idealists are the cruelest monsters of them all.

July 2009 is the one year anniversary of the premiere of Generation Kill. This is my gift to one of my favorite series and one of my favorite fandoms ever. Thank you David Simon, thank you all of First Recon, thank you 22 awesome actors who crafted this experience, but mostly thanks to all of you who participate in this fandom, who encourage and enjoy and squee with the best of them. This one is for you.


Generation Kill
Nate Fick/Brad Colbert
Word Count: 34,876
Alternate Universe, NC-17


Get Some

(  Three words: High. School. AU. (actually that's two words and an acronym, but you get the point). )

There's been this mass proliferation of Generation Kill fic lately. But not just fic, really fucking good fic. I am particularly thinking of kaneko's After That, alethialia's Pleasure Over Propriety and romanticalgirl's Going Nowhere Slowly, all of which are tremendous and you should read them now. Go on. I'll wait.

Okay, now my initial thought about these stories was that they all take place in a post-series place and they all manage to take the series and expound on the events beautifully. And a part of me thinks, "Hey, why can't I do that too? Why the love of the AU? Other people are all over the source material. Shouldn't I just deal with what I'm given? Blah blah blah. Canon vs. crack, blah blah."

And then I get annoyed that a part of me has been warped into thinking my writing can be seen as "lesser" because I'm working outside of canon constraints.

The fact of the matter is that an Alternate Universe is just as valid as a canon.

The fact of the matter is that crack is just as valid as writing non-crack.

Anything that you put your heart and soul and time into is worthy and valid. Don't ever let anybody else convince you otherwise.

Everything we're writing is actually an alternate universe anyway, because unless you are writing for shows (and I know who you are), IT'S NOT HAPPENING. It is called fan 'fiction' for a reason.

You shouldn't automatically discount something just because it's not the norm or not quite what you're used to. And if AUs or crack aren't your thing, that's fine, but don't you dare fucking put someone else down just because they're not adhering to whatever the fuck you think they should. Who died and put you in charge of what's 'worthy'? If you don't like the story because you think it's faulty, that's fine. If the structure or characterization or the comma proliferation put you off, that's understandable. But slighting someone because you think your interpretation is greater and what they're doing is obviously lesser?

Fuck you very much. And shame on you.

The fact of the matter this: If you want something done, do it your damn self. So, if you don't like the way other people are doing it, stop bitching and write your own.

sparky77, I should've known that 'crack as a lesser art form' thing was going to come back eventually. Like acid-reflux.

And as for me and Generation Kill, the fact of the matter is that other writers write post-series beautifully, and I'm so glad that they do, because I can read their works... but that's just not what inspires me to write.

( Now excuse me while I poke at the concept of Freelance War Photographer Brad a bit )

So. The thing in the place at that one time with that other thing. And then that thing happened and I was like whoa. And then Ben said that thing. And then John did that other thing. And then Ben did THAT thing, and I was like wow. And then I was like that's more than I get in like a month. And would you believe that's my coherent response to last night's episode?

( The floor of the Senate/House/Parliament is now open for discussion on last night's Southland. Spoilers and keyboard smashing and high pitched noises are here. In fucking bullet form . Seriously. )
So. In conclusion. Ben/Cooper. Forever. And ever. Amen. Yes. I plan to write this. But not anytime soon, b/c I have some RL to contend with and won't even be around to conduct discussions next week. But know that I will be having them with you. PSYCHICALLY.

Please feel free to stop by and say 'hi', bring me your porn (Southland and GK preferred), your babble, your links, and I will catch up when I get back ♥

From delux_vivens:

Let's make it really clear, people. If you identify as a POC/nonwhite person and you read or watch scifi or fantasy, give yourself a name check in this thread. I am particularly wanting shoutouts from people who do not live in the US and who have still managed to read genre fiction.

I'm tired of people trying to render us invisible unless they have been given a memo about our existences.

It should go without saying that this particular activity is not for white people, but I know sometimes people need things spelled out. Like assuming that obviously POCs don't read or engage with SF/Fantasy just because we're not written INTO said stories. Let me stop now before I give myself a headache.

Other items:

1) Dear NBC:

If you put Southland on Friday, I will cut a bitch. Don't think I won't.

No love,
X

2) Southland people,

Michael says he was driving a Dodge Challenger in last week's episode. Uh. When was this and where was I? Because anybody who's been around these parts knows that I have a natural fetish affinity for three things: music, cars, and sarcastic, intelligent, slightly broken men, so if two of these three things were in the same place, namely *that* man driving *this car*, I WOULD HAVE NOTICED. And already written about it.

3) Also, does anybody have the following albums: Seal 'Soul'; The Sam & Ruby EP, The Knux 'Remind Me in 3 Days'; The New York Fund 'Guns EP' I reckon most of these artists are too indie (except for Seal) for anybody to have what I'm looking for, but you guys are always surprising me so...

I used to be able to drink bottles of champagne and not feel a thing, now I have, like, just ONE THREE glasses and it's all 'woe! hangover.' That's bullshit. You know what's not bullshit though?

a) SOUTHLAND. It would seem there are a lot more of you watching it than I thought there were. That's nice. Embrace the Cooper!

b) Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome moms out there, because moms are truly the cornerstones of everything awesome in the world. I mean, they pushed your ass out, didn't they? Man, if moms ever decided to take over, everything would get sorted out with a glare and a 'don't make me tell you twice.'

c) ( I saw Star Trek last night. I have two, err, three, oh fuck it, click for spoilery squee )

In conclusion: John Cho. Where is the community for fic based on the movie? I must haz it NOW.

ETA: Sorry about that cut-tag fuck up, hangovers make me a bit challenged.

It's Rex Manning Day!! Southland DAY! YAY!!

*\o/*

Feel free to come over here and tell me how much you love Cooper and Ben and Adams and how excited you are that it's Cooper Day! And how he's awesome. And super hot (but not in that traditional wimpy, limp noodle, vapid, pretty boy actor way)! And you'd totally be his surrogate if he and Ben want to have kids, or like, whatever. Or you can come over here and tell me all your Southland fic ideas and maybe I'll be inspired and write it for you, but you don't have to worry about the Slutty for Cooper/Prude Everywhere Else Ben-fic, because uh, yeah, I'm already thinking about that one.

OR (inspired by _lisalisa_) you can come over and drop your favorite Empire Records quote. Don't screw it uuuuuuuuup!

Sekrit aside to ruidoso: I can haz the Bellx1 album? PLEASE.

Dear John Cooper,

You are the best thing to happen to me since I met an upstanding Recon Marine named Brad Colbert. I hope you will be happy with what I give you. I'm trying. Believe me.

<3,
X


This is for all my Southland peeps, but especially for lazlet, antheia and sparky77 who calmed me down when Cooper refused to drop trou, and for wolkendunst and abrabacon_trask who were all, "hey, did you see that Michael Cudlitz interview on TV Guide?" I really love it when the actor's view of their character adds to my interpretation.

Southland
Ben/Cooper, NC-17
6,100 words


Rockin' Your Eff Me Pumps


( How does one woo a police officer? )

To all my lurkers: It was so nice to hear from you and I assure you every day is Amnesty Day so always feel free to drop by.

FYI: there is no defense for this. There is only the crack and the crack is AWESOME. Based on some random concept that I threw out there yesterday...

For lazlet, serialkarma and sparky77, who I suspect are the only people that will actually appreciate it. Inspired by the striking resemblance between Jeremy Renner and Ben McKenzie, I present:

Southland/The Unusuals
Ben/Cooper, Walsh
Rated PG-13

A Bad Man Would Be Good For You

( It starts with a phone call. )