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crack_van2012-08-24 09:55 am
flamingoslim.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2012-08-24 09:55 am
Entry tags:
My Brother's Keeper by Diane (G, Pre-Slash)
Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch (possibly)
Length: 11,617
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
diane_c
Author Website: Diane on the Starsky Hutch Archive
Why this must be read:
Starsky's younger brother, Nicky, is a shady character, interested in making quick deals, and not averse to working outside the law. In fiction, he's invariably a bad guy, often in conflict and in competition with Hutch. While we see those traits here as well, the story takes us into different territory by using Nicky as the sole point of view character. As a result, the story has a very different view of Starsky and his family that's both tense and tender, with the kind of emotional impact we always looking for in this fandom, and with a few surprises. The voice and dialog are excellent, setting up vivid characterizations that are easy to believe. It's a story about family and where we fit into it, both blood family and adopted family. And, like all Diane's stories, it's about love.
As soon as the story opens, the writer reminds us that Hutch and Nicky have no love for each other This is a problem for the person they do love, Starsky. The status of S & H's relationship in the story is appropriately ambiguous. The first time I read it, I didn't pay attention to the rating (I avoid warnings, summaries, and other classification whenever possible), and thought the story was gen. There are intimations of what their relationship is or could be, but the reader has the freedom to decide themselves.
Starsky's still recovering after nearly being killed by Gunther, and he's well enough to visit his mother on her birthday. Nicky is not pleased to see Hutch has "tagged along" for this rare visit. Nicky and Hutch haven't mended fences, but they're willing to try to make this visit pleasant for Starsky and his mom. But when alone, Nicky makes it clear that Hutch is on Nicky's turf for a change.
Hutch is Nicky's brother's keeper, Starsky's caretaker and protector, and Nicky bitterly resents him in that role. When Starsky's mother comments on how much better Starsky looks now than when they last saw him, a visit Starsky can't remember due to a fever, Nicky gets to see their silent communication first hand: "Nick paused, having noticed the expression on David’s face as he looked beyond him at Hutch. Nick turned and saw Hutch’s answering look. Some goddamn message was passing between them--something stricken and wounded from Davey, with some soapy, tender bullshit back from Hutch." It doesn't help Nick's attitude that his mom adores Hutch and is almost as delighted to see him as Starsky.
Nick puts Hutch's bags in the guest room, but when he goes to spend the night in the room he'd shared with his brother as a kid, he finds Hutch ensconced, and worse, Hutch tells him Starsky wanted Hutch there, that Nicky will sleep in the guest room. It's too much for Nicky and they nearly get into it when Starsky walks in from having showered, his chest uncovered. Nicky's shocked by the appearance of the wounds on Starsky's chest, and finally has to face the nature of Starsky's injuries, and how important Hutch was in his recovery.
During a private discussion between Nick and Starsky, and then later, between Nick and Hutch, the story develops into something special. The best stories have consistent theme and interesting conflict, and the very best are about growth and change in the characters. This is one of the very best. In these conversations, it becomes clear in just a few lines why Nicky has grown into the man he is. The writer shows us how painful the loss of both his father and his older brother was to him at the crucial age of eight, and how that double loss profoundly affected his development. That loss defined him, made him spend his life missing something he could never regain. Having lost this critical relationship with his brother to circumstances beyond both their control, now, as an adult, he has to accept that a stranger has taken the role he should have played in his brother's life, a man he doesn't like and can't understand.
The writer accomplishes something I would have thought impossible. She makes us realize how broken Nicky is, how terrible his loss, and makes us ache for him. In doing so, she gives us glimpses of the Starsky and Hutch relationship that rings true, and makes us love them even more. The story is heartbreaking and beautiful and fills in gaps in Starsky's family life that tell us much more than is contained in this short piece. It's intimate, full of love, and rich with human emotion. Read it even if you hate Nick Starsky. You won't regret it.
My Brother's Keeper by Diane
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch (possibly)
Length: 11,617
Author on LJ:
diane_cAuthor Website: Diane on the Starsky Hutch Archive
Why this must be read:
Starsky's younger brother, Nicky, is a shady character, interested in making quick deals, and not averse to working outside the law. In fiction, he's invariably a bad guy, often in conflict and in competition with Hutch. While we see those traits here as well, the story takes us into different territory by using Nicky as the sole point of view character. As a result, the story has a very different view of Starsky and his family that's both tense and tender, with the kind of emotional impact we always looking for in this fandom, and with a few surprises. The voice and dialog are excellent, setting up vivid characterizations that are easy to believe. It's a story about family and where we fit into it, both blood family and adopted family. And, like all Diane's stories, it's about love.
As soon as the story opens, the writer reminds us that Hutch and Nicky have no love for each other This is a problem for the person they do love, Starsky. The status of S & H's relationship in the story is appropriately ambiguous. The first time I read it, I didn't pay attention to the rating (I avoid warnings, summaries, and other classification whenever possible), and thought the story was gen. There are intimations of what their relationship is or could be, but the reader has the freedom to decide themselves.
Starsky's still recovering after nearly being killed by Gunther, and he's well enough to visit his mother on her birthday. Nicky is not pleased to see Hutch has "tagged along" for this rare visit. Nicky and Hutch haven't mended fences, but they're willing to try to make this visit pleasant for Starsky and his mom. But when alone, Nicky makes it clear that Hutch is on Nicky's turf for a change.
Hutch is Nicky's brother's keeper, Starsky's caretaker and protector, and Nicky bitterly resents him in that role. When Starsky's mother comments on how much better Starsky looks now than when they last saw him, a visit Starsky can't remember due to a fever, Nicky gets to see their silent communication first hand: "Nick paused, having noticed the expression on David’s face as he looked beyond him at Hutch. Nick turned and saw Hutch’s answering look. Some goddamn message was passing between them--something stricken and wounded from Davey, with some soapy, tender bullshit back from Hutch." It doesn't help Nick's attitude that his mom adores Hutch and is almost as delighted to see him as Starsky.
Nick puts Hutch's bags in the guest room, but when he goes to spend the night in the room he'd shared with his brother as a kid, he finds Hutch ensconced, and worse, Hutch tells him Starsky wanted Hutch there, that Nicky will sleep in the guest room. It's too much for Nicky and they nearly get into it when Starsky walks in from having showered, his chest uncovered. Nicky's shocked by the appearance of the wounds on Starsky's chest, and finally has to face the nature of Starsky's injuries, and how important Hutch was in his recovery.
During a private discussion between Nick and Starsky, and then later, between Nick and Hutch, the story develops into something special. The best stories have consistent theme and interesting conflict, and the very best are about growth and change in the characters. This is one of the very best. In these conversations, it becomes clear in just a few lines why Nicky has grown into the man he is. The writer shows us how painful the loss of both his father and his older brother was to him at the crucial age of eight, and how that double loss profoundly affected his development. That loss defined him, made him spend his life missing something he could never regain. Having lost this critical relationship with his brother to circumstances beyond both their control, now, as an adult, he has to accept that a stranger has taken the role he should have played in his brother's life, a man he doesn't like and can't understand.
The writer accomplishes something I would have thought impossible. She makes us realize how broken Nicky is, how terrible his loss, and makes us ache for him. In doing so, she gives us glimpses of the Starsky and Hutch relationship that rings true, and makes us love them even more. The story is heartbreaking and beautiful and fills in gaps in Starsky's family life that tell us much more than is contained in this short piece. It's intimate, full of love, and rich with human emotion. Read it even if you hate Nick Starsky. You won't regret it.
My Brother's Keeper by Diane