Rec List (Again)
Still hard. This one, I got my prompts, looked at them, and my first thought--my very first thought--was “but I don’t read that much tentacle porn.” Because popular culture has made tentacle porn the first thing I think of when I think tentacles. That first impulse wasn’t wrong, exactly, but it turns out I don’t read a whole of fics that fit the other categories, either.
That said, I still came up one over my 15. But who’s counting?
ETA: Livejournal hates me. It just does.
EXPLOSIONS
All the King’s Men by Mijan
Summary: "How many times can you patch up something before you realize that it's too fucking broken to fix, Bones?" When a training simulation uncovers something that Cadet Jim Kirk was never meant to remember, it breaks him. Leonard McCoy can't sit by and watch Jim crumble. When asked what he's willing to do to get the old Jim back, Leonard has only one answer. "Anything."
This is the one and only Star Trek AOS fic on this list. It’s part of an awesome series, first, because that is important, but also? It was the first story I thought of when I was trying to remember works I’d read with explosions in them. I really enjoyed the characterizations, the author’s vision of what the Academy might have been like, and how the author imagined Jim and Bones really becoming friends. This is technically the second story in the series, but it’s the first that explores their friendship.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/127379/chapters/180363
Mr & Mr Winchester by Zara_Zee
Summary: A gay couple, whose marriage is in a rut, are surprised to learn that they are rival assassins, working for the same agency.
I think it’s obvious what movie this story is based on, but if you’re not sure it’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith. In this J2 version, Jensen is methodical, and Jared is really fond of blowing stuff up. It’s fun and fast-paced and slightly ridiculous, with lots of action. And if you don’t get your fill of explosions in the first one (I can’t currently remember how many there are; there might only be one), there’s an equally delightful sequel.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/6492448
The Jungle Book by beadslut, jenna_thorn
Summary: When Jensen Ackles, CEO of Ackles Corporation, travels to South America, he's expecting another routine business trip. What he gets is a plane crash in the jungle and pursuit by thugs from of one of the largest drug cartels in Colombrador. At least he has Jared, the plane's pilot, to help him survive - although Jared has some secrets of his own.
I really enjoyed the plot of this story, and especially enjoyed the fact that it was propelled along and enhanced by the deft characterization. The pacing was excellent, as was the relationship-building, and I think Jared’s secret is awesome. The only thing missing is a sequel. As for how this fits the topic: does anyone know what happens when you mix a molotov cocktail with a bunch of gas-filled oil drums? I bet you can guess.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/216458
Zero Sum series by RurouniHime
Summary: There are a few certainties in Jared’s life these days. One, Jensen comes across as slightly paranoid but, two, his intuition is always sound. Three, when Jared listens to it, they both stay alive.
I have a confession: the explosion(s) doesn’t come until about the third installment of this series. That said, each installment is a one-shot and each one could realistically be a chapter from a single story. It’s absolutely worth reading all of them. (If I remember right, there’s only four.) The series is a thoroughly compelling rendition of the guys as secret agents, with intrigue, betrayal, and the special bond between the boys that makes J2 so addicting.
https://archiveofourown.org/series/9682
Green Means Go by ElectricalGwen
Summary: When the United States fragmented, the vigilante group known as the Ghosts became the unofficial power behind the Republic of Texas. After the deaths of almost everyone he cares about, the Ghosts are all Jared has left.
Four years later, Jared is on a routine mission when his world is turned upside down. Jensen’s alive, but has no memory of his former life, or the mission that (almost) got him killed. Old rivalries are resurfacing, and now Jared and Jensen are on the run from their own side. There’s a surprise awaiting them, a secret that could change the world - if only Jensen can remember the key.
I have a thing competent!spy!Jared. I also have a thing for hurt!Jared and vulnerable!Jared and this alternate history spy adventure dovetails the three nicely. There’s also rival factions, betrayal, intrigue, and--of course--the all-important explosion. I let you read it to figure out what blows up. And bonus: there’s a prequel. (The prequel is linked at the end of the story.)
https://archiveofourown.org/works/344732/chapters/559413
South China Sea by tabaqui
Summary: Somewhere in the South China Sea, June, 1969
They finally gave us some real news, Mama. The captain just got on the loudspeaker a little bit ago and told us we'll be in Vietnam in about two days. We're landing at a place called 'Dunang'? Something like that. I don't know how to spell it. Maybe Sissy and you could look it up on the map.
I know there's a lot of crazy stuff going on in Vietnam but I'm kinda excited. I just been so dam dang bored on the ship. Nothing to do but run and pushups and play cards and watch the sailors clean stuff.
I'm scared, but I feel like I'm going crazy here, so being scared is almost gonna be worth it. I promise I'll be careful.
This story is told in snippets, divided between letters home from Jared and, primarily, Jensen’s perspective in Vietnam. I don’t tend to read a lot of war stories. They tend not to end well, you know? And I like my stories with happy endings. But I have a soft spot for Vietnam stories, and J2 Vietnam stories are no exception. This story is fairly short. The somewhat disjointed narrative works well for the subject, mirroring the devolvement of the situation, the increasing desperation of the characters. The explosions. And it has a...mostly happy ending. With timestamps, which are the next best thing to sequels.
http://tabaqui.livejournal.com/140033.html
To the Stars and Back by cleflink
Summary: 90% of the human race thinks the Solar System is an alien free zone. They're all wrong, but luckily there are people around who make sure that what they don't known can't hurt them. Jensen was one of these people until his job got axed, but he and his Earth boyfriend, Jared, are about to have the chance to change that. Question is, how will a relationship based primarily on clever banter and really hot sex fare when they're dealing with a conspiracy that threatens the safety of the entire world?
Confession: the explosions in this story are at the end and somewhat ancillary to the plot, except for how they add to the confusion that lets Jensen slip away. But who can turn down good Intergalactic spy!fic? Jared and Jensen have been living together on earth (and how that came about is kinda hilarious, as perceived by their friends), until they’re attacked. The plot is character driven, and both Jared and Jensen have their issues they have to get past to make their relationship work in their new situation, there’s clever banter, not just between Jensen and Jared, and--to sweeten the pot--there’s timestamps. Honestly, though, I’m still holding out hope for a sequel.
https://cleflink.livejournal.com/41821.html
Foreign Xchange by Vathara
Summary: Yugi, Tea, Seto and Mokuba visit Bayville... chaos ensues. Crossover with XMen Evolution.
I never would’ve thought to crossover Yu-Gi-Oh with X-Men, but Vathara does it beautifully, managing to keep everyone in character and their voices true, with a compelling plot, and a flawless meshing of the two universes. There’s explosions, rampaging mutants, Shadow Duels, and . . . a softer side of Kaiba. Plus, if you find yourself longing for more Yu-Gi-Oh crossovers, the author also wrote Roll the Bones, a crossover with the Sentinel.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1538942/1/Foreign-xChange
TENTACLES
The Squid Monster by morrezela
Summary: Jared picks up an intergalactic squid that decides to live on his inner thigh.
This is kind of exactly what it says on the tin. It’s an interesting premise, the characters are well-drawn--even the squid--and it’s surprisingly compelling. Jared/squid!Jensen.
http://archiveofourown.org/works/1229689
The Future’s Nothing New by Atimi
Summary: Jared is an intergalactic problem-solver, Jensen is a slave with a problem that needs solving, and Jeff is Jared's long-suffering mentor. Together they fight crime!
This is a fun, fast read that I might should have recced under attacked by a creature, instead, because the plot is pretty standard creature fare. Except--tentacles. So, you know. That said, the fic is best taken as part of a whole: there are two other stories connected to his one that expand on the world the author created and the interpersonal relations with the characters, with more great creatures, and--in my opinion--this one isn’t even the best of the lot. I’m just compelled to rec it from the beginning since I managed to read bothe the second and third stories first. Oops.
http://archiveofourown.org/works/477361
As Boundless As the Sea by cherie_morte
Summary: Jensen is an Engelon, a species whose home planet was drained of all its resources and abandoned thousands of years ago. Now what remains of their collective live in a large spaceship that travels between galaxies in order to find, conquer and drain new planets and their inhabitants of the one precious substance they need to survive: water. Engelons don’t feel anything except for greed, thirst and hatred for all creatures that stand in their way-except for Jensen. Always the odd alien out, Jensen has tried to keep his yearnings and emotions buried, but when his collective discovers a big blue planet called Earth, everything changes.
Jensen is assigned the task of observing humanity, learning their ways and customs. When Jensen unintentionally takes a human form, his fellow Engelons have finally had enough. They cast him down to Earth, far from any ocean, where it is assumed he will die without access to water. But Jensen is rescued by Jared, a man who lives alone on the farm Jensen was dropped on. Jared has lost everything he ever held dear but he has not lost his kindness or his willingness to help a very strange stranger in need.
Or: The Epic Love Story of Jensen Tentackles and Farmboy!Jared
I love Jensen’s perspective in this story. It manages to be both alien and relatable, and Jensen is all the more endearing for it, particularly in the face of how horrifying the rest of his species’ choices are. The world-building is excellent, the details well-chosen and used to excellent effect, and the characterizations spot on. I love how the author writes Jared, and the cameos by Gen and Misha are great. A wonderful coming of age story!
http://archiveofourown.org/works/12140112
Throw Your Arms Around Me by deirde_c
Summary: There were hundreds of houses, thousands of people who came to swim and play in Jensen’s lake, but Jared was the only one he cared to know by name.
This is a different take on a tentacled!Jensen, wherein he doesn’t have the option of appearing human. He’s stuck in the lake and can only know Jared in the lake. This story is also from Jensen’s perspective, and it’s very well done, Jensen’s thoughts and feelings and concerns relevant to his world but they’re also universal. It’s a really touching, heart-warming tale.
http://archiveofourown.org/works/1071526
Beginner’s Luck by bertee
Summary: Medieval-esque fantasy AU.
Dashing-adventurer!Jared meets male-equivalent-of-a-damsel-in-distress!Jensen, who is on the run from a very shady JDM. With a little (read: a lot) of help from Jensen, Jared overcomes various hazards including a fire-breathing dragon, a haunted forest, and a nymph who is adamant that Jared should come to live with her underwater.
Jared's reputation grows as a result of his heroics but before he and Jensen can plan their happily ever after, Jensen's past rears its ugly head, putting both of their lives in danger. It turns out that disgruntled dragons are the least of Jared's problems.
This is, fittingly enough, an adventure story. It’s well-written, engaging, with an awesome Jensen and an endearing Jensen, as well as a wicked twist. The tentacled monster--funny how often they overlap with attacked by a creature, really--isn’t the main villain, but it’s worth a read anyway.
http://archiveofourown.org/works/477527
ATTACKED BY A CREATURE
Stick Beacuase I’m Stuck on You by queenklu
Summary: Orphan. Fine. Big-brother-turned-Dad. Jensen can deal. New dog? Who may or may not be a fairly decent looking human being and/or alien? Jensen is so over his fucking head.
If you can’t tell from the summary, this is a Lilo & Stich J2 remake, and it’s wonderfully done, different enough from the original to be its own story, but close enough to be recognizable. I love how the author cast the roles. There’s tentacles--and tendrils--and beachside danger as the creature makes its first move. Absolute fun.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/118701
Creature Feature by Saone
Summary: Something hungry is lurking in Lake Winchester.
This is another one that’s exactly what it says on the tin. The tone is spot on it, it’s a fun and fast read, and the balance between action and relationship building is excellent. And the creature is well-chosen.
http://archiveofourown.org/works/199168
Penumbra by K Hanna Korossy
Summary: Shadow tag: Walking wounded on every level.
This story follows the Winchester adventure in Chicago and the attack by daevas, dealing with the fallout from that attack, and introducing a new creature to take a swing at the boys. This author is my favorite for Supernatural fic. Her stories are all gen, focus on the boys (and thus their relationship), and exist--mostly--as part of the same universe, filling in some of the downtime between episodes, and this story is a prime example. The characterization is spot-on, it has hurt!Sam and hurt!Dean, Dean being a self-sacrificing hero, and Sam playing through the pain to help his brother. Read this, and then go read the rest of her stuff.
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4073659/1/Penumbra