Big Bang 2012: Measuring Scars by Maddalia

[maddalia.livejournal.com]

Title: Measuring Scars
Author: maddalia
Artist: nickygabriel
Archive to Pros Lib: Yes
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Bodie/Doyle, other m/m
Word count: 69907
Warnings (highlight to read): This fic contains occasional depictions of, and allusions to, consensual sexual acts between boys of 16 and under. This is mostly of the "public school experimentation" type, and does not include penetrative sex. The descriptions are brief and mildly graphic, such that might have an R or "Mature" rating if they depicted the same acts between adults. There are also allusions to, and recollections of, the sexual abuse of teenage boys. The recollections are told first by a boy of sixteen, and second by an adult male.

Summary: The death of Bodie's mother when he's only nine years old sets in motion a chain of events that eventually leads him to CI5, and Doyle. But when the lads are assigned to protect a volatile ex-KGB assassin, it seems that Bodie has not managed to escape his past as thoroughly as he'd thought. Now he needs Doyle's help to break a cycle of abuse and violence, and bring a happy ending to someone else's love story -- as well as trying to begin one of his own.

Notes: This fic is the longest I've written. It would not have been possible without the input and beta reading of moonlightmead. I also thank merentha13 for her encouragement, and the wonderful mods of CI5BOT for guiding this newbie through her first Big Bang! And of course, a massive thank you to nickygabriel for the lovely artwork.

Link to Fic: Fic Master Post

Link to Artwork: Artwork Master Post

Comments

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

What an original and wonderful read this was, one which I know will stay in my head for a long, long time. I think the thing I loved most about it was your characterisations of Haley and Draper. I loved their relationship, in fact – commiting heresy – I think I actually enjoyed it more than Bodie and Doyle’s which is saying something. I enjoyed seeing their relationship through Bodie’s eyes and then (God I’m so fickle) through the eyes of Doyle. I loved the young, never to be to forgotten or found again school friendships - young love. And I loved the way you showed us the different kinds of love people can experience. Maybe I’m getting old but I also liked the fact that you didn’t feel obliged to have a penetrative sex scene between any of the characters, the implied often being much more erotic and satisfying. This was one of the longest stories I’ve read in quite a while but I can honestly say not once did it drag and I enjoyed every word of it. Once again I feel both humbled and proud of our Pros writers! Thanks so much for a great read.

[maddalia.livejournal.com]

Your comment's made my day. I'm delighted you liked this so much. And that my OCs captured your imagination (they stepped up alongside Bodie and Doyle and refused to be background characters!) and that you enjoyed the 'different kinds of love' bit. You got what I hoped people would get from the story, and I couldn't ask for more. Thank you!!!

Must add (since you said you'd read "August 1970"): I'm glad you appreciate the relative lack of sex in "Scars" - yes, I think the closest I got was a discreet-ish summary. That was a conscious decision this time. My first companion fic kind of throws that out the window *g* - but that's one reason why it's separate: the mood and pace of the longer story lent itself more to, as you say, the implied. I'm glad you thought that worked, because my fics are usually a lot more explicit and I wanted to try a subtler tack this time round. Anyway, thanks again!