Big Bang recs
At some point I have to record what J2 AUs I enjoyed a lot from Big Bang this year, so even though most of you will probably have seen these already... Here they are! They show good characterisation and lovely pacing, IMO, as a disclaimer, because I don't really want to repeat that every time.
And the Greatest of These is Love by beckaandzac. NC-17, ~23,600 words. I love AUs dealing with religious themes, and this one resonated a lot with me. It's quite wonderful to see the boy's relationship grow despite what they were taught about right and wrong. Very atmospheric and realistic.
In Becoming Who We Are by elizah_jane. NC-17, ~82,700 words. J2 and Jensen/JDM. This fic starts with an in-depth depiction of Jensen's relationship with JDM. Now, don't let that deter you (unless you loathe JDM); he doesn't do a lot for me, and still I loved the portrayal of the relationship so that I mourning along with Jensen when it breaks apart. When several years later Jared enters the picture, you can feel how Jensen grows and changes as a person. Despite its length, I don't think the fic is too long at all; it takes time to unfold, just as it should. Simply lovely, and not the least for the cast of minor characters.
Reanimated by tigbit. NC-17, ~80,000 words. I'm sure everybody's read this fic already, but let me just repeat: this is a prime example for exceptional world-building. It plays in the afterlife, and the author does an amazing job showing the rules of Heaven and Hell. The relationship between the Js once again develops so beautifully that I was sad to see the fic end; the world is just too compelling. Seriously, I don't even know what to say about this without spoiling too much, so simply go and read it if you haven't yet!
By All Means, Rome by deirdre_c. NC-17, ~28,000 words. I'm a big fan of fics that are set outside of North America, and the author does a lovely job of bringing Rome to life. The atmosphere is so vivid that you can imagine you've lived there, somehow. Wonderful.
write your name all over my paper heart by toxica939. NC-17, ~24,500 words. Such a lovely, realistic depiction of a relationship between teenagers! The other characters are made of WIN too, so, y'know. READ.
The Ramblers by mijmeraar. R, ~36,600 words. This was totally not what I expected. Jensen is a poor photographer, Jared an up-and-coming celebrity. Totally great.
this ain't no thinkin' thang by calamitycrow. R, ~24,500 words. Jensen is autistic, Jared deaf, and they're both cowboys travelling together. The author does a lovely job conveying of what the world could be like for an autistic world, and she does great showing how Jensen feels for Jared and how Jared comes to understand how Jensen shows this. I think it might have ended a bit too soon, but otherwise, if you're interested in such subject matter, go read this. It's seriously well done, I think.
What about now (What if you're making me all that I was meant to be) by the_milky_way. R, ~46,000 words. A sports AU in which Jared poses an enigma that Jensen needs to crack. The author does a lovely job conveying the fascination of parkour, and the development of the relationship is just. Well done.
And the Greatest of These is Love by beckaandzac. NC-17, ~23,600 words. I love AUs dealing with religious themes, and this one resonated a lot with me. It's quite wonderful to see the boy's relationship grow despite what they were taught about right and wrong. Very atmospheric and realistic.
In Becoming Who We Are by elizah_jane. NC-17, ~82,700 words. J2 and Jensen/JDM. This fic starts with an in-depth depiction of Jensen's relationship with JDM. Now, don't let that deter you (unless you loathe JDM); he doesn't do a lot for me, and still I loved the portrayal of the relationship so that I mourning along with Jensen when it breaks apart. When several years later Jared enters the picture, you can feel how Jensen grows and changes as a person. Despite its length, I don't think the fic is too long at all; it takes time to unfold, just as it should. Simply lovely, and not the least for the cast of minor characters.
Reanimated by tigbit. NC-17, ~80,000 words. I'm sure everybody's read this fic already, but let me just repeat: this is a prime example for exceptional world-building. It plays in the afterlife, and the author does an amazing job showing the rules of Heaven and Hell. The relationship between the Js once again develops so beautifully that I was sad to see the fic end; the world is just too compelling. Seriously, I don't even know what to say about this without spoiling too much, so simply go and read it if you haven't yet!
By All Means, Rome by deirdre_c. NC-17, ~28,000 words. I'm a big fan of fics that are set outside of North America, and the author does a lovely job of bringing Rome to life. The atmosphere is so vivid that you can imagine you've lived there, somehow. Wonderful.
write your name all over my paper heart by toxica939. NC-17, ~24,500 words. Such a lovely, realistic depiction of a relationship between teenagers! The other characters are made of WIN too, so, y'know. READ.
The Ramblers by mijmeraar. R, ~36,600 words. This was totally not what I expected. Jensen is a poor photographer, Jared an up-and-coming celebrity. Totally great.
this ain't no thinkin' thang by calamitycrow. R, ~24,500 words. Jensen is autistic, Jared deaf, and they're both cowboys travelling together. The author does a lovely job conveying of what the world could be like for an autistic world, and she does great showing how Jensen feels for Jared and how Jared comes to understand how Jensen shows this. I think it might have ended a bit too soon, but otherwise, if you're interested in such subject matter, go read this. It's seriously well done, I think.
What about now (What if you're making me all that I was meant to be) by the_milky_way. R, ~46,000 words. A sports AU in which Jared poses an enigma that Jensen needs to crack. The author does a lovely job conveying the fascination of parkour, and the development of the relationship is just. Well done.