recent dark!fic recs, all hell-themed (gen and Dean/Sam)

[hoodietime.livejournal.com]

I recced a schmoopy fic in my last rec post, so I thought I’d balance it out with some dark!fic recs. ;) Here are some great ones I’ve read within the past couple weeks.

If you have any other similarly themed recs, (or self-recs), please leave them in the comments to this post so that others can check them out.

Title: Two Steps to the Left
Author: cards_slash
Tags: hell/post-hell issues, hospitalization, supernatural illness, unconsciousness
Characters: Dean, Sam, Castiel
Genre/pairing: Dean/Sam
Rating: R
Spoilers: Season 4
Warnings: violence/language/sexuality/gore
Summary: Dean came back from hell (oh boy did he ever) a little different than he went.
Reccer’s comments: This starts out SUPER dark, but actually ends up being the most hopeful, happy fic out of this group of recs. So well-drawn and twisty and satisfying.

Title: The firestarter
Author: jaimeykay
Tags: hell/post hell issues, psychological trauma, torture
Characters: Dean and Alastair, with various other Heaven and Hell participants.
Genre/pairing: Gen
Rating: R
Word-count: 12,500
Spoilers: Season 4. Set during On the Head of a Pin.
Warnings: Graphic torture. Gore. The usual.
Summary: Set during On the Head of a Pin. While he waits for Dean, Alastair reminisces on what brought them together. Make no mistake, Alastair had a plan for Dean all along.
Reccer’s comments: This is Dean in hell. And not surprisingly, it’s very dark. Usually even in the dark!fics I read, there’s got to be some amount of comfort as well, but I always make an exception for Alastair (aka my fave SPN villain!) Also, jaimeykay’s writing is wonderful. I love the imagery she uses in this one.

Title: Different Names For the Same Thing
Author: nikiness
Tags: catatonia, Dean's deal, hell/post-hell issues, nightmares, psychological damage, PTSD
Characters: Dean, Sam, Bobby
Genre/pairing: Gen
Rating: R
Word-count: 2400
Spoilers: Through 4x01 (Lazarus Rising) & after that it goes pretty AU.
Warnings: dark!Dean
Summary: No one comes back from hell whole, untouched. Dean Winchester is no exception.
Reccer’s comments: This is subtle, yet completely devastating. It's a bit like a h/c fic and a horror fic all rolled up into one awesome ball.

BONUSES: vie_dangerouse wrote and posted the first entry to our Writing Between the Lines challenge yesterday – on a dark desert highway (Dean/Alastair, Dean/Meg, + all the warnings that go along with such things) - which I haven’t actually had a chance to read yet, but I always enjoy her writing and it looks darker than dark, so, shout out!

ALSO, sharp_teeth (the A+ Multifandom Horror Comment Meme) just opened up for round three, woooo.

Comments

[vie-dangerouse.livejournal.com]

You pretty much just made my life. Thank you thank you SO MUCH. Infinite ♥

[maypoles.livejournal.com]

I'm really behind in my reading because of challenge-y stuff, but you know I'm going to be all over that as soon as I get a chance! Dean/Alastair and youuuuuuu. <3

[spiceblueeyes.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed Two Steps to the Left, so thanks for reccing it. I probably wouldn't have found it on my own.

[maypoles.livejournal.com]

You're totally welcome. ;) I almost sidestepped it myself as the beginning was so dark, but I loved the writing so I kept reading, and I'm really glad I did. It's such a neat fic.

[etrix.livejournal.com]

This, definitely. I loved her Dean.

[caluk.livejournal.com]

I can HUGELY rec 'on a dark desert highway'.
Why are you still here?
GO READ IT!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
*shoos*

[caluk.livejournal.com]

Oh, and thank you so much for this rec list! Need dark fics like I need air, and I don't think I've read any of these yet!
*rub hands with unholy glee*

[maypoles.livejournal.com]

Heeeeee. Challenge-y stuff has me a bit behind on my reading, but I'm very much looking forward to it. Even moreso now! ;D

[vie-dangerouse.livejournal.com]

Aww, you make me SMILE LIKE THIS. ♥!

[etrix.livejournal.com]

I'd also recommend Fortress (http://glasslogic.livejournal.com/10886.html) by glasslogic.

From the author:

Warnings/Spoilers: dub-con, blood-play, ...bad language? But hey - it has a quest, and a road-trip!

Summary: Seven years ago Dean Winchester paid his due to the Crossroads Demon and fell into Hell. Grief almost killed Sam, a demon blood addiction came closer, but he rid himself of demonic attachments and spent years building himself a prison where no demon can set foot, determined to take himself out of the apocalyptic game that had crushed his family. But each year on Earth is an eternity in Hell, and now Dean is back. Angry, powerful, and demonic; he has a plan to wreck vengeance on those who destroyed his life. A plan that will shake the foundations of the Pit and send shock-waves into Heaven. Dragging a reluctant Sam in his wake, will Dean manage to pull it off before the combined legions of Hell get their act together enough to stop him?

[maypoles.livejournal.com]

That looks awesomeee. Thank-you!