Firebug, Chapter 5/7

[millstone1005]

Firebug 5

Title: Firebug
Characters: Ryan, Sandy, Kirsten, Seth and other season 1 characters
Timeframe: mid season 1
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to The O.C.. Not for profit.
Description: There is a fire at Harbor. Arson. Guess who is the prime suspect?

Author’s Note: My beta fredsmith518 deserves

Comments

[beachtree]

So I have to stay current on one fic anyway... Lucky you- or not!

I was wondering when you'd introduce Kirsten to the mix, in what capacity and with what results. I'm so glad we didn't get passive, uncertain and clueless Kirsten, but a Kirsten who actively and obviously cares about Ryan, is perceptive and both aware and concerned about the challenges and prejudice he faces and has always confronted from both the adults and the kids in the community. You give us a glimpse into her insights in the context of their relationship and how she recognizes she needs to be more involved with him as she becomes more his advocate to those who have assmebled against him- especially her father and the other half of the gruesome twosome. She realizes that Ryan is a convenient scapegoat and even understands how it upsets him that the family gets tainted by association.

Unlike TPTB, you provide us with a more revealing look at the dilemmas Ryan must have faced from the very beginning at school- yet another opportunity that was missed in canon. It's significant that Ryan, who only wanted a more typical experience both in Chino and Newport so that he could just relax, go to school and not endure such constant struggle, never refers to his existence at Harbor as 'normal'. That's Kirsten's word choice. Ryan had only hoped for things to 'calm down'. His expectations are so abyssmally low.

I like the proprietary tone you set with Kirsten introspectively thinking of Ryan as 'her Ryan' when she considers the polite, thoughtful, sensitve person she knows in stark contrast to the judged, labeled, despised 'criminal' the others have conjured up to suit their own purposes. Along with her understanding comes a quiet, steady rhythm as they interact, at least until she mentions his birthday. Thankfully, she involves him in planning this particular celebration instead of laying the groundwork for the catastrophe his 18th could have been if her surprise had materialized. At least this time, someone is listening.

You've included Ryan's friends, who are all friends solely because of him, as a support system now. In addition to the reassurance they provide, there's also a more relaxed atmosphere to help dispel the tension that has him so tightly wound and then there's Luke's kneejerk reaction at the mention of Julie... Ouch! Even as Ryan's own world is so stormy, he still picks up on Luke's suspicious behavior.

Thanks especially for exploring the Ryan/Kirsten dynamic with such a tender, intuitive side. That's just the type of scene that's far too lacking on the screen.

[millstone1005]

Thanks for your comments, beachtree.

I was looking for a place to put in Kirsten's POV and this chapter was the first opportunity. I also wanted to get in a scene showing the support of Ryan's friends.

[beachtree]

That was fast!

You definitely accomplished your goals!