DPP: Cry, Cry Baby

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

Since the Hug, Kiss, and Touch memes were pretty popular back in the day, and since this is pilots and they know from angst, I figured this was a good weekend for...

Pick your favorite flavor or make up a good reason of your own & let our pilots work it out (or not) in a fic!
(Definitions filched from memebells)

1. just depressed.
Things are tough, pilots are feeling worn out, or whatever the case, they're depressed. Pilots need help or someone else thinks they do anyway.

2. abandoned.
Pilot(s) feel left behind by everyone they hold dear and now they're forced to see how well happy everyone else is while they're screaming inside.

3. sick.
Cold, flu, or something even worse, all they can do is lay back and let someone take care of them.

4. fight.
They've been fighting nonstop and it just keep escalating.

5. break up.
Pilots go through a break-up (with other people or with each other).

6. separated.
For some reason, they've been separated from each other for a long time.

7. kidnapped.

They've been held captive for how long now? Maybe they've been tortured. Rescue is on the way though, right?

8. beaten up.
Pilots love to fight, but they can’t win every time… Nasty wounds and bruises require hurt/comfort yes?

9. jealousy.
Pilot(s) have this undeniable jealousy suddenly and need to let it out.

10. cheated on.
Pilot(s) cheat. How do they handle it?

11. apathetic.
They're not sad, they're not happy, they just... don't feel much anymore. The sparkle of life has gone and pilots are just going through the motions now.

12. addicted.
Drugs, alcohol, whatever their drug of choice is, one pilot can't fight the draw and can't draw themself out of the hole, but the other one is going to try.

13. bad romance.
They know this isn't good for either of them, but they can't stop now.

14. fear.
Nightmares, the feeling someone is following you, etc. Pilot(s) can't shake the feeling.

15. insanity.
They’re seeing things and hearing them, waking up only to realize they've done things they don't remember or are in a place you weren't before. Are they cylons or just crazy?They're losing it and don't know what to do.

16. guilt.
It's eating them up inside and pilots have to confess. They want to be punished and won't take no for an answer.

17. loss
A pilot loses something dear to them.

18. wild card.
Combine some options or make your own!

Happy Friday the 13th kids! Also, just FYI, the big Five Acts meme (we had a mini one here a couple weeks ago and you all prompted five acts, so the work is half done for you!) is going on right now, in case anyone is in the mood for kinky pilots...

Comments

Daydream

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

((Clearly the metapoetry has taken hold of me today. To the angst!!))

*********************


Daydream

A look,
a word,
a touch,
a nod.

Laughter bold and bright like the sun.
Color everywhere, in everything, moving, changing.

She never stays still. Hers is a heart to reach after. To grasp but not to hold. Not meant to be held. You could as easily as hold fire in the palm of your hand. Burning coals in your hand, each leaving their mark.

A smile, a glance. A bird with wings who needs to fly.
(when did you become a poet?)
It’s stupid, you think, the way she makes you feel. The way she makes you want to feel more. Dangerous even. But then there’s that look, that laugh, and all is forgotten. Forgiven. Washed away in the blink of an eye and there is only her.

And the laughter dances, and the eyes are bright, and the arms and hands and mouth made for living—made for other things too. She comes near. Dancing, playing, spinning on the edge of a great abyss, like a top along the edge of the kitchen table. So close but just out of reach.

A quieter voice emerges. A somber one that doesn’t dream in wild purple Technicolor, that doesn’t speak in laughter like music, or with teasing or with challenge. With nothing at all but a sharp, insistent reminder—she is not for you. That voice takes the colors with it, and makes the lights dim a bit more. A world less bright, but more manageable. And anyways she’s happy and he’s happy and you should be too. You step back, make way for the embrace. It’s good, you think, and smile for the camera. The moment passes, and you’re still here.

Just breathe, Lee. Just breathe.

Re: Daydream

[kdbleu.livejournal.com]

Oh, I feel so bad. But this is such lovely writing. *hugs*

Re: Daydream

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

I know, bb. It's that doggone angst. Glad you liked it though. :) If I can get suitably inspired, I might try for a bookend from Kara's POV.

Re: Daydream

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

Oh poor Leland, forever immortalized as "uncomfortably yearning"
in that photo. <3 Lovely imagery.

Re: Daydream

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

It was one awkward-ass photo. ;)

Thanks! It was fun. :D

Re: Daydream

[winegums.livejournal.com]

Oh, my poor bb Lee :( *cuddles him*

Though this is the only way I can possibly imagine him getting himself through having to see Zak and Kara together. (and I think you nailed it exactly, along with the way he felt about her through that entire time)

Re: Daydream

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

I know. Poor piney darling. **pets him**

That photograph was such an odd thing, and the thing that makes it odder still is why she felt the need to fold his part away. Sneaky biznatch, I say. Somethign was up with Kara and the FEELINGS. (and Lee too)

Re: Daydream

[howlinchickhowl.livejournal.com]

This. This is so beautiful. There is so much that I would quote in proof of its beauty that it basically would just be me repeating the whole thing. Mostly this:

She never stays still. Hers is a heart to reach after.

and this:

And the laughter dances, and the eyes are bright, and the arms and hands and mouth made for living

But also, all the rest. It's absolutely stunning. Not to mention that it's heartbreaking.

♥

Re: Daydream

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

Again, such a gorgeous comment. I'm not sure I deserve all this praise, but I'm so terribly glad it resonated with you. And its funny how this part feels so detached and arms-length even though we're in second person, but it's somehow so Lee. Even in his own head, he's so damn measured and restrained.

Re: Daydream

[justascrewup2.livejournal.com]

Oh the photo. Yes that had to sting for Lee. Like what you've done here.

Re: Daydream

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was a fun challenge to try and give some context there. :)

Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

((and with this I shall stop my DPP spammage. But the Kara in My Head was demanding a response to all this pining.))

*******************


Reverie

Too much sunlight is bad for the soul.

Brightness inside and out and she feels pink all over, raw and burned. She thinks if she could just sit somewhere in the cool damp, just a goddamn moment in the shade, it would be okay. Get away from it---the constant drive and noise and the neverending rhythm racing through her veins. It's why she runs so fast. Maybe one day she'll be quick enough to outrun it all.

But then there's that look again. Demanding, searching, studying. Trying to dissect her like a frog in biology class. It's somber and stern and unrelenting (like everything about him), but it's not cruel. Just honest. She likes that. He's not running from anything. Just stays perfectly still and waits.

And she can't help thinking---I mean she tries to stop it, but somehow it breaks through the cracks---she can't help but think: I'd stay still for you. Just for a little while, held in the palm of your hand. I could rest there. She shrugs it off. It's the stupidest thought she's ever had. Goddamn introspection. Never did suit her. Just too much sun and too much alcohol and (she catches a flash of bright blue out of the corner of her eye)--

Yeah, just too much.

She wields her smiles like a sword. The laughter's a coat of armor. Big fucking chain mail that nothing can get through. No one. All out. She'd tattoo a giant KEEP AWAY sign on her forehead if she thought it'd help.

The dancing---well, that's different. That's the fun part. Pushing, testing, skirting along the edge of a deep dark well. Calm and still and miles and miles before you'd hit the bottom; a way to esacpe all this brightness. A good place to hide.

But wells are deep and scary and once you fall in, you might never get out. Lost forever in the cool blue water. Cautionary tales and all that. Best to stay away, stay safe, and hang on to the first warm, bright thing that will hold you back.

So she stays in the sun a little while longer. Holds on tight and gives a golden smile.

No time to rest.

Re: Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[winegums.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this makes sense, but I love how the chaos in her thoughts mirrors the dance with Lee.

(and I love denial and how it isn't just a river in Egypt here, and the bits where she really can't help herself, thinking of him <3)

Re: Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

It does makes sense! I wanted to contrast the different styles of thought (Lee is so measured, Kara is all over the place), and I wanted to look at them experiencing the same thing but in wildly different ways.

And also each of them wanting/yearning for that essential quality of the other-- for Kara, Lee's stillness and calm, and for Lee, Kara's vibrancy and life. And don't even get me started on the light/dark contrast. I'm kind of permanently in love with that now. ;)

I'm glad you liked it! And I agree-- so much denial. And I like how the thoughts of him just kind of break through even though she tries to keep them out. **twirls you**

Re: Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[kdbleu.livejournal.com]

I love the push and pull of Kara's desire to hold still for Lee and yet her knowledge that she might be unable. Lovely.

Re: Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I think she wants so badly to hold still, to rest for just a little while, but she's so terrified of what it might mean. ((and omg i love that whole "scared to death of how deeply they might feel for each other" like I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU. Total Bee!kink here.))

Re: Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

And she can't help thinking---I mean she tries to stop it, but somehow it breaks through the cracks---she can't help but think: I'd stay still for you. Just for a little while, held in the palm of your hand. I could rest there.

Awwww secretly pining Kara! Love. <3

Re: Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

Thanks bb! :D

That line-- the "I'd stay still for you" bit-- that's what prompted this whole ficlet. I love that idea and everything it implies. And yes, so much love for pining!Kara. We don't see it as much, but it's totally there. :)

Re: Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[howlinchickhowl.livejournal.com]

And she can't help thinking---I mean she tries to stop it, but somehow it breaks through the cracks---she can't help but think: I'd stay still for you.

I think you're trying to kill me. I honestly think that's what you're attempting to do.

I love how the theme of her restlessness is reflected in the pace and structure of the writing, the sentences all in parts and pieces and fits and starts, and then her consciousness of it and of how Lee is just staying still.

And then the last line. I can't tell you how perfect a coda that is.

Write more, always?

Re: Reverie (companion piece to Daydream)

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

Oh what a beautiful comment. Thank you. :)

I always see Kara as burning; she's just so freaking full of life. Hence all the sunlight metaphors. But it's also an exhausting way to live, I think. So tiring. I had so much fun contrasting the styles between these two pieces and the darkness/stillness v. light/movement themes. He is deep, cool water and she is the sun. How could these two not be together? *g*

As for writing more, I'm actually trying to cut back a bit these days, but I did do a pre-mini pilots piece recently in a very similar style that you might like. A reimagining of the table scene and how things might have gone differently (in a really good way). Had so much fun playing with POV in that one.
http://workerbee73.livejournal.com/129076.html

Trespassing, Part 1 (PG-13), jealousy

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

Kara slams the shot glass back down to the table with a satisfied grin.

It's been a long time since she's had anything more to celebrate than just managing to make it through another goddsdamn cruddy day. She beams at the man sitting next to her, strong and healthy and whole. And hers. Kara has half a mind to scribble her frakking name on him.

Then, with adrenaline and alcohol and anticipation buzzing through her veins, making her head spin, Kara turns to the man across from her and cackles, "Lee, when are you gonna get yourself a girl?"

What she expects is that his pinched face will draw tighter, that little muscle in his jaw will start jumping, his shoulders will square and rise like they always do when she ribs him about anything even remotely related to sex. Same old Lee.

What she doesn't expect is for him to slam his own shot glass down on the table and practically march out of the bunkroom without another word.

"Where's he going?" Kara huffs, half to herself, annoyance immediately trumping all those other a-words she's feeling. She didn't even get to tease him about Dee and cradle robbing yet. Kara scowls at the hatch.

"Hey, baby, forget it," Sam says, all conciliatory tones, his hand cupping her face and turning her back to him. "I'll meet your friends later. We can have a private party right now," he grins, almost leering as he leans in to kiss her, but Kara jerks away.

"No, he's being frakking obnoxious!" Kara nearly yells. She's not even sure why she's so angry, but she's positively seething with it now. Same old Lee. Like she hasn't sat through a billion frakking triad games watching him and Dualla...

But she's already up before her brain can finish that train of though. "I'll be right back Sammy." She ignores his protests for her to come back and sit down, and tears off through the hatch, getting halfway down the hall in less than a minute.

"Hey!" she yells at Lee's back and he freezes, knowing it's for him. "What the hell was that?!"

Continued below

Re: Trespassing, Part 2 (PG-13), jealousy

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

Momentum propelling her forward, and shoves his shoulder, and he pivots with military precision. It's all there, the pinched line between his brows, the muscle jumping on the side of the jaw and Kara has a grim strum of satisfaction seeing it. "What is your frakking problem?"

Lee glares at her, steps forward, and she was already practically on top of him, so Kara has to step back. "You really want to know what my frakking problem is, Captain?"

"Yeah, I want to know.... Major." He's still moving toward her, and Kara backs up again, suddenly feeling off balance even though she can feel the solid bulkhead at her back now. Lee's eyes are hot with fury, burning holes through her and Kara sucks in a breath under his scrutiny. What the frak is going on here?

He leans in close and Kara watches his nostrils flare, her stomach flipping suddenly. His voice is low and full of gravel, the words coming out slow and deliberate. "I am sick and frakking tired of your--" then he just stops. Stops speaking entirely, something changing in his eyes, and Kara can't read it and that makes her all the more pissed off too.

All the more...something anyway.

"My what?" she asks, almost breathless. Waiting for him to say it. Wanting him to put a label on it. To drag an old wound open and pour some more salt on it.

Kara licks her lips and watches his throat work, Adam's Apple bobbing like Lee swallowed all his words. "My what, Lee?" she says again, a whisper now.

He's silent though, blue eyes just staring and staring, and Kara deflates. There's nothing here. She starts to turn, back to the bunkroom, where there is something, someone waiting for her.

Then, suddenly Lee's grabbing her, hands biting into the skin of her arms, as he pulls her back to him, pushing her against the bunkhead with his body and his mouth is crashing down on hers.

Kara's drowning, but she opens her mouth under his anyway, teeth snagging skin, tongues driving deep. Lee shifts hard against her, slides a knee between her thighs. His mouth is hot and hungry and furious, and perfect. She sinks, reaches out, settles her palms against his ribs, but at the touch, Lee wrenches away.

He steps back once, then twice, separating them completely and his face is blank and unreadable. Kara stares at him blinking and wide-eyed. Her hands drift awkwardly back down to her sides. Lee pivots again and walks away, his footsteps even on the metal decking.

Kara sags back against the wall, one hand raising unconsciously to her mouth. Her fingers brush her lips, which spread into a slow smile.

Well. That makes things more complicated, she thinks, and Kara laughs all the way back to the bunkroom.

Re: Trespassing, Part 2 (PG-13), jealousy

[winegums.livejournal.com]

UNFFFFFFFFFF. Perfect marriage of LDYB2 and UB right there, and it's CRAZY HOT. *sigh*

Re: Trespassing, Part 2 (PG-13), jealousy

[onlyariana.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. I love how alpha and leave her wanting more Lee is here.

Re: Trespassing, Part 2 (PG-13), jealousy

[damao2010.livejournal.com]

OMG. Please tell me you're going to continue this!!!!!!!!!!!! *faints*