FIC: Awake My Soul [PG13]

[cmdr_jade]

Title: Awake My Soul
Pairing: Leslie/Ben
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 4237
Spoilers: 3x14 "Road Trip"
Summary: So he calls his mother on that first two-hour drive and doesn’t realize until much, much later that it has become sort of a ritual for him.

Comments

[shornt]

Oh gosh, I really really love Ben introspectives, because the show hasn't done too too much to really explain Ben's past to us. And this fills in the gaps completely, and Ben does seem like the kind of guy who would be close with his mother. I really liked the shift of him telling her all about work, to telling her all about Leslie, to telling her all about Pawnee and HIMSELF. The growth in this is wonderful and follows Ben so well, and really fits nicely in with who he is on the show. I love this. A lot. <3

[cmdr_jade]

Agh, I just love every single comment you ever leave me on my fics. Thank you so much. I'm really glad that you think this fits with the Ben we know, and fills in his gaps, because that's exactly what I hoped to do. I'm a sucker for Ben and really want the show to show us his past, too. For now, I guess we'll have to turn to fic!

But, seriously, thanks so much. I'm really glad you liked it!!

[whimsical_irony]

I love the peek into Ben's life before Pawnee, we really don't get much of his backstory on the show (apart from Icetwon) and how it's shaped him. And the dynamic you created between Ben and his mother is so sweet and believable!

PS This is judygrimes from Tumblr. :D

[cmdr_jade]

Thanks so much!! I'm really super interested in Ben Pre-Pawnee days, so that's where this came from. I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a kind review too, I really appreciate it!

PS Hi!!! I feel like I reblog every single thing you post. It's all just so quality!

[carleymarie88]

Aww, this is such a sweet story. I loved seeing into what Ben's life has been like in the other towns he's been to, as well as his relationship with his Mom.

Carley-Marie : )

[cmdr_jade]

Thanks so much! I'm really glad you liked the peek into Ben's past :)

[jncar]

This is great! I love how you illustrate his slow descent into cynicism. And women trying to use him to get job favors makes so much sense, but it's so sad at the same time. :( Wonderful choice there. You did a great job showing how Pawnee and Leslie pulled him back up out of his funk and inspired him again. And his relationship with his mom is lovely. I adore the idea of Ben as a momma's boy.

This fic made me feel all warm and tingly. :)

[cmdr_jade]

Thank you so much! I'm really happy you enjoyed it, as I love your fics :D. And I don't know why I decided to have a woman use him for favors, but it just seems like something that would happen to a young, naive Ben Wyatt, and turn him into someone who's skeptical of everyone around him.

But, yeah, I'm glad this could make you feel warm and tingly! Thanks for reading and leaving me such great feedback!

[orphisme]

Aww, Ben's mother is the best and you wrote her so well! I hope we get to meet Ben's family as the show goes on. And I just adore the relationship you've portrayed. Their phone calls kept me smiling and gushing even after I finished reading.

And I think you did a great job here analyzing Ben's transformation from optimistic and naive boy mayor to callous and hardened state auditor back to optimistic but not so naive deputy city manager. I particularly like the back story of the librarian (a librarian! great choice.) using him. That was such an effective and smart choice.

So yeah, loved this piece! Great job.

[cmdr_jade]

Aww, thanks so much!!! I also really hope we get to meet Ben's family! I think they'd be an interesting group of people :)

And I'm so glad you liked all the transitions Ben went through. That's exactly the progression I was trying to get across, so it's great to hear that it worked for you.

Seriously, thanks so much for this awesome feedback. It's so encouraging and I really appreciate it! Thanks for reading!