But then there's the smut that's really impressive, as the author takes her time, really builds everything up. It's not just three random guys shoved together, the dynamics here came across as being uniquely Asami, Fei Long, and Akihito. Not to mention gorgeous smut that was worth reading even if it hadn't been a brilliant look into these three characters. And if that weren't enough, the second half of the story, with just Asami and Akihito... it was breathtaking in all the same ways the manga itself is. Asami is not a nice person at all, you feel like you should hate the son of a bitch and want him to die a stabbity death, but he's so goddamned gorgeous and charismatic, that I'm sucked into the story and sparkle-eyed the entire way through.

Of course, even more than just that it's really gorgeous in character Asami/Akihito pr0n, the author carefully starts working on some of their issues, on Akihito's conflicted feelings and has Asami drag a few things out of him that he doesn't necesarily want to admit to, but in such a way that it is beautifully Asami. The motivations and style are so very like these characters, the sex is so very like these characters, the writing is so beautiful that the whole thing felt like the manga come to life for me while I was reading. It absolutely did the series justice in my my eyes. (AsamixFei LongxAkihito, AsamixAkihito, very NC-17.)


- Viewfinder - Cold of the Night by Kadira - This time, this is a more quiet Asami introspective piece from the author of the above fic, which I really liked because of the way she climbs very nicely inside Asami's head, the way he's so... himself. Again, I feel like I should hate the son of a bitch for being such a bastard, but I wind up being so entranced with his elegance that I can't help going starry-eyed over the character. The way Asami thinks about both Fei Long and Akihito here (mostly Akihito, really) is perfect and just... wow. (Asami/Akihito.)


- Viewfinder - Double Exposure by Pru - This was an interesting story that managed to somehow make Asami a little bit more human (and did a good job of getting inside Akihito's head, of showing his reactions to events and the lack of events around him) and the way things change when Asami isn't around so much and then he's around a lot more, but not in the same way as before, all without having to really remark on any of the ways things have changed, you just feel it. Plus, there were some absolutely classic lines in the story ( He is young and well-employed, though he no longer has his anal virginity and a significant percent of mafia groups across Asia either view him as their boss' bitch or number one target. Also, he has a yakuza boss in his bed, drooling on the pillowcases his mother bought for him. That was just one of those moments that is priceless.) and has some absolutely lovely photographic imagery strewn throughout the story without being cliche or overusing it. Pru hit exactly the right balance there, much like the... *waves hand* vague sense I had of clean, glossy manga art underneath my hands while I was reading. I love it when an author can give me a vague sense of actually physically having a manga, rather than just reading text on a screen. (Asami/Akihito, R content/not quite work safe.)


- Viewfinder - Cauchemare by ingenius_inc - This was also interesting for what it said about Akihito, about the way Asami's presence in his life has effected him, just dark enough to match the tone of the series, but not needlessly angsty or overly dark. The light-ish sprinkling of smut (even Asami wasn't there) was also very well-done and this wound up being a very nice little Akihito piece with a nice punch for an ending. (Asami/Akihito, probably not entirely work-safe.)


- Viewfinder - 30 Kisses theme #7 by ingenius_inc - Ooh, ooh, I loved this fic. It was so... Viewfinder, in a way. Asami inviting Akihito to a party, but not the only photographer there and Akihito is just... Akihito in his response and then Asami is Asami in his response and I love this dysfunctional, horrible relationship so much. There are a couple of really pretty lines of kissing that made me melt, but mostly it's that... Asami is always so Asami, no matter what Akihito does that got to me with this fic. Loved it. (Asami/Akihito.)


- Viewfinder - untitled, part 1 by ingenius_inc - You know, the idea of a fic about Akihito going to see Asami, running into a woman who smells like him, freezing over what that means, then, not really understanding his own reaction to it, running off to another country to report on the war that's broken out to report for his station and getting captured should have been such a weird, jarring thing to read for Viewfinder. But it wasn't, somehow it worked, keeping Akihito's hotheadedness, combined with that he gets himself into more trouble than he should, but he can still mostly take care of himself (...mostly) and the way he thinks/feels about Asami, the hate mixed with the attraction that even he himself doesn't understand, is beautifully done. The intensity of the whole thing is fantastic, it feels like it could have taken place in the Viewfinder storyline and, oh, the ending. The evil, evil ending that makes me pine for the next part of this one. *__* (Asami/Akihito.)


- Viewfinder - 15minuteficlets #92 by ingenius_inc - There's just something about good Viewfinder fic that puts me in a good mood, which really probably says a little more about me than it should. ^_~ In all seriousness, though, this was a really interesting look at Akihito and his relationship with Asami, the way that, no matter what steps he takes, things with Asami always turn out the same way in the end. Even when Akihito buys a gun to even the odds up a little... things still happen the same way as they always so, which is just so... Viewfinder. Especially the end of the fic. >D (Asami/Akihito, not quite work-safe.)


- Viewfinder - An Interlude of Honesty by ingenius_inc - It was more than an irritation having Asami here, on what Takaba liked to consider his turf, being so blindingly charming that Takaba was ready to puke. You know how there are occasionally those stories that grab you by the throat and won't let you go until they're done? Or even that demand an immediate rereading because the ride you've just been on was so fantastic that you had to go again? That's kind of what this fic was for me--tightly written, brilliantly characterized, and packing a hell of a punch to it, especially when Akihito is jealous and in denial about it, when the relationship between Asami and Akihito is so intense and hard that I want to either throw up or cry myself. The one quibble I might have is that the ending was vaguely abrupt, that it faltered a half-step, but... I doubt I would have even noticed it if I hadn't read the author's notes, because this is still a brilliantly written fic. The tension in this fic was really outstanding, that dangerous edge to the relationship between the characters, where you're not sure what Akihito is going to do or say next, you're not sure just how far Asami is going to go when he's pushed like this. The author does a brilliant job of building up Akihito's escalating exasperation and jealousy, really doing the idea of him being jealous over Asami's sudden rise in profile and the sudden interest from people--especially women who'd like to date him--covers just what it needs to. And it's not too much, it doesn't unravel or resolve too many of their problems, because they wouldn't be themselves if that happened, instead it just... got a little closer to the time when they will have to work it out a little more. Dealing with Asami and all the connotations attached was like the assignment Takaba didn’t even want to think about, until the six hours before it was due. Absolutely lovely Akihito characterization. *__* (Asami/Akihito, at least an R-rating.)


- Viewfinder - moonflower by Jennifier D. - You know, I was honestly wary of an Asami/Fei Long story, because I worried that it would go against the tone of the series, but Jenn-san does a wonderful job of making it fit together with the series itself, with Asami's relationship with Akihito not entirely forgotten, even if it's not the point. The way she writes Asami/Fei Long... she does both characters justice, Fei Long being the elegant, willful creature that he is, Asami being the gorgeous, confident, semi-evil bastard that he is, yet still so damned charming that I go all *__* over him. Also, the story makes sense for the storyline, the way Asami has business with Fei Long that isn't quite just business, the way the "lesson" he's teaching Fei Long and the sex all come together in this story that I just... really enjoyed reading. It's elegant, lovely, charismatic, sparkling, all the things I associate with both Jenn-san's writing and the original manga itself. *__* (Asami/Fei Long, not quite work safe, not quite an R rating.)


- Viewfinder - untitled by ingenius_inc - Just a short little Viewfinder fic that I had to rec despite the length, because... well, because I'm totally over the moon for the series lately and the pretty, pretty images of Asami licking a trail down Akihito's body until he's nearly incoherent were... ahm, very nice. <3 (Asami/Akihito, not quite work safe, not quite an R rating.)


- Viewfinder - Squishy by ingenius_inc - Takaba takes a perverse sort of pleasure in dragging his wet feet all over Asami nice wooden floor, and even smiles at the squishy sounds his feet make. Well, there was no way I was going to be able to resist reading this, especially after how much I've fallen in love with the author's portrayals of the Viewfinder characters. It's just... the balance between Akihito being a brat by dripping water all over Asami's floors to the way he's starting to actively wanting what he wants from Asami that I just adore about the character. And what makes the relationship work for me, I totally get why Asami likes him so much. Also, the ending line is perfect. >D (Asami/Akihito, not quite work safe, not quite an R rating.)


- Viewfinder - untitled war fic (full version) by ingenius_inc - Everything I said about the fic previously still holds true--I read this story and it's one of those that's just... there's a lot of genuinely good, readable fic out there. But there aren't so many that have this quality that genuinely takes you on an emotional ride, that genuinely drag you into the story and make you feel with the characters. It could have so easily been overdramatic--Akihito passes by a woman smelling of Asami outside the man's apartment, spins into a tailspin of jealousy and confusion, runs off to report on a horrible war in another country, nearly gets himself killed both physically and emotionally, then eventually has to come back to Japan and all that that means. Could have been So. Melodramatic. Instead, the author doesn't overdo it, so I wound up all starry-eyed every time there was a confrontation between characters, every time Asami was angry with Akihito's stupidness or there was a breathless moment where something was admitted between the two of them that could only come out in such an intense moment as this. I just couldn't look away for all the same reasons I can't look away from Yamano-sensei's manga in the first place, because the intensity of the story just floors me. Because my little fangirl heart seized up every time the author meant for it to--and how often do I get to read a story that genuinely works on the level the author is aiming for, when it's a serious story? Just... so often, in stories, when the author sets up a premise for a really good confrontation scene, the result is a little disappointing, it's not quite all it could have been. But with this story... it's everything that it needed to be. Everything. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be wibbling over in the corner here. (Asami/Akihito, not quite worksafe, but not quite an R rating, either.)


- Viewfinder - HEAT: Seduction, Deceit and Betrayal in Paradise by dmnutv_archer (Sue) - [ part 01 - part 02 - part 03a - part 03b ] - I'll admit upfront that this story could really have used some polishing, that it needed to be sat on a little longer and scrubbed with the grammar brush a bit more, it needed to be toned down in a spot or two, but that the base storyline was solid, that the author has a good grip on the characters. The thing that largely attracts me to this story is that the author does seem to be taking her time with it, that she's building up an actual plot, you can see stirrings of potential plot here and there, and there's even an original character that didn't come off at all like a Mary Sue, despite that she was practically hitting on the characters. She felt like she could have been in a story like this. I liked that I was initially intrigued for the promise of sex, but that I would have read this anyway, even without it. (Not that the sex wasn't enjoyed and that it wasn't lovely. ♥) The dynamic between Asami and Akihito is really well done, especially the way Akihito swings from being pissed off as hell one moment, confused and frustrated the next, to very turned on and wanting Asami badly the next, to back to being pissed off, but done with a talented enough hand that it felt natural, like the manga itself, rather than schizophrenic or manic, like it could have come off as. Wrapping this up... I guess, for me, the thing is that... by the time I was done with these three chapters, I found that I'm curious about the storyline, I want to know more about it, and I'm genuinely looking forward to the next chapter. That's all I can ask for really. (Asami/Akihito, NC-17.)


- Viewfinder - PhoneSurprise by japanpeterpan - Okay, this isn't a fic, per se, but a manipulation of the scans/scanslations to create a new little storyline and it is genius. It's been six or seven minutes since I finished it and I'm still randomly cracking up because... HAHAHAHAHAHA, I WOULD NOT PUT IT PAST THEM. Also, the author chose perfect panels to show the reaction shots... and just... THE ENDING.... *dissolves into laughter again* (It's late, I'm tired, I think it's HILARIOUS. Totally hit me just right.) Also, you should be familiar with the New Year's Special and the majority of the series to get this, I think. (Asami/Akihito, NOT WORK SAFE.)


- Viewfinder - Left behind by ingenius_inc - You'll want to have read the first fic before reading this one, as it may not have the full impact without it, because... wow, the power of this fic is really intense. I've liked the author's work since I first read her Crawford/Schuldich fic and wanted more, but her Viewfinder fic is just brilliant. Her Asami is absolutely perfect when he's refusing to think that he might actually be worried about Akihito, that he might actually care, but the little touches, the way he's so angry, the way he's just a little frayed at the edges, the way he's sharper than usual, the way he's more dangerous than usual, it's... Asami is one of those characters who has this incredible power to his personality, to everything he does, he's a character who is ruthless and scary, but also charismatic and attractive. The author does justice to his character, even makes him almost likable when he's trying to reassure Akihito's parents, when he's going after what (who) he wants and making sure that he's doing everything he can to get Akihito back safely. But neither is he ever, ever a nice guy and I loved that you could feel the full weight of just how furious he is here. This is the kind of writing that... it does something to/for me, it's the kind that makes my fangirl knees weak because she can't quite breath right until it's done. (Shut up, I'm all over this manga lately, okay? >E) (Asami/Akihito.)


- Viewfinder - Don't Go by ingenius_inc - I have to admit, I have a lot of fondness for ingenius_inc's War Arc for the way it changes Asami and Takaba--they're still recognizably themselves, Asami is still Asami and Akihito is as hotheaded as ever, but they've been tempered a little and feelings have been forced to the surface (which is why it's best to have read the War Arc before reading this fic) and there's still this... weight to the writing that attracted me to the series in the first place that still comes through even in something lighter and softer like this. *__* (Asami/Akihito.)


- Viewfinder - Smell by ingenius_inc - I really liked this shortfic, the way it rather brilliantly got into Akihito's head and what it said about him and his relationship with Asami, without really having to say it, without having to be too painfully obvious about it. I liked the imagery, the way the theme of smell was used with the fic so well that it was almost a physical thing. Really good take on Asami/Akihito yet again. (Asami/Akihito, slight content warning.)


- Viewfinder - Knowing by ingenius_inc - I was a little wary of clicking onto a fic that was labelled with an Asami/Fei Long/Takaba threesome, but since I was in the mood for Viewfinder fic, I gave it a shot anyway and was really quite surprised at how well the idea of this little AU worked, the way it was really rather insightful into all three characters' personalities and it was just... it was balanced and not exactly right, but still somehow rather balanced and perfect. Everything it needed to be. (AsamixFei LongxTakaba.)


- Viewfinder - Perfect Moment by ingenius_inc - Another pretty little threesome fic that I could surprisingly (to me) come to rather like the idea of, despite not usually being a fan of threesomes. There's just something about the lovely imagery of this one, the way all three of them are part of the story, even in so few words. It helps that it carries that sleek, beautiful style that Ayano-sensei's work has, to my mind. (AsamixFei LongxTakaba.)


- Viewfinder - A series of crimes and their punishment by ingenius_inc - You know, I really like this, especially as I reread it to write my rec here, because it... makes sense with Akihito's reactions to Asami, what kind of person keeps going back and fighting, what kind of person it would take to react the way Akihito does. The way one action elicits a punishment, the way the next one does the same. It's a really interesting take on the character, I thought. (Some Asami/Akihito, slight content warning.)


- Viewfinder - Ever After by ingenius_inc - I sat down to just test the waters with this fic and didn't get up until I'd finished the entire thing, even when I haven't really been reading Viewfinder fic lately. That's what ingenius_inc's writing does for me, especially with these characters, and a story idea like this, what the future holds for Asami and Akihito, the way they move on with their lives, get married, have kids, etc., it somehow works for me here. Because I believe it here, the way each of them find someone to marry, the way each of them have kids, the way they still can't completely cut off that connection between them, the way the story compares and contrasts them against each other. But it's also that... I mean, it's a story about Asami and Akihito getting married to other women, having kids with them, setting up a life apart from each other, and I feel like I should have been rolling my eyes at the concept, but because the author is just so good at these characters, instead it winds up being this interesting and believable potential future for the characters. Just... man, the author achieves what you think wouldn't be possible for the characters, especially someone like Asami, keeping him who he is while still softening the relationship between him and Akihito into something a little more mutual, yet does it so well that it seems perfectly natural. *__* (Asami/Akihito, graphic content in parts of the story.)


- Love Mode/Viewfinder - untitled by Ju - I've long thought that there should be a crossover between these two series, that they'd somehow work together really well... but I had no idea just how well a meeting between Kiichi (and Haruomi) and Fei Long would go in this author's hands. The crossover is seamless, I didn't even have to think about suspending disbelief, because I could so very much picture these two series being in the same universe. But it's more than just that, there was also this... certain atmosphere to the image, something that was helped along by the depth of these three characters, the way they interact with people, the way Kiichi and Fei Long would talk to each other, the way Haruomi would not quite hover protectively over Kiichi, the little details of how they touch each other, the little background details of the setting. Just... zomg, this is the fic I wanted, only better and it's beautiful. (Some Haruomi/Kiichi, but it's only half the point.)


- Love Mode/Viewfinder - Proprietary Interest by MadamHydra - I literally got one line into this fic and came thisclose to sqeaking in happiness. Asami Ryuuichi took a drink of the very expensive liquor in his glass and asked in a deceptively casual voice, "What would you say if I asked to join your club?" Part of the reason I fell so hard and fast is because I've had similar thoughts of a Love Mode/Viewfinder crossover, of Asami trying to form a business relationship with Reiji... and to discover one of my favorite authors has written it? Squee. And it was indeed lovely, the way Asami and Reiji interacted, two amazingly powerful men, both so different and still with so many similarities at the same time. The way she drew the parallels and contrasts, the way she drew the two characters into the same room, the way she had them both walking away, all of it was brilliantly done, the two universes slid so smoothly together. The characterization was a thing of beauty as well, both so incredibly themselves in the way they dealt with business and with their own "kitten" and everything was just... subtle and deft and intense and really, really good with this fic. I squee. ♥ (Reiji/Naoya, Asami/Akihito both referenced.)


- Death Note/Viewfinder - Chiaroscuro by Aishuu - Death Note crossovers continue to be fascinating and, like many of the commentors, I really like Aishuu's take on Misa's character, because she actually is interesting. The way the two universes are woven together (and for once without relying on the death note itself!), the way Misa and Takaba interact, photographer and model, yet somehow a deeper connection is formed in such a believable way... it's a really fascinating look at so many things about these two series, even an interesting little look at the (photography) world in general at a couple of places in this one. Very, very cool. (Implications of Asami/Takaba.)