H/C Discussion: Pure, Plain and simple still the best

[tari_roo]

The other day I was watching an episode of 'Endeavor: Young Morse' where the hero(a dashing young DC Morse) is knifed by a serial killer trying to escape the police. Its a small scene, small wound and the coroner (who Morse deigns to check him out) declares it a minor wound. Because the case is about a serial killer, Morse doesn't stop and keeps going on and later nearly crashes the car because he's so tired/exhausted due to the case and blood loss. His boss, Inspector Thursday takes him back to his own home, where Morse passes out on Thursday's couch. When discovering this, Thursday takes his coat and places it over Morse.

Me thoroughout this little ensemable of scenes? utterly delighted, all sorts of h/c buttons ticked and pushed. And its all so simple, so plain in its beauty. Potentially lethal hurt, turned out not too bad, exhausted hero, minimal comfort. Me all over the place flailing with delight.

I think the tendency in h/c fic is to go big, go huge and sometimes it works, but truly, sometimes, the best hurt, the one that works on all levels, is pure, plain and simple - part of the overall story, not the centre. The ragged hero carrying on despite the cumulative hurt, not over the top, not unbelievable - just right.

Comments

[ophite68.livejournal.com]

I agree. It isn't about the physical pain, HC is always about making the emotional connection feel live, like a wire. Maybe many authors don't feel like they can convey it outside of a more extreme setting?

The limited amount of good buddy fic (in many fandoms superseded by sexual entanglement)is another example of this, I think. I like relationship fic, of all sorts. I wonder sometimes if some writers feel like they can't seem to make that emotional connection apparent or strongly felt without some more extreme or sexual element added?

I'm a lousy writer, but I read obsessively.

A treat for you - listen to this one.

Peter Case - Spell of Wheels
http://musicvideoswiz.com/artist/Peter%20Case

[saphirablue]

I'm right there with you. Especially when the hurtee is in the care of not quite a friend. <3