Shimmer, by Jennifer (PG)

[anenko.livejournal.com]

Fandom: Big Wolf on Campus
Pairing: Merton/Tommy
Author on LJ: jenoofer
Author Website: Subdued
Why this must be read:

As much as I love Big Wolf for it’s goofy plots and silly humour, the show created the potential for real, painful issues though it never really addressed them. This story addresses some of the issues that are only brushed upon in canon: Tommy’s popularity, and Merton’s uneasiness with his place in Tommy’s life.

"You think I want to be in a room full of people who hate me?" It ought to sound melancholy, or at least furious, given that no one ever gets it, no matter how obvious it should be. Instead, it sounds flat, like he's been saying it over and over all day. Feels like he has, almost. Hasn't actually said it out loud. Hasn't exactly said it to himself either.

Because sometimes he does. Want to be in a room full of people, that is, even if they do all hate him, because surely anything is better than being alone. Only he ends up choosing 'alone', because it's easier. No one can actually tell him that everyone in the room hates him.

It's a stupid conflict, and one he can never win, because either way, he gets hurt. It's just easier if no can see him hurting.

Tommy sees him, though, and Tommy's too stubborn to let it go.

Shimmer