Taste_of_Suburbia

Author: immolate_the_silence
Fandoms: TURN: Washington's Spies (2014), Reservoir Dogs (1992), In Bruges (2008), Marvel Cinematic Universe, X-Men: Movies, Sleepy Hollow (1999), Hellboy, Blade Trinity
H/C: (list of prompts I used): Unconsciousness, Learning to be Loved

Unconsciousness

The Light of the Moon by narcissablaxk
Fandom: TURN: Washington's Spies (2014)
Warnings: Slash (Ben/Washington), Homophobia, Betrayal, Kidnapping, Minor Injuries, Blood Loss
Rec: Benedict Arnold kidnaps Major Benjamin Tallmadge and injures him, sending a frantic General Washington out into the bitter cold to search for him. Upon finding him bleeding and unconscious, refusing to wake, George's guilt over loving Ben, panic over the prospect of losing him and determination to protect him are what make this piece so tender and touching. Plus, Washington carrying an unconscious Ben back to camp, so in love, just hits all my buttons.

Trenton, Night of the Battle by amoama
Fandom: TURN: Washington's Spies (2014)
Warnings: Slash (Ben/Caleb)
Rec: This fic is a tag to the Season 1 episode 'Epiphany,' in which Ben falls into the icy waters of the Delaware River during winter, is rescued and kept alive by Caleb and is unconscious for an undisclosed amount of time. I love Caleb here, who realizes that rather than head off to battle to fight the British, he must instead fight off the enemy trying to claim Ben's life: hypothermia. There's plenty of determined Caleb here, rambling Caleb, Caleb huddling Ben against him for warmth, Caleb listening frantically for Ben's heartbeat, being beautifully though necessarily intimate with Ben in his desperation to keep him alive, everything that the episode didn't give us.

Nine Days by CorvidFeathers
Fandom: TURN: Washington's Spies (2014)
Warnings: Slash (Ben/Caleb)
Rec: Another tag to 'Epiphany' like the fic above, Nine Days is another take on how Caleb staved off Ben's hypothermia and kept him alive. Caleb is beautifully caring and determined here as his only thought is to keep Ben alive, sparing no care for the battle looming before them. There's plenty of Caleb holding and cuddling Ben, monitoring his pulse, feeding him and rambling, trying to keep his sanity while worrying and worrying the longer he remains unconscious.

You're Gonna Be Okay by nevercomestheday
Fandom: Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Warnings: Slash (White/Orange), AU - Canon Divergence, Bullet Wounds, Blood Loss
Rec: This is a fantastic post-film, fix-it fic where Larry and Freddy are still alive, albeit hurt and slowing, painstakingly healing, Freddy being a cop is out in the open and they confess their love for each other and realize they want to spend the rest of their lives together. This fic is beautifully punctuated with a Freddy spiraling down into lies, trying to protect Larry; an overly emotional Freddy that fits given all he's been through; as well as a Freddy drifting in and out of consciousness, worrying about what the future holds for them. Larry is understanding, reassuring and protective here, often watching Freddy as he sleeps and dreaming of a carefree future. You owe it to yourself to read this heart-wrenching, therapeutically perfect piece.

close by days4daisy
Fandom: In Bruges (2008)
Warnings: Slash (Ken/Ray), Referenced Drug Use, Referenced Child Murder
Rec: Ken wakes to Ray cuddled up against him, still asleep, and enjoys it more than he thought he would. Unfortunately, he's concerned over how charmed with Ray he is and seeks to rouse him, only to realize that Ray is upset. Ken does his best to comfort him, though not nearly as much as he'd like. This is a lovely little piece that was recently written and I keep going back to it, loving Ken's tender point of view of Ray and adoring the idea of Ken and Ray sharing the same bed.


Learning to be Loved

Runaway by grumblebee
Fandom: TURN: Washington's Spies (2014)
Warnings: Slash (Ben/Washington), AU, Suspected Murder, Self-Hatred, Depression, Attempted Suicide, Mental Abuse, Nervous Breakdown, Sexual Content, Homophobia, Trichotillomania (Compulsive Hair Pulling), Illness, Drunkenness, Betrayal, Abandonment, Fighting, Guilt, Rumors, Locked In, Broken & Distrustful Main Characters
Rec: This is hands down one of the best stories that I have ever read, in any fandom. It's incredibly fleshed out and oftentimes brutally honest and absolutely heart-wrenching and just plain poignant and beautiful. This is the pinnacle of my obsession with Benwash. Runaway is an AU where Ben, a drifting and broken college dropout, is found by a concerned and persistent George on the Appalachian Trail. George takes Ben into his home and their romance blooms from there, but it is made brutally complicated by George's suspicious past, Ben's fears to let anyone in and a shocking invasion of someone from George's past, hell-bent on exposing Ben's own. Runaway is a perfect slow burn of the prompt 'learning to be loved.'

I Thought He Loved Me by tully
Fandom: TURN: Washington's Spies (2014)
Warnings: Slash (Ben/Washington, Ben/Benedict Arnold), Betrayal, Self-Hatred
Rec: Ben tries to come to terms with his love for Benedict Arnold and George tries to help him work through the latter's betrayal. George's need to be there for and comfort Ben through his pain is so touching as he reassures Ben that he's not rushing him in any way, that Ben has a "sensitive heart" and that he shouldn't be faulted for it, and essentially that Ben deserves the world. There's some George and Ben snuggling for good measure and enough love confessions to make the hardest heart melt.

Cherry Stems by Nimravidae
Fandom: TURN: Washington's Spies (2014)
Warnings: Slash (Ben/Washington), AU, Homophobia, Sexual Content
Rec: Cherry Stems is a lovely Benwash AU where Ben and Washington are falling in love but Ben is often fumbling and shy and insecure and George is charmed by him and charming himself and mostly "infinitely patient." Ben is clearly in love with George here, but he's also not necessarily emotionally or physically ready to commit to a relationship. What's so charming about this piece (and especially these characters) is how sweet and patient Washington is and how he spoils Ben at every opportunity. 

and you needed someone to show you the way by SailorChibi
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Warnings: Threesome (Steve/Bucky/Tony), Soulmate AU, Kidnapping, Torture, Self-Hatred, Insecurity, Major Injuries, Violence, Guilt
Rec: This is a fantastic Stuckony Soulmate AU that fits the 'learning to be loved' prompt perfectly. When Tony is kidnapped and tortured, he's brutally honest in to his captor in the most self-deprecating way how he thinks the Avengers really feel about him. Unbeknownst to Tony, the Avengers hear and witness his mental and physical anguish, courtesy of a recorded video feed. After Tony's rescue, they then have to convince him how valued he is to the team, and not just as Iron Man. Steve and Bucky face the biggest hurdle given they're Tony's soulmates and waited too long to be open with Tony. This piece is fantastic because it  focuses on how the whole team feels about Tony, plus it makes you feel all warm and gooey inside by the time you get to the ending.

A Leap of Faith by DobbyRocksSocks
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Warnings: Threesome (Steve/Bucky/Tony), Soulmate AU, Insecurity, Minor Self-Hatred, Minor Depression, Minor Injuries
Rec: So apparently, I have a thing for Steve and Bucky calling Tony Stark 'sweetheart,' and if you have a need for it too, look nowhere further than this lovely little Soulmate AU fic. Tony's long since given up on ever getting that tingling sensation that will alert him to his soulmate, it's enough that he's finally grown accustomed to the other Avengers hanging around and bunking downstairs, but Tony's in to get a rude (and ridiculously gratifying) awakening. There's plenty of caring Steve and Bucky here, Steve carrying Tony to bed and the super-soldiers getting Tony to realize they want all his baggage, and of course a Tony who gives and gives and takes nothing for himself and finally, plenty of Stuckony love. 

Here Is Gone - Rogue (X-Men) by TheElysianFields
Fandom: X-Men: Movies
Warnings: Violence, Fire, Major Injuries, Bullet Wounds
Rec: Rogue is one of those characters who so desperately deserves to be loved, given everything she's been through and also given her devastating mutant power. This vid focuses on her struggles throughout the first 3 films and also her complicated relationships with Logan and Bobby. Set to The Goo Goo Dolls' 'Here Is Gone,' this is a fitting tribute to Rogue's quest to find her place in the world, to come to terms with herself and also to discover that she deserves to love and be loved.

9 crimes. ichabod/katrina. by Lilyanne152
Fandom: Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Warnings: Het (Ichabod/Katrina), Major Injuries, Blood and Gore, Illness, Witchcraft, Torture, Violence, Canonical Character Death
Rec: One of my favorite films ever and one that centers so beautifully around the 'learning to be loved' prompt, none other than Tim Burton's masterpiece Sleepy Hollow, this vid is a fitting tribute that centers on Icabod's past trauma bleeding into his present circumstances, and Katrina's continual efforts to look after him, protect him and love him, no matter the cost to herself. Set to Damien Rice's feat Lisa Hannigan's heartbreaking '9 Crimes,' a perfect accompaniment to Ichabod and Katrina's blossoming romance, albeit one fraught with pain and peril, this breathtaking vid always tugs at my heartstrings.

Hellboy Red & Liz by Crimson_Typhoon
Fandom: Hellboy
Warnings: Het (Hellboy/Liz), Fire, Major Injuries, Violence
Rec: This vid is an incredibly touching look at Hellboy and Liz's trials and tribulations, their losses and guilt, their frustrations and needs, as well as their on again/off again relationship. Set to Lifehouse's 'Cling and Clatter,' which is beautifully fitting to their romance, the vid focuses on these two outcasts who ultimately find solace and purpose in each other. This is one of those vids that I watch over and over because it highlights what I love so much about these films: finding yourself and meaning in a chaotic world and finding and accepting love as well.

Liz Sherman - Can You Feel My Heart (vent) by FaithPixel
Fandom: Hellboy
Warnings: Het (Hellboy/Liz), Fire, Bullying, Violence
Rec: This is a fantastic character study of Liz Sherman, as she spirals between depression, guilt, grief, determination, anger and love. It focuses on her coming to terms with her fire, her friendship with Meyers and relationship with Hellboy, and her struggles to love herself, embrace her love of Hellboy and most importantly, accept that she deserves to be loved. Set to Bring Me the Horizon's 'Can You Feel My Heart,' you can most certainly feel Liz's heat and pain and especially her heart in this vid.

Comfort Where We Overlap by fadedink
Fandom: Blade Trinity
Warnings: Het (Hannibal/Abigail), Illness, Referenced Abuse, Violence, Slaying, Blood and Gore, Minor Injuries
Rec: This fic is comprised of both pre-film and post-film 5+1 drabbles of Abigail and Hannibal taking care of each other, being beautifully true to both their characters. These two are all the other really has, especially given the end of the film, and it's touching and sweet how they look after and comfort each other. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of banter and snark between the two as well, but these drabbles really show just how well these two fit. And I'd also like to mention that Abigail totally has a thing for Hannibal's hair and it's adorable. Also, Hannibal in bunny slippers.

AFTanith,

I just wanted to give you a few band recommendations since I'm obsessed with some of the bands you mentioned and because I'm a huge music person in general.

Chevelle is one of my favorite bands, so I would recommend Taproot first of all (and everything they've put out). All of their albums vary, with the first being the heaviest, so from experience you might want to start with something lighter like Welcome, Blue Sky Research or Our Long Road Home. The Episodes isn't for everyone but is my favorite.

Cold is my next go to and I would start with 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage or the lighter A Different Kind of Pain. Next I will recommend A Perfect Circle (and if you like this band then maybe Ashes Divide), 10 Years (especially The Autumn Effect album), Filter (The Amalgamut album is their best but also the most metal), Trapt (self-titled is my favorite and a good starting point), Staind (I would start with Break the Cycle or even The Illusion of Progress for something lighter), Deftones (Koi No Yokan and Diamond Eyes are really good and I think good starting places), and maybe Sevendust (Black Out the Sun album).

While hopefully you haven't heard of all of those, if you have then you may not have heard of Revis, who only put one CD out (Places for Breathing) but are AMAZING. Armchair Cynics are just as indie as they are, but their small album Killing the Romance is awesome. Crossfade is another one that comes to mind if you like Chevelle, especially their self-titled album.

I'm also into European bands like you are, and if you like Within Temptation and Epica then hopefully you should like some of these: The Gathering (if_then_else, Home, Souvenirs), Tristania (Ashes) and Sirenia (An Elixir for Existence or The 13th Floor). Unsun's two albums The End of Life and Clinic for Dolls are also fantastic. Lacuna Coil (gothic metal for most of their albums, Comalies is my favorite) and Theatre of Tragedy (Storm and Musique) are my personal favorites. And before I forget, if you like Anneke from The Gathering then you should check out her vocal work in The Devin Townsend Project.
 
Some other band recommendations:

HIM kinda reminds me of My Chemical Romance. The Razorblade Romance album is a great starting point, though they're essentially gothic romance music so they're not for everyone.

Matthew Good Band comes to mind as you brought up Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco, but I wouldn't really compare them. This is a great Canadian band that is one of my favorite bands ever because of their upbeat, feel good music. I would probably start with Beautiful Midnight or Underdogs. Matthew Good also puts out some great solo albums, especially Avalanche, which is pretty indistinguishable from the stuff with his band.

Paradise Lost is one of my favorite bands and has worked in a wide variety of genres: gothic metal, doom metal, death metal and even alternative metal/rock. Their alternative metal/rock ones are highly addictive: Believe in Nothing and Symbol of Life for a little more metal. For gothic metal, then their self-titled album is a great starting point.

I really hope you haven't heard of some of these and that one calls out to you.

The Happiest of Holidays!