8 Hockey RPF fic recs

[schneefink]

My favorites of the stories I read so far from the Hockey Rarepairs Exchange:

The Brook Horse by WeagleRock
Nick Bäckström/Alex Ovechkin, 11.5k
Summary: Bäckahästar—brook horses—can leave their rivers, streams, brooks, lochs. But they can't leave them for very long, and Nicky's time is almost up. He's falling apart. He's struggling to keep a human shape. Then Ovi offers him an unexpected lifeline.
Nicklas Bäckström is a good person. Nicklas Bäckström would never risk Ovi's life just to stay human.
It's really too bad he isn't real.
Why I like it: I love the atmosphere in this: like a Halloween story, with great dark elements.

The City of Saints by 7iris
Carey Price/PK Subban, 7k
Summary: "You have a most interesting business model, Mr. Subban. There are certainly many private security consultants, but I believe very few break into their clients' facilities to demonstrate the weakness of their security measures."
PK's smile felt more genuine at that. "Well, just writing a report isn't as much fun."
Why I like it: Magical heist AU! I like the worldbuilding, the plot, the team, and Carey and PK are great.

Kings of Manchester by othersideofthis
Paul Bissonnette/Mike Richards, 6.7k
Summary: "My point is -- you either live long enough to become the fourth line AHL plug you made fun of your whole career, or you die a hero."
"What the fuck, Biz?" Mike's laughing despite himself. "What the fuck."
Why I like it: A great look at Mike after he is sent down the AHL.

Defensive Forward by downjune
Geno/Hornqvist, Sid/Flower, Sid/Flower/Geno, 7k
Summary: Eight years into his career in the NHL, Zhenya is still looking for his fit.
Why I like it: An AU where everyone is poly and the whole team is cuddling, yess. I like all the relationships here, they are all well done.

Adult Conversation by snickfic
Flower/Geno, 5k, magic AU
Summary: It’s bad enough that Flower can't talk to people without calling them things like poopy butt. It’s worse that Geno isn’t talking to him at all.
Why I like it: Funny and a bit sweet, with a little bit of angst.

Plus two fics from the Sid/Geno exchange:
Flight of the Steel Penguin by james
Sid/Geno, 5k
Summary: Captain Sidney Crosby is not a smuggler. He is a legally licensed pilot-owner of a small cargo ship, and his ability to fly through the asteroid belt is what makes him the best, so really, he doesn't have to bother smuggling. He does have to figure out what to do about Flower, though.
Why I like it: This is cute & funny & a great AU. Flower is the best space squid troll.

Make Yourself at Home by Snickfic
Sid/Geno, 8.6k
Summary: “I could just live at your house,” Sid said, scowling at a color swatch. “I like your house.”
“My house best,” Zhenya agreed. Then, because he did actually care about Sid and his ongoing bower-building angst, he added, “But your house good, too.”
(A bowerbird AU)
Why I like it: Bowerbird AU! Cool concept, and a sweet story, with my favourite goalie as the surprisingly kinky best friend.

And one Hockey RPF fic not from any exchange:
Mistakes Were Made (five, minimum. probably more.) by ionthesparrow
Nick Bjugstad/Kyle Rau, 3.8k
Summary: In which the great state of Minnesota conducts a discourse on the status, distribution, and efficacy of Nick Bjugstad’s dick.
Why I like it: This is absolutely hilarious and made me laugh out loud several times when I wasn't even fully awake yet.