As I begin to lose my grip on these realities you're sending...
So, there's no Music Monday this week, obviously. I'll pick up with 'C' this coming Monday. Promise. For now? Fanfic recs. Because these are the best I've read recently, and I feel like I need to share. This means that you need to come and squee with me about this stuff. They're all oneshots, so you have no excuses not to read at least one and report back. Cue my shit-eating grin here.
Seriously though -- feel free to pass on by if you'd like. I'd just like people to flail with over some of this stuff is all.
Fic: Transmutation (Pitch Black/Firefly)
Summary: Riddick remembers the last time he actually saw in daylight.
Why you should read it: This author, kurukami , has managed to blend Pitch Black and Firefly pretty much seamlessly. I honestly believe these universes could be the same one, and that this is how things could have gone down. The writer claims this is crackfic, but it is the furthest thing from it. If the bizarre choice of fandoms to cross over doesn't draw you in, you should read it simply for the punch that's packed by these scant 639 words.
Fic: To The Moon And Back (Inception)
Summary: Arthur takes a slow drink of gin, eyes on her the whole time. “I want you to kill me.”
Why you should read it: I will admit that I'm a little biased here, as this fic was written for me as part of the National Poetry Month Exchange. I wanted something based on the poem "The Promise" by Sharon Olds, which is a dark (but beautiful) piece. I'd expected something dark as a result, but nothing as dark and wonderful and amazing as this. Arthur and Ariadne are built up so perfectly before they're ripped to shreds. Strong women and the broken men who love them is one of the tropes that works like nothing else for me, and it's done so well here. Darkfic ahoy. Just sayin'.
Fic: Duck Soup (Brick)
Summary: "Well," Brendan sighed. "That won't do."
Why you should read it: The author here nails the noir vibe that made the movie great, and has a strong handle on the unique patois used by the characters. Brain is our protagonist, and ends up fleshed out so well that you feel like he could live right next door to you. The whole thing is a detective story, in which Brain ends up calling on Brendan (now forced to manage both Tug and the Pin's soldiers in order to keep them in line) to help him solve a new murder. The school itself is even developed as an environment, every department playing out like rival gangs, and those internal politics combined with the overarching story is so natural that "Duck Soup" could easily be the sequel to "Brick".
Fic: Flashes of Red (Casino Royale!Bond)
Summary: Some wine, a smile, and a farewell dress. He remembers perfectly how she came to life.
Why you should read it: This fic is the reason why I love the rebooted Bond, and despite the ending and despite what I understand "Quantum of Solace" does, why I love Bond and Vesper. See strong women and the broken men who love them above. This is an elegant ficlet written after the release of the first movie that plays with memory and hurt. It's not long, but it's gorgeous, and worth every second you will spend reading it.
Fic: Breathe (Bourne Movies)
Summary: Filling in the space between.
Why you should read it: I have never seen the time between "Identity" and "Supremacy" captured so well. It's from Marie's perspective, which makes for a fantastic way to look at Jason, and what their life on the run would be like. This is a fantastically rendered Marie, too. We get hints of her history, we get that quiet sense of humour she has, topped with a generous dose of bittersweet. And then there's the last five sentences. Gawd. Gawd. That is how it's done, folks. That right there.
Fic: How to Avoid Kicking Puppies and Other Valuable Lessons in Leadership (Star Trek XI)
Summary: “I can’t do it!” Jim says, storming into McCoy’s tiny office at the back of Sickbay. McCoy sighs. He has work to do. Work he is clearly not going to be getting done now.
“There are a lot of things you can’t do. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
Why you should read it: Put down whatever you're drinking. No, seriously. Put it down. Make sure you've swallowed your last gulp entirely. The first time I read this I was left wheezing like mad, since I was trying to breathe between laughs that I swear nearly cracked ribs. This is crack of the best kind. Jim is a wonderful, ditzy drama queen. Bones is the straight-man. Chekov fears for his life while Sulu looks on in amusement. Underground betting pools are uncovered. You know you waaaaaaaaaaaaaaant it.
Seriously though -- feel free to pass on by if you'd like. I'd just like people to flail with over some of this stuff is all.
Fic: Transmutation (Pitch Black/Firefly)
Summary: Riddick remembers the last time he actually saw in daylight.
Why you should read it: This author, kurukami , has managed to blend Pitch Black and Firefly pretty much seamlessly. I honestly believe these universes could be the same one, and that this is how things could have gone down. The writer claims this is crackfic, but it is the furthest thing from it. If the bizarre choice of fandoms to cross over doesn't draw you in, you should read it simply for the punch that's packed by these scant 639 words.
Fic: To The Moon And Back (Inception)
Summary: Arthur takes a slow drink of gin, eyes on her the whole time. “I want you to kill me.”
Why you should read it: I will admit that I'm a little biased here, as this fic was written for me as part of the National Poetry Month Exchange. I wanted something based on the poem "The Promise" by Sharon Olds, which is a dark (but beautiful) piece. I'd expected something dark as a result, but nothing as dark and wonderful and amazing as this. Arthur and Ariadne are built up so perfectly before they're ripped to shreds. Strong women and the broken men who love them is one of the tropes that works like nothing else for me, and it's done so well here. Darkfic ahoy. Just sayin'.
Fic: Duck Soup (Brick)
Summary: "Well," Brendan sighed. "That won't do."
Why you should read it: The author here nails the noir vibe that made the movie great, and has a strong handle on the unique patois used by the characters. Brain is our protagonist, and ends up fleshed out so well that you feel like he could live right next door to you. The whole thing is a detective story, in which Brain ends up calling on Brendan (now forced to manage both Tug and the Pin's soldiers in order to keep them in line) to help him solve a new murder. The school itself is even developed as an environment, every department playing out like rival gangs, and those internal politics combined with the overarching story is so natural that "Duck Soup" could easily be the sequel to "Brick".
Fic: Flashes of Red (Casino Royale!Bond)
Summary: Some wine, a smile, and a farewell dress. He remembers perfectly how she came to life.
Why you should read it: This fic is the reason why I love the rebooted Bond, and despite the ending and despite what I understand "Quantum of Solace" does, why I love Bond and Vesper. See strong women and the broken men who love them above. This is an elegant ficlet written after the release of the first movie that plays with memory and hurt. It's not long, but it's gorgeous, and worth every second you will spend reading it.
Fic: Breathe (Bourne Movies)
Summary: Filling in the space between.
Why you should read it: I have never seen the time between "Identity" and "Supremacy" captured so well. It's from Marie's perspective, which makes for a fantastic way to look at Jason, and what their life on the run would be like. This is a fantastically rendered Marie, too. We get hints of her history, we get that quiet sense of humour she has, topped with a generous dose of bittersweet. And then there's the last five sentences. Gawd. Gawd. That is how it's done, folks. That right there.
Fic: How to Avoid Kicking Puppies and Other Valuable Lessons in Leadership (Star Trek XI)
Summary: “I can’t do it!” Jim says, storming into McCoy’s tiny office at the back of Sickbay. McCoy sighs. He has work to do. Work he is clearly not going to be getting done now.
“There are a lot of things you can’t do. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
Why you should read it: Put down whatever you're drinking. No, seriously. Put it down. Make sure you've swallowed your last gulp entirely. The first time I read this I was left wheezing like mad, since I was trying to breathe between laughs that I swear nearly cracked ribs. This is crack of the best kind. Jim is a wonderful, ditzy drama queen. Bones is the straight-man. Chekov fears for his life while Sulu looks on in amusement. Underground betting pools are uncovered. You know you waaaaaaaaaaaaaaant it.