Fic (AO3): Set Fire to This Card House - Chapter 4/6: Near Tulcàn, Ecuador

[zarah5]

Set Fire to This Card House

H50 - Danny/Steve (vaguely implied pre-Chin/Kono in the background)
NC-17
Summary: AU. In which you’ll find agents, hotel beds of varying sizes and sensible rules that still deserve to be broken.
Word count: ~16,000 for this chapter, ~60k overall

[Chapter 4: Near Tulcàn, Ecuador (AO3)]

This is where you

Comments

[zarah5]

YOU AND ME BOTH!!! I WOULD PAY MONEY!!! SRS BSNS!!!

But hey, if you do think that you might be up for Chapter 5, I would be delighted. Time, though. Ugh. Never enough time. Which is why Chapter 5 is not done yet, but in my defence, I never expected this story to be quite so epic.

[kitmerlot1213]

There is so much to love about this chapter: Steve and Danny slowly opening up to each other about their lives and their pasts, Steve's inviting Danny and Grace to hang out, all of the lovely McDanno bantering/flirting, but my favorite part was the side trip to Costa Rica.

Steve's letting Danny come with him to the last place he spent with his parents speaks volumes of how much Steve cares for him. But Danny being Danny can't see it and he's too wrapped up in being afraid of losing Steve because he's already grown so fond of him that he can't let him in the whole way. And then Steve's feelings of inadequacy make him question if Danny actually wants him, not quite realizing just how gone Danny is about him.

This is such a beautiful story--can you tell I like it? :):)

[zarah5]

They're both a bit stupid about each other, aren't they? But Danny's been burnt, so he'd be reluctant to let Steve this close when he still isn't convinced Steve cares beyond friends with benefits. Which Steve does, and it's kind of scaring Steve.

So, yay. Yes, I can tell! And I'm delighted!

[snarkaddict]

YOUR FACE! *SMUSHES*

[zarah5]

*tacklehugs*

[mandalaya]

Poor sweet orphan Steve. Danny makes me want to shake him, tell him to go to Steve already. How can anyone resist Steve???

Danny intends to twist away and instead meets Steve halfway, mouths fitting together.

Thank goodness part of Danny knows what's best for him. You've done a great job of building the tension between them - and for once, it's Danny who's the emotionally slow one, although not because he can't tell what's going on. Looking forward to Singapore!

You used one of the songs! Yay! And I love Crystalised, nice choice.

[zarah5]

I don't know how anyone can resist Steve, but Danny probably has superhuman powers or some such. And no, he isn't oblivious - he's just a bit of a coward. Which, you know. Considering he isn't sure Steve means it...

Right, I got True Affection from you, correct? It's a beautiful song, I really like the feeling to it, and it fit so well. Also, Crystalised! &hearts I love The XX, I really do.

[diane_c]

This story is BRILLIANT. I love the slow, halting course their relationship is taking -- the advances and retreats, the acknowledged yet reluctant attraction, and the gorgeous, gradual building of affection, respect, friendship and (obviously!) love. It's terrific to watch things unfold, and I love that you're taking your time with it, because it makes sense that they would each have reasons for being cautious about letting a relationship develop. I appreciate that Danny thinks he's being wise to resist. And dear Steve, trying to tell himself it's just sex, no big deal... aw, the poor lonely deluded guy.

Okay, beyond the slashy deliciousness and lovely romance, this superb story is an adventure! It is so much fun to read! I'm always in awe of people who can write action, and I'm having a blast with these awesome secret agents and their exotic travels and dangerous missions. :D! I'm so sucked into this universe now. Can't wait for more, even though I don't want it to end

[zarah5]

Oh! This, this is one of those comments that make me beam and uselessly wave my hands at the screen in delight and just, hee, yes.

I love that you're taking your time with it
*beams* I'm glad the pacing works for you. This story turned out much more epic than I anticipated and this always makes me wonder whether people will get bored and impatient, so I am very happy to hear that you, for one, are not bored.

Okay, beyond the slashy deliciousness and lovely romance, this superb story is an adventure!
Eee, yes, it is! And it is so much fun to write! I admit that there is a certain... op of the chapter (in TV series also knows as case/monster of the week) to it, but I, for one, am having a blast.

Thank you. Thank you so, so much.

(And hi, next chapter should be out in a couple of hours or so!)

[diane_c]

Out in a couple of hours???! You have just made my weekend! Now I have to try hard not to be a bad employee and secretly sit here reading today instead of working... If I'm smart, I'll wait to read it until later as a treat for when the weekend officially begins. Sadly, I'm not always smart. :D

And yes indeed, the story's pacing definitely works for me. I vote you just take your sweet time and tell your story -- or, more accurately, Danny & Steve's story --the way you know it should be told.

Thanks again for writing and sharing this fantastic fic!

[zarah5]

Hee, seriously, I am happy to have improved your weekend, possibly. And can you really read at work? Because I totally can't; I can't even read at home when there are others around. Writing is okay, but reading, nope, I need my peave.

<3