Story 15: "How to Fake An Orgasm" by V. Salmone (R)

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

Our next story, nominated by threeguesses, is How to Fake An Orgasm, in which we learn that there may be women in the world other than Scully. Or maybe not.

TITLE: How to Fake An Orgasm
AUTHORS: Punk and Sab, writing as V. Salmone
CLASSIFICATION: S, M/O, MSR
DISCLAIMER: Mulder, Scully and the X-Files are the property of Ten-Thirteen Productions and Fox. No money has changed hands, nor do I expect it to. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy writing it.
RATING: R for sexiness and language
SPOILERS: general for season six
CONTACT: punkm@teleport.com, iamfrequent@gmail.com
WEB: http://home.teleport.com/~punkm/punkandsab.html

SUMMARY: Mulder, Scully, and the other woman.

Let us know what you think, and let the authors know what you think. Also, remember that next week is our Short Story Week. Do you have something that you'd like to nominate? Let us know about that too.

Comments

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

So, let's start by talking about the genre of Mulder/Other stories. In my opinion, these are really, really hard to pull off successfully. Writing compelling original characters in fanfic is always difficult, and you have the additional danger that your original romantic interest is pretty much automatically under suspicion of being a Mary Sue. It's a thankless genre. Either Mulder ends up with Scully in the end (in which case why are you even bothering?) or Mulder ends up with the other woman (in which case the Scullyists are probably going to kill you).

The best Mulder/Other that I've read is probably Syntax6's "Isometry," because the romance isn't the whole point of the story. Punk Manuverability's "Venture Forth" was way too Mary-Sueish for me. And Tesla's "Flying Under the Radar" was very interesting, but we've discussed its Scully-bashing ending already. Enough said.

As I recall from my last reading of this story, it is a pretty decent example of the genre, certainly better than average. Now I'm going to have to re-read it and see whether I have any more specific comments. But it seems to me that you can't talk about a story like this without talking about the genre too.

[leucocrystal]

It's been a looooong time since I've read this one, and for some reason, when I think of it, I always think of this one and only section (and I honestly do NOT know why, seriously, considering how little it has to do with the main portion of the fic itself):

"Okay then, let's walk me out," he said, grabbing her hand and smiling down at her as they bumped through the doorway that was too narrow for both a Mulder and a Scully.

At the front door, Scully went to find Mulder's coat while Mulder lingered against the doorjamb. He'd worn his leather jacket, and picking it up from where it had fallen to the floor, she noticed its smell again, a brown scent that always reminded her of new shoes and Mulder.

Handing the jacket to him, she watched him put it on and then resume his lazy pose against the doorframe. He was stubbly and rumpled and supposed to be leaving, but leaning there in her doorway, he looked like a Calvin Klein ad for something expensive and fantastic and she wanted to try him on.

I think the reason I remember it is the two bits I've emphasized; they're just, to me, two lines that stuck out to me the first time I read it, and stuck with me. It's funny how random quotes can do that in fic, isn't it? (Even regardless of the overall quality, which I find especially strange! I'll often remember lines from fic I didn't like at all, and I'll have that sad moment of "too bad the rest was so mediocre" realization.)

Anyway, on subject, I think you're definitely right that it's "a thankless genre". I also agree that overall, this fic fits into the "pretty decent" section; in my more generous moods I might even say "pretty darn good." I don't think I've reread the full thing since the first reading, though. Parts, yes, but it never quite grabs me enough to pull me completely back in again.

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

The first phrase I really love. It's so them. It makes me think of the scene in, I think it's "Field Trip," where Mulder is standing with his hand against the door frame and Scully just ducks underneath his arm to enter the apartment. It shows how comfortable they are around each other, touching in little ways like that.

The second phrase grabs me less. It reminds me a little bit of the scene from "Humbug" which ends up mocking his physical perfection. It's probably just me--I don't tend to find Calvin Klein ads all that hot. I'm weird that way.

On the broader question of quotes from fic, my experience is the same as yours. It's funny how lines from stories will just float into my head out of nowhere. There are certain ones that I find myself pondering from time to time without fail.

[leucocrystal]

Yes, exactly! Which, in turn, of course reminds me of Penumbra's "Contact High":

Appearing surprised to see her, he holds both the door and the jamb, leans his fine high cheek bone against his forearm, and studies her thoughtfully.

"You know what they say - North Carolina is a state of mind." he observes reflectively. He isn't exactly granting her entrance, but Scully walks in right under his arm - it isn't her fault that he's such a tall drink of water.

(LOL, this is like fanfic ping pong! How many back-and-forths can we do?) I do really love that little moment in the episode, though. I love all such little moments that give glimpses like that.

It reminds me a little bit of the scene from "Humbug" which ends up mocking his physical perfection. It's probably just me--I don't tend to find Calvin Klein ads all that hot.
Heh, I'm weird that way too (in regard to Calvin Klein ads); I think it's more the metaphor of wanting to "try him on" that grabs me. It's a unique phrasing. And having just recently watched Humbug, I have to laugh. What strikes me as so funny about that comment is -- for all the love I have for him, and for as attractive as I find him -- David's features are hardly perfect. They're... an unusual mix. I've been attempting XF portraits lately, and JESUS is his face hard to capture, because of this.

[ex-dashenka.livejournal.com]

Another good one in the Mulder/Other vein is Blair Provence's "Banging Your Head Against a Red-Haired Brick Wall." Wonderful, non-Mary Sue original character. Plus, I am total sucker for third-party views of Mulder and Scully.