B5 Fic: Lip-reading (1/1)
10 Jul 2005 04:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kangeikoTook me bloody ages to do this. Ach, well.
LIP-READING
Summary: Londo / G'Kar kissage.
Spoilers: The Fall of Centauri Prime.
A/N: Eons ago, Andraste said - Centauri males don't generally kiss other males. I ran with it.
Thanks to: This was betaed by many people, who took out the suckiest bits. My love to you all. *snuggles*
*
Afterwards, G'Kar wondered at how slowly they had managed to do something that should only have taken a minute or two. Londo, however, had appeared so completely taken aback to have G'Kar encroach upon his personal space that the Narn could do nothing but savour the moment, stretching it out for as long as possible.
*
That Mollari should watch him when he is speaking should be no great surprise. That Mollari should watch his mouth form words, however, is unexpected. G'Kar once thought that the Centauri had trouble with English and could no more follow a conversation without reading lips than he could eliminate his own thick accent. Indeed, when G'Kar had first begun his study of the language, he had found it infuriatingly vague, losing vowels and consonants as the mood took it. To someone accustomed to brevity, clarity and a firm command of the tongue, English was a debauched, hedonistic language, more nuanced and difficult to master than Interlac and Andronato combined.
In truth, this is the reason G'Kar has discounted 'problems with the language' as a possible explanation for the Centauri's curious manner. Surely someone as accustomed to a tongue as fluid as any number of the Centauri's native languages would have no trouble with English. Surely, it belatedly occurred to G'Kar, the Ambassador would also watch other races, other males, other Narn, when they spoke. G'Kar's accent was slight, unlike Delenn's. G'Kar's speech was formal, unlike Mr Allen's colloquialisms. G'Kar's mouth - and this he checked in the mirror - was careful to enunciate and articulate and generally form words as clearly as a Narn mouth could manage the process. No; there were many more suitable candidates for Mollari to stare at for elucidation, his own mouth partly open as if mouthing the words along.
It was only when it was late – one instant before it would be too late – that G'Kar realised what the quick glances represented. Ah, he thought, bemused. The light dawns slowly, I see.
*
Outside, Centauri Prime is burning.
G'Kar felt no joy at this thought; he drew no succour from the knowledge that it was his own people raining down such vengeance as he had never seen before.
It is the last. He knows this.
"Mollari. Understand that I can never forgive your people for what they did to my world," he said quietly. Londo started slightly, eyes flickering away from G'Kar's steady gaze down to the mouth that slowly, inexorably, forming word after damning word. There is something intrinsically sadistic in this, G'Kar thought, oddly saddened by the thought. Not cruel, not selfish, but sadistic, waiting for the softest part of the flesh to be exposed before delivering the misericorde, as the humans would say.
It is sweet on his tongue, thick and cloying and unyielding, and he wonders – not for the first time – why all their revelations must come like this, with one of them broken and bleeding.
His leg aches from standing.
"My people can never forgive your people," and one moment – two -; stretching out each heartbeat, watching Londo's gaze drop even further; fixed, at last, on the floor.
And with these few words I can strip you, Mollari, he thought.
He cannot hear himself say the next word or the next over the roaring in his ears. It is as if his heart would drown them, water over smooth stone, as simple and ordinary as the truth. Londo's gaze is sliding over him in scattered flicks and glances, unable to stay fixed on G'Kar's eyes or mouth or hands. Much good it would do me if he manages it; then I shall be the one to turn away.
*
Some things are not meant to be said until the last. You do not grant forgiveness on a whim; you do not let spilt blood go unanswered; you do not - you do not - you do not until the last.
*
It is the last now, is it not? G'Kar's heart is pounding in his chest and he cannot focus on the words or on the feeling behind them, merely the fear weighting down his tongue.
It is the last, and it is terrifying.
This is the last time they will see each other before the end. G'Kar knows this because Londo knows it, because Londo has known this before the two ever met. It was as clear in his mind those years ago as it will be when it finally occurs.
Lies, the Khari said, when the Citizens asked about Centauri dreams. It is all lies.
The Centauri are not prescient, merely self-important! They can no more see the future than they can grow wings and fly!
Such pretty lies.
*
His skin is too soft to bear.
One heartbeat – two heartbeats – three heartbeats – Londo's breath comes from him in shuddering little gasps of air, both hands reaching inside G'Kar's collar to brace themselves against flesh. His nails are short and sharp and they scratch gently as those soft hands wander, curving up around G'Kar's neck and stroking the nape, ghosting across the outline of hollows and ridges with inquisitive fingertips. It is a sensitive place to touch a Narn and G'Kar shivers involuntarily, the movement running through his entire body.
His leg aches indomitably, but he can spare it no thought. All his attention is focused on the arm he braces against the polished wood of the closed door; on the hands at his neck; on the curiously sad expression on Londo's face.
They have still not touched lips. Instead, their mouths hover, one against other, and – yes, the Centauri was looking down again, staring at G'Kar's mouth as if it held all the secrets of the universe.
It is part taunt and part mercy for G'Kar to lean in, kissing Londo's lower lip, licking across his mouth in an ungentle kiss.
Open for me.
The hands on his flesh press down, palms open; as smooth as water over stone.
*
fin
LIP-READING
Summary: Londo / G'Kar kissage.
Spoilers: The Fall of Centauri Prime.
A/N: Eons ago, Andraste said - Centauri males don't generally kiss other males. I ran with it.
Thanks to: This was betaed by many people, who took out the suckiest bits. My love to you all. *snuggles*
*
Afterwards, G'Kar wondered at how slowly they had managed to do something that should only have taken a minute or two. Londo, however, had appeared so completely taken aback to have G'Kar encroach upon his personal space that the Narn could do nothing but savour the moment, stretching it out for as long as possible.
*
That Mollari should watch him when he is speaking should be no great surprise. That Mollari should watch his mouth form words, however, is unexpected. G'Kar once thought that the Centauri had trouble with English and could no more follow a conversation without reading lips than he could eliminate his own thick accent. Indeed, when G'Kar had first begun his study of the language, he had found it infuriatingly vague, losing vowels and consonants as the mood took it. To someone accustomed to brevity, clarity and a firm command of the tongue, English was a debauched, hedonistic language, more nuanced and difficult to master than Interlac and Andronato combined.
In truth, this is the reason G'Kar has discounted 'problems with the language' as a possible explanation for the Centauri's curious manner. Surely someone as accustomed to a tongue as fluid as any number of the Centauri's native languages would have no trouble with English. Surely, it belatedly occurred to G'Kar, the Ambassador would also watch other races, other males, other Narn, when they spoke. G'Kar's accent was slight, unlike Delenn's. G'Kar's speech was formal, unlike Mr Allen's colloquialisms. G'Kar's mouth - and this he checked in the mirror - was careful to enunciate and articulate and generally form words as clearly as a Narn mouth could manage the process. No; there were many more suitable candidates for Mollari to stare at for elucidation, his own mouth partly open as if mouthing the words along.
It was only when it was late – one instant before it would be too late – that G'Kar realised what the quick glances represented. Ah, he thought, bemused. The light dawns slowly, I see.
*
Outside, Centauri Prime is burning.
G'Kar felt no joy at this thought; he drew no succour from the knowledge that it was his own people raining down such vengeance as he had never seen before.
It is the last. He knows this.
"Mollari. Understand that I can never forgive your people for what they did to my world," he said quietly. Londo started slightly, eyes flickering away from G'Kar's steady gaze down to the mouth that slowly, inexorably, forming word after damning word. There is something intrinsically sadistic in this, G'Kar thought, oddly saddened by the thought. Not cruel, not selfish, but sadistic, waiting for the softest part of the flesh to be exposed before delivering the misericorde, as the humans would say.
It is sweet on his tongue, thick and cloying and unyielding, and he wonders – not for the first time – why all their revelations must come like this, with one of them broken and bleeding.
His leg aches from standing.
"My people can never forgive your people," and one moment – two -; stretching out each heartbeat, watching Londo's gaze drop even further; fixed, at last, on the floor.
And with these few words I can strip you, Mollari, he thought.
He cannot hear himself say the next word or the next over the roaring in his ears. It is as if his heart would drown them, water over smooth stone, as simple and ordinary as the truth. Londo's gaze is sliding over him in scattered flicks and glances, unable to stay fixed on G'Kar's eyes or mouth or hands. Much good it would do me if he manages it; then I shall be the one to turn away.
*
Some things are not meant to be said until the last. You do not grant forgiveness on a whim; you do not let spilt blood go unanswered; you do not - you do not - you do not until the last.
*
It is the last now, is it not? G'Kar's heart is pounding in his chest and he cannot focus on the words or on the feeling behind them, merely the fear weighting down his tongue.
It is the last, and it is terrifying.
This is the last time they will see each other before the end. G'Kar knows this because Londo knows it, because Londo has known this before the two ever met. It was as clear in his mind those years ago as it will be when it finally occurs.
Lies, the Khari said, when the Citizens asked about Centauri dreams. It is all lies.
The Centauri are not prescient, merely self-important! They can no more see the future than they can grow wings and fly!
Such pretty lies.
*
His skin is too soft to bear.
One heartbeat – two heartbeats – three heartbeats – Londo's breath comes from him in shuddering little gasps of air, both hands reaching inside G'Kar's collar to brace themselves against flesh. His nails are short and sharp and they scratch gently as those soft hands wander, curving up around G'Kar's neck and stroking the nape, ghosting across the outline of hollows and ridges with inquisitive fingertips. It is a sensitive place to touch a Narn and G'Kar shivers involuntarily, the movement running through his entire body.
His leg aches indomitably, but he can spare it no thought. All his attention is focused on the arm he braces against the polished wood of the closed door; on the hands at his neck; on the curiously sad expression on Londo's face.
They have still not touched lips. Instead, their mouths hover, one against other, and – yes, the Centauri was looking down again, staring at G'Kar's mouth as if it held all the secrets of the universe.
It is part taunt and part mercy for G'Kar to lean in, kissing Londo's lower lip, licking across his mouth in an ungentle kiss.
Open for me.
The hands on his flesh press down, palms open; as smooth as water over stone.
*
fin
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Date: 2005-07-19 10:34 am (UTC)A little rant about your fic :)
Date: 2009-06-16 08:21 pm (UTC)I realize it's been years since you wrote these stories, but I've only just discovered them (in fact, I've only just discovered B5, less than a year ago) and I just wanted to tell you that I am simply blown away by your writing. Really. In fact, this is the kind of fic that makes my own efforts feel so feeble in comparison I want to throw them right out of the window - which feels both scary and wonderful, in a weirdly dual kind of way. :)
And I see you have Trek fics too, and BSG ones, and Carnivale ones, and, and, and...
Um - would you mind very much if I friended you? 'Cause I think I've got a lot of catching up to do... :)
Re: A little rant about your fic :)
Date: 2009-06-19 05:00 pm (UTC)In fact, this is the kind of fic that makes my own efforts feel so feeble in comparison I want to throw them right out of the window - which feels both scary and wonderful, in a weirdly dual kind of way. :)
No, don't do that, post them, the world needs more Londo/G'Kar!!!
Um - would you mind very much if I friended you?
Go right ahead - the more, the merrier!
Re: A little rant about your fic :)
Date: 2009-06-19 10:14 pm (UTC)Oh, I'm with you on that! And I am posting them, albeit slowly and after a great deal of consideration. :) In case you're interested, this one (http://amatara.livejournal.com/1428.html) I'm actually quite happy about, given that it's only my second B5 fic. For now, I only do Londo & G'kar, not Londo/G'Kar, as I'm not sure I'm up to writing slash myself. I've been experimenting with it a little, and finding it very hard - I don't know how you manage it so beautifully, really! Do you have any "golden hints" for aspiring slash writers?
Also, um, if I may be so bold as to ask -
If I ever do get to write a Londo/G'Kar fic... would you consider betaing for me? Or would you beta non-slash Londo & G'Kar? (If for whatever reason your answer to that is "no", not a problem at all, this is just a friendly, no-pressure question!)
Re: A little rant about your fic :)
Date: 2009-06-25 09:51 pm (UTC)Oooh, fic! *trots off to read*
For now, I only do Londo & G'kar, not Londo/G'Kar, as I'm not sure I'm up to writing slash myself.
Aww, come on, Londo & G'Kar is one significant glance away from Londo/G'Kar, you know. *g* I think that only Andraste has been brave enough to write actual tentacles as yet...
I've been experimenting with it a little, and finding it very hard - I don't know how you manage it so beautifully, really! Do you have any "golden hints" for aspiring slash writers?
That's really sweet of you to say, but I'm also just an aspiring slash writer so I don't have much in the way of advice! What I tend to do is riff off of fairy tales when I'm stuck, pick an unlikely one and work in other cultures to get it to play out the way I want. I first wrote Londo and G'Kar for a ficathon and used the Rapunzel story as the basis, because I had this weird image of Londo letting down his hair. Only it would have been silly if he'd just taken it down for no reason, so then we had the Japanese geisha stuff, which is all about hair-care and what this means for status and responsibility etc. It was still really rough around the edges when it was done, but it was head-first and so everything after that came a lot easier.
Also? Ancient Rome. Srsly, best source for story ideas about the Centauri.
If I ever do get to write a Londo/G'Kar fic... would you consider betaing for me? Or would you beta non-slash Londo & G'Kar?
Of course I would!
Re: A little rant about your fic :)
Date: 2009-06-26 08:24 pm (UTC)Ah, I see! So, rule no. 1 in Narn/Centauri writing: if it looks like slash, and feels like slash, but doesn't involve tentacles, it is still no slash? Or am I twisting your meaning here? :p
I wasn't thinking of taking on the tentacle p0rn, really, I'll gladly leave that to Andraste. :) If I could just manage a kiss that doesn't feel corny, I'd be one happy camper already! (Btw: I so regret not having been in the fandom back when you and Andraste and Selena and all the others were writing Londo/G'Kar as if there was no tomorrow! If I could only have been part of that. *sigh*)
Thanks for the writing hints; I'm not sure if they'd work for me, as plot planning is kind of a weak point of mine (in truth: I abhor it), but I'll surely keep them in mind!
Also, I will take you up on that promise to beta; thanks a million for saying yes! I'm actually working on a story right now that I'd very much like you to have a look at... If I manage to finish it, that is, as at the moment it's still in the pure agony stage. You see, for some reason I started to write it in first-person POV, just as an experiment, fully expecting myself to fail. Only then I wrote this one piece I was so proud of, so of course I want to keep that, but writing a fic around it that's entirely first-person... that is just hell. Do you know the feeling? *g*
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