy + the Middleman + BBatB Aquaman = OUTRAGEOUS!!!! This is so AMAZINGLY PERFECT AND HILARIOUS I CAN'T EVEN. ♥♥♥