DOOC: Touchstone by PFL

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

This is not what I intended to do today! Blame corvidology . She very kindly told me that she wouldn't poke me, given the current state of my life. Thank you! Um...but see, this quotation demanded attention:

I first felt a fist, and then a kick
I could now smell their breath
They smelt of pubs and wormwood scrubs
And too many right wing meetings. Down in the Tube Station at Midnight – The Jam

Touchstone

Doyle felt Bodie's fingers gliding over his implant, and he knew all was well.  After the fireworks, after sex, Bodie always seemed to be drawn to his face, and the cheekbone.  He would stroke it--sometimes just once, sometimes over and over again.  Doyle never stopped him, never turned away or rolled over.  Everyone needed a touchstone.

"I thought I was going to die."  His voice was little more than a whisper.  Bodie's fingers stilled.  "There were three of them, and they'd cornered me. I don't know why.  They'd been drinking."

"You were alone."  Bodie's voice was low, and hoarse.

"Yeah.  Always was in those days."  He tried to shift, but found he couldn't.  Bodie's fingers were warm, and that was enough.  "Reckoned I'd at least go down fighting."

"I've been there."

Doyle smiled, and wondered if Bodie felt it.  "Know you have."

"You remember it, then?"

"Impressions.  I remember being hit, and kicked.  Remember being called a sodding poofter."

"How original."

"Accurate, though.  As it turned out."

"Best revenge--be what they fear."

"All I could do.  They were never caught--there was no evidence."  He stilled as Bodie coughed, and waited it out.  Bodie's hand stayed on his face.

"But you...saw them.  Remembered them."

"I'd applied to Hendon."

"Ah."

"Anyway, I survived."

"Never say die, eh?"

"Better than till death do us join."

Bodie's fingers slipped from his face.

"Don't."  If Doyle could have moved to stop him, he would have.

"Ray."  Bodie sighed, but his hand returned to Doyle's face.

Doyle breathed in, tasting dust and dirt in his throat.  There were sirens in the distance--evidence of the world outside.  But all that mattered was here, between the two of them.  "I don't want your sacrifice."

"It's not always up to you."

Doyle was quiet.  Bodie had pushed him first out the door, but they'd both been caught in the blast.

"What is it, Ray?"

"Tell me the truth."  His own touchstone, never dared before. 

Bodie was the silent one now.

Doyle closed his eyes, and gave him cover.  "Hear the sirens?  They're coming."  They'd be back to normal, back to their lives.  They'd heal.

A finger caressed his cheek.  "You're not alone."  Another brush against his skin.  "Never."  The last word was a whisper.

Doyle swallowed.  "Never say die?"

"As long as you live."

A tightness that had always seemed to be with him, eased.  "I'm not dying here."

"I know."

"I'll hold you to it."

He heard the laugh in Bodie's voice.  "Till death, then."

Doyle nodded.  The sirens had stopped, but he heard voices calling, and giving orders.  Bodie shouted back to them.  His fingers stayed on Doyle's face.  Touchstone.

END
June 2008

Author: PFL
Title: Touchstone
Genre: Slash
Archive Proslib/Circuit: Yes, please.
Notes: I was supposed to be writing something else today. But I've enjoyed the other challenge entries so much...and I wanted to play!  Thank you to elizabethoshea and Anonymous One for telling me not to just delete it.

Comments

[rosie55.livejournal.com]

Awww, how can you do this? Pull all my heart strings in this one little gem? But then, you never fail, for me. Definitely thank you to you and to those wise ones who wouldn't let you delete it.
You have our boys so beautifully, saying just enough to lead us into where they are and letting us feel their connection - just touching.
Those last two sentences - lovely! I shall go to bed now, very happy for this little treat at the end of my day!

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

You see Grasshopper, this is the true 7th Dan black belt pokey stick wielding power, knowing when to prod and when not to prod! *g*

Really lovely, the way it starts out appearing to be them lying in bed together but you didn't cheat, because "fireworks" is right there in that first paragraph too!

"Tell me the truth." His own touchstone, never dared before. Great turning point.

This manages to be very emotionally evocative in the simplest of language and so well suited to the pair of them and the circumstance they find themselves in.

Thank you, I'm so glad you found the time to play! ♥

[windrain10.livejournal.com]

This is amazing. I've loved many of the things you've written, but this is just wonderful. So short but so powerful. I am printing this out to keep it.

I always thought more should be done in fanfic about Ray's face. I can't imagine how traumatic an assault would have had to have been, to shatter his cheekbone. That is not something one could easily forget or move past, I wouldn't think.

I can totally see this happening, and how Ray doesn't remember it all that clearly, but clearly enough. And it's so appropriate to see Ray mention Bodie's Army background in the conversation, reminding both of them that Bodie has had difficult times as well.

I can't imagine that you wanted to delete this, but I am so grateful to EOS that she urged you not to.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Considering all the lovely photos you posted today, I'm very glad you found this enjoyable.

This was just a lark for me today. Because this image came into my head--Bodie stroking Doyle's cheekbone--and I couldn't let it go. I thought maybe it wasn't enough, but my friends told me differently. *g*

I hope you're having a good sleep, even as I'm typing this. And thank you for all the photos today!

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

knowing when to prod and when not to prod!
Clearly you are a master. Or I'm a sucker for reverse psychology... *g*

I did like the prompt, and it fed me an image I couldn't get out of my head. It did, indeed, actually start with them in bed, but...it changed as I wrote. *g*

Thank you for the prompt, the reverse psychology, and for the comment! I'm very glad you enjoyed it!

[cyanne]

This is really wonderful. Took me til the end to catch on to where they were, but that's good writing since you didn't mislead on anything. I love fics that aren't what they seem at first.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm glad you liked it! It was just an image that came to me with the prompt--and I couldn't get it out of my head. So I wrote it up this afternoon. I was really unsure of it, but my friends liked it, so... I'm chuffed you did as well. *g*

I've always liked stories that deal with Doyle's injury. It would, I think, be exactly as you said--something that would mean a lot to him, and would resonate with all sorts of emotions. In this case, I wanted that to be something that Bodie, in a way, took as his own. Proof of Doyle's existence, perhaps.

Anyway, thank you for reading and commenting!

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

I love fics that aren't what they seem at first.
Me too. I like stories that give me more when I reread them--when I know what's going on. So, yeah, you've got one idea as you start this, but gradually it turns out you need to readjust your thinking, and then (hopefully), you experience some of what they're experiencing.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

*points at the other 59 prompts*

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Well, we're only half way through June... y'know, if you happen to find another prompt that resonates.*whistles* *attempts to look innocent* *fails miserably as usual*

I think that change makes the story stronger, as it just seems so them *not* to talk about the trouble they're actually in right at that moment.

Re: *points at the other 59 prompts*

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Oi. The only reason I could write this was because there was no Pros Watch tonight. Otherwise...in over my head with codas!

I had fun, though. And I am not going back to that second list to see whatever it was that pinged with me. Nope, not. Can't afford it. Probably not.

Re: *points at the other 59 prompts*

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Don't make me resort to hypnosis (we learn that at the 6th Dan level). Look deeply at Doyle's arse into Bodie's eyes, you're feeling very, very sleepy...

Seriously though, thanks for playing and have some Swiss Roll... It's virtual, so it has no calories! *g*

[zamaxfield.livejournal.com]

What an absolutely terrific surprise! I've often wondered why more people didn't work with the cheek as well. It's so unique. Okay, I shall now survive without this week's Coda. Please, don't you ever dare delete anything. We need to have you on delete button watch apparently, 24/7. I'll take the first shift... Immediately send me anything you're tempted to delete and I'll talk you out of it. *grins*

[schnuffi.livejournal.com]

Oh you clever little thing! Turning things around like that after one thinks they're in bed together. Very intense and angsty towards the end. Never say die - that's the essence of their being, innit? Love it, especially the Touchstone.

[sunray45.livejournal.com]

That is really beautiful. Such an intimate moment, when we think they are in bed, but no! You have given us a lovely twist at the end. Touchstone indeed.

Thank you.

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Well, since I had Doyle stroking Bodie's cheekbone, it's only fair that Bodie should get his turn! Oh, you had me completely at that goregous opening image. Just tightened up my throat and never let go really. I love how you do that, keep them so grounded and real, yet let that fierce love they have for each other shine through...and never the word is uttered, either. Magic, sheer magic. Am so glad that image popped into your head today. Go run - but gently, you - and get another one..*g*

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Oh very nice - and yes, lovely twist of reality, the contrast between what they're saying, and how they're being with each other, and what's happening around them... Thank you for not deleting!

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

I can write really bad drafts, you know! Could put you into permanent shock, and there would we be, eh? Your stories need to be coming out as well! *g*

Hey, but I've done my duty--you can survive until next Sunday evening. *g* And thank you for the compliment! It was just a scene that demanded to be written.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

You know, it started out in my mind simply enough--them in bed, Bodie stroking Doyle's cheek, Doyle remembering (thanks to the prompt). But, er, it turned into something else along the way. *g* I rather like to think that Bodie, in particular, has gone from "whatever it takes to get the mission done" to "never say die"--because he and Doyle need to survive together. At least in my world. *g*

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this!

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Hello! What am I going to do without your beautiful display of photos to start my week off? (Ah, I can look at my wallpaper and be inspired there, that's what. *g*)

I was definitely going for the intimate--something really tight, and close, that was meant just for them. A moment that means everything, you know? I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Absolutely fair that Bodie should get his turn! Besides...I just can't see that he wouldn't be drawn to that cheek. *g* And, you know, when I thought about touchstones...Bodie is always touching Doyle, isn't he? Maybe it means more than just the attraction. I like the idea of it being a sort of test--is Doyle here? Will he accept this from me? You know?

Just tightened up my throat and never let go really.
Heh. Excellent. *g* I was going for a quick, intense, intimate scene. That image took me by the throat on Sunday morning. *g*

Right, I'm off for the run now. Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this! Fair exchange, then!

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Hey, glad you enjoyed it. I reckon you need all the Pros stories you can get just about now. *g* Happy Pros stories. Pros stories where they win through, against all odds.

Thank you! I did have fun with this one.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely! Touch seems so important to Bodie, especially touching Ray, I could well imagine that as his touchstone. And Doyle knowing it.

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

Please cover your ears while I use the word ‘love’ far too many times.... I *loved* this story. Why? Well, first off it was beautiful – the idea behind it and the way you got that idea down on paper; I loved your use of the title word; I loved the rich feelings conveyed in the simple communication between the two; I loved the way the writing made me pause for thought, savour and actually dwell on the words and the sentiments behind them – I love writing which is capable of doing that to me. And I loved the twist at the beginning - the way the writing hinted that they were in bed - that was a *very* neat trick and clever, too, but a cleverness which didn’t sacrifice any of the story's warmth and appeal.

Yeah, I told you I loved it! Thanks so much for writing it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Lovely - I was afraid for them both.

Best line: "Best revenge--be what they fear."

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Touch seems so important to Bodie
Yes, that was my thought. The image came to mind first, and then all sorts of things around it. It seemed like something Bodie might do--not words, but a touch that means everything. Or something like that. *g*

Thank you for reading and commenting!