First of all, two things to begin with:
1. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to
sin_of_pride! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ I hope you have a beautiful day, sweetie!
2. THANK YOU to everyone who left me some happy at the meme yesterday and also who commented on my last RL post. Things have been tough lately and it means a lot to me to know that I can count on you guys. Please excuse that I won't be answering comments on the meme (because commenting back on love-memes always makes me O.o I'd rather leave the comment space for people to actually get loved on.) Things are a little better, I've calmed down and we've got a movie ahead of us tomorrow (the new Emmerich). It's gonna be epically bad. :D
And now, I have RECS! I mentioned some time ago that I was catching up with Criminal Minds and the Criminal Minds fandom. I've seen all episodes up to, uh, mid season 4 I think and I could do some more serious flailing about the show because it's such a thing of beauty. It's consistently good; good writing, good acting and I know that I keep repeating myself, but if you think a show about profilers is something you could enjoy, give it a try. It's a fantastic show!
The fandom isn't nearly as large as SPN which is both a blessing and a curse. I haven't been involved in it that much yet and maybe I simply haven't found it yet, but there doesn't seem to be any drama. No race and gender issues. No people fighting over ships (there are SO MANY in CM because it's a 7 characters ensemble), no people who only share the goodies if you repeatedly kiss their ass. It also means there is less new fic each day and, making a generalization here, I'd say the quality of writing in SPN is higher. Writing in the CM fandom isn't bad, it really isn't. And if you bring a bit of time to look for the brilliant fic, you'll find it. But you know, if you're in a fandom as large as SPN and have as little time to read fic as I do, it gets easier to cherry-pick once you're familiar with the authors and what they put out there.
That having said, I think I found a few gems that I'd like to share and I'm also still looking for recs. If you have any, please point me in the right direction so that I can add them to my to-read list!
Okay, here we go!
First, I'd like to rec a picspam with meta/character study elements. My favorite characters on CM are Reid (boy genius), Morgan and Hotch, with Reid being my absolute favorite. I have such a crush on the guy. It's hilarious or scary. ;-) Earlier this week
library_of_sex posted a
Reid picspam that features some key scenes he's had throughout the series. I think it sums up Reid pretty well.
I'm a slasher at heart so all of the recs are (pre-)slash fics. Sorry, gen and het people!
Morgan/Reid
Morgan/Reid is definitely my OTP. The way Morgan keeps teasing Reid, watches out for him, becomes his friend. It's easy to imagine that at some point, they become more than just friends. I mentioned in a previous post that I see Morgan as the kind of guy every person would want in their lives. The kind of guy who adores and worships his partners, putting them on a pedestal. The schmoopist inside me kinda wants to believe that Reid could be that kind of person for Morgan.
I find their dynamics interesting. Morgan is a tease and a flirt. Morgan also has a bit of a jealous side. Reid is awkward when he's not rattling on statistics on serial killers in situations that could lead to anything sexual. He was incredibly awkward with that actress in season 1 (?) and talking to women at clubs to warn them about a serial killer in season 4 was a total disaster until Morgan gave him the heads up. Reid is a horrible flirt. There is no canon whether he is experienced or not and to what degree. I think it makes it interesting to pair Reid with anyone, but especially Morgan due to just how different they are when it comes to love, romance and sexuality. The possibilities are sheer endless: Morgan teaches Reid the fine aspects of sex. Or maybe Morgan thinks he needs to and then it turns out that Reid is far more experienced than he was given credit for.
I just really think that Morgan/Reid is a pairing that can be explored beautifully.
On a more shallow note: they'd look HOT together, rolling around the sheets.
Recs:
Appellations by
reccea (Morgan/Reid; PG; ca. 1.5k)
Morgan had a thing for nicknames, that much was clear. -- Morgan calling Reid pretty boy canon (as far as I remember) but it takes Reid a while to figure it all out. I LOVE the Reid voice in this fic, it's probably one of the best I have read so far.
Since We've Nowhere to Go by
innerslytherin and
severity_softly (Morgan/Reid; R; ca. 6k)
Summary: Derek and Spencer, snowbound. Morgan and Reid get stuck in a car and need to get creative when it comes to keeping each other warm. -- This is just right: cute, hilarious and with a side of hot.
The Things You Learn About a Guy by
albydarned (Morgan/Reid; NC-17; ca. 11k)
Summary: One morning, resident genius (and assumed virgin) Spencer Reid shows up for work late, freshly showered, and covered in hickies. Derek Morgan sets out on a mission to discover just what Reid was up to the night before ... although, as usual, plans of this caliber? Almost never go exactly according to plan. -- While I love Reid being awkward and inexperienced, what I love just as much are those fics when everybody thinks he was when in fact, he's enjoying an active sex life. Still waters run deep!
Online Romances for the Emotionally-Challenged by
albydarned (Morgan/Reid; PG-13; ca. 15k)
Summary: Garcia and JJ take on the responsibility of helping Morgan and Reid deal with their online relationship… with each other. Suffice it to say, this is a task easier said than done (and requiring the consumption of many brightly-colored girly drinks). -- There's some kickass JJ and Garcia in there who need to help out a clueless Morgan and Reid. Also check out the porny sequel
Real-Life Solutions for the Emotionally-Challenged (Morgan/Reid; NC-17; ca. 6k).
Through the din of this loud life by
carolinecrane (Morgan/Reid; NC-17; ca. 7k)
Summary: Morgan, Reid, and a little cabin in the woods. You know what happens next. -- This is another snowbound cliché ficlet. They're so much fun! This one comes with a whole lot of pining and awkwardness and a nice resolution. There's "only" a handjob in there but it's easily the hottest handjob I've ever read!
Untitled Drabble Numero Uno by
kayakingsquid (Morgan/Reid; G; ca. 400 words)
Morgan helps Reid through his nightmares. -- I think I never made it a secret that I'm a huge sucker for h/c and Morgan comforting Reid during his nightmares, being gentle and just being there for Reid is something I will never get enough of. One of the few established relationship fics I found.
I Never by
innerslytherin (Morgan/Reid; PG-13; ca. 2.5k)
Summary: When Morgan hosts a Christmas party for the team, he doesn't quite expect things to go the way they do. Note: Combining two prompts: 1. Drinking games with the BAU! At the holiday party. & 5. Sloppy!Affectionate!Drunk!Reid. -- This put a huge smile on my face! You're not gonna regret reading it.
The Seduction of Derek Morgan by Spencer Reid, or Maybe Vice Versa by
ionaonie (Morgan/Reid; PG; ca. 7k; pre-slash)
Summary/prompt: Morgan/Reid. How would Reid go about seducing Morgan? Would he use his profiling skills or would it be an awkward mess? -- So much love for clueless!Reid in this one! [I seem to have a thing for clueless!Reid.] He wants to court Morgan and kinda does it wrong. Until Morgan takes matter in his own hands.
Lean by
bookgodess15 (Morgan/Reid; PG; ca. 600 words)
Summary: The case gets rough, and Morgan and Reid turn to each other. Told from Hotch' POV -- This is an outsider POV on Morgan and Reid's relationship. Seen through the eyes of their boss. There's something incredibly comforting and tender in this. Make you feel good- stuff!
Hearts by
batgurl88 (Morgan/Reid; PG; ca. 900 words)
Summary: Nothing says romance like sending your boyfriend into anaphylactic shock. -- Morgan and Reid's first Valentine together. Gone wrong. This is utterly cute.
Hotch/Reid
Another pairing that I really, really love is Hotch/Reid. They have a different dynamic from Morgan/Reid, already given by the fact that Hotch is the head of the team and Reid is his subordinate. A lot of fic address the issue and I think it makes for a strong plot element. You find a lot of reluctant!Hotch (obviously!) but not just that. Another issue is that - in season 1 of Criminal Minds - we get to know Hotch as a married man with a very pregnant wife. Infidelity is another theme you tend to stumble across repeatedly.
Infidelity mostly squicks me, even though throughout the series, we learn that Hotch hadn't been happy in his relationship for a long time, neither had Haley, his ex-wife. The fics reced below are either one-sided Hotch/Reid if pre-divorce or post-divorce. Either way, if infidelity upsets you, please check the individual fic warnings again in case I accidentally made wrong notes in my bookmarks.
There's also the relationship of student/mentor, especially after Gideon left beginning of season 3.
Recs:
Watch and Learn by
mariamme (Hotch/Reid; PG-13; ca. 3k)
Morgan's the one that knows them best. After all, he’s been watching them for years. -- Hotch/Reid as seen through Morgan's eyes. This was actually the first fic I read of the pairing. I love how it's told through Morgan's POV. How it takes him a while to figure out the signs and how he then goes back to previous situations to analyze them.
Worthy of the Word by
severity_softly (Hotch/Reid; NC-17; ca. 9k)
Summary: Hotch and Reid get a push towards each other from an unexpected source, but often, it's easier to admit to what you want than it is to actually take it. -- Rossi plays match-maker, sneaky!Reid is sneaky and Hotch needs some serious convincing. Beautiful, realistic sex too. If you've seen the episode Elephant's Memory, you're gonna love how it's been incorporated in this fic.
Courtship Rituals by
darkhawkhealer (Hotch/Reid; PG-13; ca. 11k)
Summary/prompt: Written for prompt 1 - Hotch gets a surprise when he arrives early at work, but can also fit with prompt 4- "To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead." (~ Bertrand Russell) Aaron comes to terms with his feelings, if you squint. -- This is another fic where Hotch needs a bit of pushing in the right direction after Reid courts him (in that cute, geeky way that Reid would court someone!) Good humor and sweet, sweet romance with awesome side characters on top!
All In A Night's Work by
scribblinlenore (Reid/OMC, Hotch/Reid; R; ca. 3k)
Summary: Going undercover has never been so revealing. -- Reid goes undercover in a case where an unsub targets gay men. Casefile! There's something sexy and sensual in the awkward built up with the OMC. I think it's set pre-divorce, but since it's only ne-sided Hotch/Reid there is no adultery in this. Definitely one of my CM favorites so far!
A Rock and a Hard Place by
rushlight75 (Hotch/Reid; R; ca. 17k)
Summary: Reid and Hotch are kidnapped during the course of an investigation. -- Another casefile fic. Gosh, how much do I love CM case fics?! Hotch is already separated in this, there's some violence.
Hotch/Morgan
I guess Hotch/Morgan counts somewhat as a rare pairing in this fandom. Or maybe I've been looking at the wrong places. There's something intriguing about Hotch/Morgan, both dominant men. I watched Profiler Profiled yesterday, a Morgan-centric episode and after this episode, I'm definitely open to the idea of Hotch/Morgan. ;-)
Rec:
Uncertain Terrain by
innerslytherin and
severity_softly (Hotch/Morgan; NC-17; ca. 12.5k)
Summary/prompt: Lost in the wilderness, Morgan has to take care of an injured Hotch. Afterwards, they have to deal with the way things between them have changed. -- I admit it, they had me right there with the h/c. But seriously, there's a slow, believable development in relationship, plenty of angst and some more reluctant!Hotch but in the end, it all makes perfect sense.
Hotch/Morgan/Reid
Haha, oh God. I don't think I have to say much about this. I'm completely honest (and shallow) here: the best thing about Hotch/Morgan/Reid is the sheer hotness of it. Three hot men having a bit of fun between the sheets. I know, right?! I've never been a fan of threesomes in SPN, mostly because I was so OTP about Sam/Dean that I didn't want anyone to come between them. There was never a character that I wanted to see with Sam and Dean, to be honest. So now there are three guys and no clear OTP (even though I do have a preference for one constellation) and yeah, it's a whole new opportunity. Fun! (Sadly, there is only one rec.)
Rec:
Make Your Own Luck by
sperrywink (Hotch/Morgan/Reid; NC-17; ca. 10k)
Summary/prompt: Morgan/Hotch/Reid - Morgan and Hotch both want Reid. Reid seems oblivious to either of them, so they decide on a wager. Whichever of them can get Reid in bed first wins. Only it turns out Reid knew about it from the beginning, and he has a better plan--to get all three of them in bed together. Humorous attempts at dating from Morgan (flowers, wine, chocolates) and Hotch making excuses (practice at the shooting range?) -- It's not just HOT, it's also cute with good humor and sneaky!Reid. *g*
Phew. I think this took me all afternoon. Hope you appreciate the recs. Always feel free to keep an eye on my
Criminal Minds tag at delicious too. As I said above, feel free to rec me fics at any time.
In case anybody wanted to play, there's a
Criminal Minds kink meme that needs some more participants. I'm gonna head over there in a bit to see whether I can play. I still need that Morgan/Reid spanking fic. ;-)
Edit: a snippet from an interview [
source] with the CM cast that I've wanted to repost:
Both you and Matthew used to be models. Do you guys face off about who's hotter?
Shemar Moore: Matthew actually made money that counted. Matthew is so pretty he's almost a girl. Modelling was something that I got into because I just didn't want to wear a suit and tie for a living. Because of my sports schedule (in high school), I couldn't get a full-time job (to help his single mother out) - so I got into modelling. But I was such an athlete that my legs were too big, my butt was too big. So, I might have been cute by the pool and the girls might have been like, 'Hi'. But when you'd take my picture, I looked like a chubby monkey. So to answer your question, if there was a competition, I'd like to think I've got a little swag, but he's got me beat in the pretty department.
Oh boy! ♥