Snupin Rec Event: #17
I have a more substantial rec this time: five fics from three excellent Snupin writers. Onward!
I knew I wanted to rec something by snegurochka_lee but deciding which of her many wonderful Snupin fics to showcase was the hard part. I decided to go with a couple her older fics that don't get nearly as much love as I think they should.
I Will Walk With My Hands Bound, PG-13: This is a set of 28 100-word drabbles (that's 2800 words if, like me, you can't do math) -- except you won't actually realize you're reading drabbles because they flow so perfectly into a whole story. It's got a lot of things I love about Lee's writing -- lean, sinewy prose, believable characterization, and a punchy twist. Setting is post-Hogwarts AU.
Traitors and Allies, R: This is another fic for which I have great affection, especially because you get a characterization of Lupin that you don't see very often: a sharp, smooth-talking revolutionary who's not only 'on' the Dark Side but committed to it. Now normally I'm not that into fics where one or both of boys really IS evil, but in this, the other thing Lupin is committed to is Snape, and I have this thing where the world can come crashing down, but as long as the boys are all right and still together, I can be okay with that. As I am in this. Also, when you listen to Lupin's take on things, the Dark Side starts to sound kind of attractive.
Another author whose work I've always enjoyed is westernredcedar. I have an especial love for Snupin fics set during the First War (1978 - 1981) and in the Lost Years (1981-1991) and two of her fics are excellent examples of just how good stories in those time periods can be.
1979, NC-17 was an entry in the 2008 Lusty Month of May, so yes, it's 31 chapters replete with erotic kinks but it is SO much more than that. Everything about this fic from the scenarios and situations to the characterizations are believable and captivating. Miss C has an a special touch with supporting characters, all of whom are lovingly -- and when necessary, painfully -- rendered. The smexing is hot and delicious, but it's the story and the characters that are truly memorable. Fair Warning: While this is definitely a Snupin fic, not all of Lupin's sexual adventures involve Snape. This only adds to the story, tho, and is in no way a bad thing. In fact, Sirius' and Lupin's escapades under the head table at the Potter-Evans nuptials are NOT to be missed. ;)
Another story set in that period is Remedy, R, which was written for the Snupin Santa 2007. At 6300 words, it's shorter than the previous offering but still offers a wonderfully satisfying story full of atmosphere, angst, action and sexual tension.
Finally, since most of these lean toward the angsty side of things, I leave you with a rec for an author who never fails to amuse and delight. blpaintchart's is always clever and often side-splitting, but offering for the 2008 Trading Places challenge -- A Charming Domestic Arrangement, PG-13 -- honestly made me fall off my bed from laughing so hard. As much as I love Snape and Lupin in this one, I think I love her Lucius even more. Even tho it's written entirely in dialogue, it is ever so easy to imagine exactly what's happening. This is one of those jewels that would translate perfectly onto the stage as a skit, or even as an audio comedy. Read it and you'll see what I mean.
As ever, if you do check these out and enjoy them, please leave the authors some love and encouragement. Even for fics you wrote a long time ago (or maybe especially for those), it's nice to have some attention.