Harudaki/Snupin recs

[geri_chan]

I came across so many great fics this holiday season that I just wanted to share some of them. My apologies if some of these have turned up elsewhere on the F-list, but these are so great that I just wanted to make that these awesome fics don't get overlooked:

Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love) recs:

Title: Present Understanding
Author: Bronze Ribbons
Summary: Yoshizumi and Kenzaki make a point of not exchanging Christmas presents.

I'm so tickled that Bronze Ribbons wrote this gift fic for me (as a return gift for my A Gift for Miya-chan fic)! It's so great to have one of my favorite authors playing around in my Comeback series--she does an awesome job of portraying Yoshizumi's and Kenzaki's non-romance, with both men adamantly refusing to admit to any romantic feelings for each other, yet obviously caring for each other deeply. The mood is both playful and poignant, and manages to convey a lot of emotion (and inspire a lot of character meta thoughts) for such a short fic.

Actually, I love how we inspire each other, because I have to admit that my Yoshizumi has been heavily influenced by Bronze Ribbons' portrayal of him in her fics, so it's sort of a circle of inspiration! ^_^


Title: Dust to Dust
Author: anonymous until New Year's Day Snapelike
Pairing: Iwaki/Katou
Rating: Teen and up
Summary: Even in the most loving and deep relationships there are problems once in a while, some more serious than others. That is what Iwaki realises when he finds out the hard way that he has been neglecting his lover. Katou sets right the misconception that he will always be there for Iwaki, despite his love for him. Getting their life back on track challenges Iwaki, teaching him that he can't always do things by himself.
Word count: 3273

Actually, Bronze Ribbons already recced this Yuletide fic, but I wanted to rec it again because it's just so darned good. It reminds me of the argument that Katou and Iwaki had in Book 4, where Katou complains that he does all of the work of pursuing Iwaki in their relationship, and that he wants to be reassured that Iwaki wants him, too. In this story, Iwaki has again taken Katou for granted, to the point where Katou has given up on him in despair, and Iwaki realizes almost too late what he's lost.

I love this story because it shows that a relationship doesn't just end with "happily ever after," and needs work from both parties to survive. And I love how it shows the depth of the love that Iwaki and Katou share, and how they can overcome problems that would tear other couples apart. It shows spot-on characterization: Iwaki, who in canon does have a habit of getting overly caught up in his work, and of being much more reserved and less open about showing his feelings than his lover; and Katou, who feels things so deeply and passionately, and needs his Iwaki-san so desperately. The supporting characters are perfectly in character, too: Yoshizumi, the unsentimental but caring friend, normally easy-going but able to be blunt and sharp with his words when necessary--as shown here, when he thinks that Iwaki needs a wake-up call regarding his neglect of Katou; and also Mochimune, who is his usual scheming self--he is willing to help Iwaki win Katou back, but makes sure that he is properly compensated for his aid.


Title: No Life Save When the Swords Clash
Author: anonymous until New Year's Day Bronze Ribbons
Rating: Mature
Pairings: Mochimune/Miyasaka, Kikuchi/Onozuka, Sawa/Yukihito, Iwaki/Katou
Word count: 7938
Summary: The problem with making a masterpiece is that there's usually other people involved.

This one is another Yuletide fic, and just as awesome as the previous one. Obviously, I have a soft spot for this one, since it features my favorite fanon couple, Kikuchi and Onozuka. But as with the previous fic, all the character portrayals are spot-on, and I also love the Mochimune/Miyasaka and Sawa/Yukihito interaction, along with Iwaki and Katou, of course.

I wrote in a previous rec for youka_nitta : "This is a brilliant fic, in which Mochimune is filming a movie with a script by Sawa, starring Kikuchi, Onozuka, and Miyasaka, and there are multiple layers of manipulation and deception going on, with Mochimune scheming to get the best performances out of his actors, and Sawa scheming to get the best performance out of both the actors and Mochimune. The bickering between Mochimune and Kikuchi is hilarious, as is the elaborate pastoral-themed party that Sawa throws (complete with a fluffy bunny-shaped cake). The lovers' banter between K&O is sharp, witty, and sexy, and yet manages to convey a degree of genuine tenderness."

Every line in this fic is brilliant, and it was hysterically funny--I was laughing almost uncontrollably throughout it. But it also has some serious and insightful moments, as when Katou is suddenly struck and saddened by the realization that acting means much more to him than it does to Onozuka.

I also really like how it shows a slightly different slant to Kikuchi and Onozuka than I do in my series: to this Onozuka, acting is a means to an end, to gain him sex or VIP status, rather than loving acting as a craft (at least according to Katou), and both Onozuka and Kikuchi are portrayed as talented actors who haven't reached their full potential, mainly because they haven't exerted themselves enough at it. Mochimune calls Kikuchi "the laziest bastard this side of Kanazawa" (a line that never fails to crack me up, for some reason), and says that K&O are too wrapped up in the awareness of their own cleverness to fully inhabit their roles. It's an intriguing idea, and I like the contrast between K&O and Iwaki and Katou, who do take their work as actors very seriously.

As much as I praise this fic, I feel like my words aren't really doing it justice, so please just go read it and discover for yourself how awesome it is! I can honestly say that it's so great that I wish I wrote it myself.

***

Snape/Lupin recs:

There's a whole bunch of great Snupin Santa fics out there, and I still haven't gotten around to reading them all! But here are a few of the ones I did read. (The first two were previously recced on Snapedom, so feel free to skip over those if you've seen them already.) Please note, you must register to leave comments on the Snupin Santa site--anonymous commenting was disabled due to an influx of spam. However, readers are welcome to leave comments on the IJ and LJ entries if they prefer.


Title: No Greater Love, for kinky-kneazle (IJ entry here; LJ here)
From: Your Secret Snupin Santa
Rated: Holiday Spice (R)
Summary: When Remus learns that Severus has been spying on Voldemort all along and that he’ll be executed at the next full moon, he embarks on a dangerous rescue mission into an England reigned by Voldemort to save the man he loves. On that mission, he receives help from the most unlikely people – and ends up saving not only Severus.
Warnings: Torture, suicide, character death
Word count: 8744

I really loved this fic. The rescue mission was exciting and cleverly written, and I enjoyed the Snape/Lupin interaction, but the best part of the story was the portrayal of a third character, whom I can't identify here without giving away a spoiler. Let me just say that it's a very complex and moving portrayal, as compared to the more two-dimensional portrayal that we see in most fanfic and even in canon. (Sorry to be all mysterious about it--you can read my spoilery review on the Snupin Santa site if you want.) Highly recommended to all HP fans, even if you aren't a Snupin shipper.


Title: The Christmas Wish, for countess-hp (IJ entry here; LJ here)
From: Your Secret Snupin Santa
Summary: Severus and Remus try to explain their relationship to Teddy.
Rated: Coal and Switches (NC17)
Warnings: light bondage
Prompt: 1. DH Compliment to a point. Post War. It has been six years since the end of the war and both Remus and Severus survived. However, Tonks didn't, and Remus was left to raise Teddy, along with Severus. Now it is as come time to tell Teddy about the birds and the bees. How are they going to explain to Teddy about homosexual relationships? (Somewhere Andromeda says something to Teddy about heterosexual relationships.)
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. JKR owns all the characters and rights. No profit is made from this story.
A/N: Many thanks to my excellent beta A. Without you my words are but a meaningless mess.
Word count: 6125

This is a really beautiful and tender story, where Andromeda makes a prejudiced remark to Teddy that causes him to ask his fathers if they are a "real" family. I love the matter-of-fact way that Teddy explains to his grandmother how much he loves Severus, and I also love how Severus is the one who manages to remain calm and tell Teddy that their family is a bit unconventional, but no less a family for all that.

I know that the bondage warning may scare some people off, but the bondage is relatively light, as the warning states, and the sex is very much loving and consensual, so I would still recommend giving this one a try even if it's not your usual cup of tea.


Title: Confessional, for cardigrl (IJ entry here; LJ here)
From: Your Secret Snupin Santa
Summary: Years after the war against Voldemort finally ended, Remus Lupin turns up in Chicago under the guise of one Roger Wolf, a freelance translator working for a publishing firm. His latest assignment is a best selling novel by a most reclusive author. As Remus finds himself sucked into a muggle story very reminiscent of his own past, he begins to suspect the reclusive author might be more than he seems.
Rated: Holiday Spice (R)
Author's Notes: Happy Christmas, Cardigrl~! I hope this little retrospective tale does justice to the spirit of the prompts you provided.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fandom. All rights belong to the original author. No copyright infringement is intended and no money is being made.
Word count: 5986

This was a very moving and compelling story--I couldn't stop reading once I started. I liked the way that Remus and Severus slowly came to an understanding via their correspondence, and I liked the reflection back on their schoolboy days. One of the things I liked most was how in the Shrieking Shack incident, Severus was angry because Remus didn't trust him, rather than just because he almost got killed by a werewolf--that's how I've always seen him, too. And the ending was very lovely and satisfying for both the story and the story-within-a-story.


Title: A Cup of Kindness Yet, for snapelike (IJ entry here; LJ here)
From: Your Secret Snupin Santa
Summary: Prompt: Historical, non-magical AU, set in either Victorian or Industrial England. Please no nobility/manor stuff. Also requested was: AU/AR magical or non-magical. Romance, angst, dark as long as there is a hopeful ending (can be death). AU, Bonding and werewolves. H/C, physical disability, love under difficult circumstances.
Rated: Coal and Switches (NC17)
Notes: I chose the non-magical AR (so no werewolves) and also chose not-too-dark. So I hope this little holiday tale provides at least a bit of what snapelike wished for.
Warnings: non-magic AU, h/c, past-tragedy, violence, and foul language in the way of racial epithets which the author does not normally use nor finds in any way acceptable.
Disclaimer: Just borrowing Rowling's characters for a while for non-profit purposes.
Word count: 13714

An impressively done historical AU--all the little details felt "real," and it was obvious (even before the author confirmed it in the end notes) that it had been painstakingly researched. A very moving story with wonderful hurt/comfort, and very nice sympathetic portrayals of Lucius (as Snape's friend and wealthy patron) and Percy (as Snape's assistant). Also, I will never look at butter in quite the same way after reading this fic! (You'll get the joke after you read it. ~_^)


Title: Mad Wolves and Englishmen, for odogoddess (IJ entry here; LJ here)
From: Your Secret Snupin Santa
Summary: When two quarreling Order members are sent on holiday together, they quickly discover that Albus Dumbledore is a strong believer in ‘bonding through adversity’. In this case, ‘adversity’ is a town called Purgatory, Texas.
Rated: Coal and Switches (NC17)
Notes: Dearest odogoddess – It was such a delight to write for you. I made a few small changes to your prompt to get the story to work, but I hope you’ll still enjoy it. Sadly, I had to leave out ‘tea-bagging’ so I added an extra dose of h/c and smex to make up for it. Many thanks to my long-suffering and unbelievably wonderful betas/brit-pickers who must for now remain nameless. I honestly could not have made it through this without your help and cheerleading. The title is taken from a Noel Coward song, the refrain of which goes “Mad dogs and Englishmen / go out in the midday sun”. The characters of Arley Wheelis and Opal Bellmiller are inspired by (if not outright based upon) characters from the hilarious play “Greater Tuna”
Word count: 17435

This was freakin' hilarious! A terrific fic with wonderful OCs, where Snape and Lupin are plunked down in a small Texas town by scheming Dumbledore. I love stories where Snape and Lupin are able to escape the British wizarding world, so I really enjoyed this one. It actually reminds me a bit of the fic Banished, where Snape is banished to an American school of magic as punishment, and it turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to him. In this story, Snape feels as if he's been banished to the real Purgatory, but eventually starts enjoying himself, rather against his will.

While Dumbledore's machinations work out for the best here, I can't blame Snape for resenting the way the old man manipulates him (and everyone else), and his and Lupin's stay in Purgatory provides a welcome respite for them both--one that they (and the reader) hope will become permanent someday.


Title: A Tutor for Teddy, for rip-von-christ (IJ entry here; LJ here)
From: Your Secret Snupin Santa
Summary: Remus hires Teddy a tutor, but it's Remus who ends up learning a thing or two.
Rated: Holiday Spice (R)
Prompt: Post DH AU - Remus lives and is a single father. Teddy is reaching the age where he's ready for a tutor, but Remus is still only marginally employed and is largely surviving on his widower's pension from the Aurors. He advertises for a tutor and finds the perfect candidate - who turns out to be a disguised Severus. Smut a plus! ;)
Notes: Happy Christmas, Omni! I hope this satisfies on all levels! Many thanks also to my betas L, A and the letter D!
Word count: 7307

Another awesome Teddy fic--I'm a total sucker for Snupin-and-Teddy stories! ^_^ I really like Snape here--he doesn't coddle Teddy, but he doesn't condescend to him, either. He talks to him like an adult (even calling him "Ted" rather than "Teddy"), winning the respect of the overly-rambunctious boy, calming him down and getting him interested in his lessons. It's lovely to see how Teddy and Snape bond, and how Lupin gradually notices that there's something oddly familiar about the tutor.


Title: Bungle in the Jungle, for lore (IJ entry here; LJ here)
From: Your Secret Snupin Santa
Summary: After being stranded in the middle of nowhere, temperamental chef turned TV host Severus Snape develops a new-found appreciation for his capable right-hand man, Remus Lupin. Non-magical AU.
Rated: Holiday Spice (R)
Notes: Happy Snupin Santa, lore! Based on the following prompt: "AU, magical or not up to author. Snape is a travel/food writer sent on a big assignment to a thought-to-be-safe exotic land with capable, knowledgeable, kick-ass assistant Remus. Whether they know each other or not up to whether you choose magic or non-magic AU. Snape's mouth gets him into trouble and it's his Guy Friday, Remus, to the rescue. Smexy action-adventure."
Word count: 36810

A wonderfully humorous AU in which Snape is a Gordon Ramsay-like chef/TV host (although the show is actually more reminsicent of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations) and Lupin is his personal assistant. There's a nice tip of the hat to canon with Regulus Black as Snape's friend and financial backer, and restaurants named "House of Black" and "Le Prince." And the relationship between Snape and Lupin is quite interesting, as their friendship and subsequent romance is allowed to develop without the baggage of the Maruders' past, as there is no schoolboy bullying or Shrieking Shack prank in this version of events. Snape still has his trademark snark, though, which leads to them being stranded in the jungle, but this actually turns out to be a blessing in disguise (though it takes some time for him to appreciate it). The story is hilarious, the sexual tension is hot, and the food descriptions are mouth-watering--a delectable treat for any Snupin fan!


And finally, this isn't really Snupin, but I've become completely hooked on these lovely Advent drabbles by Venturous that show a very believable friendship developing between a young Snape and Lupin at a Christmas party. I particularly like the stories-within-a-story that Lupin tells to Snape, involving hunters and (of course) a wolf. (Gen, ratings range from G to PG; see individual headers for more details.)