i turned myself to face me

[lozenger8]

Title: i turned myself to face me
Fandom: Life on Mars
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3850 words.
Notes: Sam/Gene, set 1988. Title from ‘Changes’ by David Bowie. Part seven in the Changes Series. You need to have read never caught a glimpse, time was running wild, the taste was not so sweet, how the others must see the faker, strange fascination,

Comments

[awabubbles]

Sam’s no good at prioritising who to care for.
I though that was an interesting character point, like Sam is too affected by his idealism to sort out the nitty and gritty of every day life.

Poor Gene, he knows where this is headed even though he pretends not to. It's a wonderful example of how we lie to ourselves to subdue the conscience while secretly we're working towards those deep dark desires (and it's clear which one I'm rooting for ;D ).

I'm still loving Sam here, even if he's a devious git. I feel like reaching out to Gene and uttering Ray's warning from 1.1 of A2A "The guv better be careful else (he's) gonna rap him round (his) little finger." Because clearly it's better applied here <3

[lozenger8]

I thought that was an interesting character point, like Sam is too affected by his idealism to sort out the nitty and gritty of every day life.

That's Gene's perception, certainly. And I think it's what Sam claimed to have led himself to believe as he became DCI. What use are feelings? But I personally think Sam's emotions could be harnessed for good.

Thank you :D

[basaltgrrl]

Oh god. This is why one writes continuing sagas like this... to have the space to examine the complexities of these boys. And man, do you examine them, and holy crap do they have complexities (thanks to you, thanks to your skill and brilliance as a writer).

I love watching Sam evolve as a person, in your capable hands. I love watching Gene struggle with his feelings.

[lozenger8]

Thank you so much for this comment. ♥

[lozenger8]

To be fair to Gene, I was thinking it was more highly conflicted than seedy, but authorial intent means nothing against reader inference ;)

Thank you :D I'm more of a Paul Abbott girl, but that is a very high compliment.

[lozenger8]

Oh, good. Yes. I'd hoped you'd meant it that way. *Mumbletymumble* that may be an upcoming plotpoint *cough*.

I was going to ask the comm. I'm not encouraged by the fact we have several outstanding ficathon entries.

[chamekke]

OMFG, I absolutely love this installment. I mean, I love all of them, but this is wickedly wonderful in all the ways that push my buttons.

Ha. Heather went to New Zealand when Sam was four, eh? So this version of Sam did *not* grow up in a house that was "always full of women". Not terribly surprising really, given that Sam 2.0 is a walking testosterone bomb. I'm guessing that if Ruth is actually happy to see him fight, Heather was/would have been the moderating influence in Sam's life? (Probably much more complex than that, I'm sure, but I can't help but feel Heather's absence is significant in more ways than one.)

Sam’s no good at prioritising who to care for. His perspective is obviously and irrevocably skewed. He cares for everyone too much, and, when inclined, cares for one person too deeply. Can’t be relied upon at all. *cough*potkettleblack*cough* Ooh, I do love the criminal scum/terrorist parallels here. Gene's looking into a funhouse mirror and not even realising it. Beautifully done.

Youth outreach! So. Not that different

[lozenger8]

I'm going to confess that Gene even mentioning Heather was down entirely to you. But it just makes total sense with what I already knew (for instance, the reason they've moved around so much.) I think that, without her support structures in place, Ruth has become a different woman.

You aren't letting the mutual attraction wind down any time soon, are you?

That would be difficult to pull off, I think. Rest assured it's a large part of why this is being written at all.

I have another confession: I don't find this Sam any less likeable than the other. I actually think he's a bit adorable. He's corrupted me appallingly.

Thank you, Cham Cham ♥

[chamekke]

I have another confession: I don't find this Sam any less likeable than the other. I actually think it's a bit adorable. He's corrupted me appallingly.

Hee! Perhaps I shouldn't have phrased it like that. He sometimes does irritating things, yes. But, despite all his mind games, Sam is surprisingly adorable throughout. (I wouldn't be rooting for young!Sam/Gene against all common sense, otherwise.) Charming little bastard :-)

[lozenger8]

He is irritating, I agree.

I do think he knows Gene will know it's manipulation, though. I don't think he's really trying to slip anything by Gene. I don't think he actually has some grand plan for seduction. He wants to spend time with Gene because he's still infatuated, but he hasn't meticulously plotted for the eventuality of Gene caving to his will. The near-kiss was accidental, for instance. He wants something more to happen, that much is clear, but he's not simply biding his time to strike --- he likes spending time with Gene.

I hope that's obvious.

[talkingtothesky]

...You're really good at this, you do know that? ♥

Called Carlton a motherfucker. May have simulated the action with a family photo from his desk.” LOL! XD

“Gene,” he says, sleepily, giving the soppiest, dopiest grin, and reaching up to tug him into a kiss. *squeaks* ♥

Sam, who pops half a cherry in his mouth and quirks an eyebrow. Gene frowns, because he refuses to grin. This is perfect. It's just so them! And subtext like whoa. <3

Jumped around, even; Gene could hear the clomping over the phone.
Is pretty much my reaction when I see a new part of this posted. :)

Sorry I'm not exactly eloquent and insightful like the other commenters. :/

[lozenger8]

Your comments are AWESOME and I love them.

♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you!