BOOK TWO: putting out your fires with gasoline (9/?)

[lucia_tanaka]

Table of Contents

Title: putting out your fires with gasoline, Book Two of The Matter of Chicago
Rating/Warnings: PG, this chapter.
Word Count: This chapter: 7197. This book: 53,073.

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight

Notes: Aaaaaand that's this arc done. Next up

Comments

[elgraves]

It's really amusing when the characters are so oblivious, in a sad tragic sort of way. Harry, really? You really think that John is incapable of returning your feelings? *Sigh* If Marcone did not love you or at the very least cared deeply for you, he would of killed you for doing what you did.

Glad the finally talked some and your description of John always having to be the bigger spoon conveyed so much with so little words.

[lucia_tanaka]

In Harry's defense, if you asked John, he'd likely agree about the being capable of the love thing. But we'll address John's issues in the WC arc. 8D

I REALLY THINK HE DOES NEED TO BE THE BIG SPOON. It's part of his pathos and how this entire life is ruled by his ideals. He must be the big spoon, he's provider and protector and all that shit, even if it drives Harry crazy.

And just like Harry has a laundry list of Shit John Does That Makes Me Crazy, I think John has his own list about Harry. And it's probably longer.

[elgraves]

Oh, I agree. He does need to be the big spoon. I just love the imagery. That is John in a nutshell. I'm sure John is as oblivious as Harry, but since we are not privy to his inner thoughts, I can't be as amused with his obliviousness as I can be with Harry.

[sunflower1343]

I loved that you had Harry try with Amanda. I always felt he should have in the book. I also love that you had him fail. I often wondered if, in the book, the Shroud failed to wake her because it was necessary for a greater purpose with John.

This was a lovely chapter. Harry's thoughts felt quite right for where he is in this, and I was glad he and you took the time to explore them.

(And yay for such a fast update! Thank you!)

[lucia_tanaka]

Same here. Maybe in canon he still doesn't like Marcone, but Amanda's an innocent and at least trying would be good. I don't think he could do much good, but this is one of the times where it's just the thought that counts, IMO.

(I figured since the last chapter took forever I'd get this one out ASAP.)

[reticent_lass]

You know, there's so much that I like about this chapter that it's a shame I wasn't with it enough to really pin down anything I particularly loved. Charity the passive-aggressive den mom. The Outfit's pool of those in the know expanding, and having the knowledge enough to win a fight against the supernatural. Hendricks deliberately setting aside his loyalty to Marcone's wishes in favor of what's actually good for the boss and Harry. The creak of the hinge on the door--I suspect that if someone oiled that hinge, the creak would return as soon as John's next visit. All of his walls are down right then and he needs that warning or he's liable to knife some soft-footed nurse.

For some reason this really strikes me:

The duffel with Bob and my gear I left on the table in my lab. It too could wait until later.

If Marcone needed any more reassurance that Harry was back to stay, that's basically it. When Harry's home base is in danger, he does not fuck around and get careless with Bob. Similarly, he only leaves Bob around when he is home

[lucia_tanaka]

I imagine to be the big spoon to Harry, John habitually sleeps higher up on the bed and has Harry's back against his chest. It's all very awkward but adorable.

the hilarious mental image of Harry trying to be the big spoon and Marcone wriggling out like a big grumpy cat too up on his dignity for such shenanigans

Hello new MoC canon. ♥

[hihotiho]

This chapter is a great conclusion to the arc! It truly feels like a resolution, something crystallising and emerging from the debris of the action-packed sequence that just ended.

The Amanda bits were very well handled, imo! And I really liked how Hendricks has become comfortable enough with Harry to refuse to take sides between and Marcone. I mean, obvs his loyalty is and always will be to Marcone, but nowadays when he disagrees with John he has enough confidence in Harry to make it known. (btw, I loved his helpless lusting after Gard in, what was it, the last chapter? And Harry's cluelessness on the subject...)

And oh Harry, oh John. How can you be so stupid about these things? (I know how, but still.)

[lucia_tanaka]

Part of Hendricks' loyalty to Marcone constitutes helping Harry take care of the boss, basically. I'm glad you liked this conclusion! Hopefully the rest will be good too. 8D

[ebilchickens]

This book was completely awesome. I like what you did with it, very different and new but at the same time staying true to the canon. Also really liked the complications as you portrayed them in John and Harry's relationship. It makes sense for their characters. Looking forward to the next arc. Thanks for posting this series. It's a pleasure to read.

[lucia_tanaka]

Haha, not to negate your comment, but Book Two isn't done. It's only about... 40% finished. A whole other arc is coming up

[ebilchickens]

*grins sheepishly* Maybe I'm just that confident that the whole book with be awesome? *considers* Yesh. *cough* I didn't make a mistake I'm just that confident. ;)

Nah. Seriously though. Look forward to seeing what else you're writing here. Continuation of this book and next one. :D