Something Right

[bratanimus]

Title: Something Right
Author: bratanimus
Ratings/Warnings: PG-13 for language, and slightly Scrooge-like tendencies. ;)
Prompts: Candy canes, and
“So here it is, Merry Christmas
Everybody's having fun
Look to the future now
It's only just begun”
- Merry Christmas Everybody, by Slade
Word Count: 3,840
Summary: It’s all Kenny Kringle’s fault that

Comments

[duck_or_rabbit]

* wiping away tears of laughter *

Um, I think Remus should be indeterminately drunk. I mean, the wizard gets-his-Geek-on easily enough sober, but inebriatied, it's effortless, like second nature, and it just magnifies everything about him we adore!

You completely capture the dichotomy we love and hate about Christmas. We cringe at the means our families follow to arrive at the embarrassing end of becoming the Osmond Family, while we love them for shamelessly trying. And, with that said, we count on the reliable, dependable spectacle that is Christmas. Tonks, despite her innocent protests, means no malice. She is absolutely wonderful in this story. The adage of "show don't tell" is clearly at work in her.

A curious quirk, and I think totally effective detail, is that they kiss during their first night alone together. (The booze being no excuse, Werewolf!) It makes sense, I think. They have been on each others' imaginations forever so intimacy is imminent, if the conditions are ripe.

It won't surprise you that I also enjoyed the indirect appearance of Sirius. Plus, it works well (as does the reference to Arthur) to move the story. It puts a slow, macabre burn into both Tonks' and Remus' minds about the coming war, and the losses they will inevitably bear, without them having to say so.

This is both a wonderful and revealing R/T moment. Technically, the story is masterfully handled. Lots of dialogue, which keeps a story honest. Thank you so, so much!

[bratanimus]

YES! You got my Osmond family reference! (I totally saw "Doug and Delilah" as Donny and Marie.) YAY!

Thank you. I'm really pleased that you liked this. And you're right, Tonks means no malice. She doesn't mean to be angry about Christmas; but with all the ideal family crap being flaunted in her face, she can't help but feel a little defensive, since her career choice and involvement in the Order have all but eliminated her options for home and family, or at least any safe version of that.

I think the reason this is their first kiss is because Remus hasn't allowed himself to be drunk around her before now. He's needed to keep control of himself, and tonight he thought she'd be elsewhere with her OWN Osmond family, lol. But then she shows up when he's finally wallowing indulging himself, and he can't fight his feelings for her any longer. And I love that Remus gets sloppier when he's drunk, while Tonks gets steadier. I may have to play with that some more in future fics! ;)

Glad you liked the all-too-indirect appearance of Sirius. I wanted to put him IN the fic, but the word limit kept me from that little luxury this time around. Like you, I think the "offstage" presence of a morose, passed-out Sirius and an ill, recently-attacked Arthur both serve to remind Remus and Tonks of past and future losses ... which certainly would heighten their desperation to reach for each other, even if they don't consciously acknowledge those fears.

I'm pleased that you liked the dialogue. Dialogue is something I have to keep working on (which I thought you handled extremely well in I Love You, and All We've Been Through), so thank you. I really appreciate your thoughtful comments.

Thanks again for reading! I'm tickled that you liked this. :)