Mushishi: Fishing Village at Sunrise in Autumn by Experimental

Fishing Village at Sunrise in Autumn (Ginko/Adashino | PG13 | 1,809 words): An early morning with Ginko and Adashino. This story has a lovely atmosphere, quiet and gentle with a slight bittersweetness underpinning everything, much like Mushishi itself. It gives a nice look at Ginko and Adashino's relationship and what their lives are like even though the story itself only spans a few minutes in time.

Excerpt:
As he lies in Adashino's futon breathing in and out against him, consciousness slowly returns to Ginko. It chases away the last echoing softness of the Suzu of his dream, replacing it with uncertain memories of last night, as though replaying for his foggy brain exactly how he came to be here. A little drink between friends. A stare that stretched too long and was awkward from the start. Needs ignored for so long they were grateful to be satisfied in whatever way they could.

The same story every time. It helps that Adashino has a not-entirely-scientific fascination with his body—or, more precisely, what the mushi did to it. If he were honest with himself, however, Ginko would find he had to admit a part of him is actually flattered by that attention, even if he can't for the life of him understand it.

Mysterious Island: The Omelette by rainbowjehan

The Omelette (Pencroff-Harbert | G | 1,706 words): Harbert is sick, and Pencroff is worried. This is one of those recs where I expect no one else is going to read this story because who in the world else is interested in Jules Verne novels that aren't 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days, but well. I will always want to read any and everything fic written about these shipwrecked fellows. This particular fic is completely charming and replicates Verne's style delightfully. The story manages to swing from an extremely angsty beginning to a very humorous ending without it being jarring. And the point of view is so perfectly Pencroff, mercurial and dramatic and just a little bit ridiculous, that I could never not love this story.

Excerpt:
Then the hope would come for a moment, and he'd realise what a fool he was being. Harbert would survive. Why, when he returned, Harbert might have opened his eyes already! After all, Cyrus, Gideon Spillet and their mysterious protector would all be taking care of his child, of course.

But he was being twice the fool he'd thought himself just a moment ago. As if he could suppose that Harbert would live. He had only to look at his face, Harbert's face, white and hot--his hair, wet with sweat--and if Pencroff were to take one of Harbert's hands, he was sure it would be trembling weakly. Harbert was as good as dead.

But no, no, how could he even begin to doubt Cyrus would save Harbert? After all, he was Cyrus! It would all be all right. It was only a matter of time, perhaps a very short matter of time. Perhaps he should go back now, so that if the first person Harbert wanted was him, he would there.

And on and on it went, the same thing nearly every day.

Final Fantasy 4: Missing Piece by Zerrat

Missing Piece (Rosa/Cecil/Kain | PG13 | 2,860 words): Cecil and Rosa visit Kain on Mount Ordeals. Oh, Kain. This entire story is an exercise of me constantly going, "Oh, Kain," at Kain's self-imposed penance, and Rosa and Cecil agree with my assessment. He's so full of guilt and doubt, and all I want is for him to forgive himself finally and come back home to Baron. This story is heart-breakingly beautiful with just the tiniest sliver of hope regarding its portrayal of these three post-game and how they're all hurting but still, each in their own way, trying to heal and finally be together.


Excerpt:
"Kain. We have some extra supplies for you, to help you through the winter. A little late, but they are there if you need them." Rosa didn't mention the reason for their lateness this year, and for that Cecil was glad.

Kain placed his hand on Rosa's fleetingly, and he nodded stiffly. "They would be... appreciated," Kain told her, his voice halting and hoarse.

Rosa was gone quickly as the wind began to pick up, and Cecil watched her leave them with a hint of amusement. The cold was getting to her, and even though he wore layer upon layer of wool and furs, he couldn't help but shiver too.

Kain said nothing as Rosa departed, and they stood for a while in a silence that Cecil wished with all his heart was 'companionable' instead of 'awkward'. The views from atop Mount Ordeals were still breathtaking, Cecil noted, his hands thrust deep in his pockets.

Jeeves & Wooster: Another Time, Another World by truly_bohemian

Another Time, Another World (Bertie/Jeeves, OFC | G | 908 words): Bertie's niece looks at some old photographs of her uncle. This is sad but in a realistic, inevitable sort of way because it looks at what Bertie's life might be like several years down the road. Any look at beloved characters that takes place decades in the future is at least a little like that, and this story is a deft snapshot at what Bertie's future might look like. It doesn't wallow in what's past but simply allows everything to be as it is.

Except:
"Who's this?" Gloria asked, as she was handed another picture.

"That's just Uncle Bertie again. Why?"

"No, no," Gloria shook her head, feeling slightly frustrated, "there are two men in the picture. They can't both be Uncle Bertie."