and one more new short thing...

[luninosity]

Yesterday I posted all the happy fluff ever, and then I think my brain rebelled, on the walk to campus, and decided that it was time for something completely different. So...have some rather short, James point-of-view, angst-filled fic? Basically, all of the things I don't normally write for these two? (But I promise that in my head there's more to

Comments

[luninosity]

I think meep just about covers it, too! I just re-read it, and made myself all sad. Now I must write happy things. (Actually, now I must go back to working on my lesson plan for today's Shakespeare class. Yay, Titus Andronicus!)

I'm guilty of not really wanting to read the fics where she's present, because it makes everything more complicated ...oh, me too. That's a different kind of angst (versus the James/Michael pining-for-each-other or amusing misunderstandings), and there's really no good way out without some pain. But I had the idea, and I felt like I should try it at least once--it's a challenge, and also realistic emotions are some of the things I like (and strive for) in fic, and this situation IS a realistic, if horrifically painful, one--so good fic writers (not that I am saying I am one) shouldn't be afraid to try to meet the challenge? And then we can all go back to the happy fluffy AU land of unicorns and kittens.

As an antidote, then: disbelief11 is making me co-write a slightly different version of Things Involving Mistletoe, in which Kevin's been hiding it all over the set, and so, here's the beginning:

###
The first time it happened, it was Kevin's fault entirely. Inarguably. One hundred percent.

Of course Michael had noticed him wandering innocently away from the bar set, earlier. And had immediately gone over to inspect everything, just in case grease had appeared on the floor or the screws had gone missing from every bar stool. He couldn't find anything, though, and had eventually given up. He was sure there had to be something, but Matthew was glaring at him for the delay and he couldn't make them wait any longer.

They probably deserved it, after the whipped-cream-inside-Kevin's-supervillain-helmet incident, but if there really was something slippery on the floor and James fell down and got hurt, Michael would quite possibly have to commit murder.

He spent a second pondering that instinct. Maybe it was strange, that his brain had apparently decided that James potentially getting hurt would be the worst of all possible outcomes. Probably not the kind of thing one should think about one's co-worker.

But he'd already seen bruises along those graceful arms, after filming the mock-jet scenes, when they'd been tossed around on wires and into unsympathetic floors. The bruises had cast evil little shadows over all the uncomplaining freckles, and Michael had wanted to reach out and touch them all, to make them go away somehow, to keep James from having to be in pain a second longer than necessary.

Jesus, he thought. Anyone hearing those thoughts would think he was in love with James.

They'd be right, of course. Which was why no one, not ever, was hearing those thoughts.

Right. Time to focus. James was grinning at him, no doubt filing away the delay to mock him about later, and Hugh was waving from the bar--"Come on, you two, not gonna wait for you to woo me forever!"--and so he grinned right back at James, and they walked forward, in unison as always. Started to talk. Hugh, with his usual flawless timing, drawled right back, "Fuck off," and he looked at James, and they walked back out.

And then did it again. And again. After the fifth take--Matthew had said, pathetically, "Just one or two more, okay? It's not quite perfect!"--James stopped, looked at Hugh, and said, "Oh, come on, please?" and the entire room cracked up.

Not quite perfect, hell, Michael thought. James couldn't be anything other than perfect if he tried. Also, he clearly needed to top that, next time.

This time he sat down next to Hugh on the bar stool. Leaned in, flirtatiously. Hugh clearly was trying not to laugh, and started to say "Fuck off" again, and Michael murmured "Only if you join me," and watched in satisfaction as Hugh choked on the cigar.

[telperion_15]

I suppose really it's no different to wanting to ignore the canon other-halves of fictional characters when writing slash fiction about them. Only it feels different when it's about other people - it feels like you have to handle it really carefully and respectfully because they are real people (even if, despite the RPF tag, the R part isn't really present in a lot of fics, let's face it) - which sort of takes a bit of the shine/fun out of it.

Or I could stop rambling now... *g*

so good fic writers (not that I am saying I am one) shouldn't be afraid to try to meet the challenge?

Oh, pish... :)

Jesus, he thought. Anyone hearing those thoughts would think he was in love with James.

They'd be right, of course. Which was why no one, not ever, was hearing those thoughts.

*simultaneously snickers and wants to hug Michael* Also, I am wondering if James is suddenly going to have an attack of the green-eyed monsters...?

[luninosity]

Only it feels different when it's about other people - it feels like you have to handle it really carefully and respectfully because they are real people ...yes, I think so, too. Even if most RPS is about fictionalised versions of people anyway (or at least I try to think so), there's still that real person at the center of it, and we have to be considerate of that, because we write what we write out of love. And I do think you're right about it being less 'shiny' when that weight of responsibility is more present (the closer the RPS is to reality, the less shiny it is?) but that's part of the challenge, too: finding the balance point between realism and respect and sparkly fictional fun with characters who are sort-of these people but not really; CAN we still get the sparkly fun even with the increased realism? Or something like that, anyway.

Not rambling! These are intriguing conversations. :-)

...And, re: James: yes, yes he is! Sometimes it just takes seeing someone else get what you want to make you realize you want it. (I'm not writing that bit, though. Or at least I think she's already started, because I don't usually do the James p.o.v. But I believe James starts carrying around his own mistletoe, trying [and never quite succeeding] to make things happen, and then I get to do the bit in which Michael accidentally finds it in his sweater...)

[nianeyna]

finding the balance point between realism and respect and sparkly fictional fun with characters who are sort-of these people but not really

That's a wonderful way of putting it. I think that sort of inability to distinguish reality from fiction is present everywhere (Snapewives, anyone?), it's just much more important in RPS because there's so much more potential for actual real people to get hurt. Plus it's easier to cross that line in the first place, because the fiction is so much closer to the reality than it is in Harry Potter.

[luninosity]

Oh, it is? Excellent! I re-read that and thought it sounded awkward, but I had to go teach, so...I'm glad the idea came across, at least! :-p

Snapewives, sheesh. (I don't really do Potter fandom, though I am a fan, but I have friends who do, and...) Agreed about the RPS line; I think you have to be respectful, always, and be very clear about the fact that these are invented people who might be based on real people, but are not them. And the problem comes when fans (often starting from a place of real affection, of course) forget that. Which I've seen happen in Supernatural/J2 fandom; kind of why I'm not writing much over there, anymore (that and the show's kind of going downhill in quality lately). They aren't our property, and they can live their lives however they want, even if we write the fictional versions differently!

But I like to think that *those* fans are a minority; for the most part, fandom is respectful and considerate, in its own weird and enthusiastic and creative way, and there really are understood boundaries. Which is what allows the whole thing to stay so wonderful and wacky and fun. :-)

[disbelief11]

I have to step in here to apologize for the delay - I've been working on getting my tax stuff pulled together for my CPA. That doesn't put me in the right frame of mind for fic, I've found.

[luninosity]

Oh, gosh, no, I've been assuming it was my turn! And I've been grading papers and haven't gotten back to Michael and mistletoe (other people have also had James's idea, so the greenery is popping up all over the place) (and James hasn't managed his yet, so Michael is just going along with things, taking this to mean that James isn't interested, because he's the only one who hasn't arranged a kiss yet, and Michael's telling himself not to be disappointed by that fact). So that's what's happening on this end, hopefully soon! :-)