Fanfiction: Heroes: Lessons In Literature and People

[superkappa]

Title: Lessons In Literature and People
Author: superkappa
Prompt: Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.
-Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger for sylelle_chall
Characters/Pairing: Gabriel/Elle
Rating: PG-13
Warnings (spoilers): Underage drinking, possibly triggering material.
Summary: AU. Gabriel hates pretty much everyone,

Comments

[dragynflies]

The mark of a good AU is one that has the same characterization in a whole new environment. It's not easy to do!

But I think you nailed it here. I like Elle's introduction -- complete with attitude and absentee father. And I think you captured Gabriel well too, and I could imagine this kid growing into the Gabriel Gray we saw in Villians. (Even though abilities weren't a part of this verse.)

I'll admit to not having read the story referenced here --- I did read Catcher in the Rye but that's it -- so I googled it and it made a lot more sense. It was sad but dark, which is the sad I like.

I really like this for some reason:
“You know, most guys would have hit on me about ten different times by now,” she comments, peering over his shoulder. “Or are you some kind of closet case or something? Maybe you’d like me better if I was a boy?”

Gabriel snorts at that, looking somewhat offended. “No. I’m not like that.”

“Then what are you like? Do you like to fuck books or something?”

He places his book down now, his face contorted in disgust. “What’s wrong with you?”

I think it just really captures the characters as teenagers. And oh, all the things that are wrong with Elle.

The ending was very sad, as well. Poor Gabriel finally opens up to someone and it falls apart for him. I feel worse for him than I do for Elle, I think.

[superkappa]

I'm so glad they still seemed IC despite a different setting. That's always the challenge of writing an AU, at least for me.

Yeah, I almost didn't put that reference in, because I didn't want to alienate people, but it seemed too fitting to keep out, so there you go.

That was one of my favorite parts.

I think ultimately, you are supposed too feel worse for him. I mean, Elle is kind of largely a mystery here, we don't know what pushed her actions, which makes it harder to be sympathetic towards hr.