Fic: Return

[indri]

Return by Indri

Fred goes home. Set after Not Fade Away.

Completed August 2007. 2300 words. Rated PG.

For Shapinglight, because she worries about the Burkles.
Thanks to Caille, Barb C, Malkin Grey and Peasant for moral support.
Thanks also to my betas: azdak, Reverence Pavane and Deepa D.

Comments

[malkingrey.livejournal.com]

This is lovely.

And yeah, it's like that sometimes when they go away and then come back, even when they're not transformed into fallen God-Kings of the Imperium.

[ex_peasant441]

That is just beautiful.

It should have been bleak but it is very uplifting, and I am so glad that Fred gave something to Ilyria that she had not had before. Though of course she always gave the fact that people loved her.

[azdak.livejournal.com]

You know how I love this story, but I have to tell you how much I adore the line She looks like the kind of nightmare you had when she first said she wanted to go to California for grad school. Hilarious!

[makd.livejournal.com]

I love this story. Last night, I posted a collection of Fred and Illyria-centric fics at GreatestJournal. Gonna add this one to it.

thanks!!

[debxena.livejournal.com]

Wow. Just ... wow. That was really, really great.

[rainkatt.livejournal.com]

I love this!! I thought it would be depressing, sad, or bitter, but it's sweet and hopeful and quite gorgeous.

[shapinglight]

That was pretty heartbreaking and I'm not really sure I'm terribly much reassured about the Burkles, except that it's certain Illyria won't let anything happen to them physically.

Simply and beautifully written, like all your fics. Somehow the emotion is all in the undertones and the things only half-said or not at all. You really are one of the best writers in the fandom and we're lucky to have you.

[azdak.livejournal.com]

I'm not really sure I'm terribly much reassured about the Burkles, except that it's certain Illyria won't let anything happen to them physically.

But what about the fact that they recognise Fred-in-Illyria, and have the courage to continue to love and help her, even though she's changed in so many ways? And they help to make her even more Fred, with their acceptance of her, and the memories they prompt, and the way they introduce her to physics. I don't think they're fooling themselves when they watch Illyria bent over her text books, brown hair swinging, and see their daughter - Fred is still there, even though she's also Illyria, and I find the way the Burkles come to terms with that tremendously moving and also uplifting.

[shapinglight]

Well, I'm sorry. I see it differently - and does it honestly matter? The writing is subtle enough to lend itself to several different interpretations.

[azdak.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh, I didn't mean this to come across as "You're wrong, this is what's REALLY happening!"

[shapinglight]

Well, you were a little vehement - understandable since you beta'ed the story. No harm done.