Bent 11

[concupiscence66]

Title:  Bent
Author:  Concupid
Rating:  NC-17
Pairing:  Howard/Vince
Warnings:  mentions of violence, explicit sex, mild dominance and submission
Summary:  Vince talks about Charlie

Comments

Comment, Part Deux!

[bluestocking79]

(continuing on...)

The sex scene is amazing and sexy and intimate, yet also character developing. It's not surprising that there's a desperation here from both of them, because they both want to take advantage of the opportunity they have while they can and there is a real fear that this will somehow go away or not work right once they're switched back to their usual selves. But Howard is also right about the desperation coming from Vince, too, for other reasons--like, for example, his certainty that Howard's going to leave him eventually, if he can't make him stay. And when he says he's going to miss this, it's about... so much. He's going to miss being able to top. He's going to miss being able to be so open about his desire. He's going to miss being able to be so close to Howard. He's going to miss Howard, period. Howard promises that Vince can always have this, but I think the real trick is going to be in getting past all of Vince's fears and self-defenses to get him to actually BELIEVE that.

On another note: I am so fascinated by Howard's perception of what happened during their time on the island. We already know how Vince saw it; that's what precipitated this whole mess. And what this shows is that neither of them has any idea of how much emotional power they have over each other. Each of them thinks the other has the upper hand and feels vulnerable and at the other's mercy. Howard doesn't seem to have connected the dots quite yet on just WHY Vince was so angry there, or where the anger came from, and it'll be really interesting to see how they bridge the gaps in their perceptions on what happened on the island, since the story IS grounded in the fallout from what happened there.

On another another note: “Charlie Tries to Order Something On-line but is Unsure of the Sizing” is so totally a story that Vince would write, and it made me grin with how perfect it was.

On yet ANOTHER note: I've analyzed a whole bunch here, but I also wanted to take the time to make sure you know how, you know, fucking amazing this story is and how much I am enjoying it as both fan and reader. It's great, it's insightful, it's hot, it's harrowing. I love everything you write, and I honestly believe it's one of the best things you've written. I know it's sometimes difficult to write, but every bit of effort you've put into it is appreciated, because it is truly amazing and inspired. <3

Re: Comment, Part Deux!

[concupiscence66]

I have a million things to say, but I'll focus on one for now! Last night, I was watching the episode of X-Files where Scully and Mulder each describe the events of a case. In Scully's version, she is dutifully trudging along behind Mulder, unappreciated and barely noticed as he tilts at windmills. Then we see Mulder's version in which he is desperately seeking approval from a luminous but mocking Scully. I was really struck by what a great idea that was, to show the audience how they both see the other as having the power in their dynamic and how their personal insecurities color the way they see their interaction. I was pondering how to use it in a fic and your comment about showing the two perspectives on the island made me very happy! There's so much in that episode that shows their fears and insecurities. Even though they think about it in different terms and express it in different ways, they're both afraid of being insignificant or forgettable.

Re: Comment, Part Deux!

[bluestocking79]

This is probably going to come as no surprise, but: I not only know that episode of the X-Files, but it's one of my very favorites! I always loved the way they used the different POVs not only for the comedic effect, but to develop character. They're each hungry for recognition or approval from each other, and see the other as withholding it.

That is totally what's going on with Vince and Howard, too, and I absolutely got that after reading Howard's view of their time on the island, so I'd say you put that trick to good use! You're absolutely right: at the heart of it, they are each desperately afraid of being insignificant and meaningless to each other, easily discarded and forgotten. Vince is afraid of never being able to be good enough to be valued by Howard; Howard is afraid that he's easily forgettable and that Vince will eventually move on to bigger and shinier things. And neither of them has the slightest clue that they have any kind of power over each other, much less the power to wound each other that deeply. I'm really looking forward to them starting to merge those perspectives and figure that out! But please, please, let them not take as long as Scully and Mulder did to figure those things out. ;)