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"In a Dark Time" by [livejournal.com profile] eliade is one of the first Mulder/Krycek stories I read, and it's still one of my all-time favorite XF fics, in any genre. It fulfills every requirement of mine for good M/K: it's set during season two, prior to Scully's abduction, it's by turns violent, twisted and passionate—and so is the sex. If you haven't watched "Sleepless," "Duane Barry" and "Ascension" recently, this story will let you see the episodes in an entirely different light. I have reread this compelling story many times, because it is just that good.

The link is to her X-Files fic page, way-backed; the story links are on the right. You can also find this at the Basement but I believe this is a more recent version, plus it includes a unfinished sequel.

The X-Files fanfic of Anna S

You can try sending feedback to the author via her LiveJournal address. Please let us know what you think of the story. The nomination post is always open for your suggestions.

Date: 2013-01-27 01:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
I read that story now and it was a really weird experience, because it turned out I've already read it once. This time around, while obviously reading a fic, I was still more focused on my messed up memory of it. First of all I did not remember the actual plot, just the witty dialouges. I had no idea how it goes, where it ends (or that it sort of doesn't end, because only the Sleepless part ends properly Duane Barry one is only started). Then I started to wonder why do I remember certain parts, while I completely didn't recognize the fic after title, summary or even plenty of paragraphs at the begining. And the answer is pretty simple: I don't really like this story.

I admit that the author has a good, well practiced style, but it is also a specific style. She writes realistically, with brutal, coarse descriptions and dialouges. I know it is what some people look for in fiction, but I'm afraid I'm one of them. I'm not a fan of overly sweet, utopic, domestic bliss in fiction either, but some sort of a balance between the two. Around the level of the show, actually. Hard times mixed with good ones. Even if something is drastic, it's never shown in too drastic way. Interactions are often violent, but rarely crude.

As I said, some may look for something like this style. I know plenty of people who prefer it, usually argumenting that it's more realistic. Perhaps. But I usually don't come to fiction to find reality, that would be a bit redundant in my opinion.

So, yes, the style puts me off. Also, Krycek in second season. I've read some good stories about it, (Ha, I recomended one here, ages ago! XD) but in general I'm not a fan of stories put in this place on the timeline. I usually read stories set around Tunguska/TERMA or The Red and The Black. Prefer to write them then as well. Perhaps it's easier to get them together, when Alex is still young and as innocent as we can get him, perhaps it's more believable as well, but I hate how always the future we already know of hangs over their heads. For some reason I prefer, when it's all out in the open and they have to get through it (yes, I'm a sucker for a happy ending, rare and unbelievable as they are), than when it's this darkness they're heading towards to.

Also, I really don't like the way Scully is shown here. I usually suffer through Scully portrayals in slash fics, because I am a slasher, but my favourite character is still Dana Scully, which makes some stories really painful to get through. (And I've been known to abandon promisingly looking slash story, because I couldn't stand the way Scully was shown.) In this story she seems so jealous and constantly angry and mean. I think Scully was in a way jealous through Mulder's partnership with Krycek, simply because she couldn't be there and the whoel situation was difficult for her, I don't doubt that. But I think it belittles her to show her so petty. Was she irritated with the way things went? Sure. Was she taking ot out on almost everyone, but especially Krycek? Highly doubt so. As far as I recall she only really snaps at him once and to be fair to her Mulder is than dealing with Duanne and she's scarred for him. I don't think she was so bitter and angry because Alex as it was shown in this fic, that's all.

Still, the story has some really great dialouges and is and interesting show of Sleepless episode. It just isn't what I like in the stories and it's not by far one of my most liked ones.

Date: 2013-01-30 12:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
Since you disliked it so much, I am sorry to have recommended it to you, but I appreciate your candid responses. I hope it's okay for me to respond with equal candor.

I'm sorry if my comment offended you in any way. I thought the point of talking about the read stories is to say if one liked them or not and why is that so. I tried my best to pinpoint the things that I'm not fond of in this story and I was hoping I didn't do it in an offending way.

Still, as I said, it was interesting to me to re-read the story and so I am glad you recommended it to me. Trust me, if I had truly hated it, I simply would stop reading and that certainly was not the case.

She is a realistic writer. [livejournal.com profile] eliade spends a lot of time carefully filling in the blanks in "Sleepless," getting us into the heads of the characters.

As I said, I'm not a fan of overly realistic way of writing. And while I appreciate the thoroughness with which she retells the episode, I honestly have to say I haven't read many stories attempting this with such detail and focus, it's still her interpretation of the episodes and I for one don't have to (and don't) agree with all of it. Yes, it's really well done how she gets into the heads of the characters, but since her look at them is different than mine, she finds in their heads completely different things and motives than I would've. It's not a bad thing, obviously, once again, I don't consider this to be a bad story. Just one that does not agree with my tastes in stories, that's all. (Probably some weight in this also has a fact that I'm not overly fond of re-telling episodes, but I've read stories that I loved doing just that, so it's not like I can't be persuaded if the fic hits all my other buttons.)

However, I don't think it's her style (her sentences, story structure and vocabulary) that you're objecting to so much as her content. When you refer to the interactions that you find crude and violent, you aren't specific but since most of their non sex scenes are centered around solving the case and so much of that dialog is taken straight from the episode itself, I am assuming you must mean the sex scenes. This is a matter of taste, so there isn't much I can say to defend them. If it's not the sex scenes, I'm at a loss. You'll have to give examples.

First of all: It's not about the sex scenes. While again, they're not written like I usually love to read them (there's too many of them for me at least, I get bored if there's too many, and they're too emotionless and 'right down to it' for me to like them), they're by far not off putting. And I have to say that Mulder talking about hamster's during sex is one of my favourite sex-scene-dialouges ever.

Second of all: I do actually mean both content and the actual writing style.

Yes, I'm not fond of plot developing into Mulder and Krycek as fuck buddies. I don't find it convincing in this story. And while I love a well written story about Alex harboring deeper feelings for Mulder and not being only driven by lust, I've read several stories, where lust is all they have in common and I still found them more captivating than the relation they have in this story. While it's also lust here, it seems almost clinical at places. Boys trying to up themselves, 'you tease me in a car, I tease you on a crime scene'.

Date: 2013-01-30 12:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
As for the 'sentences' and 'vocabulary' it also shows in the story. Which is actually a really good thing, because it shows how well the author controls the style and makes it fit the content of the story. While I appreciate the writing prowess, if I'm not fond of the content and storyline, I will obviously not be fond of the writing style that matches them. The style is rather dry, which seems to fit the theme of the case fic, and then sometimes it turns crude, yes, especially in the dialouges, yes, because [livejournal.com profile] eliade writes the male characters more like guys actually act than as they act in the show, in my opinion. Which, again, is one more plus for her as a realistic writer, but again, not really what I look for. I prefer the characters hold the show's level of realism. And why occasional f-bomb is not going to annoy me in most characters, dropping it constantly might. And no, I don't mean that what I mind is that they swear too much. It's just a part of how they talk which is the easiest to notice and explain.

But since you asked for examples, here are few (just a few, because it isn't always explicit, sometimes it's just the general feeling of their interactions, but I tried to find a few, where it's more obvious, I think):

Alex sat bolt upright in his seat. "What the fuck--"

"Full moon."

"No shit--what the--? You a werewolf, Mulder? You have a reason for being this fucking crazy?"

"Relax. Shut up." Mulder's voice was placid, toneless. Vastly calm.


-

And if you think that great ass of yours redeems the asshole it's shipped with, you've got another thing coming, pal.

-

"Yeah. Right. No problem. I love driving uptown this time of day and standing around holding my dick just so's I can hand off a bullshit report to a coupla' HQ joyriders."

-

Alex looked at him, an irritated, disbelieving scowl twisting his lips. "Mulder. Like I'm really going to pull some swooning faggot shit--is that what you think?"

-

As I said, it's not something terribly off-putting, but it's just not the way I like the characters written, that's it. We simply seem to have different tastes in this and I really don't see how that would be a problem.

Date: 2013-01-30 12:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
You love the pairing, you ship the pairing, so you want to read happy endings.

I am not even pretending to hide that yes, this is a major thing against this story as well in my book. Yes, I like happy endings. I am also frequently mocked, because I tend to pick one of the most violent, dark, twisted pairings in the fandom and then look for fluffy fics for it and be surprised there are so very few.

And as I mentioned, I'm not very fond of 2nd season plot line nor Alex's character in it. I wouldn't go as far as to say I don't like it, but it's not what I like the most about the show or Alex in particular. Young!Alex often annoys me, especially in fics, and it'd be hard for me to like him in a story that so closely retells the canon.

As for Dana part of our discussion, I do read her in this story as bitter and needy one.

What was he doing chuckling at this twerp's weak pitch of wit? Inanely she thought of that old commercial in which the disgruntled wife wonders why her husband never asks for another cup of her coffee. He never laughs at my jokes, she thought self-mockingly.

Okay. . .so he did. Now and then. But not lately.


She notices it herself and mocks herself for it, but she keeps on doing it.

Dana smiled again. But it hurt more than it should to smile. She could not help but fear there was some grain of truth to Mulder's dry, gently jabbing remark. She paused, searching for some response appropriate to his teasing, but found none. What could she say? There were no words for all that she wanted to say, for the feelings that seethed like dark, restless snakes in her depths. There never were.

I know that at the beginning of season two their partnership/friending was shaky and she couldn't yet be quite so sure of him as she will be later on. I get it, really. But in her lines, in her thoughts in this story she sounds like a bitter and needy, pinning love interest and that's not how I see her and so yes, I dislike her portrayal in this story. Perhaps our views on Scully just differ or simply we look at her part in this fic differently.

If anyone seems bitter and angry here, if anyone is being petty, it's Mulder, which is kind of weird given how he's getting some. You think he'd be in a better mood somehow.

Yes, obviously 'getting some' would cure his natural, long hosted bitterness. I guess if we look at it this way it makes little sense than he's even more bitter than Scully in this story.

I guess we simply have different tastes in stories and quite probably also differently view canon, which is a given really, every fan usually views it a bit differently :) Once again I hope you didn't mind me actually speaking my mind about the story, I've done this in conviction that it's better to express one's true opinions than write down some vague sweet nonsense to avoid confrontation.

Date: 2013-01-31 11:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
Thanks, I'm glad you're not mad or anything :) I just didn't expect such vehement protection of the fic, since I really didn't think I was insulting it, simply saying it's not in my taste :)

As for happy ending in M/K, I admit I haven't read huge amount of stories (tough plenty), but yeah, they seem rare, especially in well written stories. Out of my three favourite stories only one really has a happy ending, in other Krycek has to leave anyway, even if he and Mulder resolved most of their issues.

BTW, going offtopic, my three favourite stories are "The Chemical Agents (http://strangeplaces.net/ratadder/index.html#agent)" by ratadder (which actually includes my favourite portrayal of Scully in a slash fanfiction), Ghosts&Lovers by torch (I actually managed to find a working link, to the archive on the basement, but it's not working now, argh, what I hate the most from the things that last from pre-LJ and pre-AO3 days it's unreliable archives and how hard it is sometimes to find a fic.) (Still, it's a great fic, though I admit I've reread it last a while ago.) and of course, the only favourite of mine with a true, unquestionable happy ending: The animal I wanted (http://squidge.org/ratb/fic/ladyluck_theanimaliwanted1.htm) by Ladyluck. (Nice plot, well written and OMG, THERE IS A HAPPY ENDING! XD)

I wouldn't recomend any of those for the community, because those are really long and I doubt people not into this pairing would appreciate that ;) I just wanted to drop those titles here in sort of explenation "if the rec fic is not my type, what is" and heck, maybe you will be curious and want to read them or whatever :) It gave me the excuse to look for them anyway, which is good, 'cause I've missed them :)

Anyway, I look forward to the next rec. I hope I will have the time to read it and properly comment on it :)

Date: 2013-02-01 12:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] szgrey.livejournal.com
I haven't finished my reread of/comments on "In a Dark Time" yet, but I just wanted to jump in here in response to this-

I wouldn't recomend any of those for the community, because those are really long and I doubt people not into this pairing would appreciate that

I like those fics too, and I think that long fics like that might actually be the best kind of M/K for people who don't already ship them, because they spend so much time developing the characters and their relationship. If you don't ship them, you won't be convinced by stories that start from the premise that Mulder & Krycek are totally into each other; it's more believable if it starts in a way that feels consistent with their canon relationship and then builds gradually. At least, that's my impression. You may be right that people wouldn't want to tackle a long story unless they were already invested in the pairing. I know this community hasn't had a lot of slash recs in the past & I suppose there are not a whole lot of M/K shippers here, but I want to believe I'm not the only polyshipper who'd be happy to read & discuss all sorts of pairings. :)
Edited Date: 2013-02-01 12:06 am (UTC)

Date: 2013-02-01 02:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
That's the thing, isn't it? While I believe a longer story can convince way better to a pairing, someone who's not into the pairing probably won't be willing to read it :/

And while I'm not sure I classify as a polyshipper in this fandom, I think I'm pretty close to it. ;) Yes, M/K is my favourite, but I read all kinds of parings. I've read even some lovely Mulder/Scully stories, though I admit I rarely go for this pairing or enjoy reading it. *shrugs* Not my thing, I guess :)

Btw, and completely offtopic, would you mind if I friended you? I'd like to have more friends from X-Files fandom especially the ones that don't mind different ships and characters :)

Date: 2013-02-01 02:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] szgrey.livejournal.com
Not at all! I pretty much only use my LJ to post fics and participate in comms (I'm more active on tumblr where I'm keepingtrackoflosttime), but I'm all in favor of friends. :)

Edited Date: 2013-02-01 02:48 am (UTC)

Date: 2013-02-01 02:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
yay! :)

i'm 5th baronet on tumblr :)

Date: 2013-02-01 02:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
Ha, if that doesn't prove we have completely different tastes I don't know what does XD Still, it sure will make discussing fics with you more interesting :)

Date: 2013-02-04 12:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andrea-deer.livejournal.com
Thank you! :)

Date: 2013-02-03 02:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mogster495.livejournal.com
I have never read slash, and I'm kinda scared. Is this something I might like even if I don't already like slash?

I think I'm just chicken sh--

Date: 2013-02-03 11:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mogster495.livejournal.com
Im a strange fan fic reader sometimes. It took me years to actually get the courage to read fanfic, and still some types makes me feel too embarassed for the characters.

I've started this story several times and I wish I could get through it, if only to say something about it.

Date: 2013-02-03 10:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estella-c.livejournal.com
Okay, I've finished part 1, officially, and kinda skimmed it a long time ago and I know it's fabulous writing and W says it's the best and I assume she's telling the truth. The problem is that I don't enjoy slash, normally. It's not my kink--I'm old school, you shouldn't know how old--and I feel that I can't possibly make a judicious judgment.

Well, fuck that. THIS IS GREAT. I was seduced. By the prose. Just as Krycek was seduced by Mulder, although he thought HE was in the driver's seat.

As things stand now, I think that Mulder--older, wiser, but so much more frustrated--has impressed our callow villain-in-training by simply admitting to a needy humanity. They're both hot and all, but sex doesn't have to go deep; it's an effective manipulating machine, as K knows well. Yet he is confronted by a complex, suffering, SMART man who eludes not manipulation, but his own desire to manipulate. Krycek is at present undone.

This writer, whatever she calls herself, does lust description better than anyone except two or three shippers. Khyber springs to mind.

Part 1. I'm not asking you to wait for me to finish part 4. Maybe I'll change my mind. Maybe it isn't the masterwork W claims. But remember that I don't do slash and, well, I think it probably is too.

Date: 2013-02-05 11:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] estella-c.livejournal.com
I would SO read that.

I finished four and am confused. Will be in touch.

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