And to make up for the uber-short rec -- bonus rec! This was meant for rare pairings week originally, but in a fandom this small all it takes is a single Yuletide to redefine which pairings are rare. 

Title: Higher Education by Resonant
Fandom: The Breakfast Club
Pairing: Brian/Bender
Categories: post-movie, drama
Length: long
Warnings: n/a

Author on LJ: resonant8 
Website: http://www.trickster.org/res/

Review:
Not long after the movie, John Bender drops out of high school (shocking!) It takes a few months, but he gets himself on track and soon he finds himself at a steady job, with his own place, and finally free of his father's influence. And then Brian walks back into his life...

This is one of those stories that's recced from here to eternity, which is why I initially downloaded it. Then I let it sit on my computer for months because, you know, it's The Breakfast Club and it's slash and basically it just sounded like eight kinds of wrong. Then one day I wanted to try something a little different and decided to give this story a shot.

Wow. I mean, just *wow*. Both themes of this story (John's personal growth and the development of the relationship between him and Brian) are beautifully articulated, with just enough detail to tell the story well, while still leave you wanting more. You also have two very well done characters in Brian and John, but it's John's characterization that is truly remarkable and you're going to want to hug him (and, well, smack him) as you read. And then at the end, you're going to want to cheer. An unexpected gem.

Higher Education
Coda: Bare (thanks pir8fancier :)