TS Short Story : Who Needs Fairy Tales
Jan. 27th, 2005 12:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
castalieWhat does a Mouse do when she's taking a break from her books? She rewards herself by posting her latest ficlet, yay!
X-posted to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
sentinel_thurs because I'm obsessive compulsive and I need all of my fics to be in my own LJ. It happens *nodnod*
Title: Who Needs Fairy Tales
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Story Notes: Set once again in my Night series, but this little part depicts the early days of their relationship. Written for the Steve Walker Art challenge. And the pic I used is here.
Author Notes: Huge thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
audrarose and starwatcher307 for their precious help *g*
Who Needs Fairy Tales
Jim Ellison didn't believe in fairy tales. He supposed he might have, once upon a time... but if he ever had, it might as well have been in another lifetime. He didn't believe in love at first sight either, or love being a bed of roses. As far as he could tell, love was a battle; you had to fight, and fight again in order to keep things working. Not that it was actually a problem. If there was one thing Jim was good at, it was fighting. When he wanted something, few obstacles could keep him at bay - which one Blair Sandburg was going to realize tonight.
The object of his attention was waiting for him around a corner, as the younger man always did. That in itself warmed Jim as few things did - the knowledge that each time he finished his shift, Blair would be waiting for him.
He pointedly ignored the other workmen around him; they simply ceased to exist for him the minute his shift ended. He purposely advanced toward Blair, who stepped farther back into the shadow, as if he wanted them to be more fully concealed. That suited Jim just fine.
He stopped in front of Blair and, after a few seconds of silence, pressed closer, making the other man move back until he was stopped by the wall. Blair started to smile and he licked his lips invitingly, but his eyes widened a fraction at Jim's next action. Instead of taking another step so that he was finally touching Blair, Jim kept still, never closing the gap between their bodies. Then, still without a word, he slowly reached for Blair's hands and placed them on either side of his lover's own head, squeezing them hard for a second as if to tell the younger man to keep them there. Blair narrowed his eyes at Jim for a second, but chose to follow his companion's lead and stayed silent; he kept his hands up but spread his arms slightly wider, showing Jim he was willing to obey, but that it was on his own terms.
Jim nodded and, his body never touching Blair's, bent his head to kiss his lover, licking his lips and demanding entry. Blair opened his mouth and surrendered to the kiss immediately, eyes closed and body already craving more. He let a moan escape and tried to thrust against his lover, but Jim instantly stopped the kiss and simply straightened, staring at him.
"You asked me what was wrong with me - the other night. Remember?"
Blair nodded but didn't say anything. He felt an instant sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. This was it. Jim was going to end this... this nameless thing they had between them, that Blair couldn't even identify. It, no matter what 'it' was, would be over in a matter of seconds. He might not be able to prevent it, but he would be damned if he was going to help the son of bitch. If Jim wanted to destroy the best thing Blair had ever had in his whole fucking life, he was going to have to work for it, because Blair had no intention of making it easier for the big fucking asshole. He didn't care that neither of them had ever said anything about their... relationship, as fucked up as some people might think it was. He didn't give a damn that the 'L-word' had never touched their lips, because the 'L-word' didn't mean anything anyway. At least, that's what he'd believed until now. Blair didn't fucking care that Jim had never made any promises to him. All he knew was that, abruptly, he was afraid, and he didn't want to hear what Jim was going to say.
Reacting instinctively, he closed himself off. Being afraid was a weakness, and he was anything but weak; he would face Jim and he wouldn't break. It wouldn't be the first punch he had received, be it real or symbolic. His life would continue, no matter what. Blair waited for Jim to say whatever the hell it was he intended to say. His scowl expressed defiance combined with resignation.
"Shit, Chief. This is exactly what's wrong!" And damned if Jim didn't sound angry now.
"What, Ellison?" Blair snapped. "I didn't say a fucking word, did I? I'm just being a good boy and waiting for the lecture." He abruptly realized that his hands were still clasping his head, but now it made him feel stupid. He self-consciously started to lower them.
But Jim had his own hands firmly curled around his wrists and held them in place before Blair could budge. "Don't move, Chief," he hissed.
Blair banged the back of his head against the wall and closed his eyes in frustration, but complied. Some battles were best abandoned. He wouldn't be able to win this one; no need to waste his energy for nothing.
"Fucking tell me what you want, Jim," he whispered. "And let's put the whole thing behind us, all right? No harm no foul." He wasn't pleading. He was not. He never pleaded anymore; pleading got you absolutely nowhere.
"Blair," Jim almost sighed. He kept the distance between them, even though he wanted nothing more than to embrace Blair at this point. But he forced himself to remain still, although he slowly loosened his fingers around Blair's wrists, then gently ran his fingers from the wrist up over the hand, to finally caress the fingers in a soothing, sensual rhythm. He felt the body in front of him relax slightly.
"Listen, Chief, listen good." Jim's gaze roamed over Blair's body. "I see you." He nuzzled his lover's cheek and let his fingers tease the soft skin of Blair's temples, then his wrists again. "I touch you." He bent his head to the younger man's neck and inhaled softy, making the body so near his own shiver. "I smell you." He cocked his head to the side and made a show of focusing on something only he could hear. "I hear you, too. But," he took a step back and broke all physical contact with Blair, "I can't reach you."
Blair had closed his eyes once more at the sensual touch, but now opened them slowly and swallowed, completely lost on the meaning hidden behind Jim's little demonstration.
"Do you hear me, Chief? I do all those things, and I even fuck you - so deep it feels like I'm touching the real you - but it's a lie. I can't reach you. It's like you're hiding behind a fucking chain-link fence. You're there, you allow me close, but you don't let me in."
"That's rich coming from you, Jim." Blair had had enough of obedient stillness and silent listening. "Pot? Meet kettle. I... don't put the blame on me, man. Don't you dare. This... this thing between us... I don't even know what it is, I don't know where we're going, or if we're even going anywhere at all. Don't fucking tell me it's my fault we seem to be stuck!"
"That's not what I'm doing! I'm just telling you I'm tired of feeling like... dammit!" Jim's jaw clenched dangerously. "Would the world come to an end if you stayed the night after we fucked?"
"Would the world come to an end if you actually asked?"
"What the hell do you think I'm doing, Sandburg?" Jim practically growled.
Blair almost smiled. Almost, because he didn't feel totally safe yet. "I mean before, you asshole. You told me you needed your space. That you felt the need to... to be on your own. To feel like things were kept under your control. You said those things, man."
Jim shook his head. "And of course you would zero in on those, wouldn't you? Yes, I fucking need my space, but did I ever make you feel unwelcome?"
"That's not what I'm saying either. Don't put words in my mouth."
"Pot meet kettle? Does it ring a bell?" Jim raised in a hand in surrender. "Look, what I mean is... my space." His look hardened for a second. "No actually, my space is my space; that won't change. But I'd be willing to share. Just... don't expect the worst of me, all right? I don't give a shit if you do that with the rest of the world, but not with me. It pisses me off. Are we clear?"
Blair smiled softly. "Crystal."
"Well... good." Jim pushed his lover more firmly against the wall, pressing his body hard against Blair's, blanketing the smaller man. "Since we're on the same page, what do you say to invading my space tonight?"
Blair's answer was lost as Jim latched onto his lips. Jim captured the bottom lip and sucked on it before kissing him thoroughly, hands running along Blair's sides and coming to a rest on his thighs. To Jim, the moan that came deep from Blair's throat, and Blair's hands tightly gripping his shirt, were response enough. At that moment, he realized that maybe you didn't need to believe in fairy tales to start envisioning a happy ending.
Fin
And now... off to read the flist before going back to my books. Can't wait for those finals to be over *sigh*
X-posted to
sentinel_thurs because I'm obsessive compulsive and I need all of my fics to be in my own LJ. It happens *nodnod*Title: Who Needs Fairy Tales
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Story Notes: Set once again in my Night series, but this little part depicts the early days of their relationship. Written for the Steve Walker Art challenge. And the pic I used is here.
Author Notes: Huge thanks to
audrarose and starwatcher307 for their precious help *g*Who Needs Fairy Tales
Jim Ellison didn't believe in fairy tales. He supposed he might have, once upon a time... but if he ever had, it might as well have been in another lifetime. He didn't believe in love at first sight either, or love being a bed of roses. As far as he could tell, love was a battle; you had to fight, and fight again in order to keep things working. Not that it was actually a problem. If there was one thing Jim was good at, it was fighting. When he wanted something, few obstacles could keep him at bay - which one Blair Sandburg was going to realize tonight.
The object of his attention was waiting for him around a corner, as the younger man always did. That in itself warmed Jim as few things did - the knowledge that each time he finished his shift, Blair would be waiting for him.
He pointedly ignored the other workmen around him; they simply ceased to exist for him the minute his shift ended. He purposely advanced toward Blair, who stepped farther back into the shadow, as if he wanted them to be more fully concealed. That suited Jim just fine.
He stopped in front of Blair and, after a few seconds of silence, pressed closer, making the other man move back until he was stopped by the wall. Blair started to smile and he licked his lips invitingly, but his eyes widened a fraction at Jim's next action. Instead of taking another step so that he was finally touching Blair, Jim kept still, never closing the gap between their bodies. Then, still without a word, he slowly reached for Blair's hands and placed them on either side of his lover's own head, squeezing them hard for a second as if to tell the younger man to keep them there. Blair narrowed his eyes at Jim for a second, but chose to follow his companion's lead and stayed silent; he kept his hands up but spread his arms slightly wider, showing Jim he was willing to obey, but that it was on his own terms.
Jim nodded and, his body never touching Blair's, bent his head to kiss his lover, licking his lips and demanding entry. Blair opened his mouth and surrendered to the kiss immediately, eyes closed and body already craving more. He let a moan escape and tried to thrust against his lover, but Jim instantly stopped the kiss and simply straightened, staring at him.
"You asked me what was wrong with me - the other night. Remember?"
Blair nodded but didn't say anything. He felt an instant sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. This was it. Jim was going to end this... this nameless thing they had between them, that Blair couldn't even identify. It, no matter what 'it' was, would be over in a matter of seconds. He might not be able to prevent it, but he would be damned if he was going to help the son of bitch. If Jim wanted to destroy the best thing Blair had ever had in his whole fucking life, he was going to have to work for it, because Blair had no intention of making it easier for the big fucking asshole. He didn't care that neither of them had ever said anything about their... relationship, as fucked up as some people might think it was. He didn't give a damn that the 'L-word' had never touched their lips, because the 'L-word' didn't mean anything anyway. At least, that's what he'd believed until now. Blair didn't fucking care that Jim had never made any promises to him. All he knew was that, abruptly, he was afraid, and he didn't want to hear what Jim was going to say.
Reacting instinctively, he closed himself off. Being afraid was a weakness, and he was anything but weak; he would face Jim and he wouldn't break. It wouldn't be the first punch he had received, be it real or symbolic. His life would continue, no matter what. Blair waited for Jim to say whatever the hell it was he intended to say. His scowl expressed defiance combined with resignation.
"Shit, Chief. This is exactly what's wrong!" And damned if Jim didn't sound angry now.
"What, Ellison?" Blair snapped. "I didn't say a fucking word, did I? I'm just being a good boy and waiting for the lecture." He abruptly realized that his hands were still clasping his head, but now it made him feel stupid. He self-consciously started to lower them.
But Jim had his own hands firmly curled around his wrists and held them in place before Blair could budge. "Don't move, Chief," he hissed.
Blair banged the back of his head against the wall and closed his eyes in frustration, but complied. Some battles were best abandoned. He wouldn't be able to win this one; no need to waste his energy for nothing.
"Fucking tell me what you want, Jim," he whispered. "And let's put the whole thing behind us, all right? No harm no foul." He wasn't pleading. He was not. He never pleaded anymore; pleading got you absolutely nowhere.
"Blair," Jim almost sighed. He kept the distance between them, even though he wanted nothing more than to embrace Blair at this point. But he forced himself to remain still, although he slowly loosened his fingers around Blair's wrists, then gently ran his fingers from the wrist up over the hand, to finally caress the fingers in a soothing, sensual rhythm. He felt the body in front of him relax slightly.
"Listen, Chief, listen good." Jim's gaze roamed over Blair's body. "I see you." He nuzzled his lover's cheek and let his fingers tease the soft skin of Blair's temples, then his wrists again. "I touch you." He bent his head to the younger man's neck and inhaled softy, making the body so near his own shiver. "I smell you." He cocked his head to the side and made a show of focusing on something only he could hear. "I hear you, too. But," he took a step back and broke all physical contact with Blair, "I can't reach you."
Blair had closed his eyes once more at the sensual touch, but now opened them slowly and swallowed, completely lost on the meaning hidden behind Jim's little demonstration.
"Do you hear me, Chief? I do all those things, and I even fuck you - so deep it feels like I'm touching the real you - but it's a lie. I can't reach you. It's like you're hiding behind a fucking chain-link fence. You're there, you allow me close, but you don't let me in."
"That's rich coming from you, Jim." Blair had had enough of obedient stillness and silent listening. "Pot? Meet kettle. I... don't put the blame on me, man. Don't you dare. This... this thing between us... I don't even know what it is, I don't know where we're going, or if we're even going anywhere at all. Don't fucking tell me it's my fault we seem to be stuck!"
"That's not what I'm doing! I'm just telling you I'm tired of feeling like... dammit!" Jim's jaw clenched dangerously. "Would the world come to an end if you stayed the night after we fucked?"
"Would the world come to an end if you actually asked?"
"What the hell do you think I'm doing, Sandburg?" Jim practically growled.
Blair almost smiled. Almost, because he didn't feel totally safe yet. "I mean before, you asshole. You told me you needed your space. That you felt the need to... to be on your own. To feel like things were kept under your control. You said those things, man."
Jim shook his head. "And of course you would zero in on those, wouldn't you? Yes, I fucking need my space, but did I ever make you feel unwelcome?"
"That's not what I'm saying either. Don't put words in my mouth."
"Pot meet kettle? Does it ring a bell?" Jim raised in a hand in surrender. "Look, what I mean is... my space." His look hardened for a second. "No actually, my space is my space; that won't change. But I'd be willing to share. Just... don't expect the worst of me, all right? I don't give a shit if you do that with the rest of the world, but not with me. It pisses me off. Are we clear?"
Blair smiled softly. "Crystal."
"Well... good." Jim pushed his lover more firmly against the wall, pressing his body hard against Blair's, blanketing the smaller man. "Since we're on the same page, what do you say to invading my space tonight?"
Blair's answer was lost as Jim latched onto his lips. Jim captured the bottom lip and sucked on it before kissing him thoroughly, hands running along Blair's sides and coming to a rest on his thighs. To Jim, the moan that came deep from Blair's throat, and Blair's hands tightly gripping his shirt, were response enough. At that moment, he realized that maybe you didn't need to believe in fairy tales to start envisioning a happy ending.
Fin
And now... off to read the flist before going back to my books. Can't wait for those finals to be over *sigh*
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-01-27 12:57 pm (UTC)I like it when Blair invades Jim's space... *g*
no subject
Date: 2005-01-27 05:41 pm (UTC)Night Series
Date: 2005-01-27 08:59 pm (UTC)Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I really enjoy the Night series. Even though their background has altered them and pushed their darker sides to the fore, I still see the Jim and Blair that I know and love.
In particular, I liked going back in their relationship and seeing a little of the early days.
In one of the earlier stories (Prince Charming?) the scene where Blair is daydreaming about what he wished his life would be (Anthropology, world travel, the loft, et cetera) just broke my heart, but, at the same time, I've enjoyed seeing his and Jim's resilience against their terrible circumstances.
I really enjoy the intensity of their relationship--the love mixed with the anger and need to protect each other. Great job and I hope there are more of these stories to come.
Re: Night Series
Date: 2005-01-28 01:39 pm (UTC)Thanks for the wonderful feedback, wow!
Knowing that in spite of everything, you can still recognise the Jim and Blair we all love is really a great compliment, thank you *g* I've been quite anxious about that aspect of the story because we all know that writing an AU can be tricky sometimes and writing what others would have seen as 'original' characters who happened to have Jim and Blair's names would have been a shame, you know? So I'm glad it worked for you *g*
Also the daydreaming scene is one of my favourite scenes in this series, I really enjoyed writing it. It was so sad but at the same time, it showed how Blair or Jim never gave up and made the best of what they have *g*
The intensity of their relationship is one of the most interesting things in this series, if not the most for me. I'm having a blast writing it *g*
Thanks again for taking the time to let me know what you thought of my series and thanks for the interest - there should be more to come yes, I'm having too much fun with this universe *g*
no subject
Date: 2005-01-27 11:18 pm (UTC)Can you tell I liked it? Interested in reading more, yes I am! Your writings are getting really good! Thanks for sharing.
So read my little story yet? You know the 880k something fic? Yeah that one. Hope you like it so far but enough about me on to the story and my question...
That's it? I want more, more...MORE! : D
Thank you so very much for the gift! I got it in the mail today and I so love it. It makes me want to go back there again. : )
*HUGS!!*
no subject
Date: 2005-01-28 01:44 pm (UTC)There's more to come, like I was saying, I'm having too much fun writing this series *g* I actually have a story almost ready. Maybe it won't even take me forever to finish it lol
I started reading your story, yes, but I didn't read a lot - I was way too busy with my revising my exam - though seeing how bad I did this morning, I should have your fic instead lol
Anyway, you were right, we really see the difference in your writing, it's really cute. At the same time, man, it's still you, like all over the place *g* And I'm still impressed about how long it is... 885 pages, omg!
You received it, yes! And you're quite welcome. When I saw it, I immediately thought of you --and another woman on my flist, I got two copies-- and knew I had to buy it *g* Glad you liked it.
no subject
Date: 2005-01-27 11:39 pm (UTC)"Would the world come to an end if you actually asked?"
Hee! I like that little exchange. They're both so stubborn. Nice moment in their burgeoning relationship, Mouse. *g*
no subject
Date: 2005-01-28 01:45 pm (UTC)Thanks, Anne, I'm thrilled you liked it - I had a blast writing it myself, believe me *g*
Not a ficlet...
Date: 2005-01-29 07:16 am (UTC)but a true short story. I got the lowdown from this explanation at fanfic syposium - http://www.trickster.org/symposium/symp162.html
Here's an exerpt - So, just to review, 100 words = drabble. 500 words and under = flash fiction. 500-1000 words = short short. 1000-15000 words = short story. At 17500, you've ventured into novella/novelette territory (I've seen it split so that 17500 to 25000 is a novella, and 25000 to 40000 is a novelette. I have also seen it split the other direction. Generally, the two terms are used interchangeably). At 40000, congratulations, you have yourself a novel.
The Word Count under 'Tools' tells me that your story is 1,524 words -- well within the 'short story' format, and not a 'ficlet' at all.
And as others have said, your writing is *good*. The 'ficlet' term doesn't do it justice. So stand up and proudly proclaim it for what it is. -- a short story with the most amazing connection depicted lovingly and with finesse.
.
Re: Not a ficlet...
Date: 2005-01-29 01:03 pm (UTC)And as others have said, your writing is *good*. The 'ficlet' term doesn't do it justice. So stand up and proudly proclaim it for what it is. -- a short story with the most amazing connection depicted lovingly and with finesse.
Thank you so much! Wow... talk about a compliment *g*