Fic recs by genre/trope
Oct. 13th, 2015 12:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
doranwenThis might be useful for anyone who just wants a good fic in a certain category, no matter the fandom. Everything is cut so if you don't want to see a particular category, just be sure to view this from the page for this date, and expand only the categories you want. I'll add more fics to this as I find them or think of them. This list is by no means all-inclusive; absence of a fic on it only means that fic has not come to my mind yet as an outstanding example of a particular category, though it may be well-written.
Please let me know if you run across any dead links to stories (that aren't specified - at least one of the stories in this post was deleted after I rec'd it, and I've left the rec up with a note to that effect).
For other fic lists, check out my master recs post.
Romantic Friendship:
This is for stories that embody a closer-than-friends-but-without-sex relationship. Nonsexual touch and caring are big parts of this. Some of these are relationships that may or will add sex later on, but the fics focus on a stage where there's just this bond so far.
[Leverage] Little Bat - celestialskiff
An adorable Sophie/Parker fic from both POVs, with a clearly-autistic Parker and D/s elements. It surprised me how much I really love this and it's very sweet!
[Rizzoli & Isles / Fried Green Tomatoes] There's More Than One Version - katekane
This crossover was one of the most delightful gifts I have ever received. Read beyond the typos and you'll see an incredibly beautiful view of Jane and Maura. It couldn't have been more perfect.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] Five Times Jack Could Have Said Something - Lynzee005
I love the situation and closeness in chapter 5.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] WNE 1: Weekend in New England - aubreysmom
This fic was the one that got me to see the potential in Myles/Tara. I've seen those two that way ever since.
Hurt/Comfort:
This is for stories where one character has to comfort another which has suffered some sort of injury. This can be physical injuries or emotional ones.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Checkmate at Ar-Meggido - Brains & Spirit
A moment of solace before the painful estrangement in The Beekeeper's Apprentice. It takes a line in the book and fleshes it out to let us see Holmes' thoughts. This fic is so beautiful it makes me want to cry.
[The Pretender] Another Day At The Centre - MMB
This is a lovely platonic h/c fic. I particularly like the contrast of the two "fathers".
[Rizzoli & Isles] Lion's Paw - AdmHawthorne
Jane's hands really hurt; Maura helps her.
[Smallville] Innocent - midnight dystopia
A sweet fic where Clark is there for Chloe after she's rescued in Obscura (S1E17).
A-plots / Casefic:
These fics are full of action; things happen, whether political or weapon-related. People might die, or be severely injured. Criminals are caught and worlds made safer. Whatever the case, it's hard to stop reading these, because you want to know what will happen next! (They may or may not have shippiness.)
[The Pretender] Balancing the Scales - MMB
This is actually fic #4 in a set of six, where the first three (Retrospective, Picking Up the Pieces, Family Ties) are short and set years before the last three (Balancing the Scales, Truth and Consequences, Resolutions), which are crazy long. (Don't plan anything for the week you start reading them!) This series wraps up the Pretender story in one big grand satisfying finish that will take you days to get through but leaves you with a happy sigh when done.
[The Pretender] Toxic - MMB
Ff.n summary: "What is Formula 837A, and why are members of the team searching for Jarod disappearing?" With lots of plot turns and twists, this fic kept me on the edge of my seat when I first read it.
Friendship:
[The Fugitive (1993)] The Anatomy of a Heartbreak Éclair - OrionLady
An incredibly beautiful and in-character look at what might have happened after Richard Kimble was exonerated and went back to work - all from Samuel Gerard's perspective. It made me laugh, nearly cry, smile, and sniff, all in turns. A lovely friendship fic.
[The Fugitive (1993)] Cosmic Irony - OrionLady
The "Samuel Gerard helps Richard Kimble get back into some sense of a normal life and they build a strong friendship in the process" fic you never knew you wanted. It's part of a series - and I like the first and third one too! - but you *can* read this one without reading the others, and this one's my favorite of them all.
[Smallville] Always - The Die Hard
Clark opens up to Chloe, cementing their friendship stronger. I wish the show had gone here then…
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] Between the Silence and the Darkness - aubreysmom
A lovely little fic showing Myles and Sue developing a genuine friendship.
Gen - Introspective:
These are fics that make one think—or where the character does some thinking. No ships to be found, necessarily (and if there are, they're not the focus), and they're not big works of action, but they're enjoyable in a more serious way.
[Leverage] To Have What It Takes - Zilentdreamer
An powerful character study of Nate (and some examination of other characters too, particularly Parker), set as an episode tag to The Scheherazade Job, with some haunting lines, such as "all broken and sharp, jagged edges the way he is, his wounds still raw and aching with every breath, knocking the wind out of him when he catches the sound of a boy's laugh in the distance". Every Leverage fan should read this one.
[Lord of the Rings books] Of Entwives and Sundering Seas - Bejai
This one actually has some ships, of sorts, but the introspection is a deep look at real love and what it involves. This line just haunts me: "Well I loved Fimbrethil; I did not ask her to stay. Well she loved me; she did not ask me to go."
[X-Men Movieverse] Letters and Papers from Prison - Minisinoo
In which Rogue deals with some of Erik's nightmares and wrestles with the Holocaust … and what happens to mutants today.
Gen - Comedy:
The sort of humor I find really funny is the situational sort, where things get a little out of hand, and it just becomes silly. The right voice to tell the story is also key. You'll see…
[Harry Potter - but suitable for all fandoms] A Mary Sue Alphabet - Irony-chan
This is a rhyming alphabet poem, wherein 26 different Mary Sues are presented in as much comedic glory as the author could manage. It had me giggling when I first read it, and that still holds true today. It doesn't matter what fandoms you know, you'll probably get a kick out of something in it! (HP isn't a fandom I know, for instance…)
[Smallville] Dip - margroks
This fic is guaranteed to make you giggle a little. What you get when you mix Clark with the Kent swimming hole, a few girls bent on mischief, and a really big fish.
[Smallville] Leap - margroks
When Clark starts to float uncontrollably, things become a bit… challenging. I about died laughing somewhere around the pumpkins, or maybe it was the Road Runner undies?
[X-Men Movieverse] Sugar and spice and… - Te
Remember that line in X2 where the Professor threatens Logan if he doesn't quit smoking in Cerebro? Take that idea and crackify it, all through the lens of the Professor's devious mind, and you'll have this fic. Hilarious! (Note that this is archive-locked; you'll need an account on Archive of Our Own to read it. You can find an unlocked older version of the story—the AO3 version has some additional paragraphs that make it even better—here.)
Gen - Heartwarming / Holiday:
Sometimes it's nice to read a happy Christmas fic. Building stronger relationships or families-of-choice fits in well.
[The Pretender] The Spirit of the Season - MMB
A beautiful fic showing slow steps towards some of the Pretender characters becoming an unorthodox family.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] See Amid the Winter's Snow - aubreysmom
A sweet Christmas fic set sometime after The Kiss (2x19). I love the relationship between the siblings (both sets), and the realization that Myles and Anne got so much out of their interaction, being reminded what true families were like.
Other
These fics add to canon in a way that feels natural without fitting into any of the other categories.
[Alphas] Before The Fade - gnbrules
If I had a category of general angst, this would totally go in it. It's not a missing scene as much as it's a POV we can't really get to see on the show, and it fleshes out the near-final moments of The Devil Will Drag You Under so well. Have tissues handy.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] On Shifting Tenses - Kerowyn
When Russell is sent back in time thirty years due to a chemistry accident, she meets Holmes—long before he will become her husband. The paradoxes are handled well and everyone and everything feels in character and realistic!
[Matrix] Green Rain - Chaotic
Multiple different POVs of Trinity and Neo and their relationship, from her teen years through post-Revolutions; incredibly well-written and nails characterization perfectly, using backstory, canon events, and filler scenes to flesh everything out. By the time you finish reading, you can't help but love them deeply.
[Push] If Not For The Life That Was - Jedi Buttercup
It's hard to say what's the best part about this: Cassie's mom and Kira finally meeting? the poetry? the great conclusion? (which just leaves the world open for more fic) All around it's an excellent Push fic.
Missing Scenes:
Gap-fillers can be really interesting! Some fill in little things, fleshing it out just a bit more. Others take the extra step to fix issues with canon, in the way of either plotholes or troublesome content. Some of the fics below simply turn things around to let one see a different POV than in the original canon.
[Alphas] Pushed - genworks
An excellent set of missing scenes from Hicks' POV that take us from the rooftop to just outside the hospital room before Rosen comes. Particularly excellent in both characterization and that it explains what the show just skips over (Hicks' arm in a sling).
[Lord of the Rings books] Flame of the West - Altariel
This short fic shows the beginnings of a deep friendship between Aragorn and Faramir, and there's a couple little things about it that just tug at my heart: the way Aragorn changes the order of the words of the oath, and his response to Faramir's willingness to do as Aragorn commands. Incredibly lovely.
[Lord of the Rings books] In The House of Elrond - Aeärwen
A beautiful and heartbreaking tale that fleshes out the time Gilraen spent in Rivendell. Long and ultimately sad (we all remember how her tale ends!); have tissues handy towards the end. (This one's archive-locked; you'll need an account at Archive of Our Own to be able to read it.)
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] A Matter of Faith - An Oxford Punter
Sherlock Holmes must recognize and accept what Mary Russell will do to his life if he lets her in. A lovely missing scene from The Beekeeper's Apprentice with Holmes' POV.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Awakening - "nineteen year old not quite a lady"
This fic was written before the short story Beekeeping for Beginners came along, and does an admirable job of telling the story of their meeting on the Sussex Downs from Holmes' POV.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Bride Visit - Joanne K. Seward, a.k.a. "...a prim bun which would soften as the day went on"
Watson reacts to the news of Holmes and Russell's marriage.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Consultation - Vestige of Femininity
There are many points in the books where we could wish to see what Holmes is up to when he's not with Russell; this fic takes Watson's POV and explores that time at the end of The Beekeeper's Apprentice when Russell is recovering from her wounds (particularly the mental ones).
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Hedges - Maer, aka 'merely a whim', Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
A lovely three-part fic from Mrs. Hudson's POV, showing what might have been happening behind the scenes just before and during the early part of The Beekeeper's Apprentice.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Horse Sense - Vestige of Femininity
Ever wondered what Holmes did right after Russell threw the bottle at the horse's feet and fled? Perhaps he did something just like this.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Observations From an Open Doorway - Joanne K. Seward, a.k.a. "a prim bun"
The evening they boarded the ship for Palestine, this might have been what ran through Holmes' thoughts.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Peculiar Pecuniary Points - Vestige of Femininity
This fits perfectly into canon during those early years, and manages to achieve the style of the books' author very well. Russell's horrible aunt gets a lesson in blackmail, thanks to Russell (with a little help from a few others).
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Quite a Pretty Problem - "I ached for Holmes, for the sureness of his hands and his quiet voice"
An excellent look at Holmes' POV before, during, and after the first conversation he has with Russell near the beginning of A Monstrous Regiment of Women.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Sussex Conversations - An Oxford Punter
A conversation between Watson and Mrs. Hudson that very likely happened—and which we all wish we could have seen! Thankfully this writer has written it so we can. :)
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] The Heart of the Matter - Maer, aka 'merely a whim', Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
An excellent fic from several POVs set at the end of The Beekeeper's Apprentice, when Holmes is trying to find the right thing to help Russell recover from her mental wounds.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Vigil - "...a prim bun which would soften as the day went on"
A glimpse of the world from Holmes' POV in The Beekeeper's Apprentice from the moment Russell passes out from her wounds until she wakes up in the hospital.
[Rizzoli & Isles] A Beggar to the Living - funnyhowthatis
This tiny ficlet is one of the most amazing post-S1 fics ever. Set almost immediately after the episode went black, it focuses on Maura's emotions. The antepenultimate sentence (whence comes the title) is breathtakingly good.
[Rookie Blue] Fade Away - surreallis
Set after the final scenes of 2x01 Butterflies, this little fic shows a bit more of Andy trying to process everything in her head - and how Sam and Luke fit into it all.
[Rookie Blue] Get it Right - Nika Dixon
This little ficlet does a great job of continuing the "wrong coffee" scene - and Sam's thoughts - a little further than we see on the show. An great fic and excellent ending!
[Rookie Blue] Radar Love - surreallis
This is more of an episode tag than a missing scene, but episode tags are really just a subset anyway. Set just after 2x04 Heart and Sparks, this fic is full of conversation beneath conversation. The undercurrent communicates more powerfully than the spoken words. Amazing writing.
[Smallville] Always - The Die Hard
Clark opens up to Chloe, cementing their friendship stronger. This would have been the perfect ending to Scare! I like to imagine it's what happened . . .
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] Sold - zeilfanaat
A cute little missing scene from Dirty Bomb (1x10). One of those scenes that didn't have to be in the episode—but it's fun to get to see it!
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] The Great White Way - aubreysmom
A missing scene/continuation of The Holocaust Survivor (2x15)--really deals with some important issues and is amazingly well-written.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] The Human Factor - aubreysmom
A missing scene/continuation of Troy Story (3x16)--very powerful and really fixes the issues with one of the subplots.
AUs:
AUs fall roughly into six categories, as far as I've encountered. The sort that I love the best are canon-divergence and apocalyptic/dystopian. I've read the occasional interesting story involving occupation-changing (band AUs, hospital AUs, etc.) or setting-changing (fantasy, medieval, space, etc.) but those can be hit or miss for me. I rarely read genderswap or any other sort that changes the characters physically, and I don't read supernatural AUs at all.
[Born of Hope / Lord of the Rings] Roots - Elleth
A beautiful fic exploring Elgarain's path in life upon surviving the battle at Taurdal.
[Leverage] A (Slightly) Dysfunctional Family - smthwallflower
An AU series wherein Nate finds kid!Parker and takes her home to the team. Never too fluffy/cutesy but honestly dealing with some of the issues both of them have, and building a family relationship that's really beautiful.
[Leverage] Feels Like Home - daniellemydear
An incredible Eliot/Parker AU that's very in-character and takes the show where I wish it had gone in S3. If you've never understood how Eliot/Parker could really work, this is the fic to read.
[Lois & Clark: TNAOS] Newsworthy - AntiKryptonite
When Lois publishes the story she never should have, it leaves everyone broken. The healing process is beautiful; read with tissues handy.
[Lord of the Rings books / modern times] Home With the Fairies - I_Mushi
This delightful (and very long) fic is one of the best girl-falls-into-Middle-earth stories ever (with a lot more realism than the usual sort). The result of this is that Boromir lives, which makes the tale just a bit happier. (Come on, who hasn't wished that Boromir could live?) This has been completed!
[Lord of the Rings films] The Long Road Home - Scribblesinink (Scribbler)
This is possibly my favorite Boromir Lives AU. A tale full of guilt and redemption, and the last line makes me want to CRY because of how beautiful it is and how wonderfully it ties into a line from the film. Every LOTR film fan should read this!
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] The Spy's Daughter - Sabrina Flynn
An absolutely amazing AU with the premise: what if the Accident never happened? The A-plot is fantastic and detailed, there's suspense and action, and our two favorite characters meet on more equal footing, even! The only thing one could wish from it is to have a sequel to take the tale further. (This one seems to have disappeared from the site, but it's still accessible at the Groups.io group Letters of Mary, and I have the epub of it on my hdd.)
[The Pretender] Stars Fall Silent - Jill Kirby
A sad AU with a touch of hopefulness that makes it so worth reading. I have to cry for the characters who don't survive, but I love the contrast at the end, the turnabout in regards to Jarod and Miss Parker's respective families, the almost-hope…
[Push] Horseshoe Nail - Jedi Buttercup
A very short—but brilliant—AU that explores a very obvious possibility in the film and gives it life.
[Rizzoli & Isles] In Too Deep - Merfilly
What if Maura was never given up for adoption? Instead, Doyle becomes a mob power, and Jane ends up going undercover… Very intriguing!
[Rizzoli & Isles] The End of the World - romana2525
A lovely short apocalyptic AU with sadness but also beauty. The last line makes me sniff in that happy/sad way.
[Rookie Blue] Deep - surreallis
What if Andy went with Sam when he went undercover in Best Laid Plans - and the op was different from the one on the show? This is a fantastic AU and well worth the read.
[Rookie Blue] Good Enough to Keep You - balladofbliss
A lovely AU version of what happened after the end of S4, focusing on Andy and Sam's relationship. The ending is beautiful.
[Rookie Blue] Haven - Annie Blythe
An alternate direction to the post-S3 storyline, this one has lyrical writing, including this gem of a line: "It's the world's worst game of chess; opponents who know each other's tells but have no advancing strategy."
[Rookie Blue] Lexicon - balladofbliss
This is the sweetest, most romantic AU ever - five snapshots starting with the end of 1x04 Signals Crossed and ending more perfectly than the show did. Guaranteed to send you into an emotional diabetic coma.
[Rookie Blue] You Can Let Go - Cendari
This is a series of four AU one-shots (the last was long enough that the author split it in two parts), each taking an episode in Season 1 and exploring "what if Sam and Andy had gotten together". Warning for explicit content - but what's surprising about it is how amazing the emotional depth is. So much better than the way the show went, in many ways.
[Smallville] Dare You to Move - Cassandra Mulder
An AU version of Exile wherein Chloe works just a little harder at bringing Clark home.
[X-Men Movieverse] Holding Ground - lachlanrose
This AU is set in a grim dystopia where Scott and Logan are leaders, each of one of the few camps where mutants can be safe. I love the premise, the portrayal of the young girls they take under their protection… The only thing I can complain about is that they never wrote the sequel they promised. This is well worth the read!
[X-Men Movieverse] It's Raining Men - jjblazer
An amusing fic where Rogue is still Marie, a mutant who lives at home with her parents… until Logan lands in her backyard. Literally.
[X-Men Movieverse] Most Wanted - mayachain
What if the X-kids begged John to return after X2—and he actually did? This fic answers that question, with an excellent dose of realistic PTSD effects on everyone from the events of X2.
[X-Men Movieverse] Silver Lining in the Sky - st_aurafina
A very inventive fic where Scott, an orphan in the 1950s, meets Wolverine … a plane?
Crossovers:
Ah, crossovers, where two fandoms mix in interesting ways . . . I also include fics where characters from our world end up in other worlds.
[Lois & Clark: TNAOS / Beauty and the Beast] Timeless - Becky Bain
This is an amazing crossover, particularly because you only have to know Lois & Clark to read and enjoy it. As you follow their POV, you learn about the Beauty and the Beast world with them. It made the characters of the other fandom very interesting to me (who knew nothing about them), and had logic to how they crossed paths. Very well-written.
[Lord of the Rings books / modern times] Home With the Fairies - I_Mushi
This delightful (and very long) fic is one of the best girl-falls-into-Middle-earth stories ever (with a lot more realism than the usual sort). Plus Boromir lives! (So it's sort of AU as well.) This has been completed! (It's not technically a crossover, but that's the closest category to it that I can come up with for now.)
[Lord of the Rings books / Narnia books] Once a Shield Maiden in Rohan... - Cyphomandra
A short delightful AU fic wherein Lucy Pevensie meets a young Éowyn.
[Pern / Talents] The Day Benden Went to War - dmdomini
This is one of the best crossovers I've ever read, as the writer masterfully handled two large sets of complex characters as they intersect, with realistic political behind-the-scenes goings-on. Sadly, it's a WIP, and the author seems to have been determined on removing their online presence just about everywhere - their AO3 account (as well as accounts on many other sites) was deleted mid-2017, and the fic is impossible to find anywhere (unless fortunate enough to have saved it when it was last updated, as I did - the Wayback Machine has 20 chapters of it, but not the 42 that were present last). If anyone reading this can contact them, I would love to know why, and if they ever plan to finish the fic in any way. I have enjoyed reading this SO so much and it's painful to think that the story will forever remain in that incomplete state.
[Rizzoli & Isles / Fried Green Tomatoes] There's More Than One Version - katekane
This crossover was one of the most delightful gifts I have ever received. Read beyond the typos and you'll see an incredibly beautiful view of Jane and Maura. It couldn't have been more perfect. This one is particularly meta, as it involves Jane & Maura rewriting the ending to Fried Green Tomatoes. Very clever!
[Worldweavers / Push] Tangled Strands - Morbane
When you have a character who can go anywhere with a few keystrokes, worldhopping is a logical result. (Thea Winthrop, meet Cassie Holmes.)
Trauma:
In these fics characters deal with sexual assault of one form or another. Some people will be triggered by these; others may find them a good read. The trauma is not glossed over but dealt with, even though it takes time. This could be considered a subset of hurt/comfort, but I have chosen to relocate it because these involve an emotional element quite different from what is often found in hurt/comfort, even though there's often a lot of comforting that happens in these fics.
[Law & Order: SVU] Deep Deep Down, Where the Darkness Dwells - wily_one24
Long trauma recovery AU (Lewis arc), with heaps of PTSD and more. Elliot/Olivia fic, but much more intense and drawn out than the one below.
[Law & Order: SVU] How Deep Is Your Love - TurquoiseTerrier
An absolutely amazing AU fic wherein Elliot - wife & kids in tow - nearly runs over Olivia on a back road as she runs from a rapist and psychopath (Lewis) who held her captive for five days. I read it three times in 24 hours when I first found it.
[Law & Order: SVU] Inflection Point - Jabyar
An incredible fic (also from the Lewis arc) that feels like the author took a good hard look at canon and said, "I'm going to write something eminently more realistic," and then did. Powerful, raw, with lines that just stick with me.
[Leverage] Like Knows Like - Maggie
A dark but all-too-plausible fic set in S1, with Eliot and Parker looking at a piece of Parker's past.
[Lois & Clark: TNAOS] In a Dark Time - Becky Bain
Archive summary: "When every woman's worst nightmare comes true for Lois, she and Clark must come together for healing, and learn to accept that for them, everything is now changed." This one stands out because Lois is married; the process of healing must involve not only herself, but Clark, and it shows the ups and downs in their relationship as they try to deal with what has happened.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Russell's Young Man - Brains and Spirit, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7
A well-written fic that is both a gapfiller in the books and a traumatic experience for Mary Russell. What if that "young man with an automobile" turned out to have a dark side? The fic explores a variety of POVs as each person in Russell's life recognizes her right to pursue young men her age, and its effect on Holmes, but takes a side turn when the young man's behavior is not what it should be. Holmes' response to this is wonderful.
[Rizzoli & Isles] Out of Africa - Ark ThirtySix
When Maura comes back from a trip to Africa, she's not quite the same, but tries to hide what's happened. I love how Jane figures out what's going on with Maura as best she can, and finds a way to help her feel comfortable talking about it, and is just THERE for her. It's so beautiful despite the trauma Maura has gone through. The author sadly deleted it later, and only the first and twelfth chapters are on the Wayback Machine. Fortunately, I have it saved on my hard drive so I can re-read whenever I want. (It is written really really well, one of the best R&I fics I've ever read.)
[Rookie Blue] Running on Empty - BeginningEnding
This one's a little unusual as the attack is not the central element, but actually follows a lot of emotional distress of other sorts. Sadly, it's unfinished, but it's so interesting (no other Rookie Blue fic does anything like the main premise of this one) and the little bit that is dealt with for this genre is done excellently. I highly recommend it - as long as you can stand the fact that it's a permanent WIP!
[Smallville] Crisis - BabyDee
This one is particularly difficult for some to read because of who the perpetrator is. I am amazed at the skill of the writer, though, who manages to write what I think feels like very realistic reactions for the characters, and works to bring them through the crisis (it's a good title!) and onto more solid ground. The author was working on the sequel to this, which is good, as this fic doesn't get them quite to where I'd like to see them - but I haven't seen much on it for a few years so that may not happen.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] WNE 2: Rainy April Regrets - aubreysmom
This is the sequel to the Weekend in New England fic (and you DO have to read the first one to really understand this one--I have the link to it in the romantic friendship section)—this fic is super angsty and dark and emotional (triggery for assault), but I love it to pieces and really hope the author will get around to writing the last one. (The fic ends at the beginning of healing stage but I want to see the rest of the story! Author did promise to write the third fic sometime, but I'm doubtful about them keeping that promise at this point.) NOTE: Author has since pulled this one because they didn't want to leave readers dangling with the darker ending and they didn't know when/if they would ever be able to write the sequel. Personally, I think it's well worth reading even if one has to imagine the healing process, so I'm glad I have my copies of it saved!
[The Pretender] Angel - Aimee
This one is definitely not my typical favorite rec! It has a lot more language than I'm comfortable with, and it touches on non-consensual incest (as a warning for anyone who is easily squicked). However, I have to agree with the author when she said, "when I asked myself what aspect of Miss Parker's character might we not know about, this is the story that was there waiting for me." I really see that there too. (The way it was portrayed is absolutely perfect for the characters and the whole situation.)
[The Pretender] Just Close Your Eyes - Jill Kirby
This one is a narrowly averted trauma, but getting that close to it is traumatic in its own way. Another fic where we see Jarod understand Miss Parker so well; he knows exactly how to handle her.
[The Pretender] Terror - MMB
This fic is amazing in how it deals with a very difficult subject. The growing bond between Sydney and Miss Parker is one of the best parts—and I like that they didn't gloss over the healing process (sped up a bit, is all).
Please let me know if you run across any dead links to stories (that aren't specified - at least one of the stories in this post was deleted after I rec'd it, and I've left the rec up with a note to that effect).
For other fic lists, check out my master recs post.
Romantic Friendship:
This is for stories that embody a closer-than-friends-but-without-sex relationship. Nonsexual touch and caring are big parts of this. Some of these are relationships that may or will add sex later on, but the fics focus on a stage where there's just this bond so far.
[Leverage] Little Bat - celestialskiff
An adorable Sophie/Parker fic from both POVs, with a clearly-autistic Parker and D/s elements. It surprised me how much I really love this and it's very sweet!
[Rizzoli & Isles / Fried Green Tomatoes] There's More Than One Version - katekane
This crossover was one of the most delightful gifts I have ever received. Read beyond the typos and you'll see an incredibly beautiful view of Jane and Maura. It couldn't have been more perfect.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] Five Times Jack Could Have Said Something - Lynzee005
I love the situation and closeness in chapter 5.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] WNE 1: Weekend in New England - aubreysmom
This fic was the one that got me to see the potential in Myles/Tara. I've seen those two that way ever since.
Hurt/Comfort:
This is for stories where one character has to comfort another which has suffered some sort of injury. This can be physical injuries or emotional ones.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Checkmate at Ar-Meggido - Brains & Spirit
A moment of solace before the painful estrangement in The Beekeeper's Apprentice. It takes a line in the book and fleshes it out to let us see Holmes' thoughts. This fic is so beautiful it makes me want to cry.
[The Pretender] Another Day At The Centre - MMB
This is a lovely platonic h/c fic. I particularly like the contrast of the two "fathers".
[Rizzoli & Isles] Lion's Paw - AdmHawthorne
Jane's hands really hurt; Maura helps her.
[Smallville] Innocent - midnight dystopia
A sweet fic where Clark is there for Chloe after she's rescued in Obscura (S1E17).
A-plots / Casefic:
These fics are full of action; things happen, whether political or weapon-related. People might die, or be severely injured. Criminals are caught and worlds made safer. Whatever the case, it's hard to stop reading these, because you want to know what will happen next! (They may or may not have shippiness.)
[The Pretender] Balancing the Scales - MMB
This is actually fic #4 in a set of six, where the first three (Retrospective, Picking Up the Pieces, Family Ties) are short and set years before the last three (Balancing the Scales, Truth and Consequences, Resolutions), which are crazy long. (Don't plan anything for the week you start reading them!) This series wraps up the Pretender story in one big grand satisfying finish that will take you days to get through but leaves you with a happy sigh when done.
[The Pretender] Toxic - MMB
Ff.n summary: "What is Formula 837A, and why are members of the team searching for Jarod disappearing?" With lots of plot turns and twists, this fic kept me on the edge of my seat when I first read it.
Friendship:
[The Fugitive (1993)] The Anatomy of a Heartbreak Éclair - OrionLady
An incredibly beautiful and in-character look at what might have happened after Richard Kimble was exonerated and went back to work - all from Samuel Gerard's perspective. It made me laugh, nearly cry, smile, and sniff, all in turns. A lovely friendship fic.
[The Fugitive (1993)] Cosmic Irony - OrionLady
The "Samuel Gerard helps Richard Kimble get back into some sense of a normal life and they build a strong friendship in the process" fic you never knew you wanted. It's part of a series - and I like the first and third one too! - but you *can* read this one without reading the others, and this one's my favorite of them all.
[Smallville] Always - The Die Hard
Clark opens up to Chloe, cementing their friendship stronger. I wish the show had gone here then…
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] Between the Silence and the Darkness - aubreysmom
A lovely little fic showing Myles and Sue developing a genuine friendship.
Gen - Introspective:
These are fics that make one think—or where the character does some thinking. No ships to be found, necessarily (and if there are, they're not the focus), and they're not big works of action, but they're enjoyable in a more serious way.
[Leverage] To Have What It Takes - Zilentdreamer
An powerful character study of Nate (and some examination of other characters too, particularly Parker), set as an episode tag to The Scheherazade Job, with some haunting lines, such as "all broken and sharp, jagged edges the way he is, his wounds still raw and aching with every breath, knocking the wind out of him when he catches the sound of a boy's laugh in the distance". Every Leverage fan should read this one.
[Lord of the Rings books] Of Entwives and Sundering Seas - Bejai
This one actually has some ships, of sorts, but the introspection is a deep look at real love and what it involves. This line just haunts me: "Well I loved Fimbrethil; I did not ask her to stay. Well she loved me; she did not ask me to go."
[X-Men Movieverse] Letters and Papers from Prison - Minisinoo
In which Rogue deals with some of Erik's nightmares and wrestles with the Holocaust … and what happens to mutants today.
Gen - Comedy:
The sort of humor I find really funny is the situational sort, where things get a little out of hand, and it just becomes silly. The right voice to tell the story is also key. You'll see…
[Harry Potter - but suitable for all fandoms] A Mary Sue Alphabet - Irony-chan
This is a rhyming alphabet poem, wherein 26 different Mary Sues are presented in as much comedic glory as the author could manage. It had me giggling when I first read it, and that still holds true today. It doesn't matter what fandoms you know, you'll probably get a kick out of something in it! (HP isn't a fandom I know, for instance…)
[Smallville] Dip - margroks
This fic is guaranteed to make you giggle a little. What you get when you mix Clark with the Kent swimming hole, a few girls bent on mischief, and a really big fish.
[Smallville] Leap - margroks
When Clark starts to float uncontrollably, things become a bit… challenging. I about died laughing somewhere around the pumpkins, or maybe it was the Road Runner undies?
[X-Men Movieverse] Sugar and spice and… - Te
Remember that line in X2 where the Professor threatens Logan if he doesn't quit smoking in Cerebro? Take that idea and crackify it, all through the lens of the Professor's devious mind, and you'll have this fic. Hilarious! (Note that this is archive-locked; you'll need an account on Archive of Our Own to read it. You can find an unlocked older version of the story—the AO3 version has some additional paragraphs that make it even better—here.)
Gen - Heartwarming / Holiday:
Sometimes it's nice to read a happy Christmas fic. Building stronger relationships or families-of-choice fits in well.
[The Pretender] The Spirit of the Season - MMB
A beautiful fic showing slow steps towards some of the Pretender characters becoming an unorthodox family.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] See Amid the Winter's Snow - aubreysmom
A sweet Christmas fic set sometime after The Kiss (2x19). I love the relationship between the siblings (both sets), and the realization that Myles and Anne got so much out of their interaction, being reminded what true families were like.
Other
These fics add to canon in a way that feels natural without fitting into any of the other categories.
[Alphas] Before The Fade - gnbrules
If I had a category of general angst, this would totally go in it. It's not a missing scene as much as it's a POV we can't really get to see on the show, and it fleshes out the near-final moments of The Devil Will Drag You Under so well. Have tissues handy.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] On Shifting Tenses - Kerowyn
When Russell is sent back in time thirty years due to a chemistry accident, she meets Holmes—long before he will become her husband. The paradoxes are handled well and everyone and everything feels in character and realistic!
[Matrix] Green Rain - Chaotic
Multiple different POVs of Trinity and Neo and their relationship, from her teen years through post-Revolutions; incredibly well-written and nails characterization perfectly, using backstory, canon events, and filler scenes to flesh everything out. By the time you finish reading, you can't help but love them deeply.
[Push] If Not For The Life That Was - Jedi Buttercup
It's hard to say what's the best part about this: Cassie's mom and Kira finally meeting? the poetry? the great conclusion? (which just leaves the world open for more fic) All around it's an excellent Push fic.
Missing Scenes:
Gap-fillers can be really interesting! Some fill in little things, fleshing it out just a bit more. Others take the extra step to fix issues with canon, in the way of either plotholes or troublesome content. Some of the fics below simply turn things around to let one see a different POV than in the original canon.
[Alphas] Pushed - genworks
An excellent set of missing scenes from Hicks' POV that take us from the rooftop to just outside the hospital room before Rosen comes. Particularly excellent in both characterization and that it explains what the show just skips over (Hicks' arm in a sling).
[Lord of the Rings books] Flame of the West - Altariel
This short fic shows the beginnings of a deep friendship between Aragorn and Faramir, and there's a couple little things about it that just tug at my heart: the way Aragorn changes the order of the words of the oath, and his response to Faramir's willingness to do as Aragorn commands. Incredibly lovely.
[Lord of the Rings books] In The House of Elrond - Aeärwen
A beautiful and heartbreaking tale that fleshes out the time Gilraen spent in Rivendell. Long and ultimately sad (we all remember how her tale ends!); have tissues handy towards the end. (This one's archive-locked; you'll need an account at Archive of Our Own to be able to read it.)
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] A Matter of Faith - An Oxford Punter
Sherlock Holmes must recognize and accept what Mary Russell will do to his life if he lets her in. A lovely missing scene from The Beekeeper's Apprentice with Holmes' POV.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Awakening - "nineteen year old not quite a lady"
This fic was written before the short story Beekeeping for Beginners came along, and does an admirable job of telling the story of their meeting on the Sussex Downs from Holmes' POV.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Bride Visit - Joanne K. Seward, a.k.a. "...a prim bun which would soften as the day went on"
Watson reacts to the news of Holmes and Russell's marriage.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Consultation - Vestige of Femininity
There are many points in the books where we could wish to see what Holmes is up to when he's not with Russell; this fic takes Watson's POV and explores that time at the end of The Beekeeper's Apprentice when Russell is recovering from her wounds (particularly the mental ones).
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Hedges - Maer, aka 'merely a whim', Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
A lovely three-part fic from Mrs. Hudson's POV, showing what might have been happening behind the scenes just before and during the early part of The Beekeeper's Apprentice.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Horse Sense - Vestige of Femininity
Ever wondered what Holmes did right after Russell threw the bottle at the horse's feet and fled? Perhaps he did something just like this.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Observations From an Open Doorway - Joanne K. Seward, a.k.a. "a prim bun"
The evening they boarded the ship for Palestine, this might have been what ran through Holmes' thoughts.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Peculiar Pecuniary Points - Vestige of Femininity
This fits perfectly into canon during those early years, and manages to achieve the style of the books' author very well. Russell's horrible aunt gets a lesson in blackmail, thanks to Russell (with a little help from a few others).
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Quite a Pretty Problem - "I ached for Holmes, for the sureness of his hands and his quiet voice"
An excellent look at Holmes' POV before, during, and after the first conversation he has with Russell near the beginning of A Monstrous Regiment of Women.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Sussex Conversations - An Oxford Punter
A conversation between Watson and Mrs. Hudson that very likely happened—and which we all wish we could have seen! Thankfully this writer has written it so we can. :)
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] The Heart of the Matter - Maer, aka 'merely a whim', Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
An excellent fic from several POVs set at the end of The Beekeeper's Apprentice, when Holmes is trying to find the right thing to help Russell recover from her mental wounds.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Vigil - "...a prim bun which would soften as the day went on"
A glimpse of the world from Holmes' POV in The Beekeeper's Apprentice from the moment Russell passes out from her wounds until she wakes up in the hospital.
[Rizzoli & Isles] A Beggar to the Living - funnyhowthatis
This tiny ficlet is one of the most amazing post-S1 fics ever. Set almost immediately after the episode went black, it focuses on Maura's emotions. The antepenultimate sentence (whence comes the title) is breathtakingly good.
[Rookie Blue] Fade Away - surreallis
Set after the final scenes of 2x01 Butterflies, this little fic shows a bit more of Andy trying to process everything in her head - and how Sam and Luke fit into it all.
[Rookie Blue] Get it Right - Nika Dixon
This little ficlet does a great job of continuing the "wrong coffee" scene - and Sam's thoughts - a little further than we see on the show. An great fic and excellent ending!
[Rookie Blue] Radar Love - surreallis
This is more of an episode tag than a missing scene, but episode tags are really just a subset anyway. Set just after 2x04 Heart and Sparks, this fic is full of conversation beneath conversation. The undercurrent communicates more powerfully than the spoken words. Amazing writing.
[Smallville] Always - The Die Hard
Clark opens up to Chloe, cementing their friendship stronger. This would have been the perfect ending to Scare! I like to imagine it's what happened . . .
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] Sold - zeilfanaat
A cute little missing scene from Dirty Bomb (1x10). One of those scenes that didn't have to be in the episode—but it's fun to get to see it!
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] The Great White Way - aubreysmom
A missing scene/continuation of The Holocaust Survivor (2x15)--really deals with some important issues and is amazingly well-written.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] The Human Factor - aubreysmom
A missing scene/continuation of Troy Story (3x16)--very powerful and really fixes the issues with one of the subplots.
AUs:
AUs fall roughly into six categories, as far as I've encountered. The sort that I love the best are canon-divergence and apocalyptic/dystopian. I've read the occasional interesting story involving occupation-changing (band AUs, hospital AUs, etc.) or setting-changing (fantasy, medieval, space, etc.) but those can be hit or miss for me. I rarely read genderswap or any other sort that changes the characters physically, and I don't read supernatural AUs at all.
[Born of Hope / Lord of the Rings] Roots - Elleth
A beautiful fic exploring Elgarain's path in life upon surviving the battle at Taurdal.
[Leverage] A (Slightly) Dysfunctional Family - smthwallflower
An AU series wherein Nate finds kid!Parker and takes her home to the team. Never too fluffy/cutesy but honestly dealing with some of the issues both of them have, and building a family relationship that's really beautiful.
[Leverage] Feels Like Home - daniellemydear
An incredible Eliot/Parker AU that's very in-character and takes the show where I wish it had gone in S3. If you've never understood how Eliot/Parker could really work, this is the fic to read.
[Lois & Clark: TNAOS] Newsworthy - AntiKryptonite
When Lois publishes the story she never should have, it leaves everyone broken. The healing process is beautiful; read with tissues handy.
[Lord of the Rings books / modern times] Home With the Fairies - I_Mushi
This delightful (and very long) fic is one of the best girl-falls-into-Middle-earth stories ever (with a lot more realism than the usual sort). The result of this is that Boromir lives, which makes the tale just a bit happier. (Come on, who hasn't wished that Boromir could live?) This has been completed!
[Lord of the Rings films] The Long Road Home - Scribblesinink (Scribbler)
This is possibly my favorite Boromir Lives AU. A tale full of guilt and redemption, and the last line makes me want to CRY because of how beautiful it is and how wonderfully it ties into a line from the film. Every LOTR film fan should read this!
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] The Spy's Daughter - Sabrina Flynn
An absolutely amazing AU with the premise: what if the Accident never happened? The A-plot is fantastic and detailed, there's suspense and action, and our two favorite characters meet on more equal footing, even! The only thing one could wish from it is to have a sequel to take the tale further. (This one seems to have disappeared from the site, but it's still accessible at the Groups.io group Letters of Mary, and I have the epub of it on my hdd.)
[The Pretender] Stars Fall Silent - Jill Kirby
A sad AU with a touch of hopefulness that makes it so worth reading. I have to cry for the characters who don't survive, but I love the contrast at the end, the turnabout in regards to Jarod and Miss Parker's respective families, the almost-hope…
[Push] Horseshoe Nail - Jedi Buttercup
A very short—but brilliant—AU that explores a very obvious possibility in the film and gives it life.
[Rizzoli & Isles] In Too Deep - Merfilly
What if Maura was never given up for adoption? Instead, Doyle becomes a mob power, and Jane ends up going undercover… Very intriguing!
[Rizzoli & Isles] The End of the World - romana2525
A lovely short apocalyptic AU with sadness but also beauty. The last line makes me sniff in that happy/sad way.
[Rookie Blue] Deep - surreallis
What if Andy went with Sam when he went undercover in Best Laid Plans - and the op was different from the one on the show? This is a fantastic AU and well worth the read.
[Rookie Blue] Good Enough to Keep You - balladofbliss
A lovely AU version of what happened after the end of S4, focusing on Andy and Sam's relationship. The ending is beautiful.
[Rookie Blue] Haven - Annie Blythe
An alternate direction to the post-S3 storyline, this one has lyrical writing, including this gem of a line: "It's the world's worst game of chess; opponents who know each other's tells but have no advancing strategy."
[Rookie Blue] Lexicon - balladofbliss
This is the sweetest, most romantic AU ever - five snapshots starting with the end of 1x04 Signals Crossed and ending more perfectly than the show did. Guaranteed to send you into an emotional diabetic coma.
[Rookie Blue] You Can Let Go - Cendari
This is a series of four AU one-shots (the last was long enough that the author split it in two parts), each taking an episode in Season 1 and exploring "what if Sam and Andy had gotten together". Warning for explicit content - but what's surprising about it is how amazing the emotional depth is. So much better than the way the show went, in many ways.
[Smallville] Dare You to Move - Cassandra Mulder
An AU version of Exile wherein Chloe works just a little harder at bringing Clark home.
[X-Men Movieverse] Holding Ground - lachlanrose
This AU is set in a grim dystopia where Scott and Logan are leaders, each of one of the few camps where mutants can be safe. I love the premise, the portrayal of the young girls they take under their protection… The only thing I can complain about is that they never wrote the sequel they promised. This is well worth the read!
[X-Men Movieverse] It's Raining Men - jjblazer
An amusing fic where Rogue is still Marie, a mutant who lives at home with her parents… until Logan lands in her backyard. Literally.
[X-Men Movieverse] Most Wanted - mayachain
What if the X-kids begged John to return after X2—and he actually did? This fic answers that question, with an excellent dose of realistic PTSD effects on everyone from the events of X2.
[X-Men Movieverse] Silver Lining in the Sky - st_aurafina
A very inventive fic where Scott, an orphan in the 1950s, meets Wolverine … a plane?
Crossovers:
Ah, crossovers, where two fandoms mix in interesting ways . . . I also include fics where characters from our world end up in other worlds.
[Lois & Clark: TNAOS / Beauty and the Beast] Timeless - Becky Bain
This is an amazing crossover, particularly because you only have to know Lois & Clark to read and enjoy it. As you follow their POV, you learn about the Beauty and the Beast world with them. It made the characters of the other fandom very interesting to me (who knew nothing about them), and had logic to how they crossed paths. Very well-written.
[Lord of the Rings books / modern times] Home With the Fairies - I_Mushi
This delightful (and very long) fic is one of the best girl-falls-into-Middle-earth stories ever (with a lot more realism than the usual sort). Plus Boromir lives! (So it's sort of AU as well.) This has been completed! (It's not technically a crossover, but that's the closest category to it that I can come up with for now.)
[Lord of the Rings books / Narnia books] Once a Shield Maiden in Rohan... - Cyphomandra
A short delightful AU fic wherein Lucy Pevensie meets a young Éowyn.
[Pern / Talents] The Day Benden Went to War - dmdomini
This is one of the best crossovers I've ever read, as the writer masterfully handled two large sets of complex characters as they intersect, with realistic political behind-the-scenes goings-on. Sadly, it's a WIP, and the author seems to have been determined on removing their online presence just about everywhere - their AO3 account (as well as accounts on many other sites) was deleted mid-2017, and the fic is impossible to find anywhere (unless fortunate enough to have saved it when it was last updated, as I did - the Wayback Machine has 20 chapters of it, but not the 42 that were present last). If anyone reading this can contact them, I would love to know why, and if they ever plan to finish the fic in any way. I have enjoyed reading this SO so much and it's painful to think that the story will forever remain in that incomplete state.
[Rizzoli & Isles / Fried Green Tomatoes] There's More Than One Version - katekane
This crossover was one of the most delightful gifts I have ever received. Read beyond the typos and you'll see an incredibly beautiful view of Jane and Maura. It couldn't have been more perfect. This one is particularly meta, as it involves Jane & Maura rewriting the ending to Fried Green Tomatoes. Very clever!
[Worldweavers / Push] Tangled Strands - Morbane
When you have a character who can go anywhere with a few keystrokes, worldhopping is a logical result. (Thea Winthrop, meet Cassie Holmes.)
Trauma:
In these fics characters deal with sexual assault of one form or another. Some people will be triggered by these; others may find them a good read. The trauma is not glossed over but dealt with, even though it takes time. This could be considered a subset of hurt/comfort, but I have chosen to relocate it because these involve an emotional element quite different from what is often found in hurt/comfort, even though there's often a lot of comforting that happens in these fics.
[Law & Order: SVU] Deep Deep Down, Where the Darkness Dwells - wily_one24
Long trauma recovery AU (Lewis arc), with heaps of PTSD and more. Elliot/Olivia fic, but much more intense and drawn out than the one below.
[Law & Order: SVU] How Deep Is Your Love - TurquoiseTerrier
An absolutely amazing AU fic wherein Elliot - wife & kids in tow - nearly runs over Olivia on a back road as she runs from a rapist and psychopath (Lewis) who held her captive for five days. I read it three times in 24 hours when I first found it.
[Law & Order: SVU] Inflection Point - Jabyar
An incredible fic (also from the Lewis arc) that feels like the author took a good hard look at canon and said, "I'm going to write something eminently more realistic," and then did. Powerful, raw, with lines that just stick with me.
[Leverage] Like Knows Like - Maggie
A dark but all-too-plausible fic set in S1, with Eliot and Parker looking at a piece of Parker's past.
[Lois & Clark: TNAOS] In a Dark Time - Becky Bain
Archive summary: "When every woman's worst nightmare comes true for Lois, she and Clark must come together for healing, and learn to accept that for them, everything is now changed." This one stands out because Lois is married; the process of healing must involve not only herself, but Clark, and it shows the ups and downs in their relationship as they try to deal with what has happened.
[Mary Russell series - Laurie R. King] Russell's Young Man - Brains and Spirit, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7
A well-written fic that is both a gapfiller in the books and a traumatic experience for Mary Russell. What if that "young man with an automobile" turned out to have a dark side? The fic explores a variety of POVs as each person in Russell's life recognizes her right to pursue young men her age, and its effect on Holmes, but takes a side turn when the young man's behavior is not what it should be. Holmes' response to this is wonderful.
[Rizzoli & Isles] Out of Africa - Ark ThirtySix
When Maura comes back from a trip to Africa, she's not quite the same, but tries to hide what's happened. I love how Jane figures out what's going on with Maura as best she can, and finds a way to help her feel comfortable talking about it, and is just THERE for her. It's so beautiful despite the trauma Maura has gone through. The author sadly deleted it later, and only the first and twelfth chapters are on the Wayback Machine. Fortunately, I have it saved on my hard drive so I can re-read whenever I want. (It is written really really well, one of the best R&I fics I've ever read.)
[Rookie Blue] Running on Empty - BeginningEnding
This one's a little unusual as the attack is not the central element, but actually follows a lot of emotional distress of other sorts. Sadly, it's unfinished, but it's so interesting (no other Rookie Blue fic does anything like the main premise of this one) and the little bit that is dealt with for this genre is done excellently. I highly recommend it - as long as you can stand the fact that it's a permanent WIP!
[Smallville] Crisis - BabyDee
This one is particularly difficult for some to read because of who the perpetrator is. I am amazed at the skill of the writer, though, who manages to write what I think feels like very realistic reactions for the characters, and works to bring them through the crisis (it's a good title!) and onto more solid ground. The author was working on the sequel to this, which is good, as this fic doesn't get them quite to where I'd like to see them - but I haven't seen much on it for a few years so that may not happen.
[Sue Thomas F.B.Eye] WNE 2: Rainy April Regrets - aubreysmom
This is the sequel to the Weekend in New England fic (and you DO have to read the first one to really understand this one--I have the link to it in the romantic friendship section)—this fic is super angsty and dark and emotional (triggery for assault), but I love it to pieces and really hope the author will get around to writing the last one. (The fic ends at the beginning of healing stage but I want to see the rest of the story! Author did promise to write the third fic sometime, but I'm doubtful about them keeping that promise at this point.) NOTE: Author has since pulled this one because they didn't want to leave readers dangling with the darker ending and they didn't know when/if they would ever be able to write the sequel. Personally, I think it's well worth reading even if one has to imagine the healing process, so I'm glad I have my copies of it saved!
[The Pretender] Angel - Aimee
This one is definitely not my typical favorite rec! It has a lot more language than I'm comfortable with, and it touches on non-consensual incest (as a warning for anyone who is easily squicked). However, I have to agree with the author when she said, "when I asked myself what aspect of Miss Parker's character might we not know about, this is the story that was there waiting for me." I really see that there too. (The way it was portrayed is absolutely perfect for the characters and the whole situation.)
[The Pretender] Just Close Your Eyes - Jill Kirby
This one is a narrowly averted trauma, but getting that close to it is traumatic in its own way. Another fic where we see Jarod understand Miss Parker so well; he knows exactly how to handle her.
[The Pretender] Terror - MMB
This fic is amazing in how it deals with a very difficult subject. The growing bond between Sydney and Miss Parker is one of the best parts—and I like that they didn't gloss over the healing process (sped up a bit, is all).
Tags:
If this is bad netiquette, just let me know.
Date: 2023-03-05 05:41 pm (UTC)I was wondering whether you'd be willing to share your 42-chapter file, via email or a file-sharing site or something. I'm never sure what the "rules" are when someone has taken a story down, especially w/o even an explanation.
If not that, what about a further-along web.archive.org link, at least?
I hope you don't mind this query, and thank you for for sharing these lists, regardless.
Wishing you much more happy reading,
DPD (Diane)
Re: If this is bad netiquette, just let me know.
Date: 2023-03-05 05:53 pm (UTC)Re: If this is bad netiquette, just let me know.
Date: 2023-03-05 06:40 pm (UTC)BTW, fishing around on the Wayback Machine some more *after* I left this note, I *did* manage to reach chapters 1 through 20 (via a functional "Entire Work" button): https://web.archive.org/web/20140907041344/http://archiveofourown.org/works/273190?view_full_work=true 🤷 — If you're able to edit your recs' links, that's probably the best version to use.
Re: If this is bad netiquette, just let me know.
Date: 2023-03-05 07:12 pm (UTC)