James Goss's Risk Assessment and why I like Ianto and Gwen as just good friends

[fide_et_spe]

This is almost spoiler free, but the character interactions are discussed a bit, no real plot details that aren't on the book cover.

Comments

[51stcenturyfox]

Anyhow this one is much better than Almost Perfect, which contained the classic line "you're shrimp's are ready".

Oh no! Really? I think I have that book; I bought some of the TW novels but socked them away for "when I run out of fanfic to read" and that hasn't happened yet! :D

I do ship almost every Torchwood pairing (and threesome) imaginable, because it's just fun to me and I think everyone has their quirky appeal and is gorgeous in one way or another, but I understand that some are squicky pairings for some people.

I'm a bit like that with Mulder in the X-Files. I can ship Scully with other people but Mulder? Most of the time (barring probably one writer's work) the thought of him with other people makes me say: "EWWWW! NO!" :P I wouldn't bash the 'ship if others like it, but Mulder/Skinner is just not for me.

[fide_et_spe]

Oh yes, the grammar is really amusing. With the X files it was Mulder/Scully all the way for me. I think though that it is just something I have about non canon. My brain is too thinky. If you suggest Mulder/Skinner, my brain says, but Skinner is straight, so for that matter is Mulder, this would never happen. Actually i think Scully/Skinner works, although I don't especially like it.

Like I say, if it's an AU, well fine as long as it's convincing. Also I definitely find it harder post CoE.

Also I do just object to Gwen getting all the boys. With her bloody freckles and shiny hair. It;s just like adolescence all over again!

[51stcenturyfox]

Well, Scully did kiss Skinner in that elevator... :D

When I say I can ship various characters who aren't in relationships, I do mean it in terms of, "I can imagine a situation in which these two could be (at least) physically involved and that would be fun to imagine", not as an OTP "I want them to be a canon couple and I hope the other character in the way falls off a cliff!" thing. The writer does have to convince me with the scenario in the story and they have to be in character. But for Ianto and Gwen, a reason could be "they miss Jack" or "they're angry at Jack for leaving" or "it's the end of the world" or "this is the way Torchwood people deal with loss/almost dying" or hurt/comfort or too many drinks or myriad reasons. I mean, I like Rhys, too.

As for Gwen getting all the guys, I've worked in fields where there are more men than women and that happens all the time. You don't even have to be gorgeous or encourage them! But I see it as a person who enjoys writing/reading het fic as well as slash, and Torchwood people do a lot

[fide_et_spe]

Scully and Skinner could have happened in canon I think, but I quite like Skinner as lonely and a bit pining!

It depends on what you mean by domestic I think. There are some amazing domestic stories out there. I love what Cyus did with domestic, for example, his series really is wonderful.

I have no problem with Aliens/alien gas etc Made them Do it. In fact I'm pretty sure I left a comment on your tentacle one? I like that kind of thing. I'm way too old to be overly soppy or romantic and think that people don't shag for a myriad of reasons. If Ianto and Gwen are indeed the last two people on Earth, well yes, that is a reason. Although equally sometimes I read stories and it occurs to me that in real life some people do actually manage to not have sex. Although of course I know that fan fiction is often about porn and smut as well, but it can be unrealistic sometimes. Even at the end of the world, lots of us may not shag that one other person. (Hey Ianto even said that in canon)

[51stcenturyfox]

I love Skinner like that as well! And Cyus' stories are great, I think. Some domestic fic bugs me because I feel that the writers want to make the characters settle down and be something other than alien experts or FBI agents or vampires or Starfleet officers, and what they do is part of what makes them interesting to me. I can't time travel or kill demons, so that's the escapist part.

And well, I'm...terrible. I'm an unrepentant smut-peddler! I do enjoy plotty gen fic, but it has to be by other people who write that sort of thing much better than I can. :)

[fide_et_spe]

I agree with you. I think it is possible to do both, like with say those Sam stories with Nicolas, which I love. There is some domestic in there, which is sweet, but he gets the plottiness in. I think they are my favourite sort. I don't just want to read about them going to Sainsbury's and then eating dinner, because I do that every day. I want some good plot as well. Speaking of tentacles, Xtrick's classic is another great example. What a beautiful piece that is. There is some domestic sweetness, and sadness/angst in there. There is some smut. Then a plotty alien story as well. I like it when all that gets into the story.

[caledonius72]

I read a very very hot Mulder and Skinner fic once. All NC-17, BDSM. But the author was true to the characters. But then being a gay of dubious morals, I like the man on man action.

[fide_et_spe]

Oh I think we all like the man on man action! I find PWP's with a very basic set up, such as alien gas made them do it, that's fine. I just can't buy it otherwise. I'm sure an alien could make Skinner/Mulder get it together.