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crack_van2004-01-19 11:36 pm
justacat.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-01-19 11:36 pm
Parental Guidance, by Alanna, Kass, and Starfish (NC-17)
Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Ray Kowalski/Benton Fraser
Authors' Websites:
Kass - http://www.trickster.org/kass/
Starfish - http://starfish.mrks.org/
Authors on LJ:
Kass -![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kassrachel
Starfish -the_star_fish
Why this must be read:
One could argue that the premise for this fic is a bit tired and overdone: the guys are shocked to discover that others assume they're a couple even though they're not, and though they at first vehemently deny it and claim that there's been a terrible misunderstanding, the gears have started turning. Eventually, usually after further denials and misunderstandings, they finally see - duh! - what everyone else already knew and what's been in front of their faces all along.
But there's a reason premises like these are tired and overdone - because we like them, they allow us to explore the themes we want to explore in slash - and when they're done well, they work! Parental Guidance is a perfect example. In this story it's Ray's parents who jump to conclusions. Ray doesn't realize what they're thinking at first, though he's vaguely baffled by their suddenly slightly odd behavior - his mother takes Fraser curtain shopping, he goes to dinner at his parents' trailer and sees a brand new rainbow sticker on the RV, his father makes an out-of-left-field comment about not judging people for how they choose to live their lives. Not really all that subtle - but this is a case of detective, detect thyself, and it takes Ray a while before his mind clicks into gear. Finally, though, he puts two and two together and clues in to what his parents really think. Of course, he's shocked and righteously indignant - but it's Fraser's reaction to his parents' assumption that floors Ray, turns him upside down, causes him to really look at himself and ask himself some hard questions that maybe he's been avoiding for a while.
Alanna, Kass, and Starfish take this premise and make it fresh again, with great writing, deft, clever touches of humor, fantastic characterization and dialogue, a terrific Ray voice, and underneath it all, a really appealing sweetness. It's a funny, light story, but there's a more serious undercurrent - self-discovery can be a very painful thing when you've been hiding from yourself, and Ray has to struggle a bit to come to terms with his true feelings and inclinations. This little bit of angst gives the story depth and substance and makes it more than just an entertaining bit of fluff, though it is undoubtedly entertaining.
Overall, Parental Guidance is a truly enjoyable read - a delightfully witty, clever, romantic - oh, and let's not forget hot (as if I ever could!) - fic.
Parental Guidance
Pairing: Ray Kowalski/Benton Fraser
Authors' Websites:
Kass - http://www.trickster.org/kass/
Starfish - http://starfish.mrks.org/
Authors on LJ:
Kass -
kassrachelStarfish -
the_star_fishWhy this must be read:
One could argue that the premise for this fic is a bit tired and overdone: the guys are shocked to discover that others assume they're a couple even though they're not, and though they at first vehemently deny it and claim that there's been a terrible misunderstanding, the gears have started turning. Eventually, usually after further denials and misunderstandings, they finally see - duh! - what everyone else already knew and what's been in front of their faces all along.
But there's a reason premises like these are tired and overdone - because we like them, they allow us to explore the themes we want to explore in slash - and when they're done well, they work! Parental Guidance is a perfect example. In this story it's Ray's parents who jump to conclusions. Ray doesn't realize what they're thinking at first, though he's vaguely baffled by their suddenly slightly odd behavior - his mother takes Fraser curtain shopping, he goes to dinner at his parents' trailer and sees a brand new rainbow sticker on the RV, his father makes an out-of-left-field comment about not judging people for how they choose to live their lives. Not really all that subtle - but this is a case of detective, detect thyself, and it takes Ray a while before his mind clicks into gear. Finally, though, he puts two and two together and clues in to what his parents really think. Of course, he's shocked and righteously indignant - but it's Fraser's reaction to his parents' assumption that floors Ray, turns him upside down, causes him to really look at himself and ask himself some hard questions that maybe he's been avoiding for a while.
Alanna, Kass, and Starfish take this premise and make it fresh again, with great writing, deft, clever touches of humor, fantastic characterization and dialogue, a terrific Ray voice, and underneath it all, a really appealing sweetness. It's a funny, light story, but there's a more serious undercurrent - self-discovery can be a very painful thing when you've been hiding from yourself, and Ray has to struggle a bit to come to terms with his true feelings and inclinations. This little bit of angst gives the story depth and substance and makes it more than just an entertaining bit of fluff, though it is undoubtedly entertaining.
Overall, Parental Guidance is a truly enjoyable read - a delightfully witty, clever, romantic - oh, and let's not forget hot (as if I ever could!) - fic.
Parental Guidance
no subject
And Fraser's reaction is gorgeous, priceless. This is a seamless group effort that has me in awe of all the writers involved.
no subject
Alanna is
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And thanks for a great story - love this one.
no subject
(Anonymous) 2004-01-20 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)A flashfic called “The Line”. I love it to pieces, but most especially for this line - And it was a whole day spent right on the line where either we were friends who had the same taste in music or guys about to fuck like dogs.
Even thinking about that line leaves me breathless.
Another favorite is “Ten Things to Get Used To”. I wish this fanfic thing were legal and accessible to more readers, because this story deserves a wider audience. It isn’t just a great post- CoTW story, it’s a beautiful telling of an extraordinary relationship between two fascinating men. I read it when I want to feel good, inspired, or just turned on.