Story 251: "Your Platonic Relationship: An Owner's Manual" by Nanda

[wendelah1]

I'm still going back through the older comments at the nomination post. Way back when, someone nominated "Syncopation" by Lilla Vaughan, which I wasn't that crazy about to be frank. I don't remember why. But then I remembered she'd written this fic, which I do like a lot.

In her summary Nanda writes, "I think the title speaks for itself. Oh, and there are rocks falling from the sky, too."

The link is to AO3 but this fic can also be read at Gossamer.

Read Your Platonic Relationship: An Owner's Manual

Comments

Re: Part 2/2

[rainatlas.livejournal.com]

I agree with what you've said, except I think the best friends distinction feels forced because it is meant to be forced (subtly but deliberately, in that "tell not show" way), by Scully, rather than by the author. They are best friends, so Scully isn't lying to herself, she's just trying to separate shades of gray into black and white, using a term she has convinced herself is intimate enough for their relationship but lacking the sexual aspect she's trying to avoid, however seriously. "Partners" wouldn't have had the same tone or emphasis, I don't think, so I'm defending the author's choice.

There's a kind of somber, distanced, tongue-in-cheek thing going on here and I like it. I agree, it's very meta and I think that's what makes the whole thing work. I love the case file.

Re: Part 2/2

[wendelah1]

They are best friends, so Scully isn't lying to herself, she's just trying to separate shades of gray into black and white, using a term she has convinced herself is intimate enough for their relationship but lacking the sexual aspect she's trying to avoid, however seriously. "Partners" wouldn't have had the same tone or emphasis, I don't think, so I'm defending the author's choice.

That's what I thought as well. She's creating a more intimate relationship for them in her headspace, one that doesn't cross the line she's drawn, but which is light years away from work partner.