fic: Alpha Centauri 7.5 -- Mutual Thing

[hth]

Mutual Thing
by Hth
part of the Alpha Centauri series

NOTES AND WHATNOT: I can't finish the freaking series until the new season starts, not so much because I'm afraid canon will screw me up (it always does, so why sweat it?), but because there's stuff coming up that fits so well into what I planned to do with 8 that it would be a crime not to use it. Meanwhile, it occurred to me that at the end of 7, I said some things were going to happen that, on further reflection, y'all might like to actually see happen, rather than just take my word for it. Thus, this bright and uplifting little breakup story, which takes place shortly before "Michael" and contains very minor spoilers for that episode and for "The Tower," as well as a whole mess of references to everything previous to this in the Alpha Centauri universe. Seriously, don't even think about starting with this one.

Comments

[myalexandria.livejournal.com]

TRAGIC.

oh, man, killer.

[wickedwords.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. That one broke my heart and John's too.

[maverick4oz.livejournal.com]

Man...I don't know how I feel. I mean I want to feel bad for John because *no Rodney* (or Ronon), but I almost don't because he's stubborn and such a boy and just GUH frustrating. I mean you have him say things to Rodney like, don't you realize how everybody wants you, but then he says things like, I could take Ronon away from you just like that, and that just...it makes me sad and a bit angry and just all mixed up. (which of course is a testement to your amazing writing)

But now I think I'll go reread Hand of Yes for the 14,000 time and wrap myself up in the squishy McDex love in that story, and patiently await for you to make it all better in this universe.

Thank you so much for this.

[diluvian.livejournal.com]

Waaaaaaaah!

Lovely like a weapon.

::sneef::

[skeddy-kat.livejournal.com]

I can hope for a happy ending, can't I? (Despite the fact that these guys are so totally fucked up!) I just reread the whole thing. It's riveting, unsettling and most excellent! I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[lilac-way.livejournal.com]

You know, I gave up Diet Coke a week ago, and this story knocked me off the wagon. John and Rodney's break up made me drive to McDonald's and buy a Diet Coke. I needed it to refresh my will to live.

All three boys would benefit from some group counseling. I doubt that will happen, so I am anxiously awaiting the next part of this!

[amalthia]

ouch this story hurts. :( Not sure who to feel bad for because I don't think there was every any intent on any of their parts to hurt each other.

[aw-lemongirl.livejournal.com]

Man, this is just so good. So, so good!

It's just so beautifully written that I fall in love with these characters over and over again because every time you post a new part I rush to read it and then I have to go back and re-read all the previous parts!

[cathexys.livejournal.com]

I can't believe I read thid without reading the Note first...b/c now the only thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that you're talking about 8 and the little outtake future possible AU you posted a while back...and I may just hate you a little bit while still being utterly enamored with your abilities...maybe a little like John's feeling right about now??? ;-)

thank you!!!

[bakarti.livejournal.com]

That hurt. It was really well done. I kept trying to deny what was happening, but it was inevitable. I don't know how this can be made right, but I have faith in you. And now I have another reason to look forward to the start of the series.

I was wondering if John even remembers what he said when he was all drugged up in the aftermath of the bug-thing? Where he ordered Ronon to tend to Rodney. And where he implied that he (John) had sex with Rodney so that Rodney would be nicer to be around. Does John realize how much that hurt Rodney?

[opprobrium.livejournal.com]

Wow. WOWOWOWOWOW. I can't believe how in character you keep these guys. This is painful! I don't think I can wait to find out what happens! However, I have got to give you credit for following the episodes. Whenever I watch Ronon and Rodney on the hive ship in Allies, I get all mushy on the inside.

[fatuorum.livejournal.com]

Okay. *takes a deep breath* That just kicked my gut in. I'm definitely looking forward to more, but because you kept that little disclaimer with the future-fic about things possibly changing, and even though this reminds me so much of all those perennially on-off relationships, I'm damn near chewing my nails off wondering if they're ever getting back on the right foot again. It's like there's no end in sight, but that's really one thing that I love about this series.

[northern]

Waaaaaaaah...

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

I read this yesterday, not long after you posted it, and had to go away for a while. It really tore me up. Then I remembered that you've already posted the ending -- or at least an ending, and one I really really love, so now I can comment without rending my clothes and wailing.

Very, very painful read, and in part because it reads so honestly -- their voices were so clear, just as clear as their pain and confusion. And when Rodney told John that he loved him, it really hurt.

Um. Thank you. I'm gonna go read the one set in San Francisco again, okay?

[palebluebell.livejournal.com]

Well that was hurty and achy and very much the absolute spirit of an actual nasty, go for broke break-up. My heart was breaking for both of them. I'm waiting very impatiently for the start of the third series anyway, and knowing I have more of your 'Alpha Centauri' series to look forward to when it does finally start, just makes the wait all that much more hard.

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

I know, right? I wasn't sure I really wanted to write it at all, but I thought its absence would be glaring, once we jumped into 8 and they were broken up already. Anyway, I tried to keep it ugly, but short -- like the anti-Ronon. *g*

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

Yeah, poor John. He has so little outlet for his emotions. He's just going to drag around being miserable and sniping at people for the next -- well, three episodes, at least. He needs so much therapy.

[myalexandria.livejournal.com]

sigh. and I guess we won't find out for a while whether John will ever be happy again.

man, this is a terrific soap opera of a series. tenterhooks!

[honkytonkgirl.livejournal.com]

Always fun to hear in the past fucking tense.
Ouch! Poor John, even if he is being a total idiot. Also, I had to go back and re-read the entire thing, just to get in the right mindframe to read this part. It was not at all a hardship. Thanks!

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

He is frustrating. His communication skills suck so bad, they're at like negative.

The thing I think is sad about John here is that, you know, he's bad at a lot of things, but he's tried so hard to handle the Ronon situation to Rodney's benefit at the expense of his own. He does want to see Rodney happy, and he is afraid that if he gets involved, this whole buried thing between him and Ronon will take over and push Rodney to the side. So here he is, madly trying to sublimate so that *Rodney* can end up being the one with someone else to go to, and I think what would really help would be a little credit, you know? I mean, I know the way he said it to Rodney was pretty nasty, but I do think it was his dumb way of saying, "You're more important than me in this, and I'm taking myself out of the game for you." He really needs somebody in his life who can say, this is hard for you, but you're a good guy. But of course, he hasn't let enough people get close enough to him to see that, so he's not going to get that.

Anyway! I do think, for what it's worth, that John really gets to come into his own in part 8, and to step up and really be the hero of the story for once. He's the one who's really had a character arc throughout this, and I do want all this strength and kindness that he's been unable to show effectively to actually come out in a way that doesn't backfire on him *g*

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I write a lot of angst, but this one was kind of a wrench to write, even for me.

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

Sure you can! I'm still hoping for a happy ending, after all. *g* Actually, I've come to the point where I'm sure I'll feel like it's a happy ending, but I have this history of writing stories I think are happy, and then the feedback comes in and people tell me it's ambiguous and painful. So, uh...YMMV? But I'm a firm believer in the idea that even totally fucked up people can make it work sometimes!

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

Woohoo, I endangered somebody's will to live! I wonder if I can get some kind of stipend from Coke, or at least a free lifetime's supply myself?

And don't discount my willingness to go the counseling route! I was raised by psychologists, and if it's a good enough plot device for Aaron Sorkin, it's good enough for me.

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

They really do all want the best for each other. They're just...not good with people. Any of them. I think that means it's okay to feel bad for all of them. *g*

[hth-the-first.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I truly appreciate your dedication, because there's a lot of wordage in this series by now! It must take you forever to reread the whole thing. It's a great compliment.