This is breathtaking. I love the layering of this piece, the way in which you write in negative space (a favourite technique of mine when writing about these two) and the difficulty of their positions. There is so much that is right about this piece that I can't quote a favourite line, but I will say that I think that the point about the sex always having been the thing that worked between them is such an important thing to keep in mind. (Although a morbidly recalcitrant part of me now wants to try writing the opposite, just to see if it's possible.)
I love the realistic progression of Ianto's doubts and anger at the revelations of labels that he hadn't ever thought necessary or acceptable. I also love the frisson of shame that I can feel him trying not to grapple with. The vulnerability of both of them in this story is exquisitely painful ('poignant' is too weak a word for it, in this case) and beautifully realised in its understatement. The last paragraph is perfect.
As to your comparison of your story to mine in the author's notes, more is not usually better. I would say that mine is clumsy and wallows in excess compared with this piece, and I very much feel that I got the better deal here by many leagues. Thank you so, so much for this gorgeous gift.
I'm so glad you love it! This was actually the fifth draft, because I struggled so much with this concept. I went, in the end, for the thing that fit not only the character, but was also something I saw people do in RL (like the original, this fic owes some serious inspiration to John Barrowman).
As for sex always working between them -- it's what brought them together, what they're based on, so it seemed a fair conclusion. Having said that, if you can pull off the opposite, all the more credit to you!
And you're very, very welcome. I loved the fic you wrote me (Tesco's, dude! How many people can pull that off without a hitch?!), and I'm glad you loved this.
I love the realistic progression of Ianto's doubts and anger at the revelations of labels that he hadn't ever thought necessary or acceptable. I also love the frisson of shame that I can feel him trying not to grapple with. The vulnerability of both of them in this story is exquisitely painful ('poignant' is too weak a word for it, in this case) and beautifully realised in its understatement. The last paragraph is perfect.
As to your comparison of your story to mine in the author's notes, more is not usually better. I would say that mine is clumsy and wallows in excess compared with this piece, and I very much feel that I got the better deal here by many leagues. Thank you so, so much for this gorgeous gift.
Catherine
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As for sex always working between them -- it's what brought them together, what they're based on, so it seemed a fair conclusion. Having said that, if you can pull off the opposite, all the more credit to you!
And you're very, very welcome. I loved the fic you wrote me (Tesco's, dude! How many people can pull that off without a hitch?!), and I'm glad you loved this.
Vera
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