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[vsee.livejournal.com]

I add my wails to the choir of "impossible!" It's terrible to try to pick only 3 fics of my heart for this fandom. I don't know what tack to use to approach the question, whether it should be the things that I have reread the most, the things that have pressed my buttons the hardest, the things that have surprised me and therefore found a sneaky way into a special corner of fondness. With my head still spinning with possibilities, I have to just close my eyes and pick three.

Title: Auld Acquaintance
Author: secretlybronte
Characters: RK/BF
Rating: PG
Length: Approximately 3000 words
Why I'm reccing this fic:

Fraser is alone on New Year's Eve, until Ray calls and asks him to come out with him, and to wear something "classy."

This fic is a delight, and I think that it got a bit lost in the holiday shuffle this year. This is a "new classic" for me, and fills much of the same niche that Dining Out by kalena has in the race for my heart. I totally dig the going- on -a -date trope, and this story has a very direct, crisp style that really makes it feel fresh and modern. I love the descriptions of the clothing, the food, the energy of the party. It is sweet, romantic, and great fun.


( (An excerpt) )

Auld Acquaintance


Title: Relax
Author: Dira Sudis
Characters:F/K
Rating: adult
Length: about 12,000 words
Why I'm reccing this fic: This is another older classic that always grabs me hard whenever I reread it. Dira has such a talent for taking themes that seem odd or a little shocking (involuntary hypnosis, tear fetish, etc.) and making it into something fascinating and in character.

After his lapse in Seeing is Believing where he can't resist using hypnosis recreationally, Fraser accidentally finds that he has the ability to hypnotize Ray during ordinary conversation.

( An excerpt )

Relax

Title: Eight Sessions
Author: Speranza-cesperanza
Pairing: Fraser/RayK
Rating: NC-17
Length: Very Long
Why I'm reccing this fic: I usually resist the urge to rec Speranza's fic. Her stories already have terrific word-of-mouth, and almost everyone is steered toward them from the moment they decide they want to read Due South fic. (I know that there is nothing so frustrating, too, as checking recs and finding no surprises, and nothing new to read.) All that being said, I've just got to go with my strong feelings about this fic.

You probably haven't reread this one for awhile, right? Maybe you've forgotten that although this story is lighter on the graphic sex than, say, Hanged Man , this story has some amazing character moments for both Fraser and Ray.

Ray and Fraser must attend eight mandated therapy sessions while Ray is under investigation by IA for shooting several suspects in a confrontation. They have very different experiences of therapy, but find themselves facing some truths about their lives, and learning how to tell the truth to each other. Fraser's meltdown is poignant and obvious, and involves pie and bowling, but Ray's quieter, more internal meltdown is equally compelling.

( ( An excerpt ) )

Eight Sessions

Now I've just come ashore, East O' The Sun, West O' The Moon, written on the body

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

Title: Now I've just come ashore
Author: slidellra
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Rating: R
Length: short
Why I'm reccing this fic: slidellra has a true gift for language, pacing and storytelling: she's able to convey so much in a small space that even her shortest snippets have great meaning and resonance. I adore her writing, and I'm particularly taken with this piece. I return to it again and again, in both text and podfic form, and it always gives me a warm-squishy-happy glow of contentment. (As opposed to one of her other fabulous stories, such as Practicalities, or Ray and his thinking/feeling/wanting cock which just makes me feel, uh, glowy in other ways). S marries the best kind of erotic fiction with a poignant statement about intimate love in this fic, and sure, the sex in this is smokin' (blowjobs at the breakfast table, anyone?) but it's also tied to a sense of warmth and security. The last line leaves me breathless each and every time.

( A brief excerpt )

Now I've just come ashore

Title: East O' The Sun, West O' The Moon
Author: Hth
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski, Vecchio/Stella, Fraser/Vecchio
Rating: R
Length: long
Why I'm reccing this fic: Hth's ability to capture character voice using first-person narration is a pretty amazing achievement, and I think that particular skill is on perfect display in this trilogy of stories. Each piece is narrated in first-person POV by Fraser, Vecchio and Kowalski, respectively, and each piece is pitch-perfect in the way it captures each man and his complicated sexual and emotional connection to the other two. I think it's probably my very favourite due South fic (at least from a technical angle) and I re-read it at least three times a year. The subject matter is fascinating: Hth explores grief and terminal illness, unexpected parenthood, love, sex and sexuality, and Fraser and his Rays are revealed to be deeply flawed and brave men who seek connection and redemption at a high cost. I'm still a little awed by the narrative talent on display, but the story itself is a fascinating and involving read that should fill anyone's requirement for angst. I know there's a criticism to be made here about the use of the hated "Stanley" moniker, but I find it makes sense given the context and the explanation Hth's Fraser supplies. It's the only downside in a truly marvellous story, and I hope everyone who hasn't already read it (all two of you) will give this story a chance.

( A brief excerpt )

East O' The Sun, West O' The Moon
Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down
The Steadfast Tin Soldier

Title: Written on the Body
Author: Colleen
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski, Mark Smithbauer/OMC
Rating: NC-17
Length: Long
Why I'm reccing this fic: This four-part story is probably an unusual choice for "due South fic of my heart" because it only tangentially involves Fraser and Kowalski and the world of due South: I'd say it actually skirts the line of original fiction. Mark Smithbauer, the hunky hockey player and Fraser's childhood friend from "The Blue Line," is the central figure in this tale about an unexpected May/December romance. Further complicating things is the fact that it's an AU: "The Blue Line" never happened, and when Fraser appears midway through this story it's as shocking to the reader as it is to Mark Smithbauer. The spectre of Dira's Hockey AU looms large here, but I think Colleen does a great job of creating her own unique story about the highs and lows of a career spent in professional sports. Smithbauer is still in the NHL when this story begins, and he is trying to hold his life together and conceal a devestating secret. He's also determined to be alone, and sex for him has always been about satisfying a need, not about making connection. Into his life comes a young farm-team rookie named Todd, who seduces Mark with an easy, sensual charm and soon installs himself in Mark's bed and heart.

Their road to romance is a rocky one and is full of unexpected twists, complications and disappointments: the first half deals with Mark's selfish inability to connect, Todd's inexperience, and the difficulties and insecurities both men feel over establishing a long-term relationship. Once Fraser and Kowalski enter the picture things seem to shift into another gear, and by the end the story reveals itself to be a beautifully elegiac statement about the nature of undying love. Like Hth's story, this one plays with theme and character to produce a fully-dimensional portrait of a human life in all its beauty and complexity. And despite the nature of Mark's secret (I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't yet read this wonderful story) "Written on the Body" is, at the end, a celebration of life. Colleen could have easily recast this as an original novel, and I feel so lucky to have come across it in the due South fandom. It's an amazing read, and I hope you'll give it a shot if you haven't already.

( A brief excerpt )

mark's story, written on the body
interlude: contact
todd's story, written on the bones
epilogue: find the river

Kowalski Is Bleeding, Playing Wolf, The Vigil Series

[viciouscats.livejournal.com]

It never hurt anyone to re-read great fic, so I decided to go with fandom classics. Here are (some of) The Fics of My Heart:

Title: Kowalski Is Bleeding
Author: cesperanza
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski, Vecchio/Stella
Rating: NC-17
Length: ~39500 words
Why I'm reccing this fic: All right, what to say about this story? You've all read it, right? Now, go and do it again! *g* Seriously though, how much do I love Vecchio here? I love him like whoa! :) This is my favourite Vecchio out of all Vecchios possible. And Fraser, woobie-ish and so stubborn, determined to find his Ray no matter what. *hearts* Remember that scene with RayK's glasses? Breaks my heart every time. And the structure of the fic? All those flashbacks that show us the relationship backstory? A work of genius, no doubt here. Honestly, I could go on forever, listing things I love about this fic, so let me just say that this is the story I re-read the most in due South. I return to it again and again, finding something that I crave at the moment each and every time (angst, hurt/comfort, friendship, love, slash, het, first time, established relationship, plot, a bit of AU, even humour, etc - you name it).

( A brief excerpt )

Kowalski Is Bleeding


Title: Playing Wolf
Author: kelliem
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Rating: NC-17
Length: ~84300 words
Why I'm reccing this fic: I adore kidfic, no secret here. And this is a kidfic with a twist, which just makes it so much more delicious. [btw, dear strange non-kidfic people, your ways are foreign for me but I love you anyway, so I'll mention that you won't find any babies or children here; come on, don't be afraid! :)] I also have a great weakness for established relationship post-CotW F/K fic and this story satisfies that need perfectly. Add a bit of misunderstanding, a bit of jealousy, some angst about things long past, hot sex, interesting original characters and Kellie Matthews' brilliant writing, and you'll get one happy me. That is why I'm reccing this fic. :)

( A brief excerpt )

Playing Wolf


Title: The Vigil Series
Author: Elaine Walker and Mitch Hudson
Pairing: Fraser/Vecchio
Rating: NC-17
Length: ~135000 words
Why I'm reccing this fic: Four years ago I discovered slash and this was one of the first stories that I read in any fandom. And you know what they say about your firsts: they always stay with you, no matter what. :) So yeah, I have a soft spot for this story, nevermind that, imho, it isn't perfect and I've read better F/V fics since then. If you like long, epic stories (this one covers about 20 years of Fraser and RayV's life together), angst, kidfic, hurt/comfort, fics dealing with coming out and homophobia issues, then this story is for you.


( A brief excerpt )

The Vigil Series (or here (scroll through); Mitch Hudson's parts of the series are here)

Morning Glory, Ray Is Not Actually Graphing..., Housekeeping

[simplystars.livejournal.com]

Okay, since (like everyone else) there was no way I could choose a mere *three* "fics of my heart," because you should SEE my bookmarks and plus that's just cruel and unusual - I decided to define fics of my heart as those which bring me comfort, which make me smile and feel sooooo happy no matter what. They are classics and I'm sure you've all read them already but you know you want to again, because they are just. that. good. :)


Title: Morning Glory
Author: aerye
Pairing: F/K
Rating: R?
Length: medium
Why I'm reccing this fic: I guess I have a sleepy!kink, where warm bodies tangle together under toasty covers and wake in that marvelous, lazily-stretching way. And while Fraser might be the morningest of all morning people, Ray isn't, and I like that in my Ray. Aerye gives a week's worth of mornings and hotness and Ray and Fraser being who they are, in addition to being Ray-and-Fraser. ♥

( An excerpt )

Morning Glory

***

Title: Ray Is Not Actually Graphing The History Of His Relationship With Fraser--That Would Be Pathetic, And Ray Is Not Pathetic--But If He Was Graphing It, Even Just In His Own Stressed-Out, Messed-Up Brain, It Might Look Something Like This
Author: sprat
Pairing: F/K
Rating: explicit
Length: medium-long
Why I'm reccing this fic: Oh, sprat. How are you so brilliant? This fic has everything - humor and angst and stealth relationship conversations, and misguided!Fraser and fantastically befuddled!Ray and graphs. Actual, mathematically realistic (which I appreciate, being a teacher and all) graphs that will crack. you. up. Oh, and the hotness is *scorching* - should've been a graph for THAT, though I'm not sure it can be mathematically rendered.

( A [perhaps not-so-brief] excerpt )

Ray Is Not Actually Graphing The History Of His Relationship With Fraser

***

Title: Housekeeping
Author: resonant8
Pairing: F/K
Rating: NC-17
Length: medium/35K
Why I'm reccing this fic: I looooove this story - even though Ray and Fraser are apart post-COTW at the beginning - because wacky things happen and Ray gets to be the undisputed Hero and rescue Fraser (more than once!) and there is banter, and banter-with-Dief, and Welsh's dry wit and a charming cameo by Frannie. With a clever alternating POV and marvelous Fraser/Ray voices, and a happy ending... what more could you ask for in a story?

( An excerpt )

Housekeeping

Simply Ray; Some Strange Prophecy; Sestina

[bluebrocade.livejournal.com]

Title: Simply Ray
Author: ardent_muses
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Rating: NC-17
Length: 12,000 words
Why I'm reccing this fic: The angst! Oh, the angst! I can't read this fic without tearing up. It's so deliciously heartbreaking and so very plausible -- afraid of getting hurt, Ray and Fraser stop talking to each other, make wrong assumptions and end up making things so much worse. Oh, boys!

( A brief excerpt )

Simply Ray



Title: Some Strange Prophecy
Author: cesperanza
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski, Fraser/various OCs
Rating: NC-17
Length: 53,000 words
Why I'm reccing this fic: I hated this fic the first time I read it. I didn't understand Fraser's actions. I found the whole thing depressing and anti-romantic. But I couldn't stop re-reading the damn thing! Once I finally got a handle on it, I loved it madly. This fic has a very bold concept of Fraser -- but also a very specific one. He may at first seem OOC, but there are very in-character motivations for his actions.

( A brief excerpt )

Some Strange Prophecy



Title: Sestina (the series)
Author: basingstoke
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski, Vecchio/Stella
Rating: Not Rated (I'd give it an R)
Why I'm reccing this fic: I love how Ray and Fraser are written in this series. They're equals. They're not perfect. They're human. I love the domesticity of it, the little details of their post-CotW 'out but not advertising it' life. I love Vecchio's portrayal as well, his uneasy acceptance of Ray and Fraser and his relationship with Stella. This fic is a crossover with 'Homocide: Life on the Streets' but no knowledge of that show is required.

( A brief excerpt )

Sestina: Zen. Tidal Waves. Cigarettes. Baby's Breath. Collision. North.

Beguiled

[norabombay.livejournal.com]

The theme for this week is the Due South Story of our soul. That one or two or three stories that no matter what, you always come back to. I've read 90% of the Due South fic on the internet, but there is one story that always, always, always has me coming back for more.

And never fails to leave me in a happy place. Ever.

Title: Beguiled
Author: Rhi Marzano (who I wish would write a lot more DS)
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Rating: NC-17 (But a soft NC-17)
Length: 55k, almost long
Why I'm reccing this fic: I first read this fic back in 2003 or 2004. Forever in fandom time. And I've gone back and read it repeatedly. And it never failed me. Rhi has managed to create what I like to think of as a grown adult fic- her Ray and Fraser are real people, who have real concerns and do real things. In 55k she gets across what some authors fail to get across in 550k. And never once do I  have a moment where I question it.  it's a domestic piece.  Ray & Fraser manage to move in with each other, hearts  and lives before they get together. A kid shows up. And an epic battle between wolf and septipus is launched. And the entire time, they steadfastly refuse to talk about it.  In short, it makes my happy place go boom boom boom. 

Bonus points for :
The excellent use of RayV & Stella- far too often Stella in particular gets demonized, or they do for their relationship. This shows the pain, without making them bad people. 
Elise, the neighbor with the Bacardi, who gets three lines, but I want to see again.
And finally for the use of Ray's family, who often get written out or ignored.  

This Ray & Fraser could be my next door neighbors, and I love that about them. 

I'll intersperse a few excerpts: ( Bits of Beguiled behind the cut )

Read it here: Beguiled

Retired Guy Hobbies, Exposures, The Teeth of the Hydra

[ifreet.livejournal.com]

Title: Retired Guy Hobbies
Author: greensilver
Pairing: Vecchio/Stella
Rating: The author didn't specify, but I'd venture PG.
Length: 4,214 Words
Why I'm reccing this fic: Much as I love Fraser and Kowalski riding off into the sunrise on a dogsled, the endings given to the other characters in Call of the Wild have never set well with me. Could Ray Vecchio and Stella Kowalski really be happy running a bowling alley in Florida? And how did they end up with a bowling alley anyway? greensilver answers with a beautiful, believable piece from Ray's POV.

( Excerpt )

Retired Guy Hobbies



Title: Exposures
Author: dsudis
Pairing: F/K
Rating: PG
Length: 12 k
Why I'm reccing this fic: This is an odd one for the "fics of my heart" rec, I know, being a death fic and all. But since the challenge asks for the ones that stay with you, I couldn't leave it out. I think Exposures was the first death fic I read in dS; I'm sure I read it well before I'd watched Call of the Wild, which is probably part of why it got such a grip on me. The other part would be how much of a whallop is packed into so few words.

( Excerpt )

Exposures

Title: The Teeth of the Hydra
Author: resonant8
Pairing: Kowalski/Stella, F/K
Rating: NC-17
Length: 140 K
Why I'm reccing this fic: Here's another one that I read early on and that has stuck with me. I've told friends about this story and promised to send them a link, in blatant attempts to suck them into the fandom. Unfortunately, I tend to forget that "that awesome Ray and Stella history" is also "that serial-tattooing casefic wherein Ray comes to some Realizations and gets together with Fraser," and, as a result, I've sometimes talked it up to people who won't read slash--and then I am sad.

( Excerpt )

The Teeth of the Hydra