Last Humans: C-Tower

[typhonblue.livejournal.com]

Red Dwarf Fanfic: Last Humans
Chapter 8: C-Tower
Summary: Wherein Rimmer is wasted, Lister is molested and Bob the scutter is behind it all.
Warnings: Language, strong sexual content, slash, Lister/Rimmer, non-con
Beta: Roadstergal (with many thanks)
Chapter Rating: MA(18+)

Rimmer blinked. "Bob?" he squeaked.

Comments

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I didn't get any indication that Lister felt guilty about what he had done. Hence my confusion, perhaps.

Doing something you never thought you would do has a certain forbidden resonance that is arousing, without being revolting.
To everyone? I don't feel that way. Sexuality is a very individual and personal thing; I think it would be wrong to generalize. I just don't see Lister as the sort of person that would see anything as taboo to the point where it'd be alluring, if you see what I mean.

You don't see Lister as viewing himself as straight?
Not nessecarily. I don't really have any strong opinions on this matter; I'd buy any sexual identity you would care to give him. Personally, I don't think the term "straight" will be used by the time Lister is born, but I don't expect other people to cater to that view. :)

What disturbed me was the fact that Lister seemed to be enjoying a sexual act I saw as non-con. I was also disturbed by the fact that the encounter happened in the first place, but I realize that it was written to be that way.

Lister acts, on occasion, with mind-boggling callousness.
Again, I can only say that I strongly disagree. If there is any chacter anywhere that is the exact opposite of callous, I'd say it was Lister.

[typhonblue.livejournal.com]

I used the warning "non-con" because I knew it could be interpreted that way. I don't, personally, see it as non-con. But others could. If it really *was* non-con, Lister is pretty damn tough and could put up a far better fight then that. It was sex he'd prefer not to have, but sex he did out of a sense of guilt. (If you remember Los' story, I see it sort of like that. Vorador would rather _not_ have allowed Janos to penetrate him. But he allowed it for Janos.)

I agree that in most futuristic universes "straight" is a term that would be an anachronism. But Lister *does* use it to describe himself, so it must still have meaning in the universe he exists within. And, yes I see what you mean.

Finally, what do you call the scene in Terrorform if not callous? Rimmer hadn't done anything particularly nasty to anyone at that point aside from his usual craven cowardice.

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

How about 'being honest'? If he really didn't like Rimmer, would it be better to pretend that he did?

[typhonblue.livejournal.com]

I think, in that instance, after pretending to like Rimmer to save his skin... it might be the considerate thing to do.

Particularly after having a rather graphic illustration of how much his friendship means to Rimmer.

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

And have Rimmer be even more hurt when he figures out the truth? I feel the slight in Terroform was the fact that they had to lie to Rimmer in the first place (and what a sad thing that was - to have to lie to someone in order to tell them you care about them), not that they were honest afterwards. It was inevitable, but it that's where the nasty lay, IMO.

[typhonblue.livejournal.com]

He seemed pretty jovial about the whole thing though. :( I think that's what got me. The big grin as he dashes Rimmer's hopes.

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

As did all the others. The humor lies in the fact that it really is that unthinkable that they could love Rimmer (or so Lister thinks at the time, presumably). Which is terribly, terribly sad. You described it as laddishness, which I can get behind. Who's to say what he really thinks though? (Lister, that is.) I feel it's open to interpretation.

Action shot (http://www.saers.com/~kat/Terrorform/TF43.jpg).

[roadstergal.livejournal.com]

The more I look at Terrorform, the more I think - eh, it's not as straightforward as it looks. Lister says to Rimmer, in that scene, "I really care about you," and "I really, really love you." Then, at the end, Rimmer says, "I mean, you didn't really feel that deep down I'm an OK sort of bloke; I'm not such a bad old stick once you get to know me." That's what Lister says "No" to. And I don't see a contradiction. I think he does care about and love Rimmer - but he still thinks that Rimmer isn't an OK sort of bloke deep down or not such a bad old stick. He's a smeghead and a git, and Lister nonetheless cares about him.

The audience laughs, but looking at that - Lister isn't giggling or laughing or relishing the moment, IMO. He delivers that line in a really straight manner.