[FIC] Between the Lines

[mikkary_bones]

Title: Between the Lines
Characters/Pairing: Francis, Arthur, FrUK
Rating: T+ / PG-13
Word Count: 4329
Summary: Francis is a writer, Arthur a critic; Francis is asexual, Arthur... confused.
Notes: Written for qichi for what_the_fruk's October lovefest; this prompt.

I meant this to be some sort of portrayal of an asexual/non-asexual relationship based more on conjecture

Comments

[lost_hitsu]

Now this, this was a completely perfect fanfic.

The pace of the narration, how the story unfolds, Arthur´s natural misunderstanding of the situation and how long it took them to talk about it. Francis´ anxiety based on previous experiences. The agreement, the rules, how the relationship slowly grows. Arthur´s final realization that the life means more than penetrative sex. It was ridiculously romantic but not a tiny bit sappy, everything just perfect.

Your descriptions are spot on, never too flowery, simple but charming (the one with Francis in a suit with a champagne glass stayed particularly in my head). Brilliant, brilliant fanfic, thank you so much for sharing this.

[mikkary_bones]

Oh my gosh thank you! ♥

I'm blushing and I'm not sure I can reply adequately to this but I'm really glad you liked it. :D

I think the image of Francis with a suit and a champagne glass should be in everyone's head. ;D

[mikkary_bones]

Thanks! :D

[mystofthestars]

I have to quote lost_hitsu's comment to this gorgeous fic ♥

I actually never thought of Francis as asexual, but the view of this character you give here is interesting indeed, and very nicely developed. I especially like how you underlined Francis' fragility, how he did show it or even offered it, without him becoming pathetic or anything like that.

Lovely work~

[mikkary_bones]

Haha, fragile!Francis is one of my favorite things when done right; he can be so beautiful and strong when he's a like that.

Thank you!

[falling_voices]

Once upon a time, I requested asexual!Francis on the kink meme, and was directed to a fill in which he was aromantic, which pretty much crushed that prompt. Since then, I've always had a little mournful thought for that story which never got written, and that interpretation of Francis' character which had never got to be fleshed out.

... except this is it. This is exactly it. Somehow, you've managed to write exactly what I wanted all those months ago. Your writing style is so smooth and precise, never goes overboard in any way, and the relationship you're describing between the two of them is so very realistic - so very beautiful in all their compromises and bulletpoint lists. I rather love the way they both try, and sometimes they both fail, but their relationship is more important to them than their physical disagreements. It's marvelously done, and I have to thank you most profusely for such a wonderful, beautifully-written story.

&hearts

[mikkary_bones]

Ohhh my gosh thank you so much!!! ♥

I'm really interested in the whole idea of asexual-yet-romantic Francis. Because I mean, it's really interesting to explore the intersection, as it were, of sex and tactility and flirtation and interest in sex, and how they don't all have to go together. Personally, I think Francis, no matter what, is a very tactile person, and so it's really fun making that intersect with asexuality.

I think this comment was supposed to be deeper but it's half past midnight and I don't know. Anyway, thank you again for your comment! ♥ I'm glad you enjoyed~

[fireblazie]

Everyone else has said it. This was a beautifully written fic. The pacing, the characterizations, the handling of the situation, everything. I wish I could be more coherent or eloquent, but really, I can't, so just have lots of hearts: ♥♥♥♥

[mikkary_bones]

Thank you!

♥♥♥♥