Lest These Dark Days

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

A couple of rather odd things have happened to me recently.

The first odd thing was that I actually read a Bodie/Cowley fic. I should explain that the very first Pros slash fic I ever read was a B/C, and I've avoided them like the plague ever since. But there, in my Circuit Library batch, was Jane Carnall and Ann Johnson's 'Lest These Dark Days', and as I have this little idiosyncracy whereby I never send a library story back unread I decided to take the plunge.

And that's when the second odd thing happened - I actually enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it very much.



I've always subscribed to the premise that George Cowley would never, ever indulge in a sexual relationship with any of his junior officers, male or female. I believed that it would be totally unthinkable for someone of his background, a man who has spent his life dedicated to the service of his country and all that that entailed. And yet from the very first moment that Bodie made his first advances to Cowley I found the whole thing completely believable.

Here we have two desperately lonely men. One - Bodie - who spends his life going from one one-night stand to another, never giving his real name to a lover, never allowing himself to develop any sort of relationship. And the other - Cowley - whose only means of sexual gratification is through the use of prostitutes. With each other they find a hitherto unknown level of contentment and fulfilment, and an intense emotional involvement that takes both of them by surprise.

There were a couple of things about this story which helped convert me to the B/C relationship as it's written here. Firstly, no graphic B/C sex - much as I admire the Controller of CI5, I do not wish to have to picture his dangly bits in my mind's eye. The most we see are a few kisses and one or two embraces - and very effective they are too. Secondly, there is no conflict with the friendship and working relationship between Bodie and Doyle. Their bond and their friendship is as strong as ever but that's as far as it goes. Doyle is terminally straight and Bodie, although openly gay, has absolutely no sexual attraction whatsoever to his partner. I have to say that if there had been the slightest hint of attraction or unrequited love on the part of either Bodie or Doyle to the other then I would have had to give up.


If, like me, you've always been completely averse to the concept of B/C then I urge you to give 'Lest These Dark Days' a chance. It can be found on the Circuit Archive here. I was also very pleased to learn that there are also two sequels to the story which, although not online as yet, I'm hoping to read soon.

OK - now I'm ready to duck incoming missiles...

Comments

[grey853.livejournal.com]

No missles from me. It was this work that convinced me that B/C could actually work.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

It does work, doesn't it?

I was completely drawn in, much to my amazement...

[windrain10.livejournal.com]

I will not lob any missiles your way, either, but I don't think I can read this story. I realize that a mature reader should give everything a try and allow the writer the opportunity to convince her or him that a particular premise works, but I'm not that mature a reader. I commend you for giving it a try and I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Maybe down the road, when I'm in Pros longer, and not so emotionally invested in B/D, I will try reading it myself. Thanks for pointing it out.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Well, it's taken me the best part of five years since reading that first B/C fic to reading this one, so never say never! *g*

I understand what you mean about being emotionally invested in B/D - I'm totally wound up in the lads, which is why I never thought that B/C would work for me.

Maybe you'll feel like giving it a try some day!

[probodie.livejournal.com]

ARRRGHHH!!! You've gone to the dark side!!!!!!

Okay, I might - I say *might* - just try this one out. Not convinced tho.

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Give it a try, sunshine.

Trust me...

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

But will you respect yourself in the morning???

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's something I never have any problem with...

*g*

[paris7am.livejournal.com]

Only flowers from me. :)
I also thought that this story was very good. I like what you've listed as reasons for *why* it works so well, and I agree. (Don't even want to re-type the part that had me laughing or the image will remain in my head even longer...) Thank you!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Flowers? For me? *g*

Pleased to hear that you liked it too, for the same reasons. Obviously it doesn't work for everyone, but that's the great thing about Pros IMHO.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Yes, totally agree - it is good, isn't it... I can't quite buy it really, because I don't see the B/C slash in the eps, as I do with B/D, but I can go along with it, and appreciate the story. And it does have to be a good story to make me read B/C - or D/C for that matter! But that's Jane Carnall for you, she is good!

[windrain10.livejournal.com]

This is a good point - if you don't see B/C in the actual show, it's much harder to buy it in a story. I've actually looked for B/C in the show, because I knew some people paired Bodie and Cowley, but I didn't see it. I did see a great affection for Bodie in some of Cowley's actions, but it didn't seem to be romantic in nature to me. More fatherly. Whereas I think Bodie and Doyle are flirting with each other much of the time. But of course, that's just my take on it! JMMV!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Yep, I agree - I don't see it in the eps either but there was just something about this story that convinced me.

I did once read a couple of D/C stories, btw, and I absolutely hated them.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I won't lob anything at you, but nor will I be reading it.

I can and will only read pairings in which I believe/can see/could maybe possibly see/like both characters a lot (okay so I'm narrow-minded like that *g* and it does make me feel a tad guilty sometimes when people who aren't into my pairing, G/D for example, read my stories and praise them, but I cannot read their G/Di stories). Now whilst I really love Cowley, I think he's wonderful, I cannot see him in a relationship with Bodie or Doyle, so there's no point me reading it.

But bravo to you for trying it and enjoying it!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Well, if this hadn't been in my library batch then I wouldn't have even entertained the thought of reading it.

Chances are, though, that if I try another B/C I'll loathe it!

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Hee. I still wouldn't have read it, so there you go. Very narrow in my fanfic reading I am.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm really glad you fell for this. Jane Carnall is a good writer, and she does a really convincing job of positing B/C. I love the themes and the ideas she works with--I think it's about the only way I could see B/C. And there's something in my that responds to the, well, the danger and the irresistable element within it.

But, ahem, having said that...I haven't read it and...can't. *g* Shameful, isn't it? But I've been in Pros for twelve years or more now and I'm stll not able to read it. My passion for B/D is so overwhelming...it just hurts too much to read this. Maybe if Doyle wasn't in the story at all. But he is, and so I'd spend the whole time saying, "But!" *g* I used to argue, at least to myself, that B/C was another fandom, so I wasn't required to read it, right? Just as I'm not required to read Harry Potter stories. *g* But the truth of the matter is, I can't read this--the story couldn't get past my passion and I couldn't give it a fair shot. So, love the ideas behind it; know the writing is great; glad to hear that others love it. Can't read it. *g*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

The fact that the Bodie and Doyle of this story had absolutely no interest in each other sexually was the saving grace for me. There wasn't even the remotest chance of them getting together, so I suppose I just felt happy that someone could bring a little brightness into Bodie's desperately lonely existence (even if that someone was Cowley!)

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

I'll be very interested in seeing what you think of the sequels. I hope you'll report on those, too!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

I will indeed!

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

Did you read the recs I have written two years ago in crack_van about all the B/C stories available on line? I tried to be exhaustive. B/C became my favourite pairing as soon as I discovered it, by mere chance, by a search at random in the circuit archive, and of course it was the JC story you are discussing. Well the very first time I was stunned and even slightly shocked but the second time I was moved and the third totally seduced. I explain why in my recs. I have now all the sequels and I even typed a part of "This Classical Dilemma" because I absolutely wanted to have it as a file. But the most achieved part of the trilogy is the third in my opinion ("As Games Are Played"); I see it as a real masterpiece, mainly because it so clearly shows all the dramatic issues of such a difficult relationship, with intelligence and sensibility. I realise these difficulties are the very reasons which attracted me to this pairing and distracted me from the OTP, the other one being that I love Cowley as a character and a type.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Nope, no can do. I've never seen that sort of attachment between them on the screen and just the image of the two of them in bed..well, no, I can't do it. Doesn't matter how well written the story is. Besides, I'd keep seeing it as a betrayal of Doyle so I would be terribly unhappy through the whole story!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Ah, but it wasn't a betrayal of Doyle in this case because Doyle had no interest in Bodie other than as his best friend and partner, and vice-versa. If that hadn't been the case then I would have had to have stopped reading immediately.

I'm still first and foremost a B/D gal, y'know!

*g*

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

You do make a convincing argument. Not that I'm convinced exactly, but I can see that see that the story could be well-written and appealing. I read a D/C once by Nell Howell. "The White Cloth." I didn't mind it as much as I thought (although it took me three tries to get through it), but of course ultimately it's a B/D story.

I agree with the others -- I've never seen anything but a mildly paternal affection for Bodie in Cowley, so I just can't believe that pairing. In fact...it sort of worries me even reading that those fics exist. *g*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Well, y'know, I'm not saying that I'm a total convert to the idea of B/C. I don't see anything between them in the eps either, but there was just something about this particular story that drew me in.

After I've read the sequels I'll probably never read another B/C in my life. I may even loathe the sequels.

We shall see...

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

The sequels are wonderful!

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Ah, but it wasn't a betrayal of Doyle in this case because Doyle had no interest in Bodie other than as his best friend and partner, and vice-versa. If that hadn't been the case then I would have had to have stopped reading immediately.

But in my evil little mind, I'd think, "Oh, Doyle is just pretending. He really does want Bodie," lol. I couldn't let go of that long enough to enjoy a story where either are with someone else.

I'm still first and foremost a B/D gal, y'know!

Well, of course! :-)

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

I am really sorry this thread started when I was away from my computer; that's my favourite topic...

[hgdoghouse.livejournal.com]

Much as I admire Jane's writing I could never get my head past the 'Cowley would *never*' stage. That said, I read the entire series but I missed Doyle dreadfully. Not B/D just their togetherness.

That said, one of these days I might get around to writing the D/C story a friend and I planned when we were watching episodes and realised what an interesting vibe there is between D and C, and how different it is from B and C. The note-taking went splendidly until she pointed out I'd have to think of C naked - or bits of him, anyway - and that was that. Shallow, but unrepentant...

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

I'd have to think of C naked - or bits of him, anyway - and that was that.

Heh, heh...

Yeah, well, the sheer absence of Cowley's bits - or any mention of what he was doing with them - was a big plus for me where this story was concerned.

Nope, I don't want to think of C naked either - it's as much as I can do to look at those scenes where he's clad in nothing but a towel... *shudders*

[smirra.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this recommendation! Just wanted to say I wholeheartedly agree with what you say above!
That's not such a surprise to me because good fan fic writers always could persuade me to a setting or pairing that looks strange at first. My interest in fan fic is probably less- well, passionate than most- I look at a fandom for slash fan fic if there are characters in it, that can tell a story that I am interested in. And with that I'm always prepared to take every risk of an AU or unusual pairing that's out there IF, great IF the author does a good job with it. I've read some B/C by this author and liked it but it was mostly very dark and depressing.
To what you say I'd like to add:
Everybody is in character.
Doyle isn't left out. He cares nearly as much about his partner as he would do as his lover. Dyole's not in love with Bodie but still he's very important to Doyle.
This setting also does something I would like to see more: the combination of a male couple in combination with just platonic friendship/(and or het couples). A setting in which there is no competition between these. That's very seldom in slash fan fic and I would like to read it more often not in an idealised but in a realistic way as it is done here.

The relationship between Bodie and Cowley is realistic and not overly romanticised nor dramatised. In this story it's not as if it's the happiest marriage of the year. As you said: two lonely men. Two restrained men. The atmosphere of their meetings often feels comfortable, vulnerable, even close to split up again, they are acting clumsy, restrained just as I think it would be between two men like this.

As you said the absence of graphic sex is a plus. Some stories need the graphic sex, others are doing well with only hints or little memorised details as it is done here. I love the details here (need them so I can believe that the author believes in them having sex, even if she doesn't write it) There's by example the repeated scene of Bodie and Cowley lying in bed snuggled up with Bodie having an arm around Cowley. It also says that the trustfulness is more important and needed than some hot sex. I agree with that idea because it's truth that hot sex is worth nothing without trust.
I also love Bodie befuddling Cowley, having a shy respect but also getting his own way with him.

I too, agree, that it feels a bit twisted to betray my OTP but if it's done that good I do it cheerfully. :-) I would love to read more of this.