TKO by vamphile
J2 AU, NC-17
Jensen is an ex-con with a clean slate. Jared owns an MMA gym. They like each other, a lot. It's a well established fact that I am a huge fan of vamphile's fic and this is right up there at the top of the list of my favs. I believe I made that clear right after just the first couple of chapters and I wasn't wrong - it was great from start to finish. Solid, crisp writing and interesting AU setting and a Jensen that is completely captivating.
~ long


A Very Padackles Thanksgiving by timehasa_way
J2, PG-13
It's a Padackles Thanksgiving! Because boys + football + turkey + cuddling = happiness. Yes, I am a GREAT BIG SAP and adore the massive amounts of sugar and cuteness- deal with it.
~short-ish

So here is the deal, there was a recent post on spnstoryfinders asking for hurt Dean or something like that. Anyway, the topic interests me and there were a ton of links. I'm going through them. Some are really good. I'm still working through so there may be more to come.


We Belong Together by not_refined
SPN AU, PG-13
Wincest AU. Sam and Dean, growing up and growing closer together in the ordinary world. I'm not sure how I missed posting about this when I read it almost a year ago. But when I stumbled across it again I found it tore me up just as much the second time around. Hauntingly beautiful. Dean being fragile like this makes my heart clinch. I love how wonderful John is to both the boys in this. Anyway, I'm sure most people have read it as not_refined is well known for some really amazing stories. Like the Still Life 'verse. The damage done to Dean only makes him more beautiful. The innocence and struggle of life that make up the fabric of Dean and Sam's life in that story is breathtaking. These two stories just really touch something deep in me.


Nothing Dark by evening_spirit
J2 AU, NC-17
Jared thinks his life sucks (even if he denies feeling bad about). He starts college, which he didn't want and he swears he will not make friends there. But then he meets another student, a boy with emerald eyes, who draws and draws, and draws . . . Jensen is an amazing artist, he's mysteriously shy, and Jared finds himself fascinated to the point of obsession. Can anyone explain to me why stories like this are so immensely intriguing to me? I mean, yes, the writing is good and I like the characters and all that, but why is young, confused Jared and a 'damaged' Jensen so mesmerizing? (And I mean that in terms of 'damaged!Jensen', not as in someone with his disability being damaged, k?) Is it the childlike innocence that somehow can merge and weave seamlessly with mature, adult actions? I honestly don't know why, but stories like this always snag my attention. When they are written well then its a win-win for me - this was, btw, a win-win.


Of Black Dogs and ASL by smokeyhorse
SPN AU, PG, Gen
A miscommunication results in a hurt 10-year-old Dean and a heart-to-heart between Sam and John. AU - deaf!Dean. Schmoop! This is a short little thing, but it is absolutely touching and darling. Little Sam was adorably cute, Dean is more of a concept - and him being deaf is just plain interesting to me, and John is very John, but maybe he'll get a clue in this world. Anyway, I really really wish this were a larger 'verse. The author did the characters great and I love the emotion of the story.


Sleepless Night by prepare4trouble
SPN, PG, Gen
After being injured on a hunt, Dean tries to carry on as normal. Man, I think I might have actually sniffled on the last line. Poor Dean. My only complaint is that it is too short. I just got into it!

Walk By Faith, Not By Sigh (or Sound) by trinipedia
J2 AU, NC-17
This is so not your usual, safe love story: there's so much more to both of them than meets the eye (or the ear). Jared, a brilliant photography major practicing on a tv channel, lives to capture expressions with his camera. Jensen, a stunning bartender with a promising musical career blooming on the side, lives to carve emotions in people's hearts with his voice. Two worlds apart, brought together by an incredibly ironic fate; after they've met nothing will ever be the same again, even though, maybe, they're more similar than they'd ever thought. This is a vastly interesting premise. The story is pretty good, I'll be honest and say it's not perfect, but still a good read. I certainly enjoyed it! And very very interesting - I love the originality of the hurt/comfort premise going on here. It's a romance about finding that one person in all the world meant for you, so it strokes my schmoop lovin heart nicely too. I would *love* to see sequel. The details of how works on a daily basis for these two would be, I think, a compelling read.