Not very romantic fic - Stop Breathing

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Title: Stop Breathing
Author: Creed Cascade
Link to story: The Circuit Archive
Zine: don't think so
Short review: This is NOT our canon lads: Bodie is very needy and Doyle is mean to Bodie (at least at first). In fact, they are both rather screwed up emotionally while still being the competent, hard professionals we know and love. But I am willing to read a story which explores different possibilities if it is well written and/or has a clever premise. This one fits the bill on both counts.

Dr. Ross believes that Bodie and Doyle share a "toxic love" and will stop at almost nothing to separate them. I love the way the unwitting lads respond to her schemes and how she inadvertently brings about a change in their relationship.



At first I was uneasy with the way Ray was treating Bodie, although I was very intrigued by the way Dr. Ross was trying to break them up. But it really got fun for me after Ray realized that he needed to give Bodie what he wanted more or he would lose him entirely. And then when he became comfortable enough to let his relationship with B (the motorbike scene) be seen by others and they really became a couple it got really fun. I guess I just really want to see the lads happy together. Dr. Ross' psychological assessment of them might have been close to the mark, but her efforts were totally misguided. I'm glad Cowley realized that there was absolutely no point in breaking them up because they would cease to function as a team and as people. I loved the last scene with Cowley coming down on Ross! The author has clearly illustrated the fact that what may seem dysfunctional to some works fine for others in the right circumstance. And of course, I love to think of our lads being joined at the hip! This was for me a very intense and enjoyable read.

Comments

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this. I don't think I'd seen it before. I do like a story where their relationship is so intensive, it's almost obsessive. Yes, Ray is mean to Bodie at first, because he's denying what he is; what they are. Once he gets over that, the relationship is no less intense but Bodie is less needy and more comfortable with him.

Thanks for reccing this. I enjoyed it :)

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I've not seen it recced before. I liked this story when it first came out and even wrote to the author about it. Shame she doesn't write more in Pros, though I understand a couple of her Pros stories have won awards at a con. They're not online as far as I know.

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

Well, I usually enjoy your recs, so I'll give it a shot. *g*

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Oh, please do. Then we can discuss it. It gives a somewhat twisted view of the lads but satisfies on several levels.

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

Oh, please do. Then we can discuss it. It gives a somewhat twisted view of the lads but satisfies on several levels.

Oh yes. Will do.