Don’t get me wrong, I like an angsty, UST-y fic as much as the next person, but I like to try and balance the angst with some humor. Lately, though, the funny fics have been thin on the ground, so this week I’ve just decided to give in and rec the angstiest, saddest fics I could find. But be warned! When I say angst, I mean ANGST. These two stories are dark and kinda disturbing. They are not wussperv friendly. If you can’t handle the tough stuff, I suggest skipping these and reading “Mr. Horrible”. It’s funny, and will make you laugh out loud. These stories are not funny, and will not make you laugh. I apologize about that, because I do so dearly love to make you laugh. Though these fics aren’t funny, they are very well written. And if you can stand the angst and deal with the drama, I think you’ll love them. Just, you know, don’t act like I didn’t warn you.

“Burn and Shine” by pulsepoint

Dark Edward and naïve Bella cross paths in the Clallam County police station and their disparate worlds collide. This is a freaking awesome story. Bella is a college student at a fictional liberal arts college in Port Angeles. Charlie died several years prior, in the line of duty, and Renee seems to be permanently absent as well, though it’s not yet clear exactly where she is. Bella is a sweet kid, a nice girl, all those things. She’s young and naïve and tries to be kind, which of course means that she will rub Edward wrong in every way possible. For this Edward is an ex-con, veteran of multiple prison stints and regular law breaker extraordinaire. He is cynical, jaded, antisocial–everything you would expect from a career felon. Except… Edward has survived a terrible childhood. Abused from the earliest age, Edward’s body is a road map of scars. He recounts growing up in squalor, and hints at possible sexual abuse, as well. I do not love stories that take that turn, however, as of right now it’s mostly a suspicion in Bella’s mind, but it seems pretty clear Edward’s mother was doing something awful to him beyond beating him. Frowny face. So why tolerate all this angst and pain? Because this is a beautiful Edward. He’s damaged and deals with crippling anxiety attacks, especially when faced with an irate female, but in the next moment he’s breaking and entering or “handling” Bella. He tries to steer clear of her, of course, but goody-goody Bella won’t back down. She stands up to him, sometimes to disastrous effects, sometimes to lemony ones, and she refuses to run away when he tries to scare her off. If I have any complaint about this story it’s that maybe everyone is a little hard on Bella–I don’t think she’s as judgmental as some of the characters accuse her of (that role belongs to Rose). She’s just really naïve and sheltered and has no frame of reference for dealing with someone of Edward’s ilk, which leads to a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Burn and Shine also features the greatest. Jasper. EVER. I have never loved Jasper more than I have here. Edward’s fellow ex-con, his best friend–his only friend–he is a Southern charmer, a pathological liar, and a master manipulator. He’s sly and slick and for all his good-ole-boy manners, he is dangerous. I ADORE this Jasper. Also big time props for an OOC Carlisle (Edward calls him a “sport coat wearing asshole”) and a really clever take on Jake. The pacing is excellent, the POV balanced between Bella and Edward, and though it is an angst-fest, Burn and Shine is definitely worth your time.

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