Yuletide recs

[luzula]

Okay, let's see if I can manage to write some recs before reveals. I am far from done with the reading, but are a few stories I've enjoyed so far:

a root, a branch, a new-grown leaf (3199 words) by Anonymous
Fandom: Sunshine - Robin McKinley
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Mel/Rae "Sunshine" Seddon
Characters: Rae "Sunshine" Seddon, Constantine (Sunshine), Mel (Sunshine)
Summary: Mel's tattoo is changing. Sunshine wants to understand why.

Oooh, perfect continuation of canon. The voice is perfect, and I am so happy to see Sunshine beginning to work out her relationships with Mel and Constantine. Would totally read more, but I realize that the continuation of this would probably be a whole book.

Six Bells in the Morning Watch (2626 words) by Anonymous
Fandom: Master and Commander - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jack Aubrey & Stephen Maturin
Summary: Jack and Stephen find comfort in the maintop.

This is so well-observed and full of detail, also heart-warming without being sappy.

Be as blest as thou can bear (1134 words) by Anonymous
Fandom: Mansfield Park - Jane Austen
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Edmund Bertram/Fanny Price
Summary: Five times Fanny Price said no.

Short Fanny-centric ficlet with surprise magic, which is worked into the world in a natural way.

Steps leading into the sea (1638 words) by Anonymous
Fandom: Persuasion - Jane Austen
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Anne Elliot/Frederick Wentworth
Summary: Three things Anne Wentworth, née Elliot, gained by her marriage.

This makes me feel so good about Anne's marriage and how her life changed because of it.

Fair White Wings of Imagination as Bases of Profound Physical Inquiries (4933 words) by Anonymous
Fandom: Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage, Isambard Brunel, Minion
Summary: The Extinction Equation predicts our Dire Doom! Which is to say, the Empire doesn't make mathematical sense, according to the Engine. But surely the amazing powers of three geniuses can save us all!Wherein There is a Tragical Conclusion Marvelously Averted by the Powers of Science, With Interesting & Curious Anecdotes of Eccentric and Distinguished Characters Fully Illustrating a Variety of Instructive and Amusing Scenes as Performed Within and Without the Remarkable DIFFERENCE ENGINE.

Very good pastische of canon! Complete with footnotes.

Interstice (640 words) by Anonymous
Fandom: The Bedlam Stacks - Natasha Pulley
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Merrick Tremayne/Raphael
Summary: It was still dark when I woke, coming out of sleep abruptly, as though there had been a noise.

Fills out a scene in canon very nicely. I mean, I like understated, but getting an actual kiss is very nice, too.

A Present for Jeeves (1937 words) by Anonymous
Fandom: Jeeves - P. G. Wodehouse
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Reginald Jeeves/Bertram "Bertie" Wooster
Additional Tags: Misunderstandings, Sex Toys
Summary: Jeeves stiffened. He trembled. He quivered like a ukulele string that had just been plucked by Lolly Lucas, the Ukulele Queen of the music hall.

I actually only know this fandom through fics--I've never read canon. This one is hilarious and has great turns of phrase.