Hand's Away by cgb/mandysbitch (NC-17)

[wickedwords.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: McKay/Sheppard
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Category: Angst, Drama
Warning: Mentions of bad prior relationship, partner abuse, non-con
Author on LJ: mandysbitch
Author's Website: Mind Games
Link: Hand's Away

Why This Must Be Read: Rodney is incredibly broken in this darkly realistic story, and there is little that John can do about it. It's a great portrait of an abused character reliving and revisiting that relationship on their current partner, even when offered another way out. The language and the pacing are lovely, and the whole thing is an interesting character portrait. Weary and sad, and even disturbing, yet still interesting.

Comments

[shamak.livejournal.com]

I read it and I still don't know how I feel about the story... I can't shake the idea that what Rodney did to John at one point was borderline rape.

[wickedwords.livejournal.com]

The moment when John says wait, and Rodney doesn't immediately stop is very squicky, I agree. There are all sorts of weird issues going on, and I'll probably add an 'abuse' warning too. It's definitely grey area stuff. Do you think it should be tagged as non-con as well? It's just that to me, John consents and keeps consenting, even as things get out of hand. And the ending for me is hopeful, that as screwed up as things are, there is some possibility that it might work out, as to me its clear that this Rodney would be getting some serious therapy, but other people might not read it that way.

Hmm. Maybe 'non-con possibly implied for some' should be added as well.

[wickedwords.livejournal.com]

Okay, I made some edits to my original text so it's got the possible non-con stuff in there, and mentions that the story is dark and somewhat disturbing. I have pretty huge tolerances for that sort of thing, and I tend to forget that other people don't have the same sort of tolerances. So thanks for dropping me a comment, and pointing out the how unsettling the story is.

[shamak.livejournal.com]

Nice! Thanks!