Seven Gifts by Nicola Mody (gen)

[hafren.livejournal.com]

Fandom: Blakes 7
Pairing: none
Author on LJ vilakins
Author Website: Breaking Orbit
Why this must be read:

Though, like most of Nico's, this has a positive ending, along the way it's an unashamed "waaah", though those who don't usually like h/c might care to note that in this, most of the hurt is in the past. Vila, after Gauda Prime, has survived but doesn't much want to. So those of his friends who are dead (a clear majority, unsurprisingly) come from beyond to give him the gifts he'll need to regain his will to live. As usual she does a great Vila-voice, whether anguished or, as in this brief moment, ruefully funny:

“You are not meant to be here now, Vila,” the being said gently. “Life is a gift, not to be rejected.”
“A gift is it?” Vila asked, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “Well, it’s a bit overrated.” Part of him quailed at his temerity, but he felt that for the first time, someone might understand him. “Quite frankly, I’d like to see the complaints department. I’d have preferred cash.”

Seven Gifts