Fic: My Unintended and a most wonderful-est present for me (much too belated rec)!!

[my_thestral]

Heeey, it's that day of the ron_draco_fest again - the last one, sadly - buuuuut, it brings the reveals and I'm ready to embrace the one that's mine. This year I came up with a biblically-long story called My Unintended, which was terribly ill-fated in its writing process - I think I had to put the writing process on pause at least twice because the two farts of my sons diabolically decided not to get ill in the same week. In the end I was actually happy that it was finished (though only because of the wonderful mod's extension) even though the ending is a bit rushed. Oh, and it has two 1st person POWs, so if that's not your cookie, then I guess it's not your lucky day to read an overly-lengthy story. :)

Once again, my super-human beta bleedingangel84 did a totally stellar job out of it (I shiver to imagine what would you be submitted to stomach without her priceless input!) and it ended up as a belated b-day present to the fandom's one and only capitu - HAPPY BELATED B-DAY AGAIN (oh, my, at this point I'd be better off congratulating you early for your next b-day, LOL!)
Anyway - I've enjoyed writing it and I nicked the title (but no rights or money) from the Muse's song "Unintended" - it's not my favourite song of theirs but the title fit with what I had in mind. So without much delay - here it is (BUT DON'T YOU DARE RUN AWAY, I'VE GOT A WONDERFUL REC FOR YOU AFTERWARDS!!)

Title: My Unintended (this one goes to AO3 where the story is, but on LJ it was posted on this link)
Word count: 34.256
Pairing(s): Ron Weasley/Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley/Harry Potter (unrequitted), Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger (non-explicit)
Rating: NC-17, yup, no doubt this time, bring it on! ;)
Disclaimer: Not my characters, not my title, and - what money? Or rights, for that matter? But I did write it, so there's that! :)
Warning: a bit gloomy, self-deprecating Ron, and - technically speaking - cheating, but that can't be helped that Malfoy arse is just too glorious. ;)
Summary: It was supposed to be just a boring Ministry event; Ron's attempt at reconciliation with Hermione after another one of their epic fights. But then Draco Malfoy happened and suddenly nothing was what it was supposed to be. And the moment Ron let those slender hands touch him, he realised not even Draco Malfoy was the way he was supposed to be. Because you can't put a Malfoy and a Weasley in the same place and not expect the bloody world to tilt off its axis.

Aaaaan now to the - much too belated! - rec. I got this super-wonderful story as a present and - reveals or not, I immediatelly knew who it was from and I was literally dying to point y'all to it with a giant neon purple Las Vegas-style arrow "MUST READ THIS!!".

I would have totally recced it before, but I wanted the world to know who wrote this gem, so I bullied my excited, overwhelmed self into waiting for a bit. It's Runway by candamira and it's just absolutely gorgeous. It's a story of Ron, taking a battle for his fragile self-esteem to the entirely new ground: the world of fashion, with all its glamour, breathtaking outfits and scenery and lots of off-camera underlying misery, from starving models - very appropriately called "darlings" - risking their very lives for a moment of fame under the limelight, cut-throat competitiveness and heartless business, the sheer decadence of it all - and one fairly damaged Draco Malfoy. It's all there in the story, and the colour and variety of the world the author created is going to knock you off your feet!

But it's not only the incredibly imaginative scenery that is so stunning: this story of finding and defining oneself is also packed with emotions and sometimes harsh encounters of two persons who are pulled towards one in spite of their emotional baggage - but in the end manage to find each other and be each other's salvation perhaps just because of that very baggage. It's heart-wrenching to watch Ron so desperate for approval of everyone he holds dear - only to discover that he's not going the right way about it over and over again. It doesn't seem like it, but things actually improve once he meets Draco Malfoy. It might seem like he's cursed with his nemesis following him to this unlikely path, but as Ron inevitably finds out more about Draco and the person that the war left behind, his problems suddenly lose their edge and this Molly's son is there to offer comfort to the hurt young man hiding under tons of in-your-face make-up.

They're dead-sexy dancing around each other, not quite willing to trust each other yet, but with this underlying current of awareness that the devil you know... just might be the right type of devil for you. The way their hair ends up plaited together is something that needs art (please? someone?), because it's totally a thing of beauty! As unlikely as their relationship seems in the beginning, by the end of the story they fit like they were made for each other. Their relationship is never going to be flawless and clean-cut - but more like a mad, bad current that finds a way around every obstacle life throws in their way. There's a moment in there where Ron blurts out he loves Draco - and kind of blames him for it - which totally melted my heart because it's just such a Ron thing to say. I loved it to bits. The colourfulness, a small million imaginative details, the honest emotion, the way they grew to love each other (and in Ron's case, grew up) - I just want to adopt this story and live with it happily ever after - and so will you. Give it a chance: and thank you, darling candamira for this stunning present - if it wasn't for me, I would have stolen it! :D

Comments

[nia_kantorka]

Both beautiful works my friend! I had a great time reading your story and I loved Canda's fic from the moment I read the first scene (in an unfinished state mind you).

Hope life has become a bit less challenging and you're having room to breathe (or write). I'm busy with all kind of things, but send a bunch of hugs southeast. <333

[capitu]

Ahhhh! I have to much to say about this!!!! But I must run (I hate my work I hate it!) but I will come back!!!! *twirls you*

[candamira.livejournal.com]

O.M.G.! Dear sweet thestral, the world suffered a great loss the day you decided to quit journalism. You have such a way with words, incredible. My Unintended is truly marvellous, which well of strength and creativity you always activate to write beautiful gems like it while your life swirls around you like a tsunami will stay a mystery to me forever! Goodness, the news about your eldest almost gave me a heart attack. I'm sure you handled the situation more than well, my deepest respect! And, as if all that wasn't enough, why not throw a law exam your way? *shakes head at life in exasperation* Fingers crossed, though I'm convinced you don't need it.

Thank you for the fantastic rec, I'm overwhelmed with all the nice things you find to say about Runway! I'm happy about how excitedly it was received, and especially about you liking it so much. Makes me feel warm and glowing like Smoulderwhisky inside! ;) * hugs you fiercely*