Smutty Monday #2

[firethesound]

Yeah, it's Tuesday. I know. But it's still Smutty Monday if I say it is!

Title: Pink is the New Grey
Author: geneva2010
Wordcount: 2800
Rating/Warnings: NC-17 - masturbation, voyeurism, a bit of exhibitionism.
Pairing: Harry/Ron


I'll preface this by saying that I don't read much Harry/Ron, for a whole lot of nitpicky reasons I won't really get into here. If you are also someone who does not read Harry/Ron, I am telling you to read this anyhow. It's so worth it, and the characterization is spot-on. I had a very hard time picking which of Geneva's fics to post about, because her writing is consistently amazing, but I ended up going with this one because it's fairly recent, and also because it posted in the middle of holiday fest madness so there's a chance people ended up missing it because of that. (I, for one, still haven't caught up on all the holiday stuff. I was hit-and-miss with OwlPost and keep meaning to go back to it.)

Anyhow, the rec:


This fic is wonderfully steamy from start to finish, and the thing that really makes it come alive for me are all of the brilliant sensory details woven throughout the narrative, and this fic hits all five senses. The sounds of Ron wanking, the smells of cooking, just everything, all the details. And one of the things I think is most brilliant about it is how some of those details are approached in sort of a roundabout way. Like, when Harry is lying naked in his bed, we're told that the sheets are soft and worn, and then "Lying in bed in just his skin is a luxurious experience." We're not told exactly what the bed sheets feel like against Harry's skin, but that one line is so beautifully evocative that I know exactly how they feel.

The bit of dirty talk where Ron's giving Harry instructions is very well-done, and it also tells so much about Ron's state of mind. He keeps saying Harry's name, like he can't quite believe he's really doing that with Harry and he has to keep reminding himself aloud, and it says so much about his nervousness and faint disbelief that yes this is really happening with Harry, and all without ever directly addressing it. This is "show, don't tell" at its finest.

And layered over it is Harry's voice, his wry and slightly self-deprecating sense of humor, and just a touch of awkwardness to bring the whole thing back down to earth. The way they get together is very teenaged-boy-logic, very foolish-Gryffindor-courage, and very them. In other words, it's perfect.

Comments

[eidheann_writes]

*shuffles feet*
*doesn't really read outside h/d fandom at all*

Argh you are gonna make me read this or something...

[firethesound]

Lol, I'm not going to kidnap you and tie you up in front of a computer screen, if that's what you're asking. But I think you should give it a try! I don't ship Harry/Ron at all, and this still hit all the right buttons for me. Plus, it's short. So, not a big commitment? :D

[eidheann_writes]

It's the otp thing. I mean, I love past other relationships and epilogue compliance, I just have issues reading when the romantic/relationship focus is outside h/d. Cause I always have that voice going "but when he meets up with Draco again..." which isn't fair to the characters or the fic. XD

[firethesound]

The same thing happens with me sometimes when I read Harry paired with other people. Sometimes I get right into it, sometimes I'm like "but what about Draco!?" For some reason I'm not really able to read about Draco being with anyone but Harry. I've read a handful of Draco/other that I've loved, but mostly I lose interest pretty fast because Harry's not involved. XP

[geneva2010.livejournal.com]

::falls down dead::

You madwoman, you! I'm so blown away that you would rec my little Harry/Ron. I loved writing that one so, and Harry kept making me laugh.

I am so flattered - you have made my whole month of February. And the analysis! You taught me stuff analyzing my own writing, LOL.

All my fics are pretty smutty, so I think you tagged me in the right category of rec!!

And, boy, do I have to catch up on holiday fics, too. Keep those recs coming, we need them.

[sophie-french.livejournal.com]

I'm not into Harry/Ron but I will definitely read that! Thanks for the rec! :)

[firethesound]

It's definitely worth a read. :D

[barefacedbandit.livejournal.com]

Excellent rec! I don't have anything against Harry/Ron, but the pairing doesn't tend to grab me and demand to be read. However, that was just perfect. Also, you did an excellent job with the comments - very perceptive and now I need a reread :D

[firethesound]

"the pairing doesn't tend to grab me and demand to be read" is pretty much my exact feelings. I've read a few Harry/Ron stories that I've really enjoyed, but for the most part my reaction is very "meh" so it has to be something really spectacular to grab me. Which I think this one is. :)

[anemonen.livejournal.com]

Another great rec, thank you! I love your analysis of it, it actually made the reading experience even more enjoyable(because I'm too curious and read the spoilers first). Already looking forward to the next one :)

[firethesound]

I'm so glad you enjoyed my little analysis of it! I'm normally a very passive reader, so doing these recs has been fun for me, and forces me to put on my Critical Reading Hat and really examine what makes a story tick. :)

[capitu]

Ohh, I used to ship H/R so hard! :D I don't think I've read this one! *saves* Love the rec!

[firethesound]

I really think you'll like this one! <3

[zeitgeistic.livejournal.com]

*goes to read immediately*

ETA, Have actually already read this, lol, and loved it when I did. This is how great my memory is!