Redefined by joyousnerd

Rated M/R. Romance. AH.

Hangin’ ‘round, downtown by myself,
And I had so much time to sit
And think about myself
And then there she was…
-Sex & Candy, Marcy Playground

Like the song says, Redefined by joyousnerd is “like double-cherry pie.” It’s that good. The lyrical introduction is in honor of how I found this wonderful fic – sitting at Loco’s with nothing particular to do, I started scrolling through completed fics on Twilighted on my phone. I gave it a try because it was (at the time) a one-shot that I could read over dinner. So there I was, laughing and sighing over the first chapter of what has become my very favorite fic. This AH work-in-progress makes me squeal out loud when it updates, and it is the lone entry on my “read more than twice” list.

At the start, Bella and Edward are best friends and roommates who have never thought of each other “that way.” They’ve seen each other at their best and worst, and we’re introduced to them in a moment of comfortable familiarity. Then a snowstorm knocks out the power, and suddenly the comfort isn’t quite so familiar, after all.
Originally a one-shot written for “When Love was New” (in which it received an honorable mention, by the way), the author continued the story for the very best reason – the characters insisted. The continuing chapters reveal a delightful story about the highs and lows of new love with a light touch of humor and just the right amount of drama. All of the Cullens come out to play, including “Ren,” (“her real name is… Swedish or something”). Jacob is the friend that Team Edward fans wish he would be. Charlie and Renee have unique characterizations that factor into an M-rated plot line with potential triggers, although the author handles the subject tastefully and without gimmicks.

All of this fic-tastic goodness is delivered through joyousnerd’s enviable style and pacing. We’re granted access to both Edward and Bella’s perspectives through a smoothly alternating third-person limited voice. In keeping with its original debut as a one-shot, each chapter so far is nearly self-contained, with a complete episodic plot line as well as a contribution to the larger story arc. All in all, a beautiful story that is as worthy to be enjoyed as a favorite battered board game, and as deserving to be seen as a brilliant diamond ring.

Read it on Twilighted or at FFn!