So, I can't decide if it's cool or not to point out these first two stories together. I hope the authors aren't offended, because obviously I enjoyed them both immensely but also couldn't help but notice that they are very similar in premise. I think many of you have already read one or the other, depending on your pairing preferences, in which case, you might just want to check out the other one, too, if you like this theme.
The Song of Surrender by Anon at![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
bestmates_xmas (Harry/Ron, NC-17: rope bondage, EWE, 13K)
When Ron catches Harry in a compromising and confusing situation, he does the only thing he can—help Harry.
I love stories that explore kink from a psychological perspective, trying to get at what drives the characters to enjoy whatever it is they enjoy. This story does that beautifully. Two quiet, lovely scenes from Harry's POV bookend the fic, but apart from those, the reader follows Ron's POV as all of us, Ron included, try to understand why Harry has been tying himself up at night. I loved the pacing of this story as this new discovery between Harry and Ron affects their friendship (they aren't in a relationship when the story begins, btw). Hermione is also very real as a supporting character. Harry himself through Ron's eyes is just beautiful, but it's Ron who really shines in this fic. Gently coming to terms with feelings he'd never let himself have before, he anchors everything with the sentiment in the summary line: all he knows is that Harry needs his help, and he'll do anything for Harry. *swoon* A beautiful romance story filled with very real complications and just enough kink to ignite the screen in a slow burn.
Celle Qui Sais Vous Garrotter by Anon at![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif)
hd_holidays (Harry/Draco, NC-17: rope bondage, EWE, 4K)
Two orgasms and Harry's hand resting tentatively on his hip and Draco still felt wound tight, aching somewhere too deep to rub away.
[First, the author is aware of the typo in the title, so please don't bother complaining about it; mistakes happen, and also, she can't exactly fix it right now. Thx. :) ] Unlike the one above, this story begins with Harry and Draco already in a relationship (although a tentative one, based solely on sex). Like the other, though, it also features one party unwittingly discovering the other in self-imposed bonds and flipping out a little bit. :) Reading them back to back, I couldn't help but compare the pairing dynamics, and because of the pairings, the two stories end up being quite different, I think, despite similar premises. As Harry's best friend in the story above, Ron can't imagine not helping him in any way he needs. In contrast in this story, we get Draco's POV, as the one doing the self-bondage, and his desperate need to keep it private and push Harry away is really heart-wrenching. As an antagonistic pairing rather than a BFF pairing, the tension here has to do with Harry and Draco still struggling to trust each other in the first place. I loved how Draco's vulnerability came across here; I could really feel his horror at having Harry discover and want to be a part of such a private thing for him.
Both these stories are excellent, and again, I hope the comparison doesn't annoy the authors. Maybe I'm the only pairing whore interested in reading both of them anyway, IDK. I couldn't rec one and not the other, though; they both delighted me in slightly different ways. ♥
And two more stories I loved this week -- humour this time!
The Contest by Anon atbestmates_xmas (Harry/Ron, NC-17, 7.5K)
A friendly little contest between friends. Are you master of your wand?
AHAHAHA. You North Americans of a certain age, at the very least, will all recall the infamous Seinfeld episode on which this fic is based. With flatmates Hermione and Neville in on it, too, Harry and Ron embark on a contest to see who can stay... well, master of their wand, so to speak, the longest. Ron's POV is delightful. This is one of those stories where I wanted to quote back a zillion one-liners to the author; it had me snorting into my coffee every three sentences. But underneath the humour, it's also got more depth to it than I would have thought, as Ron struggles with his feelings for Harry. A wonderful, light read if you need some humour this week. :)
Mad Wolves and Englishmen by Anon atsnupin_santa (Snape/Lupin, NC-17, 17K)
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.
No, it's not AU. :) Following the events at the end of PoA, Dumbledore decides the two enemies need to make up a little bit. So he tricks them into touching a Portkey that sends them to a bed-and-breakfast in the middle of Texas... in the summer. WIN! Yeah, the scenario is a bit cracky (okay, a lot cracky), and this kind of setting isn't always my kind of thing, BUT, it's incredibly well executed here. There is wry humour, hijinks that somehow never go over the top, a Snape POV that had me cackling like mad, a Lupin who takes to cowboy life like a fish to water, and a couple of local OCs who almost steal the fic. The Wizarding/Muggle universe the author creates in this locale is also really cool and very well thought out. It might not be the most, um, plausible fic out there, but by the time you're into it, I dare you to care. It's tremendously good fun, with some steamy romance along the way. I loved it. (And I have a sneaking suspicion of the author, hee).
I know, many folks are very busy this week with the holidays, but if you do find time to do some reading or art viewing, try to leave a little comment for the author or artist! It's the gift that keeps on giving, and such. ♥
The Song of Surrender by Anon at
bestmates_xmas (Harry/Ron, NC-17: rope bondage, EWE, 13K)When Ron catches Harry in a compromising and confusing situation, he does the only thing he can—help Harry.
I love stories that explore kink from a psychological perspective, trying to get at what drives the characters to enjoy whatever it is they enjoy. This story does that beautifully. Two quiet, lovely scenes from Harry's POV bookend the fic, but apart from those, the reader follows Ron's POV as all of us, Ron included, try to understand why Harry has been tying himself up at night. I loved the pacing of this story as this new discovery between Harry and Ron affects their friendship (they aren't in a relationship when the story begins, btw). Hermione is also very real as a supporting character. Harry himself through Ron's eyes is just beautiful, but it's Ron who really shines in this fic. Gently coming to terms with feelings he'd never let himself have before, he anchors everything with the sentiment in the summary line: all he knows is that Harry needs his help, and he'll do anything for Harry. *swoon* A beautiful romance story filled with very real complications and just enough kink to ignite the screen in a slow burn.
Celle Qui Sais Vous Garrotter by Anon at
hd_holidays (Harry/Draco, NC-17: rope bondage, EWE, 4K)Two orgasms and Harry's hand resting tentatively on his hip and Draco still felt wound tight, aching somewhere too deep to rub away.
[First, the author is aware of the typo in the title, so please don't bother complaining about it; mistakes happen, and also, she can't exactly fix it right now. Thx. :) ] Unlike the one above, this story begins with Harry and Draco already in a relationship (although a tentative one, based solely on sex). Like the other, though, it also features one party unwittingly discovering the other in self-imposed bonds and flipping out a little bit. :) Reading them back to back, I couldn't help but compare the pairing dynamics, and because of the pairings, the two stories end up being quite different, I think, despite similar premises. As Harry's best friend in the story above, Ron can't imagine not helping him in any way he needs. In contrast in this story, we get Draco's POV, as the one doing the self-bondage, and his desperate need to keep it private and push Harry away is really heart-wrenching. As an antagonistic pairing rather than a BFF pairing, the tension here has to do with Harry and Draco still struggling to trust each other in the first place. I loved how Draco's vulnerability came across here; I could really feel his horror at having Harry discover and want to be a part of such a private thing for him.
Both these stories are excellent, and again, I hope the comparison doesn't annoy the authors. Maybe I'm the only pairing whore interested in reading both of them anyway, IDK. I couldn't rec one and not the other, though; they both delighted me in slightly different ways. ♥
And two more stories I loved this week -- humour this time!
The Contest by Anon at
bestmates_xmas (Harry/Ron, NC-17, 7.5K)A friendly little contest between friends. Are you master of your wand?
AHAHAHA. You North Americans of a certain age, at the very least, will all recall the infamous Seinfeld episode on which this fic is based. With flatmates Hermione and Neville in on it, too, Harry and Ron embark on a contest to see who can stay... well, master of their wand, so to speak, the longest. Ron's POV is delightful. This is one of those stories where I wanted to quote back a zillion one-liners to the author; it had me snorting into my coffee every three sentences. But underneath the humour, it's also got more depth to it than I would have thought, as Ron struggles with his feelings for Harry. A wonderful, light read if you need some humour this week. :)
Mad Wolves and Englishmen by Anon at
snupin_santa (Snape/Lupin, NC-17, 17K)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.
No, it's not AU. :) Following the events at the end of PoA, Dumbledore decides the two enemies need to make up a little bit. So he tricks them into touching a Portkey that sends them to a bed-and-breakfast in the middle of Texas... in the summer. WIN! Yeah, the scenario is a bit cracky (okay, a lot cracky), and this kind of setting isn't always my kind of thing, BUT, it's incredibly well executed here. There is wry humour, hijinks that somehow never go over the top, a Snape POV that had me cackling like mad, a Lupin who takes to cowboy life like a fish to water, and a couple of local OCs who almost steal the fic. The Wizarding/Muggle universe the author creates in this locale is also really cool and very well thought out. It might not be the most, um, plausible fic out there, but by the time you're into it, I dare you to care. It's tremendously good fun, with some steamy romance along the way. I loved it. (And I have a sneaking suspicion of the author, hee).
I know, many folks are very busy this week with the holidays, but if you do find time to do some reading or art viewing, try to leave a little comment for the author or artist! It's the gift that keeps on giving, and such. ♥
mood swings :: 
calm
calmfinish the hat
thoughtful
cheerful
tired![[info]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small}
tired
calm
relieved
