East of the Sun, West of the 5 (http://www.exitseraphim.net/glossings/eastofthesun.html) - astonishing, provocative Fred voice. This one's about vision, too: Cordelia is the princess is the knight is the monster. Fred's going to have to revise all her theories. Not by the same author as Sweet, Sour, and Sweet Again, but I recommend reading them together (in whatever order), because I think something neat happens when you do. My favorite snippet:
She found a gray boy's shirt, plain as anything, and shrugged it on. In the shaving kit next to the suitcase, something was glinting. The shine of it was as bright as the clatter of their swords, and she grabbed at it. It was a woman's ring, a silver band with an opal. She knew it was an opal because her granny had an opal necklace. Opals could dry out, crack, and when they did, they were called 'crazed'. That part made her grin, and she shoved the ring into her jeans pocket.
On her way back, she paused on the steps, hoping to get to watch Cordy wield her sword. But they were finishing up, and Cordy took the stairs slowly, trailing her fingers along Fred's shoulder as she passed.
Tingling, the ring burning in her pocket -- it would look more than pretty on Cordelia's finger, it would be perfect, that pale stone against her warm skin -- Fred coughed and told Angel about kyerumption.
Every thing in this world had two sides. Two main variables. She knew that, and Pylea proved it to her. She told Angel one side, trusting that he was smart, he could complete the rest.
Two heroes meet: she related that part.
As a result, one would die: that was obvious.
She'd give Cordelia the ring as soon as she could. Prove to her that romance was more than heroism. Heroes died -- but love didn't.
The Queen of Outrageous (http://www.geocities.com/impudent_guttersnipe/thequeenofoutrageous.html) - dead-on Cordelia voice, plus funny, sexy, and just a little heartbreak to go with the believably awkward aftermath. If they'd ever gotten naked together, it might have gone like this.
She Made Me Real (http://glimmergirl.livejournal.com/531756.html) - delicate Fred backstory and romance with Cordy over seasons 3-5, laced with sweetness, sorrow, and hope. One of the most appealing aspects of this work is how carefully it treats Fred's reactions to events (Connor, Cordelia's coma and death, Wesley), which unfold essentially the same way as canon. Excellent ending and use of the prompt for the challenge.
Once in a Lullaby (http://geocities.com/briargoeth/once.html) - could almost be a missing scene from canon. Pitch-perfect tender humor in this moment between Cordy and Fred, on the run in Pylea.
Beautiful (http://www.dymphna.net/secretslash/2001/beautiful.html) - the default mode for Cordelia/Fred here seems to be funny/frustrated/tender, but at least this one's got a happy ending. Fred POV; great lines for both Cordelia and Fred. Just left of canon.
White (http://community.livejournal.com/femslash_today/56029.html?thread=851933#t851933) - funny and sharp Cordelia POV on the birth of attraction.
Fredful (http://www.dymphna.net/secretslash/2001/fredful.html) - despite the slightly silly pun, a wry and astute first-person portrait of Cordelia. Cordy's world-weary and a little lonely, but she's seeing something worth exploring in Fred.
Re: More comments to follow on "Failure to Communicate" later!
She found a gray boy's shirt, plain as anything, and shrugged it on. In the shaving kit next to the suitcase, something was glinting. The shine of it was as bright as the clatter of their swords, and she grabbed at it. It was a woman's ring, a silver band with an opal. She knew it was an opal because her granny had an opal necklace. Opals could dry out, crack, and when they did, they were called 'crazed'. That part made her grin, and she shoved the ring into her jeans pocket.
On her way back, she paused on the steps, hoping to get to watch Cordy wield her sword. But they were finishing up, and Cordy took the stairs slowly, trailing her fingers along Fred's shoulder as she passed.
Tingling, the ring burning in her pocket -- it would look more than pretty on Cordelia's finger, it would be perfect, that pale stone against her warm skin -- Fred coughed and told Angel about kyerumption.
Every thing in this world had two sides. Two main variables. She knew that, and Pylea proved it to her. She told Angel one side, trusting that he was smart, he could complete the rest.
Two heroes meet: she related that part.
As a result, one would die: that was obvious.
She'd give Cordelia the ring as soon as she could. Prove to her that romance was more than heroism. Heroes died -- but love didn't.
The Queen of Outrageous (http://www.geocities.com/impudent_guttersnipe/thequeenofoutrageous.html) - dead-on Cordelia voice, plus funny, sexy, and just a little heartbreak to go with the believably awkward aftermath. If they'd ever gotten naked together, it might have gone like this.
She Made Me Real (http://glimmergirl.livejournal.com/531756.html) - delicate Fred backstory and romance with Cordy over seasons 3-5, laced with sweetness, sorrow, and hope. One of the most appealing aspects of this work is how carefully it treats Fred's reactions to events (Connor, Cordelia's coma and death, Wesley), which unfold essentially the same way as canon. Excellent ending and use of the prompt for the challenge.
Once in a Lullaby (http://geocities.com/briargoeth/once.html) - could almost be a missing scene from canon. Pitch-perfect tender humor in this moment between Cordy and Fred, on the run in Pylea.
Beautiful (http://www.dymphna.net/secretslash/2001/beautiful.html) - the default mode for Cordelia/Fred here seems to be funny/frustrated/tender, but at least this one's got a happy ending. Fred POV; great lines for both Cordelia and Fred. Just left of canon.
White (http://community.livejournal.com/femslash_today/56029.html?thread=851933#t851933) - funny and sharp Cordelia POV on the birth of attraction.
Fredful (http://www.dymphna.net/secretslash/2001/fredful.html) - despite the slightly silly pun, a wry and astute first-person portrait of Cordelia. Cordy's world-weary and a little lonely, but she's seeing something worth exploring in Fred.