reddwarfslash | Not The Same (G)

A mere dribble of a fic, was originally part of a conversation that led to "Call Me Lister" but then was discarded...now reanimated into a semblance of life with a very different conclusion. Maybe part of a multiple dimension theory of fanfiction -- where they split off at a certain point, one going one way, the other in a totally different direction. But i digress. (*cough*NERD*cough*) ;)

Not The Same
Pairing: Lister/Ace, Lister/Rimmer
Rating: G
Wordcount: 409
Synopsis: An almost human side to Ace. Angst is prevalent.

“Ah…but seriously, Davey-boy, all joking aside…I find it hard to believe that it’s an improvement.”

“It is, I swear. You didn’t know him a few years ago! Or a few million years ago, at that. Now he’s almost bearable.”

“You’re telling me he used to be even more of a vile swill-puddle?”

“Come off it, Ace. You don’t have to give him such a hard time. After all, you’re doin’ better than him. You know it. He knows it. Smeg, everyone knows it. You don’t have to rub it in.”

There was a short pause.

“Sorry ‘bout that, Skipper. Guess I’m only human after all. I’ll ‘fess up, I suppose. It’s only right, so as you don’t get the wrong idea. I admit, I’m jealous.”

A disbelieving noise from Lister.

“You must be jokin’! Jealous of him? A cowardly hologramatic version of yourself? You must be mad, Ace. Why?”

“He has you, Dave. You’re loyal, and defend him at every turn. And I see the way you look at him. No, Skipper, don’t try to deny it. You’d have to be a blind man not to see it. Of course, unlucky for you, that poor smegger can’t see an inch past his own neuroses.”

There was a longer pause.

“You’re jealous of somethin’ that is never gonna happen. Like you said, he’s blind to it.”

“It was the same for me, y’know. Spanners had Krissie. He never saw… well, I hardly think it matters anymore. Suffice it to say I can relate, old chap.”

Lister reached out to cover Ace’s hand with his own. Ace smiled sadly and gave a small, pained sigh.

“Maybe you’ll find a dimension where you can make it work with a version of your guy, eh?”

Ace let out an amused huff and pulled his hand back out of reach.

“There’s always a chance, Davey boy. Always.” His optimistic words were incongruent with their delivery. “But it just won’t be the same.” Ace headed out the nearest door, toward the cockpit.

Lister wondered a few moments, thinking about Ace’s statement. Then he suddenly realized what a smeghead he’d been to say such a thing. Because Lister *was* that other Spanners, and on some level he knew, if they wanted to, the two of them could make it work. He could be with Ace. Probably even be happy with him. But no, that hadn’t crossed his mind. Ace was right. It just wasn’t the same.