Okay, here we go...

[nos4a2no9]

Title: Quiet in Drowning
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful
Characters: Duck, Buddy, OMCs
Rating: NC-17
Length: 8,495 words
Author's Notes: Many thanks to zabira, ignazwisdom, secretlybronte and isiscolo for hanging tough and completing a very difficult beta. You're all troopers, and I promise to send you something warm and fluffy next time.
Warnings: This story contains graphic, violent and

Comments

[lamentables]

That's powerful stuff and well-crafted. The horrid bits are twisted and painful and suffocating, Buddy's tenderness is sweet but also massive and solid. I think it's a great piece of writing.

And how happy am I that Buddy's money is still in the slicker?

[nos4a2no9]

Oh, thank you so much, L! This was such a reassuring comment - I'm worried I might have overstepped my bounds a bit with this story. It's such tough subject matter and people are likely to say, "Um, why was this at all necessary?" in response. You definitely eased my mind, and I'm glad you thought it was well-crafted. It was damn tough to write.

And yes! The money! Duck will be okay!

[lamentables]

"why was this at all necessary" can be asked of any piece of art ever created, imo. Which is why it's a meaningless question.

I like art that pushes my limits and my boundaries; I want to be challenged and provoked and to be made to question things. And I find fictional pain and suffering fascinating when it's all part of an exploration of both individual characters and the state of being human.

The world would be a sick old place if everything was all pink fluffy bunnies all the time.

[grey853]

This is a very poignant, yet disturbing story. I couldn't read the rape, but the other part of the narrative was extremely well done and I really love the fact that Buddy was there in the rain trying to help Duck.

[nos4a2no9]

Thanks Grey! I think the rape scene is a very difficult bit to get through, and I can understand why you skipped over it. It means a lot that you were willing to read the rest of the story, and I'm glad you liked Buddy's presence. Thank you for your very kind comments.

[hurry_sundown]

Oh, nos. *sniffles*

I'm trying to be thoughtful here, but it's kind of tough to do that and not cry at the same time ... I wanna kill those little bastards for hurting Duck. But I wanna kill Tommy twice, is that okay? 'Cause he deserves it.

Duck and Buddy friendship hits my kinks hard, y'know. And this? Is an awesome fic.

[nos4a2no9]

Oh, thank you! I totally get that it's tough to come up with a response to this story other than, "Tommy (bastard!) deserves to die" - he definitely deserves many horrible and unspeakable things. ignazwisdom had the same reaction in her beta, too.

Duck and Buddy friendship hits my kinks hard

Heh, I have a weird aversion to Duck/Buddy (or Duck and Buddy friendship) and this was a way of writing through that and, yes, recognizing that the relationship is a positive one. I'm so glad it worked for you, and that you liked the story despite (or perhaps because of) the very difficult subject matter. Thank you for your feedback!

[hurry_sundown]

Heh, I have a weird aversion to Duck/Buddy (or Duck and Buddy friendship) ...

But why oh why? Disclaimer: I only know this fandom from fic (although I've long been spoiled blind for the movie), so I'm sure my mileage varies. Yes, Duck/Dan is the canon 'ship (and isn't that convenient *g*), and I <3 Duck/Dan in a very big way. And yet ... I don't see Duck/Buddy as having any place in present time, but I ship pre-Duck-leaves-Wilby Duck/Buddy like a shippy little thing.

[hyzenthlay26]

You just utterly decimated me with this and as difficult as it was to read, I can only imagine it was far more difficult to write

[nos4a2no9]

Oh wow, thank you for such a detailed and insightful piece of feedback, hyzenthlay26! I am thrilled to have decimated you :-) Your comments were wonderful: you've seen so much in the story, and pointed out all of the structural and thematic elements I was hoping people would respond to.

it sets up nicely the Duck we meet in the film, the Duck that radiates calm, kindness and decency. That's the Duck who's grown into himself and feels compelled to be there for Dan.

Yes, I really wanted to explore the notion of where a character like Duck comes from, what formed him and shaped him. MacIvor suggests in the commentary that Duck's had a very tough life and fought a lot of demons to get to a place of peace, and I think it's an essential (and admirable) part of who Duck is. Thanks again for providing such wonderful feedback: it was great to see what you found valuable in the story, and I'm so glad you responded. Thank you!

[simplystars]

[not looking yet!]

Hey Nos? Is this the ficlet in which you hurt Duck a lot, but there's a happy ending?

Because I'll suffer through a lot for a happy ending, but I'm trying (emphasis on try) to work on a Duck snippet and I'm worried that if you've permanently mangled him I won't recover enough to finish it. So in that case I would read it later when I can wallow in misery without hampering productivity, you know? :D

[nos4a2no9]

*g* Stars, I promise, there's a happy ending to this story, or at least a positive ending. I think you'll be able to continue with your Duck snippet. On the other hand I'm about halfway through a post-movie story (a happy Duck/Dan piece) that continues the plot and themes started here, so if you're not feeling up to the angst quotient you might want to wait until the sequel is ready to go. Plus that way your Duck snippet will be done :-)