Fools in Paradise by Caro Dee
Okay, I have hijacked the crackvan for The Professionals again, and am speeding off down the back alleys of London into the world of Pros. This is my third stint here, and I arrive, as ever, full of good intentions. We'll see how closely I stick to my map.
At this stage I should say that we are heading into that corner of the map marked Here Be Dragons, and the terrain will not be universally popular. That's okay: you can get the keys for next month and drive it back to where you think it should be! (In fact, Pros fans reading this, go and add yourself onto the list: we're running low on drivers.)
But before we get to get to the dark places, we shall start with a bright and sparkling story that I am confident will delight.
Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Length: 13,000 words
Author on LJ: carodee
Author Website: Caro Dee on AO3 and Caro Dee's Insatiable Site
Why this must be read: Undercover as gay! Hooray!
Oh, I love this story. Undercover-as-gay is one of my favourite genres - I intend to rec at least two more this month - and this is a great one, happy and hot. Bodie and Doyle must establish themselves at a gay nightclub while trying to locate a possible bomb-setter. They don't initially take the assignment seriously.
"Once out of earshot of Cowley's office, Bodie began to vent. "Christ, Doyle. You ever get the feeling that our job keeps getting stranger and stranger? Poofs with bombs. What'll they come up with next? Grannies with grenades?"
Ray shrugged, then grinned maliciously. "Gives a whole new meaning to blow jobs, doesn't it?"
But of course they have to, because they have to find their possible bomber and that means they have to manage to fit into an environment that isn't theirs. There is so much that I want to single out here: the banter and backchat between the lads, Bodie teasing Doyle and Doyle trying to clout Bodie through his laughter, some hilarious lines all through, and then the real confusion and concern as Bodie realises that Doyle genuinely is curious, and if Bodie isn't interested in Doyle, then Doyle may be interested enough to find someone else.
And I particularly love Harold, who initially challenges their right to be there...
The man threw a cynically assessing eye at Bodie and Ray. "A blind man can see you boys are straight. So you're not here looking for love. You don't look like reporters to me, so that makes you coppers. This is our place and we don't want you here."
... but who subsequently becomes their champion, smoothing their acceptance into the club, gossiping endlessly about other members, and fretting for the course of true love...
"You boys are so darling together. I'd be just devastated if anything happened. Oh dear..."
I think Harold's one of the most memorable original characters in Pros fic. I really do believe in him. I have the nagging feeling that the world outside the club is a tough place for Harold. I hope things work out for him! And Harold is sharp. He's right to worry about what he's just seen when he approaches Bodie, but will Bodie retrieve the situation? Of course he will. But how?
Fools in Paradise
At this stage I should say that we are heading into that corner of the map marked Here Be Dragons, and the terrain will not be universally popular. That's okay: you can get the keys for next month and drive it back to where you think it should be! (In fact, Pros fans reading this, go and add yourself onto the list: we're running low on drivers.)
But before we get to get to the dark places, we shall start with a bright and sparkling story that I am confident will delight.
Fandom: THE PROFESSIONALS
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Length: 13,000 words
Author on LJ: carodee
Author Website: Caro Dee on AO3 and Caro Dee's Insatiable Site
Why this must be read: Undercover as gay! Hooray!
Oh, I love this story. Undercover-as-gay is one of my favourite genres - I intend to rec at least two more this month - and this is a great one, happy and hot. Bodie and Doyle must establish themselves at a gay nightclub while trying to locate a possible bomb-setter. They don't initially take the assignment seriously.
"Once out of earshot of Cowley's office, Bodie began to vent. "Christ, Doyle. You ever get the feeling that our job keeps getting stranger and stranger? Poofs with bombs. What'll they come up with next? Grannies with grenades?"
Ray shrugged, then grinned maliciously. "Gives a whole new meaning to blow jobs, doesn't it?"
But of course they have to, because they have to find their possible bomber and that means they have to manage to fit into an environment that isn't theirs. There is so much that I want to single out here: the banter and backchat between the lads, Bodie teasing Doyle and Doyle trying to clout Bodie through his laughter, some hilarious lines all through, and then the real confusion and concern as Bodie realises that Doyle genuinely is curious, and if Bodie isn't interested in Doyle, then Doyle may be interested enough to find someone else.
And I particularly love Harold, who initially challenges their right to be there...
The man threw a cynically assessing eye at Bodie and Ray. "A blind man can see you boys are straight. So you're not here looking for love. You don't look like reporters to me, so that makes you coppers. This is our place and we don't want you here."
... but who subsequently becomes their champion, smoothing their acceptance into the club, gossiping endlessly about other members, and fretting for the course of true love...
"You boys are so darling together. I'd be just devastated if anything happened. Oh dear..."
I think Harold's one of the most memorable original characters in Pros fic. I really do believe in him. I have the nagging feeling that the world outside the club is a tough place for Harold. I hope things work out for him! And Harold is sharp. He's right to worry about what he's just seen when he approaches Bodie, but will Bodie retrieve the situation? Of course he will. But how?
Fools in Paradise