Pimp, babble, rec, NATHAN!

[hackthis_archive]

I thought this week would be better than last week, but I was fucking wrong wasn't I? *sigh* Happy thoughts... happy thoughts...

I saw Howl's Moving Castle recently, twice, because well, shit, was that a goddamn awesome movie or what? I also saw Sky High, which was cute, in an American Harry Potter sort of way, but is there fic for Howl or no? Also, if Children of Men doesn't leave you poleaxed in your seat, man...

Also, today is NATHAN DAY! Okay, every day is Nathan Day 'round these parts, but since it's Monday it's doubly Nathan day. All I want to do is talk about the awesome Petrelli-centric writing being done by scribblinlenore and sparky77 (or I would be if the latter would write some more damnit (*smacks with anvil*). There was some sort of mass proliferation this past weekend though and I highly recommend When He Sings by mandysbitch (incest) and Peter Pan (gen, Nathan & Peter) by linaerys which are both absolutely CRACKING stuff. Bless you both many times over.

Their writing spawned some random thinky thoughts about Nathan, which I'm sure will come out in my writing soonish (what you thought I was just going to tell you? HA!) But I will say that upon second viewing of Godsend I noticed two itty bitty things that, you know, might be worth taking notice of.

a) Nathan says he loves Peter not once, but TWICE. Most of us were so brain-fried by the kiss and the 'I love you, man', that I think we missed when Simone's sitting at Peter's bedside and Nathan says it then. He's getting all excitable about the fucking painting and why did she tell him (bitch!slap), and then he says something like 'I love him and I'll be damned if I'm going to sit around and watch him die!" Everyone who said Nathan didn't love Peter can suck it. TWICE.

b) When Nathan and Hiro are having their BFF forever moment, what does Nathan say he wants to do? He says he wants to HELP. When has Nathan ever said he wants to help anybody ever? Never. Isn't that what he and Peter are always fighting about in the first place? Nathan's refusal to help even though he could set a world record for saving cats from trees? And yet, ultimately who makes Nathan want to do said helping? Peter. Not through the continued haranguing, which
obviously Nathan's built up an immunity to after all this time (which I hate to say, has some swiss cheese sized holes), but because Nathan is fucking desperate and he wants to be able to feel like he's actively doing something to bring Peter back to him.

Apart from the massive BroYay of that statement (Love you, Tim!) you cannot deny that Nathan loves Peter dearly and will do anything that might help him. He may not scream it from the rooftops, but he is truly devoted to Peter. In fact he's more devoted to Peter than he is to his mother or his wife or anybody else. Everybody else Nathan loves with qualifications (He loves his mom, because she's a nutter and his mom; he loves Heidi because she's his wife and the mother of his children, and because, hello fucking guilt!)

Peter is Nathan's lodestar.

For all the idolizing of Nathan that Peter does, Peter is truly Nathan's man on the pedestal. He is the only untainted and pure thing Nathan has. Every time Nathan tells Peter 'no' he's trying to keep him safe, and every time he gives in, he's trying to act at his buffer. That's love, y'all. More than any words, or questionable touch, it's all in the actions and Nathan is a man of action.

Yes, you know I'm gonna write a story about that.

Comments

[moonlitpines.livejournal.com]

Omg, I love your Petrelli fixation SO MUCH right now!!!!!!!!

And I agree with all those OTT things you just said about Nathan. *bwee*

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

The fixation is kind of awe-inspiring, innit? It's similar to S1 Lex, who was so obviously trying to do the right thing and getting the shaft. Except *here* Nathan's not trying to do the right thing for anyone except him and Peter and I accept that because he's not trying to hide the goddamn ship in the storm cellar and act like he's not doing something wrong! Ahem. What was I supposed to be talking about? You know if Lex had had a little brother (who hadn't vanished after one episode) he'd grown up to be Nathan, i.e. devoted to someone else besides (in addition) to himself.

[linaerys.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recs (I mean links to other people, not me, although thanks for linking me, too.) There is good Nathan/Peter, as you well know because you're writing it, but a lot of it makes me want to rip my eyeballs out.

Re: your Nathan and Peter thoughts, I was thinking a lot along the same lines (http://linaerys.livejournal.com/473942.html#cutid1) except you say it better =). And of course Nathan kind of idolizing Peter (in his way), seeing Peter as kind of pure and idealistic, makes the BroYay that much more fraught.

I want to work all this into how Nathan betrays Peter in ep 3 by using his not!suicide attempt as part of a campaign speech--I think you could read it as trying to protect Peter, in a very high-handed way, but it's also quite a dick move. I'm also not sure at that point if Nathan's still trying to be in total denial about the flying thing, and the fact that Peter didn't know Nathan could fly when he jumped makes it easy for Nathan to think of it as a suicide attempt.

Not thinking about that until I finish the current fic, though.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Having just read your post I couldn't agree more with the flying issue or his friendship with Hiro, which is the one relationship which I tend to think of as the only unfettered relationship in Nathan's life. Like you said everything else Nathan has is tainted -- the marriage, his mom, his campaign -- IMO, even his relationship with Peter is tainted by his need to protect him and keep him safe and all those feelings that err, aren't quite on the up-and-up. They are exceptionally co-dependent and god does it look hot, I mean work for them. As for the flying, I'm still undecided on how this works in Nathan's mind. Obviously here is this joyous amazing gift, but it's completly bogged down by guilt, and the accident and when Peter jumped off that roof, and Nathan went up to meet him the question is didn't Nathan drop him to did the shock of Peter momentarily absorbing his gift throw him off and that's why Peter fell. Or did Peter just pass the fuck out? Oh thoughts thoughts thoughts...

As for the campaign sacrifice, my immediate thought is that it's a sort of insurance policy Nathan's taken out on Peter's behalf. As much as Nathan might want Peter on a leash (blink) it's not going to happen, and if Nathan tells other people that Peter's 'off' then they'll keep a lot closer eye on him and perhaps be better able to keep Peter from doing something stupid. If nothing else Nathan just rounded up a couple hundred thousand spies to keep an eye on Peter. What better way to keep someone in check?

[girl-wonder.livejournal.com]

Dude. Their love is so iconic.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

WRITE THEM DAMMIT!

Please?

[ethrosdemon.livejournal.com]

Ok. Without going totally wacko, tell me: is there some kind of issue in this fandom where people actually said that Nathan doesn't love his brother just because he's a giant jackass/self-centered prick?

Huh.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

tell me: is there some kind of issue in this fandom where people actually said that Nathan doesn't love his brother just because he's a giant jackass/self-centered prick?

Oh baby, yes. I picked up on it before the hiatus, actually back when I first started writing Nathan at all. You can be an asshole to someone and still be willing to die for them, but apparently some people don't agree. You have to be effusive and say you love them all the time -- you know shit like that makes me nervous. If you have to keep saying it, who are you really trying to convince? I don't think that's love I think that's delusion. Or as the axiom goes you don't love someone inspite of their faults but because of them.

[storydivagirl.livejournal.com]

I hope you write a story about us because WORD. Us Nathan lovers have to stick together. Of course he can be an ass sometimes, but it's all part of his charm. And he truly thinks, when it concerns Peter, he's doing what he has to do to take care of him.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Of course he can be an ass sometimes, but it's all part of his charm. And he truly thinks, when it concerns Peter, he's doing what he has to do to take care of him.

EXACTLY. That's the thing that keeps driving me bonkers.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I have nothing of any substance to add. Just... Nathan! Peter! Nathan/Peter! Love!

That is all. :)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

LOL. Mostly I'm just trying to goad you into writing more. I mean, hello, last week there was kissing. C'mon. *makes puppy dog eyes*

[jencallisto]

there is, afaict, an enormous dearth of Howl fanfic. there is a tiny bit on the dwj_fanfic community, but it's not especially extensive. the best Howl fanfic i've read have been interactions between Howl and Chrestomanci, another one of Diana Wynne Jones's characters, so if you're focused entirely on the Miyazaki Howl it might not be all that satisfying. (the Ghibli movie and the book it's "based" on are quite different.)

[fic featuring Howl and Chrestomanci: Fallen Star by Roseveare, and Silvers Not as Dazzling by Giddy Geek. both charming, but short.]

incidentally, i just watched all of Heroes so far last week and have become indecently obsessed with the dynamic between Nathan and Peter. i can't tell if it's your fault or if i've just generally got slash on the brain, but in any case i'm enjoying it. thank you for reccing more fic along these lines, i've been craving it all weekend.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

so if you're focused entirely on the Miyazaki Howl it might not be all that satisfying. (the Ghibli movie and the book it's "based" on are quite different.)

Would you recommend the book? I was planning on picking it up.

[teenygozer.livejournal.com]

Have you had a chance to see the fabulous actor-commentary video over at NBC.com/Heroes? Three of the actors (the ones who play Mohinder, D.L., and Horned Rimmed Glasses Guy) sit and watch and comment on the show, which is running on your computer screen alongside the commentary. It's genius. At one point, all three go on and on about Nathan and his expensive suits, and much is made of the Peter/Nathan bro-yay.

I was appalled when Mom Petrelli informed Peter than his brother "doesn't love you the way you love him" in the pilot. I'm not sure what that was all about, but it set me up to think that Nathan hated Peter, especially given that soon after, Nathan announces to the press that his brother tried to commit suicide... then we see him consorting with criminals in Las Vegas... then we see he's an adulterer and the character has seemingly hit bottom. I love how we weren't given his whole story in those first few episodes, and how Nathan's story is unfolding now. If you told me he was gonna be one of my top 3 favorite characters on this show, I'd have told you you were nuts. I think my turning point was his first meeting with Hiro at the diner. I didn't want to like him, but he made me like him, dammit!

It is interesting how good guys can become bad guys and bad guys can become good guys, just with a bit of dialogue and an explanation of circumstance.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Have you had a chance to see the fabulous actor-commentary video over at NBC.com/Heroes? Three of the actors (the ones who play Mohinder, D.L., and Horned Rimmed Glasses Guy) sit and watch and comment on the show, which is running on your computer screen alongside the commentary. It's genius. At one point, all three go on and on about Nathan and his expensive suits, and much is made of the Peter/Nathan bro-yay.

I actually spent most of last week desperately begging people to watch the commentary (http://hackthis.livejournal.com/421383.html?thread=10506759#t10506759) or at the very least read (http://hackthis.livejournal.com/421949.html) ella_ventic's transcripts. The minute the boys started talking about playing the coma scene gay I almost passed out. And then it only got better with the designer stubble, aw, bless.


I was appalled when Mom Petrelli informed Peter than his brother "doesn't love you the way you love him" in the pilot.

I'm laughing because that one line alone inspired me to write a whole story much to the effect of 'she's on crack, ha.' (http://hackthis.livejournal.com/421669.html?mode=reply) I know a lot of people didn't like Nathan for a long time, and probably still don't, because Peter's such an effusive wet blanket of emotion, but to me that's just unseemly and undignified. Nathan's truly the only reason I ever gave the show a second glance. The pilot episode bored the bejesus out of me, but Nathan made me think 'oh, well, they finally have someone HUMAN here.' And when I say 'human' obviously I don't mean in the powers sense, but in the sense of someone who fucks up, fucks other people over, but is still trying to do the right thing in his cracked out way. Everyone else just seemed entirely too one-dimensional to me... of course I'm biased that way. ;)

Howl's Moving Castle

[anenko.livejournal.com]

Try these links: http://community.livejournal.com/rec_a_day/tag/howl%27s+moving+castle, http://shinra-lackey.livejournal.com/tag/hmc, http://del.icio.us/anenko/howlsmovingcastle, and http://del.icio.us/anenko/howl.

Re: Howl's Moving Castle

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

AWESOME! Thank you :)

[askmehow.livejournal.com]

Every time Nathan tells Peter 'no' he's trying to keep him safe, and every time he gives in, he's trying to act at his buffer. That's love y'all. More than any words, or questionable touch, it's all in the actions and Nathan is a man of action.
PREACH IT. I wish I could add something a bit more substantive than that, but "I love you, man." + KISSOF100%WIN + "Veeeeelan?" has fried my brain. Cannot wait to watch tonight's episode.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I have this fear that Nathan won't be on at all tonight. Seriously. We got so much love last week that I think Tim's just gonna fuck us over and I will be vedddddddy displeased. Also, every time I see that icon I crack the fuck up.

[oxoniensis.livejournal.com]

There's some Howl's Moving Castle fic on the yuletide archive - some quite nice pieces as far as I remember, though nothing quite grabbed me enough to read in its entirety.

I've still not seen the movie - I'm always iffy about movies of books I like, and when it's animated too... I must brave it one day.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I kept hearing such good things about the movie that I decided on a whim to check it out, and it was so good that I watched it twice which I don't think has every happened for something I didn't outright buy. Of course I haven't read the book yet, but I plan to soon. The book/movie thing is really very tricky. It's so friggin rare that they get it right.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

I love your analysis!
: fangirls you madly

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

If I dedicated an iota of time to other stuff as I do to this, I'd totally be Supreme Empress of Everything, with harems all over the world.

[oboros.livejournal.com]

Howl - yummy in any form. yay for Heros night! (this comment brought to you by your friendly lurker)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Indeed!

[vylit.livejournal.com]

Nathan may occasionally behave in a way that says that Peter is a burden, but Peter is the person that Nathan watches out for, that he goes out of his way to help. Nathan may bitch about Peter being a pain in his ass, but Nathan doesn't hang Peter out to dry.

Or, um, what you said.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

*pets*

[ignited.livejournal.com]

I have nothing constructive to add other than thanks for pointing out the commentary links a while back -- I love how full of info and glee the site for Heroes is; definitely helped refill my adoration meter (not that it was ever going down really!) in preparation for watching the show last week.

Also, people saying that Nathan doesn't love Peter...doesn't make any sense to me. But then, so far Heroes has been that shiny, wonderful show with the fucked up characters that I love but haven't really gotten involved in fandom to hear about discussion so... Yeah. I love Nathan, and your analysis of the situation.

In conclusion, YAY HOWL! (What? I've seen that movie about four or five times in the past two weeks; it's so good, and Christian Bale certainly adds to the awesomeness.)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Also, people saying that Nathan doesn't love Peter...doesn't make any sense to me. But then, so far Heroes has been that shiny, wonderful show with the fucked up characters that I love but haven't really gotten involved in fandom to hear about discussion so... Yeah. I love Nathan, and your analysis of the situation.

Yeah, there was a lot of anti-Nathan sentiment when I first started poking around and wanting to write him. It made me irritable, the sentiment may have died off some, but I'm still irritable that it was there in the first place. Of course I don't believe in vast declarations and sappiness it makes me break out in hives.

[sparky77.livejournal.com]

Ow! And I know, I fail. My only excuse is that I'm at my friend's house right now and I've been informed that I'm not allowed to write incest on her computer. Maybe I'll rebel. Down with evil Petrellicest oppressors!

And you're being all smart and shit. My brain is still not functioning from last week.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Down with oppression! Just saying.

[dorrie6.livejournal.com]

I think you're right. I think their mom has it wrong. I think Nathan loves Peter much more than she knows.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I think she's in denial. Although if my children were that entwined I might been some denial too.

[aliaspiral.livejournal.com]

yuletide has some really great fics for Howl, but they are all bookverse. i havent found any movieverse fic, yet, but I keep looking.

and you should pick up the book, if you get a chance. ive loved Diane Wynne Jones since I was teeny, and its one of my favorites.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[avaserenity.livejournal.com]

I agree with what you said about Peter being the purest and untainted thing in Nathan's life and that is why he tries to protect Peter from everything. Peter is the only that has managed to stay unmarred by all the shit happening in Nathan's world.

[jakrar.livejournal.com]

I would LOVE to see you write a story about Nathan's love for Peter! *squees* Or, you know, multiple stories. Or a long series.... :)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

LOL. Because I haven't written any before or anything, right? :)