Title: Drowning Not Waving
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel the Series
Pairing: Spike/Xander (side Gunn/Wes, Connor/OMC, Xander/OMCs; pre-story Xander/OFC)
Categories: angst, AU, DARK, horror, kids, vampire
Length: Epic (~54,000 words)
Warnings: The authors have warned for this being an extremely dark fic (which it truly is) with a caveat that the ending is happy for most characters. Be forewarned that despite this being the case, the general ending can best be considered unhappy, and some may even classify it as sad. General warnings: Xander is in the porn industry, which is actually the least dark part of this fic, and Spike amounts to a pimp; thoughts of filicide; thoughts of suicide; major substance abuse; character undeath; extreme child neglect; partner betrayal; Xander’s son is unwanted, and Xander treats him that way

Authors on LJ: reremouse, tabaqui
Authors Websites: The highly arbitrary and subjective masterlist, Scarecrow Horses

Review:
Xander never left Oxnard due to unexpected consequences of a one-night-stand. Just as things are about to change Xander stumbles upon the most unexpected of people in the most unexpected of places.

There are times when fic is better than canon. In my opinion, this fic is just such a time. Drowning Not Waving takes place after a slightly altered Season Four Buffy and Season One Angel. Xander and chipped Spike end up in LA instead of Sunnydale.

I’ve always had a bit of a problem with Season Two Angel. It’s nice to see a story that’s far more interesting than the endless Angel/Darla/Lindsey drama of the first three-quarters of that season.

And Xander is more realistic in this one than he is in canon. Considering his family history it seems highly likely that he would develop a substance abuse problem for at least some period of time in his life. And considering how abusive Xander’s father is portrayed canonically, neglect would be the least we could expect from Xander the Daddy.

Best is Spike as he ought to have been. Tabaqui particularly does a fantastic job of writing the obsessive Vampire-with-a-capital-V version of Spike. And this is him at his darkest.

Both reremouse and tabaqui are fantastic writers in their own rights in the Buffy fandom, but this work puts either of their solo efforts to shame. The twisted relationship between Spike and Xander is highlighted when contrasted with the budding mother-son relationship of Cordelia and Julian. Each of the members of AI is shown in their natural state in this. And the writing itself is a thing of beauty

The only thing I can fault reremouse and tabaqui with is a bit of false advertising. Don’t get me wrong, this story does in many ways have a happy-esque ending, but this is not the story of recovery from addiction, this is the story of drugs wholly taking over a life. If you don’t like dark fic, really avoid this one. (On the other hand, if you usually don’t care for kid fic, this should still be up your alley.)

Drowning Not Waving: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Title: Drowning Not Waving
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel the Series
Pairing: Spike/Xander (side Gunn/Wes, Connor/OMC, Xander/OMCs; pre-story Xander/OFC)
Categories: angst, AU, DARK, horror, kids, vampire
Length: Epic (~54,000 words)
Warnings: The authors have warned for this being an extremely dark fic (which it truly is) with a caveat that the ending is happy for most characters. Be forewarned that despite this being the case, the general ending can best be considered unhappy, and some may even classify it as sad. General warnings: Xander is in the porn industry, which is actually the least dark part of this fic, and Spike amounts to a pimp; thoughts of filicide; thoughts of suicide; major substance abuse; character undeath; extreme child neglect; partner betrayal; Xander’s son is unwanted, and Xander treats him that way

Authors on LJ: reremouse, tabaqui
Authors Websites: The highly arbitrary and subjective masterlist, Scarecrow Horses

Review:
Xander never left Oxnard due to unexpected consequences of a one-night-stand. Just as things are about to change Xander stumbles upon the most unexpected of people in the most unexpected of places.

There are times when fic is better than canon. In my opinion, this fic is just such a time. Drowning Not Waving takes place after a slightly altered Season Four Buffy and Season One Angel. Xander and chipped Spike end up in LA instead of Sunnydale.

I’ve always had a bit of a problem with Season Two Angel. It’s nice to see a story that’s far more interesting than the endless Angel/Darla/Lindsey drama of the first three-quarters of that season.

And Xander is more realistic in this one than he is in canon. Considering his family history it seems highly likely that he would develop a substance abuse problem for at least some period of time in his life. And considering how abusive Xander’s father is portrayed canonically, neglect would be the least we could expect from Xander the Daddy.

Best is Spike as he ought to have been. Tabaqui particularly does a fantastic job of writing the obsessive Vampire-with-a-capital-V version of Spike. And this is him at his darkest.

Both reremouse and tabaqui are fantastic writers in their own rights in the Buffy fandom, but this work puts either of their solo efforts to shame. The twisted relationship between Spike and Xander is highlighted when contrasted with the budding mother-son relationship of Cordelia and Julian. Each of the members of AI is shown in their natural state in this. And the writing itself is a thing of beauty

The only thing I can fault reremouse and tabaqui with is a bit of false advertising. Don’t get me wrong, this story does in many ways have a happy-esque ending, but this is not the story of recovery from addiction, this is the story of drugs wholly taking over a life. If you don’t like dark fic, really avoid this one. (On the other hand, if you usually don’t care for kid fic, this should still be up your alley.)

Drowning Not Waving: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Title: Drowning Not Waving
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel the Series
Pairing: Spike/Xander (side Gunn/Wes, Connor/OMC, Xander/OMCs; pre-story Xander/OFC)
Categories: angst, AU, DARK, horror, kids, vampire
Length: Epic (~54,000 words)
Warnings: The authors have warned for this being an extremely dark fic (which it truly is) with a caveat that the ending is happy for most characters. Be forewarned that despite this being the case, the general ending can best be considered unhappy, and some may even classify it as sad. General warnings: Xander is in the porn industry, which is actually the least dark part of this fic, and Spike amounts to a pimp; thoughts of filicide; thoughts of suicide; major substance abuse; character undeath; extreme child neglect; partner betrayal; Xander’s son is unwanted, and Xander treats him that way

Authors on LJ: reremouse, tabaqui
Authors Websites: The highly arbitrary and subjective masterlist, Scarecrow Horses

Review:
Xander never left Oxnard due to unexpected consequences of a one-night-stand. Just as things are about to change Xander stumbles upon the most unexpected of people in the most unexpected of places.

There are times when fic is better than canon. In my opinion, this fic is just such a time. Drowning Not Waving takes place after a slightly altered Season Four Buffy and Season One Angel. Xander and chipped Spike end up in LA instead of Sunnydale.

I’ve always had a bit of a problem with Season Two Angel. It’s nice to see a story that’s far more interesting than the endless Angel/Darla/Lindsey drama of the first three-quarters of that season.

And Xander is more realistic in this one than he is in canon. Considering his family history it seems highly likely that he would develop a substance abuse problem for at least some period of time in his life. And considering how abusive Xander’s father is portrayed canonically, neglect would be the least we could expect from Xander the Daddy.

Best is Spike as he ought to have been. Tabaqui particularly does a fantastic job of writing the obsessive Vampire-with-a-capital-V version of Spike. And this is him at his darkest.

Both reremouse and tabaqui are fantastic writers in their own rights in the Buffy fandom, but this work puts either of their solo efforts to shame. The twisted relationship between Spike and Xander is highlighted when contrasted with the budding mother-son relationship of Cordelia and Julian. Each of the members of AI is shown in their natural state in this. And the writing itself is a thing of beauty

The only thing I can fault reremouse and tabaqui with is a bit of false advertising. Don’t get me wrong, this story does in many ways have a happy-esque ending, but this is not the story of recovery from addiction, this is the story of drugs wholly taking over a life. If you don’t like dark fic, really avoid this one. (On the other hand, if you usually don’t care for kid fic, this should still be up your alley.)

Drowning Not Waving: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Title: Drowning Not Waving
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel the Series
Pairing: Spike/Xander (side Gunn/Wes, Connor/OMC, Xander/OMCs; pre-story Xander/OFC)
Categories: angst, AU, DARK, horror, kids, vampire
Length: Epic (~54,000 words)
Warnings: The authors have warned for this being an extremely dark fic (which it truly is) with a caveat that the ending is happy for most characters. Be forewarned that despite this being the case, the general ending can best be considered unhappy, and some may even classify it as sad. General warnings: Xander is in the porn industry, which is actually the least dark part of this fic, and Spike amounts to a pimp; thoughts of filicide; thoughts of suicide; major substance abuse; character undeath; extreme child neglect; partner betrayal; Xander’s son is unwanted, and Xander treats him that way

Authors on LJ: reremouse, tabaqui
Authors Websites: The highly arbitrary and subjective masterlist, Scarecrow Horses

Review:
Xander never left Oxnard due to unexpected consequences of a one-night-stand. Just as things are about to change Xander stumbles upon the most unexpected of people in the most unexpected of places.

There are times when fic is better than canon. In my opinion, this fic is just such a time. Drowning Not Waving takes place after a slightly altered Season Four Buffy and Season One Angel. Xander and chipped Spike end up in LA instead of Sunnydale.

I’ve always had a bit of a problem with Season Two Angel. It’s nice to see a story that’s far more interesting than the endless Angel/Darla/Lindsey drama of the first three-quarters of that season.

And Xander is more realistic in this one than he is in canon. Considering his family history it seems highly likely that he would develop a substance abuse problem for at least some period of time in his life. And considering how abusive Xander’s father is portrayed canonically, neglect would be the least we could expect from Xander the Daddy.

Best is Spike as he ought to have been. Tabaqui particularly does a fantastic job of writing the obsessive Vampire-with-a-capital-V version of Spike. And this is him at his darkest.

Both reremouse and tabaqui are fantastic writers in their own rights in the Buffy fandom, but this work puts either of their solo efforts to shame. The twisted relationship between Spike and Xander is highlighted when contrasted with the budding mother-son relationship of Cordelia and Julian. Each of the members of AI is shown in their natural state in this. And the writing itself is a thing of beauty

The only thing I can fault reremouse and tabaqui with is a bit of false advertising. Don’t get me wrong, this story does in many ways have a happy-esque ending, but this is not the story of recovery from addiction, this is the story of drugs wholly taking over a life. If you don’t like dark fic, really avoid this one. (On the other hand, if you usually don’t care for kid fic, this should still be up your alley.)

Drowning Not Waving: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Title: Drowning Not Waving
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel the Series
Pairing: Spike/Xander (side Gunn/Wes, Connor/OMC, Xander/OMCs; pre-story Xander/OFC)
Categories: angst, AU, DARK, horror, kids, vampire
Length: Epic (~54,000 words)
Warnings: The authors have warned for this being an extremely dark fic (which it truly is) with a caveat that the ending is happy for most characters. Be forewarned that despite this being the case, the general ending can best be considered unhappy, and some may even classify it as sad. General warnings: Xander is in the porn industry, which is actually the least dark part of this fic, and Spike amounts to a pimp; thoughts of filicide; thoughts of suicide; major substance abuse; character undeath; extreme child neglect; partner betrayal; Xander’s son is unwanted, and Xander treats him that way

Authors on LJ: reremouse, tabaqui
Authors Websites: The highly arbitrary and subjective masterlist, Scarecrow Horses

Review:
Xander never left Oxnard due to unexpected consequences of a one-night-stand. Just as things are about to change Xander stumbles upon the most unexpected of people in the most unexpected of places.

There are times when fic is better than canon. In my opinion, this fic is just such a time. Drowning Not Waving takes place after a slightly altered Season Four Buffy and Season One Angel. Xander and chipped Spike end up in LA instead of Sunnydale.

I’ve always had a bit of a problem with Season Two Angel. It’s nice to see a story that’s far more interesting than the endless Angel/Darla/Lindsey drama of the first three-quarters of that season.

And Xander is more realistic in this one than he is in canon. Considering his family history it seems highly likely that he would develop a substance abuse problem for at least some period of time in his life. And considering how abusive Xander’s father is portrayed canonically, neglect would be the least we could expect from Xander the Daddy.

Best is Spike as he ought to have been. Tabaqui particularly does a fantastic job of writing the obsessive Vampire-with-a-capital-V version of Spike. And this is him at his darkest.

Both reremouse and tabaqui are fantastic writers in their own rights in the Buffy fandom, but this work puts either of their solo efforts to shame. The twisted relationship between Spike and Xander is highlighted when contrasted with the budding mother-son relationship of Cordelia and Julian. Each of the members of AI is shown in their natural state in this. And the writing itself is a thing of beauty

The only thing I can fault reremouse and tabaqui with is a bit of false advertising. Don’t get me wrong, this story does in many ways have a happy-esque ending, but this is not the story of recovery from addiction, this is the story of drugs wholly taking over a life. If you don’t like dark fic, really avoid this one. (On the other hand, if you usually don’t care for kid fic, this should still be up your alley.)

Drowning Not Waving: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Title: Drowning Not Waving
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel the Series
Pairing: Spike/Xander (side Gunn/Wes, Connor/OMC, Xander/OMCs; pre-story Xander/OFC)
Categories: angst, AU, DARK, horror, kids, vampire
Length: Epic (~54,000 words)
Warnings: The authors have warned for this being an extremely dark fic (which it truly is) with a caveat that the ending is happy for most characters. Be forewarned that despite this being the case, the general ending can best be considered unhappy, and some may even classify it as sad. General warnings: Xander is in the porn industry, which is actually the least dark part of this fic, and Spike amounts to a pimp; thoughts of filicide; thoughts of suicide; major substance abuse; character undeath; extreme child neglect; partner betrayal; Xander’s son is unwanted, and Xander treats him that way

Authors on LJ: reremouse, tabaqui
Authors Websites: The highly arbitrary and subjective masterlist, Scarecrow Horses

Review:
Xander never left Oxnard due to unexpected consequences of a one-night-stand. Just as things are about to change Xander stumbles upon the most unexpected of people in the most unexpected of places.

There are times when fic is better than canon. In my opinion, this fic is just such a time. Drowning Not Waving takes place after a slightly altered Season Four Buffy and Season One Angel. Xander and chipped Spike end up in LA instead of Sunnydale.

I’ve always had a bit of a problem with Season Two Angel. It’s nice to see a story that’s far more interesting than the endless Angel/Darla/Lindsey drama of the first three-quarters of that season.

And Xander is more realistic in this one than he is in canon. Considering his family history it seems highly likely that he would develop a substance abuse problem for at least some period of time in his life. And considering how abusive Xander’s father is portrayed canonically, neglect would be the least we could expect from Xander the Daddy.

Best is Spike as he ought to have been. Tabaqui particularly does a fantastic job of writing the obsessive Vampire-with-a-capital-V version of Spike. And this is him at his darkest.

Both reremouse and tabaqui are fantastic writers in their own rights in the Buffy fandom, but this work puts either of their solo efforts to shame. The twisted relationship between Spike and Xander is highlighted when contrasted with the budding mother-son relationship of Cordelia and Julian. Each of the members of AI is shown in their natural state in this. And the writing itself is a thing of beauty

The only thing I can fault reremouse and tabaqui with is a bit of false advertising. Don’t get me wrong, this story does in many ways have a happy-esque ending, but this is not the story of recovery from addiction, this is the story of drugs wholly taking over a life. If you don’t like dark fic, really avoid this one. (On the other hand, if you usually don’t care for kid fic, this should still be up your alley.)

Drowning Not Waving: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Title: Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (Jared/OMC)
Categories: AU, BDSM, dark, hurt/comfort, slave
Length: Long (~25,000 words)
Warnings: violence, pre-story abuse (possibly sexual), some light dub-con, heavy amounts of bondage, make sure to check out the author’s warnings as this is an unusual subject matter (there is not any actual bestiality)

Author on LJ: tryfanstone
Author Website: jay tryfanstone fiction

Review:
Jared can’t wait to see the new stallion. It’s not every day that Eric gets a new breeder with the credentials this one has. But there are reasons why this stallion was easy to come by as he was. And when Jared first lays eyes on Jensen he can’t help but be shocked by the obvious abuse the animal’s been put through.

This is a truly unusual alternate universe. As far as I can tell, this ‘verse veers off from our history around the Great Depression (although it could begin decades to either side; this is the time in our history that makes the most sense as a possibility, though). In this alternate timeline, people who were in too great of debt sold themselves as ‘horses’ to the court system.

Because of this ‘horse’ parallel the slaves in this ‘verse seem to generally be treated better than most slave fics. They are maintained as well as any animal for show might be maintained—with the single caveat that the vocal chords are burned out before the slave is sold.

The writing in this is superb. I love an author who can write an alternate universe and not make their sole focus the alternate universe. This story is the tale of an unusual relationship developing under unusual circumstances with unusual histories for each of the characters, key word here being relationship. It’s also a story of healing and self-discovery. This could use a little editing, but it may be one of those cases of too many cooks in the kitchen.

Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe

Title: Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (Jared/OMC)
Categories: AU, BDSM, dark, hurt/comfort, slave
Length: Long (~25,000 words)
Warnings: violence, pre-story abuse (possibly sexual), some light dub-con, heavy amounts of bondage, make sure to check out the author’s warnings as this is an unusual subject matter (there is not any actual bestiality)

Author on LJ: tryfanstone
Author Website: jay tryfanstone fiction

Review:
Jared can’t wait to see the new stallion. It’s not every day that Eric gets a new breeder with the credentials this one has. But there are reasons why this stallion was easy to come by as he was. And when Jared first lays eyes on Jensen he can’t help but be shocked by the obvious abuse the animal’s been put through.

This is a truly unusual alternate universe. As far as I can tell, this ‘verse veers off from our history around the Great Depression (although it could begin decades to either side; this is the time in our history that makes the most sense as a possibility, though). In this alternate timeline, people who were in too great of debt sold themselves as ‘horses’ to the court system.

Because of this ‘horse’ parallel the slaves in this ‘verse seem to generally be treated better than most slave fics. They are maintained as well as any animal for show might be maintained—with the single caveat that the vocal chords are burned out before the slave is sold.

The writing in this is superb. I love an author who can write an alternate universe and not make their sole focus the alternate universe. This story is the tale of an unusual relationship developing under unusual circumstances with unusual histories for each of the characters, key word here being relationship. It’s also a story of healing and self-discovery. This could use a little editing, but it may be one of those cases of too many cooks in the kitchen.

Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe

Title: Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (Jared/OMC)
Categories: AU, BDSM, dark, hurt/comfort, slave
Length: Long (~25,000 words)
Warnings: violence, pre-story abuse (possibly sexual), some light dub-con, heavy amounts of bondage, make sure to check out the author’s warnings as this is an unusual subject matter (there is not any actual bestiality)

Author on LJ: tryfanstone
Author Website: jay tryfanstone fiction

Review:
Jared can’t wait to see the new stallion. It’s not every day that Eric gets a new breeder with the credentials this one has. But there are reasons why this stallion was easy to come by as he was. And when Jared first lays eyes on Jensen he can’t help but be shocked by the obvious abuse the animal’s been put through.

This is a truly unusual alternate universe. As far as I can tell, this ‘verse veers off from our history around the Great Depression (although it could begin decades to either side; this is the time in our history that makes the most sense as a possibility, though). In this alternate timeline, people who were in too great of debt sold themselves as ‘horses’ to the court system.

Because of this ‘horse’ parallel the slaves in this ‘verse seem to generally be treated better than most slave fics. They are maintained as well as any animal for show might be maintained—with the single caveat that the vocal chords are burned out before the slave is sold.

The writing in this is superb. I love an author who can write an alternate universe and not make their sole focus the alternate universe. This story is the tale of an unusual relationship developing under unusual circumstances with unusual histories for each of the characters, key word here being relationship. It’s also a story of healing and self-discovery. This could use a little editing, but it may be one of those cases of too many cooks in the kitchen.

Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe

Title: Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (Jared/OMC)
Categories: AU, BDSM, dark, hurt/comfort, slave
Length: Long (~25,000 words)
Warnings: violence, pre-story abuse (possibly sexual), some light dub-con, heavy amounts of bondage, make sure to check out the author’s warnings as this is an unusual subject matter (there is not any actual bestiality)

Author on LJ: tryfanstone
Author Website: jay tryfanstone fiction

Review:
Jared can’t wait to see the new stallion. It’s not every day that Eric gets a new breeder with the credentials this one has. But there are reasons why this stallion was easy to come by as he was. And when Jared first lays eyes on Jensen he can’t help but be shocked by the obvious abuse the animal’s been put through.

This is a truly unusual alternate universe. As far as I can tell, this ‘verse veers off from our history around the Great Depression (although it could begin decades to either side; this is the time in our history that makes the most sense as a possibility, though). In this alternate timeline, people who were in too great of debt sold themselves as ‘horses’ to the court system.

Because of this ‘horse’ parallel the slaves in this ‘verse seem to generally be treated better than most slave fics. They are maintained as well as any animal for show might be maintained—with the single caveat that the vocal chords are burned out before the slave is sold.

The writing in this is superb. I love an author who can write an alternate universe and not make their sole focus the alternate universe. This story is the tale of an unusual relationship developing under unusual circumstances with unusual histories for each of the characters, key word here being relationship. It’s also a story of healing and self-discovery. This could use a little editing, but it may be one of those cases of too many cooks in the kitchen.

Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe

Title: Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (Jared/OMC)
Categories: AU, BDSM, dark, hurt/comfort, slave
Length: Long (~25,000 words)
Warnings: violence, pre-story abuse (possibly sexual), some light dub-con, heavy amounts of bondage, make sure to check out the author’s warnings as this is an unusual subject matter (there is not any actual bestiality)

Author on LJ: tryfanstone
Author Website: jay tryfanstone fiction

Review:
Jared can’t wait to see the new stallion. It’s not every day that Eric gets a new breeder with the credentials this one has. But there are reasons why this stallion was easy to come by as he was. And when Jared first lays eyes on Jensen he can’t help but be shocked by the obvious abuse the animal’s been put through.

This is a truly unusual alternate universe. As far as I can tell, this ‘verse veers off from our history around the Great Depression (although it could begin decades to either side; this is the time in our history that makes the most sense as a possibility, though). In this alternate timeline, people who were in too great of debt sold themselves as ‘horses’ to the court system.

Because of this ‘horse’ parallel the slaves in this ‘verse seem to generally be treated better than most slave fics. They are maintained as well as any animal for show might be maintained—with the single caveat that the vocal chords are burned out before the slave is sold.

The writing in this is superb. I love an author who can write an alternate universe and not make their sole focus the alternate universe. This story is the tale of an unusual relationship developing under unusual circumstances with unusual histories for each of the characters, key word here being relationship. It’s also a story of healing and self-discovery. This could use a little editing, but it may be one of those cases of too many cooks in the kitchen.

Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe

Title: Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jared/Jensen (Jared/OMC)
Categories: AU, BDSM, dark, hurt/comfort, slave
Length: Long (~25,000 words)
Warnings: violence, pre-story abuse (possibly sexual), some light dub-con, heavy amounts of bondage, make sure to check out the author’s warnings as this is an unusual subject matter (there is not any actual bestiality)

Author on LJ: tryfanstone
Author Website: jay tryfanstone fiction

Review:
Jared can’t wait to see the new stallion. It’s not every day that Eric gets a new breeder with the credentials this one has. But there are reasons why this stallion was easy to come by as he was. And when Jared first lays eyes on Jensen he can’t help but be shocked by the obvious abuse the animal’s been put through.

This is a truly unusual alternate universe. As far as I can tell, this ‘verse veers off from our history around the Great Depression (although it could begin decades to either side; this is the time in our history that makes the most sense as a possibility, though). In this alternate timeline, people who were in too great of debt sold themselves as ‘horses’ to the court system.

Because of this ‘horse’ parallel the slaves in this ‘verse seem to generally be treated better than most slave fics. They are maintained as well as any animal for show might be maintained—with the single caveat that the vocal chords are burned out before the slave is sold.

The writing in this is superb. I love an author who can write an alternate universe and not make their sole focus the alternate universe. This story is the tale of an unusual relationship developing under unusual circumstances with unusual histories for each of the characters, key word here being relationship. It’s also a story of healing and self-discovery. This could use a little editing, but it may be one of those cases of too many cooks in the kitchen.

Tomorrow, when the apricots are ripe

Title: Every Time You Leave
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Categories: angst, dark, hurt/comfort, sad stories
Length: Long (~21,000 words)
Warnings: this is sort of unremittingly sad until the happy ending, some slight references to underage

Author on LJ: mia_ugly
Author Website: My Fiction Masterlist

Review:
“I’m going away for a little while.” A story where Harry leaves, and Snape doesn’t care. No really, he doesn’t.

This is hauntingly good. It’s dark in the way only a Snape fic can be. I love how there’s no compromise, how Snape is just this immovable object and no matter how many times Harry crashes against him he will not yield. And in walks McGonagall, the perfect meddler in this.

Considering the length of this fic, I was amazed at how much I loved it. It may only be twenty thousand words, but it feels so profound. So much more epic than it actually is in length.

Every Time You Leave

Title: Every Time You Leave
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Categories: angst, dark, hurt/comfort, sad stories
Length: Long (~21,000 words)
Warnings: this is sort of unremittingly sad until the happy ending, some slight references to underage

Author on LJ: mia_ugly
Author Website: My Fiction Masterlist

Review:
“I’m going away for a little while.” A story where Harry leaves, and Snape doesn’t care. No really, he doesn’t.

This is hauntingly good. It’s dark in the way only a Snape fic can be. I love how there’s no compromise, how Snape is just this immovable object and no matter how many times Harry crashes against him he will not yield. And in walks McGonagall, the perfect meddler in this.

Considering the length of this fic, I was amazed at how much I loved it. It may only be twenty thousand words, but it feels so profound. So much more epic than it actually is in length.

Every Time You Leave

Title: Every Time You Leave
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Categories: angst, dark, hurt/comfort, sad stories
Length: Long (~21,000 words)
Warnings: this is sort of unremittingly sad until the happy ending, some slight references to underage

Author on LJ: mia_ugly
Author Website: My Fiction Masterlist

Review:
“I’m going away for a little while.” A story where Harry leaves, and Snape doesn’t care. No really, he doesn’t.

This is hauntingly good. It’s dark in the way only a Snape fic can be. I love how there’s no compromise, how Snape is just this immovable object and no matter how many times Harry crashes against him he will not yield. And in walks McGonagall, the perfect meddler in this.

Considering the length of this fic, I was amazed at how much I loved it. It may only be twenty thousand words, but it feels so profound. So much more epic than it actually is in length.

Every Time You Leave

Title: Every Time You Leave
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Categories: angst, dark, hurt/comfort, sad stories
Length: Long (~21,000 words)
Warnings: this is sort of unremittingly sad until the happy ending, some slight references to underage

Author on LJ: mia_ugly
Author Website: My Fiction Masterlist

Review:
“I’m going away for a little while.” A story where Harry leaves, and Snape doesn’t care. No really, he doesn’t.

This is hauntingly good. It’s dark in the way only a Snape fic can be. I love how there’s no compromise, how Snape is just this immovable object and no matter how many times Harry crashes against him he will not yield. And in walks McGonagall, the perfect meddler in this.

Considering the length of this fic, I was amazed at how much I loved it. It may only be twenty thousand words, but it feels so profound. So much more epic than it actually is in length.

Every Time You Leave

Title: Every Time You Leave
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Categories: angst, dark, hurt/comfort, sad stories
Length: Long (~21,000 words)
Warnings: this is sort of unremittingly sad until the happy ending, some slight references to underage

Author on LJ: mia_ugly
Author Website: My Fiction Masterlist

Review:
“I’m going away for a little while.” A story where Harry leaves, and Snape doesn’t care. No really, he doesn’t.

This is hauntingly good. It’s dark in the way only a Snape fic can be. I love how there’s no compromise, how Snape is just this immovable object and no matter how many times Harry crashes against him he will not yield. And in walks McGonagall, the perfect meddler in this.

Considering the length of this fic, I was amazed at how much I loved it. It may only be twenty thousand words, but it feels so profound. So much more epic than it actually is in length.

Every Time You Leave

Title: Every Time You Leave
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Categories: angst, dark, hurt/comfort, sad stories
Length: Long (~21,000 words)
Warnings: this is sort of unremittingly sad until the happy ending, some slight references to underage

Author on LJ: mia_ugly
Author Website: My Fiction Masterlist

Review:
“I’m going away for a little while.” A story where Harry leaves, and Snape doesn’t care. No really, he doesn’t.

This is hauntingly good. It’s dark in the way only a Snape fic can be. I love how there’s no compromise, how Snape is just this immovable object and no matter how many times Harry crashes against him he will not yield. And in walks McGonagall, the perfect meddler in this.

Considering the length of this fic, I was amazed at how much I loved it. It may only be twenty thousand words, but it feels so profound. So much more epic than it actually is in length.

Every Time You Leave

Title: The Good Life
Fandom: Bandom
Pairing: Brian/Frank (Frank/OCs)
Categories: angst, AU, dark, first time m/m sex
Length: Long (~28,000 words)
Warnings: extreme homophobia and closeted-ness, violence, alcohol abuse, slight BDSM (the author’s other name for this is ‘asshole!Frank’ so don’t be surprised by Frank’s extreme levels of dastardliness)

Author on LJ: sinsense
Author Website: fic tag

Review:
Frank’s just living his shitty life, going out at night with the people he considers friends and screwing anything in a skirt. Then one night he meets Brian, and after that Brian seems to be everywhere. Frank shouldn’t care, but the thing is, he really does.

There are certain things that bother me about fandom. One of the problems I have with bandom is the absolute lack of good fic based on height issues. There are a lot of little guys in bandom. And, realistically speaking, a good portion of guys who are small tend to get into a lot of trouble. I’ve known several short guys that can’t resist getting into fights and creating whatever havoc they can.

Sinsense did this superb job of encapsulating all of that into this story. I love how not only Frank but also Brian are pissed off at the world, how neither can resist a good fight. This is a brittle, beautiful story about someone who lives a real life in the real world.

Everything about this story is wonderful. Characterizations are spot-on. The writing is sharp and, in places, brilliant. The description so vivid you feel like you’re right there in the bars with Frank. And then there’s Bert. Bert, in this story, is kind of like a train-wreck. You want to look away, sometimes you want to get sick, but in the end you stare in avid fascination until it's gone.

The Good Life

Title: The Good Life
Fandom: Bandom
Pairing: Brian/Frank (Frank/OCs)
Categories: angst, AU, dark, first time m/m sex
Length: Long (~28,000 words)
Warnings: extreme homophobia and closeted-ness, violence, alcohol abuse, slight BDSM (the author’s other name for this is ‘asshole!Frank’ so don’t be surprised by Frank’s extreme levels of dastardliness)

Author on LJ: sinsense
Author Website: fic tag

Review:
Frank’s just living his shitty life, going out at night with the people he considers friends and screwing anything in a skirt. Then one night he meets Brian, and after that Brian seems to be everywhere. Frank shouldn’t care, but the thing is, he really does.

There are certain things that bother me about fandom. One of the problems I have with bandom is the absolute lack of good fic based on height issues. There are a lot of little guys in bandom. And, realistically speaking, a good portion of guys who are small tend to get into a lot of trouble. I’ve known several short guys that can’t resist getting into fights and creating whatever havoc they can.

Sinsense did this superb job of encapsulating all of that into this story. I love how not only Frank but also Brian are pissed off at the world, how neither can resist a good fight. This is a brittle, beautiful story about someone who lives a real life in the real world.

Everything about this story is wonderful. Characterizations are spot-on. The writing is sharp and, in places, brilliant. The description so vivid you feel like you’re right there in the bars with Frank. And then there’s Bert. Bert, in this story, is kind of like a train-wreck. You want to look away, sometimes you want to get sick, but in the end you stare in avid fascination until it's gone.

The Good Life

Title: The Good Life
Fandom: Bandom
Pairing: Brian/Frank (Frank/OCs)
Categories: angst, AU, dark, first time m/m sex
Length: Long (~28,000 words)
Warnings: extreme homophobia and closeted-ness, violence, alcohol abuse, slight BDSM (the author’s other name for this is ‘asshole!Frank’ so don’t be surprised by Frank’s extreme levels of dastardliness)

Author on LJ: sinsense
Author Website: fic tag

Review:
Frank’s just living his shitty life, going out at night with the people he considers friends and screwing anything in a skirt. Then one night he meets Brian, and after that Brian seems to be everywhere. Frank shouldn’t care, but the thing is, he really does.

There are certain things that bother me about fandom. One of the problems I have with bandom is the absolute lack of good fic based on height issues. There are a lot of little guys in bandom. And, realistically speaking, a good portion of guys who are small tend to get into a lot of trouble. I’ve known several short guys that can’t resist getting into fights and creating whatever havoc they can.

Sinsense did this superb job of encapsulating all of that into this story. I love how not only Frank but also Brian are pissed off at the world, how neither can resist a good fight. This is a brittle, beautiful story about someone who lives a real life in the real world.

Everything about this story is wonderful. Characterizations are spot-on. The writing is sharp and, in places, brilliant. The description so vivid you feel like you’re right there in the bars with Frank. And then there’s Bert. Bert, in this story, is kind of like a train-wreck. You want to look away, sometimes you want to get sick, but in the end you stare in avid fascination until it's gone.

The Good Life

Title: The Good Life
Fandom: Bandom
Pairing: Brian/Frank (Frank/OCs)
Categories: angst, AU, dark, first time m/m sex
Length: Long (~28,000 words)
Warnings: extreme homophobia and closeted-ness, violence, alcohol abuse, slight BDSM (the author’s other name for this is ‘asshole!Frank’ so don’t be surprised by Frank’s extreme levels of dastardliness)

Author on LJ: sinsense
Author Website: fic tag

Review:
Frank’s just living his shitty life, going out at night with the people he considers friends and screwing anything in a skirt. Then one night he meets Brian, and after that Brian seems to be everywhere. Frank shouldn’t care, but the thing is, he really does.

There are certain things that bother me about fandom. One of the problems I have with bandom is the absolute lack of good fic based on height issues. There are a lot of little guys in bandom. And, realistically speaking, a good portion of guys who are small tend to get into a lot of trouble. I’ve known several short guys that can’t resist getting into fights and creating whatever havoc they can.

Sinsense did this superb job of encapsulating all of that into this story. I love how not only Frank but also Brian are pissed off at the world, how neither can resist a good fight. This is a brittle, beautiful story about someone who lives a real life in the real world.

Everything about this story is wonderful. Characterizations are spot-on. The writing is sharp and, in places, brilliant. The description so vivid you feel like you’re right there in the bars with Frank. And then there’s Bert. Bert, in this story, is kind of like a train-wreck. You want to look away, sometimes you want to get sick, but in the end you stare in avid fascination until it's gone.

The Good Life

Title: The Good Life
Fandom: Bandom
Pairing: Brian/Frank (Frank/OCs)
Categories: angst, AU, dark, first time m/m sex
Length: Long (~28,000 words)
Warnings: extreme homophobia and closeted-ness, violence, alcohol abuse, slight BDSM (the author’s other name for this is ‘asshole!Frank’ so don’t be surprised by Frank’s extreme levels of dastardliness)

Author on LJ: sinsense
Author Website: fic tag

Review:
Frank’s just living his shitty life, going out at night with the people he considers friends and screwing anything in a skirt. Then one night he meets Brian, and after that Brian seems to be everywhere. Frank shouldn’t care, but the thing is, he really does.

There are certain things that bother me about fandom. One of the problems I have with bandom is the absolute lack of good fic based on height issues. There are a lot of little guys in bandom. And, realistically speaking, a good portion of guys who are small tend to get into a lot of trouble. I’ve known several short guys that can’t resist getting into fights and creating whatever havoc they can.

Sinsense did this superb job of encapsulating all of that into this story. I love how not only Frank but also Brian are pissed off at the world, how neither can resist a good fight. This is a brittle, beautiful story about someone who lives a real life in the real world.

Everything about this story is wonderful. Characterizations are spot-on. The writing is sharp and, in places, brilliant. The description so vivid you feel like you’re right there in the bars with Frank. And then there’s Bert. Bert, in this story, is kind of like a train-wreck. You want to look away, sometimes you want to get sick, but in the end you stare in avid fascination until it's gone.

The Good Life

Title: The Good Life
Fandom: Bandom
Pairing: Brian/Frank (Frank/OCs)
Categories: angst, AU, dark, first time m/m sex
Length: Long (~28,000 words)
Warnings: extreme homophobia and closeted-ness, violence, alcohol abuse, slight BDSM (the author’s other name for this is ‘asshole!Frank’ so don’t be surprised by Frank’s extreme levels of dastardliness)

Author on LJ: sinsense
Author Website: fic tag

Review:
Frank’s just living his shitty life, going out at night with the people he considers friends and screwing anything in a skirt. Then one night he meets Brian, and after that Brian seems to be everywhere. Frank shouldn’t care, but the thing is, he really does.

There are certain things that bother me about fandom. One of the problems I have with bandom is the absolute lack of good fic based on height issues. There are a lot of little guys in bandom. And, realistically speaking, a good portion of guys who are small tend to get into a lot of trouble. I’ve known several short guys that can’t resist getting into fights and creating whatever havoc they can.

Sinsense did this superb job of encapsulating all of that into this story. I love how not only Frank but also Brian are pissed off at the world, how neither can resist a good fight. This is a brittle, beautiful story about someone who lives a real life in the real world.

Everything about this story is wonderful. Characterizations are spot-on. The writing is sharp and, in places, brilliant. The description so vivid you feel like you’re right there in the bars with Frank. And then there’s Bert. Bert, in this story, is kind of like a train-wreck. You want to look away, sometimes you want to get sick, but in the end you stare in avid fascination until it's gone.

The Good Life

Title: That Good Night: A Death Story; Sugar Snow
Fandom: Due South
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Categories: angst, dark, suicide
Length: Long (~30,000 words)
Warnings: OC death, vivid suicidal daydreams

Author on LJ: dsudis
Author Website: Words Words Words

Review:
Before Ray ever meets Fraser, he meets someone else. Someone who tells Ray he’s not long for the world.

Generally speaking, I’m fond of the humorous stories in Due South fandom. This, though, is a beautifully dark exception.

This is one of the best stories dealing with suicide I’ve come across. The changes to Kowalski’s behavior, no matter how minute, make such a difference to the outcome. The slowly deepening paranoia is simply beautiful.

The best thing about this fic is the juxtaposition of Ray’s suicidal visions and his daydreams of him and Fraser. Ray breaks down before the reader’s eyes.

Sadly, missing is the scene of Ray admitting his problem and beginning to be put back together. But the coda at the end almost makes up for it.

That Good Night: A Death Story
Sugar Snow

Title: That Good Night: A Death Story; Sugar Snow
Fandom: Due South
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Categories: angst, dark, suicide
Length: Long (~30,000 words)
Warnings: OC death, vivid suicidal daydreams

Author on LJ: dsudis
Author Website: Words Words Words

Review:
Before Ray ever meets Fraser, he meets someone else. Someone who tells Ray he’s not long for the world.

Generally speaking, I’m fond of the humorous stories in Due South fandom. This, though, is a beautifully dark exception.

This is one of the best stories dealing with suicide I’ve come across. The changes to Kowalski’s behavior, no matter how minute, make such a difference to the outcome. The slowly deepening paranoia is simply beautiful.

The best thing about this fic is the juxtaposition of Ray’s suicidal visions and his daydreams of him and Fraser. Ray breaks down before the reader’s eyes.

Sadly, missing is the scene of Ray admitting his problem and beginning to be put back together. But the coda at the end almost makes up for it.

That Good Night: A Death Story
Sugar Snow

Title: That Good Night: A Death Story; Sugar Snow
Fandom: Due South
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Categories: angst, dark, suicide
Length: Long (~30,000 words)
Warnings: OC death, vivid suicidal daydreams

Author on LJ: dsudis
Author Website: Words Words Words

Review:
Before Ray ever meets Fraser, he meets someone else. Someone who tells Ray he’s not long for the world.

Generally speaking, I’m fond of the humorous stories in Due South fandom. This, though, is a beautifully dark exception.

This is one of the best stories dealing with suicide I’ve come across. The changes to Kowalski’s behavior, no matter how minute, make such a difference to the outcome. The slowly deepening paranoia is simply beautiful.

The best thing about this fic is the juxtaposition of Ray’s suicidal visions and his daydreams of him and Fraser. Ray breaks down before the reader’s eyes.

Sadly, missing is the scene of Ray admitting his problem and beginning to be put back together. But the coda at the end almost makes up for it.

That Good Night: A Death Story
Sugar Snow

Title: That Good Night: A Death Story; Sugar Snow
Fandom: Due South
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Categories: angst, dark, suicide
Length: Long (~30,000 words)
Warnings: OC death, vivid suicidal daydreams

Author on LJ: dsudis
Author Website: Words Words Words

Review:
Before Ray ever meets Fraser, he meets someone else. Someone who tells Ray he’s not long for the world.

Generally speaking, I’m fond of the humorous stories in Due South fandom. This, though, is a beautifully dark exception.

This is one of the best stories dealing with suicide I’ve come across. The changes to Kowalski’s behavior, no matter how minute, make such a difference to the outcome. The slowly deepening paranoia is simply beautiful.

The best thing about this fic is the juxtaposition of Ray’s suicidal visions and his daydreams of him and Fraser. Ray breaks down before the reader’s eyes.

Sadly, missing is the scene of Ray admitting his problem and beginning to be put back together. But the coda at the end almost makes up for it.

That Good Night: A Death Story
Sugar Snow

Title: That Good Night: A Death Story; Sugar Snow
Fandom: Due South
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Categories: angst, dark, suicide
Length: Long (~30,000 words)
Warnings: OC death, vivid suicidal daydreams

Author on LJ: dsudis
Author Website: Words Words Words

Review:
Before Ray ever meets Fraser, he meets someone else. Someone who tells Ray he’s not long for the world.

Generally speaking, I’m fond of the humorous stories in Due South fandom. This, though, is a beautifully dark exception.

This is one of the best stories dealing with suicide I’ve come across. The changes to Kowalski’s behavior, no matter how minute, make such a difference to the outcome. The slowly deepening paranoia is simply beautiful.

The best thing about this fic is the juxtaposition of Ray’s suicidal visions and his daydreams of him and Fraser. Ray breaks down before the reader’s eyes.

Sadly, missing is the scene of Ray admitting his problem and beginning to be put back together. But the coda at the end almost makes up for it.

That Good Night: A Death Story
Sugar Snow

Title: That Good Night: A Death Story; Sugar Snow
Fandom: Due South
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Categories: angst, dark, suicide
Length: Long (~30,000 words)
Warnings: OC death, vivid suicidal daydreams

Author on LJ: dsudis
Author Website: Words Words Words

Review:
Before Ray ever meets Fraser, he meets someone else. Someone who tells Ray he’s not long for the world.

Generally speaking, I’m fond of the humorous stories in Due South fandom. This, though, is a beautifully dark exception.

This is one of the best stories dealing with suicide I’ve come across. The changes to Kowalski’s behavior, no matter how minute, make such a difference to the outcome. The slowly deepening paranoia is simply beautiful.

The best thing about this fic is the juxtaposition of Ray’s suicidal visions and his daydreams of him and Fraser. Ray breaks down before the reader’s eyes.

Sadly, missing is the scene of Ray admitting his problem and beginning to be put back together. But the coda at the end almost makes up for it.

That Good Night: A Death Story
Sugar Snow