Sympathy for the werewolf

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Fanfiction
Title: Sympathy for the werewolf
Author(s): mermaid
Date(s): 26 April - 14 July 2011
Length: 52,595 words
Genre(s): slash, werewolf AU
Fandom(s): Hawaii Five-0
Relationship(s):
External Links: Sympathy for the werewolf (AO3)
Sympathy for the werewolf (FF.Net)
Sympathy for the werewolf (LiveJournal)
Sympathy for the werewolf-Awards-HC.png

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Sympathy for the werewolf is a Steve/Danny story by mermaid. It won the 2012 Hawaii Five-0 Ohana Favorite Awards in the category "Favorite Steve/Danny - Genre: Hurt/Comfort".[1]

Summary: When an old friend tries to kill Steve using silver weapons, Danny's curiosity leads him to an unbelievable discovery with unexpected consequences.

Recs and Reviews

"Why, yes, I'm rec'ing Hawaii Five-O fic. This is an interesting paranormal romance-y thing, which managed to run totally straight-faced with the "Danny discovers Steve is a werewolf, true love and hurt/comfort and hot sex ensues." It's tropey as hell, but well-written and with a sweet core."[2]

"This is an excellent case fic in a tasty supernatural wrapping, all featuring clever!Danny. Written from his POV, I was impressed by the plot advancement as well as the police procedures showcased (more real life, less CSI). I also felt it dealt well with the changing shape of Steve and Danny's relationship from friends and partners to, well, friends and partners."[3]

Why we love it: This is a very interesting AU placed in the same setting as the series but with a few differences, of course, being a werewolf AU is a pretty big difference. The story is set around several of the events of first season canon which makes it even more entertaining as far as we are concerned. The heavy dose of Hurt/Comfort in this is a big part of its appeal, along with the very fine writing and a well plotted story.[4]

Why You Should Read This: While the title is a dead give away about what this story entails, it by no means spoils anything. This story is Danny’s voyage into a terrifying truth that Steve has been hiding form everyone. He uses his detective skills to find answers to a mystery about his best friend, who he had begun to love. It is a journey of discovery for him as he confronts his own disbelief and fears for not just himself but the safety of his daughter. It is well written and had excellent pacing. With genuine affection and caring between both men as they grow closer.[5]

If there’s one silly trope that I really, really love in any fandom, it’s the ‘so-and-so’s a werewolf’ one. Delightfully versatile, it can make even the most mundane of scenes feel completely different; charging it with an intensity that wouldn’t be there otherwise. “Sympathy for the Werewolf” takes full advantage of that.

Picking-up towards the end of episode ‘Po’ipu’ (S1, Ep9), this fic is an interesting mix of supernatural ailments, government cover-ups, strong friendships, case fic, and blooming romance. Not necessarily in that order, either. While I was initially on the fence about reccing this – present tense writing is a challenge even at the best of times and it’s very rare that I enjoy it even when well executed – I finally decided to throw caution to the wind and let the story speak for itself, especially since it’s just that enjoyable.

Mermaid has done a wonderful job of avoiding some of more cliché aspects of werewolf!fic and instead given us something that is both entertaining and vaguely horrifying. Steve is not of the fluffy-bunny variety of werewolves, where he has complete control over his beast. No, Steve’s transformation and time spent in wolf form comes straight out of a horror movie, with the human side of him having very little control over what happens during the full moon, though thankfully nothing tragic occurs.

Overall, though I might have a few qualms about it, this fic is nevertheless an entertaining read that leaves the door open for other supernaturally inclined 5-0 fics.[6]

References

  1. ^ Ohana Favorite Awards 2012 - WINNERS, 28 May 2012. (Accessed 16 May 2016)
  2. ^ amalnahurriyeh. Two Things I Read And Liked, 14 July 2011. (Accessed 17 July 2011)
  3. ^ blue_meridian. InstaRec: Sympathy for the Werewolf by Mermaid [H50, Steve/Danny], 17 July 2011. (Accessed 24 July 2011)
  4. ^ shinysylver in: h50-rec-room. Themed Thursday (11/17/11) - Monster Mash. (Accessed 14 May 2016)
  5. ^ sorka42 in: Slash World. Sympathy for the Werewolf by mermaid, 15 January 2012. (Accessed 22 May 2016)
  6. ^ slyprentice in: epic_recs. Sympathy for the Werewolf by mermaid (R), 29 July 2011. (Accessed 01 June 2016)