No, not the warm fuzzies, pleease!

[icarus]

Sweet jesus, all my favorite SGA pimps recc'ers have been hit by the sweet tooth today. Pink sparkly bunnies coming out of our ears.

Help. Recs, please?

I want John/Rodney. Or Rodney/Radek, even. Serious, plotty stories, any rating.

Anything but fluffy cotton candy. I've been reading Jack O'Neill today, and I want my John sharp enough you could shave with him.

*off to dig through rec-lists*

Also, personal request? Someone turn off the fucking sun. It is 97 degrees in my apartment and we're melting. Fans whirring, nothing helps.

Comments

[tonicollins.livejournal.com]

You may wish to try Entangelments by linaerys over at reel_sga; it's based on the movie Notorious and while it does have a happy ending, it isn't fluffy at all.

A Farm in Iowa by sheafrotherdon (which I found on the McKay/Sheppard slash lj) is a nice au - more of a parallel uni actually - again with the lack of fluff.

I'll stop here and let you decide if this is what you're interested in.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'll check them out. *nods*

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Entanglements was pretty good, though I kept picturing Ingrid Bergman instead of John. ;)

Icarus

[tonicollins.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed it; if you liked that you could try An Affair to Remember also at reel_sga; it's by Tira Nog and does an excellent job of following the movie without, in my opinion, being quite so emotionally over-wrought.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

An Affair To Remember was both addictive and drove me bananas. The shipboard romance was fun, and John as the international playboy is great, but once they got back to NYC and the car accident -- oh, there's no saving that plot. I couldn't take it any more.

I like both of those writers, but what I'm beginning to notice is a tendency take John's passivity and feminize him. I'm looking for a John who's edgier, more military, one you can imagine hopping into a puddlejumper with a nuclear bomb or killing 70 Genii without a drop of remorse.

Icarus

[tonicollins.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for a John who's edgier, more military, one you can imagine hopping into a puddlejumper with a nuclear bomb or killing 70 Genii without a drop of remorse.

Hm, I'm very happy with that characterization myself and can't, off the top of my head think of any recent stories that fit that description.

Have you read any of Dasha's stories (http://dashamte.livejournal.com/)? They are more Rodney-centric but well-plotted and characterized. Her most recent, Salt of the Earth has generated some interesting feedback re: John's characterization and since I was looking for, er, happier stories I just haven't read it. It's probably not as edgy as you're looking for but, for what it's worth, I can recommend the author.

Er, sorry about the lack of cut-tag's; my html-fu is not up to it at the moment.

[tonicollins.livejournal.com]

Well, son of a bitch, it worked when I posted. Huh.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Softly, almost ashamed, "I want more. I want...with you....Rodney, we can do anything." Urgent now, a soft breath against Rodney's cheek. "I don't mean that in the idiot, 'we can't lose' way, I mean....Rodney, we have no idea what we'll be doing tomorrow. It could be anything. We came here looking for technology to beat the Goa'uld. Maybe a few more ZPMs. And there were pretty good chances that we'd just, you know, die. Here. For nothing. But, *Rodney*, there is just an outside chance that we can save this whole galaxy from the Wraith. And you--you might be able to *make* ZPMs by this time next year. Every place we go is different. Everybody we meet is an opportunity I can't even begin to guess at. And doing it with you....You ask more of me than anybody I've ever met. And you never make it easy. I don't want things...easy. This isn't making any sense...."

Weirdly, Rodney could feel Sheppard shaking. He didn't know why. He wasn't sure he even understood what he was saying.

"I want more. No, it's not the same, and I'm...so sorry it hurts you that it's not the same. That I can't want you the way you want me. But I don't want *that*. I want *this*. I wouldn't trade what I have with you for something small and empty and easy."

Rodney was very glad for the darkness. He didn't now whether it would be better to present a cold or an amused front, and anyway, he didn't have it in him to carry off either of the options convincingly. "High marks for creativity. And kindness. But you go into negative numbers for plausibility."

Sheppard sighed. "Yeah. I know. It's really weird. And I don't know what kind of man that makes me. I mean, I like helicopters and puddlejumpers and Atlantis and *you* better than girls. Okay, I still like girls, but...It's just not normal."

Stunned, more confused than he'd admit to, even under these circumstances, Rodney said, "So, what--you mean you don't want to be in love?"

"Of course I...maybe not. I want the life I have. Not some cute fantasy. And the point is, I think...the reason it can be so wonderful is a lot to do with you. And you need to know that."

Rodney swallowed hard. "You have a really nice 'just friends' speech," he said.

"We're not *just* friends. I don't know what we are. But we're not just friends."

This is a wonderful story and John's characterization is spot-on. He's irritable, impatient, loves Rodney and gives him shit at the same time.

You know what the problem is? Fanon!John. This soft and mushy John that is so convenient for slash has eclipsed the tougher John we see in canon.

Icarus

[tonicollins.livejournal.com]

Okay, this story just got put in the queue to read; lots of long fanfic this time o' year, not that I'm complaining....

[amalthia]

Um sorry about the sugar overkill. :) It's just the only story i found that isn't sweet is really really dark and would probably squick just about everyone to some extent.

http://community.livejournal.com/angst_archive/26518.html

I posted it at the angst_archive community of course. :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Okaaaay... *dives in with a smile and much trepidation*

I have one for you. Have you read this (http://community.livejournal.com/sga_flashfic/200186.html)?

Such a great explanation for why John was way too competent killing off the Genii in The Storm. Totally makes sense. *sharpens John to a fine edge*

Icarus

[amalthia]

I don't think I've read the story you recced. :) Um about the one I posted, it's hard reading...it's basically the exact opposite of sweet and fluffy.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

miss_porcupine can do no wrong in my book. Her take on the military is dazzlingly accurate and clear-eyed. And she gets the terminology right, too.

Don't worry about scaring me with hard reading. There's a difference between shock-value and someone sincerely exploring tough questions, and this was definitely the latter. Excellent story.

Icarus

[amalthia]

I haven't read the story you recced yet, was reading this article on male privelidge. :) but I plan on reading miss_porcupine's story after I take a shower for the night.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

That was great. The author didn't take the easy route at any point in the story. *nods*

Icarus

[amalthia]

I know, I got shivers reading this.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Amothea, I'm going bananas. I found a story within the last week or so where John loses it after Rodney's hurt (the natives believe that "Blood of the Ancestors will protect the world" means a human sacrifice). John returns from the planet in shock and can't remember what he's done.

I get a lot of my reading material from you. Does this sound at all familiar? *much head-scratching*

Icarus

[amalthia]

it's teh sequel to the Taste of Apples. Scraficial Drift? http://www.eternalvox.net/~auburn/SacrificialDrift.html

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Ah! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Great story and, oh, darn -- it's already been recc'd. But what a take on John.

Icarus

[amalthia]

I must have re-read this story a million times, I loved John in it so much and the plot and Rodney! I get shivers just thinking about it. :) Um and yeah this story i think has been recced all over the place but it deserves it. :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I'm doing John/Rodney for stargateficrec this month, and right now I'm doing a theme: the darkness, and more military characterizations of John Sheppard.

Any ideas? I've already rooted through some of your recs. :)

Icarus

[amalthia]

I'll think about this while i'm at work. :) hopefully I'll have something by this evening when I get home.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So far I have in the dark/military!John/not cotton!candy fic category:

Salt of the Earth by dashamte
http://www.area52hkh.net/asd/dasha/saltof01.php

Time Cannot Benumb These Feelings thepouncer
http://thepouncer.livejournal.com/347938.html

Like Heisenberg, Looking In, Uncertain gaiaanarchy
http://gaiaanarchy.livejournal.com/15271.html

Down From Mt. Olympus trinityofone
http://trinityofone.arithmancy.net/olympus.html

Then in my romances category:

Kid A cesperanza

The General & Dr. Sheppard xanthelj

Consider The Great Wall Of China by summerfling
http://www.ashotofmontego.com/sga/china.htm

The mad!AU category (I'm not sure about reccing WIPS though):

Ard-I-can't-spell-it by auburnnotlisa

Seperis' adorable kid!fic by seperis

The dolphin story by cesperanza (yeah, I know, two stories by her)

Technology, and boy, you'd think I'd have more for this theme but a lot of them have been recc'd and I have to find more:

Interface by resonant8 if it's not already recc'd
http://trickster.org/res/interface1.html

Icarus

[amalthia]

have I shared this link with you?

http://amothea.livejournal.com/132323.html

going to eat some food and think some more. :) thanks for sending me what you already had, it'll help. :)

[amalthia]

Okay I'm having a hard time thinking of military John/Rodney fics. Most of the ones that feel the most military are mostly Gen fics. like the Geeks and Goons series.

Oh! have you readRodney and Cadman Go Down, Rodney and Cadman Get It On, 400% by kormantic ?

I'll be back later tonight.

[amalthia]

okay, here's what I'd pick for

dark/military!John/not cotton!candy fic category:

Hunting Parties

Your Inevitable Unhappy Ending

Entanglements

Technology:

Double Occupancy

Mad AU!

I'm not sure about reccing WIP myself....though I got to admit Teacher's Pet and Ard are awesome stories. The only AU I can think of that has John acting like a military man is Last Will and Testament

Anyway, basically I'm not sure what's been recced in the categories you're reccing in and sadly I don't have time to look into it. :(

Not sure if any of this helps...but hopefully my rec by genre list helps to some extent. Most of the stuff there is Rodney/John

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Your rec-by-genre list was my introduction to the fandom. :D

Thank you very much, these should really help -- it's my job to check what's already recc'd, no sweat. *goes off eagerly to read*

And I'm ~4,000 words into that John-screws-up fic. Poor John. He's facing much mockery at the moment.

Icarus

[amalthia]

Your rec-by-genre list was my introduction to the fandom. :D

Oh wow, I hadn't realized that! :) Um though I wouldn't be surprised if you had told me and I completely forgot. Okay, then....I'm fresh out of ideas...however I do have that other rec list of stuff that is just all jumbled together. I never really thought to find military John stories. (and my favorites so far have all been Gen, with the exception of Sacraficial Drift.) basically, I'm now thinking maybe I should add some genre stuff to my regular rec posts...so even though a story may not make it to the genre list...the recs are still categorized to some extent.

Good luck on that John Screws up fic. :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I put out a call for fic and you stopped by and gave me the links.

Of all the rec-lists, that and your Top Ten (or so) favorites list have had the most consistently good stories. I was intending to go back to it to mine for more technology fics, actually.

I was noticing that about the military stuff and Gen. Somehow the military angle seems to push Rodney and John's relationship off-stage.

Icarus

[amalthia]

sadly a lot of the really good stuff has already been recced...but there are some stories that really good that haven't made their list. Normally I stick to reccing the non-con/bdsm category because not many people are willing to take it on.

[harveywallbang.livejournal.com]

*blocks the sun for icarus*
i don't have air conditioning in my car though...so when my beau asks me to visit him, two hours away..... i have to think long and hard if it's worth it....heh.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*blocks the sun for icarus*

Thank you. All I need to do now is reform from that puddle of goo on the floor. The blue-jeans blue seems to be running together with the grey t-shirt.

Icarus

[hooloovoo-too.livejournal.com]

So, um, hi.

You don't know me from Adam, but I've lurked your journal since 'Primer for the Dark Arts', and am currently in love with 'Out of Bounds', so thought I'd point you at this fic (http://trinityofone.arithmancy.net/olympus.html), which is an interesting take on John. It's not as hard-edged as the one amothea recced, but it's not fluff. I was browsing today, came across it, and thought of you.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Since Primer? That's a long time.

You've just flipped my entire concept of lurkers. Up until this moment I thought of lurkers as people who pass by, you know, once or twice because of an interesting post or a story that was recc'd, and then disappeared.

So there are LTLs (Long-Term Lurkers)? Wow. It never even occurred to me.

Thanks for the rec and the paradigm shift. *pounces on story like a cat-toy*

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh, Trinityofone's Down From Mt. Olympus. This is one of my favorite John-stories. Excellent.

Icarus

[dubhartach.livejournal.com]

Am fairly sure anything I have found you will have found but -

Have you read frostfire_17's pair of stories about John and the imprisoned Wraith? http://frostfire.killerstar.net/stories/predatory.html

seperis has good rec's http://seperis.illuminatedtext.com/sgarecs.html

And http://trickster.org/speranza/cesper/MVP.html and http://www.svendra.com/fanfiction/shorts/lj/skin.html are in the "good, interesting Sheppard" section of my to read list though, obviously, I have not read them.

I would also consider myself a long-term-lurker though I know I have commented to you in the past. But I would estimate I have had interaction with maybe 1/3 of my friends list. And most of that would be one sentance feedback. I suppose it is kind of weird for the lurked upon to consider.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh, you've commented plenty of times over the years, I know you. :)

I guess I have an ideal journal for lurking. I don't lock much of anything, am open about racy stuff, and post lots and lots of porn.

Loved Predatory. Second Skin I'd read early on, but I find I appreciate it more now.

I highly recommend MVP when you get a chance. Read it a few months ago and it's great.

Icarus