xf_book_club | Story 221: "In a Dark Time" by eliade

wendelah1 posting in

"In a Dark Time" by

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.

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From:

wendelah1

Of course I don't mind you expressing your feelings about the fic. That's what the community is for. Having people with different taste who are willing to talk about what they like and don't like is what makes this community work. We need you!

I hope you don't think I'm mocking you. It's perfectly fine to like happy ending stories. Given how things worked out in canon, they must be pretty rare in M/K fic, but heck, if I find one I think would be worth discussing, I'll put it in the queue for you, and let you know. Hate sex seems to be more what I find in M/K fic and this story isn't that exactly, either.

Re: Scully. To me, there is no sense of romantic yearning in those lines you quote, only a degree of loneliness and uncertainty about her place in Mulder's life, which doesn't seem out of place. I don't see her feeling bitter toward Krycek though, just suspicious. As it turns out, she is right about him. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.

From:

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 :)

From:

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)

From:

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 :)

From:

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)

From:

andrea-deer.livejournal.com

yay! :)

i'm 5th baronet on tumblr :)

From:

wendelah1

I agree that long fics might be the best kind of M/K for people who don't ship the pairing. I need a long fic, preferably with a complete AND believable character arc. The issues between the two men seem nearly insurmountable to me, and most short stories don't convince me, probably because they are written for an audience who doesn't need convincing.

I don't know if TXF ever had that many polyshippers to begin with. I'd like to think there are people out there who want to discuss interesting fic, regardless of the pairing, or lack of same. But length is an issue for a lot of people who read here. I prefer long fic but sometimes I hesitate to post something in any genre that's too long because I'm worried no one will try it.

As I said to andrea_deer, I would be willing to give "Ghosts" another chance since (1.) she liked it and (2.) it's a fandom classic.

From:

wendelah1

I recced this fic because it was so convincing to me that M/K could work, depending on the writer and the setting. It completely changed how I viewed the pairing.

True confession: I never made it past the first chapter of Ghosts because I was bored, not because of the slash, which hadn't made an appearance. But that was years ago. I'd be willing to give it another try if other people want to read and discuss it. It's a beloved classic, and one of the first M/K fics written, I believe. I am pretty sure I can find a working link to it.

I had issues with the characterizations of both Mulder and Scully in Lady Luck's story, so I didn't get past the first chapter.

I haven't tried "Chemical Agents" so that will be next on my list. Thank you!

From:

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 :)