he still stands in spite of what his scars say
I mentioned a few posts ago my recent fandom renaissance (tm) which I'm blaming partly on the fact that GG is my only new fall show. I love fall television normally! I, completely unironically, look forward to back to school, solely on the strength of fall television. I know Pushing Daisies is good, I think I'd like Chuck, but thus far it's only Gossip Girl that's sticking. Not to mention I have a lot less free time on my hands this year and my VCR (sigh, yes, my VCR) is fried.
Supernatural isn't back for another week yet, but I don't know, I was feeling nostalgic, I guess? If you've been on my f-list since the original Supes hayday, waaaay back in June/July of the summer before last, you've probably heard me harping about this without ever producing it. I HAD planned on compiling a giant, well-organized and catagorized recc list of my favourite Supernatural stories. I--as is my wont-- never finished it, but I did come across it last night.
I put a fair amount of work into this list when I was making it and since I'll probably never finish it fully, I think it deserves to see the light of [el-j]ay.
Start off slow (aka, let’s not scare anyone off):
These stories are short, funny, and mostly don’t require much show knowledge beyond Sam-and-Dean and what they do. When I started this list, I was making it as a way of introducing adnilab to the show/fandom.
Ringing Pavlov’s Bell by whereupon [R. Episodic S1 snippets.]
Sam looks at him sometimes. Like he’s surprised. Like he never thought Dean would -- was capable of having anything like a Real Relationship.
This fic is a great introduction to the show, with tiny character moments that could easily be combined into the episodes.
Tone Deaf by ladyjaida [PG-15. Humour. Dean is an expert on musicals. 1600.]
“Nothing,” Sam says, but he’s totally full of it. He turns to look out the window, pursing his lips and squinting into the distance: maybe up at the house, maybe out into the leaves, maybe at something Dean can’t see at all. Whatever, Dean thinks. Sam’s always looking at things.
Anything Jaida writes is gold, but I thought it’d be better to start off with something light and funny.
A Fashionable Profit by mad_gaters [R. Crack-fic. Humour. Longish. Pre-Series. There’s a reason Dean’s so damn pretty.]
Sam frowned. "What do you do again?" he asked. "My friend Jeremy said Calvin Klein was for pussies."
"If you want to live, don't ever say that word again," Dean said. "And also, you should beat that Jeremy kid up."
This story is a collaboration between the awesome nixa_jane and a non-LJ author who goes by FCOL. It’s funny and cracked-out and feeds my Dean-fixation perfectly. Also, a likeable John, which just goes to show that this is a Crack!fic.
Things Sam Hasn’t Missed About This Life by cupiscent [PG-15. A list-- and we all know how much I love those.]
He gets the grin when he gives Sam a compliment. Like, a real one, not just "Hey man, good work," but the ones that frequently don't come with words, just a hand on his shoulder. The ones that mean, even if he doesn't say, "You and me, eh?" Sam thinks that if it wasn't for the grin, he wouldn't be so stupidly thrilled at every single one.
Chalk this one up to the list fetish if you like, but I can just see Sam writing this out carefully in a notebook or something. And that last line? Just read it.
Season One:
Any season one, except for Devil’s Trap. Those stories get their own damn category.
Conversational Winchester for Trolls by eloise_bright [PG-13. Crack-fic. Meta. 1850.]
Once upon a time there was a troll who lived under a bridge. “I’m not a troll,” said the troll. Okay, not exactly a troll then. More of a demon.
This is one of those stories that’s slowly becoming a classic in the fandom. It’s meta, yes, and it’s crack, but it rings so very, very true. Hilarious and poignant and just burrows into your brain and sticks there.
Certainty by stillane [PG. Sam. Drabble. Sad. Really sad.]
If nothing else, he knows he’ll at least go first. Dean was right about one thing: Sam is a selfish bastard.
Incredible imagery and just heart-wrenching. I like Sam at peace with his powers.
Something Pretty by wearemany [Hard R for Pr0n of the Dean-is-totally-gay-and-stuff variety. Spoilers in particular for The Benders.]
He feels a fiery rush of rage, tied to that chair, the smell of his burnt jacket still thick in his nose. Even after the little brat is locked away in the closet, he's saying it over and over, muttering it to himself like a prayer. She beats at the door and he whispers, "I will kill you all."
Um, hi? HOT. And Dean just makes me all sad and shivery inside here.
Ten Conversations Between Navada and New Mexico by genx88 [G. Yes, another list. 3880]
You hustled the Sheriff's kid? Sam is whispering harshly as he leans across the table.
A slice of funny, honest, realistic heaven, though the lack of quotation marks can irritate some strangely anal, grammatically-inclined people. >___>
Untitled Kid-fic by boonies [PG. Kid-fic, I know, but bear with me.]
"Repeat after me," he told a grinning Danny. "I want to wear a Jayhawks hoodie and I don't like hair product." Danny scrunched up his face. "Hoodiehawks product." "Exactly!" shouted Sam victoriously, grabbing random articles of clothing and piling them atop a giggling Danny.
Look, I don’t even LIKE kids. Or... cute things. But this a-FREAKING-dorable. Total guilty pleasure.
Untitled by whereupon [PG. Drabbly, Gen-ish thing.]
They've got all they could need -- guns and knives and rope and salt, and charm to counter everything else -- but the power, it's in them. Both of them. Apart, it's strong enough for them to get by, but together -
Whereupon just really GETS Sam and Dean and manages to always tap into that something more, higher-power in her stories, short as they may be. The last two lines are all inspiring-like, too.
Post-Devil’s Trap, Pre-S2:
Yeah, these ones are sad. Really, really sad.
do nothing for the dead by ladyjaida [R. Character Death. Warnings for Ouch! My Heart and List!fic-shut up.]
It’s not Dean’s fault that Dean is dead, but Sam has no one else to blame, no one but a demon who’s long gone and an ache in his chest from realizing at last what it is to be alone.
I must’ve read this twenty times immediately following the finale and cried and cried and cried. Sad and beautiful.
needs must when the devil drives by ladyjaida [R. Character death. Gen-ish.]
‘Dean,’ Sam says. ‘Dean, please, Dean.’ ‘What time is it,’ Dean says.
So, yeah I realise that the two stories I have in this section are both by ladyjaida but do you really want to read that many depressing stories about our boys dying? Still, this one is awesome and explores every possible outcome that could have run through your mind over that summer.
Season two:
For anyone who’s seen up to 2x02
Superhero by ignipes [PG-13. Humour-ish. A little bit sad. Sam has superpowers.]
He has special powers, all right. Powers so special he needs his big brother to rescue him from a blue-haired, five-foot-tall octogenarian.
Good, but sad-good and a great Sam perspective. Even if Sam is the one with powers, he still worships Dean a little.
and now you are and I am and we’re a mystery by oxoniensis [PG. Missing scene for 2x04, so major spoilers. 400 words.]
"You're all I've got, Dean," Sam says, but he whispers it to himself and maybe Dean doesn't hear.
This is what the episode deserved as an ending, what Sam should have said, wanted to say. And anything that has E.E. Cummings in its title has to rock, right?
Evil as You Say by laytoncolt [PG-13. Darkfic, and I’m tempted to say AU-ish. Spoilers for 2x09.]
Dean doesn't know what it costs him to walk away, but he's pretty sure he won't be getting it back.
I don’t know what it says about me that this is exactly my idea of what the “secret” was before we found out. I love the idea that Sam, even evil, wants to kill everyone but Dean. And even when Sam’s evil, Dean can’t kill him. Perfect.
Long/Multi-parters:
These stories of vary in length and setting, but honestly, there’s nothing better than a good multi-parter.
It doesn’t mean you can explain the ocean by rageprufrock [R. Gen-ish. The boys go on a Fate-directed roadtrip. Six parts.]
And if Jessica was an additional detail, then Dean is a hanging clause, a half-finished thought dissolved by ellipses before the punch line. Sam knows Dean better than anybody and it makes Sam's head hurt to think about Dean, wrapped up in layer after layer of secrets.
I hadn’t actually read this story until I started the rec list, but I’d just heard so much about it that I wanted to put it on. It’s funny and sad and heart-wrenching and it gets into Sam’s brain. If you’re interested, there’s the first two parts in mp3 for those who like to listen to fic on their Ipods (i.e. me.)
The Month of Open Doors series by eighth_horizon [This is an R rated three parter; And Fools Shine On, If Belief Was Enough, and Woven-- for this one you’ll have to go back to the main page to get the other chapters, though.]
This story is my absolute favourite in SPN fandom. It’s ages long, but it’s beautiful and powerful and god, Gekizetsu just really REALLY gets the boys. I can’t help but consider this some sort of future-past canon. It’s probably one my favourite fics of all time because she really loves Dean and Sam and well-this story is to blame for me taking Supernatural a lot more seriously than is intended by the show, I think. I cannot recommend it enough.
Miscellaneous fun things et etc.
The Plastic!Winchester Guide by anteka- adorable, hilarious Ken!Doll brothers in episodes of Supernatural. Occasional special appearances by The Fellowship, Harry Potter and Trollz.
EVP: The Supernatural Fic Podcast by evp_voices [Mod is Podcasts that alternate with Gen and Wincest themed fics, depending on your preference. The quality of the casts is great, with clearly read stories, well-chosen songs, and relevant clips from episodes. And you can usually rely on the fics to be really, really good.
The Dean Show by minkmix- A totally adorable and hilarious webcomic wherein Dean thinks he pwnz the world, but we all know that it’s really Sam and his *giri chopz* doing the pwning. Plz note this comic in is in the running for “Cutest Thing Ever.”
Winchester Catalogue of Manlove by sargraf- This is literally one of my favourite things ever; a pictorial recap of every time a Winchester touches another Winchester-ever, and delicious, creamy meta. Eye candy and brain candy. Sargraf is wonderfully thorough-making charts and highlighting the darker lit shots. This is what got me through last summer. There’s also a community now:
spn_manlove.
I've been out of SPN fandom proper for so long, I don't even know what to do with myself to get back in. Anyone have fic reccs for me? Or even reccomended authors-- I don't want to have to go through sam_dean or somewhere equally horrible to get my fix.
Supernatural isn't back for another week yet, but I don't know, I was feeling nostalgic, I guess? If you've been on my f-list since the original Supes hayday, waaaay back in June/July of the summer before last, you've probably heard me harping about this without ever producing it. I HAD planned on compiling a giant, well-organized and catagorized recc list of my favourite Supernatural stories. I--as is my wont-- never finished it, but I did come across it last night.
I put a fair amount of work into this list when I was making it and since I'll probably never finish it fully, I think it deserves to see the light of [el-j]ay.
Start off slow (aka, let’s not scare anyone off):
These stories are short, funny, and mostly don’t require much show knowledge beyond Sam-and-Dean and what they do. When I started this list, I was making it as a way of introducing adnilab to the show/fandom.
Ringing Pavlov’s Bell by whereupon [R. Episodic S1 snippets.]
Sam looks at him sometimes. Like he’s surprised. Like he never thought Dean would -- was capable of having anything like a Real Relationship.
This fic is a great introduction to the show, with tiny character moments that could easily be combined into the episodes.
Tone Deaf by ladyjaida [PG-15. Humour. Dean is an expert on musicals. 1600.]
“Nothing,” Sam says, but he’s totally full of it. He turns to look out the window, pursing his lips and squinting into the distance: maybe up at the house, maybe out into the leaves, maybe at something Dean can’t see at all. Whatever, Dean thinks. Sam’s always looking at things.
Anything Jaida writes is gold, but I thought it’d be better to start off with something light and funny.
A Fashionable Profit by mad_gaters [R. Crack-fic. Humour. Longish. Pre-Series. There’s a reason Dean’s so damn pretty.]
Sam frowned. "What do you do again?" he asked. "My friend Jeremy said Calvin Klein was for pussies."
"If you want to live, don't ever say that word again," Dean said. "And also, you should beat that Jeremy kid up."
This story is a collaboration between the awesome nixa_jane and a non-LJ author who goes by FCOL. It’s funny and cracked-out and feeds my Dean-fixation perfectly. Also, a likeable John, which just goes to show that this is a Crack!fic.
Things Sam Hasn’t Missed About This Life by cupiscent [PG-15. A list-- and we all know how much I love those.]
He gets the grin when he gives Sam a compliment. Like, a real one, not just "Hey man, good work," but the ones that frequently don't come with words, just a hand on his shoulder. The ones that mean, even if he doesn't say, "You and me, eh?" Sam thinks that if it wasn't for the grin, he wouldn't be so stupidly thrilled at every single one.
Chalk this one up to the list fetish if you like, but I can just see Sam writing this out carefully in a notebook or something. And that last line? Just read it.
Season One:
Any season one, except for Devil’s Trap. Those stories get their own damn category.
Conversational Winchester for Trolls by eloise_bright [PG-13. Crack-fic. Meta. 1850.]
Once upon a time there was a troll who lived under a bridge. “I’m not a troll,” said the troll. Okay, not exactly a troll then. More of a demon.
This is one of those stories that’s slowly becoming a classic in the fandom. It’s meta, yes, and it’s crack, but it rings so very, very true. Hilarious and poignant and just burrows into your brain and sticks there.
Certainty by stillane [PG. Sam. Drabble. Sad. Really sad.]
If nothing else, he knows he’ll at least go first. Dean was right about one thing: Sam is a selfish bastard.
Incredible imagery and just heart-wrenching. I like Sam at peace with his powers.
Something Pretty by wearemany [Hard R for Pr0n of the Dean-is-totally-gay-and-stuff variety. Spoilers in particular for The Benders.]
He feels a fiery rush of rage, tied to that chair, the smell of his burnt jacket still thick in his nose. Even after the little brat is locked away in the closet, he's saying it over and over, muttering it to himself like a prayer. She beats at the door and he whispers, "I will kill you all."
Um, hi? HOT. And Dean just makes me all sad and shivery inside here.
Ten Conversations Between Navada and New Mexico by genx88 [G. Yes, another list. 3880]
You hustled the Sheriff's kid? Sam is whispering harshly as he leans across the table.
A slice of funny, honest, realistic heaven, though the lack of quotation marks can irritate some strangely anal, grammatically-inclined people. >___>
Untitled Kid-fic by boonies [PG. Kid-fic, I know, but bear with me.]
"Repeat after me," he told a grinning Danny. "I want to wear a Jayhawks hoodie and I don't like hair product." Danny scrunched up his face. "Hoodiehawks product." "Exactly!" shouted Sam victoriously, grabbing random articles of clothing and piling them atop a giggling Danny.
Look, I don’t even LIKE kids. Or... cute things. But this a-FREAKING-dorable. Total guilty pleasure.
Untitled by whereupon [PG. Drabbly, Gen-ish thing.]
They've got all they could need -- guns and knives and rope and salt, and charm to counter everything else -- but the power, it's in them. Both of them. Apart, it's strong enough for them to get by, but together -
Whereupon just really GETS Sam and Dean and manages to always tap into that something more, higher-power in her stories, short as they may be. The last two lines are all inspiring-like, too.
Post-Devil’s Trap, Pre-S2:
Yeah, these ones are sad. Really, really sad.
do nothing for the dead by ladyjaida [R. Character Death. Warnings for Ouch! My Heart and List!fic-shut up.]
It’s not Dean’s fault that Dean is dead, but Sam has no one else to blame, no one but a demon who’s long gone and an ache in his chest from realizing at last what it is to be alone.
I must’ve read this twenty times immediately following the finale and cried and cried and cried. Sad and beautiful.
needs must when the devil drives by ladyjaida [R. Character death. Gen-ish.]
‘Dean,’ Sam says. ‘Dean, please, Dean.’ ‘What time is it,’ Dean says.
So, yeah I realise that the two stories I have in this section are both by ladyjaida but do you really want to read that many depressing stories about our boys dying? Still, this one is awesome and explores every possible outcome that could have run through your mind over that summer.
Season two:
For anyone who’s seen up to 2x02
Superhero by ignipes [PG-13. Humour-ish. A little bit sad. Sam has superpowers.]
He has special powers, all right. Powers so special he needs his big brother to rescue him from a blue-haired, five-foot-tall octogenarian.
Good, but sad-good and a great Sam perspective. Even if Sam is the one with powers, he still worships Dean a little.
and now you are and I am and we’re a mystery by oxoniensis [PG. Missing scene for 2x04, so major spoilers. 400 words.]
"You're all I've got, Dean," Sam says, but he whispers it to himself and maybe Dean doesn't hear.
This is what the episode deserved as an ending, what Sam should have said, wanted to say. And anything that has E.E. Cummings in its title has to rock, right?
Evil as You Say by laytoncolt [PG-13. Darkfic, and I’m tempted to say AU-ish. Spoilers for 2x09.]
Dean doesn't know what it costs him to walk away, but he's pretty sure he won't be getting it back.
I don’t know what it says about me that this is exactly my idea of what the “secret” was before we found out. I love the idea that Sam, even evil, wants to kill everyone but Dean. And even when Sam’s evil, Dean can’t kill him. Perfect.
Long/Multi-parters:
These stories of vary in length and setting, but honestly, there’s nothing better than a good multi-parter.
It doesn’t mean you can explain the ocean by rageprufrock [R. Gen-ish. The boys go on a Fate-directed roadtrip. Six parts.]
And if Jessica was an additional detail, then Dean is a hanging clause, a half-finished thought dissolved by ellipses before the punch line. Sam knows Dean better than anybody and it makes Sam's head hurt to think about Dean, wrapped up in layer after layer of secrets.
I hadn’t actually read this story until I started the rec list, but I’d just heard so much about it that I wanted to put it on. It’s funny and sad and heart-wrenching and it gets into Sam’s brain. If you’re interested, there’s the first two parts in mp3 for those who like to listen to fic on their Ipods (i.e. me.)
The Month of Open Doors series by eighth_horizon [This is an R rated three parter; And Fools Shine On, If Belief Was Enough, and Woven-- for this one you’ll have to go back to the main page to get the other chapters, though.]
This story is my absolute favourite in SPN fandom. It’s ages long, but it’s beautiful and powerful and god, Gekizetsu just really REALLY gets the boys. I can’t help but consider this some sort of future-past canon. It’s probably one my favourite fics of all time because she really loves Dean and Sam and well-this story is to blame for me taking Supernatural a lot more seriously than is intended by the show, I think. I cannot recommend it enough.
Miscellaneous fun things et etc.
The Plastic!Winchester Guide by anteka- adorable, hilarious Ken!Doll brothers in episodes of Supernatural. Occasional special appearances by The Fellowship, Harry Potter and Trollz.
EVP: The Supernatural Fic Podcast by evp_voices [Mod is Podcasts that alternate with Gen and Wincest themed fics, depending on your preference. The quality of the casts is great, with clearly read stories, well-chosen songs, and relevant clips from episodes. And you can usually rely on the fics to be really, really good.
The Dean Show by minkmix- A totally adorable and hilarious webcomic wherein Dean thinks he pwnz the world, but we all know that it’s really Sam and his *giri chopz* doing the pwning. Plz note this comic in is in the running for “Cutest Thing Ever.”
Winchester Catalogue of Manlove by sargraf- This is literally one of my favourite things ever; a pictorial recap of every time a Winchester touches another Winchester-ever, and delicious, creamy meta. Eye candy and brain candy. Sargraf is wonderfully thorough-making charts and highlighting the darker lit shots. This is what got me through last summer. There’s also a community now:
spn_manlove.
I've been out of SPN fandom proper for so long, I don't even know what to do with myself to get back in. Anyone have fic reccs for me? Or even reccomended authors-- I don't want to have to go through sam_dean or somewhere equally horrible to get my fix.