Remix Redux IV Recs - 25 Multifandom Recs
The Remix Redux IV went live on Sunday and over the past few days I've been reading through most of the fandoms that I know. I still have one or two to go, but basically, I'm done. So here is my compiled list of recs. I haven't stumbled upon a bad story yet, but these were my favorites.
ETA: remixredux authors have been revealed so authors have been added to the recs.
REMIX REDUX IV RECS - MULTIFANDOM (25 Recs)
1. Step by Step (The Double Time Remix) by nestra - Gilmore Girls (Kirk) - Yes, it’s the one written for me and therefore it has a place of honor. Honor, I tell you. Not just because it was written for me either, but because it’s funny and perfect and tells the story from a direction I never would’ve thought of…the town is talking about Luke & Lorelai needing a “next step” and Kirk wonders how that applies to him and his relationship with Lulu. The Kirk voice is spot on and perfect. Kirk shoved his change in his pockets and grabbed his groceries. "Well, that's insulting. Not that you're wrong. But you could at least have a plan, Taylor. A map of the town with a line drawn on the middle, and one side marked 'Kirk' and the other side marked 'Lulu.' Lulu and I haven't taken the next step either, so maybe you should be worried."
2. Dreamless (There’s the Rub Dub) by quiet_rebel - Alias (Syd/Sark) - The best thing about Syd/Sark is the hotness factor and this story doesn’t disappoint as Sydney tries to deal with her own pain and Sark tries to help her in his own way. But, Sydney could still recall the red blood against Irina's white blouse. The dark in Vaughn's green eyes. Colors. Colors everywhere.
3. Seven Humiliations (A Duet for Enemies) by Rhien Elleth - Alias (Syd/Sark) - On a mission, Sydney encounters Sark and he gets the better of her, causing her to suffer several humiliations in the aftermath. Hot Syd/Sark moments are my favorites. Of the top ten most humiliating experiences in her life, Sydney Bristow had experienced at least five in the past three hours. Certainly a new record for her.
4. King of All the Wild Things (the Of One Kind and Another Mix) by babyofthegroup - Supernatural - Sam and Dean bonding as they do late night laundry, remember the first time they were left alone while their father went on a hunt, and plan for their next destination. I love the regular moments between the brothers something fierce and this doesn’t disappoint. "Thanks, Sammy, that's a bit of info I really needed. Just don't ask me to help you bathe. I stopped doing that when you were five." Dean shifts a little so he's leaning up against the wall, carefully avoiding touching the raw cuts on his back to the wood.
5. Man of War (Both Sides Now Remix) by trollprincess - Supernatural/X-Men Movieverse crossover - Dean and Sam learn about mutants and Dean finds out more than he ever wanted to know. This is great and wonderful and perfect. His mind wraps easily around ghosts and black magic and demons, but whip out that "genetic mutation" bullshit and his brain can't handle it.
6. Homesick (The Empty-Handed Remix) by voleuse - The O.C./Gilmore Girls (Ryan/Rory) - This story is enjoyable and considering I’m not particularly a fan of Rory or Ryan, it’s odd that this coupling really works for me. It’s just a cute story. Rory intersects and intertwines with Ryan's life, faster and more easily than he expected. Or maybe exactly like he expected, but he never explains that.
7. Sidelines (The Complaints Procedure Remix) by niuserre - X-Men movieverse (Bobby/John) - John’s always loved Bobby and doesn’t mind being used if it gets him what he wants. Or so he thinks. I love John’s journey of hope for something to grow out of his relationship with Bobby. It’s sweet and angsty. John had liked the frozen rose. It reminded him of the ice flame that Bobby had made for him when they first became roommates. He'd tried to keep it in the icebox but one day he'd gone to look at it and it was gone.
8. Eyes Wide Open (The Coffee Black Remix) by meinterrupted - X-Men Movieverse (Rogue) - What I love most about this story is how Marie becomes Rogue through her journeys leading up to where she meets Logan. It’s a great look at her character. Two weeks later she was in Alberta, still starving, and used to telling people her name was Rogue. She didn't trust anyone now, sleeping only in stolen moments in truck stop restrooms, away from the drivers, and keeping alert on the road.
9. Always Spring and Never Summer (Once a King, Always, Immortal Remix) by tartanshell - Chronicles of Narnia - As they return from their adventures and lives in Narnia, the children try to come to terms with things. I loved the looks at each of the children trying to readjust to being away from Narnia and remembering their lives there. The sword felt so right in his hand. It was made for him, as if he'd pulled it out of a stone (or Father Christmas' sled, equally ludicrous), and he knew, now, that he would always feel naked unless it was at his side.
10. White Walls (Water Music) by Farringtongirl78 - Battlestar Galatica 2003 - Set during season one, what if the water Boomer discovered was contaminated? Lee struggles with quarantine and Kara’s physical decline. It hurts but it’s a worthwhile read. When Lee enters the senior officers’ bunkroom he has only one objective in mind...sleep. He stops short at the sight of Kara sprawled on the floor.
11. Prayers Are Said (And the People Rest Remix) by lyra_sena - Battlestar Galatica 2003 (lee/kara) - They’ve found earth, but are they capable of resting? It’s beautiful and wonderfully written and the relationship between Lee and Kara in this seems so real and possible. Adama men had some strange voodoo, she thinks, some really frakkin' strong voodoo, because each of them in their own way - each of them loved her. Do love her.
12. Winning the Endless War (The Shattered Glass Remix) by siryn99 - Battlestar Galatica 2003 - Set after season one finale, Kara returns with the arrow and wallows in more guilt and anger, Lee keeps a vigil by his father and teeters between anger with Kara and relief at having someone to share the burdens with, and Sharon meets Sharon. A great story that truly captures what could have happened in season two. It doesn't matter how long she thought about it before she entered in the coordinates for Caprica. It doesn't matter how many times she saved his ass, not to mention the rest of the frakking fleet. It doesn't matter which way he looks at it, religious quest or not, he still feels the sting of betrayal.
13. Tit For Tat (The Family Feud Remix) by thassalia - Farscape - Chiana becomes part of the crew of Moya, all the while enduring tests from Aeryn. I loved this piece, the characters were dead on and the interactions read perfect. "What rules?" D'Argo snorts. "On our best days we live in controlled chaos."
14. Beautiful Fucked-Up Man (The Humpty Dumpty Remix) by writingacurve - Farscape - Set after the Peacekeeper Wars as John examines happily ever after, except it doesn’t happen. Depressing but the Crichton voice is pitch perfect and it’s really well written. When I was a kid my mother used to read me fairy tales where the prince and princess got married and lived happily ever after. She told me once, when I asked what happened next, that some things were better left unanswered.
15. Satisfaction Guaranteed (In the Darkness Bind Them Remix) by kernezelda - Farscape - An A/U look at the end of season four, as Scorpius puts his plan into motion and gets Crichton to work on wormholes to keep Aeryn and their baby safe. I loved the looks into the mindsets of the characters. Refuse to develop a weapon for Scorpius, and lose Aeryn, lose Jack, lose his sanity. Or develop a weapon, and lose the last bit of morality and humanity that lingers, starving in his soul. John doesn't want to kill again, with the happy exception of one hybrid bastard.
16. Finale Canto (Speaker of the Dead Remix) by llembas - Firefly (spoilers through Serenity) - Book gives Jayne a guitar and Wash teaches him how to play. The Jayne voice is so perfect in this and it’s a bit bittersweet at the end. Jayne's hands tightened around the guitar. He didn't like the idea of Betsy ending up in the middle of a domestic spat. No telling what would happen to her under those conditions.
17. Better Than Strawberries (The As You Like It Remix) by carmarthen - Firefly (Jayne/Kaylee, spoilers through Serenity) - Again it’s a great Jayne voice and I like the way he discovers his own crush on Kaylee, with taunting to help him. Highly enjoyable. Jayne was not sweet on Kaylee, no matter what River said. It was just being cooped up on Serenity for so long. Maybe he'd ask Mal about a few days of leave, next they were planetside.
18. Home (Float On) by cherryice - Firefly - Mal remembers home, the war, and his life. I love the look into Mal’s life and how he became the man we see and love. Even better though, I love the relationship between Mal and Zoe that we see in this story. This was their routine - him telling stories in the dark and watching the stars, Zoe a solid presence at his side.
19. Learning to Fly (Is Like Falling Remix) by luzdeestrellas - Firefly (Spoilers through Serenity, Kaylee/Simon, Kaylee/Mal) - This story is wonderful and there is so much to love - the voices, the storyline, the wash & Kaylee friendship. But I think what’s most wonderful about it is that both Kaylee and Mal seem to realize that the potential suitors we see for them (Simon and Inara) don’t really fit for the long haul and they realize that they are perfectly fit for each other. And I guess, Kaylee and Mal are about as close to an OTP as I have on this show aside from Zoe/Wash canon. It also doesn’t hurt that I love how Mal calls Kaylee “darlin’” in this story, turning my brain to mush. She don't tell anybody else about the swings, likes it as their moment, but whenever she thinks of Early after that, she remembers that day, remembers the Captain always standing there to catch her.
20. A Love Restrained (All the Broken Pieces Remix) by topaz_eyes - House (Wilson/House) - Set from Wilson’s perspective, I really love the glimpse into Wilson’s life, his choices and emotions as a doctor and his relationships with House, his wife, and his patients. Wilson feels grateful. House is not normally a patient man, but he will wait for Wilson to talk in his own time. Wilson counts on House to listen, knowing that House pays just as much attention to what he does not say as to what he does.
21. Rumors (Why It’s a Good Idea to Talk While Drunk) by sarcasticsra - House (House/Wilson) - House & Wilson are drunk, end up talking about rumors about them and it leads to kissing. The House voice in this rocks and I love the banter between the two. House hadn't thought that he and Wilson were that drunk; really, they'd only been sitting in his living room drinking for, what, an hour? Maybe two. Or three. Who really kept track of these things?
22. Home Is Where House Is (How Can I Miss You If You Won’t Go Away) by extrabitter - House (House/Wilson) - House and Wilson through the years, with House pushing Wilson away and Wilson always coming back for more. About the only comfort he could take was the idea that he wouldn't have to tell House what happened. That thought sustained him through several hours and several beers before he gave up and called his friend anyway. He didn't say anything.
23. Every Day A Little Death (The Killing Joke Remix) by thepurpleswitch - Sports Night - Casey moved to California awhile ago, but everyone in his life still notices how it affects Dan. I loved this piece. I loved the looks at everyone’s reactions to Casey leaving, but also to their own worries about Dan and life. She presses her finger over the talk button on her phone--she can see Casey's number on the phone's screen as clearly as if she has already dialed it. She bites her lip, takes a deep breath. She slams the phone down into its cradle. They do. Not. Need Casey. Anymore.
24. The Drugs Don’t Work (Cat in a Bag Remix) by phoebesmum - Sports Night (Dan/Casey) - Sam Rydell didn’t die in a car crash and he’s staying with Dan and Casey tries to be supportive and understanding. I love the story through Casey’s eyes and the Dan/Casey evolution of whatever it is going on between them. As for the sofa, he hates it a little less when Dan's on it with him - when Danny kisses him, not much else troubles Casey; Danny's kisses don't leave much room for thought - but right now Dan, who is a careful and considerate host, has gone out to buy beer that he won't drink but Casey will, which has left Casey on his own with…
25. Dark Places Where Monsters Dwell (Secrets and Lies Remix) by soundingsea - Veronica Mars - It’s the end of the world and Mac is left with Dick. There’s some character death in this (just a smidge. Hee), but it’s a great read and I loved the Mac voice here. And okay, I have a great love for Dick Casablancas. When he shuts up, though. He's okay. More than okay. It's like some variant of Stockholm Syndrome, Mac supposes. As it turns out, if he's the last man on Earth, even Dick Casablancas has his good points.
ETA: remixredux authors have been revealed so authors have been added to the recs.
REMIX REDUX IV RECS - MULTIFANDOM (25 Recs)
1. Step by Step (The Double Time Remix) by nestra - Gilmore Girls (Kirk) - Yes, it’s the one written for me and therefore it has a place of honor. Honor, I tell you. Not just because it was written for me either, but because it’s funny and perfect and tells the story from a direction I never would’ve thought of…the town is talking about Luke & Lorelai needing a “next step” and Kirk wonders how that applies to him and his relationship with Lulu. The Kirk voice is spot on and perfect. Kirk shoved his change in his pockets and grabbed his groceries. "Well, that's insulting. Not that you're wrong. But you could at least have a plan, Taylor. A map of the town with a line drawn on the middle, and one side marked 'Kirk' and the other side marked 'Lulu.' Lulu and I haven't taken the next step either, so maybe you should be worried."
2. Dreamless (There’s the Rub Dub) by quiet_rebel - Alias (Syd/Sark) - The best thing about Syd/Sark is the hotness factor and this story doesn’t disappoint as Sydney tries to deal with her own pain and Sark tries to help her in his own way. But, Sydney could still recall the red blood against Irina's white blouse. The dark in Vaughn's green eyes. Colors. Colors everywhere.
3. Seven Humiliations (A Duet for Enemies) by Rhien Elleth - Alias (Syd/Sark) - On a mission, Sydney encounters Sark and he gets the better of her, causing her to suffer several humiliations in the aftermath. Hot Syd/Sark moments are my favorites. Of the top ten most humiliating experiences in her life, Sydney Bristow had experienced at least five in the past three hours. Certainly a new record for her.
4. King of All the Wild Things (the Of One Kind and Another Mix) by babyofthegroup - Supernatural - Sam and Dean bonding as they do late night laundry, remember the first time they were left alone while their father went on a hunt, and plan for their next destination. I love the regular moments between the brothers something fierce and this doesn’t disappoint. "Thanks, Sammy, that's a bit of info I really needed. Just don't ask me to help you bathe. I stopped doing that when you were five." Dean shifts a little so he's leaning up against the wall, carefully avoiding touching the raw cuts on his back to the wood.
5. Man of War (Both Sides Now Remix) by trollprincess - Supernatural/X-Men Movieverse crossover - Dean and Sam learn about mutants and Dean finds out more than he ever wanted to know. This is great and wonderful and perfect. His mind wraps easily around ghosts and black magic and demons, but whip out that "genetic mutation" bullshit and his brain can't handle it.
6. Homesick (The Empty-Handed Remix) by voleuse - The O.C./Gilmore Girls (Ryan/Rory) - This story is enjoyable and considering I’m not particularly a fan of Rory or Ryan, it’s odd that this coupling really works for me. It’s just a cute story. Rory intersects and intertwines with Ryan's life, faster and more easily than he expected. Or maybe exactly like he expected, but he never explains that.
7. Sidelines (The Complaints Procedure Remix) by niuserre - X-Men movieverse (Bobby/John) - John’s always loved Bobby and doesn’t mind being used if it gets him what he wants. Or so he thinks. I love John’s journey of hope for something to grow out of his relationship with Bobby. It’s sweet and angsty. John had liked the frozen rose. It reminded him of the ice flame that Bobby had made for him when they first became roommates. He'd tried to keep it in the icebox but one day he'd gone to look at it and it was gone.
8. Eyes Wide Open (The Coffee Black Remix) by meinterrupted - X-Men Movieverse (Rogue) - What I love most about this story is how Marie becomes Rogue through her journeys leading up to where she meets Logan. It’s a great look at her character. Two weeks later she was in Alberta, still starving, and used to telling people her name was Rogue. She didn't trust anyone now, sleeping only in stolen moments in truck stop restrooms, away from the drivers, and keeping alert on the road.
9. Always Spring and Never Summer (Once a King, Always, Immortal Remix) by tartanshell - Chronicles of Narnia - As they return from their adventures and lives in Narnia, the children try to come to terms with things. I loved the looks at each of the children trying to readjust to being away from Narnia and remembering their lives there. The sword felt so right in his hand. It was made for him, as if he'd pulled it out of a stone (or Father Christmas' sled, equally ludicrous), and he knew, now, that he would always feel naked unless it was at his side.
10. White Walls (Water Music) by Farringtongirl78 - Battlestar Galatica 2003 - Set during season one, what if the water Boomer discovered was contaminated? Lee struggles with quarantine and Kara’s physical decline. It hurts but it’s a worthwhile read. When Lee enters the senior officers’ bunkroom he has only one objective in mind...sleep. He stops short at the sight of Kara sprawled on the floor.
11. Prayers Are Said (And the People Rest Remix) by lyra_sena - Battlestar Galatica 2003 (lee/kara) - They’ve found earth, but are they capable of resting? It’s beautiful and wonderfully written and the relationship between Lee and Kara in this seems so real and possible. Adama men had some strange voodoo, she thinks, some really frakkin' strong voodoo, because each of them in their own way - each of them loved her. Do love her.
12. Winning the Endless War (The Shattered Glass Remix) by siryn99 - Battlestar Galatica 2003 - Set after season one finale, Kara returns with the arrow and wallows in more guilt and anger, Lee keeps a vigil by his father and teeters between anger with Kara and relief at having someone to share the burdens with, and Sharon meets Sharon. A great story that truly captures what could have happened in season two. It doesn't matter how long she thought about it before she entered in the coordinates for Caprica. It doesn't matter how many times she saved his ass, not to mention the rest of the frakking fleet. It doesn't matter which way he looks at it, religious quest or not, he still feels the sting of betrayal.
13. Tit For Tat (The Family Feud Remix) by thassalia - Farscape - Chiana becomes part of the crew of Moya, all the while enduring tests from Aeryn. I loved this piece, the characters were dead on and the interactions read perfect. "What rules?" D'Argo snorts. "On our best days we live in controlled chaos."
14. Beautiful Fucked-Up Man (The Humpty Dumpty Remix) by writingacurve - Farscape - Set after the Peacekeeper Wars as John examines happily ever after, except it doesn’t happen. Depressing but the Crichton voice is pitch perfect and it’s really well written. When I was a kid my mother used to read me fairy tales where the prince and princess got married and lived happily ever after. She told me once, when I asked what happened next, that some things were better left unanswered.
15. Satisfaction Guaranteed (In the Darkness Bind Them Remix) by kernezelda - Farscape - An A/U look at the end of season four, as Scorpius puts his plan into motion and gets Crichton to work on wormholes to keep Aeryn and their baby safe. I loved the looks into the mindsets of the characters. Refuse to develop a weapon for Scorpius, and lose Aeryn, lose Jack, lose his sanity. Or develop a weapon, and lose the last bit of morality and humanity that lingers, starving in his soul. John doesn't want to kill again, with the happy exception of one hybrid bastard.
16. Finale Canto (Speaker of the Dead Remix) by llembas - Firefly (spoilers through Serenity) - Book gives Jayne a guitar and Wash teaches him how to play. The Jayne voice is so perfect in this and it’s a bit bittersweet at the end. Jayne's hands tightened around the guitar. He didn't like the idea of Betsy ending up in the middle of a domestic spat. No telling what would happen to her under those conditions.
17. Better Than Strawberries (The As You Like It Remix) by carmarthen - Firefly (Jayne/Kaylee, spoilers through Serenity) - Again it’s a great Jayne voice and I like the way he discovers his own crush on Kaylee, with taunting to help him. Highly enjoyable. Jayne was not sweet on Kaylee, no matter what River said. It was just being cooped up on Serenity for so long. Maybe he'd ask Mal about a few days of leave, next they were planetside.
18. Home (Float On) by cherryice - Firefly - Mal remembers home, the war, and his life. I love the look into Mal’s life and how he became the man we see and love. Even better though, I love the relationship between Mal and Zoe that we see in this story. This was their routine - him telling stories in the dark and watching the stars, Zoe a solid presence at his side.
19. Learning to Fly (Is Like Falling Remix) by luzdeestrellas - Firefly (Spoilers through Serenity, Kaylee/Simon, Kaylee/Mal) - This story is wonderful and there is so much to love - the voices, the storyline, the wash & Kaylee friendship. But I think what’s most wonderful about it is that both Kaylee and Mal seem to realize that the potential suitors we see for them (Simon and Inara) don’t really fit for the long haul and they realize that they are perfectly fit for each other. And I guess, Kaylee and Mal are about as close to an OTP as I have on this show aside from Zoe/Wash canon. It also doesn’t hurt that I love how Mal calls Kaylee “darlin’” in this story, turning my brain to mush. She don't tell anybody else about the swings, likes it as their moment, but whenever she thinks of Early after that, she remembers that day, remembers the Captain always standing there to catch her.
20. A Love Restrained (All the Broken Pieces Remix) by topaz_eyes - House (Wilson/House) - Set from Wilson’s perspective, I really love the glimpse into Wilson’s life, his choices and emotions as a doctor and his relationships with House, his wife, and his patients. Wilson feels grateful. House is not normally a patient man, but he will wait for Wilson to talk in his own time. Wilson counts on House to listen, knowing that House pays just as much attention to what he does not say as to what he does.
21. Rumors (Why It’s a Good Idea to Talk While Drunk) by sarcasticsra - House (House/Wilson) - House & Wilson are drunk, end up talking about rumors about them and it leads to kissing. The House voice in this rocks and I love the banter between the two. House hadn't thought that he and Wilson were that drunk; really, they'd only been sitting in his living room drinking for, what, an hour? Maybe two. Or three. Who really kept track of these things?
22. Home Is Where House Is (How Can I Miss You If You Won’t Go Away) by extrabitter - House (House/Wilson) - House and Wilson through the years, with House pushing Wilson away and Wilson always coming back for more. About the only comfort he could take was the idea that he wouldn't have to tell House what happened. That thought sustained him through several hours and several beers before he gave up and called his friend anyway. He didn't say anything.
23. Every Day A Little Death (The Killing Joke Remix) by thepurpleswitch - Sports Night - Casey moved to California awhile ago, but everyone in his life still notices how it affects Dan. I loved this piece. I loved the looks at everyone’s reactions to Casey leaving, but also to their own worries about Dan and life. She presses her finger over the talk button on her phone--she can see Casey's number on the phone's screen as clearly as if she has already dialed it. She bites her lip, takes a deep breath. She slams the phone down into its cradle. They do. Not. Need Casey. Anymore.
24. The Drugs Don’t Work (Cat in a Bag Remix) by phoebesmum - Sports Night (Dan/Casey) - Sam Rydell didn’t die in a car crash and he’s staying with Dan and Casey tries to be supportive and understanding. I love the story through Casey’s eyes and the Dan/Casey evolution of whatever it is going on between them. As for the sofa, he hates it a little less when Dan's on it with him - when Danny kisses him, not much else troubles Casey; Danny's kisses don't leave much room for thought - but right now Dan, who is a careful and considerate host, has gone out to buy beer that he won't drink but Casey will, which has left Casey on his own with…
25. Dark Places Where Monsters Dwell (Secrets and Lies Remix) by soundingsea - Veronica Mars - It’s the end of the world and Mac is left with Dick. There’s some character death in this (just a smidge. Hee), but it’s a great read and I loved the Mac voice here. And okay, I have a great love for Dick Casablancas. When he shuts up, though. He's okay. More than okay. It's like some variant of Stockholm Syndrome, Mac supposes. As it turns out, if he's the last man on Earth, even Dick Casablancas has his good points.