There's some pretty awesome stuff out there. These stories are what's made me happy today.
1.
Elizabeth's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Dates - (Baby-Sitters' Club)This is first because it's MY Yuletide gift. I wanted someone's take on the adults of the Baby-Sitters' Club series, especially Elizabeth Thomas. The story is funny and touching together, a series of vignettes about bad dates that seemed promising. There's one part that should definitely get some heart-squeeze if you're a fan of the series. I was very excited to wake up and find it - and to find that it was the one of my three prompts that I MOST wanted to see. My Yuletide author is awesome!
When he smiled down at her and tucked her arm into his like he was starring in a Gregory Peck movie and she was Audrey Hepburn, he was truly handsome. 2.
Shadows of the Past - (Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon - DDC) This story isn't just impressive because someone managed to write a 26K+ Yuletide story (although that is a pretty impressive feat) but because it's so perfect in tone. It plays off everything in the series, weaving canon, imagination, and extrapolation into an intricate fabric that's just... WOW. They ride on Tiamat! A whole bunch of characters are in it, and everyone's in character! The writer puts depth and romance into everything, including the decision for them to go home. This is one of those stories that you read and then wish you could have written.
Presto’s hands tangled themselves in her hair, and he pulled her upwards towards his mouth to kiss her again, holding her like the most precious thing in the world. She bent to whisper something in his ear, and Eric was pretty sure it wasn’t “You’re standing on my dress” this time.3.
A Game Of You - (Westing Game) Turtle Wexler and Theo Theodorakis and their relationship in letters and books. This one is funny and feel good. Go read it.
She had briefly considered talking to her mother, but the mere thought of asking Grace Windsor Wexler for advice on dating and love caused Turtle to start twitching. 4.
Your Voice Like A Trembling Sound - (Anne of Green Gables) Yuletide is pretty much the only time I read Anne of Green Gables fanfic, but it's always well-done. This one is Ken and Rilla Ford, dealing with the aftermath of WWI and being married. It makes you want to cry a little, but it has an end of optimism and romance that lets you know everything will work out.
Rilla closed her eyes so that she wouldn't have to watch him fear her. It was insupportable, it was impossible to listen to him one more moment, and she summoned up inside herself the way her father's voice had sounded when he was trying to be very stern. She thought of Ken in his uniform, his name--her name now--pinned to the khaki.5.
Doll Story (or, How Felicity Merriman Found Love) - I won't spoil the hook on this one, but suffice to say, it's hilarious and well-done. There's no quote because it would give away how they did it.
6.
Violet - (Addams Family) Wednesday makes a new friend, whether she wants to or not. It's got a pre-femslashy vibe but could be read as not-slashy as well. Gomez and Morticia are also spot-on.
How could her mother ever understand, being so adored by everyone that she's never known the brutal itch of paranoia, the deep suspicion that her acquaintances might harbor an ulterior motive for their supposed friendship?7.
The Intrepid Vincent - (The Unknown Ajax) The Darracotts are back! There's a delightfully tongue in cheek author's note, and everyone is spot-on in character. The Heyeresque feeling is wonderful.
After a moment of silence Vincent remarked. “Hugo you've never been one to sugar coat. Am I a selfish, worthless, care for no one?”
“Well, I would'na myself call you useless.”
8.
Things That Stay The Same - (Nancy Drew) This is a George-centric fic, and deals with sexual orientation in River Heights. It's well-done, and plays up on tensions without going overboard. The ending is a little sad, and it feels like there could definitely be more story, but worth the read.
She hugged them again, Nancy and Bess, the friends from childhood that would always have a place in her heart, even if childhood was long gone, and time had slipped away.9.
The Maze of Solitude - (DDC) Basically, this is a story where Eric gets to be right. It gets kind of meta, and is very entertaining, especially for those of us who have a soft spot in our hearts for the Cavalier. It's really good.
"Nope, but they are still going around in circles." Presto plopped down on the bench. "I don't think the maze will let a group through."
I'm off to read more! These 9 were the ones that the AO3 would let me bookmark without the dreaded 502.
DV