fic: To Have and to Hold

[xparrot]

No, this isn't the start of anything; Doctor Who really isn't the sort of fandom I crave fic for, reading or writing; it's a perfect enough experience by itself. But I needed to try, to get it out of my system. So, this, which is short and weird and needs all sorts of disclaimers. One: as I'm American and thus have no ear for British rhythms, the dialogue is ill-fitted to the chars. Any corrections by those who know better than me will be gladly received. Two: I'm making up all kinds of wackiness about Time Lords here, much of which inspired by conversation with gnine as per the usual. Three: This isn't how I actually view these chars, or how I think Time Lords really work; it's an exploration of a possibility, a 'I wonder how that would be, if...' Which is the only kind of Who-fic I think I could write, because by and large I feel inadequate to properly capturing the Doctor or his fascinatingly unfathomable people.

But that's never stopped me before. And writing pointless fic is infinitely better than not writing anything.

Set between "The Sound of Drums" and "Last of the Time Lords" and thus carries the expected spoiler warnings. PG-13 for Master/Lucy and Master/Doctor implications.

Read "To Have and to Hold" on AO3

Comments

[yma2.livejournal.com]

That's actually really good. It's an interesting idea too, and far from the most outlandish theory I've heard. I think your characterisation of the Master, especially was great. You manage to make him utterly evil and yet oddly sympathetic in some strange way. And I do so love the interplay you create between him and the Doctor. A really nice fic, facinating to read and highly enjoyable. If you write more of this sort I will be very happy indeed and, even if you don't, I'm glad you wrote this one.

[melodywilde.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful and fits in so well with the episodes. Good job!

[airairo.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Interesting! Very interesting take on what exactly happened to Lucy. The show was so ambiguous about it, and I liked that.

Also, "Nothing could strike rage in him as swift and sure as the Doctor's words, that maddening counterpoint forever out of rhythm with the drums.", is a really good line. Very nice!

[jakrar.livejournal.com]

Scary! And beautifully written, as always, though it isn't quite the fandom I was hoping for. *optimistically nudges you toward the CLex*

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad it worked for you! Yeah, it's a weird idea...I don't think Time Lords really work like that, but it's intriguing to play around with. And it is fun to write the Master & the Doctor interacting, they're so very charged...!
I don't know if I'll do anymore, I have a few vague ideas but this one was difficult enough, and there are other stories & evil geniuses I ought to be getting back to!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I'm happy to know it 'fit' for you!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Lucy's role as the dark-side companion was so very intriguing, I'd love to know what her story really was (or is, I should say, considering...)
And heh, I had to get the drums in there somewhere, they're such a great madness!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Glad you found it so! (and I haven't forgotten the Clex, really! I just have a terrible weakness for supervillain/hero, obviously...and it's nice to have a proper villain now and again, rather than one I end up siding with ^^;)

[utopiantrunks.livejournal.com]

Iiiiinteresting idea. It would explain why there was never any nookie in the TARDIS (and if even a kiss causes a slight genetic transfer, hey...), and of course the Master would ignore the consequences, 'cause he's eeeeevil! I was disappointed to see Lucy all vacant in the last episode, and again, that'd make a good explanation. And again, if being the only Time Lord left meant never being physically intimate with anyone, that would add an extra layer to what the Doctor's old nemesis now represented to him... Ohoho... very good.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I'm quite curious what Lucy's real story is!
Heh, I didn't think of the genetic-transfer kiss, but good point! I was thinking more about the telepathy, combined with the 'seeing all of time and space'. And then, he does fix Bad-Wolf!Rose with a kiss... And yeah, y'know, because the Doctor's life needs to be more tragic...

[littlehollyleaf.livejournal.com]

Intriguing idea... :p And I've mentally checked through my knowledge of canon, and I don't think it contradicts what we know of Time Lord biology at all actually :)

Slightly creepy and chilling too. Poor messed up people, all of them. Good job!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Hee! Even if I don't really subscribe to this theory - I'm quite please to know it could work!

And yeah...they've all got their problems (wouldn't want them any other way! even if they probably would...)

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

That's gorgeous and heartbreaking. I love the way that the Master is both ruthless and desperate for connection.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, I find the Master terrifying and pathetically sympathetic at once...

[versaphile.livejournal.com]

Would you like to contribute this (and your other Doctor/Master fic) to the Doctor/Master archive: The Prydonian (http://www.prydonian.net/)? We'd love to have it.

If you're comfortable adding it yourself, you're welcome to register and do that (http://www.prydonian.net/user.php?action=register); otherwise, I'd be happy to upload it for you.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'd be honored to be included! You're welcome to upload it, if you're willing - I don't think I'll be writing more Who-fic, so I don't have reason to register, but I'm always happy to be archived.

[versaphile.livejournal.com]

Great! It's up here: http://www.prydonian.net/viewstory.php?sid=115

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Coolness - thank you!

[ellex42.livejournal.com]

I just found this. Like you, I generally have no craving to read or write fanfic for 'Doctor Who', but since I've been going back through your LJ tonight to read your fic, I gave this a chance.

I had two simultaneous reactions to this story: Eeeeeeewwwwww *shudder* and Oh, wow, so cool!!

I can tell you that this doesn't contradict any prior canon regarding Time Lords and Time Lord biology. And I've been watching 'Doctor Who' for a long time - I've seen just about all of the original series at least twice, and I've been thrilled that the writers of the new series have been so careful to follow in the footsteps of the old series.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I had two simultaneous reactions to this story: Eeeeeeewwwwww *shudder* and Oh, wow, so cool!!

Hee - that's pretty much just what I was going for, so thank you!

And thank you about the canon note - it's rather nifty that it does fit in. I've only seen a smattering of the original series so I lucked out there!