More Stuff I've Read - Smallville, Torchwood, Supernatural and Merlin
Lots of Merlin in this one, which is quickly becoming my favorite new fandom.
Smallville
"Thank You, Ma'am" by Laura Shapiro (Chloe/Lana) - Very hot 'caught masterbating' fic. Early Smallville, very in character, with Chloe being Chloe and Lana trying to prove she's 'not that innocent'. I know there's an almost universal hatred of Lana in SV fandom but, I have to admit, I like Lana. Sure, the Pink! could be a bit much but this story reflects the Lana I like most - the one desperate to shatter the 'good girl' image others project onto her, even as she clings to it like a shield. With Chloe, she's found a way to do that.
Torchwood
"Fitter Happier" by amidalashari (Gwen/Martha) - Damn. It reads like an episode - Martha's joined Torchwood but before there's a chance for anything to settle in, they're off on another case. But, it's the subtleties in between the plotty bits that are the real strength of this fic - Gwen staring at an empty computer and thinking of Tosh, Martha not carrying a gun, the subtle flirtations and growing attraction between them, the touching of hands.
Supernatural
"Black Hills Gold" by azephirin (girl!Dean/Jo) - Very hot. Girl!Dean (Dinah) shows up at the bar where Jo works. Sex ensues. It's an almost hate!sex type relationship. Dinah wants Jo. Jo wants Dinah but she fights it every step of the way. I know this was a PWP written for a porn battle, but I wish there'd been a little more characterization with the Dinah character. This is not a detraction because it's *Dean*, the swagger, the sarcasm, the raging libido. I just wish there'd been a *little* more of the 'girl' to differentiate the two.. if that makes sense and I'm not sure it does.
Merlin
"Prove It" by shadowfinder9 (Morgana/Nimueh) - A short solid fic, could be better if not for the all caps and some minor grammar issues. Morgana's gone evil and, with Nimueh's help, the two are tearing up the countryside.
"What Will You Give" by shadowfinder9 (Morgana/Nimueh) - Dub con warning. Morgana goes into the forest willing to give herself to Nimueh, what follows is more than Morgana expected. I think the author could have mined Morgana's loss of innocence just a bit more. That's not a detraction because, as is, I think the story captures the heart of Morgana's tragedy - a good person falling to dark forces because there's no alternative available for her. She has no Gaius to mentor her, no dragon to show her the path, all there is is Nimueh, and Nimueh is more than willing to take. Too bad the show never went this route, I mean the Nimueh/Morgana relationship as parallel to Merlin/Gaius and not so much the hot bdsm-altar sex. But, who knows? Maybe Nimueh will be back.
"The Spell in the Skin" by gnimaerd (Morgana/Nimueh) - OMG!WTFBBQ!! A fic that hits all my fannish kinks. As much a character piece as it is really hot *porn*. Nimueh is at her most wickedly evil - taunting, possessive, manipulative and at times sweet and loving. While Morgana plays the role of 'submissive', she's anything but. A willing pawn in Nimueh's game, willing to take Nimueh's mental and physical abuses for the sake of knowledge, not so much a lust for power but a lust for freedom. She's using Nimueh as much as Nimueh is using her. A Morgana who revels in the torment she's caused her former friends, even as she regrets that which will never be - her love for Guinevere. As the saying goes - the beginning of a beautiful relationship. A twisted, wicked, evil and oh so very *hot* relationship that left me wanting more!
"What Might Have Been Lost" by jengrrrl (Morgana/Gwen) - I'm honestly at a loss as to what to say about this fic other than it's really fucking good. Beautifully written, heartbreakingly sad. Where Merlin the tv show is the beginning of the Arthurian legend, when they're all young and chipper and full of potential, this story takes us closer towards the end, when the cards have been dealt, battles have been won and lost. And we meet two battlescarred women searching for reconciliation and the giant chasm between them. A Gwen who's Queen but, in some ways, still an outsider. A bitter and resentful Morgana with old wounds still unhealed, unapologetic for all she's done except for the hurt she's caused Guinevere. Gah! I could gush about this story all day so just.. go read it!
x-posted to femslash_recs
Smallville
"Thank You, Ma'am" by Laura Shapiro (Chloe/Lana) - Very hot 'caught masterbating' fic. Early Smallville, very in character, with Chloe being Chloe and Lana trying to prove she's 'not that innocent'. I know there's an almost universal hatred of Lana in SV fandom but, I have to admit, I like Lana. Sure, the Pink! could be a bit much but this story reflects the Lana I like most - the one desperate to shatter the 'good girl' image others project onto her, even as she clings to it like a shield. With Chloe, she's found a way to do that.
Torchwood
"Fitter Happier" by amidalashari (Gwen/Martha) - Damn. It reads like an episode - Martha's joined Torchwood but before there's a chance for anything to settle in, they're off on another case. But, it's the subtleties in between the plotty bits that are the real strength of this fic - Gwen staring at an empty computer and thinking of Tosh, Martha not carrying a gun, the subtle flirtations and growing attraction between them, the touching of hands.
Supernatural
"Black Hills Gold" by azephirin (girl!Dean/Jo) - Very hot. Girl!Dean (Dinah) shows up at the bar where Jo works. Sex ensues. It's an almost hate!sex type relationship. Dinah wants Jo. Jo wants Dinah but she fights it every step of the way. I know this was a PWP written for a porn battle, but I wish there'd been a little more characterization with the Dinah character. This is not a detraction because it's *Dean*, the swagger, the sarcasm, the raging libido. I just wish there'd been a *little* more of the 'girl' to differentiate the two.. if that makes sense and I'm not sure it does.
Merlin
"Prove It" by shadowfinder9 (Morgana/Nimueh) - A short solid fic, could be better if not for the all caps and some minor grammar issues. Morgana's gone evil and, with Nimueh's help, the two are tearing up the countryside.
"What Will You Give" by shadowfinder9 (Morgana/Nimueh) - Dub con warning. Morgana goes into the forest willing to give herself to Nimueh, what follows is more than Morgana expected. I think the author could have mined Morgana's loss of innocence just a bit more. That's not a detraction because, as is, I think the story captures the heart of Morgana's tragedy - a good person falling to dark forces because there's no alternative available for her. She has no Gaius to mentor her, no dragon to show her the path, all there is is Nimueh, and Nimueh is more than willing to take. Too bad the show never went this route, I mean the Nimueh/Morgana relationship as parallel to Merlin/Gaius and not so much the hot bdsm-altar sex. But, who knows? Maybe Nimueh will be back.
"The Spell in the Skin" by gnimaerd (Morgana/Nimueh) - OMG!WTFBBQ!! A fic that hits all my fannish kinks. As much a character piece as it is really hot *porn*. Nimueh is at her most wickedly evil - taunting, possessive, manipulative and at times sweet and loving. While Morgana plays the role of 'submissive', she's anything but. A willing pawn in Nimueh's game, willing to take Nimueh's mental and physical abuses for the sake of knowledge, not so much a lust for power but a lust for freedom. She's using Nimueh as much as Nimueh is using her. A Morgana who revels in the torment she's caused her former friends, even as she regrets that which will never be - her love for Guinevere. As the saying goes - the beginning of a beautiful relationship. A twisted, wicked, evil and oh so very *hot* relationship that left me wanting more!
"What Might Have Been Lost" by jengrrrl (Morgana/Gwen) - I'm honestly at a loss as to what to say about this fic other than it's really fucking good. Beautifully written, heartbreakingly sad. Where Merlin the tv show is the beginning of the Arthurian legend, when they're all young and chipper and full of potential, this story takes us closer towards the end, when the cards have been dealt, battles have been won and lost. And we meet two battlescarred women searching for reconciliation and the giant chasm between them. A Gwen who's Queen but, in some ways, still an outsider. A bitter and resentful Morgana with old wounds still unhealed, unapologetic for all she's done except for the hurt she's caused Guinevere. Gah! I could gush about this story all day so just.. go read it!
x-posted to femslash_recs