nostalgia recs #10: 3 by goseaward (TDiR, Feximal, ToE) and 1 for (Green Men)

[bronze_ribbons]

From Yuletide 2019:
Come a Wandering (1347 words) by goseaward
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Bran Davies & Jane Drew
Additional Tags: Christmas
Summary:

Jane and Bran, unexpectedly, years on.

Ribbons's note: A college Christmas party. Bran's friend Alun has like one line in this and somehow I want more of him.


From Yuletide 2020:
A Country Haunting (9831 words) by goseaward
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Simon Feximal Series - K. J. Charles
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Robert Caldwell/Simon Feximal
Characters: Robert Caldwell, Simon Feximal
Additional Tags: Case Fic, Christmas
Summary:

Robert and Simon take a holiday in the north of England.

Ribbons's note: Something I enjoy about the Feximal stories (and the related "Remnant," which was discussed briefly on the new KJC Discord server today) is Robert's and Simon's distinctly different approaches to many . . . situations. I giggle every time I read this bit:

"I do not like the feeling of being watched," Simon said.

"Yes, I admit, that is off-putting. Especially given some of the things I would like to do to you," I said, to watch Simon's expression when I did so. "Please, Mr. Ghost, we would like some privacy here on our holidays. We don't mind if you stay, but if you could just...not pay attention to us whilst we are here? We will hold a Christmas feast on the day, which you are perfectly welcome to join," I extemporised, ignoring Simon's frown, "but otherwise, if you can, please turn your attention elsewhere. You don't need to respond to me," I said hastily, worried I'd see another conversation on Simon's skin, and not wanting to go down that path in any fashion. "I will take it you have understood."

"You have no way of checking," Simon said.

"Simon, my dear, you've banished a ghost already today, and we've had ghosts far more involved in our intimate affairs than this. If he watches, he watches."

"Not just the bedroom activities," Simon said.

"I am similarly unconcerned about those. My preference is that you do not watch, please!" I said to the air. "But I acknowledge that if you do, I have no way of ascertaining that."

Simon groaned. "Robert, please be more firm than that."

Also from Yuletide 2020:

Lie Back and (8617 words) by goseaward
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: England Series - K. J. Charles
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Archie Curtis/Daniel da Silva
Characters: Archie Curtis, Daniel da Silva
Additional Tags: Yuletide Treat
Summary:

There was one kind of cover story that would be believed, even celebrated, in this house. And if he was right about Curtis, they might even make it plausible.

Or, Daniel's point of view on certain events at Peakholme.

Ribbons's note: This story took a while to grow on me, in part because it by necessity quotes extensively from canon. But the observations from Daniel's POV are quite good, especially in lines such as "It didn't require stepping into the trap for it to bite him" and "He hadn't marshaled arguments for a man who wanted to run into danger, although, in retrospect, given Curtis's behaviour when faced with guns, he really ought to have done."

And, written for goseaward earlier this year:

The Clever Arcanist's Guide to Pickles & Preserves (5533 words) by SpaceJackalope
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Spectred Isle - K. J. Charles, Green Men Series - K. J. Charles
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Randolph Glyde/Saul Lazenby, Minor or Background Relationship(s), Hugh Barnaby/Max Isaacs
Characters: Saul Lazenby, Randolph Glyde, Sam Caldwell, Max Isaacs, Hugh "Barney" Barnaby
Additional Tags: Ghosts, Snowed In, Established Relationship, Flirting, Smut, Mild Gore, Case Fic, London History - Freeform
Summary:

Jo Caldwell sends a package to Fetter Lane, spurring its residents to dispel a ghost while snowed in.

Ribbons's note: There is a LOT of snow. And snark. And a questionable foot. And Randolph's reaction to the owner of the foot's first appearance is the best. (Then again, I adore Randolph to a degree that would appall him, and while Theresa doesn't figure in this fic, I loved the glimpses we got of her in Spectred.)