Recs - Art and fic: FFVII, FFVIII, FFX-2, FFXII, SGA, Good Omens, TDIR, Phoenix Wright
Taking a break from FFIII (for which I will have a review later, because I want to get down my thoughts about it) to bring you some recs, since I've been organising my bookmarks into my del.icio.us account. Some of these I've no doubt recced before, but it doesn't hurt to do it again.
I have no idea why most of these are smutfic, but I suppose it's because a good smutfic is a real gem and thus are the ones that I bookmarked in the past. The little teasers are, because of this, not entirely worksafe. My notes on each fic are in places not very useful/coherent, but basically, I suggest you read these fics!
Fic
Final Fantasy VIII
Snake in the Grass, by twentysix years of therapy
Characters: Seifer, Squall
Rating: PG
Teaser: A hand is clapped over my mouth just as the garrotte is pulled loose; with their free hand my killer shoves me forward into the grass. "Leonhart," Seifer breathes in a husky whisper, "you're dead."
Notes: Pre-game, during training. The details about SeeD training are a nice touch, and it's nice to see Seifer so pointedly not being a team player.
Morning View, by Pygmalion Princess
Pairing: Seifer/Zell
Rating: R
Teaser: The crack rang out through the room, smooth palm on veiled ass. Unsurprisingly, Seifer spontaneously acquired an elbow in the jaw and executed one aerial revolution prior to slamming the sheets and mattress askew on landing. By the time acid green stars had wilted out of his eyes, he had a bare Zell-leg coiled across his equally naked ribs, a gray-clothed Zell-crotch close to that, and a supremely irked Zell-face filled his vision. The eyes were too narrowed and intensely aquamarine to reflect Seifer's sneer properly, but the annoyance with which the punk regarded him was thrice as rewarding as the terror of any dreamland wraiths.
Notes: I really love the characterisation of Zell in this, somehow. So spazzy. xD It makes me giggle all the time. And the ligaments -- creepy shit, okay. The story is quite light-hearted in the interaction between the two, but there's something really dark about what Seifer sees. Happiness never lasts and all that?
Warmer, by Pluto
Pairing: Seifer/Squall
Rating: NC17
Teaser: But Seifer, who was practically snoring already, rolled over and surprised him. He curled himself around Squall, behind him, and his body heat suffused over Squall's back. He nestled a rough cheek against Squall's ear and muttered, "Merry fucking Christmas, loser." The sound of Seifer's breathing slowed, steadied, the lightest open-mouthed snore finishing off the end of each deep breath.
Notes: I love the sense in this that something has been shared, that things have been revealed, but that nothing will actually change. That it might happen again, or it might not, but it served the purpose for the time being.
The Important Part, by laylah
Pairing: Seifer/Squall
Rating: NC17
Warning: Dubcon
Teaser: It’s not over until Squall comes because that’s the important part, really: not that Seifer can make him give it up, but that Seifer can make him like it.
Notes: I love this one because it's Seifer/Squall without the sap. Granted, I like sappy Seifer/Squall, but I also like people to remember they're rivals and that they're both bastards. This gets that edge without bending Seifer's characterisation too much, for me -- he's a bastard, and he's pushing for what he wants, but Squall gets his fair share of the fun.
Final Fantasy X-2
Missing the Sun, by bottle_of_shine
Pairing: Gippal/Baralai
Rating: G
Teaser: Baralai squeezed his eyes shut and decided that he really needed to get out of the office more. "He puts his hands all over you. Who else does that?" It occurred to Baralai that apparently, Gippal did it to him enough for others to notice, which should have given him a clue to Gippal's feelings months ago. His eyes snapped open when Gippal started to laugh. "Excuse me. I'm suffering from belated realizations and humiliation, do you have to do that now?"
Notes: I love it when someone can write a long fic that keeps my attention and makes me squee and all of that. And hee, Nay's writing Gippal/Baralai. I love it to bits.
Speak Easy, by bottle_of_shine
Pairing: Gippal/Baralai
Rating: NC17
Teaser:Baralai was warring with himself; he hoped no one had seen them come in this specific room, but it was still dangerous. He didn't know what he had been thinking, except that it still seemed like an amazing idea. Gippal's pants finally parted under his fingers, so Baralai could slip his hand in, the edge of Gippal's loose belt scratching his arm-there was no going back now. "You should speak Al Bhed like that more often." Baralai was glad for the darkness as he said it, bold in a way he had never been before-he was surprised his voice didn't shake.
Notes: Eeeee, language kink!
Stargate Atlantis
Skinverse, by toft_froggy
Pairing: John/Rodney
Rating: NC17
Warning: Crossdressing
Teaser: (from the most recent part) "Oh, I’ll ask General O’Neill next time I see him if he’s ever had to dress up for aliens with a Pride and Prejudice-themed state cult, I'm sure he gets it all the time."
Notes: I don't read much SGA fic, since I'm so behind on canon it doesn't bear thinking about. I've seen about three episodes. But I read this anyway -- the whole arc, starting with Second Skin, and then Skintight, followed by Flesh Wounds and Posture once I realised they existed. I love the whole thing, especially the tension that lasts throughout: tension because John can't be found out, sexual tension between the two of them, angry tension between the two of them.... I can't honestly see John as a crossdresser, but I can believe it in this arc.
The Dark Is Rising
Ordinary Boy, by Gunbunny
Pairing: Will/Bran
Rating: PG
Teaser: He steps forward, buries his hand in the new arrival's hair, and proceeds to snog the living daylights out of him. The Welsh boy's responding just as enthusiastically, and hands end up in interesting places. Two under clothing. "Missed you."
Notes: This is just a light-hearted kind of thing, and as such makes me smile. It does run headlong into the "homophobic bystander" cliché, but that can be forgiven, and the ending is a nice touch.
Gift, by threefold_law
Pairing: Will/Bran
Rating: R
Teaser: It's hands in his hair, fingertips sliding down his neck - calloused, the way he always imagined they'd be - hot eager kisses and another young man's chest pressed against his in the dark. They're panting softly, both of them, and he wants to look, wants to take off his blindfold and capture that mouth without fumbling for once, but he won't, he'll do as he was told.
Notes: This was one of my prompts at the light_at_last fanwork-a-thon, so, hee, extra glee! I can't quite put my finger on why I like this -- there's the bittersweetness, and the part where Will doesn't know who he's with is great, and I don't know if it was intentional but there's a hint to the reader about who it is ("feeling as if he's being played like a harp, each of his strings expertly plucked"). Of course, if you read it from here the element of surprise is taken away, but it's still lovely.
Light Breaks, by Ashura
Pairing: Will/Bran
Rating: NC17
Teaser: "True." Bran's hands slid up Will's slick body, he pulled one away to hold it up and look at it, squinting in the dark. "And we make too much of a mess to be able to sneak off and do this-if they notice bruises and grass stains, I can only imagine what they would say if I brought you back all covered in oil. I could try to say I was planning to cook you, but that might land me in worse trouble, really." His voice was light, teasing, but his arms encircled Will again, holding him possessively.
Notes: This was one of the first TDIR fics I read when I was on my reading binge. I love the way that it builds up: their relationship, the things they're trying out, until finally they actually have sex and say they love each other. Nothing about it is rushed, which is another thing I really like.
Something Different, by Aristide
Pairing: Will/Bran
Rating: NC17
Teaser: Bran's face dropped to his shoulder and Will cradled him there, a ragged gasp in his ear and then a deep, desperate cry of passion, of awareness, of release, over and over and Will let go when Bran did, rocking them together and coming together and feeling them close, closer than anything, a terrifying sort of closeness but he loved it--he loved it he loved it he loved it.
Notes: It's lovely lovely shmoop and fairly unapologetic about it. Bran has an angstier past than ever (can't really see it, but I can buy it for the sake of the story), Will has a crush of epic proportions, and there's the cliché of Bran remembering when they have sex done in a lovely way.
Good Omens
Race to the Bottom, by Vulgarweed
Pairing: Crowley/Aziraphale
Rating: NC17
Teaser: What they can’t admit is that the one who winds up pinned beneath is the winner. They celebrate the thrill of defeat with a great show of struggle, as they vie for a dominance that neither really wants - not this time.
Notes: I love the image of an angel topping a demon. >> And I love the way that we actually see Aziraphale being a bit of a bastard (since it's mentioned in canon that he's just enough of a bastard for Crowley to like).
Amid the Sacred Wreck, by Vulgarweed
Pairing: Crowley/Aziraphale
Rating: NC17
Teaser: “I’m cute when I’m discorporated, huh?” Aziraphale yelled. “Well, you’re pretty when you’re dead. I want to see it again!” He hoped Crowley would indulge him this time and not remember that strangling a creature who didn’t strictly speaking need to breathe wasn’t very efficient.
Notes: This one is set well pre-canon, which I really like. And again I love the way that Aziraphale's a bit of a bastard, and that they seemingly take it turns to get the upper hand.
Art
Final Fantasy VII
On the Way to a Kiss, by kimouski
Pairing: Cloud/Tifa
Rating: PG
Notes: So pretty. Their expressions are so precious.
Final Fantasy XII
Fran, by la-elly
Characters: Fran
Rating: G
Notes: Just a pretty, pretty sketch of Fran.
Bumper stickers on the Strahl!, by la-elly
Characters: Balthier, Fran
Rating: G
Notes: They both look so cute and the bumper stickers make me grin.
The Usual Suspects, by manic_intent
Characters: Basch, Ashe, Penelo, Vaan, Balthier, Fran
Rating: G
Notes: Basch looks so hot. *_* Ashe's shifty expression is hilarious, as is Balthier's "Who? Me?" look.
Phoenix Wright
Kiss, by YamamuraTatsuya
Pairing: Phoenix/Edgeworth
Rating: PG
Notes: Just looking at this gives me warm fuzzies. It looks so soft and precious and heee. ♥
I have no idea why most of these are smutfic, but I suppose it's because a good smutfic is a real gem and thus are the ones that I bookmarked in the past. The little teasers are, because of this, not entirely worksafe. My notes on each fic are in places not very useful/coherent, but basically, I suggest you read these fics!
Fic
Final Fantasy VIII
Snake in the Grass, by twentysix years of therapy
Characters: Seifer, Squall
Rating: PG
Teaser: A hand is clapped over my mouth just as the garrotte is pulled loose; with their free hand my killer shoves me forward into the grass. "Leonhart," Seifer breathes in a husky whisper, "you're dead."
Notes: Pre-game, during training. The details about SeeD training are a nice touch, and it's nice to see Seifer so pointedly not being a team player.
Morning View, by Pygmalion Princess
Pairing: Seifer/Zell
Rating: R
Teaser: The crack rang out through the room, smooth palm on veiled ass. Unsurprisingly, Seifer spontaneously acquired an elbow in the jaw and executed one aerial revolution prior to slamming the sheets and mattress askew on landing. By the time acid green stars had wilted out of his eyes, he had a bare Zell-leg coiled across his equally naked ribs, a gray-clothed Zell-crotch close to that, and a supremely irked Zell-face filled his vision. The eyes were too narrowed and intensely aquamarine to reflect Seifer's sneer properly, but the annoyance with which the punk regarded him was thrice as rewarding as the terror of any dreamland wraiths.
Notes: I really love the characterisation of Zell in this, somehow. So spazzy. xD It makes me giggle all the time. And the ligaments -- creepy shit, okay. The story is quite light-hearted in the interaction between the two, but there's something really dark about what Seifer sees. Happiness never lasts and all that?
Warmer, by Pluto
Pairing: Seifer/Squall
Rating: NC17
Teaser: But Seifer, who was practically snoring already, rolled over and surprised him. He curled himself around Squall, behind him, and his body heat suffused over Squall's back. He nestled a rough cheek against Squall's ear and muttered, "Merry fucking Christmas, loser." The sound of Seifer's breathing slowed, steadied, the lightest open-mouthed snore finishing off the end of each deep breath.
Notes: I love the sense in this that something has been shared, that things have been revealed, but that nothing will actually change. That it might happen again, or it might not, but it served the purpose for the time being.
The Important Part, by laylah
Pairing: Seifer/Squall
Rating: NC17
Warning: Dubcon
Teaser: It’s not over until Squall comes because that’s the important part, really: not that Seifer can make him give it up, but that Seifer can make him like it.
Notes: I love this one because it's Seifer/Squall without the sap. Granted, I like sappy Seifer/Squall, but I also like people to remember they're rivals and that they're both bastards. This gets that edge without bending Seifer's characterisation too much, for me -- he's a bastard, and he's pushing for what he wants, but Squall gets his fair share of the fun.
Final Fantasy X-2
Missing the Sun, by bottle_of_shine
Pairing: Gippal/Baralai
Rating: G
Teaser: Baralai squeezed his eyes shut and decided that he really needed to get out of the office more. "He puts his hands all over you. Who else does that?" It occurred to Baralai that apparently, Gippal did it to him enough for others to notice, which should have given him a clue to Gippal's feelings months ago. His eyes snapped open when Gippal started to laugh. "Excuse me. I'm suffering from belated realizations and humiliation, do you have to do that now?"
Notes: I love it when someone can write a long fic that keeps my attention and makes me squee and all of that. And hee, Nay's writing Gippal/Baralai. I love it to bits.
Speak Easy, by bottle_of_shine
Pairing: Gippal/Baralai
Rating: NC17
Teaser:Baralai was warring with himself; he hoped no one had seen them come in this specific room, but it was still dangerous. He didn't know what he had been thinking, except that it still seemed like an amazing idea. Gippal's pants finally parted under his fingers, so Baralai could slip his hand in, the edge of Gippal's loose belt scratching his arm-there was no going back now. "You should speak Al Bhed like that more often." Baralai was glad for the darkness as he said it, bold in a way he had never been before-he was surprised his voice didn't shake.
Notes: Eeeee, language kink!
Stargate Atlantis
Skinverse, by toft_froggy
Pairing: John/Rodney
Rating: NC17
Warning: Crossdressing
Teaser: (from the most recent part) "Oh, I’ll ask General O’Neill next time I see him if he’s ever had to dress up for aliens with a Pride and Prejudice-themed state cult, I'm sure he gets it all the time."
Notes: I don't read much SGA fic, since I'm so behind on canon it doesn't bear thinking about. I've seen about three episodes. But I read this anyway -- the whole arc, starting with Second Skin, and then Skintight, followed by Flesh Wounds and Posture once I realised they existed. I love the whole thing, especially the tension that lasts throughout: tension because John can't be found out, sexual tension between the two of them, angry tension between the two of them.... I can't honestly see John as a crossdresser, but I can believe it in this arc.
The Dark Is Rising
Ordinary Boy, by Gunbunny
Pairing: Will/Bran
Rating: PG
Teaser: He steps forward, buries his hand in the new arrival's hair, and proceeds to snog the living daylights out of him. The Welsh boy's responding just as enthusiastically, and hands end up in interesting places. Two under clothing. "Missed you."
Notes: This is just a light-hearted kind of thing, and as such makes me smile. It does run headlong into the "homophobic bystander" cliché, but that can be forgiven, and the ending is a nice touch.
Gift, by threefold_law
Pairing: Will/Bran
Rating: R
Teaser: It's hands in his hair, fingertips sliding down his neck - calloused, the way he always imagined they'd be - hot eager kisses and another young man's chest pressed against his in the dark. They're panting softly, both of them, and he wants to look, wants to take off his blindfold and capture that mouth without fumbling for once, but he won't, he'll do as he was told.
Notes: This was one of my prompts at the light_at_last fanwork-a-thon, so, hee, extra glee! I can't quite put my finger on why I like this -- there's the bittersweetness, and the part where Will doesn't know who he's with is great, and I don't know if it was intentional but there's a hint to the reader about who it is ("feeling as if he's being played like a harp, each of his strings expertly plucked"). Of course, if you read it from here the element of surprise is taken away, but it's still lovely.
Light Breaks, by Ashura
Pairing: Will/Bran
Rating: NC17
Teaser: "True." Bran's hands slid up Will's slick body, he pulled one away to hold it up and look at it, squinting in the dark. "And we make too much of a mess to be able to sneak off and do this-if they notice bruises and grass stains, I can only imagine what they would say if I brought you back all covered in oil. I could try to say I was planning to cook you, but that might land me in worse trouble, really." His voice was light, teasing, but his arms encircled Will again, holding him possessively.
Notes: This was one of the first TDIR fics I read when I was on my reading binge. I love the way that it builds up: their relationship, the things they're trying out, until finally they actually have sex and say they love each other. Nothing about it is rushed, which is another thing I really like.
Something Different, by Aristide
Pairing: Will/Bran
Rating: NC17
Teaser: Bran's face dropped to his shoulder and Will cradled him there, a ragged gasp in his ear and then a deep, desperate cry of passion, of awareness, of release, over and over and Will let go when Bran did, rocking them together and coming together and feeling them close, closer than anything, a terrifying sort of closeness but he loved it--he loved it he loved it he loved it.
Notes: It's lovely lovely shmoop and fairly unapologetic about it. Bran has an angstier past than ever (can't really see it, but I can buy it for the sake of the story), Will has a crush of epic proportions, and there's the cliché of Bran remembering when they have sex done in a lovely way.
Good Omens
Race to the Bottom, by Vulgarweed
Pairing: Crowley/Aziraphale
Rating: NC17
Teaser: What they can’t admit is that the one who winds up pinned beneath is the winner. They celebrate the thrill of defeat with a great show of struggle, as they vie for a dominance that neither really wants - not this time.
Notes: I love the image of an angel topping a demon. >> And I love the way that we actually see Aziraphale being a bit of a bastard (since it's mentioned in canon that he's just enough of a bastard for Crowley to like).
Amid the Sacred Wreck, by Vulgarweed
Pairing: Crowley/Aziraphale
Rating: NC17
Teaser: “I’m cute when I’m discorporated, huh?” Aziraphale yelled. “Well, you’re pretty when you’re dead. I want to see it again!” He hoped Crowley would indulge him this time and not remember that strangling a creature who didn’t strictly speaking need to breathe wasn’t very efficient.
Notes: This one is set well pre-canon, which I really like. And again I love the way that Aziraphale's a bit of a bastard, and that they seemingly take it turns to get the upper hand.
Art
Final Fantasy VII
On the Way to a Kiss, by kimouski
Pairing: Cloud/Tifa
Rating: PG
Notes: So pretty. Their expressions are so precious.
Final Fantasy XII
Fran, by la-elly
Characters: Fran
Rating: G
Notes: Just a pretty, pretty sketch of Fran.
Bumper stickers on the Strahl!, by la-elly
Characters: Balthier, Fran
Rating: G
Notes: They both look so cute and the bumper stickers make me grin.
The Usual Suspects, by manic_intent
Characters: Basch, Ashe, Penelo, Vaan, Balthier, Fran
Rating: G
Notes: Basch looks so hot. *_* Ashe's shifty expression is hilarious, as is Balthier's "Who? Me?" look.
Phoenix Wright
Kiss, by YamamuraTatsuya
Pairing: Phoenix/Edgeworth
Rating: PG
Notes: Just looking at this gives me warm fuzzies. It looks so soft and precious and heee. ♥