striving hard to spite yourself

[teethlikedog]

Exam season is upon us again, and so as always I work out my stress on fictional characters. This was originally supposed to be a lot longer, but then it wasn't, although it still might be. Basic plot summary: Walter's self-loathing and sexual repression make his life wangsty difficult. Also, tortuously strained mask symbolism

Comments

[wings_on_flames]

That was so beautifully written!
I loved it, especially the touching on Walter's self-loathing.

[teethlikedog]

Thanks, man, glad you liked. Honestly, Walter is all about the self-loathing for me, so I'm happy that came across okay.

[runninglonely]

Good fic.
I really enjoyed this, but I felt a lot of the metaphors and things at the beginning were quite strained, yes. I especially enjoyed you touching on Rorschach's taking up the mask and his first time out. That's a subject I find difficult to broach! You handled it pretty well though.

[teethlikedog]

I have distinct trouble letting go of metaphors; I've been trying to wean myself off, but it's a work in progress I'm afraid. Glad you enjoyed anyway, thanks.

[lilac28]

Fantastic! This is a great peek into Rorschach's mind and the beginning of his partnership with Nite Owl. I love how easily the different scenes flowed. Very enjoyable. :)

[teethlikedog]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed. The scenes were written pretty piecemeal so I'm pleased it works as a whole.

[sandoz_iscariot]

Wow, I love how evocative your writing is.

Nite Owl mutters: "Oh hell," and yanks off his goggles and cowl, sticks his hand out like a challenge and says: "Daniel Dreiberg". Does it so easily, and for one crazy moment Walter wants nothing more than to return the gesture, show Nite Owl - Daniel - the same sort of trust. But he doesn't, because Walter Kovacs is not anything that Rorschach is, and there's nothing about Walter that's worth showing Daniel. Nothing he can give Daniel at all. Instead he just shakes Daniel's hand silently, and pretends not to see the slight disappointment in his unmasked face.

Poor boys.

[teethlikedog]

Thanks, glad you liked. I just love how awkward and convoluted Dan and Rorschach's relationship is; I could write the two of them dancing around each other (and never actually communicating) almost forever.

[okypete_harpy]

that one Ozymandias/Rorschach thing I'm too chicken to post. Do tell.

and for one crazy moment Walter wants nothing more than to return the gesture, show Nite Owl - Daniel - the same sort of trust. But he doesn't, because Walter Kovacs is not anything that Rorschach is, and there's nothing about Walter that's worth showing Daniel. Nothing he can give Daniel at all. Awww. :(

Sometimes he wants to lose himself in that certainty, to become Rorschach entirely, but he knows that's not possible; Nice foreshadowing. Be careful what you wish for, Walter!

Even small time bosses like the Twilight Lady are feeling the push, so Daniel says, and Walter doesn't ask where his information comes from. Eee hee hee!
Rorschach: How do you know that?
Daniel: ...I have my sources.

I liked the Walter-Rorschach in this, the way he clings to the mask for strength and the way he despises his perceived weakness.

[teethlikedog]

Do tell.

Hah, it's a thing that started out as a kink meme snippet and then got too big for its boots. As it stands it's not substantial enough for a stand-alone piece and not porny enough to be porn, so I need to revise it (in one direction or the other) before I can post it. But I'm determined I eventually shall, because the world requires more Ozymandias/Rorschach.

Thanks a lot for the comments, glad you enjoyed.

[okypete_harpy]

because the world requires more Ozymandias/Rorschach.

It sure does. Good luck with that.