White Collar Fic recs-- by popular demand!
I've been reading every single fic I can get my grubby little hands on in the White Collar fandom as of late. Since I've been slowly converting the masses to White Collar fans, there are at least a few people on here interested in fic recs from the fandom.
I'm most definitely a Peter/Neal/Elizabeth shipper both in canon and fandom. The OT3 is so amazingly obvious for this show-- I can't even begin to explain it. Normally I'm not the one to be all OTP!!11!1 but watch the show, pilot to now, and tell me with a straight face that you don't see the OT3 going on. Won't happen. (Or if you do, you gotta have Neal's charmming & conning skills to pull THAT one off.)
Color me surprised to find not too many stories I couldn't tolerate for whatever reason-- bad characterization, bad writing, etc. Most were ok to decent, with a few that were actually pretty good. This is not always the case in fandom.
After scouring just about every place I could find -- A03, Dreamwidth, Livejournal--- I bring to you the best/my favorites.
Contractual Obligations: A Love Story in Three Traffic Lights by shaenie (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- If I had to pick one story out of absolutely everything out there, I'd pick this one. It's on the long side, but worth the effort. It's real. Intriguing. Everybody doesn't just fall into bed with each other instantly, nor does the decision come lightly. The backstory... well I don't want to spoil anything, but it's brilliant. The characters are all spot on, from Peter and Neal's constant flirtatious one-upmanship to Elizabeth's calm influence mixed with affection for both of the guys. The fandom needs many, many more stories like this.
First by theonlytwin (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- This one is believably real, right down to Peter's reactions the next morning, and what Elizabeth has to say about it. The characterization is good. And the thing with Mozzie is just brilliant.
Two Hundred and Eight Weeks by elandrialore (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- Another one where everyone doesn't instantly fall into bed together, and a great look at the growth of the characters and relationships over the course of Neal's 4 year term as Peter's pet convict partner. Good characterization.
Figure it Out by lightgetsin (Peter/Neal, Peter/Elizabeth, Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- Another one where nobody falls into bed with anybody instantly. (Sensing a trend here?) Peter and Neal are stubborn and a bit dense, and Elizabeth is amazingly supportive of the whole thing. And it has a great tone of happiness overall, although there's plenty of angst too.
Untitled by oh_mcgee (Peter/Neal, Elizabeth, hints at future Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- I like this one because Peter's behavior seems plausible for his character and Elizabeth's existence isn't ignored, unlike in a fair amount of Peter/Neal fics.
The Challenge and the Chase by abstractconcept (Peter/Neal sorta)
-- I could see something like this actually happening in the show. Neal's behavior is spot on, and it's not really a story about a romantic relationship as it is about the history and relationship Peter and Neal built in their years of cat and mouse and how it relates to their current relationship.
Five Kisses That Never Happened by china_shop (Peter/Neal, Elizabeth, others)
-- Each of the stories are in character and plausible. A couple you could even see in the show-- without the kissing. (or maybe the kiss as a mindfuck.)
Cut-off Point by isagel (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth sorta)
-- Another futurefic where I could see this as the proper 'end' to everything. I just wish it didn't stop where it does. :-/
Mastermind by jmtorres (Peter/Neal sorta)
-- The reactions of Cruz and Jones provide the entertainment in this one. It's all about the unspoken parts and symbolism in the actions of the boys.
Off the Leash by Dragonfly (Peter/Elizabeth, Peter/Neal sorta, future Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- Another one where I find the circumstances believable. Neal is an addict, in his own way, and can't just stop doing something so intrinsic to his personality. The temptation is just too much. But his behaviors in reaction to certain events in the story speak quite a bit to who he is becoming with Peter's influence.
A Sure Thing by lightgetsin (Peter/Neal)
-- Neal's manipulation of circumstances to attain the outcome he prefers is really quite believable. He's a conman, he knows how to manipulate.
Kohl and Silk by scatterglory (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- Although part of me doesn't quite like parts of Neal's characterization, the concept and actions presented are so unique that it was enough to sway me to give it a rec.
So, people of the Flist, did you like these? What did you like about them? Do you disagree with my assessments? Shall I share more when they appear in the fandom?
I'm most definitely a Peter/Neal/Elizabeth shipper both in canon and fandom. The OT3 is so amazingly obvious for this show-- I can't even begin to explain it. Normally I'm not the one to be all OTP!!11!1 but watch the show, pilot to now, and tell me with a straight face that you don't see the OT3 going on. Won't happen. (Or if you do, you gotta have Neal's charmming & conning skills to pull THAT one off.)
Color me surprised to find not too many stories I couldn't tolerate for whatever reason-- bad characterization, bad writing, etc. Most were ok to decent, with a few that were actually pretty good. This is not always the case in fandom.
After scouring just about every place I could find -- A03, Dreamwidth, Livejournal--- I bring to you the best/my favorites.
Contractual Obligations: A Love Story in Three Traffic Lights by shaenie (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- If I had to pick one story out of absolutely everything out there, I'd pick this one. It's on the long side, but worth the effort. It's real. Intriguing. Everybody doesn't just fall into bed with each other instantly, nor does the decision come lightly. The backstory... well I don't want to spoil anything, but it's brilliant. The characters are all spot on, from Peter and Neal's constant flirtatious one-upmanship to Elizabeth's calm influence mixed with affection for both of the guys. The fandom needs many, many more stories like this.
First by theonlytwin (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- This one is believably real, right down to Peter's reactions the next morning, and what Elizabeth has to say about it. The characterization is good. And the thing with Mozzie is just brilliant.
Two Hundred and Eight Weeks by elandrialore (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- Another one where everyone doesn't instantly fall into bed together, and a great look at the growth of the characters and relationships over the course of Neal's 4 year term as Peter's pet convict partner. Good characterization.
Figure it Out by lightgetsin (Peter/Neal, Peter/Elizabeth, Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- Another one where nobody falls into bed with anybody instantly. (Sensing a trend here?) Peter and Neal are stubborn and a bit dense, and Elizabeth is amazingly supportive of the whole thing. And it has a great tone of happiness overall, although there's plenty of angst too.
Untitled by oh_mcgee (Peter/Neal, Elizabeth, hints at future Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- I like this one because Peter's behavior seems plausible for his character and Elizabeth's existence isn't ignored, unlike in a fair amount of Peter/Neal fics.
The Challenge and the Chase by abstractconcept (Peter/Neal sorta)
-- I could see something like this actually happening in the show. Neal's behavior is spot on, and it's not really a story about a romantic relationship as it is about the history and relationship Peter and Neal built in their years of cat and mouse and how it relates to their current relationship.
Five Kisses That Never Happened by china_shop (Peter/Neal, Elizabeth, others)
-- Each of the stories are in character and plausible. A couple you could even see in the show-- without the kissing. (or maybe the kiss as a mindfuck.)
Cut-off Point by isagel (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth sorta)
-- Another futurefic where I could see this as the proper 'end' to everything. I just wish it didn't stop where it does. :-/
Mastermind by jmtorres (Peter/Neal sorta)
-- The reactions of Cruz and Jones provide the entertainment in this one. It's all about the unspoken parts and symbolism in the actions of the boys.
Off the Leash by Dragonfly (Peter/Elizabeth, Peter/Neal sorta, future Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- Another one where I find the circumstances believable. Neal is an addict, in his own way, and can't just stop doing something so intrinsic to his personality. The temptation is just too much. But his behaviors in reaction to certain events in the story speak quite a bit to who he is becoming with Peter's influence.
A Sure Thing by lightgetsin (Peter/Neal)
-- Neal's manipulation of circumstances to attain the outcome he prefers is really quite believable. He's a conman, he knows how to manipulate.
Kohl and Silk by scatterglory (Peter/Neal/Elizabeth)
-- Although part of me doesn't quite like parts of Neal's characterization, the concept and actions presented are so unique that it was enough to sway me to give it a rec.
So, people of the Flist, did you like these? What did you like about them? Do you disagree with my assessments? Shall I share more when they appear in the fandom?