"Or Not At All" by sunflowerb (T)
Fandom: Doctor Who
Pairing: River Song/The (Eleventh) Doctor
Title: Or Not At All
Author: sunflowerb
Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1085989
Rating/Warning(s): Teen
Word Count/WIP?: 13,706 (complete)
Recced on LiveJournal By: stars_inthe_sky
Trope Bingo square: Hurt/comfort
Why This Must Be Read: This is not a happy fic-it's probably more hurt than comfort, really, as the Doctor and River struggle to level out following the events of "The Angels Take Manhattan." But it's a much-needed coda to that episode and the devastating loss it meant for both characters, with crisp and strong characterizations, heartfelt and hard-felt emotions, and a River that jives with the writing and contradictions that we see onscreen while still feeling like a whole, real person. "Or Not At All" is one of those stories that has stuck with me-in the best way-long since I first read it, and it's basically become my headcanon for this time in the couple's lives.
Pairing: River Song/The (Eleventh) Doctor
Title: Or Not At All
Author: sunflowerb
Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/1085989
Rating/Warning(s): Teen
Word Count/WIP?: 13,706 (complete)
Recced on LiveJournal By: stars_inthe_sky
Trope Bingo square: Hurt/comfort
Why This Must Be Read: This is not a happy fic-it's probably more hurt than comfort, really, as the Doctor and River struggle to level out following the events of "The Angels Take Manhattan." But it's a much-needed coda to that episode and the devastating loss it meant for both characters, with crisp and strong characterizations, heartfelt and hard-felt emotions, and a River that jives with the writing and contradictions that we see onscreen while still feeling like a whole, real person. "Or Not At All" is one of those stories that has stuck with me-in the best way-long since I first read it, and it's basically become my headcanon for this time in the couple's lives.