HLH_Shortcuts '20 recs

hlh_shortcuts had 16 stories for 2020. Get them on the AO3. As always, different stories have different appeals! If you like HL, find the one for you. By my count:

• 9 General, 5 Teen, 2 Mature
• 8 gen, 3 m/m, 2 m/f, 2 multi, 1 other
• 7 2K-5K words, 4 5K-10K words, 3 >10K words, 2 <2K words
• 3 crossovers (Good Omens, Justified, Pokémon)
• 13 Methos, 9 Joe, 9 Duncan, 6 Amanda, 3 Cierdwyn, 2 Connor, 2 Cory, 2 Michelle, 1 Richie, 1 Rebecca, 1 Grace, 1 Matthew, 1 Amy, 1 Nick

The most intriguing (to me) story descriptions are:

• "That second backup Watcher CD on the bookstore shelf was long overdue to cause trouble."
• "The smell of cinnamon rolls would never be the same."

As previously mentioned, I wrote "The Power That’s Inside (We All Live in a Pokémon World)" for JTT's request; per her sign-up, it's "crack taken seriously" (very, very seriously: you know me). And Raine — who also wrote a pinch-hit: "Someone Else's Problem" — generously wrote "between a spark and lightning" for my request; it features two of my favorite characters, Michelle and Cierdwyn, and the HL trope of an immortal coming out to a mortal.

Some other stories that caught my attention include:

"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" by Killabeez
This is When Harry Met Sally starring Methos and Duncan, supported by a wide cast of their immortal friends (and Joe). It's pleasant as that, but what makes it more than just that for me (whose tastes don't usually run to too many immies in one place) is how it also picks up a canonical line that I feel could be more examined in fanfic: Methos's stated "not one of us" disinclination to get seriously involved with a fellow immortal. Combining that sentiment with the When Harry Met Sally structure is clever and effective.

"Mnemosyne" by Calime
This reflection does fanfic introspection right. While it's telling and telling about Methos, it's also showing a revelation to the reader and the character.

"Take The Long Way Home" by Adabsolutely
Want to peacefully hang out with our old character friends for ~5K words in roughly the present (but not the pandemic) around eastern Washington and environs? This is the story for you!

"The Things That Money Can't Buy" by Mackiedockie
This is the first story ever to make me reconsider my initial and longstanding aversion to the Cory Raines character. Because of this story, I plan to re-watch that episode and give him another chance. But really this story features Richie and Joe, with Cory and Methos on the side, falling into a caper neither wanted and digging themselves out. In a resort town, in the mountains, in the snow. I don't normally go for capers, but I enjoyed all the characterizations here, and the intense realism outside the caper likelihood itself.