Painted Angels by Angelfish

[przed.livejournal.com]

Title: Painted Angels
Author: Angelfish
Artist: firlefanzine
Archive to Pros Lib: No
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Word count: 70,188 words
Warnings: Contains uninhibited M/M sex, during which some furniture gets broken.

Summary: George Cowley knows a marriage made in heaven when he sees one, and he's going to arrange it even if he has to send his young recruits to hell and back. Bodie, closed off and traumatised from his experiences in the SAS, can't believe he's being partnered up with a raw ex-copper. But Ray Doyle is his last chance, and as they fight through their training together and begin their work on the turbulent streets of 1970s London, a fire springs up between them that will either be their partnership's making or its destruction.

Notes: Thank you to JGL for encouraging me to take part in this great project and being my first reader, also to Firlefanzine for the atmospheric artwork.

Link to Fic: Painted Angels
Link to Art: Art Master Post
Link to E-reader files: E-reader Files (Click or right click to download)

Comments

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

So pleased to see this go up! Can't wait to dive in.

[krisserci5.livejournal.com]

Well, I've printed the story and will have to find a hidden corner to read. . . if only I didn't have to keep going to work. . . .

Geez, what a complaint, I have too many new Pros stories to read. . . . nah, keep 'em coming!!

[intradependency.livejournal.com]

That was an amazing read. I had to devour it in one sitting. I almost feel breathless.

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous story. One of the most convincing "histories" of the lads I've read. So many wonderful moments and images. I do so love her work.

[gritsinmisery.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'm just... I think that was one of the most beautiful, detailed, in-character back-stories I've ever read. Both the mental voices and turns of phrase were spot-on.

I want to give an extra shout-out to the wonderful care given Cowley's characterization. We get stories of him using his triple-think against the bad guys, and sometimes even against his own men, but rarely do we see him some of the wonderfully out-in-out sneaky things for his men that we do here. "A press van just got through..." Simply brilliant.

I would have swallowed this down in one gulp if RL hadn't intervened. As it was, I was pretty upset with RL, and back in front of my computer screen the minute I could be.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

I loved the story from the beginning. There are two very unusual approaches to our lads. And their 'learning to trust' is always an up and down with exciting events. I love their 'survival tour' for example.
As Josh has stated, a story full of unforgettable moments!

And one more thing

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

Your cover is lovely Firlefanzine. It suits the story perfectly!

Re: And one more thing

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

thank you!

[angelfish777.livejournal.com]

Hello, all! Callisto and PRZed, you'll see I've actually created an LJ (wonders will never cease) for the purpose of saying thanks to the two of you and to the people who have had a look at Painted Angels and been kind enough to leave such nice comments. I really appreciate it. It was a pleasure to write the story and to spend time with B and D in that strange but wonderful 1970s world I remember with such alarming clarity. :-D

Very best wishes
Angelfish
xxx

Re: thank you!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I'm pleased to see you on LJ. Your story is amazing. I admit I'm not a big fan of younger lads story, however, yours definitely is one of, if not the best back story I've read. I'm always especially tickled to read a story with a plot or idea that I might not generally like and find it's so good I can't stop reading.

You did something amazing: you gave me two young men who I immediately recognized. You gave me reasonable reasons for their actions, and you showed me how they worked through the good and the bad to the satisfying end. I like how you wove in canon facts and explained their reasoning.

I think Gabe was an excellent OC, very well done and Cowley was spot on.

I admit I loved the tense you used. It's something I so enjoy reading. There aren't enough present tense stories for my taste. It makes me feel "in the now" when I'm reading; that things are happening immediately. Very nice work.

I'm happy also about the uninhibited m/m sex and broken furniture. Wonderful work.

(I had to edit my post re: your tense. I made a booboo. It's because I just finished reading the hot smutty sex scene... *g*)

Re: thank you!

[angelfish777.livejournal.com]

always happy if I can discombobulate someone with my sex scenes, SC. I'm so pleased you like the story, and thank you for the perceptive comments. The present-tense thing nearly didn't happen, actually - I looked at it late one weary night and just thought, "No." But (happily, as it turned out) the terrors of the search-and-replace operations needed to thrust it back into the past overwhelmed me!

[1moreirene.livejournal.com]

Then, while Bodie crouches staring at him, he completes the routine by producing the crumpled remains of a pack of cigarettes. He shoves his wet fringe out of his eyes, yawns, and holds out the pack hospitably to Bodie. "There you go."


Hee!

Thank you for posting, Firlefanzine for the artwork, and the mods for arranging everything. Also, thank you for a really accurate warning. I don't check warnings, but this one caught my eye after I finished the story.

[starlite876.livejournal.com]

After a horrendous day at work, I was so pleased to have find a new story had been posted. I printed the story and did not start to read Painted Angels until 11 pm in the evening. I could not and did not put it down until I had finished the story (at 2 am in the morning). It's 7 am (Sat morning) now, and I wanted to post my thanks to Angelfish for her unforgettable story.

What a wonderful and fantastic "background" story for the lads. The themes of trust and partnership comes through time and time again. Thank you for posting and sharing this story with us.

[togsos.livejournal.com]

Just finished the story and it was absolutely brilliant. Great voices, excellent pacing and plotting. I skipped out of work and hid in a corner of the carpark for an hour to read it, was totally immersed in it. BTW if anyone askes i was at the printers discussing brochures for the hour i was missing!!

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

OMG, that's brilliant!

A remarkable tale, intrically woven with drama,
heartbreak ... and humour.

I loved every bit of it. Thank you for sharing.

[robeau.livejournal.com]

Have to admit I thought I'd just start it this evening before making dinner but it sucked me in so fast I was a goner. I loved the way you wove their histories together, dumping Ray's up front and then pulling Bodie's out piece by piece. It was simply brilliant.

[siskiou.livejournal.com]

I started reading this afternoon, am about halfway through, and never want it to end!
Thanks so much and don't ever stop writing Pros, please!

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

WOW! This was simply stunning. The characterization, especially Doyle, was so moving. Very well done!

[angelfish777.livejournal.com]

Well, if I've managed to make anyone feel better after a bad day at work, or kept them up all night, or made them skip out of work for a read, that gives me a massive sense of "mission accomplished" (though *please* don't get into trouble on my account :-)... Thank you all so very much for your comments. Hugely appreciated.

Angelfish
xxx

[inlovewithboth.livejournal.com]

Every Big Bang story that comes out, I think it's the best so far. But this one is amazing. I love it, and it will instantly go into my all time faves box. I do so love my H/C and this is heavy with it, and I'm fascinated by Doyle's early days, and his newly forming relationship with Bodie. The scene by the river will stay with me forever. Thank you so much.
P.S. I am SO impressed you go it on the Circuit Archive, I was beginning to think it would never breathe new life again!!

[raven-rs.livejournal.com]

This is amazing, fantastic. It's unputdownable. Definitely one to read again and again. A new favourite.

[margaret-r.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was quite a story! An engrossing plot, very well thought out and presented, and a history for the lads that fits them like a glove. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it – the various twists and turns hook you right in. A great read.

[jaicen5.livejournal.com]

This is a most riveting read. I started it and it sucked me in utterly and completely and have even neglected packing for an OS hol to finish it before I go. Your descriptive passages have me spellbound, have me inside the lads heads, and I feel so much for them and agonise with them all the way. Doyle is a real spitfire and Bodie hides his soft side and it's spot on. I'm so glad I read this one and I'm more glad that you wrote it. Now to find other work you've done. You have done other work haven't you? *g* thank you very much.

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Stunning. Like others, I was going to just dip into this today, maybe come back and read it in bits and pieces.. Yeah, right, cue one swallowed-up Sunday afternoon, then.*g* Not that I mind in the slightest, as this was breathtaking. Your skill at inch by inch charaterization is spellbinding - the backstories for both were so well imagined and teased out. Especially in the early training scenes in the wilds, where they quite literally, had to sink or swim with each other.

Wonderful story-telling, thank you.

Overwhelmed

[angelfish777.livejournal.com]

I can't believe how these lovely comments keep coming in! I really, really appreciate it. Painted Angels took off and became its own thing quite early on in the writing process and I fell in love a bit with the characterisations myself (she said, modestly, but you know what I mean!), so it's so good to know they've touched other people too.

@ Firlefanzine - your artwork really enhances the story and sets the atmosphere for it brilliantly, so thanks again.
@ Togsos - *of course* you were at the printers! :-D
@ inlovewithboth - the river scene is my fave, too.
@jaicen5 - thank you, and yes, I've done more - mostly on The Circuit Archive, and Far Shore and Absolution in the zines Never Far Apart 1 & 2. Hmm, is Far Shore up on Circuit yet? Not sure. If so, have a look, because Suzan Lovett did some *amazing* artwork for that one.
@ Callisto - delighted to wreck your Sunday afternoon, m'dear! :-D So pleased you enjoyed the read.

Thanks again to all!
Angelfish
xxx

[cloudless-9193.livejournal.com]

A beautifully intense story. I couldn't lay it aside, had to read it in one go.

And the artwork matches the story perfectly! :-)

[mysteriousaliwz.livejournal.com]

Loaded this onto my phone to take away with me for the weekend, and have just finshed reading it. I enjoyed it a lot - convincing backstories for both of them, showing the source of their vulnerabilities and how their partnership helped them to deal with those. The scene where Doyle sits with a trapped Bodie in the office block and they've both accepted they're about to die, but there's a kind of peace there because they're together - I found that particularly touching.

[andreathelion.livejournal.com]

Finished the story yesterday night ... sleep is overrated anyway :D *g*
It was such an intense read with so many wonderful moments, just brilliant!
Thank you so much for writing this :)

[ci5mates.livejournal.com]

This is an brilliant story, I love the way you use words so imaginatively to create such amazing mental images.(especiall the H/C parts) I absolutely loved this story and because I couldn't put it down I found I was running late for work or getting only a few hours sleep at night. It's lucky I have finished it so now I can get back to real life *g*. Thanks for this truly memorable story.

[angelfish777.livejournal.com]

Thanks again, all! I'm a little worried about all the sleep and work-time that's being sacrificed here, though... :-D Back to reality with you all. I have to go there, too. (sighs)

[bodie4me.livejournal.com]

Dear Angelfish
I've finished reading Painted Angels this morning and I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved it.
It was one of those rare stories where you enjoy and admire every single word, where you just NEED to read on and on but feel sad at the same time because you know every wonderful word is bringing you closer to the end, and you don't want it to end, not ever.
I love the way you write, the present tense, the atmosphere your style of writing creates, and I was awed and mesmerised by many single sentences and descriptions.
LIKE BLOOD THROUGH MILK will probably stay with me forever.
I was deeply moved and touched by the backgrounds you created for Bodie and Doyle, how damaged and traumatised they both were in their own way. And what it took to make healing and happiness a little more possible.
What a fantastic plot, utterly believable and convincing, beautifully created and unfolding in such a perfect way. I adored every single scene of your amazing story and I can only agree: Not only the lads were spot on but Cowley, too and I enjoyed that so much.
I'm a sucker for "How Bodie and Doyle Met" stories anyway, but this is one of the very best I've ever read in my whole life. Almost worth developping Alzheimers for, so you could just explore and enjoy it for the first time again and again and again.
Thank you so so much...for this incredible, awesome story and for the brilliant, excited and happy hours I had reading it.
Love Bodie4me

[angelfish777.livejournal.com]

Hi Bodie4me

It's so kind of you to tell me how much you enjoyed the story. Makes it all worthwhile to hear such nice comments. Thank you very much indeed!

Very best wishes, Angelfish x

[artconserv.livejournal.com]

Wow. I feel inadequate to express my admiration. This story just blew me away. I was awed at how you skillfully evoked the grittiness of their job and the brutality they had to be a part of and carefully balanced it by portraying the great depth of their humanity and caring. Your work is incredible and I thank you so much for sharing it.

Are you the same Angelfish who wrote Far Shore and Absolution? I had hoped to send you a note to express my admiration for them as well. Again, Wow. :-) I wish I were a writer and could express better how wonderful all these stories are. Many thanks again for sharing your amazing talents.

Sincerely,
Lorraine

[angelfish777.livejournal.com]

Hello Lorraine

Thank you so much for that; it's my great pleasure to share work with such appreciative readers.

Yes, I am that same Angelfish. :-D I'm delighted you enjoyed my other stories too.

Best wishes

x

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

What a beautifully complex story. I loved the background you created for both men: damaging but not destroying. In a very real way it showed them at their best, managing to overcome adversity (however much kicking and screaming,) while being the best at their job. And I loved the slow building of trust and affection.

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Fish, you have proven once again why you are one of my all-time favorite Pros authors. It takes a very skillful writer to enable me to lose myself in a fic written in present tense, but you did it. The river and collapsed building scenes had me on the edge of my seat. And I cried when I finally found out why Bodie doesn't sleep. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with us once again!

[rosie55.livejournal.com]

I know I am so late coming with these comments - hope you will forgive.
As always with your stories, I adored this, read it in one sitting - who wants to work anyway? And immediately loaded it on to my Kindle and have since re-read it twice more to savour and lose myself in it each time. I was away this weekend with no net access and not much luggage and it was lovely to be able to pull out my Kindle and be able to immerse myself in this in the middle of rural Dorset!
Gabe was a lovely and very real OC, our lads were so very much themselves as we know and love them and Cowley was just - so the Cow!
Thank you so much for the wonderful reading pleasure you have given me, with this and your other stories, an absolute delight!
This (http://pics.livejournal.com/rosie55/pic/002csttz/) is a photograph I took on Monday of some painted angels I found in a church I visited in Somerset on our way home - I know they're not the painted angels you wrote about (which I shall make a point of seeing next time I am in London!) but they did make me smile and one was just a bit Doylish, I thought, complete with open jerkin and exposed chest!
Thank you again - wonderful!

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

I was absolutely riveted by your story and desperate to know what happened. Then, for some really weird reason my first download of it (from Circuit Archive) finished in the middle of a word in the middle of chapter 8. Fortunately I was back in UK and back online and able to come back to the master post and try again. But there were some nasty moments!! A fascinating look at the forging of a relationship and the backstories that went into it. Gabriel was an excellent OC. Thanks for writing!

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

I'm another who couldn't wait to get back to this story when RL interrupted. I loved it :)

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

It’s funny how readers respond in such different ways to stories they love. Unlike people who read something in one go I’m desperately trying to eke this one out, savouring and saving it as much as possible as I want to have it to look forward to each day i.e. I don’t want to finish it (and I haven’t yet) but I thought it was high time I wrote and told you how much I loved it and some of the reasons why I loved it.

You’ve captured my Bodie perfectly: brutal, on the brink, amoral Bodie, unpredictable Bodie on the ‘edge of salvation or utter perdition’. But then we have the Bodie in the hospital scene who can wait for hours for Doyle to wake up, the Bodie who will stick his neck out and risk his future for Doyle (and it’s not *just* about needing a partner is it?) But the attraction in the writing is that we’re never really sure why this enigma who is Bodie does what he does but we love him warts and all. Just as Doyle does.

And I loved Gabriel, the antithesis of Bodie: pure, good, the ‘sentient’ civilised being who believes in living for something other than the here and now and other than for himself; I loved his relationship with Doyle and how he's Doyle's first, pure love.

And beautiful writing like this, where I almost forgot to breathe in case I missed anything:

Amber streetlights filter into the room, the wind in the foliage making a lacework of them, a dance. Doyle can hear traffic -- never stops, in the heart of the city -- but it's faint and far away. He can hear his own heart.

Gabe has left his bedroom door half open. Doyle reads the space enclosed by the frame as if Gabe had painted letters for him in the air: whatever our past, I trust you and myself. If you wake up, I'm near at hand. Doyle pushes the door wide.

And I loved the use of the first tense which makes me feel I'm there with them in the room, part of the backcloth and almost like a camera, but still *there* with them, breathing the same air.

Just to make myself absolutely clear(!) I'm loving this and I want to thank you for taking part in the challenge with such a beautifully written story. (patty)

[angel-ci5.livejournal.com]

I loved this! It was heaven to lose myself in this compelling backstory, which was so beautifully written... I couldn't put it down!
Oh, and I adored Gabriel too.

Thank you so much for such a gorgeous story. :-D

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Firstly, sorry for being the slowest reader on the planet!

I finally read 'Painted Angels' over the weekend, and absolutely loved it. Actually I read it twice - once devouring it and then a second time to savour it properly. *g* Now I can't wait to forget it a little, so I can read it all over again...

Thank you for writing, thank you for sharing, and where do we send the bribes for more? *g*