Fic: Hardcore and Gentle (Swordspoint, NC-17)

[brigdh]

Title: Hardcore and Gentle
Author: Brigdh
Ratings/Warnings: NC-17 for m/m sex.
Notes: Written for the 31_days prompt, "the hardcore and the gentle". Vague spoiler for The Privilege of the Sword. Two double drabbles, 400 words total. Man, what happened to me? Why can't I stick to a simple 100 words anymore? Ah, well. I blame it all on the porn.
Disclaimer: All characters and places belong to Ellen Kushner.


***

Alec's hands were fisting in the pillow, tearing at the sheets, needing something to hang on to. Richard slid his hands up from Alec's hips to grab and pin his wrists; Alec wrenched at the hold once, nearly injuring himself, then relaxed, bowing his head over the knot of their hands. The angle emphasized the prominence of the nape of his neck, and Richard pressed his mouth against it, too out of breath to kiss.

Alec was speaking between harsh pants of breath- "Don't stop, God, Richard, harder"- but Richard ignored meaning for the feel of Alec moaning into the back of his hand, his lips moving, the words coming in warm, humid rushes of air. Alec pressed into the hold on his wrists and shuddered in appreciation when Richard tightened his grip.

Richard lowered his head, too, resting against Alec's back. The long hair tickled his face, and it smelled of Alec: soap and alcohol and the sweat-salt of his skin, underneath. He moved into Alec, who rocked with the motion, the back of his thighs slick against Richard's. Alec tossed his head and scraped his cheek against Richard's knuckles, crying out wordlessly, and Richard let go, following him.


***


"You're not listening to me." Richard knew that Alec was doing it on purpose, either giving short answers or prattling off on a tangent, despite his skill at replicating his usual levity. Alec could be very perceptive, if he wanted. Now he preferred to push his feet into the ashes of the fire, ruining his socks.

"Because you're not saying anything worth listening to. Why would you want to leave the city, Richard? No, no, no, don't tell me, I've heard it all before- society is stagnant this season; no one does anything interesting anymore." Alec looked up and twisted in his chair, closing his book without marking his place. "Actually, you're right. I am bored. Let's move the whole household up to Highcombe; we'll stay a month and shock the village."

"No," Richard said softly. "That's not what I mean."

Alec was finally out of quick answers. He turned back to the fireplace, breathing shallowly and lightly, his hands pale where they clenched on the dark cover of his book. "Fine." Richard couldn't see his face, but he'd kept his voice calm, almost disinterested.

"I would like it if you came with me."

Alec only shook his head.

***

Comments

[threewalls]

After all these intriguing stories from this universe, you've made me want to seek out these books, which I expect is one of your objects.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

It would make me terribly happy if you did, though I'd never expected it. And you're not even the first person to say so to me! I am expanding the Swordspoint fandom one person at a time.

Seriously, though, I do think you'd like them, now that I consider it. There's an emotional opacity to the writing that reminds me a lot of your own stories, and I think the characters would appeal to you.

[threewalls]

Emotional opacity... that does sound like me. *g*

Are they old enough that I'll be able to find them in libraries?

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Swordspoint was written in '87, and you're probably far better off looking in a library than a bookstore, actually, as I never see it for sale and had to buy my copy off Amazon. If you have a choice, get the paperback that includes the short stories in the back; I like them.

The Privilege of the Sword only came out about three months ago, but there's a good chance of finding that in a library too, as apparently it's being picked up as a popular YA book (the majority of it is narrated by Alec's niece, who often manages to miss the implications of violent sex and prostitutes, thus allowing it to skew younger, if you want to read it that way).

There's also The Fall of Kings, which is set in the same world, but about 60 years later, and is about a different generation. I didn't like it as much, but some people do; you'll probably have a much better reaction than me if you go into it not expecting to read about Richard and Alec.

[ranalore.livejournal.com]

I'm just blissful with each new piece. You do get these characters so, so well.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

*grins* Thank you! These characters talk louder in my head than any I've written before; they have whole conversations.

[rm.livejournal.com]

This one _hurts_ eventhough the socks are very funny. Also, their power dynamics -- ALWAyS fascinating. Always surprising.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Alec can afford all the new socks he wants, after all, and warm toes are very important. *laughs*

Thank you! And yeah; I'm fascinated by the idea of how the conversation must have gone when Richard decided to leave the city. There's no way it wasn't terribly painful.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I'm playing with something about it too that goes very differently, but it's turning into something big and complicated, so I have no idea when it'll get done, especially since it's not exactly pleasant to write.

On the other hand, I have a bit of smutty something or other from the beginning of their relationship that I should be able to finish tonight.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Oh, excellent. Now I have something to look forward to reading.

[bagma.livejournal.com]

Wow! The first one is really hot... and the second one so sad. Both are wondefully well written. Thank you!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm very glad you liked them.

HI I'm glad to find some fanfiction on this wonderful story

[rc1ca.livejournal.com]

Hi I just bought The Swords of Riverside , which is a two in one book which I got at SFBC which has both Swordspoint, The Privilege of the Sword as well as the short story of the Red Cloak ,the Death of the Duke , as well as one other in the Riverside storys. I love it and am glad to find that there is fanficiton and it is quite good and IC.

Thankyou for writing the fanfiction and please keep it up .

Re: HI I'm glad to find some fanfiction on this wonderful story

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Oh, you've got the new one with everything in one book! I'd heard that was coming out, and totally want one myself, but hadn't realized it was available yet.

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

[annnimeee.livejournal.com]

the second one makes me want to cry. lovely work!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The idea of the second one makes me so sad; it must have been a terrible time for them both.