I will get the standard disclaimer over with first. I am a noromo, who liked the show as it was written, up to but not including Requiem and Seasons 8 and 9. I accept the show as it was written as canon, even if I personally didn't like it. I have read and enjoyed stories in all genres, including slash. I do not enjoy reading lengthy descriptions of sex acts, of any sort. I find them- boring. There are very few writers of erotica who can keep my eyes on the page. I will just fast forward through them once my eyes start glazing over, if the story is short enough. If it is long, and the sex seems really egregiously out of character, I bail.
I agree with narrahttbbs that the most interesting part of the story was its characterization of Krycek. The other interesting characterization, though, is of Mulder. I am prepared to believe in a Krycek, who is dedicated enough to The Cause to take one for the team. Or the other team, in this case.
This is not the worst moment of my life. It just feels like it. I stare at the ceiling and try to erase even the memory of pleasure from my body, my mind. I don't do guys; this was work, nothing else. Something I had to do.
My interpretation of the last lines may differ from other readers. I think Krycek felt used and dirty. I think that Mulder knew he felt used and dirty.
"Maybe I'd better go," I said.
He shook his head. "Not yet," he said. "You look too tense, Alex. You look like you're going to go home and brood and regret things." And he tossed the washcloth aside and leaned forward to kiss my forehead, my eyebrow, my eyelid, my temple, cheek, jaw, the corner of my mouth. "I know all about that." Chin. "And it's not." Throat. "A good." Light, fleeting touches. Shoulder. "Idea." The hollow by my collar bone. Then he looked up briefly. "Try smiling," he suggested and went back to planting kisses down my body.
That "try smiling" makes me feel a bit ill. I think Mulder knew exactly how he felt. That didn't stop him from picking up where he had left off. Mulder forced him to respond, again, and nearly against his will, Alex does. I think because this is a slash fic, we are inclined to give Mulder a pass on this behavior. Why don't you substitute a female character, for Krycek, and read the same scenario. Substitute Scully into this story. I like it a lot less. Because it definitely isn't okay to seduce your female subordinate. It certainly isn't okay to ignore her clear signals of discomfort, and tell her that she shouldn't go yet, and then f__k her again. It just isn't, at least it wasn't when I was dating, and it wasn't when this was written in 1998, and I am pretty sure it isn't today. I didn't feel turned on by this story, I felt angry at Mulder.
This is not the only Sexual Predator!Mulder story in the fandom, by any means. This is subtle compared to some of the M&S versions I've read. The elements are always the same, though. They all make me uncomfortable about what they reveal about Mulder. Because, he is kind of relentless when in pursuit of something that he wants. And, he can be conveniently oblivious to the feelings of other people, even those he cares about. I don't think he is very worried about Krycek's feelings. I don't like what this story reveals, but, leaving aside the whole issue of- is he or isn't he- the characterization does seem just this side of plausible. Unfortunately.
Good story. Yes, I did fast forward a bit through the more graphic parts, more due to psychic discomfort, than boredom. Creepy, but good is my final verdict. Definitely worth discussing.
no subject
I agree with
This is not the worst moment of my life. It just feels like it. I stare at the ceiling and try to erase even the memory of pleasure from my body, my mind. I don't do guys; this was work, nothing else. Something I had to do.
My interpretation of the last lines may differ from other readers. I think Krycek felt used and dirty. I think that Mulder knew he felt used and dirty.
"Maybe I'd better go," I said.
He shook his head. "Not yet," he said. "You look too tense, Alex. You look like you're going to go home and brood and regret things." And he tossed the washcloth aside and leaned forward to kiss my forehead, my eyebrow, my eyelid, my temple, cheek, jaw, the corner of my mouth. "I know all about that." Chin. "And it's not." Throat. "A good." Light, fleeting touches. Shoulder. "Idea." The hollow by my collar bone. Then he looked up briefly. "Try smiling," he suggested and went back to planting kisses down my body.
That "try smiling" makes me feel a bit ill. I think Mulder knew exactly how he felt. That didn't stop him from picking up where he had left off. Mulder forced him to respond, again, and nearly against his will, Alex does. I think because this is a slash fic, we are inclined to give Mulder a pass on this behavior. Why don't you substitute a female character, for Krycek, and read the same scenario. Substitute Scully into this story. I like it a lot less. Because it definitely isn't okay to seduce your female subordinate. It certainly isn't okay to ignore her clear signals of discomfort, and tell her that she shouldn't go yet, and then f__k her again. It just isn't, at least it wasn't when I was dating, and it wasn't when this was written in 1998, and I am pretty sure it isn't today. I didn't feel turned on by this story, I felt angry at Mulder.
This is not the only Sexual Predator!Mulder story in the fandom, by any means. This is subtle compared to some of the M&S versions I've read. The elements are always the same, though. They all make me uncomfortable about what they reveal about Mulder. Because, he is kind of relentless when in pursuit of something that he wants. And, he can be conveniently oblivious to the feelings of other people, even those he cares about. I don't think he is very worried about Krycek's feelings. I don't like what this story reveals, but, leaving aside the whole issue of- is he or isn't he- the characterization does seem just this side of plausible. Unfortunately.
Good story. Yes, I did fast forward a bit through the more graphic parts, more due to psychic discomfort, than boredom. Creepy, but good is my final verdict. Definitely worth discussing.