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I RETURN softlyforgotten June 20 2010, 07:41:01 UTC
TO FLAIL. PREPARE YOURSELF.

Argh, so, I don't even really know where to start. I guess, to make it easy -- I love the way you write Gerard's POV, that mix of intelligence and enthusiasm and dorkiness and darkness all at once, how you get him so right every time and I completely forget that you're not, actually, you know, this version of Gerard Way in real life. I think “Ah, yes, I finally get my superpower,” Gerard said solemnly. “Tripping people that walk backwards. Fuckin’ A. I vow to use it only for good.” is still perhaps my favourite line in the history of fic and I still laugh embarrassingly loudly despite having read it in at least three drafts before this, oh man, but also ‘The undead are real! My life is validated!’ and his relationship with Mikey, and the guys at school, and the way he will cheerfully save Ryan Ross from being beaten to a pulp but then also COMPLETELY FORGET who he is, it's ridiculously adorable and charming and sweet and I love him completely.

And especially, then, the way he works with Frank, how you can make Frank's attraction so very clear -- “Your face,” Frank muttered under his breath. “This is like torture. Okay, seriously, you dumb adorable fucker. Home. Water. Bed. Please, promise me you’ll drink some water?”, oh, my HEART -- but also make it make sense that he's oblivious to Gerard, and the dynamic between them, how they can fall so easily into that kind of friendship, the way they click, the ways they make sense. And I love how the main factor in them not getting together isn't just 'Frank happens to be dead' but also their own insecurities and collective failyness, and the way you make that tension both so ridiculously nailbitey but also the sweetest thing ever.

And Frank himself, oh god, crazy vengeful spirits of dead hot boys, the way you make him so real and dangerous and Frankie all at once. I love the way you write magic, darling thing, so much, I love all of the terror when Frank gets mad and the heartbreak of seeing Frank's bones for the first time, and the way you manage to deal with the line between Frank being dead and Frank still existing, and make it both hopeful and tragic at once. And lines like his voice was rough and had dead leaves in it, and clouds skittering across the sky, and the hollow sound of vast empty spaces, oh my god, I think I had to stop and stare and think how the fuck do you even DO this for quite some time before I could move on, just. You should write about ghosts all the time, argh, and especially ghost Franks, because so good.

I don't know, I honestly don't know how to comment properly on this; the scope and pacing of it, how well the story unravels, the way you resolve things and don't resolve others, the way things are both okay and finished but you can see a whole future springing forth. It's amazing, bb, and I hope you're stupid proud of this because it is WONDERFUL.

And finally:

He was wearing a lavender hoodie and possibly lipgloss, and Ryan Ross was lurking by the door with Patrick and Worm and staring at him with huge eyes. Gerard suspected that he had just been replaced in Ryan Ross’s affections.

... um, yes, I don't care how obnoxious I seem, I'm going to need to demand a sequel. <3333333333

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Re: I RETURN novembersmith June 21 2010, 04:19:40 UTC
YOUUU. Oh my god, this comment, I want to print it out and carry it around in my pocket forever. I love this Gerard (possibly you can tell, since I wrote 107k words of the little dork), and I wanted to make him as realistic and teenaged and flawed as possible, so thank you thank you thank you. I'm glad you love him too. And OH, FRANKIE. Why do I always write you as a dead boy, Frank? HE JUST MAKES SUCH A CHARMING GHOST, I CANNOT HELP IT.

And you know, those early drafts, you helped so much with the realization that it couldn't be easy between them, so <3 <3 <3. You made this story so much better and taught me so much about writing, you know. I have so many hearts for you, honestly. I love that we both love magic, and I love the way YOU write it, too, and oh, I am just altogether happy and delighted and yes, I am proud it is finished. For the longest time I thought it wouldn't be, and it's the best feeling in the world, having it out there and knowing other people are enjoying it. *twirls, collapses in heap of fallen leaves blissfully*

Ahaha, well, never fear! I totally have a thousand sequels and spin-offs and prequels for this universe in my soul, so there will undoubtedly be more at some point! GHOST!FRANK, IT IS LIKE CATNIP TO ME. >.>

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