gorgeous. i love how simple and quiet their interactions are, how cook is getting through him by being normal and okay with everything, but not exactly ignoring it. your writing is absolutely awesome and the simplicity of their chemistry, your depiction of that simplicity is pure genius.
Thank you. I was aiming for the normalcy between them to be the stabalizing force for David. And that simplicity is what I love about them--how easy they seem to relate to each other, especially Archuleta, who could always seem so painfully awkward with other people.
The stuff in the asterisks should probably be in white, psst, and Archuleta is spelled wrong in your tag. It just caught my eye.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I fully get that this is a labor of love, because I don't think I've seen such a realistic portrayal of someone coming back from an edge that they deliberately tried to push themselves over. It feels very plausible too, and I was pretty much cheering for Cook all the way - a sequel at that house in the mountains, maybe?
And I love that the ending isn't instantly perfect, that David isn't healed, but that he's getting there.
Thank you! Realism with this issue was important to me; I'm glad it came across all right. I've got to say, I was cheering for Cook myself. :)
The stuff in the asterisks should probably be in white, psst, and Archuleta is spelled wrong in your tag. Um...it is in white? It seems to be working in my browser, anyway. And the Archuleta thing...wow, that shows the nerves in posting, huh? Thanks for pointing it out; I probably wouldn't have noticed!
It wasn't working in my browser - like, it works on your journal, but on the basic LJ page, it didn't work. Huh. *shakes fist at LJ* And no reason to be nervous - this, again, was an excellent fic. :D
Okay, I just had to come back. This is brilliant. I have rarely read a more compassionate and sensitive handling of such a troubling issue. Your characterisation of Archie is spot on while at the same time showing the damage wrought by the events that have brought him to the brink. I loved the way you portrayed his sense of numbness as well as the fact that he just wishes to be treated as he is, damaged, but a person instead of being made o glass. And how starved he is for honest affection, human touch, because that is what is taken away first, people stop touching you. I love Cook's gentleness, his patience, giving Archie what he wants instead of taking, as Archie has probably become used to. I love the way your language is so gentl as well, but has such immense hidden depths.
As someone who walks the razor's edge, I can only thank you for your understanding and compassion.
Wow, thank you. I had doubts about writing this, about using the issue at all, especially in RPF fic. I can't recount how many times I deleated things because they didn't fit the mood or the number of tries it took at some of the dialogue before it felt right.
I think the issue with touch and affection is a big part of what made me want to use these two to tell the story. We've seen so much easy affection from Cook to Archie and vice versa; I think that's why we all love to write about them so much. I'm glad the characterization seemed on.
I actually wondered if I was making Cook too perfect here, perhaps turning the character into what I would wish for in a similar situation. But this is through Archie's eyes, so we don't see Cook's thoughts or doubts.
I'm glad you found it realistic and compassionate. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
David blinks innocently. “Nothing? Um…it kind of goes with a theme, I guess. Except the last one’s not so much watching over as just…watching.” He’s babbling now, but he can’t seem to stop himself. “Not that it’s not cool? I’m sure no one interprets it as an issue with voyeurism or anything.”
and
David knows he’s being teased. He gives in with a huff. “Fine. I could write a song about that thing, okay? I’d have to call it, like, ‘Fear and Loathing in the Cyclops’ Cave’ or something.”
I LOLed agt that. At the second one, I was laughing so hard I had to stop reading because I couldn't see straight. I'm going to track this fic just because omg that line. Haha.
Also, I guessed suicide when bandages were mentioned. But I loved this. Simple, poignant, and goes deep in the relationship of the two. These two David would be more like the irl ones, though here's to hoping neither one goes off the bend.
Thank you. I know there's not a lot of humor in here, but those are two of my favorite bits. They were actually sort of last minute additions--I saw a video the other day from back when Cook first got that tattoo and was reminded of how much it creeped me out. :)
And yeah, I was trying to drop hints. I figured by the time I mentioned David freaking out when Cook touched the bandage on his wrist that most readers would figure it out. The actual stating of it at the end was more for Archie's benefit.
Thank you. It was important to me to treat the topic with sensitivity and keep it realistic.
I'm glad the humor worked! I was a little worried while writing it that the mood was shifting too much, but it just felt right for the relationship. And yes, I am working on the sequel. I make no promises about when, but it will be coming.
Thank you so much for the in-depth feedback! It means a lot to me.
Comments 43
absolutely AWESOME.
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Thanks for the feedback!
Reply
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I fully get that this is a labor of love, because I don't think I've seen such a realistic portrayal of someone coming back from an edge that they deliberately tried to push themselves over. It feels very plausible too, and I was pretty much cheering for Cook all the way - a sequel at that house in the mountains, maybe?
And I love that the ending isn't instantly perfect, that David isn't healed, but that he's getting there.
Reply
The stuff in the asterisks should probably be in white, psst, and Archuleta is spelled wrong in your tag.
Um...it is in white? It seems to be working in my browser, anyway. And the Archuleta thing...wow, that shows the nerves in posting, huh? Thanks for pointing it out; I probably wouldn't have noticed!
Reply
Reply
Reply
As someone who walks the razor's edge, I can only thank you for your understanding and compassion.
Reply
I think the issue with touch and affection is a big part of what made me want to use these two to tell the story. We've seen so much easy affection from Cook to Archie and vice versa; I think that's why we all love to write about them so much. I'm glad the characterization seemed on.
I actually wondered if I was making Cook too perfect here, perhaps turning the character into what I would wish for in a similar situation. But this is through Archie's eyes, so we don't see Cook's thoughts or doubts.
I'm glad you found it realistic and compassionate. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
Reply
and
David knows he’s being teased. He gives in with a huff. “Fine. I could write a song about that thing, okay? I’d have to call it, like, ‘Fear and Loathing in the Cyclops’ Cave’ or something.”
I LOLed agt that. At the second one, I was laughing so hard I had to stop reading because I couldn't see straight. I'm going to track this fic just because omg that line. Haha.
Also, I guessed suicide when bandages were mentioned. But I loved this. Simple, poignant, and goes deep in the relationship of the two. These two David would be more like the irl ones, though here's to hoping neither one goes off the bend.
<3
Reply
And yeah, I was trying to drop hints. I figured by the time I mentioned David freaking out when Cook touched the bandage on his wrist that most readers would figure it out. The actual stating of it at the end was more for Archie's benefit.
Thanks for the feedback!
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I'm glad the humor worked! I was a little worried while writing it that the mood was shifting too much, but it just felt right for the relationship. And yes, I am working on the sequel. I make no promises about when, but it will be coming.
Thank you so much for the in-depth feedback! It means a lot to me.
Reply
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