I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

Who else on my flist likes pining? spacedmonkey has made a vid based on ‘The Shrine’ that’s making me tap my feet, sing along and grin stupidly. I can’t not rec this video.

Take A Chance On Me

Summary: Back during the first year they came to Atlantis, there was this game they played.

How can you read this...’Rodney who loves food and coffee and soft shirts. He's losing his hair. He cradles his computer tablet like a wound. He has a bright, awkward smile.’...and not fall in love?

spiny’s story is set during and after the episode ‘Epiphany.’ It reads like a perfect bite-sized piece of lyrical poetry. I hope s/he writes more John/Rodney.

Downpour (PG) by spiny.

Summary: After Rodney is held hostage on a trading mission, he starts to slowly fall apart. When he won't admit anything's wrong, he's sent back to Earth to recover, and it's up to John to pick up the pieces.

A complex, well-written story. The pace is perfect; not so fast that you miss out on important details, not so slow that you get bogged down. Characterisation is spot-on and respectful of both the people we see on TV and the people we see inside our heads when we read fanfic. A great way to spend an hour or two.

Catalysis (R) by chandri.

Speaking of fandoms I was sure had been explored, where’s all the Mac/Billy (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest) fics? I found one by Juxian Tang and that wasn’t even part of Yuletide. How can anyone resist a young Brad Dourif and a cocky Jack Nicholson?

Speaking of Brad Dourif, why can’t Deadwood still be on TV? I watched all the seasons in about ten days straight and would pay big bucks to see it being produced again. Wasn’t there supposed to be a movie or two coming out?

::sigh:: I could go some Seth/Al hatesex right about now. loupgarou1750, I have not forgotten your wish to see Al/Mr Wu fic. If my inspirational cup ever overfloweth, I’m gonna write one for you ;-)

Enough whinging about what isn’t; let’s talk about what is.

Redeployment (M*A*S*H, Hawkeye/BJ) by Tara Keezer - I like Trapper, but Beej will always be Hawkeye’s companion for me. Futurefic, slightly angsty, great drama. While on the topic of M*A*S*H, did you know there was a Winchester/Klinger contingent of fans? I didn’t.

A Man's God-Given Right (Brokeback Mountain, Jack/Ennis) by trascendenza - I don’t think any movie (before this one) has ever caused me to cry so I can never get enough of ‘fix ‘er up’ fics. Short with a powerful Ennis voice.

The Ballad of Lenny and Carl (The Simpsons, Lenny/Carl) by Kyra Cullinan - this was written for the 2005 fest but it’s still lovely. Is it freaky to hope that someone, somewhere, is working on a Homer/Ned fic and it will magically appear on my flist?

Summary: Daniel sighed. "I know the words, I just don't know what it means. It's some kind of riddle. The first step to wisdom is the experience of stepping through the door which is the boundary between yin and yang. I did that part. I stepped through."

It seems like forever since I’ve read a J/D story that feels like it’s been set in their early years. They’re still playful, interested in what each other has to say and as a bonus, this fic includes some well-done genderswitching. Don’t be put off if that’s not your thing - the characterisations alone are worth it. The author has only written two stories and I look forward to reading more of them in the future.

The Drunkenness Of Some Other Tavern (NC-17) by Jeylan.

Summary: Dean, on the other hand, seems cheerful, upbeat, almost giddy. At first Sam attributed it to killing the demon.

I would never have found this if not for destina; I haven't been reading SPN fic in the last few months and have forgotten the glorious feeling one gets when reading a long, well-written exploration of Sam and Dean's relationship.

Dean is running out of time and he deals with it the only way he knows how - by ignoring it. Sam refuses to give in so easily.

The World's A Small Child In The Dark by memphis86

Summary: Sam only wants to eat green things, and Dean wants to eat cake. There's a curse, and letters are written but never sent.

Sometimes it's good to read silly stories that will leave a big smile on your face. As much as I love an angsty first-time fic, I also appreciate a story that just drops us in the middle of a consensual, happy, established relationship.

This little series is slightly macabre, amusing and hot. It's the perfect example of what I'm going to call 'cotton candy incest' (I just totally typed 'insect' there first).

A Rose (In Another Man's Garden) and its sequel The Edible Man (NC-17 overall) by memphis86

Summary: "You take me to the nicest places, McKay."

That's it; I'm hanging up my keyboard. You think I'm joking? Okay, I am, but I'm completely serious when I say that I don't think I'm ever going to produce anything half as good as this.

toft_froggy has written a story that has the perfect balance of angst, suspense and characterisation. It's heart wrenching, beautiful but there's no character death (although there's a lot of character whumping. Or was it my heart that was being whumped?)

Seeing Rodney through John's eyes made me love them both just that little bit more. Go read – you won't be disappointed.

All These Places We Have Met (NC-17) by toft_froggy

Summary: Dean's confession of love doesn't go exactly as planned.

Warm-hearted established relationship. If you need a break from angst then this humorous fic will get you smiling. Sam's characterisation is fine but sevenfists' Dean really shines through - he's as bitching here as he is in canon.

Seagull Of My Youth (NC-17) by sevenfists

Summary: "You really do look younger than you did before, you know," Rodney says.

John laughs, or snorts or something. Whatever you call it, it's some sort of noise that doesn't have a whole lot of humour in it. "I suppose you could say that the Wraith made me feel younger, too. In a manner of speaking."

Apart from certain kinky things that hits my buttons (yay rimming!) I love it when two things are included in a McShep fic – a John that is competent in his job and mature in his emotions, and a Rodney that is clever in more than just an intellectual sense and apt at dealing with people.

luthien delivers on both counts. She gives us wonderful glimpses into a realistic Sheppard backstory and her handling of the complexity of John and Rodney's friendship and 'maybe something else' ship are delicate and satisfying. It doesn't leave you wanting more; you just wish you could see more because it's so nice.

The Spaces in Between (NC-17) by luthien

Summary: After John is badly wounded while serving in Somalia, he and Rodney have to learn how to make a serious physical disability a part of their lives.

Sometimes you want to read a long, ultra-hurty story about two people who are in love and how they overcome adversity. This is it. It's also not a death fic, which is an added bonus.

This is thirteen chapters of angsty hurt/comfort (one of my bullet proof kinks) and an AU. John and Rodney meet at university and are hiding their relationship as John completes his course whilst enrolled in the ROTC. While waiting for John to return from a mission, Rodney receives the type of phone call that no military spouse/partner ever wants to get. Lots of ouchies but OMG the love they have for each other…

Fading Skies (NC-17) by diamond_raven

Summary: Jack rescues Daniel (and SG-11) from slavery. In the process, he says some things in an unexpected language. Then nothing happens. What the hell is Daniel supposed to do with that?

Oh, I like this Jack. He's sharp and just a little bit bitter. He, and the situation Daniel needs to be rescued from, are the stars of this fic.

Hunt And Peck (R) by muck_a_luck

Summary: Dean gets possessed. Violence and angst ensue from there. (Or, the secrets he keeps will kill him someday.)

There's a lot of fics that include hot sex scenes but it's rare to find one where the lovemaking is sensual. This story has that and I think it's a combination of the angst Sam and Dean have been through, the culmination of their desires and the skill of the writer.

Dean is possessed by a demon and begins a roadtrip of carnage. Sam is tortured by the visions of Dean killing and is unable to find a way to stop him.

Posted in three parts on LJ or you can scroll past the copious author notes to get a link to a website.

Demons Made Me Spill My Guts Like a Girl (NC-17) by walkawayslowly

Summary: Harry has to track down a vampire who has ... surprising family ties.

Aucta's Snape has always been the fanon Snape for me. He's petulant and really not very attractive physically, but he's got that elusive 'something' about him that, just like canon Snape, keeps the fangirls intrigued.

In this fic, Harry is a strong wizard with a matter-of-fact way of going about his Ministry business which, in this case, has ties to Snape's family. There's also an (sort of) original character who is fantastically written (and quite the matchmaker).

Overall a long, enjoyable read that gives me warm, first-time fuzzies.

Bitten (NC-17) by auctasinistra

Summary: There's a lot of commercial air travel, layovers, jet lag, hotels, too much drinking and a morning after.

I said in my comment to the author that this fic is like really good comfort food. The story spoils for Sunday so I can't go into too much detail; suffice it to say that it's one of those 'Back On Earth' fics and will leave you a very satisfied reader at the end.

A Brief Layover (NC-17) by cottontail73

Summary: Set between "Hunted" and "Playthings." Dean's not sure when, exactly, everything started to change.

A brilliant, angsty story told from Dean's POV. Dean is trying to hold things together while Sam is trying to work on his own agenda. They're fighting with each other, fighting to keep their fears in check but problems keep boiling up until they can't hold back any longer.

Birds On A Wire (NC-17) by killabeez

Summary: Dean sort of hates horses and wishes Sammy’d just let him rent an ATV and drive up the fucking mountain instead of insisting Dean ride a walking disaster with four legs and a problem with the fact that there’s something sitting on it.

Unhappy sheep, Sam trying to decide which green plaid shirt he should wear, Dean swimming in lube – the guys do their own version of Brokeback Mountain. Short and funny without being over-the-top.

I Can't Quit You Baby (R) by xaara

Summary: Dean never thinks about it.

It's canon that Dean is a worrier – not so much about things he can't change or the hunts that they go on – but about Sam and where Sam's going and how Sam's feeling and if there's anything he can do to keep Sam safe and happy.

This short piece is introspective and shows us the Dean I mentioned in the above paragraph. This Dean would rather keep all his worries inside than place any sort of burden on his brother.

Slow Dancing In A Burning Room (NC-17) by schneestern

Summary: Daniel's having a pleasant little daydream...

Sid consisently brings the hawt to J/D fics; whether they be in a kinky, established relationship or just starting to flirt. This story (and its sequel which is linked at the bottom of the fic) gives us a Daniel that is raw, sexual charged and focussed on (what I think) is a rather becoming part of Jack's magnetism.

The Sweat Of His Brow (R) by sidlj

Summary: After a long life together, Severus and Harry embrace the final frontier. Death fic.

One of the great things about being a Submissions Moderator on Walking The Plank is the opportunity to read stories I would have otherwise missed. This story captured my interest.

We look at Snape and Harry at the end of a long (and we assume, fruitful) life together. Time and age are wearing them down but they wish to meet the end with dignity. It brings to mind Simon & Garfunkel's Old Friends, Bookends, although Harry and Snape are in a romantic relationship.

There was one thing towards the end that made me pull a bit of a face, but overall I enjoyed reading a story that didn't belabor their past and let me be happy that they were, in this as in all things, together.

Going Gentle (R) by joanwilder