Fandom: Harry Potter/Psych crossover
Pairings/Characters: Hermione, Shawn, Gus
Rating: PG-13
Author: scifichick774
Website: Fic archive
Summary: Hermione is determined to make people listen to her - even if she has to pretend to be psychic to do it.
Why: I've been all for Hermione-centric fic lately, and this is a product of that obsession. If you are a fan of both the Psych and Harry Potter fandoms, then this might be a good fic for you. I don't know that it would stand alone as well if you're not familiar with Psych though, so reader be warned.

Of course, you could read it just for Hermione, who is pretty lovely. I really liked her in this, taking action and doing things that she wasn't sure she could. I also liked the occasional outside perspective of her that the story gives us through the eyes of the Psych characters. And even though it's 9 chapters long, the story goes quickly, buoyed by good character interactions and the development of the plot.

Visionary by scifichick774

Fandom: Bleach
Pairings/Characters: Surprise pairings involving Orihime, Rukia, Ichigo, Renji, Ishida, Chizuru, Tatsuki, Keigo, Mizuiro, Ryo
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 1,350
Author: Harukami
Website: Passion Fruit
Summary: Bleach characters play "Spin the Bottle."
Why: I know, it's a horrible cliche. It's also, I'm not going to lie, complete crack. Harukami has great comedic timing, and I laughed like a madwoman when I was reading this. Rukia and Orihime are especially memorable to me, although I'll admit that Ichigo and Renji did amuse me.

If you're looking for substance and seriousness, this is not for you. But if you're looking for a quick laugh on a cloudy day, this is what it's all about.

Bleach the Bottle by Harukami

Fandom: Naruto
Pairings/Characters: Sakura
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 2,426
Spoilers for: through the timeskip
Author: demeter918
Website: Sui Generis
Summary: Sakura spends two and a half years learning.
Why: I love Sakura, and this story completely reminded me why. The author does a great job of capturing the fun of her character without forgetting just how tough she is. Not to mention that she does a great job with the other characters around Sakura as well. This story really made me miss Naruto fandom a lot. Sure, it can be frustrating, but it also turns out gems like this. Perhaps I'll have to start working on my Naruto reading list again.

Skip and Time by demeter918

Fandom: Firefly
Pairings/Characters: eventual Jayne/River with light Kaylee/Simon, Inara/Mal, and Wash/Zoe, ensemble
Rating: ranges from PG-13 to R
Wordcount: >100,000 words overall
Spoilers for: everything
Author: Dyce
Website: None
Summary: Jayne is left all alone with a bad leg and a crazy girl for two days. It doesn't go as badly as it could.
Why: I have a huge weakness for the Jayne/River pairing, but it's really difficult to find good fic for them, as you might imagine. That's what initially drew me to this series. This is top-rate Jayne/River, without a doubt. The characterization is wonderful, the development of the relationship takes just as much time as might actually needed for such an unlikely pair, and just because it's Jayne and River-centric doesn't mean that the other characters are neglected. The plot in this series runs parallel to the later parts of the actual series, but reshapes events based on the new relationships that have developed, which I also found very interesting.

Even if you're not a fan of the Jayne/River pairing, I'd recommend that you read at least the first two stories, "Two Gorram Days" and "Kinship" which are very enjoyable without being at all shippy. And if you enjoy those, maybe you could even give the rest of the series a try! It really is worth it.

Also, just so you're aware, "Prodigal," the final story in the series is still a WIP (I know, I'm breaking my own rules). However, it doesn't leave things at a cliffhanger and is still being worked on as far as I know, so there's no need to worry too much about that aspect.

Two Gorram Days
Kinship
Bank Job
Miranda
Prodigal

Fandom: Hana Yori Dango/Yamada Tarou Monogatari
Pairings/Characters: Mimura Takuya, Doumyouji Tsukasa
Rating: G
Wordcount: 814
Author: emothy
Website: emothy's fic journal
Summary: Domyouji has other friends, really.
Why: How could you not love the idea of this? Doumyouji Tsukasa and Mimura Takuya meeting and becoming kind-of-sort-of friends but not really because all Doumyouji wants to do is prove that he has other friends. And both of them are perfectly characterized and you just can't help but laugh at the way things turn out because knowing both of them, that's exactly what would happen.

Two of a Kind by Emothy

Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Pairings/Characters: Shishido/Ohtori
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: mild Nationals spoilers
Wordcount: ~11,000
Author: kimby77
Website: kimby77's art blog
Summary: In which Shishido is oblivious and all the world seems to be laughing at his misery.
Why: I hope that everytime I get a craving for Silver Pair fic I'm able to find something like this. I loved the grumpy Shishido perspective in this story. He's just so perfectly embarrassed and disgruntled! Also, kimby77's mischievous Ohtori was very enjoyable, and the interactions between the various Hyoutei players were priceless. The fic does get a little confusing sometimes when it jumps around in time, but if you can keep track of where you are in time, the effect is actually really nice. Gah, this is the kind of thing that makes me want to whip out Prince of Tennis and start rewatching it!

Of Tennis and Gardenias by kimby77

Fandom: Yugioh
Pairings/Characters: Jou/Kaiba
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: ~3,800
Author: Ariadne Bassarid on Ff.net
Website: The Luggaga Van
Summary: Jounouchi finds himself in the backseat of Kaiba's limo - twice. The first ride leads to an embarrassing arrest, and the second... Well, it just leads to Kaiba.
Why: OK, so I'll admit that part of the appeal of Jou and Kaiba is their immature bickering. Despite that, sometimes it's nice to see them acting a little more mature. This fic does that, showing the two of them as older and more experienced, without ever taking away the snark of their relationship. And if that isn't enough to make you laugh, I bet that the situation that they find themselves in to start the story will. ^-^

Will Do Favours by Ariadne Bassarid

Fandom: Hot Fuzz
Pairings/Characters: Danny/Nick
Rating: R
Wordcount: 3,252
Author: kassrachel
Website: fanfiction by kass
Summary: "If this isn't happily-ever-after, Nick thinks, it's damned close."
Why: To balance out the previous rec, a fic from Nick's point of view. I like this one because it's exactly what I wanted in that way of wish fulfillment at its finest. There's great characterization of both Nick and Danny and the progression of emotions in Nick as he figures out what's going on and just what he wants is completely enjoyable.

Long Shot by Kass

Fandom: Gokusen
Pairings/Characters: Shin/Yankumi
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 1177
Spoilers for: drama
Author: astraea_cniht
Website: none
Summary: “After all,” Yankumi sniffled, forcing her voice to be cheery, “they're called crushes because they leave you broken-hearted, right?"
Why: I have a thing about drama. Reality in fiction is great and all, but sometimes all I want is the dramatic confrontation or the heartfelt confession or the emotional blubbering that takes just a little bit of suspension of disbelief to swallow, but is so enjoyable once you do that you never regret the choice. This story is kind of like that. There are a couple places where I couldn't help but feel that it was overly dramatic, but they were just the right places for me to not mind. Also, the author has some nice insights into both Shin and Yankumi that I really enjoyed. (Not to mention that I'm obsessed enough with Shinkumi to view everything I read through rose-colored glasses...)

Broken-hearted by astraea_cniht

Fandom: Maou/Ryuusei no Kizuna
Pairings/Characters: Ariake Koichi/Naruse Ryou
Rating: PG - R
Wordcount: ~3,400
Author: waxrose
Website: cleversweet.com
Summary: When Koichi stops by the window counter to refill a couple's water glasses, he notices that the lawyer is back again, sliding into his usual seat in the middle of the busy main counter.
Why: I'll admit it. I'm a crossover fiend, and the idea of Ariake Koichi and Naruse Ryou meeting rings of cosmic fate to me, and not just because it's AU Ohmiya. Koichi and Naruse have a lot in common, a fact that waxrose skillfully points out. Both lost their families, both are out for murder, both feel alone, so there was definitely something magical about seeing them connect for me. Also, I kind of loved the way that waxrose fit things into the cracks between canon and made them work (and given the ending of Maou, broke my heart all over again).

Best Served Cold
when all the clouds darken up the skyway
the war of the universe