I knew that I wanted to do a smaller fandom for my bonus rec and had even considered doing a truly tiny fandom (T3), but I've decided to save that one in case we ever have another Tiny Fandom Week. Instead, I present one of those DH4 recs I've been promising you...

Title: That Guy
Fandom: Live Free or Die Hard
Pairing: John/Matt
Categories: drama, h/c, virgin
Length: epic
Warnings: n/a

Author on LJ: utopiantrunks
Website: http://www.eastofsanity.com/

Review:
The funny thing about a fire sale is that the effects of it don't just go away overnight. Especially with the power grid in shambles. After the movie, Matt (really having nowhere else to go) moves in to John's guest room and starts trying to put his life back together. Meanwhile, John adapts to having someone in his life again and tries to get himself ready for the inevitable loneliness when Matt leaves.

There are so many things I like about this fic, it's hard to decide where to start. How about the realism for one? Most DH4 fics work under the assumption that as soon as Gabriel is gone, NYC returns to the state it was before the fire sale. While I don't mind the assumption, it really isn't very plausible. The damage Gabriel wrought is a long lasting one, especially in a city that runs on electricity, a resource that wouldn't be available immediately with a hub of the power grid gone and wouldn't be reliable until that hub is rebuilt. That Guy deals with the long-term ramifications of Gabriel's actions, and it is fascinating.

Also fascinating is how John and Matt both grow over the course of the story. Matt, especially, faces a lot of fears about his place in a world where electricity (and thus his computer) is no longer something he can count on. John faces the solitude he's lived with for so long that he's forgotten how much he *doesn't* enjoy it. Their relationship develops slowly and realistically and by the end you want to breathe 'finally' but at the same time recognize that it wouldn't have as much meaning if it hadn't taken so damn long. A wonderful, brilliant story of rebuilding and growth.

That Guy (pt. 1) (pt. 2)(pt. 3)(pt. 4)(pt. 5)