Tommygirl's 1st set of yuletide 2006 - 19 recs
So here is my first batch of yuletide recs. Up until this evening, I was reading in alphabetical order, aside from the story for me, but started jumping around a little this evening. But yes, Steph wanted me to put up a list, so here's my first bit of recs. Again, as Steph mentioned, there may be duplicates from hers, but we thought it would just be easier for this one. Expect more recs from me when I have time to read some more (vacations should not be as busy as mine's been)
Yuletide (19 Recs)
1. You Don’t Know What We Can See by control_freak80 - The 4400, Maia - I loved this look at Maia in the future and all that has gone into her becoming who she is: learning to deal with her abilities, choosing a side & learning there isn’t always a clear right and wrong, losing people and loving people. It’s such a great little piece. Maia still had visions of the future, but like all senses, they were fading with age. She had a pretty good idea of when she was going to die, but sometimes the visions changed, and really, her time and manner of death was one thing she would prefer not to know.
2. My Own Voice Cannot Save Me Now by bozaloshtsh - The 4400, Shawn/Jordan - Shawn’s not sure how to handle things after Jordan kicks Isabelle out of the center. I love the Shawn voice in this story - how certain he is about things, but how unable he is to do anything about it via Jordan or even Richard. And I love how Jordan can manipulate Shawn so perfectly. When Isabelle passes him in the hall, Shawn knows. He knows it from the stride, the angry snapping of her hips, he knows it from the alien light that sometimes flares up striking behind her eyes.
3. Love Comes and Goes by ladybug218 - Almost Famous, Penny - It’s glimpses of Penny’s thoughts from the end of the movie into the future. I love the Penny voice here and how she slowly figures out who she is away from the music. It's not a conscious decision to take the quaaludes. She's upset by Russell's rejection, by Dick's words, by Leslie's existence. Her friends are gone and she realizes that she has broken every rule she set forth for the Band Aids. Her gaze falls on the bottle of pills that Sapphire left behind and she starts taking them, not really considering the consequences.
4. Dmitri in the Old Palace by memlu - Anastasia, Dmitri - Dmitri throughout the years from after the fall of the palace. It’s beautifully written in short sections and a wonderful look at his character and the man he becomes. For years he dreamt of that last night. Some nights he saved her and they ran away across the snow together; then she would vanish. Some nights the soldiers caught her and beat her bloody with their rifles. Once he dreamt she danced in the ballroom with her grandmother.
5. Keeping Score by valarltd - Anastasia, Dmitri/Anya & Vlad - It’s a story set during the time of the movie from Vlad’s perspective. I love the score-keeping and how it’s used to move Vlad’s thought process on Dmitri/Anya forward. Vlad gave Pooka a little smile as he tallied the times their red-headed spitfire had gotten the conversational upper hand on his smooth-talking partner. And they hadn't even left Moscow yet. He was already fond of the girl, her sharp wit and fast tongue amusing him. Her almond eyes flashed as she sniped back at Dmitri.
6. Into the Stars by rivers_bend - Brokeback Mountain, Lurleen, L.D., Jack - I love the voices for all three of the characters that the story is writen from. I love how Jack feels about Ennis. I love how beautifully this story is written. And the ending just packs one hell of a punch. Lurleen had put up with the postcards, and the trips, and the whiskey, but this was too damn much. Jack dancing with that fancy-pants sorority girl wife of the new foreman over at Taylor's was one thing, but he was not stepping out with the foreman himself. He just was not going to do that.
7. Banky’s Night Out by resolute - Askewniverse, Banky & Hooper - I don’t read a whole lot of fic in this universe, mostly because I’m so deeply attached the canon that I just don’t usually love it nearly as much. This story has such a great Banky voice that I might have to rethink this theory of mine. Banky trying to make sense of things and Hooper being there to help him. And did I mention the Banky voice? Holden used to tease Banky. Back, before. Back when they were partners, about not keeping a girlfriend. Holden never understood. Banky didn't want to keep them. Keep them, god! Too much fucking work. And the drama! The goddam drama.
8. Not the First Date by kattahj - Time Traveler’s Wife, Clare/Henry - On one of Henry’s trips to the past, Clare and Henry attempt to have a date. It’s written in similar format to the book and the voices are so great in this piece. But I’m just so fond of Henry in this. I'm waiting for Henry in the Meadow, and I use the time waiting to work through everything in my head, trying to find the most persuasive angle. I refold and stroke the clothes I've chosen for him. Are they too much? Not enough? I remove the tie and stick it in my pocket. It's not like we're going to dinner with the Rockefellers.
9. Philosophy for a Most Excellent World by cjmarlowe - Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Socrates & Billy the Kid - This story is so amusing and cleverly written. It’s from Socrates (So-Crates) POV and his attachment to the man known as “Billy.” It’s just a nice read. It was a place called 'Radio Shack' and it was filled with wonders. Not even in his most fanciful dreams and visions could Socrates have predicted a future such as this, with its machines and its commerce and its towering architecture. Yet there was still a place for people like him here, in the public squares and on street corners, in the parking lot and in Haagen-Dazs. The philosopher had not perished in this new world.
10. 10 x 10 by stonedtodeath - Boondock Saints, Connor/Murphy - This is angsty and beautiful and interesting. The voices are perfect and I just love the relationship between the two of them. He's sure they think it's torment, being further from his twin than mere steps can reach. They're wrong. Prison's made him tuck Murph deeper in his heart, a blade no doctor'd dare pull. If they'd try, he'd get the last laugh, he would. A dirty red one, and no ear not full of it.
11. Housewarming by ranalore - Boondock Saints, Connor/Murphy - Set when they arrive in Boston at their apartment. I love the voices here and the playfulness between the two of them that turns to the deep love they have for one another. Murph takes a breath and rolls his eyes at Connor, dropping his duffel where he stands; there's a single tiny closet, possibly big enough for both of their coats, but they didn't leave Ireland with hangers and Ma's not here to tell them to clean up.
12. Conjoined by kouryou - Boondock Saints, Connor & Murphy - I loved this story a whole lot. I love the closeness between the brothers, how the simplest things, a tattoo, invoke a deeper meaning of their attachment to each other. Connor squints at the blackish mark on his twin's hand, like a little star, right in the scuffed web between thumb and forefinger. It's raised up under the inquiring poke of Connor's thumb, like a scar, and he can see the old tendrils of ink seeping into Murphy's spring tan. He squints for a full minute and then glares up under his brows, accusing. "That's not a tattoo."
13. Maybe-Baby Daddy by yahtzee63 - Brothers and Sisters, Kevin (and all the Walkers) - Kevin figures out that he’s the father of the Tommy and Julia’s baby, leading to much neurotic thought, conversations with Scotty, and revelations about himself. Good stuff. The Kevin voice rocks in this piece, but I love the last scene between him and Tommy. I’m a sucker for the sibling relationship, people. Kevin felt like the rest of the world - or, at least, the part of the world he could see, namely his brother Tommy's study - had just vanished. There wasn't anything else in the world but Julia, Tommy's wife and the only other sane member of the entire Walker family, and what she'd just said.
14. Like a Coastal Shelf by inlovewithnight - Brothers & Sisters, Kevin (and all the Walkers) - Set pre-series, Kevin brings home his current boyfriend to meet the family. I loved Kevin in this, but what I loved most is his feelings about his family. Another dirty little secret: Kevin has figured out seven different ways he thinks he could kill his family and get away with it. Three of them involve being able to look a judge right in the eye and say "It was justifiable homicide by any definition."
15. Best Laid Plans by lakester - Coupling (UK), the gang - Steve’s not worried about celebrating Susan’s birthday, Patrick’s on a non-date with Sally, and Jeff gets into Jeff-type trouble. This is such a good story, one that could be part of an episode and I’d recommend reading it for the Jeff voice alone. It’s near perfect. "How can you say that, Steve? How can you miss something so obvious? Such a gaping chasm, such a pit yawning... sucking in your entire relationship with Susan into an endless void?" Jeff half-drained his pint and headed to the couch.
16. Apologies by LillyRose - Earth 2, True & Uly - It cannot go without saying that I’m quite attached to True Danizger and this story does so well with creating a glimpse of the confident, caring woman that she could become in the future. I love her relationship in this with Uly, who is her best friend and family and still able to annoy her like no one else. Basically, I love this whole thing and the fact that it was written for me just makes it that much cooler. True Danziger turned over again, trying to get comfortable. Months spent in a sleeping bag stuffed onto a cot too short and narrow for her height had ruined her for a regular bed. The mattress was too soft, and the pillows were too plush. The bed was too big; she felt lost in it.
17. Get Where You’ve Been Going by giddygeek - Entourage, Vince/Eric - So I’m sure Steph has gone on about this story since it was the one written for her, but really, if she hasn’t convinced you to read it, I’ll do my best to explain how amazing this story is. The Vince and Eric characterizations are damn near perfect and how they get from Point A to Point B seems so natural and easy like it’s just an extension of the show. Highly recommend. Eric goes to get drinks and doesn't come back, which leaves Vince sitting alone with four of the hottest girls in the club and Drama, sullen because he's been shut out; the girls aren't interested. Shitloads of fun. Vince puts up with it for a while, until the blonde with the smaller tits starts rubbing them all over his arm, and then he slides out of the booth and smiles.
18. Martin Q. Blank, Session Six by pasha - Grosse Pointe Blank, Martin - A story from Martin’s sessions with his therapist (even if the therapist asked him to stop coming). I love the voices here and it has a real feel of the movie. Plus, it made me laugh a lot. Dr. Oatman winced in what was becoming a characteristic way for him since Martin had disclosed the nature of his business. Martin had yet to figure out if the doctor genuinely thought he was unprofessional enough to assassinate the man on a scheduled visit or if Oatman didn't believe him when Martin had said I know where you live.
19. Nascent by iamtheenemy - Queer as Folk UK, Stuart/Vince - This is a great AU where Stuart is the doctor and while he does save the world a lot, he’s also still Stuart and obsessed with shagging and himself. And then there is Vince, who is still so perfectly Vince, and he encounters the Doctor. I loved this story. So great. It’s a long one, but if you love QAFUK, it’s a must read. Grabbing the keys to his flat, Vince locked up and headed outside to wait for Hazel. Five minutes later, she came speeding around the corner like a bat out of hell, squealing to a stop in front of Vince. Shaking his head, he got into the car and fastened his seatbelt.
Yuletide (19 Recs)
1. You Don’t Know What We Can See by control_freak80 - The 4400, Maia - I loved this look at Maia in the future and all that has gone into her becoming who she is: learning to deal with her abilities, choosing a side & learning there isn’t always a clear right and wrong, losing people and loving people. It’s such a great little piece. Maia still had visions of the future, but like all senses, they were fading with age. She had a pretty good idea of when she was going to die, but sometimes the visions changed, and really, her time and manner of death was one thing she would prefer not to know.
2. My Own Voice Cannot Save Me Now by bozaloshtsh - The 4400, Shawn/Jordan - Shawn’s not sure how to handle things after Jordan kicks Isabelle out of the center. I love the Shawn voice in this story - how certain he is about things, but how unable he is to do anything about it via Jordan or even Richard. And I love how Jordan can manipulate Shawn so perfectly. When Isabelle passes him in the hall, Shawn knows. He knows it from the stride, the angry snapping of her hips, he knows it from the alien light that sometimes flares up striking behind her eyes.
3. Love Comes and Goes by ladybug218 - Almost Famous, Penny - It’s glimpses of Penny’s thoughts from the end of the movie into the future. I love the Penny voice here and how she slowly figures out who she is away from the music. It's not a conscious decision to take the quaaludes. She's upset by Russell's rejection, by Dick's words, by Leslie's existence. Her friends are gone and she realizes that she has broken every rule she set forth for the Band Aids. Her gaze falls on the bottle of pills that Sapphire left behind and she starts taking them, not really considering the consequences.
4. Dmitri in the Old Palace by memlu - Anastasia, Dmitri - Dmitri throughout the years from after the fall of the palace. It’s beautifully written in short sections and a wonderful look at his character and the man he becomes. For years he dreamt of that last night. Some nights he saved her and they ran away across the snow together; then she would vanish. Some nights the soldiers caught her and beat her bloody with their rifles. Once he dreamt she danced in the ballroom with her grandmother.
5. Keeping Score by valarltd - Anastasia, Dmitri/Anya & Vlad - It’s a story set during the time of the movie from Vlad’s perspective. I love the score-keeping and how it’s used to move Vlad’s thought process on Dmitri/Anya forward. Vlad gave Pooka a little smile as he tallied the times their red-headed spitfire had gotten the conversational upper hand on his smooth-talking partner. And they hadn't even left Moscow yet. He was already fond of the girl, her sharp wit and fast tongue amusing him. Her almond eyes flashed as she sniped back at Dmitri.
6. Into the Stars by rivers_bend - Brokeback Mountain, Lurleen, L.D., Jack - I love the voices for all three of the characters that the story is writen from. I love how Jack feels about Ennis. I love how beautifully this story is written. And the ending just packs one hell of a punch. Lurleen had put up with the postcards, and the trips, and the whiskey, but this was too damn much. Jack dancing with that fancy-pants sorority girl wife of the new foreman over at Taylor's was one thing, but he was not stepping out with the foreman himself. He just was not going to do that.
7. Banky’s Night Out by resolute - Askewniverse, Banky & Hooper - I don’t read a whole lot of fic in this universe, mostly because I’m so deeply attached the canon that I just don’t usually love it nearly as much. This story has such a great Banky voice that I might have to rethink this theory of mine. Banky trying to make sense of things and Hooper being there to help him. And did I mention the Banky voice? Holden used to tease Banky. Back, before. Back when they were partners, about not keeping a girlfriend. Holden never understood. Banky didn't want to keep them. Keep them, god! Too much fucking work. And the drama! The goddam drama.
8. Not the First Date by kattahj - Time Traveler’s Wife, Clare/Henry - On one of Henry’s trips to the past, Clare and Henry attempt to have a date. It’s written in similar format to the book and the voices are so great in this piece. But I’m just so fond of Henry in this. I'm waiting for Henry in the Meadow, and I use the time waiting to work through everything in my head, trying to find the most persuasive angle. I refold and stroke the clothes I've chosen for him. Are they too much? Not enough? I remove the tie and stick it in my pocket. It's not like we're going to dinner with the Rockefellers.
9. Philosophy for a Most Excellent World by cjmarlowe - Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Socrates & Billy the Kid - This story is so amusing and cleverly written. It’s from Socrates (So-Crates) POV and his attachment to the man known as “Billy.” It’s just a nice read. It was a place called 'Radio Shack' and it was filled with wonders. Not even in his most fanciful dreams and visions could Socrates have predicted a future such as this, with its machines and its commerce and its towering architecture. Yet there was still a place for people like him here, in the public squares and on street corners, in the parking lot and in Haagen-Dazs. The philosopher had not perished in this new world.
10. 10 x 10 by stonedtodeath - Boondock Saints, Connor/Murphy - This is angsty and beautiful and interesting. The voices are perfect and I just love the relationship between the two of them. He's sure they think it's torment, being further from his twin than mere steps can reach. They're wrong. Prison's made him tuck Murph deeper in his heart, a blade no doctor'd dare pull. If they'd try, he'd get the last laugh, he would. A dirty red one, and no ear not full of it.
11. Housewarming by ranalore - Boondock Saints, Connor/Murphy - Set when they arrive in Boston at their apartment. I love the voices here and the playfulness between the two of them that turns to the deep love they have for one another. Murph takes a breath and rolls his eyes at Connor, dropping his duffel where he stands; there's a single tiny closet, possibly big enough for both of their coats, but they didn't leave Ireland with hangers and Ma's not here to tell them to clean up.
12. Conjoined by kouryou - Boondock Saints, Connor & Murphy - I loved this story a whole lot. I love the closeness between the brothers, how the simplest things, a tattoo, invoke a deeper meaning of their attachment to each other. Connor squints at the blackish mark on his twin's hand, like a little star, right in the scuffed web between thumb and forefinger. It's raised up under the inquiring poke of Connor's thumb, like a scar, and he can see the old tendrils of ink seeping into Murphy's spring tan. He squints for a full minute and then glares up under his brows, accusing. "That's not a tattoo."
13. Maybe-Baby Daddy by yahtzee63 - Brothers and Sisters, Kevin (and all the Walkers) - Kevin figures out that he’s the father of the Tommy and Julia’s baby, leading to much neurotic thought, conversations with Scotty, and revelations about himself. Good stuff. The Kevin voice rocks in this piece, but I love the last scene between him and Tommy. I’m a sucker for the sibling relationship, people. Kevin felt like the rest of the world - or, at least, the part of the world he could see, namely his brother Tommy's study - had just vanished. There wasn't anything else in the world but Julia, Tommy's wife and the only other sane member of the entire Walker family, and what she'd just said.
14. Like a Coastal Shelf by inlovewithnight - Brothers & Sisters, Kevin (and all the Walkers) - Set pre-series, Kevin brings home his current boyfriend to meet the family. I loved Kevin in this, but what I loved most is his feelings about his family. Another dirty little secret: Kevin has figured out seven different ways he thinks he could kill his family and get away with it. Three of them involve being able to look a judge right in the eye and say "It was justifiable homicide by any definition."
15. Best Laid Plans by lakester - Coupling (UK), the gang - Steve’s not worried about celebrating Susan’s birthday, Patrick’s on a non-date with Sally, and Jeff gets into Jeff-type trouble. This is such a good story, one that could be part of an episode and I’d recommend reading it for the Jeff voice alone. It’s near perfect. "How can you say that, Steve? How can you miss something so obvious? Such a gaping chasm, such a pit yawning... sucking in your entire relationship with Susan into an endless void?" Jeff half-drained his pint and headed to the couch.
16. Apologies by LillyRose - Earth 2, True & Uly - It cannot go without saying that I’m quite attached to True Danizger and this story does so well with creating a glimpse of the confident, caring woman that she could become in the future. I love her relationship in this with Uly, who is her best friend and family and still able to annoy her like no one else. Basically, I love this whole thing and the fact that it was written for me just makes it that much cooler. True Danziger turned over again, trying to get comfortable. Months spent in a sleeping bag stuffed onto a cot too short and narrow for her height had ruined her for a regular bed. The mattress was too soft, and the pillows were too plush. The bed was too big; she felt lost in it.
17. Get Where You’ve Been Going by giddygeek - Entourage, Vince/Eric - So I’m sure Steph has gone on about this story since it was the one written for her, but really, if she hasn’t convinced you to read it, I’ll do my best to explain how amazing this story is. The Vince and Eric characterizations are damn near perfect and how they get from Point A to Point B seems so natural and easy like it’s just an extension of the show. Highly recommend. Eric goes to get drinks and doesn't come back, which leaves Vince sitting alone with four of the hottest girls in the club and Drama, sullen because he's been shut out; the girls aren't interested. Shitloads of fun. Vince puts up with it for a while, until the blonde with the smaller tits starts rubbing them all over his arm, and then he slides out of the booth and smiles.
18. Martin Q. Blank, Session Six by pasha - Grosse Pointe Blank, Martin - A story from Martin’s sessions with his therapist (even if the therapist asked him to stop coming). I love the voices here and it has a real feel of the movie. Plus, it made me laugh a lot. Dr. Oatman winced in what was becoming a characteristic way for him since Martin had disclosed the nature of his business. Martin had yet to figure out if the doctor genuinely thought he was unprofessional enough to assassinate the man on a scheduled visit or if Oatman didn't believe him when Martin had said I know where you live.
19. Nascent by iamtheenemy - Queer as Folk UK, Stuart/Vince - This is a great AU where Stuart is the doctor and while he does save the world a lot, he’s also still Stuart and obsessed with shagging and himself. And then there is Vince, who is still so perfectly Vince, and he encounters the Doctor. I loved this story. So great. It’s a long one, but if you love QAFUK, it’s a must read. Grabbing the keys to his flat, Vince locked up and headed outside to wait for Hazel. Five minutes later, she came speeding around the corner like a bat out of hell, squealing to a stop in front of Vince. Shaking his head, he got into the car and fastened his seatbelt.