The Reading Room - Restricted Tender by Smirra

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

My rec is " Restricted Tender" by Smirra, Pairing: Cowley/Minister. She wrote about it:

"I was wondering how two persons who are under so much pressure, observation and control will deal with the needs of private life, let alone these kind of needs. It leads to hilarious situations for sure. 

The ficlet is intended to be humorous, yet I wanted to take the relationship seriously."

If you worry about the pairing – it’s a short story and fun to read. Here is the link:

community.livejournal.com/teaandswissroll/3965.html

 

Comments

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Ups.... you're early...
*runs away to reread the story*

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

Well? *drums her fingers on the table*

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

OTP me – normally I’m simply not interested in other pairings.
But this fic made me smile, and it’s clever and that Cowley is really much like ‘him’, and it’s short.
So I could honestly enjoy it, although I don’t believe in the pairing Cowley/other male.
If there were such feelings, Cowley would IMO never give into them, because he values honour, responsibility and sense of duty too high.
Such hidden meetings would be beneath his dignity!

I had to laugh about that: "Meeting? I'll have to check with Betty first, to see if I can make it..."
Yeah! That's really much like him. :-)

Thanks for the rec!

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

To be honest - I can't image Cowley with a man either. But Smirra wrote everything so believable with Cowley is really much like ‘him’ - I think if she writes the pairing Cowley/Krivas I will also believe her :)

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Psssssst.... you better don't put the 'Smirra thinking about a strange story idea' drive into gear!
Recently I could talk her out of a death fic...
*shakes head*

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

Oh. Ohhh. *shuts her mouth*

[smirra.livejournal.com]

I wished I had that faith into my abilities in writing than you have *g*

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

Wait until we had a german Pro-Con and we will have you talked into that faith!

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

I read it last night... I really liked it. It's fun to see 'behind the scenes' with minor characters/plot themes and fun to see Cowley at work in a situation that only indirectly affects the lads. I thought the characterisation was good and the humour was beautifully understated, which is just as it should be for a fic about two such 'upright' English gentlemen. We could probably do with more short fics like this to flesh out the background to the Pros world.

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

I really like the story. When I saw the pairing I first thought it was absolutely weird. Then I read the story and knew it's working.
The story is really funny, but in addition to that Smirra portrays Cowley like he is in the episodes - only with the addition of a male lover. I can recognize him in every sentence. And I like the understated humour too *g*. Thank you for your comment.
(How many ministers are in the episodes? Two or three, I think)

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I thought this was charming, funny and very original. I liked the length of the piece and the way the writer went straight into the heart of the story, in a sense straight into the bushes...

When the story first appeared someone mentioned the minister from In the Public Interest and for some reason I could see the minister from Need To Know - the one who comes to see Cowley in his flat and enjoys a whiskey with him - perhaps because they seemed quite familiar with each other and quite cosy?

A good choice, thank you!

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

I just had a look at the episode: the minister says "I worry about you George". And yes - they are cosy. I am glad I'm not the only one who believes in the charme of this story. Thank you for your comment.

[smirra.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the suggestion. I wasn't thinking of some minister from the eps especially but think also that one and the scene fits.

[roven75.livejournal.com]

Just read this and I must say I also found it to be very in character and very funny - Cowley played the minister perfectly, plus he cares about the education budget *g* Thanks for the rec!

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

I think those few who read it in spite of the pairing like it very much - yes, it's a good rec *g*.

[smirra.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the unexpected honor to have my little ficlet discussed here. Thank you for everyone commenting!

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

The pleasure is on my side, too :-)

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

sorry I didn't come in earlier, but I did like this a lot.

Like others said, I don't ship Cowley and the Minister (any Minister), but I do like it when they are sort of cosy together, like in ITPI.

Slash aside, this fic is witty and elegant and delightful.

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

Oh yes it is!