a million dead-end streets

[lozenger8]

Title: a million dead-end streets
Fandom: Life on Mars
Rating: R
Word Count: 4,300 words.
Notes: Sam/Gene, set 1989. Title from ‘Changes’ by David Bowie. Part fourteen in the Changes Series (link takes you to the previous parts.)
Warning: Violence. Homophobic slurs. Prior character death. Allusions to sex between an adult and a teenager who is

Comments

[chamekke]

AAAAUUUGH!!!! *flails madly*

I love the Ruth-involvement, but AAAUUUUGHHH!!!! You mustn't stop there!

*more coherent thoughts to follow once I've had my night's sleep*

[lozenger8]

Thank you ♥

There is more...

[chamekke]

Phew! *is relieved*

;-)

[talkingtothesky]

Love it. LOVE IT. I was totally not expecting any of this, especially Ruth finding out about them. And I expected not to see Sam ever again, if I'm honest, though I'm bloody glad I was wrong about that. Instead we get them looking out for each other: he shakily makes his way to his feet to stand alongside Gene, shoulder to shoulder, He's pushed to the side --- belatedly realising by Sam and finally Geeeene being a stupid, brilliant bastard trying to get himself killed! (But he will be fine, right? Right. You don't get rid of the Gene Genie that easily.)

My heart was doing joyful, angst-loving backflips all the way through this and then I read Gene stares up at Sam and thinks that this is right, this fits. Sam is safe, and free, and will be happy again one day which is when you broke me.

How do you do it, Loz? This fic is just too amazing to be true. We are so lucky to have you. ♥

P.S. The line where Gene asks what made Ruth think he was buggering her son? I wrinkled my nose up, and then went: oh, that is perfect Gene.

[lozenger8]

♥

Thank you!

I sort of --- I had to have a moment where they're Big Damn Heroes together, like in the days gone by, partners against the world. Especially since Gene was soon to get glassed.

As for that line? You'll be SHOCKED to discover I woke up one morning with Gene saying that in my head, no interference from me.

[lozenger8]

There has to be a little dun Dun DUN.

:D Thanks!

[basaltgrrl]

Every chapter.

EVERY CHAPTER. Blows a hole. In my mind.

I honestly can't say enough about this whole series... I mean, it's about some timey-whimey stuff, but not really - it's just about these people and what people do with impossibility.

[awabubbles]

EVERY CHAPTER. Blows a hole. In my mind.
I second this!

[lozenger8]

♥ ♥ ♥ Thank you!

Yes, the time travel is actually a total MacGuffin. The important thing is the effect it has on everyone.

[awabubbles]

I'm caught up in this idea of two Sam's turning out differently, which has been the thread that's been sewn along the entire story but this chapter it really jumped out at me. I'm not sure if I should believe Ruth when she defends him. Was it just a lapse in judgement because Sam's so young or is he really just a different person because of that hero worship instilled in him by his older self? It's a wonderful question and I enjoy how it's being explored.

That being said, oh god this chapter. Too many wonderful lines and perfectly tense moments. I enjoyed how you wrote Ruth here, much like Annie she's real, tangible, and a character I'm as interested in as Gene. Can't wait for the next part because you about killed me with the temptation of reconciliation and then boom, Gene whumpage!

[lozenger8]

It is very much an open question --- how different is Sam, really, and in which ways is it a fundamental difference or something he may gain with time?

This isn't really a question that's ever going to have a definitive answer.

I'm so glad you found Ruth real and interesting. It's so important to me that every character is well-rounded and believable, with good traits and flaws.

Thank you! ♥