sdfjsdkl! Wow. *breathes* I totally had to gather myself several times because I kept on lapsing into complete and utter incoherence. Thank you so much! I wasn't expecting another story for me (or another John/Teyla piece in general), so this was a wonderful surprise.
This is beautiful, gritty, and heartfelt. I really love how well-characterized this piece is, especially in light of its length. The characterization has been running through my mind ever since I read this; it's so richly layered and compact—how John's military mind knows that love doesn't always equate to mercy or gentle handling, how Teyla refuses to be treated as fragile, John's instinctual reaction to Kanaan's presence, John's bleak understanding that strength is not always enough, and even his view on paperwork.
I also love the team love in this. The glimpses of Rodney and Ronon in this are pitch-perfect, especially the image of Ronon "unfolding" himself from his chair and then going out to run.
I was particularly struck by the last four paragraphs. The ending reminds me of "Psyche's Candle (http://tielan.livejournal.com/276667.html)" (which I also love and think that everyone who stumbles on this comment should go read NOW) in that I'm left screaming on the inside at the characters, "Stop walking away, and DO something! Act on your feelings for once!" But at the same time, it's the right ending because that's where John and Teyla are right now. I think John and Teyla's biggest obstacle is themselves—this gulf of unspoken words emotions that they allow to continually go unacknowledged. This fear and caution and unwillingness to bring those emotions out and voice them in open air—that's what they need to overcome. They need to get to the point where they're so discontent with the status quo that they finally decide to challenge it. In concrete terms, I think John and Teyla would probably need something epic to happen (and an epic-sized plot bunny accordingly, lol) or just a lot of time, preferably a lot of time alone together, for all the other excuses to evaporate and be revealed as completely frivolous.
Also, I just rewatched "The Ark" and "Search and Rescue," and I loved how you articulated the difference between John's rescuing of Teyla versus his other teammates because I noticed the exact same thing. Yes, John would put his life on the line for any of his friends, but there's always a different dimension when it's Teyla's life at risk—John always mounts the craziest, most suicidal rescue missions when it's Teyla. That is not a coincidence. And the fact that people would gossip... of course. We sometimes forget about that sort of thing, but people do. Gossip. All the time.
Okay, this is the comment that will never end, but I just wanted to add that you get kudo points for the well-chosen biblical reference, and your prose is gorgeous and perfect in this. If I were to pick my favorite line, I'd probably end up choosing all of them—that's how much I love this!—but it's some of the more passing lines that catch me, which really speaks of your brilliance—for example, the use of the word "jabs" totally got a visual from me, the dual meaning of Lorne's "sketchy diagram," and the whole part with Torren and the giraffe (too cute!).
Anyway... *stops self now.* In a nutshell, I loved this. You are awesome. =) Thanks, again, for all you contribute to John/Teyla fandom! You are much appreciated. ♥
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-01-01 02:29 am (UTC)This is beautiful, gritty, and heartfelt. I really love how well-characterized this piece is, especially in light of its length. The characterization has been running through my mind ever since I read this; it's so richly layered and compact—how John's military mind knows that love doesn't always equate to mercy or gentle handling, how Teyla refuses to be treated as fragile, John's instinctual reaction to Kanaan's presence, John's bleak understanding that strength is not always enough, and even his view on paperwork.
I also love the team love in this. The glimpses of Rodney and Ronon in this are pitch-perfect, especially the image of Ronon "unfolding" himself from his chair and then going out to run.
I was particularly struck by the last four paragraphs. The ending reminds me of "Psyche's Candle (http://tielan.livejournal.com/276667.html)" (which I also love and think that everyone who stumbles on this comment should go read NOW) in that I'm left screaming on the inside at the characters, "Stop walking away, and DO something! Act on your feelings for once!" But at the same time, it's the right ending because that's where John and Teyla are right now. I think John and Teyla's biggest obstacle is themselves—this gulf of unspoken words emotions that they allow to continually go unacknowledged. This fear and caution and unwillingness to bring those emotions out and voice them in open air—that's what they need to overcome. They need to get to the point where they're so discontent with the status quo that they finally decide to challenge it. In concrete terms, I think John and Teyla would probably need something epic to happen (and an epic-sized plot bunny accordingly, lol) or just a lot of time, preferably a lot of time alone together, for all the other excuses to evaporate and be revealed as completely frivolous.
Also, I just rewatched "The Ark" and "Search and Rescue," and I loved how you articulated the difference between John's rescuing of Teyla versus his other teammates because I noticed the exact same thing. Yes, John would put his life on the line for any of his friends, but there's always a different dimension when it's Teyla's life at risk—John always mounts the craziest, most suicidal rescue missions when it's Teyla. That is not a coincidence. And the fact that people would gossip... of course. We sometimes forget about that sort of thing, but people do. Gossip. All the time.
Okay, this is the comment that will never end, but I just wanted to add that you get kudo points for the well-chosen biblical reference, and your prose is gorgeous and perfect in this. If I were to pick my favorite line, I'd probably end up choosing all of them—that's how much I love this!—but it's some of the more passing lines that catch me, which really speaks of your brilliance—for example, the use of the word "jabs" totally got a visual from me, the dual meaning of Lorne's "sketchy diagram," and the whole part with Torren and the giraffe (too cute!).
Anyway... *stops self now.* In a nutshell, I loved this. You are awesome. =) Thanks, again, for all you contribute to John/Teyla fandom! You are much appreciated. ♥