One Fic to Share with a Newbie

[tinturtle]

If you had to choose one Pros fic to share with someone who had never read fanfic before, which one would you choose? What Pros fic that you have read do you think best showcases what fanfic can be?

(Assume the hypothetical newbie is familiar with the show. Optionally, you may also assume they are receptive to slash.)

Comments

[tinturtle]

I'm going to throw my hypothetical newbie in at the deep end a bit and choose Exile by P.R. Zed (przed). It is a complex fic and an example of one that addresses issues not touched on in canon. It shows the bond between the Lads, even though they are not together for most of it. It's also well written and has beautiful illustrations by my favorite fan illustrator.

[sc_fossil]

I love this fic but you mentioned the reason I wouldn't start with it until someone was already in love with the lads. For a newbie, I would start with them in a fic that they are together, working a case or at least showing their love for each other.

My brain isn't working but two Pam Rose fics came to mind instantly:

Fevers (for wonderful h/c): https://archiveofourown.org/works/23614567

Past Tense (for showing the lads working together with a bit of scifi but a CI5 story): https://archiveofourown.org/works/26293537

There are far too many fics to pic one or two!

[scherwood]

https://www.thecircuitarchive.com/tca/archive/3/roommates.html

This fic just has it all. I love it so much~ 🥰

[merentha13]

My very first Pro's story was 'Et in Italia Ego' by Sebastian. It's the story that launched this then newbie into the wonderful world of Bodie and Doyle. It's still my favorite.
http://www.thecircuitarchive.com/tca/archive/18/etin.html

For a case fic - I'd go with Calibre by JGL. I've only found it on the Wayback Machine - or in the Justazine's 'Never Far Apart 2'
http://hatstandfic.net/viewstory.php?sid=839&chapter=1
http://hatstandfic.net/viewstory.php?sid=839&chapter=2

[byslantedlight]

Et in Italia Ego is an excellent choice, if you ask me! *g*

[merentha13]

Just tried the links for Calibre - they don't seem to be working now. Maybe someone has a link?

[sagittas]

Usually the old hatstandfic.net links still work on the webarchive.org

https://web.archive.org/web/20170306035018/http://hatstandfic.net/viewstory.php?sid=839&chapter=1

https://web.archive.org/web/20170306035017/http://hatstandfic.net/viewstory.php?sid=839&chapter=2

And I'd like to add "The Palest Ink" also by JGL

[byslantedlight]

Nice question! I think I'd go with what I still class as my favourite fanfic - Voice-over by Elizabeth O'Shea. It's beautiful writing for a start, so shows how good fanfic can be, when it's often thought of as sub-standard. It's all about the relationship between the lads, but it's not soppy or over-emotional, which can be off-putting. It hints at the action part of their lives, of course, but because that's not the focus it's showing us how much more fanfic can give us than just what's in the show. It's a bit funny. It's a bit sad and angsty. It's partner-worry. It's very much in the lads' voices and canon-compliant to me. So... yeah. It takes us further, which is what good fanfic does, but it's also absolutely what we see in the eps, if you ask me. *g*

[krisserci5]

I have been thinking about this one for several days. The Return by Ellis Ward, for the depth of a relationship and Party Spirits by Old Yardley as that one weaves through the episodes.