Story 3: "Hard as Hell" by Torch

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

This week's story was nominated by andrea_deer.

"Hard as Hell" by Torch

Rating: NC-17 [this is my own estimate and not the author's]
Pairing: Mulder/Krycek

Let us know what you think; let the author know what you think; and please, let us know your suggestions for next time.

Comments

[wendelah1]

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.

[andrea-deer.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I do not agree with you about that Mulder didn't give a damn about Alex's discomfort and just went ahead with what he wanted to do. That he used Krycek.
I think he can be read like that, but I also think it's not feelingless just the way Mulder seems to be. He's not good with expressing his feelings and when he noticed that Alex is feeling bad about theirs encounter and the fact he enjoyed it so much, Mulder tried to stop him from brooding and getting used to the fact that he may like it. When I read this story I was under the impression that maybe Mulder went through something simmiliar, when he was younger.

but, apart from this I'm glad you enjoyed the story and find it worth discusing, 'cause I must say I was pretty nervous while recomending it ^^

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

When I read this story I was under the impression that maybe Mulder went through something simmiliar, when he was younger.

Yeah, that is quite possible. It is also possible that he is letting his memories of his own experiences blind him to the feelings of Krycek (who after all may react quite differently to the same scenario).

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

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.

Laughing out loud! Literally! :)

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.

I agree with part one; part two, I am still on the fence about. Mulder certainly has the potential to be amazingly insensitive about the feelings of those he's closest to. He can get inside the minds of serial killers and victims alike, but beyond that he can be really blind. Like you say, it is partly because he's so relentless in pursuit of what he wants.

If I squint at the story I think I can see it the way andrea_deer does as well. Partly this is because I missed the "try smiling" line the first time around, due to skimming though the sex stuff. Putting that line to the side it is far easier to see the story in a different light. But yeah, there it is. Hmm.

I don't want to believe that of Mulder, even of this Mulder. I wonder why so many people write him in this way?

(I was also going to address your comment on the gender differences between how the story reads with a slash and a het couple. Need to muse on that further.)