sakura_no_miko

Title: True Colors

Author: Kellie Matthews

Fandom: Due South

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: Benton/RayK

Warnings: explicit sex (gay), sexuality crisis, jealousy issues, references to PTSD

Other notes: eavesdropping, epiphany, friends-to-lovers, jealous misunderstanding

Length: unknown

Summary: Sometimes eavesdroppers learn things that change their lives.

I’ve been reading a lot of short fic lately, and sort of ignoring the longer fics I have stashed away to read. Dunno why. Just having a period where it’s hard to keep my focus on things. The only long fic I’m still reading is Carry On, but that’s only because the author updates three times a week. Reading a chapter every other day isn’t quite as daunting as going to a fic I know is going to take me hours to read.

This fic pops into my head every so often, because it reminds me of my own life. Sometimes a story does that–you catch it at just the right time and it speaks to you. Of course, that also leaves me in an awkward position, because I don’t feel much like getting into the details of my life. Suffice to say, I’ve had a relationship similar to this.

I actually didn’t know that the minor characters here were characters from other shows. Apparently Marty and Stephen are both characters played by the same actors who play Benton and Ray. I haven’t seen either of the shows–well, a short film and a movie–mentioned, but apparently I should be envisioning two sets of the same guys meeting each other.

But, ah, the story itself. It’s odd, but the more I like a story, sometimes, the harder it is to write anything more than just “go read it.” I like that this story deals with the idea of having an epiphany and its consequences. It’s not just, oh, I realized I’m in love, everything is going to be fine now. Ray has to re-evaluate his own sexuality, and his relationship with Benton, and Benton is understandably wary of the sudden change in heart. I mean, think about it–a person you’ve been in love with, who’s never seemed to have any interest, suddenly wanting you? That’s a bit of a shock. I also like that Benton–lovely, not-so-perfect Benton–gets jealous and passive-aggressive. I mean, admit it: everyone does that stuff. You feel ashamed after, but sometimes you just let a few rude, cutting things out, because you’re pissed off and trying to hold it back. I even like that they have sex and Ben catches Ray’s cold the day after. Little things.

(Looking for more fic recs?)
Originally posted on tumblr on 06/29/13