I can't believe this is the first time I've posted J2 fic recs this year...
Thank you everyone for your kind messages. They're always appreciated.
Oh man, it's been so long since I posted any recs. To be fair, real life [and Adam Lambert ♥] kind of got in the way. So you've all probably read these already, but it never hurts to go YAY WRITERS, plus I'm a completist that wants these fics in the main rec lists (which I'll hopefully update on Sunday).
AU
A City in the Desert by coyotesuspect
Rating: NC17
Word count: 8200
Authors summary: Jared's the movie star, but Jensen's the dramatic one. He's also Jared's manager, or at least he likes to pretend he is.
Comment: Fun and snappy. This is apparently based on Entourage and even though I’ve never seen that show I still enjoyed this. The boys were great but it’s cameos from the exceptionally fierce Genevieve and Danneel that really round out the fic.
Accidentally Amorous at 3AM (or This One Time At Wendy's...) by crackedbuthappy
Rating: NC17
Word count: 4700
Authors summary: It’s Thursday night and they have class in the morning, but Jared slips out of his dorm room to smoke up with Jensen anyway. When they end up in a Wendy’s parking lot and a cop parks behind them, that's when things really get interesting…
Comment: Full of funny quote-worthy dialogue and really hot porn. “But it’s Jensen offering and Jared is pretty sure Jensen could get him to punch Barack Obama in the face if it meant Jensen would smile at him. Or fluff his hair. Or get really wasted and make out with him again like that one time at his best friend’s house party.”
And I Ponder Where My Stapler's Gone by waterofthemoon
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: PG13
Word count: 5821
Authors summary: Jared's obviously pining away. Jensen's clearly miserable. It's a match made in codependent heaven. A cubicle romance in which Misha makes matches, cons his coworkers, and refines his plans for global domination.
Comment: Very funny Misha POV fic. And yes, being in his head is just as awesome as you imagine it would be. Which is almost as awesome as the Chad cameo.
Blame It On Gravity by fahrbot and karabou
Rating: NC17
Word count: 16,300
Authors summary: In which Jensen's friends are assholes, and Jensen falls for Jared. Literally.
Comment: This is one of those fics that is guaranteed to leave you feeling happier then when you started. For one, it features drunk rambling Jensen and who couldn’t love that. Then there’s also zingy, crack dialogue, true romance and all round adorableness. Plus pornstaches.
Butterflies and Hurricanes by audrarose
Word count: 13,000
Authors summary: Genetically-enhanced psychic assassins. And also schmoop. I don't know what else to say, really.
Comment: This was so good. I mean, NINJAS! Ninjas are always good, but then the story adds in emotion and bonding and action and tension and combines this with a slow journey of discovery to take you all the way to full on awesome
Choices by macbyrne
Rating: R
Word count: 8300
Authors summary: Written for The Lady and the Tramp. Jensen is not a cocker spaniel, Jared is not a mixed breed and sadly, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is definitely not a rotund Italian who feeds dogs spaghetti.
Comment: There’s a lot packed into this fic that manages to remain sweet despite all the horror peeking in from the edges, just like Jared.
Could I Be You by timehasa_way
Rating: NC17
Word count: 8883
Authors summary: Jensen didn't really think that a childish wish on a coin would change much for him, but feeling invisible left him open to doing childish things. When his wish came true, he thought that he could be happy. A string of wishes gone wrong (including his own) told him otherwise.
Comment: Based on the Supernatural episode ‘Wishful Thinking’, this features an invisible Jensen and a douchy Jared learning what love really is about.
Deceptions by enablelove
Rating: R
Word count: 2011
Authors summary: Chris lies to Jensen about the new neighbor; Jensen takes it on himself to get to know him.
Comment: Delightfully sweet and schmoopy.
Eat Drink Love by raina_at
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Word count: 8600
Authors summary: Cynical waiter Jensen serves Serial Dater Jared's row of first dates.
Comment: Well crafted characters, sharp dialogue and an abundance of chemistry combine to make this a truly delightful read. “Also, the job’s pretty much killed any illusions Jensen still had about dating. Stilted conversation that stops gratefully when the food arrives, squabbling over the bill, the awkward ‘Am I getting lucky?’ dance, Jensen sees every variety of it on any given Friday or Saturday. It’s reduced his intention of ever going through the sheer mind-numbing awkwardness of ‘dating’, aka dinner with a complete stranger, to zero.”
Every Second Tuesday by mournthewicked
Word Count: 8500
Authors summary: A trained monkey could do Jensen's job. Seriously, it's that easy. He gets through the day by trolling the web, napping, and coming up with creative ways to sneak out early. When the company decides to hire a masseuse to come into the office, Jensen figures it'll just be another perk of the job. Turns out he was right.
Comment: If you can get past the sadness of not having a masseuse working in your office, this is really sweet. Jensen’s inner-slacker monologue is funny and grouchy enough to stop a schmoopy story ever sliding over into being saccharine and there’s also some delicious UST.
Fill My Glass For Me by matalinolukaret
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 3390
Authors summary: New place, new job, new friends. Why not spend the night flirting with the cute bartender?
Comment: This is just all kinds of cute.
Finding Out the Ways of This World by dugindeep
Written for help_haiti
Rating: NC17
Word count: 22,570
Authors summary: Jensen ambles through L.A. life waiting for his break, a chance, notoriety. As he fails more and more, his mood continues on a steady decline as does his general way of life. Meeting Jared is a life-altering event, but he can't take advantage of the connection until he gets his life in order.
Comment: The thing I like best about this story is that it takes its time to unfold, spreading itself out over the years with moments scattered just like in real life. It feels true to itself. And it means we really get to watch the characters reacting and adjusting and just maybe developing. Here we start with a Jensen that is embittered by life’s harsh realities, no hidden trauma, and no melodrama, just the effect of events not panning out like he wants regardless of any efforts made. And that is a Jensen we can root for and who we want to follow deeper into the story.
From Both Sides by ysbail
Written for j2_everafter
Rating: R
Word count: 16,573
Authors summary: Seventeen-year-old Jensen Ackles took a nap - and woke up ten years later to a world where everything, and everyone, had moved on without him.
Comment: This fic is unexpected and very engaging in terms of both narrative and emotion. Based on an idea from ‘Flight of the Navigator’. “Jensen squinted up at Chris’ looming silhouette as he leant out the door of his beaten up truck. He’d long since given up complaining about the mocking tone, or the use of that nickname. Chris never listened, in fact Jensen’s discomfort seemed to amuse him. So, Jensen said nothing, no rebuke, no query, and he most definitely did not turn around to see who Chris was referring to. He didn’t need to. He knew exactly what - who - he’d see if he did.”
he's just not that into you by elanorelle
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Word count: 9517
Authors summary: So, Jared's decided to try online dating ... it's maybe not going as well as he'd hoped.
Comment: Light-hearted romantic comedy with an adorably awkward Jensen.
Horas non numero by atimi
Rating: NC17
Authors summary: Roman AU with slave!Jensen, noble!Jared and a mixture of schmoop and angst.
Comment: This is a sneaky verse that will break your heart when you’re not looking and then put it back together again with glimpses of joy and happy endings. It’s pretty damn awesome that way.
I’d Kick Ass on a Test About You and Me by dugindeep
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Words: 26,000
Authors summary: Jared rocks at Calculus, but he fails at paying attention when it comes to Jensen. College AU!
Comment: Adorable ensemble cast college story. Shy insecure Jared who doesn't know how to make a move is too cute, and it’s just fun to watch him and Jensen stumbling into something. This fic also gives good Chad. “Moments later the teacher enters and starts the lecture, and Jared can’t focus on the board because he keeps looking at Jensen out the corner of his eye. Sees how he and Mike are taking notes. And when Jensen leans back in his seat, crosses his ankles, and starts to chew on a pen, Jared’s fucking hooked.”
Keats and Yeats are on your side (and Wilde is on mine) by scintilla10
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Word count: 13,000
Authors summary: In which Jared’s life is unfortunately not a quirky British rom-com, and Jensen is alarmingly and frustratingly busy.
Comment: Really delightful. This fic has such easy, natural dialogue that translates well into flirting and sexual tension. Throw in English majors, bad auditions and brain bonding and you get a hell of a fun time.
Longin’ to Linger Till Dawn by vorpalblades
Rating: R
Word count: 6400
Authors summary: Jared has this dream. The trick is making real life live up to it. A high school AU.
Comment: Ugly duckling turned swan Jensen is one of my favourite fic kinks, so I was going to enjoy this whatever. But then it turned out to also be really damn good with a great build up and a satisfying ending.
Looking for a Lesson in the Periodicals by matalinolukaret
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Word Count: 9600
Authors summary: Every week Jared brings his niece to the library like any good uncle should. The hot librarian that works there is the reason he stays.
Comment: This is so sweet and warm and satisfying. Shy!Jensen slowly relaxing for Jared is perfectly done and too adorable for words. It made me all kinds of stupidly happy.
Malibu Jared© by _mournthewicked
Written for j2_everafter
Word Count: 30,000
Authors summary: Jensen Ackles has a successful career, great friends, and an amazing little girl. His love life is pretty much nonexistent, but he’s okay with that. The same can’t be said for Ryan. She knows her daddy deserves all the happiness in the world, so she calls on her overactive imagination to make a wish that will change their lives forever. Jensen appreciates the sentiment, but that doesn’t make him any less surprised when he wakes up to find that not only did her wish come true, it’s sleeping in his bed.
Comment: The concept is 100% crack fic, based on the movie Life-Size, but the execution is serious, producing a sweet and emotive story with some genuine angst. “He’s a little plastic doll that was purchased solely to round out Ryan’s complete set of Malibu Sandy© toys, but quickly replaced Sandy as the crown jewel of all of Ryan’s possessions. Jensen is a little concerned that her favorite thing in the universe is a boy doll that always seems to be half-naked, but he’s not a brave enough man to try to take it away from her.”
Over here at the side of your life by fleshflutter
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Word count: 13,700
Authors summary: Jared is a hooker, Jensen is his workaholic best friend.
Comment: This is awesome. I love how it turns the hooker trope on its head and makes it neither gritty nor salacious, just something done rationally and as part of an uber-cute schmoop au. That's pretty darn original
People Person by bittersplendor
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: PG13
Word count: 2800
Authors summary: College!AU. Jensen is awkward. Jared likes wiggling his eyebrows.
Comment: Funny and cute and featuring an awkward Jensen and clueless Jared, this fic left me content and happy.
Right Where I Belong by longsufferingly
Written for j2_everafter
Rating: NC17
Word count: 15,000
Authors summary: After his grandfather, the baronet, dies, Jensen goes to the exclusive Mycroft Academy to learn how to be a good nobleman. He does his best to avoid the politics and backstabbing, but it turns out he's got something bigger in store for him.
Comment: Secret identities, intrigue and true love! You really can’t go wrong in investing some time in this. Based on The Princess Diaries. “Jensen blinks and there's a tall boy in front of him, looking concerned. He's seen him around a few times, acknowledged that he's very good looking, and moved on. Jensen's never been good at talking to people he thinks are good-looking. Besides, the boy is always surrounded by people, so Jensen assumed he must be fairly close to the throne and therefore not interested in lowly Genovians without any useful connections.”
Rounding The Bases by crackedbuthappy
Rating: NC17
Word count: 16,150
Authors summary: Jared is a firm believer that dating is like baseball. Every man who steps up to the plate has to work hard to round the bases. He doesn’t believe in letting anyone hit a home run; a guy has to work for it, he has to hit every base from his place in the batter’s box to sliding into home. And in Jared's baseball metaphor for life? Jensen's a very capable batter.
Comment: I really like how this starts out with typical boys messing around way before it develops into real intimacy. It’s honest. That’s not to say this fic is serious, because really it’s a hell of a lot of fun with witty banter and smoking hot porn.
Take the Sky, For Example (A Canvas of a Billion Suns) by zephyrocity
Rating: R
Word Count: 45,683
Authors summary: Jensen knows from the start that moving in with a near-stranger is an awful idea, but the true magnitude of his mistake hits him like a sledgehammer after a few months of rocky cohabitation, when he realises that he's head over heels for his college-dropout-turned-struggling-actor roommate, who goes by the name of Jared and is oblivious, obnoxious, and straight. Based loosely on Spaced.
Comment: Long and gently paced roommate fic where you can feel the growing intimacy and the evolution of a friendship. All the supporting players feel really well drawn out and vibrant, giving the whole piece a nicely realistic feel.
Taking Chances by lavendergaia
Written for j2_everafter
Rating: NC17
Word count: 14,500
Authors summary: After being cursed by a fairy into obedience, Jensen Ackles has never been very concerned with being social. When he falls for Jared Padalecki, he has to decide if his safety is more important than his happiness.
Comment: Based on Ella Enchanted. Here are six words that will make you realise why you should read this if you haven’t already: Chris Kane as the fairy godmother! How awesome is that. There’s also toppy!Jared, sweet Jensen, surprise villains and pretty boys flirting.
The Quest for the Tunnels of Unknown Madness by annella
Rating: NC17
Word count: 2300
Authors summary: Jensen loves being a wizard, he really does, but he hates the way it only takes one hit in battle to take him out. Jared's supposed to be protecting him, but the stupid(ly attractive) barbarian keeps getting distracted by whatever he's trying to kill at the moment.
Comment: I love big hulking barbarian Jared with the heart of a softie and petulant grumpy cutie-pie Jensen so damn much that I went to my happy place when I read this even though I know bugger all about D&D. “Jensen's feeling pretty embarrassed by the end of it. No one else is injured, but here he is, lying in the grass with a bruise on his arm which feels like it's killing him. Who knew ogre sling bullets could be slung with such force? He hadn't even had a chance to fire off more than one Magic Missile before he'd been downed. He was probably getting grass stains on his robes.”
There's Always Tomorrow by timehasa_way
Word count: 21,284
Rating: NC17
Authors summary: Jensen Ackles is a rich CEO whose lack of purpose is catching up to him. The only thing that keeps him sane is the ballet, his eyes always focused on one dancer: Jared Padalecki. He never expects for them to meet, and he never expects Jared to be there for him when his life falls apart. It's on a sidewalk in December that Jensen's life changes forever, taking small steps that could finally lead him to true happiness.
Comment: Atmospheric and vivid, this convincingly tells the story of two boys meeting, falling in love and working out all that entails. There’s a great balance struck between the slow and aching and the sweet and content.
TKO by vamphile
Rating: R
Authors summary: Jensen is an ex-con with a clean slate. Jared owns an MMA gym. They like each other, a lot.
Comment: I enjoyed spending time with this fic. Watching Jensen baby-stepping his post-prison life was painful, but in the good story kind of way. It was so effective to have the ending be imperfect but part of his work-in-progress.
We Could Be Heroes (Just For One Day) by arlad
Rating: R
Word count: 26,500
Authors summary: AU. Jared Padalecki is not your run of the mill high school student: for one thing, he’s gay, and for another, he’s an empath. The first thing has made life at school hell, and when the new kid transfers, it looks like it’s going to get worse… but maybe Jensen isn’t what meets the eye, either. (otherwise known as the gay teenage superhero!au)
Comment: I adored how almost casually the super-powers were accepted in the AU world created, and in doing so it allowed this fic to be mostly about boys and feelings and angst and crushes rather then just daring-do.
We've come a long way by gypsy_sunday
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: R
Word count: 16,855
Authors summary: Growing up in a small town, Jared and Jensen form an unlikely friendship. But are they too different to make it last?
Comment: This is a really tender coming of age love story, beautifully written and with a wonderful sense of the inevitable. There’s a fantastic blend of character development and narrative that ensures it stays compelling from beginning to end. “The first time Jared and Jensen meet, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Jared is pinned against the brick wall of an alleyway behind Cameron County Junior High, valiantly blinking back tears as Jensen and his gang rifle through the contents of his backpack.”
GETTING TOGETHER
below the joint by yourperiphery
Rating : PG13
Word count: 1500
Authors summary: in which jared and jensen are going their separate ways.
Comment: The angst of a slowly decaying friendship is perfectly captured here before it leads to the best kind of bittersweet ending.
Count On Us All Falling On Our Swords Tonight by build_the_moon
Rating: R
Word count: 4100
Authors summary: Jensen's been denying his feelings for Jared to everyone, including himself. Lucky for him, two meddling friends and one drunken confession can change everything.
Comment: The portrayal of drunk Jensen is really adorable, much like the whole fic.
ESTABLISHED RALTIONSHIP
Back to You (It Always Comes Around) by timewillbe
Word count: 42,000
Authors summary: Boy meets boy. Boy falls for boy. And then life happens.
Comment: This is a really compelling story. The Jared and Jensen here, much like the situations they find themselves in, are kind of sad and messed up but in a way that feels true to life rather than depressing. They are helped along by an engaging and sympathetic supporting cast who gave vital context and emotion to the story. There are no villains here, just people trying to do right by decisions they have made and continue to make.
I'll build you a castle (if you bring me some sand) by atimi
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Word count: 12,000
Authors summary: Written for the prompt:Jared/Jensen, established relationship, experimenting with D/s for the first time when neither of them have tried it before. I'd love lots of talking and negotiation about rules and limits and feelings, etc.
Comment: I pretty much love how this was a kind of unsexy [but still hot!] sex fic, where it was all about warmth and love and humour instead.
ILLNESS & INJURY
Scheduling Conflicts by lizzywinks (bronchitis)
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Word count: 6700
Rating: PG13
Authors summary: Jensen is newly single and finally knows what he wants -- all he needs now is for Jared to notice. And possibly some prompt medical attention.
Comment: Jensen gets sick but tries to tough it out on his own. When Jared finds out he goes into full on protective mode. Great hurt/comfort with just the right amount of plot.
so let me set the battlements on fire by calamitycrow (spinal injury)
Rating: NC17
Word count: 75,000
Comment: This is a story that really doesn’t shy away from the realities of living with a debilitating injury. It’s also long, complex and absorbing with a great supporting cast of known players and engaging original characters.
POST SPN
Tell the Ones That Need to Know by dugindeep
Rating: R
Words: 18,500
Authors summary: It's been five years since Supernatural, since Jared had a steady job and really felt like himself. When he decides to spend the holidays back in Texas, he's ready for the guilt trips, the tension, and feeling vaguely unwelcome. But he's not prepared for the men who show him what life used to be like, what it really is, and how it could be.
Comment: A retelling of A Christmas Carol with Jared as the person to be visited by the ghosts. This story has the perfect amount of emotion and sentiment where the angst is never too painful and the joy is never too saccharine.
On a totally different topic, who else is excited for the first night of Glam Nation?
Oh man, it's been so long since I posted any recs. To be fair, real life [and Adam Lambert ♥] kind of got in the way. So you've all probably read these already, but it never hurts to go YAY WRITERS, plus I'm a completist that wants these fics in the main rec lists (which I'll hopefully update on Sunday).
AU
A City in the Desert by coyotesuspect
Rating: NC17
Word count: 8200
Authors summary: Jared's the movie star, but Jensen's the dramatic one. He's also Jared's manager, or at least he likes to pretend he is.
Comment: Fun and snappy. This is apparently based on Entourage and even though I’ve never seen that show I still enjoyed this. The boys were great but it’s cameos from the exceptionally fierce Genevieve and Danneel that really round out the fic.
Accidentally Amorous at 3AM (or This One Time At Wendy's...) by crackedbuthappy
Rating: NC17
Word count: 4700
Authors summary: It’s Thursday night and they have class in the morning, but Jared slips out of his dorm room to smoke up with Jensen anyway. When they end up in a Wendy’s parking lot and a cop parks behind them, that's when things really get interesting…
Comment: Full of funny quote-worthy dialogue and really hot porn. “But it’s Jensen offering and Jared is pretty sure Jensen could get him to punch Barack Obama in the face if it meant Jensen would smile at him. Or fluff his hair. Or get really wasted and make out with him again like that one time at his best friend’s house party.”
And I Ponder Where My Stapler's Gone by waterofthemoon
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: PG13
Word count: 5821
Authors summary: Jared's obviously pining away. Jensen's clearly miserable. It's a match made in codependent heaven. A cubicle romance in which Misha makes matches, cons his coworkers, and refines his plans for global domination.
Comment: Very funny Misha POV fic. And yes, being in his head is just as awesome as you imagine it would be. Which is almost as awesome as the Chad cameo.
Blame It On Gravity by fahrbot and karabou
Rating: NC17
Word count: 16,300
Authors summary: In which Jensen's friends are assholes, and Jensen falls for Jared. Literally.
Comment: This is one of those fics that is guaranteed to leave you feeling happier then when you started. For one, it features drunk rambling Jensen and who couldn’t love that. Then there’s also zingy, crack dialogue, true romance and all round adorableness. Plus pornstaches.
Butterflies and Hurricanes by audrarose
Word count: 13,000
Authors summary: Genetically-enhanced psychic assassins. And also schmoop. I don't know what else to say, really.
Comment: This was so good. I mean, NINJAS! Ninjas are always good, but then the story adds in emotion and bonding and action and tension and combines this with a slow journey of discovery to take you all the way to full on awesome
Choices by macbyrne
Rating: R
Word count: 8300
Authors summary: Written for The Lady and the Tramp. Jensen is not a cocker spaniel, Jared is not a mixed breed and sadly, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is definitely not a rotund Italian who feeds dogs spaghetti.
Comment: There’s a lot packed into this fic that manages to remain sweet despite all the horror peeking in from the edges, just like Jared.
Could I Be You by timehasa_way
Rating: NC17
Word count: 8883
Authors summary: Jensen didn't really think that a childish wish on a coin would change much for him, but feeling invisible left him open to doing childish things. When his wish came true, he thought that he could be happy. A string of wishes gone wrong (including his own) told him otherwise.
Comment: Based on the Supernatural episode ‘Wishful Thinking’, this features an invisible Jensen and a douchy Jared learning what love really is about.
Deceptions by enablelove
Rating: R
Word count: 2011
Authors summary: Chris lies to Jensen about the new neighbor; Jensen takes it on himself to get to know him.
Comment: Delightfully sweet and schmoopy.
Eat Drink Love by raina_at
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Word count: 8600
Authors summary: Cynical waiter Jensen serves Serial Dater Jared's row of first dates.
Comment: Well crafted characters, sharp dialogue and an abundance of chemistry combine to make this a truly delightful read. “Also, the job’s pretty much killed any illusions Jensen still had about dating. Stilted conversation that stops gratefully when the food arrives, squabbling over the bill, the awkward ‘Am I getting lucky?’ dance, Jensen sees every variety of it on any given Friday or Saturday. It’s reduced his intention of ever going through the sheer mind-numbing awkwardness of ‘dating’, aka dinner with a complete stranger, to zero.”
Every Second Tuesday by mournthewicked
Word Count: 8500
Authors summary: A trained monkey could do Jensen's job. Seriously, it's that easy. He gets through the day by trolling the web, napping, and coming up with creative ways to sneak out early. When the company decides to hire a masseuse to come into the office, Jensen figures it'll just be another perk of the job. Turns out he was right.
Comment: If you can get past the sadness of not having a masseuse working in your office, this is really sweet. Jensen’s inner-slacker monologue is funny and grouchy enough to stop a schmoopy story ever sliding over into being saccharine and there’s also some delicious UST.
Fill My Glass For Me by matalinolukaret
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 3390
Authors summary: New place, new job, new friends. Why not spend the night flirting with the cute bartender?
Comment: This is just all kinds of cute.
Finding Out the Ways of This World by dugindeep
Written for help_haiti
Rating: NC17
Word count: 22,570
Authors summary: Jensen ambles through L.A. life waiting for his break, a chance, notoriety. As he fails more and more, his mood continues on a steady decline as does his general way of life. Meeting Jared is a life-altering event, but he can't take advantage of the connection until he gets his life in order.
Comment: The thing I like best about this story is that it takes its time to unfold, spreading itself out over the years with moments scattered just like in real life. It feels true to itself. And it means we really get to watch the characters reacting and adjusting and just maybe developing. Here we start with a Jensen that is embittered by life’s harsh realities, no hidden trauma, and no melodrama, just the effect of events not panning out like he wants regardless of any efforts made. And that is a Jensen we can root for and who we want to follow deeper into the story.
From Both Sides by ysbail
Written for j2_everafter
Rating: R
Word count: 16,573
Authors summary: Seventeen-year-old Jensen Ackles took a nap - and woke up ten years later to a world where everything, and everyone, had moved on without him.
Comment: This fic is unexpected and very engaging in terms of both narrative and emotion. Based on an idea from ‘Flight of the Navigator’. “Jensen squinted up at Chris’ looming silhouette as he leant out the door of his beaten up truck. He’d long since given up complaining about the mocking tone, or the use of that nickname. Chris never listened, in fact Jensen’s discomfort seemed to amuse him. So, Jensen said nothing, no rebuke, no query, and he most definitely did not turn around to see who Chris was referring to. He didn’t need to. He knew exactly what - who - he’d see if he did.”
he's just not that into you by elanorelle
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Word count: 9517
Authors summary: So, Jared's decided to try online dating ... it's maybe not going as well as he'd hoped.
Comment: Light-hearted romantic comedy with an adorably awkward Jensen.
Horas non numero by atimi
Rating: NC17
Authors summary: Roman AU with slave!Jensen, noble!Jared and a mixture of schmoop and angst.
Comment: This is a sneaky verse that will break your heart when you’re not looking and then put it back together again with glimpses of joy and happy endings. It’s pretty damn awesome that way.
I’d Kick Ass on a Test About You and Me by dugindeep
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Words: 26,000
Authors summary: Jared rocks at Calculus, but he fails at paying attention when it comes to Jensen. College AU!
Comment: Adorable ensemble cast college story. Shy insecure Jared who doesn't know how to make a move is too cute, and it’s just fun to watch him and Jensen stumbling into something. This fic also gives good Chad. “Moments later the teacher enters and starts the lecture, and Jared can’t focus on the board because he keeps looking at Jensen out the corner of his eye. Sees how he and Mike are taking notes. And when Jensen leans back in his seat, crosses his ankles, and starts to chew on a pen, Jared’s fucking hooked.”
Keats and Yeats are on your side (and Wilde is on mine) by scintilla10
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Word count: 13,000
Authors summary: In which Jared’s life is unfortunately not a quirky British rom-com, and Jensen is alarmingly and frustratingly busy.
Comment: Really delightful. This fic has such easy, natural dialogue that translates well into flirting and sexual tension. Throw in English majors, bad auditions and brain bonding and you get a hell of a fun time.
Longin’ to Linger Till Dawn by vorpalblades
Rating: R
Word count: 6400
Authors summary: Jared has this dream. The trick is making real life live up to it. A high school AU.
Comment: Ugly duckling turned swan Jensen is one of my favourite fic kinks, so I was going to enjoy this whatever. But then it turned out to also be really damn good with a great build up and a satisfying ending.
Looking for a Lesson in the Periodicals by matalinolukaret
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Word Count: 9600
Authors summary: Every week Jared brings his niece to the library like any good uncle should. The hot librarian that works there is the reason he stays.
Comment: This is so sweet and warm and satisfying. Shy!Jensen slowly relaxing for Jared is perfectly done and too adorable for words. It made me all kinds of stupidly happy.
Malibu Jared© by _mournthewicked
Written for j2_everafter
Word Count: 30,000
Authors summary: Jensen Ackles has a successful career, great friends, and an amazing little girl. His love life is pretty much nonexistent, but he’s okay with that. The same can’t be said for Ryan. She knows her daddy deserves all the happiness in the world, so she calls on her overactive imagination to make a wish that will change their lives forever. Jensen appreciates the sentiment, but that doesn’t make him any less surprised when he wakes up to find that not only did her wish come true, it’s sleeping in his bed.
Comment: The concept is 100% crack fic, based on the movie Life-Size, but the execution is serious, producing a sweet and emotive story with some genuine angst. “He’s a little plastic doll that was purchased solely to round out Ryan’s complete set of Malibu Sandy© toys, but quickly replaced Sandy as the crown jewel of all of Ryan’s possessions. Jensen is a little concerned that her favorite thing in the universe is a boy doll that always seems to be half-naked, but he’s not a brave enough man to try to take it away from her.”
Over here at the side of your life by fleshflutter
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Word count: 13,700
Authors summary: Jared is a hooker, Jensen is his workaholic best friend.
Comment: This is awesome. I love how it turns the hooker trope on its head and makes it neither gritty nor salacious, just something done rationally and as part of an uber-cute schmoop au. That's pretty darn original
People Person by bittersplendor
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: PG13
Word count: 2800
Authors summary: College!AU. Jensen is awkward. Jared likes wiggling his eyebrows.
Comment: Funny and cute and featuring an awkward Jensen and clueless Jared, this fic left me content and happy.
Right Where I Belong by longsufferingly
Written for j2_everafter
Rating: NC17
Word count: 15,000
Authors summary: After his grandfather, the baronet, dies, Jensen goes to the exclusive Mycroft Academy to learn how to be a good nobleman. He does his best to avoid the politics and backstabbing, but it turns out he's got something bigger in store for him.
Comment: Secret identities, intrigue and true love! You really can’t go wrong in investing some time in this. Based on The Princess Diaries. “Jensen blinks and there's a tall boy in front of him, looking concerned. He's seen him around a few times, acknowledged that he's very good looking, and moved on. Jensen's never been good at talking to people he thinks are good-looking. Besides, the boy is always surrounded by people, so Jensen assumed he must be fairly close to the throne and therefore not interested in lowly Genovians without any useful connections.”
Rounding The Bases by crackedbuthappy
Rating: NC17
Word count: 16,150
Authors summary: Jared is a firm believer that dating is like baseball. Every man who steps up to the plate has to work hard to round the bases. He doesn’t believe in letting anyone hit a home run; a guy has to work for it, he has to hit every base from his place in the batter’s box to sliding into home. And in Jared's baseball metaphor for life? Jensen's a very capable batter.
Comment: I really like how this starts out with typical boys messing around way before it develops into real intimacy. It’s honest. That’s not to say this fic is serious, because really it’s a hell of a lot of fun with witty banter and smoking hot porn.
Take the Sky, For Example (A Canvas of a Billion Suns) by zephyrocity
Rating: R
Word Count: 45,683
Authors summary: Jensen knows from the start that moving in with a near-stranger is an awful idea, but the true magnitude of his mistake hits him like a sledgehammer after a few months of rocky cohabitation, when he realises that he's head over heels for his college-dropout-turned-struggling-actor roommate, who goes by the name of Jared and is oblivious, obnoxious, and straight. Based loosely on Spaced.
Comment: Long and gently paced roommate fic where you can feel the growing intimacy and the evolution of a friendship. All the supporting players feel really well drawn out and vibrant, giving the whole piece a nicely realistic feel.
Taking Chances by lavendergaia
Written for j2_everafter
Rating: NC17
Word count: 14,500
Authors summary: After being cursed by a fairy into obedience, Jensen Ackles has never been very concerned with being social. When he falls for Jared Padalecki, he has to decide if his safety is more important than his happiness.
Comment: Based on Ella Enchanted. Here are six words that will make you realise why you should read this if you haven’t already: Chris Kane as the fairy godmother! How awesome is that. There’s also toppy!Jared, sweet Jensen, surprise villains and pretty boys flirting.
The Quest for the Tunnels of Unknown Madness by annella
Rating: NC17
Word count: 2300
Authors summary: Jensen loves being a wizard, he really does, but he hates the way it only takes one hit in battle to take him out. Jared's supposed to be protecting him, but the stupid(ly attractive) barbarian keeps getting distracted by whatever he's trying to kill at the moment.
Comment: I love big hulking barbarian Jared with the heart of a softie and petulant grumpy cutie-pie Jensen so damn much that I went to my happy place when I read this even though I know bugger all about D&D. “Jensen's feeling pretty embarrassed by the end of it. No one else is injured, but here he is, lying in the grass with a bruise on his arm which feels like it's killing him. Who knew ogre sling bullets could be slung with such force? He hadn't even had a chance to fire off more than one Magic Missile before he'd been downed. He was probably getting grass stains on his robes.”
There's Always Tomorrow by timehasa_way
Word count: 21,284
Rating: NC17
Authors summary: Jensen Ackles is a rich CEO whose lack of purpose is catching up to him. The only thing that keeps him sane is the ballet, his eyes always focused on one dancer: Jared Padalecki. He never expects for them to meet, and he never expects Jared to be there for him when his life falls apart. It's on a sidewalk in December that Jensen's life changes forever, taking small steps that could finally lead him to true happiness.
Comment: Atmospheric and vivid, this convincingly tells the story of two boys meeting, falling in love and working out all that entails. There’s a great balance struck between the slow and aching and the sweet and content.
TKO by vamphile
Rating: R
Authors summary: Jensen is an ex-con with a clean slate. Jared owns an MMA gym. They like each other, a lot.
Comment: I enjoyed spending time with this fic. Watching Jensen baby-stepping his post-prison life was painful, but in the good story kind of way. It was so effective to have the ending be imperfect but part of his work-in-progress.
We Could Be Heroes (Just For One Day) by arlad
Rating: R
Word count: 26,500
Authors summary: AU. Jared Padalecki is not your run of the mill high school student: for one thing, he’s gay, and for another, he’s an empath. The first thing has made life at school hell, and when the new kid transfers, it looks like it’s going to get worse… but maybe Jensen isn’t what meets the eye, either. (otherwise known as the gay teenage superhero!au)
Comment: I adored how almost casually the super-powers were accepted in the AU world created, and in doing so it allowed this fic to be mostly about boys and feelings and angst and crushes rather then just daring-do.
We've come a long way by gypsy_sunday
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: R
Word count: 16,855
Authors summary: Growing up in a small town, Jared and Jensen form an unlikely friendship. But are they too different to make it last?
Comment: This is a really tender coming of age love story, beautifully written and with a wonderful sense of the inevitable. There’s a fantastic blend of character development and narrative that ensures it stays compelling from beginning to end. “The first time Jared and Jensen meet, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Jared is pinned against the brick wall of an alleyway behind Cameron County Junior High, valiantly blinking back tears as Jensen and his gang rifle through the contents of his backpack.”
GETTING TOGETHER
below the joint by yourperiphery
Rating : PG13
Word count: 1500
Authors summary: in which jared and jensen are going their separate ways.
Comment: The angst of a slowly decaying friendship is perfectly captured here before it leads to the best kind of bittersweet ending.
Count On Us All Falling On Our Swords Tonight by build_the_moon
Rating: R
Word count: 4100
Authors summary: Jensen's been denying his feelings for Jared to everyone, including himself. Lucky for him, two meddling friends and one drunken confession can change everything.
Comment: The portrayal of drunk Jensen is really adorable, much like the whole fic.
ESTABLISHED RALTIONSHIP
Back to You (It Always Comes Around) by timewillbe
Word count: 42,000
Authors summary: Boy meets boy. Boy falls for boy. And then life happens.
Comment: This is a really compelling story. The Jared and Jensen here, much like the situations they find themselves in, are kind of sad and messed up but in a way that feels true to life rather than depressing. They are helped along by an engaging and sympathetic supporting cast who gave vital context and emotion to the story. There are no villains here, just people trying to do right by decisions they have made and continue to make.
I'll build you a castle (if you bring me some sand) by atimi
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Rating: NC17
Word count: 12,000
Authors summary: Written for the prompt:Jared/Jensen, established relationship, experimenting with D/s for the first time when neither of them have tried it before. I'd love lots of talking and negotiation about rules and limits and feelings, etc.
Comment: I pretty much love how this was a kind of unsexy [but still hot!] sex fic, where it was all about warmth and love and humour instead.
ILLNESS & INJURY
Scheduling Conflicts by lizzywinks (bronchitis)
Written for spn_j2_xmas
Word count: 6700
Rating: PG13
Authors summary: Jensen is newly single and finally knows what he wants -- all he needs now is for Jared to notice. And possibly some prompt medical attention.
Comment: Jensen gets sick but tries to tough it out on his own. When Jared finds out he goes into full on protective mode. Great hurt/comfort with just the right amount of plot.
so let me set the battlements on fire by calamitycrow (spinal injury)
Rating: NC17
Word count: 75,000
Comment: This is a story that really doesn’t shy away from the realities of living with a debilitating injury. It’s also long, complex and absorbing with a great supporting cast of known players and engaging original characters.
POST SPN
Tell the Ones That Need to Know by dugindeep
Rating: R
Words: 18,500
Authors summary: It's been five years since Supernatural, since Jared had a steady job and really felt like himself. When he decides to spend the holidays back in Texas, he's ready for the guilt trips, the tension, and feeling vaguely unwelcome. But he's not prepared for the men who show him what life used to be like, what it really is, and how it could be.
Comment: A retelling of A Christmas Carol with Jared as the person to be visited by the ghosts. This story has the perfect amount of emotion and sentiment where the angst is never too painful and the joy is never too saccharine.
On a totally different topic, who else is excited for the first night of Glam Nation?