ceredwensirius

These are, sdly, my last recs for the Christmas fest season. *sniffs*

R/S Small Gifts

Fic

Stone Steps by seren_canis

I am a total sucker for daddy!Sirius fic especially if Teddy is who Remus and Sirius are raising. This has a charmingly insecure Sirius and lovely dialog between Teddy and Sirius.

Hello, Dolly! by lotherington

Non-magic AU is one of my favorite genres. I love this one because Remus is a drag queen and that is so fantastic I can barely put it to words. This one is funny and sweet and a definite must read.

King of Carrot Flowers by a_merry_chase

Very sweet and yet honest look at Lupin family life. The story is tinged with just a hint of sadness but the ending leaves room for hope.

Fine Art by mindabbles

This one is just pure fluff, but it is fluff written by mindabbles! Remus has drawings he's not sure he wants to show Sirius, which makes Sirius all the more curious. A onversation with James leads to some interesting revelations. Very fun story!

R/S Small Gifts has a goal of 2000 comments. Won't you pay a visit to those fics and works of art you haven't commented on and leave the author/artist some love.

R/S Small Gifts

Fic

Muggles Do It In The Dark, and Other Cliches… written by cacklesthewitch

Sirius trying to wrap presents the Muggle way is an adorable mental image. Also, the smut is delicious.

Imperfect Perfection written by brighty18

A very human look at the natural doubts that plague us all, and would certainly play a role between Remus and Sirius. This has the authors usual playful feel to the piece, but cutting under all that is this idea of what it means to be human and how maintaining a relationship is a tricky business.

To Make a New Beginning written by woldy

Oh, so adorable Remus pining after an oblivious Sirius. My favorite kind of fic.

Kinky Kristmas

Art All art work is NSFW

Break Remus Lupin/Severus Snape

The atmosphere and lighting on this is just stunning. It's really a beautiful piece, not to mention hot.

Right Where I Want You Severus/Sirius

Sirius is gorgeous and cocky as hell. Absolutely lickable and fully clothed. Mmmm....

Fic

Trust in times of war Sirius/Severus, Sirius/Remus

On the whole, this fic made me quite sad. The sex is scorching, but what is underlying that is what stands out. There are so many different ways that Sirius and Remus could have fallen apart, and this is glimpse into the tail end of that heartbreaking bit of canon.

Before I get to the recs, rhye and I had discussed having an R/S Kink Meme on my journal. I am considering opening the kink meme on the 14th of January after I get off work and letting it run through the 17th. I'll turn off IP logging for that entire time and accept only anonymous comments. I'll post a Master List or something once I end the little kink fest and lock commenting or something. Haven't figured that out just yet. Do those dates interest anyone? Sound like fun? Let me know.

Someday soon I'll not be reading and reccing (not to mention writing) and make a real post, but not today. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and then Christmas. I hope your holidays are wonderful, and if you are traveling, travel safe.

I've put the recs under cuts because I did a massive catch-up tonight.

( R/S Small Gifts Recs )

( Kinky Kristmas Recs )

( Various Recs from other fests )

Okay, because I am running behind on my recs, these are just drive by quickie recs. These are also only from rs_small_gifts. I’ll get to Kinky Kristmas tomorrow. Or maybe Saturday. Look, I’m clearly not a woman of my word since I said I would do this everyday and we all see how well that worked out. I could say more on all of these to tell you how wonderful they are, but I am trying to leave comments and have to get up early, blah, blah, blah. Just read, okay?

Art

The Secret Christmas Plan by peskywhistpaw

This is sort of art and fic all at the same time. It’s the captains log of one James Potter, with several interruptions from various, er, helpers. The ending is precious. Just precious.

Fic

I Swallowed Hard, Like I Understood. by batmanboxers

I’m not typically a fan of hurt/comfort, particularly if Sirius is the one with the hurtie, but oh goodness. I really loved this for the wonderfully descriptive battle scene, which is really hard to write, and for everything that comes after. Remus denies his own need for rest watching over Sirius, and Sirius is wonderfully Sirius. Even wounded he keeps his sense of humor.

White Gold by museme87

I really prefer when these men are written as even match, each stubborn and strong but with their own unique personalities intact. That is exactly what this fic delivers. It also delivers wonderfully romantic schmoop. And smut. Mmmm, smut. This is such a feel good fic. It makes you hurt a little in the beginning, but its all worth it in the end.

Learn To Be Quiet by grandilloquism

Oh, dear. This is Sirius at his mischievous best. Note: Do not leave Sirius Black alone at Hogwarts for Christmas break. This is simply hilarious and Sirius is just perfect.

Missing The Kiss by sleeper6

Adorably scruffy Sirius who is slightly superstitious about the kiss at midnight? Yes! You know that’s what has been missing from your life! The background of the war is there and also foreshadowing of what is to come in their relationship, but for now they have each other and a kiss.

To Keep Christmas Well by sullensiren

My sides hurt from laughing so much while reading this. The Marauders get stuck behind stairs and will most certainly be found years from now as moldy old skeletons. If it is to be their last Christmas together they’re going to do it right. They transfigure an argyle-Christmas tree, with leather-tinsel, and ornaments of Santa making unholy merry with his elves, shoe-pie and Rocknog – a Sirius specialty. This is too hilarious to miss.

Little Star by eprime

I’ve read a few Sirius is a Slytherin fics, but I think this is the best so far! This had perfect pacing, lots of boyish humor, and a sweet, slow-building romance. The changes were slight, all of them for the better, and completely believable. That and everyone is perfectly in character. This is a must read!

The Beast of Godric's Moor by rhye

This is a lovely retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The fairytale style that the story is told in is perfect. James and Sirius go hunting for adventure in the scary woods surrounding Godric’s Hollow and is caught out by Remus at dawn just as he is transforming back to his human self. James is set free with the promise of not telling on Remus or Sirius will be killed. Sirius finds out that there is a lot more to werewolves than he ever thought.

Carpe Diem by archduck

If there is one thing this author is excellent at, it is romance and humor. This will have you in stitches! I giggled the whole way through this.


So, that’s me all up to date. Next post will have Kinky Kristmas recs and likely more rs_small_gifts recs and maybe a thing or two I pic up here or there featuring Sirius.

Moar Christmas fest recs. I should have said this on the other one but the art may well be NWS so click at your own risk if you are at work. I'll be posting recs often, partly because I can (wheeee) and partly just to be able to keep up. R/S Small Gifts posts twice a day, and Kinky Kristmas three times. That's a lot of reading and viewing. I pick my recs based on just whatever strikes my fancy. I don't have a formula. I won't be bringing you every soddding thing from the fests. Just those that struck me as worthwhile of my taking the tme to put these posts together. Which, heh, is entirely subjective. I have my likes and dislikes the way everyone does.

R/S Small Gifts

Order Meetings Don't Always Have to be Vigilant... by amuly

What I really appreciated about this fic was the nod to Sirius' intelligence. Nothing, and I mean nothing, chafes me more than when Sirius is portrayed as empty headed. Sirius makes sure that a Christmas party for the order is, ahem, festive, but keeps in mind that at any moment danger could strike. He's got his bases covered so that the troops can let off a little steam. This is a fun piece, very-lighthearted for the most part, but the author doesn't forget about the underlying danger that faces them all. Also, I have a soft spot for Moody/Shacklebolt and a tiny nod to that is thrown in as well.


Kinky Kristmas

King of the Beasts Moody/Shacklebolt

I have a genuine soft spot for this pairing. This is, however, by no means a romantic tale. Kingsley, newly recruited to the order, brashly offers to teach some training courses. The tides are turned on him and he is forced to face his own desires and humiliations.

Christmas Eve Viktor/Ron

Hot. Just really, really hot. That's all I got. That and a good bit of incoherence.


Alright, that brings me up to speed on my recs. There are some other good stories at these fests but I'm not likely to rec a lot of Next Gen unless its art I can't tear my eyes away from. Generally speaking I can barely get through reading a Next Gen story. My only exception to this is Teddy, don't ask me why but I love the kiddo. Outside of him though, I am forever asking myself 'who are these fucking brats'. Sorry. If you love Next Gen, all apologies. I can almost guarantee I've not read your story so it really isn't personal. However, if someone would be willing to brave my gruffness and explain to me how to enjoy a Next Gen story, I would be much obliged.

I need a beta for my rs_small_gifts . Please, please someone say they can. It is almost finished and it won't be long. Probably less than 3,000 words.

While I've got a moment with my mother's computer I just wanted to wish all of my American flisters a happy Thanksgiving. And for all of you, American or not, lots of good thoughts from me to you. I'll be over here again tomorrow to work on my rs_small_gifts piece and will put up a longer post then.

The R/S Games have once again come to an end. It's been a wonderful month of fic and art and I am sad to see it end. Shame we can't play year round, but then what would we look forward to?

TEAM AU!!
Art
Sand Castles, Or The Lack Thereof They've come such a long way this past year, Remus thinks, you would hardly recognize them for the shy, cringing boy freed from his relative's neglect and the broken man liberated from prison.

Sirius, Harry, and Remus are happy family at the beach. Do I need to say anything more?

Fic
If I Fell Healer Sirius Black knew he shouldn't fall in love with a patient, especially when the patient was his cousin's boyfriend.
Very cute story with an interesting premise.

A Little Death During the summer holidays Sirius overhears his father and his cousin’s awful fiancé talking about abducting an illegal animagus. He and the Marauders set out to save the boy.

The author noted that this story was influenced by the movie Stand By Me. I definitely got that feeling from this. Its an incredibly enjoyable read with a surprise ending.


Team Canon
Art
Confessions on Hold I'm really all right," Remus repeated, wiping at his eye. "Sometimes I just get overwhelmed, you know that." He let out a shuddering breath and smiled. "What was it you wanted, now?" Sirius paused, hand half on Remus' elbow. Even though he had worked up the courage, telling Remus now would probably just make the poor boy cry more. Shaking his head slowly, Sirius tried to force a small smile.

Gorgeous MWPP Era art.

Fic
All Love Is Sweet How can you tell when things changed? And when do you stop living in the past and start embracing the future?

Lovely, bittersweet piece; the author did a great job creating first war ambience.


And that, as they say, is that. It's been an awfully good games. Kind of melancholy this year. The stories and art themselves, I mean. On the whole, there was not a lot of happiness to be had in the lives of our boys. The quality was excellent though. I've had such a good time. Ah, well. Until next year.

( My Sirius/Hermione recs on crack_broom this month )


What else, what else... well, in just over a month we'll be getting more R/S at rs_small_gifts. EDIT: Eeek! I forgot! Bite size smutty puppy goodness is coming next month from mp_ldws! I don't want to do the space story anymore. I must have been high. Plus, I really want to keep the piece small. Has anyone seen gryffindor_j's prompts?

*wipes a little drool*

I want #2 so bad I can taste it. I don't know if I'll try for it, though. I mean, she's pretty well known, which means I'm more than a little intimidated. It feels more like a remuslives23 or eprime prompt, anyway. Also, I'm already in enough trouble with Hell at the moment.

*looks at Kinky Kristmas fic*

Still... might work up the courage to try.

Alright, off to do the newsletter.

TEAM AU!!
Art
Take this longing from my tongue Sirius is a member of a pureblood organization that captures and tortures werewolves, but werewolves are famously alluring and he can't help being drawn to one.

Stunning piece of art and wow, I never realized I needed fic with Remus tied up and at Sirius' mercy. Go take a peek at this gorgeous art!

Fic
By Your Side When Sirius is faced with a new patient, he learns a lot more about love, life, death, and himself, than he ever imagined.

The thing that has stayed with me about this fic, is not Remus or his situation specifically, or that the way Sirius and Remus found each other in the midst of despair was moving, even though all of that is true. What stayed with me was the subtle highlighting of how society treats the sick and infirmed as though they are almost not real or too disturbing (because mortality disturbs us) to be given credit with feelings or humanity. It is very subtle and if you aren't looking for it you might miss it, but having spent a lot of time around people in hospitals and seen the uncomfortable way people address other people who are gravely or terminally ill, this really resonated with me.

Heddon Street Sirius takes Remus on a mystery excursion in London

Remus is a cold fish to Sirius' exhuberant, romantic puppyishness. He is so adorable and never lets Remus' whining get him down. A quick, cute read.

Team Canon
Art
Palmistry As Remus' finger tips traced the lines in Sirius' palm, his eyes hardly leaving the text, Sirius realized that they hadn't actually spoken in the past hour. He opened his mouth then stopped, deciding they needed no words.

Lovely peaceful piece.

Fic
A Blonde on My Trail Rita Skeeter goes for a killer interview with the last surviving – and not incarcerated – Marauder.

The way I love this fic is probably illegal in at least seven countries. If you are looking for something fresh and interesting to read, give this a try. Rita Skeeter is her darling, annoying, please-let-me-wring-her-neck self in this and has hunted Remus down in Mexico for some insight on his mass-murdering ex-best mate Sirius. Remus' wit is as dry as a parched glass of Sauvignon Blanc, evading Rita's probes by giving her bare, boring facts. What he doesn't realize he is giving away is what she uses to get her big scoop on Sirius Black. A very fun read with a few poignant moments that remind you that their canon lives were nothing to envy.

In other news
In case you are currently living under a rock and this journal is your only source of fandom news (kudos on getting the computer under the rock), rs_small_gifts sign ups opened today. To sign up, go here. This is a low-pressure exchange with the emphasis on small fics, less than 3000 words, please, and art.

Also
rs_remix is live. I am still in awe of what a beautiful job rhye did on the comm. It is gorgeous. Sign ups will open January 7th, 2011. I am thinking of putting together a FAQ as several questions have arisen such as can the minimum requirements be a mix of fic and art and other things, some addressed in the rules and some not.I still think a FAQ might be helpful. Though I will not be working on that today.

Today I am researching all about how pirates navigated and if I am really, really lucky, I will actually get to write some.

I have too many hats and not enough head.