This was not what I meant to write

[eliyes]

I meant to write short, humourous smut. Instead, I wrote this. Not sure it really deserves to be called a fanfic, as it's in my usual "posting random RP-like stuff in AIM to Lakidaa" format.
Just some Jim and Blair interaction the day after the episode "Dead Drop".

(Wherein, for those who need to know, Blair is trapped in a high rise elevator which has been hijacked by a disgruntled son-in-law and is being dropped 10 floors every few minutes, with a bomb on board, as well. Obviously, Blair survived. Actually, he saved the day, because even though Jim took out the hijacker, the bomb was on a timer. The people in the elevator car would have been blooey-juice if Blair hadn't cut a hole in the bottom of the car and dropped the bomb out. In the show, Jim hears the explosion without knowing that this has happened, and thinks Blair has died and freaks out quite understandably.)

I don't know if this readable, but I'm not sure I could transform it into actual prose...


The next day.
Jim: *pulls Blair over to the elevator*
Blair: *tenses* Uh, Jim, you know it's only three floors. I can take the stairs. Really.
Jim: *grip tightens on Blair's arm, presses button to call elevator*
Blair: Jim! *panicky*
Jim: *reasonable voice* Sandburg, it's only three floors. Nothing is going to happen, but even if it did, three floors wouldn't hurt you.
Blair: ... So, what, this is like baby steps?
Jim: *nods*
ding! The elevator arrives and the doors open.
Blair: *backs away, or tries to; hard to back away with an Immovable Jim attached to his arm*
Jim: C'mon, Chief. You can do this. *sticks out non-Blair-restraining arm to keep elevator doors from closing* I'll be with you.
Blair: Jim, I really don't think--
Jim: Sandburg.
Blair: Jim... *pleading eyes*
Jim: *returns pleading look* Please, Chief.
Blair: *startled*
Jim: We have to get over this. *ignores elevator doors trying to close on his arm briefly before reopening with an irritated buzz*
Blair: 'We'? *nervous laugh* You weren't the one trapped in the elevator with a bomb! Jim, man, look -- I see what you're trying to do, I do, but I'm just - I'm not ready, man!
Jim: *implacable* If you start a habit of avoidance --
Blair: *interrupts, voice sharp, trying again to pull away as the elevator doors try to bite Jim again* You're one of those people who believe in throwing kids into the deep end to teach them to swim, aren't you?
Jim: This isn't the deep end. This is -- this is just sticking in your toes. Okay, Chief? Just stick in your toes for me. *pleading again*
Blair: *stands still, staring at Jim for a long moment, mind churning over the problem of why Jim is being so adamant, so pleading*
Jim: *silent blue puppy dog eyes*
Blair: *slowly moves towards the elevator, eyes locked with Jim's. just as slowly slides one foot in*
Jim: *forces the doors to stay open with one arm, turning to follow Blair without letting go*
Blair: *stops with one foot in to close his eyes and take a few deep, calming breaths.*
Jim: *murmur* C'mon, Chief, you're doing great.
Blair: *sidles slowly into the elevator, reaching out at the last moment to grip the door -- then letting even that go. deep breaths.*
Jim: *slips in behind him*
ding! The elevator doors close.
Blair: *opens his eyes to find Jim staring at him intently*
Jim: *lips slowly curl into a small smile*
Blair: *smiles back, and then laughs a little.* Okay. Okay. I'm in the elevator. I'm in -- what now, coach?
Jim: Baby steps. *he reaches for the panel of buttons, hand hovering next to it* What do you say we take this baby down to the second floor?
Blair: *nervous smile* ...Yeah. Yeah, okay, man. Do it.
Jim: *presses the button*
The elevator begins to move.
Blair: *turns white as a sheet and starts to grab for the rail on the wall, for Jim, anything*
The elevator stops and the doors open onto the second floor hallway.
Jim: *presses the button to hold the doors open* Okay?
Blair: *now firmly attached to the handrail at the back of the elevator car, pale and wild-eyed* .... Just. Just give me a minute. *attempt at a smile* I'm processing.
Jim: *crooked smile* All right, Chief.
Blair: *another deep breath, another - and he nods*
Jim: *releases the door button and presses the one to take them to the ground floor*
The elevator doors close, and it begins to move.
Blair: *breath hitches*
Jim: *puts his hand over Blair's on the rail*
Blair: *opens his eyes to look at Jim*
The elevator stops and the doors open onto the lobby.
Jim: *again holds down the button to keep the doors open, eyes on Blair's face*
Blair: *stares at Jim for a long moment, and then turns to look out into the lobby. listens to the sound of traffic going by on nearby streets, faint but audible*
Jim: Well, Sandburg? Should we ride back up, or do you want to get out and take the stairs?
Blair: ... *lips move, and then he nods* Up. *clears throat* Let's go up. All the way.
Jim: *nods and presses the button to take them to the third floor*
Blair: *mutters* Baby steps.
Jim: *squeezes Blair's hand* Yeah.
The elevator takes them to the third floor.
Blair: *as the doors open onto the third floor hallway* Down, James. Take me to the lobby.
Jim: *amused smile* Sure thing, Sandburg.
The elevator takes them down to the ground floor.
Blair: *pales again as his stomach drops* Oh, man.
Jim: You're doing great, Sandburg. Really.
Blair: That explains why I want to throw up.
Jim: *makes a silly face, then grins* But you haven't.
Blair: True.
The elevator stops and once more opens its doors to show the lobby.
Jim: Back up?
Blair: *low chuckle*
Jim: What?
The elevator doors close.
Blair: Nothing.
Jim: *skeptical look*
Blair: Take us up. *grin*
Jim: *presses button*
The elevator begins to move.
Blair: *grins* Thanks, Jim. This helped.
Jim: *nods, and then suddenly hits the STOP button*
With an annoyed buzz, the elevator lurches to a stop.
Blair: *stumbles and panics* What the hell?!
Jim: *yanks Blair into a tight hug*
Blair: *struggles for a moment, and then holds on as his heart stops trying to jump out of his throat* ......Jim?!
Jim: *voice rough* Yeah, Sandburg.
Blair: Little confused. *makes motions to extricate himself, which Jim firmly ignores, so after a moment he stops trying* ...Okaayyy... Um. Jim. Jim?
Jim: Hm?
Blair: *thinks a moment, and then slides his arms around Jim's waist to hug him back and rests his face on Jim's shirt.* Guess you were kinda freaked out by this, too?
Jim: *shakey chuckle* Yeah. Yeah. *pause* I heard the bomb go off.
Blair: Yeah?
Jim: *voice very rough* Yeah. And I didn't know it wasn't in the elevator.
Blair: Oh. *long pause* I'm okay. I'm okay, Jim.
Jim: *mutters indistinctly, and then starts to pull away*
Blair: Hey! *pulls Jim closer* That doesn't mean I don't need a hug! *nervous laugh*
Jim: ... *squeeze*
The elevator produces a buzzing noise as someone tries to call it to the lobby.
Jim: *clears his throat*
Blair: *voice muffled against Jim* Guess that means we should stop?
Jim: Probably.
The elevator buzzes again.
Jim: Uh. Let's go rent a movie or something. *presses the button to let the elevator move again, pulling away from Blair*
Blair: Yeah, okay. *reluctantly also pulls free*
The elevator takes them to the lobby.
Jim: *steps out, brushing past one of their co-residents in the building.*
Blair: *gives their neighbour a distracted smile as he follows Jim.*
Jim: *heads in the opposite direction from the truck*
Blair: *after a moment's confusion, catches up.* We walkin'?
Jim: It's a nice day. *looks up at the sky* For a few hours, anyway. Probably rain tonight.
Blair: *rolls his eyes* Of course it will. It's Cascade.
Jim: *grins down at him* You ever get the feeling this place was named after the way there's always water falling from the sky, rather than the mountains or something?
Blair: *laughs* Yeah, sometimes. Or maybe that's what the moutnian's were named for, Actually -- *launches into a comfortable ramble about place names on America's West Coast*
Jim: *contentedly ambles along beside him, making a fell well-enough timed quips to provoke Blair to laughter*
Blair: *after a few moments quiet, gains a wistful smile* You know, I used to have this fantasy.
Jim: Oh? This something you should be talking about midafternoon on a city sidewalk?
Blair: *looks around, sees very little other foot traffic* I think so. I used to think it might be fun to get trapped alone in an elevator with a beautiful woman, and, you know...
Jim: Oh, that fantasy. Anyone that's ever heard that Aerosmith song has had that fantasy, Chief.
Blair: *brow wrinkles* What Aerosmith song? The only song I know by them is "Dude Looks Like a Lady".
Jim: *snickers* Uh, not that one. What's it -- "Love in an Elevator". That one.
Blair: *waggles his eyebrows* Oh, that one.
Jim: *shakes his head* So?
Blair: So after yesterday, I don't know. I think the fantasy might be ruined.
Jim: *shrugs* Elevators aren't very comfortable, anyway.
Blair: Says the man who got it on in a coat room.
Jim: Almost. *feels enough distance from that whole debacle now to joke about it*
Blair: Only almost? *wide grin*
Jim: You kinda interrupted, there, Chief. *holds open door to video rental place* So, what? You got a thing for nookie in public places?
Blair: Not in any illegal sense. *makes a beeline for the World Film section*
Jim: *murmurs* So noted. *theatrical groan* You're going to make me sit through subtitles?
Blair: Don't try to tell me you can't read them, Jim.
Jim: I've never - !
Blair: No, true. Hey, there's some new Chinese action flicks here! *glances over at Jim* That macho enough for you?
Jim: *indulgent smile* That might make up for that documentary you're trying to hide in your other hand.
Blair: *innocent* Who, me? Oh, how'd that get there?

Comments

[starwatcher]

.
That is cute, and I liked Jim helping Blair through his nervousness while hiding his own insecurities. And the banter at the end is very realistic.

I think you could turn this into prose very easily. Can't hurt to try, you know?
.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

I kept wondering if it was over and they kept going with the hugs and the banter, so I was a little worried it rambled. XD They ran away with my fingers!

I think tomorrow or the next day, I'll come back to this and try to figure out how to convert it. Right now I'm too close to it, if that makes sense. I'm also getting a bit sleepy.

[starwatcher]

.
I kept wondering if it was over and they kept going with the hugs and the banter, so I was a little worried it rambled.

I worry about that all - the - time, but so people frequently mention that's what they like. And, after all, the banter is canon. *g*

They ran away with my fingers!

That's generally a good sign; the guys are talking to you. Congratulations.

I'm also getting a bit sleepy.

Sleep well, and good luck on 'story-izing' your script. And now, I'm off to bed, too.
.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

I worry about that all - the - time, but so people frequently mention that's what they like. And, after all, the banter is canon. *g*

I wonder if I can blame my fear of rambling on Tolkien? ...Probably not. Yes, okay - the banter is certainly canon, and very enjoyable, I find, and I like to see it in stories myself, so I should perhaps worry a little less about it.

But not entirely, or I'll become rambling in the extreme, like as not.

That's generally a good sign; the guys are talking to you. Congratulations.

Yay! I seem to do better with them when I let them do this as opposed to planning out a story.

[starwatcher]

.
I suspect it's because we "expect" to see major h/c, or hot slash action (depending on the genre), or at least a solid case story. So much of TS fic is along those lines that we feel we're "not doing our job" if we come up with a character-driven, mostly-dialogue story, because "nothing is happening".

I know this feeling very well indeed; it's taken me four years to become reconciled that all I can write are gentle, "slice-of-life" stories. But, people do seem to like them -- if nothing else, for a change of pace from all the other stories. *g*

So be true to yourself, and don't try to force your muse to do what you think you "should" be doing. You'll be more likely to write really good slice-of-life stories, instead of mediocre 'whatever' stories.

I seem to do better with them when I let them do this as opposed to planning out a story.

Generally a sign that you're on the right track. You go, girl!

I wrote a rant about some fandom-reader expectations this summer; you may be interested.
http://starwatcher307.livejournal.com/127994.html?nc=68

And now, suppertime. Goodnight.
.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes; I'd actually read that recently. I get frustrated sometimes because I can come up with all kinds of stories, but when I sit down to write I wail "I need a PLOT!" My aspiration from Juniour High or so on was to be an author, and so I think I have certain expectations for myself. Which is, of course, why I've managed to scare myself into rarely writing.

I like character interation, though. I co-plot a few universes with my friend taichara, we sort of free-form script/spin prose/roleplay things, and it's usually her having to poke me and say "you have to let the plot happen" or soemthing to that effect. I don't want bad things to happen to the characters. I think maybe I need to reclaim my childhood sadistic streak, just a little bit.

*rambles at 4:35 am*

[starwatcher]

.
I wail "I need a PLOT!"

In this fandom, anyway, not necessarily; after all, we actually have a genre entitled PWP. Of course, that mostly means explicit sex, but it doesn't have to. Mine could as easily be called PWPs as "slice-of-life", except that they'd give rise to unfulfilled expectations in the readers.

I co-plot a few universes with my friend taichara, we sort of free-form script/spin prose/roleplay things, and it's usually her having to poke me and say "you have to let the plot happen" or soemthing to that effect.

Sounds like plot is poking up its nose, and you're stifling it. So follow your friend's advice, and see where it goes. Alternately, you might try collaborating with your friend, both of you submitting plot points, and see what happens.

I think the big thing is, don't shut yourself down. When I was writing my story "Moving Forward", Blair got angry on reading Jim's letter, and I had typed it all out before I realized what I was doing. I almost deleted it, because it wasn't at ALL what I had intended, but I decided to let it play out and see what happened. It turned into a much longer story than I had planned, but the plot is still "guys discuss reuniting, guys work out their differences, guys go home together". Very low key, but it seems to be the favorite story among my readers.

Hmm... I guess what I'm saying is,

(a) either 'plot' is not as well-defined as we think, and every story that goes from A to B has a plot of some type, so there's no need to worry about it

or

(b) life generally doesn't have a plot, so if we're writing plot-less 'life-stories' people will accept it, and we still don't need to worry about it.

I don't want bad things to happen to the characters.

Me, too! I enjoy reading the bashings and other h/c that many authors write, but I don't want to write it myself.

I think maybe I need to reclaim my childhood sadistic streak, just a little bit.

That might work, too -- sounds like a great impetus for h/c.

But as I said in my rant -- whatever floats your boat. You don't have to write for anyone's satisfaction except yourself.
.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

In this fandom, anyway, not necessarily; after all, we actually have a genre entitled PWP. Of course, that mostly means explicit sex, but it doesn't have to. Mine could as easily be called PWPs as "slice-of-life", except that they'd give rise to unfulfilled expectations in the readers.

I am familiar with the PWP, and I have actually written a few, of the sex variety. Actually, the word 'yaoi' - which you may have come across - is an acronym that originally meant pretty much the same thing, only with male-only connotations. Yama nashi, ochi nashi, itsu nashi. (I think.) "No plot, no point, no climax."

Other than the obvious climax. *ahem*

Sounds like plot is poking up its nose, and you're stifling it. So follow your friend's advice, and see where it goes.

Yes, unfortunately, that's it. Part of the problem doubtless being the several times I have screwed everything up royally and we've had to retcon and unsnarl and the guilt is rather tremendous. I seem to take fits of insanity...

Alternately, you might try collaborating with your friend, both of you submitting plot points, and see what happens.

Alas, she is uninterested in The Sentinel.

(b) life generally doesn't have a plot, so if we're writing plot-less 'life-stories' people will accept it, and we still don't need to worry about it.

I wish I could write a lot of that wrapped around solving some dilemma or dealing with some issue. It's hard for me to write cases because as much as I love mysteries, I'm pretty feeble at thinking them up. I should probably stop trying to write case stories. :/
Haven't finished a single one.

I have a few little conversation snippets for Jim and Blair floating about in my head, but whenever I try to start them, my brain shunts to Jim bopping around to Aretha Franklin and making pasta. Which, while entertaining, I need something to work with beyond.

Jim: *conducts with wooden spoon* You need me! And I need you! Without each other, there ain't nothin' people can do! Freedom! Freedom! Freeeeedom! *wiggle-bop*
Blair: *dies of laughter*

...That's about it.

[sara-merry99.livejournal.com]

Nice!! I like that! I do love that Jim's completely masking his own insecurities while making Blair deal with his. Very sweet!

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

:D

*hugs the boys*