Fic: "First Kick I Took Was When I Hit The Ground" (SGA)

[inlovewithnight]

Sheppard gen.
Title from "Born in the USA."
Operates on the assumption that Shep has Joe Flanigan's birthdate. And that said birthdate as given by IMDB is correct. (1967, for those playing along at home.)
Just some toying about with backstory. Thanks to poisontaster for the beta-read; since I was too lazy to send it back for a second readthrough, all

Comments

[abbylee]

That's some good toying.

I love the way you got the disconnect without making anything bad. Sad, but not mean. Just... not right, and therefore right here.

[inlovewithnight]

Thank you. :) I'm glad that came through the way I was hoping. "Disconnected" was exactly the tone I wanted.

[ladycat777]

They're friends in theory, the way that Uncle Keith and Aunt Trish are family in theory, the way that file folder in the counselor's office lays out his theoretical potential

Sometimes I think John still feels that way, even in Atlantis -- he does things because he's supposed to, because that's how the theory is supposed to be born out, not always because it's what he wants or needs to do. Sometimes, anyway.

And like Abby said -- excellent job of making the characters bleak and empty without being mean or abusive. None of them are bad, the antagonist -- they just aren't right, either. Lovely.

[inlovewithnight]

John is so tricky, because they move him back and forth from episode to episode; one week he has that dark streak, the next he's just goofy-guy, he's careless, he's the Hero...trying to make that all fit together coherently is a challenge. But fun.

[fairestcat]

I think this is the best supposition of John's backstory I've seen. It reads really true, especially the way there is no grand tragedy, no painful experience, just that too-familiar feeling of never quite belonging, of being an outsider in your own home.

I like the line about friends and family in theory, that really works.

[inlovewithnight]

Thank you. :) I didn't want the big tragic history, just...well, disconnected, like abbylee said above. Because John seems to hold himself back a lot in canon, so...yeah. I lost my train of thought. Thank you!

[inlovewithnight]

Shep is HARD to understand. I was saying above that the writers move him around from week to week, characterization-wise. Fitting all the pieces together is tricky. But Antarctica, Atlantis...empty places with nothing but sky. I think that's the image I started with, actually, looking back.

Thanks for reading and commenting. :)

[crayonbreakygal]

Oh wow. I just love backstory fics, especially well done backstory fics. This one is one of those.

I love the fact that you put John in a situation that isn't abusive. He just wants out. He wants to belong somewhere and he knows it isn't where he is right then.

You even fit in just how smart he is too. Good for you. Shep is just one big ball of insecurities and hopefullness in this fic. I think that's why he's a little clueless sometimes on Atlantis about what to do when people actually care.

[inlovewithnight]

Thanks. :) I love the Shep, but he isn't a guy who instantly connects and spills his guts...I mean, on Atlantis, these are his coworkers and his friends but he's STILL holding himself back from them somewhat.