Fic: Perspective - R/L - PG

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

Title: Perspective
Pairing: Rimmer/Lister
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This is not my universe; I just borrow it and the characters within. I make no money from this.
Spoilers: Legion
Notes: Written for smaych, who wanted to know how Lister felt about Rimmer and why, and the fanfic100 challenge - my table is here. As always, please bring me concrit!




"That! That right there!"

Rimmer turned towards Lister, one eyebrow moving immaculate-left-parting-wards. "What?"

Groaning, Lister shook his head at what had been, until mere seconds ago, one of the most beautiful sunrises he had ever seen in his life. The sky had turned every shade between pink and gold, with some purple and maroon thrown in for good measure. The sun itself was just about peeking over the horizon, sending tendrils of shimmering amber through the symphony of colors. It was heartbreakingly beautiful, or at least it had been until Rimmer had opened his skinny, pale mouth. "What you said, just now! You wonder why I think yer such a smeghead? Why I can't stand yer goited guts? That's it, right there."

Seeming astonished, Rimmer took a step back. "What I said right now?"

"Yeah!" Lister crossed his arms, taking a step forwards to compensate. The bastard wasn't running away from this. "I said it was a beautiful sunset, and you said..."

"I said it was no wonder, considering the amount of pollution the GELF factories pump into the atmosphere every five minutes. There's a reason Kryten won't let you off the ship here, you know; your EVA suit would dissolve the second you were out of the airlock."

For a moment, they stared at one another, Rimmer baffled, Lister fuming, until Lister exploded into gesticulating frustration. "And you really don't get what the problem with that is, do ya?"

Rimmer's brow furrowed further. "It's the truth, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's the truth, but it's a smegging depressing truth!"

"So?"

Despairing, Lister clutched at his braids, stalking away from the window. He could hear Rimmer following, the still unfamiliar sound of his hard-light boots hitting the deck giving some indication as to the change in his mood. "So, the problem is, Rimmer, yer too hung up on seeing the depressing, horrible side of things that ye can't see the good in them!"

"What's good about an atmosphere so polluted the only thing that can survive there are GELFs with asbestos skins?"

In the middle of the corridor, Lister stopped abruptly, making Rimmer bump into him from behind hard enough to make them both bounce against one another a couple of times as they sorted themselves out to stand face to angry face. "Nothing! That's not the point!"

"Well, what is the point then, lager-breath?" Rimmer's sizable nostrils quivered, as if he were attempting to shut them. Lister watched the display, and the man making it, and smiled, wearily.

"Listen. I know colors like that aren't natural. Just like I know I'm not gonna live forever, and that we'll have a hell of a time finding Earth, assuming it's still there, and that we might have lost Red Dwarf forever. But Rimmer, man..." He bit his lip, looking up. "Pointing it out doesn't help. It just makes for depressing thinking, yeah? And that's what you do; that's what ya do all the time. Whenever I've found a way to enjoy something, of making life just an inch more bearable, along you come and drag it down into the pit of goiting despair!" He caught himself, breathing hard, staring into the sudden closeness of Rimmer's face.

"So then..." Rimmer swallowed, blinking rapidly. "Why..." he moved his hand between them in a gesture Lister felt more than saw. His lips quivered, and so Lister caught them in a brief kiss.

"Why this?"

Rimmer nodded, breathlessly, and just like that, Lister felt his smile returning.

"Because you think like that, and yer still alive. You keep yerself going with all of that in yer head, constantly, without throwing yerself out of the nearest airlock, screaming."

"I'm not..." Rimmer began to protest, but Lister kissed him again.

"Yeah," he breathed, pulling Rimmer closer. "Exactly."

Comments

[smaych.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, I love it to bits! The beginning bit is a conversation I've had so many times ("what you JUST said!"), it fits so well.

And it's lovely that Lister has this insight into Rimmer, that he's got all these neuroses and still manages to carry on. I always say that cowards are the bravest because they have to live with being frightened all the time, I think it's a similar thing.

The ending is so perfect, takes my breath away.

I was literally just about to post something myself, crazy! I'll do it tomorrow :)

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not an insight I think he has most of the time, but I think he gets there by series VI/VII or thereabouts. The thing is, it's just such a staggering leap from his own outlook, and even when he knows how it is, it still boggles his mind. He's attracted to Rimmer's difference in a way, as I see it. It fascinates him.

I'm very glad you like it, and I look forward to seeing what you were going to post! :)

[smaych.livejournal.com]

Nothing as good as yours!

I totally get the difference thing, I think the same is true for Rimmer.

Yay!

[dragonsquill.livejournal.com]

I too very much enjoyed this, and for basically the same reasons already mentioned. Rimmer and Lister do thrive on conflict, but it's also their differences that eventually keep them sane and together. And I agree with Lister (and this being late enough in the series for him to have the maturity to realize it), being a yellow-bellied coward but still sticking around and, generally at least, doing what needs to done, is a lot braver than being a natural, outgoing leader.

Apparently, I'm trying for a "world's longest sentence" contest! Anyway, bravo!

Re: Yay!

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

Yes, they do thrive on their differences, much as they would hate to admit it. I'm not sure Lister sees it as brave, or even admirable, though. He's just amazed and a little impressed by it; it's the sheer volume of difference that attracts him.

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed! :D

[musicisavictim.livejournal.com]

I love how Rimmer seems so sheepish about their relationship that he has to use hand signals. I want to draw bunnies after reading this!

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

That was one of the images I had clear in my mind before I started to write this - Rimmer going "so why..." and gesticulating vaguely. And Lister kissing him, because really; to Lister the kiss is the actual explanation. But he gets that Rimmer needs words.

Thank you for the lovely feedback (bunnies! :D) - I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[erinptah]

"Because you think like that, and yer still alive. You keep yerself going with all of that in yer head, constantly, without throwing yerself out of the nearest airlock, screaming."

Oh. Oh. You have just hit on the reason my heart goes out to Rimmer. Absolutely wonderful.

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

It scares Lister to even contemplate, and he doesn't get it, but it's somehow part of his attraction to Rimmer. Not that he usually reflects on these things. :)

Thank you!

[roadstergal.livejournal.com]

Perfect. I'm so totally with Rimmer on this, you know. I see a beautiful sunrise and think, ja, there's the Bay Area pollution...

Rimmer turned towards Lister, one eyebrow moving immaculate-left-parting-wards.

Love.

Beautiful sunset description!

In the middle of the corridor, Lister stopped abruptly, making Rimmer bump into him from behind hard enough to make them both bounce against one another a couple of times as they sorted themselves out to stand face to angry face.

Love.

along you come and drag it down into the pit of goiting despair!"

Don't even think about trying to escape...

The end - very sweet without being sappy.

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

How did I not comment on this? I'm sorry - a belated thank you for the lovely feedback!

[queen-fiend.livejournal.com]

Lovely. I didn't see the kiss coming; it was a nice surprise. I feel all fluffy and happy now. And Rimmer gesturing...perfect!

one eyebrow moving immaculate-left-parting-wards. Hehe. :D