White Collar Fic: The R-Word [Part 2/5]

[soteriophobe]

Title: The R-Word [Part 2/5 - Rated PG-13]

Characters/Pairing: Elizabeth POV. Elizabeth/Peter Burke. Diana Barrigan, Clinton Jones, Leonard Grant, Neal Caffrey, Mozzie.

Genre/Rating: Hurt/Comfort (AU). Multiple ratings [see individual chapter posts].

Word count: 10K+ (chopped into smaller parts).

Warnings: There are no rape scenes/etc in this

Comments

[sahiya]

WHOA! When you said you were also working on a post-Checkmate El story, I didn't realize it would be this post-Checkmate El story. This is very, very, very good. You were right - it doesn't aestheticize or eroticize the actual rape at all, and your description of El's state of mind in the aftermath was very believable. I also really like your use of the second person, risky as that is as a narrative choice. It works very well.

Kudos to you for writing this and for having the courage to post it. Very good work.

[soteriophobe]

Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback - it means a lot to me. I was really nervous about posting this one, because the last thing I want to do is freak people out - but it's comforting to know that my "exploration not exploitation" mentality in writing it is hopefully coming through?

I plan to venture further down the rabbit hole (and then hopefully back up again) in the next couple of parts, which are half-written already - but I am relieved to know that El's perspective is ringing true. I am also glad the second person POV is working! I think there's a sense of detachment/dissociation in the aftermath of traumatic events, as though you are watching yourself, that second-person lends itself pretty well to. It's also my favourite POV and I am just a geek about trying to use it whenever I can, ha.

Thank you again so much for reading and for the feedback, I appreciate it so much. <3

[steph2311]

This is an intelligently written fic that I feel is incredibly believable, particularly how El is reacting to all that has happened. The little inserts of Satch made it very heartwarming.

I'm glad that you've had the courage to post a fic based around an extremely sensitive subject.

This fic is definately one of those rear instances that second person works well.

[soteriophobe]

Thank you so much for the feedback and support - again, I am so glad that El's reaction is credible. And, I love Sachmo so much, I had to get him in there somewhere. :D

Thank you again for your lovely words. <3

[sholio]

Oh wow, this is really amazing. I think you're doing a very good job with this sensitive, difficult subject matter, and there's lots of stuff about this that rings very true, especially Peter (without meaning to) kinda making it about him, and El having to be the strong supportive one rather than the one being comforted. And El's reactions to everything are very believable. I will be looking forward to more parts!

[soteriophobe]

Thank you so much for your feedback - it is really helpful and great to hear that people are liking this.

I am so glad you picked up on the "all about me" stuff! It's been my experience with this kind of event that the loved ones of the survivor are often so personally horrified by what has happened (almost vicariously traumatised in extreme cases), they are unable to get out of their own headspace enough to help, and the survivor ends up being the one who is constantly playing therapist to everyone they know. It's nobody's fault really, but it's one of tragedies of the crime that wreaks havoc in the aftermath, and I was planning on snowballing it a bit in later chapters. So…yay! I'm glad my foreshadowing there was something you picked up on? :D

Thank you so much again for your awesome feedback. <3

[sarah_butter]

You MUST update soon! I was so intrigued by this story I was late to my class hahah. This is so well-written and I really enjoy that it's written in the second person; not something you see very often and I like its effect.

[soteriophobe]

Haha, I was like \o/ that my fic was compelling, but all D: that it made you late. Thank you so much for the lovely words, though - don't worry, the other parts are half done and finishing quickly, so barring too much perfectionistic tweaking they should be up soon.

Thank you again! <3

[pipilj]

This is a really well written story. El and Peter's reaction are very believable. El trying to put a brave face through it all. I loved the way Diana helped her through the ordeal.

[soteriophobe]

Thank you so much for the feedback! I am, again, so relieved that the reactions have come through as authentic. I am hoping to erode El's 'brave face' a bit as the story goes on. And yeah - I can totally see Diana being a rock in that kind of situation, she is so awesome. :)

Thank you again for the kind words and support. <3