Recs! Fic, Art, Meta, Vids
50 recs in total, assuming I counted correctly. Primarily fic, but there's also a couple vids, seven art recs, a bit of meta and a speculatory AU piece.
Direct Links to Each Section
Avengers
Disney's Robin Hood
Harry Potter
Highlander
Inception
Jupiter Ascending
Kings
Leverage
Merlin
OMG Check, Please!
Supernatural
Teen Wolf
Tolkien - The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings
.: Avengers :.
The "Amazing" Hawkeye by
when-it-rains-it-snows
[AVG/Hawkguy, Gen, PG, Single still image]
Artist's Notes: kate has LOADS of questions
Rec Notes: Kate unearths a photo from Hawkeye's circus days of him an, ah, interesting costume. The Kate commentary is the perfect icing. ;)
[Clint Bent Over Backwards] by
when-it-rains-it-snows
[AVG/Hawkguy, Gen, PG, Single still image]
Artist's Notes:in which Kate finds an old picture, circus-era old, and wants to know if Clint can still do that?
* girly-girl I have no idea
* let’s find out
Rec Notes: A shirtless Clint is bent backwards essentially in a circle. One foot is planted on the floor, the other tucked back to meet his hands, which are also planted on the floor. There's a purple striped rug and scattered arrows with purple fletching that Lucky is sprawling across "helpfully" with his tongue lolling out as he attempts to join in the game. It's impressive AND adorable. :D The gray background and his dark gray jeans contrast nicely with Clint himself and the purple accents (including the peek of purple boxers at his waistband) work very well. Really nicely done.
[Shelter] by
timsenblue
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG, Single still image]
Rec Notes: I would swear that I've recced this, but I can't find record of that and it's not a hardship to do so again, regardless. Gorgeous art of Steve and Bucky (as the Winter Soldier), in uniform, sheltering under Steve's shield while it pours down rain. Their hands are on each others hips, faces hidden by the angle and the fall of Bucky's hair. It has a very unexpected intensity.
It's Won By Soldiers by
cptsmallass,
ellidfics, &
wintercyan
[AVG/Captain America, 675 words + 3 still images]
Excerpt: The symbolism of guns in CA:TFA and CA:TWS is particularly interesting. While they use guns throughout the movie, the Howling Commandos are at first only shown to kill using hand-to-hand combat, HYDRA’s disintegrating weapons, or explosions, all methods which are bloodless and/or leave no body. [...]
After Bucky’s death, however, Steve and the Howling Commandos are forced to take on these aspects themselves. The Howling Commandos gun down HYDRA soldiers during the storm of the Red Skull’s mountain base, and Steve kills a fleeing HYDRA pilot by throwing a knife into his back (the only time in both Captain America movies that Steve is shown to unambiguously kill someone and the audience sees the dead body).
Rec Notes: Further to the meta re: Steve's defensive image being precisely that, an image, largely facilitated by Bucky being shown doing the dirty work.
He's Got Rythm by
Green166Apple
[AVG, Gen, PG, 1:48 minutes]
Summary: «I'll take you to a place you never did see...»
Rec Notes: A great Bucky vid that's fast paced with really interesting scene cutting and use of the beat.
Matinee Idol by
fmo
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG-13, 1.036 words]
Summary: Bucky Barnes is known for breaking absolutely anyone’s fingers when paid well to do it, but Steve definitely doesn’t exactly know that. “You sure are popular, Buck,” Steve says.
Bucky slings his arm around Steve’s shoulders. “I meet a lot of people,” he says.
Rec Notes: I dithered over this one, finally clicked over to read the end, then ended up reading the previous paragraph enough times I made it back to the beginning. So apparently it's compelling even in reverse. Violence is non-explicit.
Fight or Fuck by
Kaasknot
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, NC-17, 2.880 words]
Summary: They're a neighborhood institution: the two alpha boys who manage not to kill each other twice a year. Bucky's always been proud of that, proud that they're above their hormones, but now he isn't so sure. Steve is spoiling for a fuck, but in the absence of an omega or beta, a fight will have to do. Bucky keeps his body language open and non-threatening, and raises his chin to bare his throat. He fights himself all the way.
Rec Notes: Nice pre-serum A/B/O with a bit of a twist. A relatively short and well done PWP.
It's Possible That He Wants You Too by
belovedmuerto
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG-13, 4.429 words]
Summary: “Bucky kissed me this morning,” Steve says, not quite believing the words even as they’re coming out of his mouth.
“Wait,” Sam replies. “Back up.”
Rec Notes: Sweet!
Nineteen by
Nakimochiku
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG, 315 words]
Summary: Steve remembers Bucky at nineteen.
Rec Notes: Short and evocative.
Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen by
jacquez
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, NC-17, 7.533 words]
Summary: Bucky Barnes and the Great Sexuality Crisis of 1938.
Rec Notes: I keep wanting to write a longer rec for this, but that's not getting it read, so have a short rec! This is just a really great fic with superb dialogue.
Cross this River to the Other Side by
defcontwo
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG-13, 14.572 words]
Summary: In 1943, the Howling Commandos wrote goodbye letters to be given to their loved ones in the event of their deaths.
In 2014, Sharon Carter finds those letters in a tin can in an abandoned HYDRA base.
Rec Notes: I was leery of this one, thinking it would tug my heartstrings so hard they snapped, but a quick glance turned into reading all 14,000+ words and loving them. Really lovely with great appearances by other characters.
Out of the Damned Winter by
biblionerd07
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG, 1.972 words]
Summary: Steve and Bucky always promise each other they're going to get somewhere warm, someday, out of this damned winter. (Five winters with Steve and Bucky.)
Rec Notes: *sniffle* Oh, that's just *sniffle* perfect.
A Piece of Silly Affection by
Reccea
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, NC-17, 11.687 words]
Summary: Bucky couldn't stop staring. He felt like he was having a nervous breakdown but that was ridiculous. This was ridiculous. It was facial hair. Bucky had taught Steve how to shave for fuck’s sake. A beard was nothing to even give a second thought to. Only, of course, Bucky couldn't stop thinking about it. Or staring. Because Steve-- Steve had always been ten kinds of gorgeous, small or big, sickly or healthy as a horse. He’d always been the thing that got Bucky tied in knots. It was normal. It was fine. Except for how suddenly Bucky just couldn't keep himself together over it.
Rec Notes: I've re-read this several times and loved it every last one.
The Right to Arm Bears by
cyndisision
[AVG, Gen, PG-13, 6.486 words]
Summary: Bucky Bear didn't ask to get made. He didn't ask to get assembled out of pieces and parts and snippets of lost memory, and turned into some little monster. He especially didn't ask to become a walking, talking reminder of everything James Barnes has lost.
In which Tony Stark has no sense of what’s appropriate in a gag gift, and never does anything by halves-even creating a plush bear AI based on his friend’s long-lost assassin sidekick.
Rec Notes: The creation is imo actually morally reprehensible, in that Tony creates a living thing - with someone else's memories - as a gag gift in significantly bad taste and then forgets about its existence when even that idea falls flat. To be somewhat fair to Tony, he didn't fully realize what he had created (he thought Bucky Bear was more automaton than full AI), and he changes course once he realizes what's happened, but it takes a while and if you're looking for a way to stab your reader in the soul, this works well. That Natasha is the one who first accepts him feels very appropriate, though. It's a shared goal (Save Steve - excellent goal for Buckys of all stripes) that ultimately brings Bucky Bear and James "Bucky" Barnes to an understanding.
The Spice of Life by
Kian
[AVG, Gen-ish (Tony/Pepper background), PG, 5.240 words]
Summary: There are a lot of things about her life which are legitimately terrifying, Pepper occasionally reflects.
Rec Notes: Lovely, largely fluffy Pepper POV on life in AVG Tower and Bucky's presence in particular as she slowly works on developing a friendship with him.
A Walk in the Park by
AlphaFlyer
[AVG, Gen, PG-13, 1.389 words]
Summary: Clint Barton has complaints; Maria Hill has a ringside seat.
Rec Notes: Nice Maria POV and I'm always up for a Spies at Work sort of fic.
.: Disney's Robin Hood :.
Robin Hood Watercolor by
jordandene
[Disney's Robin Hood, Gen, PG, Single still image]
Rec Notes: A LOVELY watercolor w/ spatter paint accent rendering of Disney's Robin Hood, who is the Robin of my heart, from behind, holding his bow. <3
.: Harry Potter :.
[Harry Potter AU Speculation] by
Kyraneko
[HP, Gen, PG, 2.162 words]
Summary: Can you imagine how differently their lives would've gone if Ron, in trying to transfigure Scabbers, had actually transfigured him back into a human? Just take a moment to imagine McGonagall’s reaction if Peter Pettigrew had abruptly appeared in her classroom from Ronald Weasley's rat.
Rec Notes: So much awesomeness.
On the Turning Away by
blamebrampton
[HP, Harry/Draco, PG, 25.684 words]
Summary: It's one thing to be good at not making a besotted fool of yourself over a man when he's busy being the most famous wizard in the world and you're tucked away quietly in Wiltshire. It's quite another when you have to see him every morning.
Rec Notes: I wrapped up reading this fic near midnight because I couldn't put it down. When a friend issues a poorly thought out joke in Draco's direction, he ends up having to check in with an auror every day over the holidays. It's mostly a formality, but when the auror ends up being Harry, Draco thinks this will be the perfect opportunity for him to get over a long term, unrequited crush. That's not exactly the way things go. Features a wonderful Draco with a compelling POV, a couple of lovely appearances by Luna, a particularly good OC, and all-around enjoyable writing.
Now, This is the Story All About How (my life got flipped-turned upside down) by
verity
[HP, Gen, PG, 3.043 words]
Summary: Merlin's opened for business on Friday and Saturday nights the second week of October. Well, "business." Susan and I got paid in Chocolate Frogs and not having to clean up, which seemed like an unfair labor policy until the first time I saw Draco Malfoy with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and suds on his nose.
Rec Notes: This is about the OC(s) and it's a good bit melancholy given the time frame, which is fairly soon after DH. Still manages to be humorous, too, with a nice outsider POV giving glimpses of the more familiar characters.
.: Highlander :.
The Storyteller's Perogative by pprfaith
[HL, Duncan/Methos, R, 1.187 words]
Summary: Methos tells lies and he tells truth. The difference is not always obvious.
Rec Notes: Lovely - in which even the storyteller isn't quite sure which is which.
.: Inception :.
High tide and the heron dived when I took the road over the border by
tigriswolf
[IN, Arthur/Eames, PG-13, 2.189 words]
Summary: "Arthur," the man says after the movie ends and Arthur drops the empty fudge box in the trash. Arthur turns to look at him and the man says, "Arthur, do you know my name?"
Arthur shakes his head. "Sorry."
The man smiles again. "It'll come to you, darling."
Rec Notes: Limbo fic! The kind of story I really wished Inception fandom had spawned many, many more of.
.: Jupiter Ascending :.
Sirius Ascending by
Aeolian
[JA, Jupiter/Caine, NC-17, 2.361 words]
Summary: "I love dogs. I've always loved dogs." The post-credit scene you can't take your kids to see.
Rec Notes: YES. THAT. Realizes the rather glorious potential of Jupiter/Caine and both that he loves addressing her as "Your Majesty" and she loves hearing him say it.
The One Where Caine Meets Jupiter's Family by
childishinquiry
[JA, Jupiter/Caine, PG, 2.040 words]
Summary: The one where Caine meets Jupiter's family. This is that one.
Rec Notes: *giggles madly*
Memory of Blood by
DawningStar
[JA, Jupiter/Caine, PG-13, 1.296 words]
Summary: Instinct is more powerful and more reckless than thought, but that doesn't make it wrong.
Rec Notes: Wait, is this connection partially canon and I missed it? Possible seeing as how I missed some of the dialogue, but plausible regardless.
The Best Defense by
MidKnight2501
[JA, Jupiter/Caine/Stinger, PG-13, 2.597 words]
Summary: Is a good offense. Jupiter figures some shit out and makes a move.
Rec Notes: I strongly support this concept.
.: Kings :.
Strangers to the Fire by
Gwyneth
[Kings, Jack/David, NC-17, 5.894 words]
Summary: This is what his hands have tried to grasp since he knew what desire was, the prayer his burning mouth has longed to say.
Author's Note: I really hated the way they destroyed the biblical relationship of Jonathan and David in the series. So this is a little bit of fix-it fic for Jack and David.
Rec Notes: Mmmm, this is wonderful. I would have loved to watch the show where Jack and David took on the world together.
.: Leverage :.
The 3am Job by
Liethe
[LVG, Parker/Hardison/Eliot, PG-13, 11.033 words]
Summary: Parker and Hardison embark on what might be the most important con of their lives. They're going to steal an Eliot.
Rec Notes: A conversation from 3 different viewpoints. Each POV was lovely.
.: Merlin :.
Practical Adventures and Auspicious Pursuits by stillane
[Merlin, Arthur/Merlin, PG, 3.989 words]
Summary: It starts with dead goats. A dead goat morning never ends well.
Rec Notes: Decidedly amusing Arthur POV reveal!fic. <3
Gibraltar May Tumble by
shes_gone
[Merlin, Arthur/Merlin, NC-17, 24.601 words]
Summary: Merlin's life in London is a bit of a mess: his career is trapped somewhere between student and professional, his love life is trapped in a relationship gone sour, and most days he feels physically trapped in the tiny, shared flat he can't afford to move out of-until an unexpected opportunity sends him packing for the coast. There, he meets someone who might be in a even worse fix than he is: Arthur, a Victorian-era sea captain who's trapped, a bit literally, between life and death, and who refuses to leave the house he died in over a hundred years ago.
Rec Notes: I really enjoyed reading this one. Merlin is particularly amusing as someone ending up in a ghost's residence as he a bit of a different view on it that most would.
.: OMG Check, Please! :.
Bitty from Check, Please! by
smallfriendassembly
[OMGCP, Gen, PG, 5 still images]
Artist's Notes: How could I make this sweet pie child without baked goods to keep him company?? And to keep him warm in those Samwell winters - really, who doesn't need a pie bed!?
Rec Notes: Very nicely done Bitty felt plush - with pie pieces and pie bed!
Positive Image by
twentysomething
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, NC-17, 10.436 words]
Summary: When Bittle first showed up at a meeting with management, sitting next to Sara with wide, scared eyes, Jack didn't think he had a chance in hell. Sara hired new assistants all the time, most of whom barely made it through a season.
Rec Notes: Super adorable getting together AU. Still hockey, just pro with Bitty heading up the social media management with the team.
Player Development by
jedusaur
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty[/Parse], NC-17, 7.550 words]
Summary: A wicked smile slowly spreads across Kent’s face, and he turns to Jack. “What do you say, should I show your boy how to make you cry?”
Rec Notes: A complicated dance between the three of them where Parse knows less than he thinks (but has good knowledge to impart and a valuable role to play), Jack is terrible at expressing himself (shocker), and Bitty's up for a lot more than Jack would maybe have guessed. In which Parse ends up showing Bitty the ropes of Jack's hidden kinks.
Simmer by
bropunzeling
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, PG-13, 6.989 words]
Summary: or, Five Things Jack Laurent Zimmermann Cooked for Bitty, and The One Thing He Didn't.
Rec Notes: A superb (and adorable) pinch hit!
left the city, my family, my precinct by
spock
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, NC-17, 7.663 words]
Summary: Bitty uses emojis like a second language, one that Jack's slowly starting to become fluent in.
Rec Notes: In which Jack accidentally initiates sexting with Bitty while he's away for the summer at multiple prospect camps. It all turns out really well (hot *and* fluffy!) for both of them.
Live Through This and You Won't Look Back by
nighimpossible
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, PG-13, 4.117 words]
Summary: The worst part about falling in love with a straight boy is definitely not watching him date girls. No, the worst part about falling in love with a straight boy is that you never even had a shot.
Rec Notes: Sweetly done - I liked Angelique.
Hockeyed Up by
Sophie
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, R, 14.366 words]
Summary: There are many things on Jack's mind. Namely: hockey, hockey, Bitty, hockey, anxiety, hockey, hockey, anxiety, Bitty, hockey, hockey, anxiety, and hockey.
Rec Notes: In which Jack deals with the imminent exponential increase in public scrutiny of his private life while complicating the hell out of everything by falling for Bitty.
Bros to the Soul by
Naeshira
[OMGCP, Shitty/Lardo, PG, 1.503 words]
Summary: Snippets and scenes from the most epic friendship of Shitty and Lardo, accompanied by awesome songs.
Rec Notes: Awwwww! Shitty and Lardo, drift compatible. (Note: The songs referenced are the section titles. There's an 8tracks playlist linked in the Author's Notes.)
.: Supernatural :.
Where New Lights Begin by
clockworkrobots
[SPN, Dean/Castiel, PG-13, 2.459 words]
Summary: Dean keeps the orange hoodie. (obligatory 10.12 coda)
Rec Notes: Lovely and comforting, like that warm and fuzzy hoodie. <3
.: Teen Wolf :.
s e c r e t home I m a d e and found by
tsuminubiaru
[TW, Stiles/Derek, PG, Single still image]
Rec Notes: Stiles is sleeping on his back, Derek asleep with his head pillowed on Stiles' shoulder. Stiles' fingers are in Derek's hair, his hand cradling the back of Derek's head. I love how it's peaceful on the one hand, and how, on the other, the shadows are in shades of gray and red, lending it a bloody air like the aftermath of violence.
This Doesn't Hurt by
metisket
[TW, Gen, PG, 4.680 words]
Summary: Melissa isn't sure how she accidentally adopted a teenager, but she’s confident that somehow, it’s all Stiles Stilinski's fault.
Rec Notes: A side story to Play it Again. Melissa and Isaac, with a good bit of Melissa POV on Stiles. Great Melissa character piece which also reminds me of how much I loved Stiles in Play it Again. (Warning: As you might imagine for the main characters, it deals with an abused child.)
In the Practice of My Calling by
kellifer_fic
[TW, Stiles/Derek, PG-13, 2.730 words]
Summary: For the Tumblr prompt - "nurse me"
Rec Notes: Nicely done! Stiles gets a weird call from Derek at 2am and ends up finding him at his loft and in need of some first aid (well, first aid for a werewolf anyway). I loved that he had a kit for supernaturally related medical emergencies and had been practicing.
Soluble by
HalfFizzbin
[TW, Stiles/Derek, NC-17, 1.672 words]
Summary: Derek comes back after summer break all hot, beardy and brace-less. Stiles honestly has no idea what everyone's freaking out about.
Rec Notes: Technically the third in a series, but stands alone, too. The point where I just started laughing helplessly: "Do you think you could fuck me against a wall?" Stiles says without preamble, strolling into Derek's room later that day.
"Oh, yeah, sure," Derek says, rubbing his hand over the thickening stubble on his jaw that he can't seem to keep smooth, even though he claims to shave every morning, now. "I just gotta finish this problem set first, hold on."
.: Tolkein - The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings :.
Adas by
millenraven
[Hobbit, Gen, PG, Single still image]
Artist's Notes: Just want to see the king and his baby prince! I'm really into this father and son^^
Rec Notes: Featuring Thranduil and wee!Legolas, this is a gorgeous image of a quiet moment as Thranduil sits on his throne while a tiny, barely toddler sized Legolas plays with a lock of his ada's long hair.
Railroad Track by ageless_aislynn
[Hobbit, Gen, PG, 2:25 minutes]
Summary: I looooooove Thorin and wanted to make him as happy a vid as I could ('cause the guy has more than enough angst already, IMO ;) ).
Rec Notes: Love! This vid is directly responsible for just over 2 minutes of running on the regular as it's Thorin that I'm picturing now when it comes up on my soundtrack. :)
The Color of Possibility by
lindoreda
[Hobbit, Bilbo/Thorin, PG-13, 17.011 words]
Summary: When Bilbo puts himself between Thorin and Azog's blade, his mithril shirt protecting them both, it isn't long before some dwarves whisper that 'Oakenshield' might not be the best epithet for their king anymore. But for Bilbo, barred from Thorin's sight since the battle, this new epithet only adds to the sting. Spending his days caring for the recovering princes, Bilbo wonders how much more of this he can take, not suspecting his place at the center of a silent divide in the company.
Rec Notes: I finished this fic and was wondering what led to me opening the tab that had it in it, then I remembered I'd been in the middle of bookmarking and gotten side tracked reading. So, yes, I definitely enjoyed it. ;)
On Adventures and Other Forms of Conduct Unbecoming of a Wizard by
manic_intent
[Hobbit, Bilbo/Thorin, NC-17, 51.538 words]
Summary: For as long as even the old Gaffer could remember there had been a wizard living in the hill at Bag End, overlooking the Shire. As wizards went, this one wasn't the wandering sort, always out to lure gentle folk out onto nasty adventures, or even the powerful kind, the sort that lived in high towers, reaching out into the ways of the world.
Rec Notes: Really excellent - loved how the trilogy is still set up, including Frodo's inheritance of the ring. Bit of a bittersweet end, but good.
The Myriad Adventures of Goblin Mutant and Graceless Cat by
chapstickaddict
[Hobbit; Legolas/Gimli, Fíli/Bard, & Kíli/Tauriel; PG-13; 23.031 words]
Summary: After reclaiming Erebor, Legolas cannot say he's surprised to learn that his Guard Captain ran off with a dwarf. Planning to stalk the Crown Prince to find where the lovers ran off to, he ends up far from home with an unimpressed and overly armed older brother, a hobbit skilled in serving cookies with a healthy dose of guilt on the side, and a small red-headed tag-along that sends his head spinning in more ways than one.
Rec Notes: Fluffy in a delightful way with lovely POVs. Diverges Hobbit canon and begins after the reclaiming of Erebor.
The Hands of the King by
Wealhtheow21
[Hobbit, Gen, PG-13, 18.446 words]
Summary: Kíli is reckless and accident-prone. Luckily, Fíli has a peculiar gift for catching him when he falls.
Rec Notes: I was nervous about how this story was going to end up, but the telling of it was so wonderful I kept reading on anyway. I was thus very pleasantly surprised by the ending. A wonderful fic.
To Find Our Long Forgotten Gold by
Wealhtheow21
[Hobbit, Gen, PG-13, 229.583 words]
Summary: AU of movieverse. It is many years since tragedy struck the line of Durin when the youngest heir was lost to a pack of orcs. Now Bilbo Baggins, having agreed only to stealing treasure from a dragon, finds himself instead tangled up in a web of tragedy and revenge. Perhaps it's foolhardy of him to get involved at all, but really, someone has to try and keep these dwarves out of trouble. As for the rest, well, what is lost does not always stay lost forever.
Rec Notes: A young Kíli fell in a skirmish against a band of Orcs and was presumed dead some 25 years before the quest to reclaim Erebor. It turns out, however, that he had been taken alive and enslaved, hurt badly enough at some point to have forgotten any life other than what he knew with his captors. During the trek to Erebor, he is found amongst a roving band of Orcs, badly scarred, wearing heavy iron manacles and collar, knowing only Black Speech, and far beyond traumatized from years of torture and captivity. Lucky for Kíli, he is found by an extremely stubborn brother who still thinks Kíli's the center of the universe and an incidental hobbit that is the most opposite of an orc as you can possibly get.
This is an intermittently tough but very good fic. I had to tap out for the section from Lake Town until the point Thorin confronts Bilbo over the Arkenstone because I was quite sure I couldn't take the ramifications of Thorin's gold madness in this universe, but that was me knowing my limits and the rest of the fic was solid enough that I still feel confident in the rec. The next major installment in the series is 173,000 words and, of course, there's more drama, so I feel like I need to wait a bit to tackle it and let the bruises from the first one can fade. The ending is pretty happy, all considered, it's just a hell of ride getting there.
Crossposted to Dreamwidth. Comment here or there. ♥ Blue :)
Direct Links to Each Section
Avengers
Disney's Robin Hood
Harry Potter
Highlander
Inception
Jupiter Ascending
Kings
Leverage
Merlin
OMG Check, Please!
Supernatural
Teen Wolf
Tolkien - The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings
.: Avengers :.
The "Amazing" Hawkeye by
when-it-rains-it-snows
[AVG/Hawkguy, Gen, PG, Single still image]
Artist's Notes: kate has LOADS of questions
Rec Notes: Kate unearths a photo from Hawkeye's circus days of him an, ah, interesting costume. The Kate commentary is the perfect icing. ;)
[Clint Bent Over Backwards] by
when-it-rains-it-snows
[AVG/Hawkguy, Gen, PG, Single still image]
Artist's Notes:in which Kate finds an old picture, circus-era old, and wants to know if Clint can still do that?
* girly-girl I have no idea
* let’s find out
Rec Notes: A shirtless Clint is bent backwards essentially in a circle. One foot is planted on the floor, the other tucked back to meet his hands, which are also planted on the floor. There's a purple striped rug and scattered arrows with purple fletching that Lucky is sprawling across "helpfully" with his tongue lolling out as he attempts to join in the game. It's impressive AND adorable. :D The gray background and his dark gray jeans contrast nicely with Clint himself and the purple accents (including the peek of purple boxers at his waistband) work very well. Really nicely done.
[Shelter] by
timsenblue
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG, Single still image]
Rec Notes: I would swear that I've recced this, but I can't find record of that and it's not a hardship to do so again, regardless. Gorgeous art of Steve and Bucky (as the Winter Soldier), in uniform, sheltering under Steve's shield while it pours down rain. Their hands are on each others hips, faces hidden by the angle and the fall of Bucky's hair. It has a very unexpected intensity.
It's Won By Soldiers by
cptsmallass,
ellidfics, &
wintercyan
[AVG/Captain America, 675 words + 3 still images]
Excerpt: The symbolism of guns in CA:TFA and CA:TWS is particularly interesting. While they use guns throughout the movie, the Howling Commandos are at first only shown to kill using hand-to-hand combat, HYDRA’s disintegrating weapons, or explosions, all methods which are bloodless and/or leave no body. [...]
After Bucky’s death, however, Steve and the Howling Commandos are forced to take on these aspects themselves. The Howling Commandos gun down HYDRA soldiers during the storm of the Red Skull’s mountain base, and Steve kills a fleeing HYDRA pilot by throwing a knife into his back (the only time in both Captain America movies that Steve is shown to unambiguously kill someone and the audience sees the dead body).
Rec Notes: Further to the meta re: Steve's defensive image being precisely that, an image, largely facilitated by Bucky being shown doing the dirty work.
He's Got Rythm by
Green166Apple
[AVG, Gen, PG, 1:48 minutes]
Summary: «I'll take you to a place you never did see...»
Rec Notes: A great Bucky vid that's fast paced with really interesting scene cutting and use of the beat.
Matinee Idol by
fmo
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG-13, 1.036 words]
Summary: Bucky Barnes is known for breaking absolutely anyone’s fingers when paid well to do it, but Steve definitely doesn’t exactly know that. “You sure are popular, Buck,” Steve says.
Bucky slings his arm around Steve’s shoulders. “I meet a lot of people,” he says.
Rec Notes: I dithered over this one, finally clicked over to read the end, then ended up reading the previous paragraph enough times I made it back to the beginning. So apparently it's compelling even in reverse. Violence is non-explicit.
Fight or Fuck by
Kaasknot
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, NC-17, 2.880 words]
Summary: They're a neighborhood institution: the two alpha boys who manage not to kill each other twice a year. Bucky's always been proud of that, proud that they're above their hormones, but now he isn't so sure. Steve is spoiling for a fuck, but in the absence of an omega or beta, a fight will have to do. Bucky keeps his body language open and non-threatening, and raises his chin to bare his throat. He fights himself all the way.
Rec Notes: Nice pre-serum A/B/O with a bit of a twist. A relatively short and well done PWP.
It's Possible That He Wants You Too by
belovedmuerto
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG-13, 4.429 words]
Summary: “Bucky kissed me this morning,” Steve says, not quite believing the words even as they’re coming out of his mouth.
“Wait,” Sam replies. “Back up.”
Rec Notes: Sweet!
Nineteen by
Nakimochiku
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG, 315 words]
Summary: Steve remembers Bucky at nineteen.
Rec Notes: Short and evocative.
Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen by
jacquez
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, NC-17, 7.533 words]
Summary: Bucky Barnes and the Great Sexuality Crisis of 1938.
Rec Notes: I keep wanting to write a longer rec for this, but that's not getting it read, so have a short rec! This is just a really great fic with superb dialogue.
Cross this River to the Other Side by
defcontwo
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG-13, 14.572 words]
Summary: In 1943, the Howling Commandos wrote goodbye letters to be given to their loved ones in the event of their deaths.
In 2014, Sharon Carter finds those letters in a tin can in an abandoned HYDRA base.
Rec Notes: I was leery of this one, thinking it would tug my heartstrings so hard they snapped, but a quick glance turned into reading all 14,000+ words and loving them. Really lovely with great appearances by other characters.
Out of the Damned Winter by
biblionerd07
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, PG, 1.972 words]
Summary: Steve and Bucky always promise each other they're going to get somewhere warm, someday, out of this damned winter. (Five winters with Steve and Bucky.)
Rec Notes: *sniffle* Oh, that's just *sniffle* perfect.
A Piece of Silly Affection by
Reccea
[AVG, Steve/Bucky, NC-17, 11.687 words]
Summary: Bucky couldn't stop staring. He felt like he was having a nervous breakdown but that was ridiculous. This was ridiculous. It was facial hair. Bucky had taught Steve how to shave for fuck’s sake. A beard was nothing to even give a second thought to. Only, of course, Bucky couldn't stop thinking about it. Or staring. Because Steve-- Steve had always been ten kinds of gorgeous, small or big, sickly or healthy as a horse. He’d always been the thing that got Bucky tied in knots. It was normal. It was fine. Except for how suddenly Bucky just couldn't keep himself together over it.
Rec Notes: I've re-read this several times and loved it every last one.
The Right to Arm Bears by
cyndisision
[AVG, Gen, PG-13, 6.486 words]
Summary: Bucky Bear didn't ask to get made. He didn't ask to get assembled out of pieces and parts and snippets of lost memory, and turned into some little monster. He especially didn't ask to become a walking, talking reminder of everything James Barnes has lost.
In which Tony Stark has no sense of what’s appropriate in a gag gift, and never does anything by halves-even creating a plush bear AI based on his friend’s long-lost assassin sidekick.
Rec Notes: The creation is imo actually morally reprehensible, in that Tony creates a living thing - with someone else's memories - as a gag gift in significantly bad taste and then forgets about its existence when even that idea falls flat. To be somewhat fair to Tony, he didn't fully realize what he had created (he thought Bucky Bear was more automaton than full AI), and he changes course once he realizes what's happened, but it takes a while and if you're looking for a way to stab your reader in the soul, this works well. That Natasha is the one who first accepts him feels very appropriate, though. It's a shared goal (Save Steve - excellent goal for Buckys of all stripes) that ultimately brings Bucky Bear and James "Bucky" Barnes to an understanding.
The Spice of Life by
Kian
[AVG, Gen-ish (Tony/Pepper background), PG, 5.240 words]
Summary: There are a lot of things about her life which are legitimately terrifying, Pepper occasionally reflects.
Rec Notes: Lovely, largely fluffy Pepper POV on life in AVG Tower and Bucky's presence in particular as she slowly works on developing a friendship with him.
A Walk in the Park by
AlphaFlyer
[AVG, Gen, PG-13, 1.389 words]
Summary: Clint Barton has complaints; Maria Hill has a ringside seat.
Rec Notes: Nice Maria POV and I'm always up for a Spies at Work sort of fic.
.: Disney's Robin Hood :.
Robin Hood Watercolor by
jordandene
[Disney's Robin Hood, Gen, PG, Single still image]
Rec Notes: A LOVELY watercolor w/ spatter paint accent rendering of Disney's Robin Hood, who is the Robin of my heart, from behind, holding his bow. <3
.: Harry Potter :.
[Harry Potter AU Speculation] by
Kyraneko
[HP, Gen, PG, 2.162 words]
Summary: Can you imagine how differently their lives would've gone if Ron, in trying to transfigure Scabbers, had actually transfigured him back into a human? Just take a moment to imagine McGonagall’s reaction if Peter Pettigrew had abruptly appeared in her classroom from Ronald Weasley's rat.
Rec Notes: So much awesomeness.
On the Turning Away by
blamebrampton
[HP, Harry/Draco, PG, 25.684 words]
Summary: It's one thing to be good at not making a besotted fool of yourself over a man when he's busy being the most famous wizard in the world and you're tucked away quietly in Wiltshire. It's quite another when you have to see him every morning.
Rec Notes: I wrapped up reading this fic near midnight because I couldn't put it down. When a friend issues a poorly thought out joke in Draco's direction, he ends up having to check in with an auror every day over the holidays. It's mostly a formality, but when the auror ends up being Harry, Draco thinks this will be the perfect opportunity for him to get over a long term, unrequited crush. That's not exactly the way things go. Features a wonderful Draco with a compelling POV, a couple of lovely appearances by Luna, a particularly good OC, and all-around enjoyable writing.
Now, This is the Story All About How (my life got flipped-turned upside down) by
verity
[HP, Gen, PG, 3.043 words]
Summary: Merlin's opened for business on Friday and Saturday nights the second week of October. Well, "business." Susan and I got paid in Chocolate Frogs and not having to clean up, which seemed like an unfair labor policy until the first time I saw Draco Malfoy with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and suds on his nose.
Rec Notes: This is about the OC(s) and it's a good bit melancholy given the time frame, which is fairly soon after DH. Still manages to be humorous, too, with a nice outsider POV giving glimpses of the more familiar characters.
.: Highlander :.
The Storyteller's Perogative by pprfaith
[HL, Duncan/Methos, R, 1.187 words]
Summary: Methos tells lies and he tells truth. The difference is not always obvious.
Rec Notes: Lovely - in which even the storyteller isn't quite sure which is which.
.: Inception :.
High tide and the heron dived when I took the road over the border by
tigriswolf
[IN, Arthur/Eames, PG-13, 2.189 words]
Summary: "Arthur," the man says after the movie ends and Arthur drops the empty fudge box in the trash. Arthur turns to look at him and the man says, "Arthur, do you know my name?"
Arthur shakes his head. "Sorry."
The man smiles again. "It'll come to you, darling."
Rec Notes: Limbo fic! The kind of story I really wished Inception fandom had spawned many, many more of.
.: Jupiter Ascending :.
Sirius Ascending by
Aeolian
[JA, Jupiter/Caine, NC-17, 2.361 words]
Summary: "I love dogs. I've always loved dogs." The post-credit scene you can't take your kids to see.
Rec Notes: YES. THAT. Realizes the rather glorious potential of Jupiter/Caine and both that he loves addressing her as "Your Majesty" and she loves hearing him say it.
The One Where Caine Meets Jupiter's Family by
childishinquiry
[JA, Jupiter/Caine, PG, 2.040 words]
Summary: The one where Caine meets Jupiter's family. This is that one.
Rec Notes: *giggles madly*
Memory of Blood by
DawningStar
[JA, Jupiter/Caine, PG-13, 1.296 words]
Summary: Instinct is more powerful and more reckless than thought, but that doesn't make it wrong.
Rec Notes: Wait, is this connection partially canon and I missed it? Possible seeing as how I missed some of the dialogue, but plausible regardless.
The Best Defense by
MidKnight2501
[JA, Jupiter/Caine/Stinger, PG-13, 2.597 words]
Summary: Is a good offense. Jupiter figures some shit out and makes a move.
Rec Notes: I strongly support this concept.
.: Kings :.
Strangers to the Fire by
Gwyneth
[Kings, Jack/David, NC-17, 5.894 words]
Summary: This is what his hands have tried to grasp since he knew what desire was, the prayer his burning mouth has longed to say.
Author's Note: I really hated the way they destroyed the biblical relationship of Jonathan and David in the series. So this is a little bit of fix-it fic for Jack and David.
Rec Notes: Mmmm, this is wonderful. I would have loved to watch the show where Jack and David took on the world together.
.: Leverage :.
The 3am Job by
Liethe
[LVG, Parker/Hardison/Eliot, PG-13, 11.033 words]
Summary: Parker and Hardison embark on what might be the most important con of their lives. They're going to steal an Eliot.
Rec Notes: A conversation from 3 different viewpoints. Each POV was lovely.
.: Merlin :.
Practical Adventures and Auspicious Pursuits by stillane
[Merlin, Arthur/Merlin, PG, 3.989 words]
Summary: It starts with dead goats. A dead goat morning never ends well.
Rec Notes: Decidedly amusing Arthur POV reveal!fic. <3
Gibraltar May Tumble by
shes_gone
[Merlin, Arthur/Merlin, NC-17, 24.601 words]
Summary: Merlin's life in London is a bit of a mess: his career is trapped somewhere between student and professional, his love life is trapped in a relationship gone sour, and most days he feels physically trapped in the tiny, shared flat he can't afford to move out of-until an unexpected opportunity sends him packing for the coast. There, he meets someone who might be in a even worse fix than he is: Arthur, a Victorian-era sea captain who's trapped, a bit literally, between life and death, and who refuses to leave the house he died in over a hundred years ago.
Rec Notes: I really enjoyed reading this one. Merlin is particularly amusing as someone ending up in a ghost's residence as he a bit of a different view on it that most would.
.: OMG Check, Please! :.
Bitty from Check, Please! by
smallfriendassembly
[OMGCP, Gen, PG, 5 still images]
Artist's Notes: How could I make this sweet pie child without baked goods to keep him company?? And to keep him warm in those Samwell winters - really, who doesn't need a pie bed!?
Rec Notes: Very nicely done Bitty felt plush - with pie pieces and pie bed!
Positive Image by
twentysomething
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, NC-17, 10.436 words]
Summary: When Bittle first showed up at a meeting with management, sitting next to Sara with wide, scared eyes, Jack didn't think he had a chance in hell. Sara hired new assistants all the time, most of whom barely made it through a season.
Rec Notes: Super adorable getting together AU. Still hockey, just pro with Bitty heading up the social media management with the team.
Player Development by
jedusaur
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty[/Parse], NC-17, 7.550 words]
Summary: A wicked smile slowly spreads across Kent’s face, and he turns to Jack. “What do you say, should I show your boy how to make you cry?”
Rec Notes: A complicated dance between the three of them where Parse knows less than he thinks (but has good knowledge to impart and a valuable role to play), Jack is terrible at expressing himself (shocker), and Bitty's up for a lot more than Jack would maybe have guessed. In which Parse ends up showing Bitty the ropes of Jack's hidden kinks.
Simmer by
bropunzeling
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, PG-13, 6.989 words]
Summary: or, Five Things Jack Laurent Zimmermann Cooked for Bitty, and The One Thing He Didn't.
Rec Notes: A superb (and adorable) pinch hit!
left the city, my family, my precinct by
spock
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, NC-17, 7.663 words]
Summary: Bitty uses emojis like a second language, one that Jack's slowly starting to become fluent in.
Rec Notes: In which Jack accidentally initiates sexting with Bitty while he's away for the summer at multiple prospect camps. It all turns out really well (hot *and* fluffy!) for both of them.
Live Through This and You Won't Look Back by
nighimpossible
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, PG-13, 4.117 words]
Summary: The worst part about falling in love with a straight boy is definitely not watching him date girls. No, the worst part about falling in love with a straight boy is that you never even had a shot.
Rec Notes: Sweetly done - I liked Angelique.
Hockeyed Up by
Sophie
[OMGCP, Jack/Bitty, R, 14.366 words]
Summary: There are many things on Jack's mind. Namely: hockey, hockey, Bitty, hockey, anxiety, hockey, hockey, anxiety, Bitty, hockey, hockey, anxiety, and hockey.
Rec Notes: In which Jack deals with the imminent exponential increase in public scrutiny of his private life while complicating the hell out of everything by falling for Bitty.
Bros to the Soul by
Naeshira
[OMGCP, Shitty/Lardo, PG, 1.503 words]
Summary: Snippets and scenes from the most epic friendship of Shitty and Lardo, accompanied by awesome songs.
Rec Notes: Awwwww! Shitty and Lardo, drift compatible. (Note: The songs referenced are the section titles. There's an 8tracks playlist linked in the Author's Notes.)
.: Supernatural :.
Where New Lights Begin by
clockworkrobots
[SPN, Dean/Castiel, PG-13, 2.459 words]
Summary: Dean keeps the orange hoodie. (obligatory 10.12 coda)
Rec Notes: Lovely and comforting, like that warm and fuzzy hoodie. <3
.: Teen Wolf :.
s e c r e t home I m a d e and found by
tsuminubiaru
[TW, Stiles/Derek, PG, Single still image]
Rec Notes: Stiles is sleeping on his back, Derek asleep with his head pillowed on Stiles' shoulder. Stiles' fingers are in Derek's hair, his hand cradling the back of Derek's head. I love how it's peaceful on the one hand, and how, on the other, the shadows are in shades of gray and red, lending it a bloody air like the aftermath of violence.
This Doesn't Hurt by
metisket
[TW, Gen, PG, 4.680 words]
Summary: Melissa isn't sure how she accidentally adopted a teenager, but she’s confident that somehow, it’s all Stiles Stilinski's fault.
Rec Notes: A side story to Play it Again. Melissa and Isaac, with a good bit of Melissa POV on Stiles. Great Melissa character piece which also reminds me of how much I loved Stiles in Play it Again. (Warning: As you might imagine for the main characters, it deals with an abused child.)
In the Practice of My Calling by
kellifer_fic
[TW, Stiles/Derek, PG-13, 2.730 words]
Summary: For the Tumblr prompt - "nurse me"
Rec Notes: Nicely done! Stiles gets a weird call from Derek at 2am and ends up finding him at his loft and in need of some first aid (well, first aid for a werewolf anyway). I loved that he had a kit for supernaturally related medical emergencies and had been practicing.
Soluble by
HalfFizzbin
[TW, Stiles/Derek, NC-17, 1.672 words]
Summary: Derek comes back after summer break all hot, beardy and brace-less. Stiles honestly has no idea what everyone's freaking out about.
Rec Notes: Technically the third in a series, but stands alone, too. The point where I just started laughing helplessly: "Do you think you could fuck me against a wall?" Stiles says without preamble, strolling into Derek's room later that day.
"Oh, yeah, sure," Derek says, rubbing his hand over the thickening stubble on his jaw that he can't seem to keep smooth, even though he claims to shave every morning, now. "I just gotta finish this problem set first, hold on."
.: Tolkein - The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings :.
Adas by
millenraven
[Hobbit, Gen, PG, Single still image]
Artist's Notes: Just want to see the king and his baby prince! I'm really into this father and son^^
Rec Notes: Featuring Thranduil and wee!Legolas, this is a gorgeous image of a quiet moment as Thranduil sits on his throne while a tiny, barely toddler sized Legolas plays with a lock of his ada's long hair.
Railroad Track by ageless_aislynn
[Hobbit, Gen, PG, 2:25 minutes]
Summary: I looooooove Thorin and wanted to make him as happy a vid as I could ('cause the guy has more than enough angst already, IMO ;) ).
Rec Notes: Love! This vid is directly responsible for just over 2 minutes of running on the regular as it's Thorin that I'm picturing now when it comes up on my soundtrack. :)
The Color of Possibility by
lindoreda
[Hobbit, Bilbo/Thorin, PG-13, 17.011 words]
Summary: When Bilbo puts himself between Thorin and Azog's blade, his mithril shirt protecting them both, it isn't long before some dwarves whisper that 'Oakenshield' might not be the best epithet for their king anymore. But for Bilbo, barred from Thorin's sight since the battle, this new epithet only adds to the sting. Spending his days caring for the recovering princes, Bilbo wonders how much more of this he can take, not suspecting his place at the center of a silent divide in the company.
Rec Notes: I finished this fic and was wondering what led to me opening the tab that had it in it, then I remembered I'd been in the middle of bookmarking and gotten side tracked reading. So, yes, I definitely enjoyed it. ;)
On Adventures and Other Forms of Conduct Unbecoming of a Wizard by
manic_intent
[Hobbit, Bilbo/Thorin, NC-17, 51.538 words]
Summary: For as long as even the old Gaffer could remember there had been a wizard living in the hill at Bag End, overlooking the Shire. As wizards went, this one wasn't the wandering sort, always out to lure gentle folk out onto nasty adventures, or even the powerful kind, the sort that lived in high towers, reaching out into the ways of the world.
Rec Notes: Really excellent - loved how the trilogy is still set up, including Frodo's inheritance of the ring. Bit of a bittersweet end, but good.
The Myriad Adventures of Goblin Mutant and Graceless Cat by
chapstickaddict
[Hobbit; Legolas/Gimli, Fíli/Bard, & Kíli/Tauriel; PG-13; 23.031 words]
Summary: After reclaiming Erebor, Legolas cannot say he's surprised to learn that his Guard Captain ran off with a dwarf. Planning to stalk the Crown Prince to find where the lovers ran off to, he ends up far from home with an unimpressed and overly armed older brother, a hobbit skilled in serving cookies with a healthy dose of guilt on the side, and a small red-headed tag-along that sends his head spinning in more ways than one.
Rec Notes: Fluffy in a delightful way with lovely POVs. Diverges Hobbit canon and begins after the reclaiming of Erebor.
The Hands of the King by
Wealhtheow21
[Hobbit, Gen, PG-13, 18.446 words]
Summary: Kíli is reckless and accident-prone. Luckily, Fíli has a peculiar gift for catching him when he falls.
Rec Notes: I was nervous about how this story was going to end up, but the telling of it was so wonderful I kept reading on anyway. I was thus very pleasantly surprised by the ending. A wonderful fic.
To Find Our Long Forgotten Gold by
Wealhtheow21
[Hobbit, Gen, PG-13, 229.583 words]
Summary: AU of movieverse. It is many years since tragedy struck the line of Durin when the youngest heir was lost to a pack of orcs. Now Bilbo Baggins, having agreed only to stealing treasure from a dragon, finds himself instead tangled up in a web of tragedy and revenge. Perhaps it's foolhardy of him to get involved at all, but really, someone has to try and keep these dwarves out of trouble. As for the rest, well, what is lost does not always stay lost forever.
Rec Notes: A young Kíli fell in a skirmish against a band of Orcs and was presumed dead some 25 years before the quest to reclaim Erebor. It turns out, however, that he had been taken alive and enslaved, hurt badly enough at some point to have forgotten any life other than what he knew with his captors. During the trek to Erebor, he is found amongst a roving band of Orcs, badly scarred, wearing heavy iron manacles and collar, knowing only Black Speech, and far beyond traumatized from years of torture and captivity. Lucky for Kíli, he is found by an extremely stubborn brother who still thinks Kíli's the center of the universe and an incidental hobbit that is the most opposite of an orc as you can possibly get.
This is an intermittently tough but very good fic. I had to tap out for the section from Lake Town until the point Thorin confronts Bilbo over the Arkenstone because I was quite sure I couldn't take the ramifications of Thorin's gold madness in this universe, but that was me knowing my limits and the rest of the fic was solid enough that I still feel confident in the rec. The next major installment in the series is 173,000 words and, of course, there's more drama, so I feel like I need to wait a bit to tackle it and let the bruises from the first one can fade. The ending is pretty happy, all considered, it's just a hell of ride getting there.
Crossposted to Dreamwidth. Comment here or there. ♥ Blue :)