Spin the Bottle by Fern_tree (PG13)

[mountland.livejournal.com]

Fandom: LIFE ON MARS
Pairing: Gen
Length: 561
Author: fern_tree 
Author's other work on LJ: Fern_tree's memories
Warnings: References to child abuse and underage drinking.
Why this must be read:

This is now my personal head canon and it will absolutly break your heart. It looks at Gene's childhood and what could have caused his addiction to alcohol in the future. Even though Gene is a kid, he is still perfectly in character and you can see so clearly why he became the man we all know and love even if it is deeply upsetting to see how it happened.  The fic deals senstively with some very dark and disturbing circumstances that are referenced in the show but not deeply explored.

It is also fern_tree 's first fanfic (even though she has been established in the fandom for her fanart for a couple of years), and what an amazing start it is.

"You shouldn't provoke him." The same words he's heard a million times. And when said with that level of sincerity, the words are laughable. The man needs no more provocation than a look, a sneeze, any sound that disturbs his addled train of thought.

Gene sniffs as his mother holds the reddened tissue to his nose and tries to get him to tilt his head back. His lip feels hot and big, and his nose feels like it's grown three sizes. He'd get teased at school if he didn't already have such a fearsome reputation.

Full fic here