Christmas Reading Room December 12

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Title: Boxing Day
Author: The Hag
Links to story:
On AO3
On The Hatstand
On The Circuit Archive
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle

I love this story, pure and simple.

It's just about the perfect Christmas story for me. There's humor, connection between the lads, resolution in the face of possible heartbreak, and a completely satisfying ending that is very like Christmas morning. *g* The lads behave like adults, even in their confusion and uncertainty and fear, and they are slowly finding their way to this "wonderful thing" that means everything to them.

Here, have a paragraph towards the beginning:

Doyle was wanting to know things. Perilous stuff, information. It gave people an edge on you. There were things Cowley knew, things old acquaintances knew, and things only he knew. There was the thing Doyle had whispered last night when he had hovered on the very brink of sleep, his head pillowed on Doyle's wide shoulder, feeling oddly safe in that bony embrace. Doyle had brought a deadly weapon into play, and he had to answer the challenge before he lost his nerve.

Isn't that perfect? Go on and read it. Even if you've read it before, go read it again. There's a lads' Christmas for you!

Comments

[etain-antrim.livejournal.com]

I also love this one. The lads are men here, but men longing for something they don't have yet, and willing to risk dignity and perhaps even happiness to get. And the end is perfect.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

It really is the perfect ending. I love Bodie's answer to Doyle wanting to know more about him--and how Doyle hasn't asked directly, yet Bodie understands. I just love the dynamics between the lads--the understanding, the hesitancy, and the bedrock certainty in each other. It's wonderful.

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

One of my absolute favourite fics ever..

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Yes, I reread it for this, of course, and it never fails to give me joy. Really perfect for Christmas.

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

This is one of those stories which make me wish I was more articulate because I find it almost impossible to describe my feelings when I've read it. A beautifully written story and a fine choice, thank you!

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

It is wonderful. I was rereading it yesterday and just marveling. It never fails to give me great joy.

[cloudless-9193.livejournal.com]

A Christmas favourite. Thanks for the reminder! :-)

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! It's a wonderful story.

And, hey, happy birthday! *g*

[cloudless-9193.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Happy Birthday to you, too. :-)

[roven75.livejournal.com]

This is one of my all time favorites. And the first time I've read it whilst being in a Christmassy spirit!

It just seems so realistic, all the emotions they both got through and how they respond to them.
I just love how Bodie hands over his heart in the form of a long unwrapped parcel at the end, and how Doyle, despite being confused and disappointed during the course of the story, always seems to know the right thing to say.

Truly lovely, thanks for reminding me.

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

One of my all time favorite Christmas stories -- actually, a favorite story, period. It's a perfect little jewel -- like the star on the top of the Christmas tree.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

It really is. And it is one of those stories you can read over and over again, and still enjoy thoroughly.

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

I think I read it for the third time... it's always a joy. There are realistic emotions, but nothing sappy, there's no weeping, everything is believable. And I love the fun too: "Trodden Vim all over my bloody scarf!"

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Exactly--it's always a joy. I think that is because the emotions are real; the lads are real; and it mixes so well and effortlessly, humor and deep emotion.

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

I takes a very talented author to write a story which seems to be effortlessly...

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

"wonderful thing", wonderful story! That Bodie's not opening the last gift from his mum reflects his hesitancy to open up to Ray is so sad. But then they both "open up" and "There was a look of peace in his eyes; silence embraced them." Truly wonderful! Thanks for the rec.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! It's such a great story, and one that only gets better the more you read it. I'm glad you enjoy it, too!

[1moreirene.livejournal.com]

In the skilled hands of the Hag, even Claire, who isn't even in the story, lives and breathes. Wonderful story, beautifully told.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Yes, I love that about Claire--a real, likable character, and you come to understand her in just a few, deft sentences. Wonderful writing.

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

I've always loved this one. Thanks for reminding me to re-read it!

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

It's terrific, isn't it? Happy reading!