All Is You and Here (Burning Bridge Remix) by Jed (NC-17)

[vissy.livejournal.com]

Fandom: YAMI NO MATSUEI
Pairing: Tatsumi/Tsuzuki, Tatsumi/Hisoka, Hisoka/Tsuzuki
Author on LJ: velvetglove
Author Website: Glovebox
Why this must be read: A remix of the previously recommended All Is You and Here, this story turns out to be more of a flipside than a cover. It explores the bitter place outside Tsuzuki and Hisoka's circle of love and exercises Tatsumi's shadow manipulation in an act of erotic futility. Tatsumi's loneliness is an ugly thing, more palpable than the shadows that trail him, but despite his contemptible behaviour, the reader will find much with which to empathise.

Work has always been his refuge, but if he cannot rely upon himself to remain professional and calm at the office, there will be no place left that's safe. He feels acutely the good sense behind the warnings against office romance. Department meetings cannot be canceled. Errors on expense reports must be addressed. Casework requires follow-up. Tatsumi cannot avoid seeing Kurosaki and Tsuzuki each and every workday, no more than he can block out the sounds of their laughter carried through the office wall.

~~~


Such occurrences are less frequent now, but on the nights when he cannot sleep, he rises from bed without expectations. In the quiet kitchen, shadows crowd close as he prepares the kettle and boils the water, only to let it grow cold in the cups. He always sets out two cups. Neither one is meant for him.

~~~

All Is You and Here (Burning Bridge Remix)

Comments

[alee-gothphyle.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO MUCH for rec'ing this story! I absolutely adored it -- the original story was fabulous as well, but there was just something terribly compelling about this unsettled, tortured Tatsumi. I also believe this is one of the most originally erotic stories I have ever had the pleasure to read, and I was sorely, sorely disappointed when it didn't receive more acknowledgement from the community when it was posted.

[ranalore.livejournal.com]

I would have to agree. I suspect silence was a result of how very bleak the story is, but it continues to blow me away, and not just in contrast to my own. Tatsumi's pain is vastly underplayed in the anime, and everyone's pain is rendered more than a little incoherent in the manga. With this story, jed put her finger on the pulse of what the canon never quite articulates, and it tears my heart out but it feels so necessary. I adore stories like that.