Learn By Going

[latetothpartyhp]

Title: Learn By Going
Author: latetothpartyhp
Pairing: Chlollie
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Smut, bad language, angst, hurt/comfort, some gory imagery. First time writing Chlollie & first attempt at smut. If you were a big, big Chimmy fan you might not want to read this.
Spoilers: through Roulette
Short summary: This is set some time after Roulette. AU

Comments

[novadelphine]

Good. So, so good. Don't even know where I want to begin with this comment cause it's that good!

It just had it all... the language, the phrasing and the pacing. I especially loved the way the first part bounced around a bit (I mean that in a good way). The way the scene would change felt so reflective of Chloe's state of mind, her restlessness and anxiety.

"Twice before she had felt this kind of awareness. Once it had left her alone on the dance floor. The other time... "

Oh this just killed me. So simple, but still, says so much.

Adored the section when she's trying to work with him, but is nothing but edgy nerves. The way you convey the thoughts and feelings bouncing around in her head were so perfect and set a perfect tone.

"When it did, he was there, destroying it. Typing next to her, asking questions. More of the staring-over-her-shoulder thing. He gave literal meaning to "breathing down one's neck.""

The vibe here is so love/hate. Just awesome.

Starting with the awful Davis dream, the way you unfurl the two of them is so wonderful. Their need to talk and reassure is in balance with the awkwardness and embarrassment that inevitably comes with spilling secrets. The way you captured it so simply made what was a big moment for the both of them all the more powerful.

The way they come together (both literally and figuratively -- sorry, bad pun I know, but I mean it in a good way!) is so ridiculously perfect. Again, heavy emotions checked by light jokes, miscues and silly moments. Plus, it was just freakin hot!

What really got me, though, was their showdown. My absolute favorite part was that brief moment when she waffles; considers just giving up and letting him go, but she doesn't and, instead, fights for him in a way that helps her remember she needs to fight for herself.

"He sat up to face her. Finally. His jaw was set. Fine. Hers was too. And she was pretty sure her hair was bristled out around her like a cat's. Also fine. Bring it on, pretty boy."

THAT'S who Chloe is. So good.

Finally, the end is excellent. It's that subtle kind of sweet that doesn't bash you over the head but, rather, fills your chest up with warmth.

"She curled her fingers into the hair at the base of his skull. She didn't ever want to uncurl them. "

SIGH. Just, sigh.

I'm gonna restrain myself now, cause I could just keep going and going and going... but whenever I find writing that just clicks for me, I'm totally hooked. This was an Excellent fic. Thanks so much for sharing it!

[latetothpartyhp]

"Plus, it was just freakin hot!"

Sighs with relief. It was really scary posting this; like Chloe, I was thinking, "what if I try to talk dirty and instead of being hot it's just kinda lame?" So thank you!

The waffling bit was really hard to write. I feel as if she's backed down on so many things that mattered to her before, and I didn't know exactly how to get her head into a place so she didn't do that again. But then I remembered that for Chloe the Job is first. She's not just fighting for him or for her; she's also fighting for the people who need them. That's one thing I really like about the idea of Chlollie -- it gives Chloe scope for all her passions.