or: what has lass been up to on the internet?

[whynot]

An open letter to a recently addicted friend:

Dear Ana Bananananana,

Welcome to the weird and wacky world of Supernatural fanfiction! Strap on your seatbelt and prepare to have even less of a life.

Here you are, all caught up on Supernatural and nowhere to go. Nowhere except the internet! SPN fandom (I don't know why it gets shortened to SPN) is monstrously large, so start with recommendation communities, like crack_impala, sawedoff_recs, and rec_hymenated. But as promised, here is a selection of stuff I like also!

I pretty much recommend all of unoshot's stuff, she is one of my favorites. Her M.O. is the fraught, fraught gen. (Gen being short for general, as in no romance; I dunno how familiar you are with fic terminology, but if not, well, you probably will be soon.) She rocks at portraying the subtleties of Team Free Will's internal politics. She doesn't shorthand emotion; she builds emotions from the ground up. For it being Sam POV gen, The Mountains In Reply is my favorite Dean/Castiel. But I also love Angels We Have Heard, in which Cas looks for God, and gosh it is lovely.

Along the lines of building emotion from the ground up, check out indulgence by myriadborealis, which is a gen coda to the Bloody Valentine episode. Like in the unoshot fics, I love how Castiel doesn't necessarily know the name for whatever it is that ties him to Dean, and so he zeroes in on these poignant details and observations instead. I also like the following Bloody Valentine coda: The Ocean Calls Tomorrow by blaskjar.

I don't read a lot of Wincest, but candle_beck's Gone Again series is my favorite Wincest because IT IS SO GODDAMN FUCKING HEARTBREAKING, SHIT. It's a multi-parter, but the sequels are linked internally to easier facilitate the CRUSHING OF YOUR SOUL. Man, I wanna write like her; her style is straightforward yet evocative, and clever. She makes words do awesome things. This is the same writer I was telling you about who wrote the season 3 AU where Dean doesn't tell Sam about his deal. That one's called For Keeps For Good Forever, also quite nice. For something soulcrushing along a Dean/Cas vein, try Everything That Dies by murron. Both this and 'Gone Again' are beautiful and sharp, but they hurt.

Okay, changing gears. eighth_horizon writes some pretty funny fic. Two Kinds of Light has been jossed (rendered incorrect by the source material) by "On the Head of a Pin", but it's still pretty enjoyable. It's about Cas being a badass, you know how he is. The 90 Proof series is hilarious, and about Dean's valiant attempts to corrupt Castiel (no, not that way) and it's sorta jossed too, but whatever, it gives me the giggles so hard. There is also When Siblings eAttack, which is about Dean abusing Sam through IM during the Stanford days, and it is pretty D'AWW-inducing.

Hey, you know who else is fucking hilarious? maskedfangirl! Stick Together is about Castiel's adventures in cellphone-purchasing. The Apocrypha of Chuck has been jossed, but whatever. It's about everyone shacking up at Bobby's after the season 4 finale, and Chuck is about as adorable as you'd expect, except for when he's EVEN MORE ADORABLE. Epic giggles, dude. I love Chuck so much. Fandom hivemind strikes again, because there is yet another Chuck POV Dean/Cas fic with 'apocrypha' in the title set post-4.22 at Bobby's. Despite this, Apocrypha, or: How Chuck Learned to Stop Worrying and Love His Red Pen by trinityofone is a different enough story to still be utterly enjoyable. They're both pretty great.

:D? by aramley is the one where Dean is cursed to speak in emoticons and textspeak. It's pretty priceless.

Interlocking Barbs by instantramen is unabashed shmoop about Dean grooming Castiel's wings and I think it gave me diabetes but goddamn if it isn't THE CUTEST THING. Gosh.

The previous two are both Dean/Cas towards the end, unlike this next one, I guess. Where There's Smoke by trinityofone again, in which Dean and Cas smoke a cigarette.

Written On The Body by someblazingstar is Dean giving a fallen Cas a protective tattoo. Sexy.

Remember when we cared about Psych? Burnt Ash and Golden Eyes by trolllogicfics is a Psych crossover in which Shawn is one of the special children. You can't tell me you're not intrigued.

HEY REMEMBER WHEN CROATVERSE WAS THE BEST? A croatverse rec: Echoes Fall Of Me by dotfic.

Odysseus, American by coyotesuspect is Stanford-era Wincest in which there are Odyssey parallels and beautiful descriptions of place and has an ending that grew my heart two sizes. It starts, as with many of my favorite stories, in the desert.


Fandom being strange is par for the course, right. Exhibits A through H:

a) Something Primal by luchia13 -- The one where Castiel is a dinosaur.
b) Vertigo from Falling by girl_wonder -- Is there wingfic in Hanson fandom? The wingfic trope basically involves giving a character wings, for whatever reason. So, uh. Anyway, here's Dean with wings!
c) This is just one version of the way it could go by zelda_zee -- Have you ever wondered to yourself, "What if Lemony Snicket wrote Dean/Castiel fic?" Well, wonder no more!
d) As Seen On Urban Dictionary by longsufferingly -- And then what if Holmes and Watson were in Supernatural fandom?
e) Supernatural's Downfall -- This is not a fic; it is subtitles put to a clip from Downfall, that movie about Hitler, who just wants his Wincest back.
f) 'The End' Facebook recap -- Episode 5.04 as told through Facebook.
g) Acts of the Winchesters by azalaea -- 'Houses of the Holy' retold as Bible verse.
h) King Winchester also by azalaea -- Pre-series. The argument Sam, John, and Dean had about Stanford, retold as Shakespearean tragedy.

HOLY SHIT THAT IS A LOT OF FIC i am kind of horrified at myself

And now comes the fanart portion of the exam, 'cos goddamn there is some beautiful shit to look at out there. 22by7 is mad gifted, and I hope to someday write/read a fic that feels like this. Actually you know what, this post is mad long already, so just go through this, then go through this. Okay one last thing, which is this Castiel vid by lola_thursday, which I might've played for you already. The song is so apt.

So GO FORTH, YOUNG PADAWAN. Fandom is waiting for you to discover it! Also, write that Dean Winchester/Taylor Hanson fic already. DON'T MAKE ME PUSH YOU.

"So you guys're still doing this, huh?" Taylor asks, which is probably a stupid question, because obviously. Looking into the trunk of the Impala is like looking into the armory of a small paramilitary organization, and Dean is picking through it all with the casualness of someone going shopping. Honey, we're out of Berettas, and don't forget the silver bullets.

"Yup," says Dean, inspecting a machete. He replaces it back in the trunk, then selects a smaller knife.

"I've been meaning to ask," Taylor says, "what's with the salt?"

"Makes the ghosts taste good," Dean replies, and grins at him, and it takes Taylor back ten years, wrestling around with Dean in the backyard, except Dean was bigger than him, stronger, and he pinned Taylor down with barely any effort. Lazy summer sunlight and listening to Dean wax ridiculous about slaying monsters, and don't worry, his dad would take care of the poltergeist, his dad always did. The Hanson home would be spook-free in no time. Taylor vaguely remembers John Winchester as a man who didn't smile, and he remembers Sam buried in a book trying to fend off Zac's attempts to make friends. Mostly Taylor remembers the tickle of grass against his ear and Dean hovering above him with that same grin.

"I guess you're still doing the music thing," says Dean.

"Yeah."

He raises his eyebrows. "You improved?"

Taylor frowns.

"Oh well, as long as the chicks dig it, right?" Dean slams the trunk shut. "Okay. So! Haunted concert venue, huh?"

"Yeah. Isaac almost got strangled by his guitar strings. Which, y'know," Taylor gestures vaguely, "moved on their own."

Dean nods. "Let's check this shit out.

...Okay, maybe just a little push.

Luuuurrrrrrve,
me

PS: spnsecrets ontd_spnparty

Comments

[marycontraire.livejournal.com]

STILL LAUGHING AT THE FACEBOOK RECAP.

[zempasuchil.livejournal.com]

I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS POST EEE YAY FIC RECS
though I have to say, it is hard navigating between avoiding spoilers and trying to read the jossed stuff before I know it's jossed (because sometimes it's just confusing reading it after you've seen what's jossed it). Uh. Yeah. *keeps on chugging through season 4*

also I know you've posted about this before - the song Running Up That Hill (Placebo cover is most common) totally needs an SPN video, right? I mean, they are out there. But I haven't found a good one. And I super wish I could vid now because I feel like I could make a GREAT one. wah!

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

But you're going through the show so fast, soon spoilers will not be a problem for you! You're probably in the right place to read eighth_horizon's fics though; I think they were written early S4. The Dean wingfic and textspeak fic are even pre-S4. Have you reached 'Sex and Violence'? That is my favorite non-Castiel season 4 episode.

Haha, I relate to your vid woes! I've a stack of songs that need to be made into SPN vids STAT, my god. heartbreaking songs + heartbreaking Winchesters = Lass in an aesthetics-induced coma

[zempasuchil.livejournal.com]

wingfiiiiic, omg. So I totally love wingfic and there's some page on the supernatural wiki that lists, like, thirty! It's really exciting because in this fandom wings can actually fit into plot or whatever. so it's not all completely gratuitous and pornish. I ran into one the other day, I wish I'd saved the link because it was pretty good.

The textspeak fic! I DIED. ahahaha, oh man, this fandom!

aesthetics-induced coma sounds about right! I am just swooning over everything and have no idea what to do about it! I think at this point if I wrote fic it'd just be romancing the biomes - oh american landscapes and roadtrips! eeeee.

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

Wingfic is pretty much canon! The show's endless cribbing of fannish tropes causes me no end of glee.

You know I love the biome romance! I haven't come across a lot of it in the fandom. What other songs do you associate with SPN?

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

Z Z Z Z Z I THINK THIS WINCEST FIC WAS LIKE MEANT FOR YOU OR SOMETHING: http://coyotesuspect.livejournal.com/39586.html BECAUSE IT IS EPIC ROAD TRIP WITH BIOME ROMANCE AND LOCATION ROMANCE IN GENERAL AND ALSO ONE TIME DEAN GOES TO CHICAGOOOOOOOO AND ALSO ALSO IT IS ACTUALLY LEGIT EPIC BECAUSE THERE ARE PARALLELS TO THE ODYSSEY AND I JUST LEFT A COMMENT THE SIZE OF IDAHO ON IT GOSH IT IS GOOD

[dhobikikutti]

I am not looking at this post because, you know, Supernatural, but I do wish to observe that certain people who have time to make rec posts could maybe consider writing a drabble or two for the fandom's chromatic characters. You know. Hypothetically speaking. (Why yes, I am a pimp for my comms, do you like the hat?)

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

Why yes, I am a pimp for my comms, do you like the hat?
Needs more sequins.

[dhobikikutti]

::baleful look:: Stop flirting with me and write a drabble, missy.

[qthelights.livejournal.com]

Dude. You wrote Dean/Taylor. O.M.G.

I used to READ that Hanson fic with my little sister when she was into them and I wanted her to get into fandom.

My brain just, well, failed.

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

It is only going to get morrre Dean/Taylor-y! XD ya, Dean/Taylor is what me and my friend came up with when we were getting shit-faced on St. Pat's.

I used to read Hanson fic too! There used to be some epic crackfic on like Fortunecity or whatever that I was really into. I also used to write Hanson mary sues but let's not talk about that!

[qthelights.livejournal.com]

There was a lot of het in hanson fic. unsurprisingly.

The one I remember vividly was one where the boys were taken hostage by terrorists? i think? and kept in a cave with the other plane passengers.

good times, man. heh.

[(Anonymous)]

(this is Ana!!)

LMFAO HANSON kept in a cave with terrorists. That's just too amazing. and you know, Ri, I would really like to read your fanfic with them as superspies. hahahaha

Oh Taylor and Dean. If it could be, those two would be my husbands in real life.

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

Oh dude, I wrote that when I was like 12. It is either on some dusty floppy disk at home or lost to the world, and perhaps that's just for the best.

If you get Taylor too, I demand an increase on my Dean timeshare! Or you know what, perhaps we need to say screw you to the marriage institution and consider having a harem instead.

[22by7.livejournal.com]

Oh damn, you recced me! I am not used to being recced! Thank you :D

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, you talented thing you!

[lexhibition.livejournal.com]

OH GREAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH TO DO THIS WEEKEND

I suspect fandom is actually going to kill me. I hope you're happy to be a part of my tragic downward spiral into becoming a hermit who dies alone surrounded by empty instant noodle packets.

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

My tombstone is totally gonna say "GODDAMMIT, FANDOM"

[deedlit50.livejournal.com]

Can I just say that this post is full of epic levels of awesome.

(http://s1037.photobucket.com/albums/a451/Hdelman2/SPN%20Gifs/?action=view&current=wv69snjpg.gif)

I'm slowly working my way through all of your recs and I love every single one of them. And OMG, earlier this week I ran across candle_beck's Gone Again and I completely agree with you. It has to be one of the best things I've read out of the SPN fandom. And The Apocrypha of Chuck has a nice warm spot in my heart.

Actually, all of these amazing recs have got me wondering if you've read any of these:
coyotesuspect's Odysseus, American: http://coyotesuspect.livejournal.com/39586.html (This is a Wincest story set during the Stanford years and mostly one sided on Dean's part. It's hard and painful and hopeful in a way that will break your heart and put it back together again)
aenissesthai's A Thousand Small Cruelties: http://aenissesthai.livejournal.com/8149.html (Gen, pre Dean/Cas. A four part very Winchester Christmas, with all of the makings of greatness.)
hollycomb's Bad Things With You: http://hollycomb.livejournal.com/42123.html (Castiel/Dean and sweet mother of God, EPIC! I can't even sum up how much I love this fic. It's jossed by now since hollycomb wrote it before the end of S4 but I love this take on Cas and his vessel.)
felisblanco's Night & Day: http://felisblanco.livejournal.com/856417.html (AU, eventually Sam/Dean and probably one of the best stories I have ever read on the internet.)
or aggybird's Apocalypse Maybe: http://aggybird.livejournal.com/93779.html
(Aggybird is a fantastic writer who always finds magic in the ordinary. All of her stories will make you feel like you've stepped into Fantasia and you won't want to go home.)

Lol, I thought someone should return the favor. Thanks again!

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

omg you are awesome!! Thank you so much for these recs! I have been meaning to read that Odysseus one for a while now, and you reccing it now is propelling me into finally reading it and gosh it is sprawlingly beautiful. Here is prose one can sink into. AUGH WINCEST, WHY ARE YOU SO GOOD AT WOOING ME.

Can't wait to read these. XD <33

[deedlit50.livejournal.com]

Oh man that gif, lolz. I adore Becky and all of her creepy Sam love.

I have been meaning to read that Odysseus one for a while now, and you reccing it now is propelling me into finally reading it

I'm so glad I was able to send you something you haven't read already. Especially something as good as Odysseus, American. I can't get over how tangible her stories are. She makes you feel and practically taste her descriptions, as if you're living them. She makes me wish I had half that skill.

To be honest, it's all of the incredible writers that have kept me reading Wincest stories since y'know, brothers. hollycomb converted me into a pretty die hard Dean/Cas fan with the fic I recced to you above- but I think it's a lot harder to find top quality stories about them. Not that there isn't a lot to look through @_@.

Still, how can you not love these?
(http://s1037.photobucket.com/albums/a451/Hdelman2/SPN%20Gifs/?action=view&current=000xk7rx.gif)

(http://s1037.photobucket.com/albums/a451/Hdelman2/SPN%20Gifs/?action=view&current=000xqzc4.gif)

[deedlit50.livejournal.com]

Finally! I've finished reading through EVERY ONE of your recs and gosh-gee-wilakers! You have might fine taste.

Lol, that's all. Just thought you should know.

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! That is a lot of fic to read. XD And thanks! Glad you enjoyed them :)

[standing-fic.livejournal.com]

OMG

DEAN/TAYLOR HANSON STFU

hanson was my first fandom D: and taylor/zac was totally the first of many bizarre incest ships i had! IS THIS A JOKE OR IS THERE MORE. ANYWHERE. sigh. i miss hanson slash.

[twoskeletons.livejournal.com]

omg Hanson was mine too, except it never went on the internet, it was just the Mary Sue stories me and my friend traded between ourselves back in middle school.

Nothing more of this Dean/Taylor has been written so far, but my friend and I have been gleefully outlining scenes over dinner. We're trying to figure out which song Taylor wrote for Dean.