Tuesday's Best 12-28-2010

Good morning, my lovelies! I trust y'all have made it through the holidays with (most of) your sanity intact? No? Hmm, well let's see if the good Captain and I can help you find a moment just for yourself, enjoying some fuckawesome slash as we're wont to do every Tuesday. So grab some towels, and some Kleenex, and let's get started, shall we?

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*kisses for my slashies from the Cap’n*   Hello my darlings, glad to be back this week with some more yum yums for ya. Anyone that read my gift to Naelany for her bday this year will know that I am a fan of some Paul/Emmett loving. So when I came across The City by artbeatsandlife I was quite delighted, add to this that it’s set in my hometown NYC and it features the subway prominently and I am in heaven. Seriously I am going to geek out and say she wrote it specifically for me, even though that is not the case.

Emmett is a successful designer in a bit of a slump has his world shook up when he spies beauty; in the form of a bruised, tatted up, leather wearing sex god , on the subway. After their brief encounter in which their gazes literally lock into one another, Emmett is left with this longing when his sexy stranger leaves abruptly breaking the spell. Imagine his surprise when a week later the star of his fantasies walks in to his favorite hangout and immediately steals Em’s attention from the boy that his friends were trying to set him up with.

‘Sexy’ as Em named him, turns out to be Paul; a smart beautiful man that moved to NYC from Washington state. Paul is a boxer, and all the thoughts that come with that begin to excite Em in ways he never thought possible. Their connection is undeniable and the author writes them in such a way that you feel the heat between them as you read.

I smiled, and he rested his palms on either side of the counter, trapping me. "Yes? Can I help you?"

That dazzling smile broke, and I was done. He wet his lips, glancing to mine hungrily, leaning closer until they were pressed softly against mine.

It was like magic.

He kissed me like he knew me, like he knew my body, and I was his. His lips were so soft and so warm. Actually, his whole body was warm, hot really, and I briefly worried that he may be getting a cold, or the flu or something. That thought was just a fleeting one, though, because he sucked me into what his lips were doing to mine. His tongue slid across mine, tentatively, asking me if it was okay, and I stepped closer to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him to me.

His kiss was insane. It was addictive. Everything about him was.

Instantly, I felt his hardness pressed against mine, felt him softly grinding against me, felt him nipping at my bottom lip, and I knew I needed to stop this before we got too carried away.

*drools and falls off chair* Oops! *wipes mouth and gets back into chair looking embarrassed* Yes these boys are quite the delicious pair I tell you. And the sexy tone between them only gets better from here, and quite a bit before this excerpt as well.  This is the authors first time writing slash, and I have to say it didn’t show much at all. She did a kick ass job, and I know this slash lover thoroughly enjoyed it. Please give it a read, I mean what is not to like? Sweaty, sexy, inked up, Paul with rock hard abs; in silk boxing trunks. Hot, sweet, inked, pierced, and intelligent Emmett , just looking for a good man. Sexy boy lovin....It’s all here. Leave her some love if you decide to give it a read.

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Okay, folks. I’m giving you fair warning. Bring out a box of Kleenex before you settle down for this read. Ealasaid77 has written something beautiful, that despite its brevity will bring you to tears. I know it did me. In Goodbye, My Angel, you see Edward as he lays his husband to rest. You get to hear about how they met, and lived. Feel the bond that they shared.

Short as the story is, it is no less powerful for it. There isn’t much I can tell you about it, due to the length of it, because then I’d give too much away. I will encourage you to read for yourself, as it touches upon things you or I might take for granted. It certainly does make you think.

And cry.

Definitely cry.

Their first meeting, however, will make you smile, so I will give you that much. There’s more though, so be sure to check it out, and leave Ealasaid77 some love. And maybe a hug or two.

My angel's eyes spotted me watching him in stunned awe. He came closer to me and I shook, not knowing what to say or do, afraid I'd fuck it up. I couldn't figure out why it would matter, I didn't plan to give myself to anyone ever again, in any capacity.

As he stepped up to about a foot in front of me, he tilted his head and waited for me to say something. All the while with that brilliant smile. The only thing I managed to stumble out was, "My angel." I wasn't even sure he heard it, until his smile became impossibly wider.

"I'm no angel, beautiful," he denied

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 There you have it, folks. Be sure to leave these two wonderful authors some well-deserved love, and check back next week to see what Aradi and Stolenxsanity have in store for you then.

Slash Guest Author Rec - Ealasaid77

Okay, so this makes me more nervous than I ever thought I'd be.  Weird, huh?  No, not really, at least not according to nearly every other person.  I think they were all nervous.  Honestly, I feel like Bella did when she had to tell a little bit about herself in her class.  Yeah, I feel a bit like that right now... all nervous and shit.

Anyway, there are so many great stories I'd love to recommend, but most of them have already appeared on here once before, so narrowing it down has been challenging.  Naelany did tell me that I could rec things that weren't slash, but since I started writing it I honestly have trouble reading anything that isn't anymore. 

The newest story to capture my heart is Touchstone67 story If On A Winter's Night

Jasper and Edward make plans to celebrate their love on New Year's Eve, but that never happens.  Edward is hit head on, in a car crash, in his haste to see Jasper, and that one crash alters his life and that of Jasper's as well. This is only a few chapters in, but the story itself is beautiful and worth reading. 

Hard stone, cracked from attempts to break through their impenetrable protection, surrounded him.  His heart was safely locked behind the fortress, not even a drawbridge allowing visitors across the long dried up moat of emotions.

Only unlike a real fortress, this one hadn't taken years to construct.

It had only taken one night.

One horrific, terrifying night that left his eyes empty of light, hands empty of mine, legs empty of energy and life.

Watching from a distance, I stood quietly by a tree, desperately trying to recognize this new boy behind the walls, wondering if he still had my heart.

The story is heartwrenching, with a few breaks between to see the past relationship between the two so you don't become too overwhelmed.

My next recommendation is actually something written for me for my birthday. OCDJen wrote The Major's Pet for my birthday as a one shot that she's chosen to continue.  This one isn't sweet, sappy, or syrupy.  For Jen, it's one of the darkest things she's ever written and for that alone I love it because it's different. 

Edward becomes Jasper's 'pet' in this fic.  The Major seems to take a lot of enjoyment out of playing with his food.

"When the order is given you will stand and face front.  Your shoulders will be square and you will not attempt any form of contact with anyone else."  The female's voice was fearsome and strong, and demanding that we did as we were told.

The lighting came on, low enough that you could see, but not bright enough for it to hurt your eyes.  Looking around the room, I saw at least fifty men and women stripped down to their underwear, in the room.  I hadn't even realised I was in just my boxer shorts.  Maybe my mind hadn't fully processed all that was happening until the lights came on.

"Stand!"  The demand came from a male's voice.  Whimpers and cries continued to fill the room.  Fully grown men were reduced to tears, crying like babies over their fate.

The four figures slowly came into view.  The first was a woman with long brown, slightly wavy, hair that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.  Her skin was pure white.  There was not a single blemish or marking.  She began to move first, almost floating down the lines of men and women studying them.  Next to walk down the rows was a man with shortish blond hair.  It came close to the bottom of his ears, falling in curls.  Again His skin, just the same as the woman's, was pure white.  He didn't seem to waste his time moving along the lines of men and women.  His light blue eyes looked at me before making a beeline for me.  I wondered if I had just sealed my fate by making eye contact with him.

"Perfect."  He drawled in my ear.  There was the faintest sound of a southern accent in his voice.  "Don't panic."  Was all I heard before a cloth was placed over my eyes.  Ice cold fingers brushed against my warm skin sending a shiver throughout me.

Fingers gripped my arm loosely, but not that loose that I could escape.  Fear washed over me as I was led away.  I could feel his cool breath on my arm as he led me down winding corridors and narrow paths.  My heart was beating like crazy in my chest, and I could hear its unsteady drum in my ears.

I'm going to die!  I thought as an almost crippling fear crashed through me.

The next story I'd like to offer isn't from a new author, but they are new to slash. Drizl's story When the Night Comes is also a Jasper/Edward fic.  Jasper hasn't been home in five years after Edward leaves him and has been running away from everyone, including his family, the entire time.  Now that Jasper's mother is sick and dying he returns home to be with her in her final days and all his old memories return of a time when he was happy and in love, and not broken.

"Mama, I'm sorry for not keeping in contact."

"You had your reasons and the past is just that...the past.  I can't change it, you can't change it, so let's move on.  I don't have a lot of time to be sorting through things that have already happened.  You're here now and that's what's important,"  she said giving me a small smile.  You don't need to tell me anything specific, Jasper, just talk to me.  I want to know you are going to be okay."

And so I started to talk.  I mustered up the courage and told her where I went after I left Forks, the interesting people I met and some of the jobs I held.  I edited heavily, until she put her hand on my arm.

"Jasper, just stop okay.  Did Rosalie tell you to fill me full of crap?  I'm not stupid.  I know way more than you give me credit for so please give me some truth here,"  she said.

My eyes widened.  "But Rosalie will have my head,"  I said.

"Now you listen to me.  I'm gonna lay it all out because like I said earlier, I don't have a lot of time left and I will not have my son painting a pretty picture because it's for the best.  I remember how broken you were,"  she paused and took a deep breath.  "I know why you left, Jasper."

She couldn't possibly know.  How could she know?  We had never talked about it.  Fuck I was going to have a panic attack in front of my mother and I didn't know how to stop it.  I wasn't ashamed of sleeping with guys, but it's not something I really wanted to talk about with my mother.  I cringed when she lifted my chin so I had to look in her eyes.

"Jasper, never be ashamed of loving anyone,"  she said fiercely.  "I never did go for labels.  Love is love.  Doesn't matter who you love, but that you did love."

"But...but,"  I stammered.  "Mama, I thought you would be angry or worse disgusted with me."

"What why would you think that?  You're my child, I love you.  I don't give a rat's ass who you love, only that they love you back and treat you right, because you my darling, are worth it."

At the moment, I didn't feel like I was worth anything, to anyone.

"Look baby, I knew about you and him.  You would have to blind not to see the love you held for that boy and the look in your eyes when you came home after that graduation party.  It broke my heart.  I don't need the details.  The look on your face haunted me for weeks.  You wear your emotions on your sleeve honey."  She brushed her hand against my cheek and I had to choke back a sob.

"I thought I hid it so well.  He didn't want anyone to know. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid I would lose him if I said anything."

"And yet, you lost him anyway.  Keeping secrets is not a good way to live your life.  They eat at your insides until there's nothing left,"  she said quietly.  "I'm so sorry you had to suffer so, my beautiful golden boy."

All my muscles stiffened when those words came out of her mouth.  "Please don't call me that, Mama.  I will never live up to your expectations of me."

"Jasper, the only thing I expect from you is that you love me and that you try to be happy."

"I do love you Mama, and I would give anything to be happy again."

"Anything?"

"Of course,"  I answered.

"Then you need to talk to Edward."

I flew out of bed.  "I am NOT talking to him...ever,"  I snarled.

Those are my rec's, I hope some of you give them a chance.  Not a single funny, or crack piece in the bunch, unusual for me as I tend to love those.

Tuesday's Best 05-18-2010

Aaaand we're back! We're on a roll, people! Three weeks in a row ;-) Anyway...The Captain and I are here to bring you the best we could find, so don't forget to grab a towel, and perhaps a kleenex or two. First up, here's the Captain!

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*salutes* Captain Jezebel reporting for duty ... I'm on the case to find you some yummy, and intriguing slash that I hope you will enjoy. While enthusiastically exploring the fandom I found this fic when a fellow slash lover tweeted how much they love the author. My curiosity peaked; I checked out her FF profile and found this little gem I Wept Not by ArcadianMaggie .

It’s a vampfic with Jasper starring as the canon tortured soldier of the Southern vampire wars. As usual he struggles with the darkness of his monstrous existence, as well as the pain, and fear of his victims. The endless days of violence, and the loneliness send him into a deep depression, until he meets Alice and the Cullen’s, who offer a new way of life. 

Edward Masen is a regular teenage boy from Forks WA., his life is pretty average with a few exceptions, he’s gay, closeted and in love with his very hetero best friend, Mike Newton. Edward wishes he could be open about who he is, but knows it will just cause trouble in such a small town. With no prospects for love he feels there is no reason to come out.

The prologue drops us right down into one of the most important moments of the story, Jasper’s first day of attending school with his adoptive family. It’s also when Jasper gets his first glimpse of Edward. I’ve got to tell you, this is one of the most original, and beautiful ways I have ever read the description of Edward in a fic.

His skin was pale, with the slightest blush on his cheeks, like the petals of a magnolia blossom. His hair was in disarray, as if he had just run his fingers through it. The color reminded me of the velvety underside of the magnolia leaf, a rich reddish brown. I wondered if it was as soft as it looked. I was mesmerized as his long slender fingers reached up and moved through it. I could almost feel the silky strands under my own hands. Then as if he could sense me staring at him, his eyes looked up and locked onto mine. I froze. They were a beautiful deep green, like the waxy broad leaves of the magnolia tree. He was beautiful.

 *swoon* I will tell you that the magnolia tree is significant, but I’m not gonna tell you ‘why?’ You’ll have to read to find out. After the prologue the author takes us back down both Jasper and Edward’s paths, in alternating chapters until we reach that moment where they converge. I’m giving you fair warning, there are no lemons between J and E at the moment in the story. There is some smexin between Jasper/Peter/Maria in J’s storyline, and E has some experimentation lemons with the new girl, Bella Swan. I’m a strictly J/E slash kind of girl and I made it through. Plus with drool worthy moments like this...we should have no worries...

As I exited the trees I spied a solitary figure jogging down the road. Even from this distance I already knew who it was. I waited at the edge of the forest with heady anticipation, enjoying the play of his muscles, his elegant form. I could tell the moment he recognized me by his quickened breathing and the tell-tale beating of his traitorous heart. I felt his excitement, equal to my own.
When he finally reached me, he stopped just feet away, panting heavily, his chest heaving from exertion. His skin was covered with a slight sheen of sweat and he reached up his arm to wipe the beads from his forehead, using the band on his wrist to absorb the moisture. I could feel the heat pouring off him, the flush of his cheeks deepening as he stood.

My mind was seized with images—his body bucking and thrashing against my own, my arms wrapped around his torso, my mouth at his neck, my hands on his skin. I saw us together in countless ways, our bodies joining and moving and touching and straining, his head thrown back in pleasure, his voice calling out my name, my body pulsing deep inside him, my face buried between his legs.

No longer could I pretend confusion about the emotions this boy brought out in me. I knew I had refused to face them head on; they were wildly inappropriate. He was an innocent, and although of legal age, he was just a boy. I was a monster, a demon, a soulless fiend, over a century older than he. If I touched him in the ways that were now filling my mind, in ways that were causing my body to thrum and awaken from the images alone, I would surely kill him.

Give it a try, I promise it is worth it, and don't forget to leave her some love if you enjoy it. Well *looks around* what are you still doing here...go...read!

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Last week, OCDJen rec'ed a fic called Scars and Nightmares by Ealasaid77. I haven't read just for kicks in a long time, but something just pulled me into that one. I wasn't able to stop reading until I had finished all the posted chapters... And then I just had to read more. Luckily, she's writing another slash story...one I again couldn't put down. This one is called Strange Desire: Jasper and Edward and was initially intended as a one-shot...that just kept growing. I'm certainly glad it did, because I'm loving her Edward and Jasper.

They've been friends for over twenty years. Jasper was orphaned at a young age, and adopted by Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Edward was kicked out by his parents in junior high, and taken in by the Cullens. The reasons for all of this get explained along the way.

Edward and Jasper have not just been friends, they've been best friends. Jasper doesn't have many people in his life, as being around them takes a lot out of him. Edward does have a lot of friends, except...Jasper doesn't know them and they don't know Jasper. Why? Because Edward is bi, and madly in love with Jasper - only he's never let on; he thinks Jasper is straight as an arrow...and so does Jasper. Edward accidentally gets outed though, when Jasper walks in on him jacking off while watching gay porn.

"Edward… it's okay." I finally found the words to put his mind at ease even if mine wasn't. "We are still friends. I just wished you had told me that you were gay." Although that didn't explain the many girls I had seen with him through the years and absolutely zero guys. He hadn't dated anyone in almost as long as I had. His job as a doctor in the ER I think was too stressful and unpredictable for most people to stick around for long. Sometimes even I went days without seeing him.

"Jasper… I'm not gay. I like both men and women." He finally breathed out. Okay, well that explained some of it, but why had I never seen any guys?

"Edward, why haven't I seen you with any guys?" I asked him curiously.

He shrugged and said "They were just for quick fucks. I rarely slept with the same guy twice, and if I did it was in the same twenty-four hour period. I never wanted to be with any of them in a relationship."

"Why?" I asked him.

"Um… well, you know I have unrequited love for Bella and now that she is happily together with Jacob, it just seemed like I'd never have the relationship I wanted." Edward told me.

"What about a guy? You don't feel the same way about any guy?" I asked him still confused.

"I do feel that way about a guy. I want to be with him more than I've ever wanted to be with anyone, but he doesn't feel the same way." He told me and I was instantly angered by the person that wouldn't be with him. Why wouldn't they?

"Jasper, this person is not gay and that is a huge problem." Edward told me.

I looked down when my heart did an instant little happy flip that he was still mine. Whoa… where'd that come from? I wasn't gay, or never thought I was. I had had very few dreams where I was with a guy, but every last one of them Edward was in. I just assumed it was because we were close and nothing more. I did get a little jealous when he brought girls home, but I thought it was because I was jealous of the sex he was getting and I wasn't. Now that I was thinking it through though, I realized no, I was jealous that they were having sex with Edward and not me having sex with him. Shit, shit, shit. What was I supposed to do with this?

"Well… how do you know they aren't gay?" I finally choked out when I came back to myself.

Edward raised a brow at me and said "I've never seen him with a guy or seen him do or say anything that would make me think he would welcome my advances."

I just stared at him incredulously and finally said "I didn't know you played for both teams until today Edward and I've known you twenty-four years."

What happens next probably isn't hard to guess, but if you think that's all there is to this story, think again. The boys go through a lot of ups and downs - to the point where they almost lose it all. Not just once, but twice.

Ealasaid77 weaves a good tale, bringing a lot of things to light that most of us often times forget - or simply don't think about at all. I love that she does it, and she does it with subtlety rather than in your face or over the top. Oh, and have I mentioned yet that the lemons are fuck hot and plenty? No? Well, believe me, they are. On both counts. Again though, she uses the lemons to show things some of us wouldn't even think about, and also to help develop the characters. Y'all know I love a good lemon...but I love it even more when they're not superfluous.

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There you have it, folks. Another week, another couple of fuckawesome stories to read. We hope you enjoy them, and if you do be sure to leave these wonderful authors some well-deserved lovin'. See you next week!