Highlander Recs from crack_van
I have been reccing in crack_van for March and April. March was Highlander and this month is Doctor Who. Since I finished my Highlander month, I want to put up my recs here as well. I have a few more HL recs that I've gathered. I will be making another post of those soon.
Chase the Whiskey by hafital
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Rating: PG-13
Why this must be read: This story was written for the hlh_shortcuts exchange, which produced so much wonderful HL fic. I decided this was the perfect story to begin a month of recs. It's lighthearted and fun, a bit of a "wacky caper" story, a mystery, and a romance. Methos is housesitting for the de Valicorts and a visit from Duncan and a break-in lead to shenanigans. The voices in this one are fantastic and funny. Plus, personally, I can't pass up a story in which Duncan and Methos are tied up together! Oh, and have I mentioned the drinking?
'Tis Nobler (in the Mind) by mackiedockie
Pairing: Duncan/Methos, Amanda, Joe
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read: This is a story set immediately after "Not to Be," the last episode of Highlander. It helps to have seen that episode, but you can get by without. It's a lovely, smutty coda to the series, a much nicer ending than we got in canon. It's labeled D/M, but all four characters get their flirtations and their moments. The sex is hot, with mild BDSM content. Delicious slash, with nice character perspectives for everyone. I particularly love Methos in this, for his almost shamanic sexuality. Delicious!
Sedimental Journey by taselby (R)
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Rating: R
Why this must be read: I had to check the memories three times to make sure this hadn't already been recced. This fic reminds me of everything I love about Highlander fandom. It's so well written. It has a wonderful Methos POV, a swordfight, a quickening, and the emotional aftermath thereof. The tension just builds and builds, and you start to feel that crush of pain in your chest, knowing how it will end. And then it does, and you've run an emotional marathon. Incredible.
Quote: The storm outside whistled and moaned, making the loft into a bubble of calm, sheltered, isolated. Wasn't that what he'd craved tonight, isolation? What was he doing here in MacLeod's space, offering up bits of himself like bright coins in a fountain? Throwing himself away, a piece at a time. Dying, a heartbeat at a time, every wasted second carrying them all closer to the end. There was no such thing as forever; some lessons apparently bore repeating.
"Selections From The Personal Journals Of Adam Pierson, Methos Researcher." by lannamichaels
Pairing: Duncan/Methos, Methos/Kronos, Methos/Connor, Methos/Byron, Methos/OMC
Rating: R
Why this must be read: Because it's time for a lighter story. Highlander fandom has been around long enough that we have some great humorous fic out there. Well, I mean, there's only so long anyone can take unrelieved angst, isn't there? This story is a fantastic, snarky gem. A series of journal entries from the years immediately preceding Methos's meeting of Macleod, this is a fascinating change in perspective on canon. The Methos voice is dead on. I dare you to read this without laughing out loud. Go on. I'll wait.
Excerpt: I've successfully reconstructed my first five hundred years, the period from 3093 to 4019, and given the Methos Chronicle an encounter with Byron. I put up with his crap for years; I deserve to bask in his brilliance whenever I damn well please. And Markus tells me that Byron has been gnawing at his chains, wanting to reinvent himself once again, and I say let him. His travels might send him my way again and there's a bed with his name on it in a cheap hotel a few miles from here.
Paradox by macgeorge1 (Highlander/Torchwood Crossover)
Pairing: Methos/Duncan, Methos/Jack (implied)
Rating: G
Why this must be read: Highlander/Torchwood is a very popular crossover these days since these universes seem to mesh so well. Usually, however, I've found that the authors tend to do one of the fandoms really well while giving the other cursory treatment. This story superbly captures the characters and feel of both universes. MacGeorge does a great job of setting up an exciting, gen Torchwood story and then seamlessly adding Methos and Mac to the mix. As I said, this is really a gen story. The slash is in the flirting, which is sexy and fun. Most of all, the strength of this story is that the characters react to their situation in a believable way. This is probably the best Highlander/Torchwood crossover I've read, which should be reason enough for you to check it out if you're a fan of either series.
Miles To Go Before I Sleep by mogwai_do
Pairing: Methos/Kronos
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read: Look! It's not Duncan/Methos and I'm reccing it! But seriously, this story is a nicely done "missing scene" from CAH/Rev6:8 that portrays a Methos genuinely conflicted by his desires. To me, this is a very likely interpretation of Methos' state of mind at that particular time. The sex here is not fluffy, not by a long shot, but I wouldn't put any major warnings on it. It's Methos/Kronos...all is not hearts and flowers. In addition to the smut, the last few lines are a lesson in how to lie while telling the truth. Pure bonus.
Excerpt: It was shockingly easy to fall back into ancient ways and yet strangely reassuring at the same time. As he tasted the blood from his brother's bitten lip, Methos felt a smile curve his lips, what was that phrase... as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. He'd already ruined the closest friendship he'd had in millennia and he was about to burn his bridges with its predecessor as well. In all likelihood he was going to be alone for a very long time after this, he would enjoy what he could for as long as he could and then... So long as he didn't lose himself, he could survive this.
Strata by katallison (NC-17)
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read: Because it's a lovely exploration of characters. Methos has taken off again, as he is wont to do. But this time, Duncan tracks him down at the Grand Canyon, of all places. An established relationship fic, this one is much more than smut. It really gets into who these men are, the relationship dynamics, the struggle between these two, and what it means to be Immortal. Absolutely beautiful.
Excerpt: "The people who come here, the tourists ... " Methos reached down and rubbed the pad of one finger over the rough rock. When he lifted it, it was lightly dusted with sand. "This is what they are." He lifted the finger to his mouth, blew, and a few silicate particles glittered off into emptiness and disappeared. "And me?" He reached down again, this time scraping hard over the rock with a fingernail. It left a faint mark on the surface, the skin of the rock scraped away, and when Methos again lifted his finger, there was a pinch of grit under the nail. He flicked it out with his thumbnail and watched it scatter into space. "That's all."
VID REC: Nancy Boy
Vidder: Gianduja Kiss
Musical artist: Placebo
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Why this vid kicks ass:First of all, because it's one of my favorite songs ever. The song is pure slash, sexy as hell. The vid matches perfectly. Not only does it spotlight all the sexy moments between my two favorite immortals, giandujakiss uses "bonus" footage from Bliss and Queen of Swords. It contains nudity and sexually explicit, not to mention kinky, images. Of Peter Wingfield. If you're not already clicking, I'm not sure what more I can tell you. I also have to confess that this was the first vid I ever watched. The use of this song made me actually download it, and my love for vids was created. Really, you must watch this.
So... by unovis_lj
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read: I was trying to decide on my last rec, when I found this story again. And I knew what my last rec would be. Unovis has written a Duncan/Methos story that is fairly unique. The narrative style is interesting and gives a fun glimpse inside Methos' head. This story has several interesting flashbacks, casting the relationship between Methos and MacLeod in a new light. Oh, and have I mentioned most of action here is sex? I tried to choose an excerpt, but couldn't find one clean enough. But it's not a PWP, because of how much is revealed of both characters. I love the tone of their relationship in this story, not exactly angsty, but not really comfortable either. This feels realistically in character for these two.
Chase the Whiskey by hafital
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Rating: PG-13
Why this must be read: This story was written for the hlh_shortcuts exchange, which produced so much wonderful HL fic. I decided this was the perfect story to begin a month of recs. It's lighthearted and fun, a bit of a "wacky caper" story, a mystery, and a romance. Methos is housesitting for the de Valicorts and a visit from Duncan and a break-in lead to shenanigans. The voices in this one are fantastic and funny. Plus, personally, I can't pass up a story in which Duncan and Methos are tied up together! Oh, and have I mentioned the drinking?
'Tis Nobler (in the Mind) by mackiedockie
Pairing: Duncan/Methos, Amanda, Joe
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read: This is a story set immediately after "Not to Be," the last episode of Highlander. It helps to have seen that episode, but you can get by without. It's a lovely, smutty coda to the series, a much nicer ending than we got in canon. It's labeled D/M, but all four characters get their flirtations and their moments. The sex is hot, with mild BDSM content. Delicious slash, with nice character perspectives for everyone. I particularly love Methos in this, for his almost shamanic sexuality. Delicious!
Sedimental Journey by taselby (R)
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Rating: R
Why this must be read: I had to check the memories three times to make sure this hadn't already been recced. This fic reminds me of everything I love about Highlander fandom. It's so well written. It has a wonderful Methos POV, a swordfight, a quickening, and the emotional aftermath thereof. The tension just builds and builds, and you start to feel that crush of pain in your chest, knowing how it will end. And then it does, and you've run an emotional marathon. Incredible.
Quote: The storm outside whistled and moaned, making the loft into a bubble of calm, sheltered, isolated. Wasn't that what he'd craved tonight, isolation? What was he doing here in MacLeod's space, offering up bits of himself like bright coins in a fountain? Throwing himself away, a piece at a time. Dying, a heartbeat at a time, every wasted second carrying them all closer to the end. There was no such thing as forever; some lessons apparently bore repeating.
"Selections From The Personal Journals Of Adam Pierson, Methos Researcher." by lannamichaels
Pairing: Duncan/Methos, Methos/Kronos, Methos/Connor, Methos/Byron, Methos/OMC
Rating: R
Why this must be read: Because it's time for a lighter story. Highlander fandom has been around long enough that we have some great humorous fic out there. Well, I mean, there's only so long anyone can take unrelieved angst, isn't there? This story is a fantastic, snarky gem. A series of journal entries from the years immediately preceding Methos's meeting of Macleod, this is a fascinating change in perspective on canon. The Methos voice is dead on. I dare you to read this without laughing out loud. Go on. I'll wait.
Excerpt: I've successfully reconstructed my first five hundred years, the period from 3093 to 4019, and given the Methos Chronicle an encounter with Byron. I put up with his crap for years; I deserve to bask in his brilliance whenever I damn well please. And Markus tells me that Byron has been gnawing at his chains, wanting to reinvent himself once again, and I say let him. His travels might send him my way again and there's a bed with his name on it in a cheap hotel a few miles from here.
Paradox by macgeorge1 (Highlander/Torchwood Crossover)
Pairing: Methos/Duncan, Methos/Jack (implied)
Rating: G
Why this must be read: Highlander/Torchwood is a very popular crossover these days since these universes seem to mesh so well. Usually, however, I've found that the authors tend to do one of the fandoms really well while giving the other cursory treatment. This story superbly captures the characters and feel of both universes. MacGeorge does a great job of setting up an exciting, gen Torchwood story and then seamlessly adding Methos and Mac to the mix. As I said, this is really a gen story. The slash is in the flirting, which is sexy and fun. Most of all, the strength of this story is that the characters react to their situation in a believable way. This is probably the best Highlander/Torchwood crossover I've read, which should be reason enough for you to check it out if you're a fan of either series.
Miles To Go Before I Sleep by mogwai_do
Pairing: Methos/Kronos
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read: Look! It's not Duncan/Methos and I'm reccing it! But seriously, this story is a nicely done "missing scene" from CAH/Rev6:8 that portrays a Methos genuinely conflicted by his desires. To me, this is a very likely interpretation of Methos' state of mind at that particular time. The sex here is not fluffy, not by a long shot, but I wouldn't put any major warnings on it. It's Methos/Kronos...all is not hearts and flowers. In addition to the smut, the last few lines are a lesson in how to lie while telling the truth. Pure bonus.
Excerpt: It was shockingly easy to fall back into ancient ways and yet strangely reassuring at the same time. As he tasted the blood from his brother's bitten lip, Methos felt a smile curve his lips, what was that phrase... as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. He'd already ruined the closest friendship he'd had in millennia and he was about to burn his bridges with its predecessor as well. In all likelihood he was going to be alone for a very long time after this, he would enjoy what he could for as long as he could and then... So long as he didn't lose himself, he could survive this.
Strata by katallison (NC-17)
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read: Because it's a lovely exploration of characters. Methos has taken off again, as he is wont to do. But this time, Duncan tracks him down at the Grand Canyon, of all places. An established relationship fic, this one is much more than smut. It really gets into who these men are, the relationship dynamics, the struggle between these two, and what it means to be Immortal. Absolutely beautiful.
Excerpt: "The people who come here, the tourists ... " Methos reached down and rubbed the pad of one finger over the rough rock. When he lifted it, it was lightly dusted with sand. "This is what they are." He lifted the finger to his mouth, blew, and a few silicate particles glittered off into emptiness and disappeared. "And me?" He reached down again, this time scraping hard over the rock with a fingernail. It left a faint mark on the surface, the skin of the rock scraped away, and when Methos again lifted his finger, there was a pinch of grit under the nail. He flicked it out with his thumbnail and watched it scatter into space. "That's all."
VID REC: Nancy Boy
Vidder: Gianduja Kiss
Musical artist: Placebo
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Why this vid kicks ass:First of all, because it's one of my favorite songs ever. The song is pure slash, sexy as hell. The vid matches perfectly. Not only does it spotlight all the sexy moments between my two favorite immortals, giandujakiss uses "bonus" footage from Bliss and Queen of Swords. It contains nudity and sexually explicit, not to mention kinky, images. Of Peter Wingfield. If you're not already clicking, I'm not sure what more I can tell you. I also have to confess that this was the first vid I ever watched. The use of this song made me actually download it, and my love for vids was created. Really, you must watch this.
So... by unovis_lj
Pairing: Duncan/Methos
Rating: NC-17
Why this must be read: I was trying to decide on my last rec, when I found this story again. And I knew what my last rec would be. Unovis has written a Duncan/Methos story that is fairly unique. The narrative style is interesting and gives a fun glimpse inside Methos' head. This story has several interesting flashbacks, casting the relationship between Methos and MacLeod in a new light. Oh, and have I mentioned most of action here is sex? I tried to choose an excerpt, but couldn't find one clean enough. But it's not a PWP, because of how much is revealed of both characters. I love the tone of their relationship in this story, not exactly angsty, but not really comfortable either. This feels realistically in character for these two.