Drabble: "Reckless Abandonment", Arthur Eddington/William Marston

[filthgoblin]

Pairing: Arthur Eddington/William Marston
Rating: PG 13
Prompt: for this pairing, terraswrath suggested "kiss the one you love with reckless abandonment"
Writer's notes: Terra, my love, I'm so sorry...

Arthur scarcely paid attention beyond “over by Christmas”, focusing instead on William's mouth forming sentences he'd dreaded hearing; words that sounded so much like “goodbye”. As William pressed his watch into Arthur's hand, still warm from his pocket, Arthur caught his wrist. If this was to be farewell, it couldn't be this way.

Closing the gap between them, Arthur stood before William for a moment before bringing their lips together. Elation washed over him, feeling William's lips yield beneath his own...

It took a full minute in darkness for Arthur to re-grasp reality, tears searing with fresh anguish.

Comments

[terraswrath.livejournal.com]

You do realise I hate you so much right now? I mean obviously when the angst wears off and I stop sobbing every time my eyes linger on that last line.

It's gorgeous; perfect use of the prompt, especially since that's what Eddington should have done at the time (I mean.. we didn't even know he loved him the first time we saw that scene and we were screaming for him to say it). Obviously, William's death preys on Arthur's mind a lot in the show, and you've transferred it beautifully to something I could realistically see being at the top of his list of 'What If?'s.

The fact that "elation washed over him" made the ending even more tragic - that finally Eddington had been granted the happy ending he deserved, even though it was all just a fantasy. I think your vivid imagery in the first paragraph lends to that, with the watch "still warm from his pocket". I really bought into it and the last line was like a physical blow, just so simple and brief.

I love those last words... "tears searing with fresh anguish".. such powerful phrasing, capturing the inner turmoil that we see Arthur dealing with day in, day out. The fact that he never got to tell William what he really thought despite having a perfect opening to do it made it much worse than simply losing him. God.. ;;

A wonderfully heartrending piece of writing my dear. Thankyou so much for this, even though it broke my heart. Though you probably already knew that, knowing what this pairing does to me.. *sniffle*

[filthgoblin.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, honey! I hurt writing it, and I knew what was coming!

I just don't see any other way for this pairing. It's only ever going to be a fantasy for poor Arthur, and whilst I've started half a dozen WIPs where they actually get together and make love [did I actually just say "make love"? You see what this pairing does to me?!] but I can't do it. A big part of the beauty of this pairing for me is the agony and the "what if".

I know. I'm an twisted bitch.

[helygen.livejournal.com]

Oh Arthur :(
*hugs him*

Your imagery here is sublime, and the twist at the end is all the more devastating for it

[filthgoblin.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I'm realy pleased you liked it.

[nimchimpski.livejournal.com]

100 words, i thought. can't be that bad, I thought.
That hurt physically. I mean, *sob* well written, obviously, but still. Ow.

[filthgoblin.livejournal.com]

Aw, I'm sorry. I know what you mean, though. The first William/Arthur fic I wrote, I actually cried my eyes out writing it. The emotion in the show was so raw.

I think part of it is because you just know that this pair could never be. I've tried taking their relationship further, but it just couldn't happen *sigh*

Thanks very much for commenting :)