What we've collectively been needing is high adventure in the air.
For my first rec list, I decided I wanted to try reading things that are a little bit out of my comfort zone. Usually, I don't much enjoy fics that are heavy on plot/action because I have a lot of trouble emotionally connecting to them. The stories below vary drastically in genre-we have dragons, space, spies, war-but one thing they all share is that these are high adventure stories that are also really, really compelling emotionally.
Beginner's Luck by bertee (Jared/Jensen, NC-17, ~50k)
Summary: Medieval-esque fantasy AU. Dashing-adventurer!Jared meets male-equivalent-of-a-damsel-in-distress!Jensen, who is on the run from a very shady JDM. With a little (read: a lot) of help from Jensen, Jared overcomes various hazards including a fire-breathing dragon, a haunted forest, and a nymph who is adamant that Jared should come to live with her underwater. Jared's reputation grows as a result of his heroics but before he and Jensen can plan their happily ever after, Jensen's past rears its ugly head, putting both of their lives in danger. It turns out that disgruntled dragons are the least of Jared's problems.
Why I rec: This story is just too much fun. The author has a fantastic talent for writing her stories in a humorous voice, and this is full of twists that will be surprising and satisfy from start to finish!
Bonus!: I also highly rec the art for this story by amindaya.
The Future's Nothing New 'Verse by bertee (Jared/Jensen, R, 61k [total in 'verse])
Summary: Jared is an intergalactic problem-solver, Jensen is a slave with a problem that needs solving, and Jeff is Jared's long-suffering mentor. Together they fight crime!
Why I rec: While the link and summary are all to the first story, my rec is for the overall verse, which can be read as one story by following the links to the next chapter from each post. This verse is great to immerse yourself in for a few days. Again, the author's voice is hilarious and the action is non-stop. All of the characters are extremely sweet and their relationships are as touching as they are frustrated by (hilarious) mishaps.
Mountie Duck by glovered (Jared/Jensen, R, 30k)
Summary: Jared is a Mountie at a small border crossing. Jensen Ackles avoids his official hug.
Why I rec: Another read that is as funny as it is exciting! I had no idea where this fic was going as I was reading it, but I never regretted going along for the ride. Best use of miscommunication I think I've seen in a fic, and that's saying a lot.
Bonus!: I highly rec the cute art here by _afterism. It's just as awesomely cracky as the fic is!
Our Story is Infinite by elizah_jane (Jared/Jensen, R, 24k)
Summary: After he left high school, Jared thought he'd seen the last of Jensen Ackles: Life Ruiner, so it came as an unpleasant surprise when Ackles turned up again as one of Jared's college roommates. Jared didn't plan on living with him and he didn't plan on falling for him, but once they got together, he figured things would get easier. He was wrong about that too. Life, as it turned out, was just full of magical surprises.
Why I rec: What's so great about this story is you're not expecting adventure when you go into it-it sweeps you away and into the excitement just as it does the characters!
Bonus!: Highly rec the incredible art by maichan.
Palladium by zuben_eschamali (Jared/Jensen, NC-17, ~64k)
Summary: Jared Padalecki was sixteen when Earth was invaded, shattering the world as he knew it. A year later, he was stunned when the leader of the human resistance, Jensen Ackles, was captured by the aliens, crushing the humans' last gasp of hope. Since then, Jared has made it his life's mission to rescue and restore Jensen, even if he never expects to get the chance to do either. But when that chance unexpectedly comes, Jared has to overcome the obstacles that he's put in his own way before he can work with his former hero, who's been a captive for years. If they can overcome the ways they've both been changed, they might be able to figure out a way to stop the invaders and maybe even save the world.
Why I rec: Please do yourself a favor and stop whatever you are doing to read this story. It is WRENCHING. You will feel all the fear and disappointment and impossible hope that this author managed to layer into her story. It is simply an incredible read, whether you're looking to fall in love or get your blood pumping. This story was a real experience-I was absolutely shaken by the end of it and wished for it to go on forever. It will reaffirm your faith in humanity in the most brutally honest way possible.
Bonus!: FANTASTIC art here by nox_wicked that matches the atmosphere of the story just perfectly!
Through Mist or Open Sky by obstinatrix (Jared/Jensen/Jeffrey Dean Morgan, NC-17, 27.5k)
Summary: When Jeff Morgan swapped his Sopwith Camel for a civilian aeroplane at the end of the Great War, he didn't expect ever to engage in another aerial combat. But the downside to having friends in high places is that every favour must ultimately be repaid. When, in 1940, an aerial Battle for Britain starts to look likely, Wing Commander Richings determines that a special kind of squadron will be needed to head the defence -- and he wants Jeff to head the experiment. It isn't a request. 275 Squadron seem a motley crew at first. The three Flight Lieutenants, Ackles, Padalecki and Collins, are all unmanageable in their own unique ways, and only the presence of an old friend on base sees Jeff through a difficult first couple of weeks. But as rumours of total air warfare become realised, Jeff learns that first impressions don't always tell the full story, and that nothing constitutes disaster unless you let it.
Why I rec: This story is like straight up porn for your emotions. I did not expect to enjoy a historical war AU very much at all to be honest-it's just not my cuppa, but holy eff. I am not even usually a big JDM fan, but I felt so much for him in this fic. It's some seriously impressive story telling!
Tilting at Windmills by riyku (Jared/Jensen, NC-17, 30k)
Summary: As a student of folklore and mythology, Jared is more at home in dusty libraries than in remote mountain villages, but curiosity and the lure of adventure have him following a path laid out in a centuries old journal. He chooses Jensen - or perhaps it's more like Jensen chooses him - as a guide, the only man off-kilter enough to buy into his plans. Each and every step takes them deeper into a world Jared never knew existed outside of fairy tales; a place where people still believe in magic and it's important to never forget to feed the dragon.
Why I rec: This was a great story because the progression of the emotional relationship and the plot were tied up in each other so well you couldn't find the space between them. It's a great relationship to watch grow, just as it's really rewarding to see the way the mythology progresses. This is also one of those rare stories that you will not feel happy reading 100% of the time without losing the sense of high stakes in what's going on.
Beginner's Luck by bertee (Jared/Jensen, NC-17, ~50k)
Summary: Medieval-esque fantasy AU. Dashing-adventurer!Jared meets male-equivalent-of-a-damsel-in-distress!Jensen, who is on the run from a very shady JDM. With a little (read: a lot) of help from Jensen, Jared overcomes various hazards including a fire-breathing dragon, a haunted forest, and a nymph who is adamant that Jared should come to live with her underwater. Jared's reputation grows as a result of his heroics but before he and Jensen can plan their happily ever after, Jensen's past rears its ugly head, putting both of their lives in danger. It turns out that disgruntled dragons are the least of Jared's problems.
Why I rec: This story is just too much fun. The author has a fantastic talent for writing her stories in a humorous voice, and this is full of twists that will be surprising and satisfy from start to finish!
Bonus!: I also highly rec the art for this story by amindaya.
The Future's Nothing New 'Verse by bertee (Jared/Jensen, R, 61k [total in 'verse])
Summary: Jared is an intergalactic problem-solver, Jensen is a slave with a problem that needs solving, and Jeff is Jared's long-suffering mentor. Together they fight crime!
Why I rec: While the link and summary are all to the first story, my rec is for the overall verse, which can be read as one story by following the links to the next chapter from each post. This verse is great to immerse yourself in for a few days. Again, the author's voice is hilarious and the action is non-stop. All of the characters are extremely sweet and their relationships are as touching as they are frustrated by (hilarious) mishaps.
Mountie Duck by glovered (Jared/Jensen, R, 30k)
Summary: Jared is a Mountie at a small border crossing. Jensen Ackles avoids his official hug.
Why I rec: Another read that is as funny as it is exciting! I had no idea where this fic was going as I was reading it, but I never regretted going along for the ride. Best use of miscommunication I think I've seen in a fic, and that's saying a lot.
Bonus!: I highly rec the cute art here by _afterism. It's just as awesomely cracky as the fic is!
Our Story is Infinite by elizah_jane (Jared/Jensen, R, 24k)
Summary: After he left high school, Jared thought he'd seen the last of Jensen Ackles: Life Ruiner, so it came as an unpleasant surprise when Ackles turned up again as one of Jared's college roommates. Jared didn't plan on living with him and he didn't plan on falling for him, but once they got together, he figured things would get easier. He was wrong about that too. Life, as it turned out, was just full of magical surprises.
Why I rec: What's so great about this story is you're not expecting adventure when you go into it-it sweeps you away and into the excitement just as it does the characters!
Bonus!: Highly rec the incredible art by maichan.
Palladium by zuben_eschamali (Jared/Jensen, NC-17, ~64k)
Summary: Jared Padalecki was sixteen when Earth was invaded, shattering the world as he knew it. A year later, he was stunned when the leader of the human resistance, Jensen Ackles, was captured by the aliens, crushing the humans' last gasp of hope. Since then, Jared has made it his life's mission to rescue and restore Jensen, even if he never expects to get the chance to do either. But when that chance unexpectedly comes, Jared has to overcome the obstacles that he's put in his own way before he can work with his former hero, who's been a captive for years. If they can overcome the ways they've both been changed, they might be able to figure out a way to stop the invaders and maybe even save the world.
Why I rec: Please do yourself a favor and stop whatever you are doing to read this story. It is WRENCHING. You will feel all the fear and disappointment and impossible hope that this author managed to layer into her story. It is simply an incredible read, whether you're looking to fall in love or get your blood pumping. This story was a real experience-I was absolutely shaken by the end of it and wished for it to go on forever. It will reaffirm your faith in humanity in the most brutally honest way possible.
Bonus!: FANTASTIC art here by nox_wicked that matches the atmosphere of the story just perfectly!
Through Mist or Open Sky by obstinatrix (Jared/Jensen/Jeffrey Dean Morgan, NC-17, 27.5k)
Summary: When Jeff Morgan swapped his Sopwith Camel for a civilian aeroplane at the end of the Great War, he didn't expect ever to engage in another aerial combat. But the downside to having friends in high places is that every favour must ultimately be repaid. When, in 1940, an aerial Battle for Britain starts to look likely, Wing Commander Richings determines that a special kind of squadron will be needed to head the defence -- and he wants Jeff to head the experiment. It isn't a request. 275 Squadron seem a motley crew at first. The three Flight Lieutenants, Ackles, Padalecki and Collins, are all unmanageable in their own unique ways, and only the presence of an old friend on base sees Jeff through a difficult first couple of weeks. But as rumours of total air warfare become realised, Jeff learns that first impressions don't always tell the full story, and that nothing constitutes disaster unless you let it.
Why I rec: This story is like straight up porn for your emotions. I did not expect to enjoy a historical war AU very much at all to be honest-it's just not my cuppa, but holy eff. I am not even usually a big JDM fan, but I felt so much for him in this fic. It's some seriously impressive story telling!
Tilting at Windmills by riyku (Jared/Jensen, NC-17, 30k)
Summary: As a student of folklore and mythology, Jared is more at home in dusty libraries than in remote mountain villages, but curiosity and the lure of adventure have him following a path laid out in a centuries old journal. He chooses Jensen - or perhaps it's more like Jensen chooses him - as a guide, the only man off-kilter enough to buy into his plans. Each and every step takes them deeper into a world Jared never knew existed outside of fairy tales; a place where people still believe in magic and it's important to never forget to feed the dragon.
Why I rec: This was a great story because the progression of the emotional relationship and the plot were tied up in each other so well you couldn't find the space between them. It's a great relationship to watch grow, just as it's really rewarding to see the way the mythology progresses. This is also one of those rare stories that you will not feel happy reading 100% of the time without losing the sense of high stakes in what's going on.