Some Recs to Ring In the Year

[solarcat]

I've been bookmarking some things to rec, and it seems like a good time to do it!

Recs sorted by fandom, and then in an arbitrary order, otherwise known as "the order they show up in my bookmarks in".

Fandoms include Merlin, Supernatural, NCIS, The Dresden Files, and miscellaneous Yuletide recs.



Merlin

Title: The Joye of Sexe
Author: aleathiel
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: NC-17
Why the Rec? Because it's amazing? Okay, okay. It's all about sex. Arthur has a lot of it. Merlin disapproves. And then there is porn. Really, you can't go wrong with this. Especially since everyone is excellently in character the whole time. <3
http://aleathiel.livejournal.com/259551.html

Title: Lo, An Idiot
Author: little_giddy
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur-ish, but really friendship or pre-slash
Rating: PG-13
Why the Rec? Arthur Finds Out fic of the best kind. With the slaying of dragons (sort of) and some very nice banter to round it out. I love the whole tone of this fic.
http://little-giddy.livejournal.com/83462.html

Title: Homecoming
Author: ad_exia
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: R
Why the Rec?1x13 coda fic, here, with beautiful language. This is a fic with feeling.
http://community.livejournal.com/merlin_flashfic/8912.html

Title: The Accidental Seduction
Author: ras_elased
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: NC-17
Why the Rec? Well, for one, it's Ras, and that should be all you need. But also, Arthur is just fantastic here. Cuz, see, obviously Merlin wants him, so he decides to have some fun with his manservant. Plus, the ending is just great. XD (And how can you hate a fic that's 44.4% porn?)
http://ras-fic.livejournal.com/18047.html

Title: Old Chinese Proverbs and Other Wisdom
Author: faceofcathy
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: PG-13
Why the Rec? LULZ. Merlin makes a wish. (Caution: side-effects of wishes may include women wearing pants. You have been warned!!)
http://facetofcathy.livejournal.com/45378.html

Title: Damsel in Distress
Author: thehoyden
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: R
Why the Rec? Merlin is kidnapped by a dragon. No, not that dragon. Another dragon. Who, apparently, is also a member of the Gay Yenta Dragons of Camelot Club. So, of course, his knight in shining armour must come to the rescue. As with pretty much all of thehoyden's work, this fic is just fantastic--nicely paced, in-character, and hilarious. Merlin is so very put-upon. XD
http://thehoyden.livejournal.com/243963.html

Title: Hit the Floor
Author: snakevsladder
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: R (but I'd say NC-17, myself)
Why the Rec? Porn. Really yummy porn. Pretty much a PWP, but this is just what a PWP should be.
http://snakevsladder.livejournal.com/8865.html

Title: The Slow Progress of Comprehension
Author: allothi
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: R
Why the Rec? Another Arthur Finds Out fic, and again, I adore the whole tone and feel of it. Arthur is just drawn out so well here, with some contemplation and suspicion and just the right amount of affection.
http://allothi.livejournal.com/551.html

Title: Makes Me Feel Alive, Just to Feel Something, and Plead Forgive Me
Author: smokey2307
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: NC-17
Why the Rec? These fics are amazing, but I will preface with a BIG warning for dub-con. Now, I know there's some debate about "dub-con" as a warning, but this little series is undoubtedly dub-con, and pretty much the best dub-con I've ever read. Readers with a rape squick should probably avoid this, but if you're willing to read these, you'll find that they're surprisingly (and a bit scarily, tbh) in-character. Three powerful little fics here, and you should really read all three (in order).
http://community.livejournal.com/merlinxarthur/412833.html
http://community.livejournal.com/merlinxarthur/434659.html
http://community.livejournal.com/merlinxarthur/436214.html

Title: The Camelot Hotel is Proud to Present...
Author: laceymcbain
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur (pre-slash)
Rating: PG
Why the Rec? This fic is seriously the reason that I'm getting off my arse and posting fic recs. I read it this morning and fell in love... a lot. Let me explain: It's an AU. In which Merlin is a magician. In Vegas. You know you want to read it now. And the best part? It totally lives up to the awesomeness of the premise. I am crossing my fingers for a sequel soon. *crosses*
http://laceymcbain.livejournal.com/234980.html

Title: That Shall Achieve the Sword
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: PG-ish?
Why the Rec? Arthur Finds Out fic, but without the easy, happy ending we often give them in fic. It's VERY good, though, and contains epic sorcery battle and life-saving all around.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/84/thatshall.html

Title: Worrying the Thread
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: PG
Why the Rec? As usual, Merlin and Arthur have a breakdown in communication. The two-sided conversation is executed so well in this.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/75/worryingthe.html

Title: Buggre Alle This
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: PG-13 ish?
Why the Rec? Arthur Finds Out BODYSWAP FIC. Just go read it, before I have to disown you.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/63/buggrealle.html


Supernatural

Title: What Remains
Author: walkawayslowly
Pairing: Dean/Sam, with an OMC/OFC relationship thrown in
Rating: NC-17
Why the Rec? Okay, so this fic is a bit older (it's from the Big Bang), so the hardcore SPN fans have likely already read it. But those of you who haven't should take the time to do so. It's Amnesia!Fic, it's nearly 40k in wordcount, and was a really involving read. I have a well-known weakness for epic-length fic, but this one was definitely worth the time.
http://walkawayslowly.livejournal.com/1089291.html


The Dresden Files

Title: Truce
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Pairing: Marcone/Dresden
Rating: PG
Why the Rec? Fluffy holiday fic. Or, as fluffy as Harry and Gentleman John ever get, anyway. <3
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/63/truce.html

Title: Good for the Soul
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Pairing: Marcone/Dresden
Rating: PG
Why the Rec? I... just... yes. Harry's voice here is just great, and I love love LOVE the slow realization.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/76/goodfor.html


NCIS

Title: Ten Years On
Author: xanthelj
Pairing: Gibbs/DiNozzo, McGee/OFC, previous Tony/Abby
Rating: R
Why the Rec? So I read this this afternoon, and it's just good. The characters' interactions are just so good. I love Tony and Tim, especially. And I love the way Xanthe portrayed the Gibbs/DiNozzo relationship--it's very subtle and real, which is nice. Plus, kidfic! Good kidfic! (Though it's not saccharine. Or even really sweet. You kinda feel bad for the kid, because Tony is not really that great at the whole "fatherhood" thing for most of this.)
http://community.livejournal.com/gibbs_dinozzo/169099.html


Miscellaneous Fandoms
(Mostly Yuletide recs.)

Title: Harold to the Infinite Power
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: Stranger than Fiction
Pairing: None. Or possibly an infinite number.
Rating: PG
Why the Rec? This fic is brilliant. If you've seen the movie, you know how much it's about the relationship between character and author, primarily from the character's viewpoint. The original movie is all about writing. Well, this fic is all about writing fanfiction. It's beautifully meta, and if you haven't seen the movie? You should. If only so you can read this fic.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/75/haroldto.html

Title: This Ain't A Red Lobster (The Speed-Dating Misadventures of One Timothy Gunn)
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: RPF
Pairing: Tim/You'll Find Out And I Won't Dare Spoil It
Rating: PG
Why the Rec? Did you read the title yet? Okay, good. The whole fic is like that. Tim Gunn goes speed-dating, and the results are frequently the cause of SolarCat needing to take a break and remind herself not to drink anything while reading this fic, for her keyboard's sake.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/64/thisaint.html

Title: Mercy
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: PetShop of Horrors
Pairing: D/Leon-ish? Of course, even the most Gen things seem D/Leon-ish to me. I think this was meant to be Gen.
Rating: PG-13 (with a warning for those with animal harm squicks)
Why the Rec? Oh, PetShop. How are you so awesome? This is just a really excellent fic that nicely highlights the ways that D has influenced Leon (and I think a few shades of the ways Leon has influenced D). The characterization in this is superb, imho.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/66/mercy.html

Title: To Swear at Troy
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: Mary Renault -- Alexander series
Pairing: Alexander/Hephaistion
Rating: R/NC-17
Why the Rec? GUH. This fic leaves me incoherent with love. I can't even... the language and the epic-ness of it... Okay, confession time. Alexander and Hephaestion at Troy? I sort of privately hold as the most romantic thing ever in all of history. So this fic pretty much turned me into a quivering mass of happy fangirl.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/67/toswear.html

Title: Even the Angels
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: Lucifer (comic)
Pairing: None
Rating:G
Why the Rec? Short, understated, and beautifully executed. <3
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/82/eventhe.html

Title: Nine Steps in a Circle
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: Little Miss Sunshine
Pairing: None, though I suppose you could read Frank/Dwayne into it if you like
Rating: PG
Why the Rec? The "secondary" characters in Little Miss Sunshine appealed to me far more, actually, than Olive, but none of them more than Frank and Dwayne, so this fic hits a nice sweet spot for me. It's a look at both of them, post-film, with some nice moments of shared understanding. It's about moving forward, and I think it makes sense that these two characters would take those crucial first steps more-or-less together.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/61/ninesteps.html

Title: We Are All the Same
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: Animorphs
Pairing: None
Rating: G
Why the Rec? Rachel-centric fic, with a gorgeous, emotive view of the character. It's short, but manages to convey so much in a short space. The confusion really comes through, and the end nearly made me tear up. It was a close thing.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/78/weare.html

Title: Evermore
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: Gankutsuou (The Count of Monte Cristo)
Pairing: Count/Albert
Rating: R-ish?
Why the Rec? Language. Language. *language-gasm* This is so evocative of the show. It's really gorgeous, and the non-linear structure works very well. The richness in this fic is astounding. (Plus, bonus points for use of the word "heliotrope"!)
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/60/evermore.html

Title: After Sunrise
Author: ?? [Yuletide]
Fandom: Hocus Pocus (movie)
Pairing: Max/Binx. Yes. I'm not kidding.
Rating: G? PG?
Why the Rec? So, I didn't know I shipped this until I saw it, but as soon as I did, that little shipping lightbulb over my head went "click!" and lit right up. Because, well, I always did want Binx to be alive at the end, but I'd never really considered how that would work exactly. While I don't think this fic is exactly realistic on that front? I kind of love it.
http://yuletidetreasure.org/archive/67/aftersunrise.html