Long In-Character--General Request

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for long stories where Justin, Brian, et al are as close to canon character-wise as possible.

I know we all have our own standards about what qualifies as IC and what crosses into OOC--but I think most of us can tell the difference between actual canon and fanon we happen to ascribe to. For example, stories where Michael is pure evil and involved in a plot to kill Justin are fun, but definitely not canon. And, Brian and Justin being all sappy, more than once in a blue moon, kind of stretches the bounds of canon--even if it does make a really cute story. Basically, we're talking the difference between things you could picture happening in the show if it'd been renewed or they'd gone a different direction in an early season and things you might wish for but would never ever have happened in a million years.

Two examples I can think of are Xie & Suzvoy's fics. Are there any other authors or particular stories you'd recommend in the same vein?

Found! Lots of links in comments. Thank you to everyone who made suggestions.

Comments

[secretsolitaire.livejournal.com]

The Long Way (http://www.queereyes.net/tlw_01.html) by ragingpixie and bigboobedcanuck (post-513)
From a Safe Distance (http://www.queereyes.net/fasd_01.html) by bigboobedcanuck (written post-S4)
Divergence (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=ragingpixie&keyword=my+qaf&filter=all) by ragingpixie (scroll down to see all seven parts, written post-s4, mind the angst!)
Into My Arms (http://rhihero-fic.livejournal.com/55456.html) by rhiannonhero (post-S4 AU, character death under than Brian or Justin)
Omelet (http://www.rhiannonhero.net/rhi/QueerAsFolk/omelet.html) by rhiannonhero (not sure when it's set, but definitely before the series ended; angst)
Forever Changes Everything (http://www.rhiannonhero.net/rhi/QueerAsFolk/foreverchangeseverthing.htm) by rhiannonhero (written post-S4)
Everything by visitingagain, which can be found here (http://www.geocities.com/qafjv/justvisiting.html) (A Matter of Time is my favorite)
Treading (http://jaded-optimism.livejournal.com/15062.html) by jaded_optimism (post-513, link goes to part 19/19)
Gold and Silver Shines (http://severina2001.livejournal.com/130184.html) by severina2001 (post-513)
Subject to Change (http://soundczech.livejournal.com/59991.html) by soundczech (AU in which Brian goes to New York after 121 and they meet up later)

Hope that gets you started. :-)

[secretsolitaire.livejournal.com]

Oh, forgot to say -- The Long Way has a non-B/J death too.

[pixiebullets.livejournal.com]

I second everything here! ♥

[alasse.livejournal.com]

I third it!

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the list! I've read most of these before, but there are a couple I've not seen--and it's good to get a reminder on the others. For the ones I've read, they're all well worth a reread.

[autumn-screams.livejournal.com]

You might have already read their fics but, I like Myrna's If You Needed Me (http://www.queereyes.net/iynm_01.html), Lady_Jane's fics (http://not-nearly.livejournal.com/94095.html) and Bigboobedcanuck's fics (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=bigboobedcanuck&keyword=QAF+Fic&filter=all).

[alasse.livejournal.com]

OMG, I second If You Needed Me in every way possible. THE BEST H/C FIC IN THE WORLD. The first time I read it I couldn't stop, stayed up 'til 5am.

[rinmonsterer.livejournal.com]

The first time I read it I couldn't stop, stayed up 'til 5am.
omfg, so did I D: only, it was like 8 am when I finished third chapter.
I third that rec!

[highd.livejournal.com]

My teddies fight like that all the time. I have to keep them apart. Last time there was a fight one lost an eye!!!

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

Most people think that because they're cute and fluffy they must be harmless, but they're really all rotten to the core.

[highd.livejournal.com]

Mine have a troubled past. I own 5 of these guys http://www.teddyscares.com/

[elvenfixation.livejournal.com]

...not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for but how about Kattali's "Leopard and lace?"

http://qaf-fic.com/atp/viewstory.php?sid=714&warning=NC-17


and its sequel, "Nautical Misunderstandings:"

http://qaf-fic.com/atp/viewstory.php?sid=726

It's within canon I think, and I don't remember it being uncharacteristically sappy.

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

"Leopard and Lace" is pretty good and I'd never heard of it before. Thanks.

[alasse.livejournal.com]

plumsuede ALL THE WAY. God, one of the best writers ever (and I mean that not just talking about fanfiction, but fiction in general, published even). She has one amaaaazing story called 'Everything At Once': http://community.livejournal.com/bjfic/24954.html, post season 4 (awesome, but it's AU in the sense that it follows everything up to s4 and nothing of s5). If you want OUTSTANDING characterization, writing, plot, everything, read it, and read her.
She also has what I consider to be the best post 513 story in the world, Framed/Beyond the Yellow Brick Road: http://community.livejournal.com/bjfic/132191.html. Framed is complete, but the sequel, BYBR, is still a WIP (it's novel length, though, the 42 current chapters should keep you reading for a while).
I can't rec her enough - she's absolutely amazing. AMAZING.

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

I read Framed awhile back, but somehow managed to miss the sequel.

[bbmaniac.livejournal.com]

For example, stories where Michael is pure evil and involved in a plot to kill Justin are fun, but definitely not canon. Surely your idea of "fun" it's not mine...

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

Only in cases where it's done tongue-in-cheek. Stories where they're serious about Michael being evil just aren't right.

[bbmaniac.livejournal.com]

Thanks... and sorry to be so "defensive"

[mirror-mirror.livejournal.com]

Warning: I read these a long time ago and haven't read them since, but from what I can remember, they were pretty good:

Word of the Day by Minwitch (http://queerasfolk.wired-hub.net/wotd1.html)

Queer Survivor by Josselin (http://www.bjfic.net/main/viewstory.php?sid=1389&textsize=1&chapter=1) Brian is a survivor contestant... Believe me, Josselin makes it work.

Maps and Legends by Rachel Anton and Laura Blaurosen (http://www.bjfic.net/main/viewstory.php?sid=1091&warning=NC-17) This one's pretty much a QaF classic.

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

I'd never read Queer Survivor. I thought with a description like that it couldn't be good. But you're right, it really does work. Thanks for the rec.

[mirror-mirror.livejournal.com]

No problem. Glad you enjoyed it.

[rinmonsterer.livejournal.com]

- everything by Julad (okay, that rec is obvious, but just in case):
Stories index (http://yearningvoid.net/stories/julad/cat_qaf_us.html) - my favourites being 'Love Of His Life' and 'The Importance of Being Brian Kinney'

- everything by flashfly... although they're more like medium-length, but longer than short, and always fun and hot : Stories Index (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=flashfly&keyword=My+QAF+fic&filter=all) - my favourite is 'Live Action Short' (post-513)

- everything (I think) by ellyrianna: Stories Index (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=ellyrianna&keyword=my+qaf&filter=all), although if you're particularly looking for longer stories, then try 'All The Things You Didn't Know'(post-513) (http://ellyrianna.livejournal.com/?skip=10&tag=all+the+things+you+didn%27t+know). BTW, she has some awesome hustler!Justin (http://ellyrianna.livejournal.com/tag/thee+or+thy+ship) and doctor!Brian (http://ellyrianna.livejournal.com/tag/cabbage) AUs, which are deliciously in character and funny, in case you were interested.

- I also think msjudi always delivers, even though I've actually read less than half of her fics: Series (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=msjudi&keyword=msjudi%27s+B/J+series&filter=all) and Full-length (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=msjudi&keyword=msjudi%27s+B/J+full+length&filter=all)

And many more, but you asked for looong fics, so I think I'll just shut it for now :x

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

I agree on Julad, flashfly, & ellyriana. Msjudi will be someone for me to read tonight. Thanks.

[leelee2005.livejournal.com]

Everything by these authors:

Ethan http://www.xhaleslowly.com/qaf/

Erin http://www.queereyes.net/erin/mercuryrising.html

triciaqaf

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[csmars.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if you're looking for complete AUs (different settings and everything) or canon-AUs where the story drifts from a QAF canon storyline (for example, all up to season 2 happened then the story is different from then on).

Complete AUs (but where the characters are miraculously portrayed like QAF characters):

Like everything written by Jans! Her AUs are amazingly descriptive and most of her characterizations are very IC. My favorites are "Apple," "Noir," "Good Hands," and "Bali." She also has Canon-AUs like "Unbearable" (sorta S3-AU) and "Painting Lessons" (post S5-AU) http://jans-intentions.livejournal.com/140003.html

Devil's Playground by Gina and Teagan (Amish!Justin but somehow still IC!)
http://www.bjfic.net/main/viewstory.php?sid=4298&warning=NC-17

Commuter Flight Stories by Netlagd (sequel is "Turbulence" still wip)
http://bjfic.net/main/viewstory.php?sid=9792


Canon-AUs:

Things I Cannot Change by Suzvoy (S1-AU), one of my favs of ALL time! H/C and so beautifully done!!
http://queerasfolk.wired-hub.net/tticc_01.html

Through a Mirror, Darkly by Maria (S2-AU) i think everyone who's read this loved it, a little bit OOC but mostly great!
http://slave-o-spike.livejournal.com/32176.html

Going or Staying by Kimberley (post S4-AU), sequels are "Rage over Hollywood" and "Friends and Lovers"
http://www.mags-nificent.com/MSW/KimF/Going.htm

After the Smoke Clears by Allie (510 AU) also one of my favs! angsty and romantic, i highly recommend it!
http://bjfic.net/main/viewstory.php?sid=10557

[dhrachth.livejournal.com]

I usually don't go for AUs because they're usually not IC, but these are good. I particularly loved Netlagd's fic. Thanks for the recs!