Head Canons And Lister's Sexuality

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

We all have them, but some are more deeply entrenched than others.  The recent plethora of BDSM fic (thank you, Kronette and Felineranger) made me realise that I have problems imagining Lister as a natural, dyed in the wool submissive, which *spoiler* is a major aspect of "Lessons In Heroics", even though it's an alternate version of him.

(Kronette, this is not a criticism of your fic in any way.  You can write whatever the hell you like and I'm finding the story riveting regardless.) :)

Those who are following this story will know that, on the list of disquieting aspects, an alternate version of Lister being an enthusiastic sub is so far down it shouldn't even register, but somehow it does for me.  I think it's because his usual character is so anti rules and regulations that it's hard to imagine BDSM being a fundamental part of his sexuality.  Which isn't to say I can't see him enjoying it (as in "FSOS") but enjoying and needing are different.

I apologise in advance if my ramblings offend anyone.  I don't mean to imply that there's anything wrong with being a natural sub or Dom, just that it's not how I interpret his character.  I can imagine either of Rimmer though.

Does anyone else have head canons which you thought were casual until you read a fic which contradicted them?

Comments

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Your first paragraph is precisely what I meant to say but didn't quite know enough about D/s to have the right words. Lister does indeed strike me as a switch, happy to experiment and please a partner but not rigid in his sexual preferences. I love that fic of yours, btw. :)

Ah, "Duct Soup". On the one hand it gave us Lister in those longjohns; on the other it fucked with a lot of people's interpretation of his character. (Not just slashers; I've read comments on TOS about how OOC some posters find it.)

The good news is we can write fics to get around it, I suppose. "Nurturing" is a good word to describe him and one of the reasons why m-preg rather suits him. ;)

[lordvalerymimes.livejournal.com]

Nurturing is a perfect word for Lister. I've yet to write any fics about Lister's pregnancy, but I vow to one day.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Kms_726 has written a lot of fic about Lister being a parent to Jim and Bexley as she loves the idea of it. She's on hiatus for several more months but when she returns I shall recommend "50 More Shades Of Smeg" to her. ;)

[lordvalerymimes.livejournal.com]

Is her stuff on AO3? I don't know that I've read any of it, I'm not recognizing the username.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

That'll be because she's been more into "Supernatural" lately and by the looks of it hasn't got around to uploading her RD fics there, apart from this one. Officially it's gen, but it does involve Rimmer and Lister being forced to share a grotty hotel room. It's funny. :) http://archiveofourown.org/works/162879

And here's one of her Jim and Bexley fics. You can find more on the RD Fanfic comm which is for gen and het: http://reddwarffanfic.livejournal.com/24463.html

[lordvalerymimes.livejournal.com]

Just started reading Planet Leave, thanks for recommending it. It's very funny! :)

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Glad to be of service. :)