Comments | xf_book_club: Story 3: "Hard as Hell" by Torch

emily_shore in xf_book_club

Story 3: "Hard as Hell" by Torch

Dec 17, 2007 15:43

This week's story was nominated by andrea_deer.

"Hard as Hell" by Torch

Rating: NC-17 [this is my own estimate and not the author's]
Pairing: Mulder/Krycek

Let us know what you think; let the author know what you think; and please, let us know your suggestions for next time.

mulder/krycek, season 2

Comments 10

emily_shore December 17 2007, 21:06:53 UTC

Well, the obligatory disclaimer is that I don't usually like slash. I did like this story, though; most of it, anyway. As andrea_deer said when she nominated it, it is certainly a refreshing change from the idea of Krycek as the big bad seducer. This was a Krycek with whom I could actually (God forbid!) empathize with a little bit... a Krycek who wasn't always cool, wasn't always assured, and wasn't always in control. This version of him interests me a lot more than the others that I've seen, either in fics or onscreen.

The story's portrayal of Mulder also rang true for me, or at least I was willing to accept Krycek's take on him. It does a nice job of building up characterization points.

I wonder if he had to take a pay cut when he stopped being division head, and if he did, how did he dress back then, for God's sake? No wonder people think he's arrogant, what with that manner and those suits. I thought so, too, before I got a glimpse of what goes on inside his mind.

There is even some good humor in there, like this little snippet...

If ( ... )

andrea_deer December 18 2007, 15:13:33 UTC

I'm glad the story I recommended worked out. And I think I got the glimpse of "not-slashers" view on the slashy situation ^^

I agree that in this story Krycek creation and his whole nervousness is the most important point. that's why I thought it would be good to read even if there is a sex scene some may not enjoy.

I have to say this was one of the first stories Mulder/Krycek I've read... Earlier I've read Krycek/Mulder and switch roles was hard to imagine for me. But it worked. Now I read almost only Mulder/Krycek, altough that innocent Krycek we see here is still something I can't totally believe. And, I must confess, I don't want to believe...

emily_shore December 18 2007, 21:35:17 UTC

I have to say this was one of the first stories Mulder/Krycek I've read... Earlier I've read Krycek/Mulder and switch roles was hard to imagine for me.

Huh. Interesting. Now there's a concept that we don't have in het. I suppose psychologically you could point to stories that were Mulder/Scully or Scully/Mulder, in terms of who was more forward in the relationship or whatever, but it just isn't discussed that way. Different languages.

wendelah1 December 18 2007, 04:08:48 UTC

I will get the standard disclaimer over with first. I am a noromo, who liked the show as it was written, up to but not including Requiem and Seasons 8 and 9. I accept the show as it was written as canon, even if I personally didn't like it. I have read and enjoyed stories in all genres, including slash. I do not enjoy reading lengthy descriptions of sex acts, of any sort. I find them- boring. There are very few writers of erotica who can keep my eyes on the page. I will just fast forward through them once my eyes start glazing over, if the story is short enough. If it is long, and the sex seems really egregiously out of character, I bail.

I agree with narrahttbbs that the most interesting part of the story was its characterization of Krycek. The other interesting characterization, though, is of Mulder. I am prepared to believe in a Krycek, who is dedicated enough to The Cause to take one for the team. Or the other team, in this case.

This is not the worst moment of my life. It just feels like it. I stare at the ceiling and try to erase even ( ... )

andrea_deer December 18 2007, 15:09:40 UTC

I'm afraid I do not agree with you about that Mulder didn't give a damn about Alex's discomfort and just went ahead with what he wanted to do. That he used Krycek.
I think he can be read like that, but I also think it's not feelingless just the way Mulder seems to be. He's not good with expressing his feelings and when he noticed that Alex is feeling bad about theirs encounter and the fact he enjoyed it so much, Mulder tried to stop him from brooding and getting used to the fact that he may like it. When I read this story I was under the impression that maybe Mulder went through something simmiliar, when he was younger.

but, apart from this I'm glad you enjoyed the story and find it worth discusing, 'cause I must say I was pretty nervous while recomending it ^^

emily_shore December 19 2007, 02:42:42 UTC

When I read this story I was under the impression that maybe Mulder went through something simmiliar, when he was younger.

Yeah, that is quite possible. It is also possible that he is letting his memories of his own experiences blind him to the feelings of Krycek (who after all may react quite differently to the same scenario).

emily_shore December 19 2007, 02:40:26 UTC

I am prepared to believe in a Krycek, who is dedicated enough to The Cause to take one for the team. Or the other team, in this case.

Laughing out loud! Literally! :)

My interpretation of the last lines may differ from other readers. I think Krycek felt used and dirty. I think that Mulder knew he felt used and dirty.

I agree with part one; part two, I am still on the fence about. Mulder certainly has the potential to be amazingly insensitive about the feelings of those he's closest to. He can get inside the minds of serial killers and victims alike, but beyond that he can be really blind. Like you say, it is partly because he's so relentless in pursuit of what he wants.

If I squint at the story I think I can see it the way andrea_deer does as well. Partly this is because I missed the "try smiling" line the first time around, due to skimming though the sex stuff. Putting that line to the side it is far easier to see the story in a different light. But yeah, there it is. Hmm ( ... )

andrea_deer December 18 2007, 15:25:40 UTC

I know I'm normally lazy and do not comment or even do not find time to read the stories, but since I nominated this one, I felt obliged to express my opinion and why I found it worth discussing ( ... )

emily_shore December 18 2007, 21:32:47 UTC

When I joined this community and I noticed that there's possibility to discuss slash I made it my mission to find a slash short enough to not bore the not-slashers, innocent enough to not disgust them and good enough to worth discussing.

I think you succeeded in that! Thanks for recommending it, because I know that it's something I wouldn't have sought out on my own.

If you want to know I'm looking for some fic with very well pictured Scully's reaction on Mulder/Krycek slash. (Well, not neceserilly M/K, but that's my favorite ^^). I hope I'll find something worth discussing.

Hmm yes, that would be interesting. Scully is my favourite character so that is one reason that I am reluctant to read X-Files slash... so much of it leaves her out completely, or keeps her in but somehow belittles her.

It's awfully quiet in this community. I hope you won't mind if I'll advertise it on couple of communities or pages... I just hope we won't have tha sudden wave of slasher later

Please, please, advertise it wherever you want. That would be

leyosura March 16 2008, 14:08:29 UTC

I don't mind a little slash fic, or PWP fot that matter, but I confess that I've never seem Mulder/Krycek as a pairing. Mulder/Skinner yeah, but not Krycek.

Still, I enjoyed it. It's interesting the way that Krycek is the passive character in this fic - if a little OOC, as I'm sure that even if Krycek were playing the innocent, his internal dialogue would be far more calculating!
Saying that, I enjoyed the conflict in Krycek, very endearing - not normally a feeling I'd associate with Krycek *lol*