Some Cabin Pressure Recs

[shadowfireflame]

Because the radio series Cabin Pressure (with Benedict Cumberbatch, of course, and also Roger Allam, Stephanie Cole, and writer John Finnemore) is just too amazing to not get drawn into the fandom. (You can also follow Finnemore’s blog here or read my review of the radio series here.)

I entirely blame lobelia321 (because of this recs post) and daasgrrl (because of this pimp post) for getting me into this fandom and for the brilliant redscharlach and her fabulous icons for keeping me entertained once there. Also check out caffienekitty's recs list.

I am still a newbie in this fandom (fandot?), though, so this list will likely grow! If you feel inclined, please do rec me other Martin-centric stories, especially funny/cute ones, because I’m pretty good on the angst in this fandom at the moment.

As always, please let me know if a link isn't working! Now with jump links:

[Gen], [Douglas/Martin], [Arthur/Martin], [Other Pairings], [Sherlock Crossovers], [Fanvids]


::: Gen :::

• Bermuda by dvs
  Gen. Our crew get caught in the Bermuda Triangle and crash land on a desert island, with a twist. This story was totally delightful and in-character and fun. Arthur in particular was hilarious, and the chemistry between Douglas and Martin just zings off the page.


• Rules for Martin by errantcomment and oxfordtweed
  Gen. The Care and Feeding of Martin Crieff, or an adorable but also heartbreaking list of things the students who live with Martin have shared with each other. It’s so obvious that the students who created this genuinely love their friendly ghost in the attic. I hope they save him some baked potatoes.


• A Short History of Aviation by loneraven (singlecrow on AO3)
  Gen. A very touching Star Trek AU that works seamlessly. Adorable and revealing. What I love best about this story is how much of a team, a family, they are, even in space, and how Arthur’s mood is the general barometer of how everyone aboard is feeling.


• Standing By by Diane
  Gen. While the crew is standing by, Douglas is sad and Arthur, Martin, and Carolyn try to cheer him up in their own ways. Written in the script format, this piece has lovely, spot-on characterizations and great backstories.


• Unalaska by oxfordtweed (oxfordtweed on dreamwidth)
  Gen. Thanks to etothepii’s Asteroidea series, I absolutely adore the dynamics of all His Dark Materials fusions (dæmons being one of the coolest ideas in modern fiction), and this is no exception. Instead of just our four lovely characters, now there are eight to balance, and it’s done very smoothly and believably. (The short companion piece, Panserbjørne Are Brilliant, perfectly overwhelmed me with how well the dæmons fit each character, from Martin’s flightless bird to Arthur’s albatross.) I hope for more in this verse!


• Unconventional Dynamics series by branwyn (branwyn1914 on tumblr)
  Technically gen, though set in a BSDM!AU. Top!Arthur, top!Douglas, sub!Martin. Douglas thinks Martin’s a top until he comes to the realization that Arthur’s right about Martin, and Douglas proposes that he and Martin enter into a platonic arrangement. Arthur and Douglas’ banter totally steals the show for me here, making me crack up. This series also has some good world-building in coming to explain Martin’s tragic backstory. Sentence that serves as a nice summary: Douglas has been the confidante of overwrought subs before, but never one so heartbreakingly unprotected, never one whose fears and worries were so completely justified.

::: Douglas/Martin :::

• A to Z by cleo_2010
  Pre-Douglas/Martin. Douglas, Martin, and Arthur play the sex alphabet for the cheese tray on the flight deck. Douglas and Martin were not prepared for Arthur to singlehandedly crush them. This was really cute and funny (and, um, educational also), and the voices are great.


• Gone Horribly Wrong by splix
  Douglas/Martin. Douglas gets in over his head with some smugglers, and Martin pays for it. Warnings for non-con and violence. Martin!whump is basically canon, and I *ahem* quite like it, so this was great. I found the premise and execution very believable, especially the after-trauma care, which has one of the best hospital visits I’ve read in fanfic. And some great characterization and narration of a worried and guilty Douglas. Despite the trauma, this story left me with a lovely fuzzy feeling. Rather romantic. Quote: Only Martin would have a story so redolent of piteous failure that it shot past the unlikely and landed solidly in the realm of the truly preposterous, and yet, knowing Martin, was totally plausible.


• Miami by thirdbird_fic
  Douglas/Martin. Martin gets food poisoning, and Douglas offers his expertise. Cute, hot, and in-character. The best part about this is the character’s voices; this really reads like an episode (albeit a rather sexier one than usual). Mild medfet, woobie!Martin, and the genuine concern Douglas hopes Martin won’t notice.


• The Runway of True Love Never Did Go Smooth by Enigel
  Douglas/Martin. Carolyn bets Douglas the Camembert for a year that he can’t get Martin laid. Douglas ends up discovering that if you want something done right, you have to do him yourself. I love the bit where Martin needs to be rescued from the cold and “defrosted” by Douglas. (Hi, hypothermia hurt/comfort kink!) Douglas and Carolyn’s voices are particularly perfect here. Plus, it’s very sexy and fun.

::: Arthur/Martin :::

• Contents May Have Shifted by thirdbird_fic
  Arthur/Martin. Summary: Martin gets stuck in the flight deck locker with Arthur. More than once. Martin makes lists and then sexy times ensue. This story makes me, like, delightfully happy, and the characterizations had me in stitches. I was so dubious about this pairing before reading this, but now I’m completely convinced that Arthur could make Martin very happy and just want more of what Douglas says will be “intolerably cheery.” Martin deserves it.

::: Other Pairings :::

• Thistle and Weeds series by chess_ka
  Martin/OC, warnings for non-con. MJN Air deals with the fallout after Martin leaves an abusive relationship. I really like the characterizations in this one, with Martin assuming that he is the problem instead of his abuser. I also very much like that Douglas becomes a badass and Carolyn becomes an “Alpha dog” when dealing with the crisis; it’s exactly what she would do to protect her pilot and airline (her pack).


• Treason and Plot series by unsentimentalf
  Eventual Douglas/Herc. This story fills in the gap of why Douglas left his old job at Air England. Years later, some his ex-colleagues are still less than happy with him, and Herc and Douglas have a battle of power and manipulation. This is a rather dark viewing on some of the characters, but at the same time it’s perfectly spot on (at a party, Douglas puts his water in a whiskey tumbler, for example). And now that I feel I know more of Douglas’s backstory (which is fast becoming my headcanon here), it makes their little MJN Air family even more important. Warnings for non-sexual non-con elements in the first story, BDSM themes in the second.

::: Sherlock Crossovers :::

• Domestic Economy by branwyn
  Gen. Author’s summary: Every week, when Martin checks his bank account, there's an extra fifty quid that shouldn't be there. A very sweet and in-character story in which Martin is the youngest Holmes brother (I love it!).


• Holding Patterns by daasgrrl
  Mycroft/Martin, implied Mycroft/Sherlock and Douglas/Martin. Post-Reichenbach, Sherlock’s abroad, and Mycroft misses him, so he kidnaps a look-alike Sherlock (Martin) and offers to pay him money to sleep with him. This story is a very mischievous one with a plot that slowly but inexorably escalates. I love the wicked characterizations, too, with Martin fantasizing about Douglas as Mycroft is wistful for Sherlock.


• Hunger Pangs by keelywolfe
  John/Martin, post-Reichenbach. John pays Martin for a blowjob, but it’s so much more complicated than that. I doubt I’ve ever read a story with a more appropriate title than this. The author’s characterizations are kind and discerning for both these characters while accomplishing something I thought was impossible—perfectly describing Sherlock and John’s relationship without words and without Sherlock being there. I’m tearing up here, this was so great.


• Nome (or, Weren’t You In Here Last Week?) by evansentranced
  Implied offscreen John/Sherlock. While on a trip post-Reichenbach, Sherlock shows up unexpectedly on GERTI and surprises his half-brother Martin. Mycroft, predictably, also meddles. I really enjoyed the Holmes family dynamics here, particularly when Mycroft, Sherlock, and Martin were all talking together with Douglas there, and everyone is very in-character. Arthur’s reaction to Sherlock was totally priceless, as was Sherlock playing an on-board game with Douglas (and Martin, kind of, hee). Lots of fun.


• On His Brother-in-law’s Secret Service series by EASchechter/ladysmith
  John/Sherlock(/Moriarty later!!), Mycroft/Lestrade, Moriarty/Moran, Martin/OC, Molly/Arthur (isn’t that sweet?!), other minor pairings, BSDM elements. This epic series is a plotty and extremely fun action/adventure. After Sherlock is put into grave danger and Moriarty gets back in touch with them, John decides to start working for Mycroft in order to root out Moriarty and better protect Sherlock. They deal with stalkers, kidnappings, terrifying villains, moles, aliens, magic, demons, vampires, time-travelers, Mycroft’s badass daughter (an amazing OC), and eventually working with Moriarty instead of against him. Oh my God, I love the relationship dynamics here with John/Sherlock/Moriarty (smoking hot sex) and Lestrade/Mycroft, and all the hurt/comfort elements and details of Sherlock’s backstory we get to enjoy. Delicious. I very much appreciate the more nuanced portrayals of Donovan, Anderson, Moran, and of course Moriarty in particular. And it’s wonderful when Martin becomes one of the major characters. Crossovers with Cabin Pressure (of course), The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Torchwood, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doctor Who, The Avengers, though no knowledge of these is necessary; the characters are all explained in the verse. Warnings for references to a rape attempt, a past rape, cannibalism, graphic violence, a miscarriage, and minor character deaths. There are also more stories in the related series Off the Main Sequence.

::: Fanvids :::

• Fly With Me by TheKaskProject
  An amazing Douglas/Martin fanvid that does a superb job at putting faces to voices and crafting a compelling storyline out of Roger Allam and Benedict Cumberbatch’s past work. I would have never thought to put Wreckers and The Last Enemy footage together to make Martin's little attic room, but it worked so well! And a sex scene to cap it off. (Thanks to daasgrrl for the link!)

Back to the Sherlock Recs Masterpost: (Taxi!)

Comments

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

I didn't realise you were such a recent convert! (Although given you've seen everything else, I guess it was only a matter of time anyway *g*). Thanks for the personal rec and for the others as well - I haven't been reading a lot of fic myself, so it's good to have leads :)

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Haha, no problem. I listened to the show a while ago but just recently got into the fandom after listening again and realizing how much I loved it (and wanted more!).

I tend to gravitate towards the Martin-whump, but after reading quite a few I realized I got to the point where I didn't want him to hurt anymore!! I kind of just want everything to be fluffy and happy in Cabin Pressure now, lol. And yet I still want Sherlock whump, so there you go. *shrug*

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Well, maybe it is now time for me to rant.... (Not fond of hurt/comfort Martin myself at all.)

:-D

Have you posted a Travelling Lemon yet?? Six days to go!

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's almost...a bit too much. I start feeling too protective of Martin and now I just want everything to be happy and funny, lol! But poor Sherlock, because I don't think I can get enough h/c of him...

I haven't posted a traveling lemon because I'm not near any recognizable landmarks or anything. I'm kind of in the middle of nowhere, LOL!

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

But lots of people have put the lemon in the middle of nowheres, next to little somewheres! And to those of us who don't live in the nowhere, the nowhere is very exotic!!!

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, laughing so hard right now. But what would I do, caption it, "This is my lemon in a completely random field next to nothing"...?

I think the appeal of Martin whump is that he doesn't seem to be able to catch a break in canon. And he faints due to his inner ear problem and gets beat up by that guy. And it's like his MJN Air family has to work together to protect their captain. That's why I like it, anyway. Everybody uniting under a common cause of taking care of Martin. But I'd rather things be light on the hurt and heavy on the comfort and post-traumatic cuddling. :D

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, but my reading of Cpt Crieff differs slightly. He is, as in a mediaeval miracle play, an exemplar of human folly and vanity (as is Douglas, for that matter, although in a different way -- but leaving Douglas aside for the moment...). Half his travails come from wanting to be more than he is: he wants to seem professional; he enters into an absurd bet with Carolyn to protect the Talisker; he shows someone how to twist their ankle by twisting his ankle (okay, that is not vanity but pure folly); he wants to show off to ground crew and ends up being grounded for hours. This is lovable and Great Comedy. He also has a not-nice side (leaving that guy to die???). And he has his triumphs: sometimes winning a bet; the triumphs that are Douz and Johannesburg.

I just don't think he is 'Victim'.

[ladysmith.livejournal.com]

Martin isn't a victim, he's a Sad Sack. He's capable of being so much more, though, and I love it when people write him and realize that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sad_Sack

(truth in advertising -- I'm the author of Secret Service.)

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Sad Sack! I will have to read that comic now although I'm not sure I can stomach the graphic style... Martin is totally capable of more but as it's inept!comedy, he will not be allowed to achieve it. He must keep batting his head against that glass ceiling.

Secret Service? Why am I not knowing the reference? (Drawback of kindle: Titles fall off the transfer process; authors get lost in the ether, argh.).

[ladysmith.livejournal.com]

On His Brother-in-Law's Secret Service. It's recced up there___/\

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Also: we totally need 'lemon in non-descript field'.

Totally.

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, I see, you don't think Martin should be considered a victim. I understand--very interesting. It totally does lend itself to great comedy! It certainly does at least seem that although he has his triumphs, he has the Worst Luck Ever. :)

Soooo question, I went and did as you asked and took some lemony pics in a nondescript field, what do I do with them? I don't have a tumblr...should I email them to somebody or just post on LJ or what?

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

You iz a lemony star! You contact pudupudu. And email the pics to lemonsandlandmarks@gmail.com

(as per this post).

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Okay, well, I sent it! Not sure if it's too late or past the deadline (which looks like May 16?) but maybe pudupudu hasn't printed them yet, lol. :)

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

The deadline has been extended several times and currently stands at end of July. So your empty field is in safe hands!! In the safe hands of John Finnemore omg

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Also, can I see teh field, plz?

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Yup! I uploaded them at this post. :)

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Goodness me, what took you so long?

*laughs without cease*

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

And whee, brill recs. I don't know many of these! Yay.

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, I was going on a trip and thinking, "I want stuff on my Kindle," then--hey, let's check out some Cabin Pressure stuff! But it has to be loooong. So I went to AO3 and filtered until I got long stuff that focused on Martin. I like long stories. :D

But now I really want happy ones, lol. I don't want him to suffer anymore.

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I read a LOT of CP on kindle because that's the fandom I was in when I first got the kindle and, well, let's say there's a lot of chaff among the wheat out there. And a lot of it is hurt/hurt/hurt!Martin. I listen to CP canon and I'M NOT SEEING IT, WOMEN. I'm just not.

If only I could write CP fic, I would pen a million anti-hurt!Martin fics to counter the soup of victimhood. But I can't. Somehow. I can't. I am too overawed by brilliance.

[hajimebassaidai.livejournal.com]

Always nice to see recs for fics I haven't read but want to now!

By the way, the Standing By by Diane doesn't appear to work. Although this might be LJ not getting along with my iPad. Again.

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I've fixed the link for "Standing By"--the "html" was left off at the end, oops! (Also, unfortunately "Unalaska" isn't working either because the author removed their stories, I guess. :(((

Hope you enjoy!

[hajimebassaidai.livejournal.com]

Actually I hadn't tried that one, not a "His Dark Materials" fan, but I remember seeing somewhere oxfordtweed telling people to get anything they wanted from AO3 asap because it was all about to be pulled. I remember because the author name was quirky and stuck in my head!

Thanks for fixing the link!

[tsubasafeathers.livejournal.com]

Oxfordtweed purged her account =( is there anyone fics hat has saved?

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

I don't, sorry, but hopefully someone out there will?