InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Yes, my child?"

atdelphi (atdelphi) wrote in hp_beholder,
@ 2013-04-25 06:22:00

Entry tags:

beholder 2013, dudley dursley, dudley dursley/firenze, dudley dursley/oc, fic, firenze, rating:r, slash

FIC: "Love Is a Battlefield" for miss_morland
Recipient: Miss_Morland
Author/Artist: ???
Title: "Love Is a Battlefield"
Rating: R
Pairings: Dudley/OC, Dudley/Firenze
Word Count: 11,575
Warnings/Content Information (Highlight to View): *[Violence, character death, angst, fluff, drunkeness, some male bs]*.
Summary: Dudley Dursley is not a common man, he has his preferences and his principles, and he lives by the rules, always. The rules, however, are his own.
Author's/Artist's Notes: Dear Miss_Morland, I much doubt that this is what you had in mind, however, I do hope you enjoy at least some bits of it.

Many thanks to T for the dedicated beta and Britpick. If it's still wrong, it's all mine.

Love Is a Battlefield

(Don't forget to return to this page to leave feedback for the author!)

(Post a new comment)

	lookfar 2013-04-26 11:34 am UTC (link)
	Now this is a pairing I never imagined! How incredible! The whole time I was reading, I marveled at how you had brought them together. And the idea of Dudley coming to reside mainly in the magical world - that was great. Good job. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 03:56 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! I had a little trouble believing the pairing myself, but it wouldn't go away. Thank you for taking a chance on it, L (Reply to this) (Parent)

	dandru 2013-04-26 04:59 pm UTC (link)
	This was completely unanticipated but you made the pairing plausible. That Dudley would derive lust from punishing physical exertion much as the Centaurs do makes a lot of sense, and that it isn't a romantic bond but one of warriors between Dudley and Firenze fits as well. Harry's drunken Patronus message was priceless. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 03:57 pm UTC (link)
	Many thanks, I'm glad you found it plausible, I had my doubts now and again. L (Reply to this) (Parent)

therealsnape
2013-04-26 05:32 pm UTC (link)

This story is one of the reasons why Beholder is such a great fest. A pairing that had me staring at the screen, and then you manage to pull it off in a very believable story.

What they had was not love in the usual sense. They both knew the limitations of their relationship. But they were both strong, both passionate, both beings who appreciated strength, and striving, and perseverance.
A great description of why this relationship works, and how it works. Not conventional, but meaningful and powerful, nonetheless.

As usual, you do a great job in creating believable characters.

apart from that diet and the random tantrum, of course. That’s exactly how Dudley would see himself – a great job of showing an annoying character, who is not annoying in his own eyes.

And this line: For all of his many faults, Vernon Dursley had loved his son and was fiercely proud of him.
You do a great job in seeing the good traits in someone, without prettifying the character.

Dudley's revenge on George was perfectly justified, and Harry's drunken Patronus was a hoot. As was the party that caused it. Every species has their delusions, indeed.

A marvellous tour-de-force.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 03:59 pm UTC (link)
	I appreciate your nerve in carrying on with it, I'm not sure I would have had I come on this cold. So glad it worked for you! L (Reply to this) (Parent)

miss_morland
2013-04-26 06:35 pm UTC (link)

Oh, mystery author, this is delightful! I'd never in a million years thought about this pairing, but I love what you've done with it. Your descriptions of the fights were great -- I find action scenes incredibly hard to write, and I admire people who can do it -- and the centaur party was just about the best thing ever. <3

Other things I love:

- He had tried to impress this on his father, but it seemed that every bit of fat he lost found a new home with Vernon. *snorts*
- bisexual!Dudley who gets off on strength (and you know he'd totally find it hot to have a partner who could pin him down)
- Dudley and Harry being friends and Dudley being included in Harry's family!
- "Dud beat the shite out of a centaur, and we're too drunk to Apparate home. Firenze agrees that you have great tits." Ahahaha, oh, Harry

Thank you so much, again! I so enjoyed this. :-)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:03 pm UTC (link)
	Glad you liked it, I always thought that Dudley and Harry would get on if left to their own devices. I thought they were headed that way in canon. I am still a bit puzzled as to how your prompt led me to this, but that's not exactly a new feeling for me, especially with your prompts ;) L (Reply to this) (Parent)

	snegurochka_lee 2013-04-26 07:12 pm UTC (link)
	That was fascinating! What a great pairing idea. :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:03 pm UTC (link)
	My thanks, glad you enjoyed it! L (Reply to this) (Parent)

wwmrsweasleydo
2013-04-27 10:41 pm UTC (link)

What an amazing story!

I laughed out loud at this line: "Damn, I'm horny," thought Dudley.

As much as I love both Dudley and Firenze, I have to admit that I was sceptical when I saw the pairing. I was intrigued to see how you could make it work.

You made it work brilliantly! I'm totally convinced. This is my new canon. I love the way Dudley changed Bane's prejudices, and how Petunia confronted her own. I'm so glad that you took the story forward to Firenze and Dudley's old ages, and it was just wonderful to see them still together.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:06 pm UTC (link)
	Many thanks! The pairing gave me pause as well, and some bits of it were harder to write than others. After a while they just seemed to me to fit fairly well. L (Reply to this) (Parent)

tetleythesecond
2013-04-28 09:13 am UTC (link)

Fantastic. You did it. A human/centaur story that is absolutely believable, round, affectionate and hot, and includes not only the relationship but also the people around them -- not an easy feat, I'd imagine. And a great read.

I love so many things about this. Dudley the bisexual one-centaur man. Adelaide. The whole "physicality" bit, how sex and fighting go together for Dudley, and that it's that aspect of physicality, rather than a person's gender, that makes someone sexually attractive for Dudley. And, last but not least, your portrayal of Petunia and the closure you give her. Her relating to Lily put a tear in my eye.

Excellent, excellent story!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:08 pm UTC (link)
	It was interesting to write, in the end I just had to see how it wound up. Thanks for your kind words, I'm thrilled that it worked for you! L (Reply to this) (Parent)

kelly_chambliss
2013-04-28 06:18 pm UTC (link)

Merlin's codpiece, but I enjoyed this. The boxing connections makes excellent sense for Dudley and the centaurs (whom you've characterized very well). Like all good Beholder stories, this one takes an initially unlikely pairing and renders it not only believable, but almost inevitable. I liked the banter and relationship between Harry and Dudley, too (that moment of Big D flipping off Harry for the "Diddikins" is a wonderful way to show their ease and comfort with each other; shows how far they have come). The boxing lore is interesting fun as well. Thanks!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:19 pm UTC (link)
	"an initially unlikely pairing" Delicately put, :) I'm glad you bought into it, I had my doubts as to whether or not anyone would. Shoot, I had my doubts as to whether anyone would actually read it. Thank you! L (Reply to this) (Parent)

	alisanne 2013-04-29 03:54 am UTC (link)
	Wow! Fabulous pairing and, amazingly, you made it work. I love your Dudley and the way he conducted his life, managing to gain respect from the centaur herd and finding his way in the magical world once he found what (and who) he wanted. Great job! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:20 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks! I'm thrilled that it worked for you, L (Reply to this) (Parent)

smallbrownfrog
2013-04-30 06:03 am UTC (link)

Your story crept up on me gradually without my noticing it. So when I got to the challenge between Bane and Dudley, I was genuinely worried, and I realized that I cared about these people (err, beings?) enough to be afraid for them.

I also laughed in a number of places. Having the patonus take on the drunkenness of its caster was a really creative touch. And drunken Harry, oh my. He's lucky Ginny thought it was funny.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:23 pm UTC (link)
	Yes, Harry was lucky there. It kind of crept up on me too, I'm happy that you cared for the characters, that's so nice to hear. Thank you, L (Reply to this) (Parent)

psyfic
2013-04-30 04:31 pm UTC (link)

I love stories that extrapolate on given canon. The art of boxing truly made a man of Dudley and a very good man he has become - which is lovely to see. You make the logical leap of extending Dudley's physicality to his view of life & love and his self-assurance and self-awareness. His dedication to his tasks and his affection for Harry and his family (untarnished by the past) is equally great to see. He learned from his parents' mistakes and missteps.

So much to love here about centaur culture, including their arrogance. You display that well - centaurs have it, wizards have it and even Muggles and each has come by it naturally.

It was lovely to see the centaurs through Dudley's eyes and to find he comported himself better than Harry had ever dreamed. It was interesting how Harry and his kin underestimate Dudley, yet the centaurs took their measure of his character very quickly and then had their hats handed to them at their initially condescending measure of his mettle. That was especially well done. Boxing is an art and Dudley is a master not to be trifled and it's nice to see wizards as well as centaurs impressed by a Muggle discipline.

Dudley's casual acceptance of his sexual proclivities was nice to see, no hang ups or evasions - rather like the centaurs, really. The UST between him and Firenze was quite nice as was the eventual RST. I admit a bit of disappointment in that I misread the warnings and had thought there were male *bj's* in it and had been curious about/interested in your take on that, but on re-reading realised my error. Ah, well!

What was there was lovely and it was especially nice to see they were still enjoying each other's company later in life. Petunia was icing on a very nice cake. I loved her reunion with Harry and their resolving the past and making way to a more fulfilling future. I think she missed kids and might have wanted more of her own if it hadn't been for Harry (an interesting thought in and of itself). Her making room in her life (and heart) for Harry's kids as doting Great Auntie was a sweet touch. It was nice to think she died amongst those she loved and it was very nice to think Dudley was not alone to deal with his grief. Forgiveness clearly has a powerful magic all its own. Well done!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:28 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! Sorry about the bj disappointment, but the physical aspects of the relationship proved a bit awkward for me to write. Petunia just showed up, and I liked to think that being on her own would have given her a new perspective on things. So glad you liked it, L (Reply to this) (Parent)

squibstress
2013-05-03 11:27 pm UTC (link)

This is just gorgeous.

The boxing device is brilliant--one of those things that makes me seethe with envy thinking, "You blockhead! Why didn't you ever think of it!"

You totally made me believe, Mystery Author, that Dudley turned out to be a good guy and that he and Firenze made an beautiful good couple.And all astonishingly in-character.

You made me want to watch boxing, too, you bad thing, you!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:37 pm UTC (link)
	My thanks for your kind words, I admit that I thought the boxing made a decent starting point, and it's good to hear that you did too. That seemed to be the thing that Dudley excelled at, and I figured he would carry on with it. I can't remember the last time I saw boxing, most of it seems to be pay-per-view now. Thanks again, I'm happy the thing worked for you, L (Reply to this) (Parent)

dueltastic.dreamwidth.org
2013-05-04 04:07 pm UTC (link)

Dear Author, you have done what Beholder does best: selected a bold approach to a boldly unexpected pairing. And I salute you, because this is an achievement. :) Great story, and I particularly enjoy the exploration of centaur culture, the structure of it and the social moments and the relation to our own, rather than the centaurs simply being a slightly odd combination of "Forbidden Forest demi-monster" and "noble sage", as suits narrative.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:39 pm UTC (link)
	My thanks, I much appreciate your words on the story, L (Reply to this) (Parent)

songquake
2013-05-16 02:24 pm UTC (link)

That last scene! It made me smile so much.

I love the way you voiced Firenze--he sounded so IC, yet his speech was fluid, which I think is hard sometimes to pull off.

And fighting (boxing or centaur-style) as a precursor to sex is really right-on. I think Dudley's such a physical character, and the fighting-as-foreplay makes perfect sense. I love the attention you gave to the details of boxing/fighting/training.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 04:43 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you, I'm glad the training and such didn't bore you, and that you felt I got Firenze's dialogue okay. It would have been easy to overdo that. I'm also thrilled that you liked the ending,I feared that it might have been a bit fluffy for the two of them. Thanks again, L (Reply to this) (Parent)

albalark
2013-05-25 07:43 pm UTC (link)

Every species has their delusions.

Yes, but I'll trust you won't think I'm deluded when I tell you that I think this is bloody brilliant. This is a paring that I never thought in a million years ANYBODY could make work, and I guess I should have known not to underestimate you, "Mystery Author". *g*

If I quoted back everything about this story that I loved, I'd simply be repeating it back to you, and I fear that I won't have time to do that before the reveals get posted, so I'll try to be brief, for once in my life.

First - I LOVE what you did with Dudley. He's grown up into a shockingly sensible and self-aware man. It's wonderful that he made his peace with Harry and has become a part of Harry's family - so much so that he ends up going to Hogwarts, of all places, out of love for his cousin's son.

And speaking of Harry, he's brilliantly in character, and drunken Harry after the bout made me grin uncontrollably. I love your sweet ans sensible Ginny, too, who seems to have grown up into what was best about her mum, without the drama.

Firenze is lovely, and you made me feel the attraction between he and Dudley without it being over the top, and I liked the slow build-up. The passion between them was hot and real and beautifully done.

Your Petunia is a marvel - how wonderful for her that she finally grew up, and not only released her son from dancing attendance for the rest of his life, but opened her heart at last to the nephew she so mistreated and apologized sincerely for what she had done. Whatever happened on the cruise was a positive miracle, no lie.

That Harry would be sweet and generous enough to forgive her was not in doubt, but if I had been in Ginny's shoes, I'm not so sure I'd have been so quick to forgive. I'm glad she's better than me. :-) The scene with the butterfly pin made me cry. It's sad that Lily, who ended up loving her so, was the one who found her when Petunia died, but how wonderful that Petunia was able to come to grips long enough that they got to enjoy each other for a decade before the end.

And speaking of ends - you left us with one so satisfying I wanted a cig - and I don't even smoke! You made me laugh, gasp, sit at the edge of my chair, cry and applaud. All in all, a perfect story.

I bow.

L.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-26 05:01 pm UTC (link)
	I'm going to get the ~~blame~~ credit for every really unlikely pairing from now on, aren't I? I have to admit that would be fair. Thank you for your kind words, I'm really glad that you liked it. Ginny had shrewish relations of her own, she was used to it. I hope this makes up in part for "Percy". L (Reply to this) (Parent)

magnetic_pole
2013-05-29 10:16 pm UTC (link)

Delightful! Like others above, I really enjoyed watching myself be won over to this pairing, which is so plausible in the way it sets up Dudley and Firenze as similarly strong and cocky and honor-bound. In the best Beholder tradition, I nodded my way all the way along, because of *course* the pairing makes sense.

I said something to TRS last week about how important it was for me to see non-human entities in this fest, and how I wished we saw more. I suspect many of us empathize with characters who aren't conventionally attractive, and we're seeing some representation of ourselves here, but the non-human characters have this squick factor that makes us *stretch* morally and emotionally. They stand for all those things we dismiss as too different to merit love, until we discover otherwise. Enjoyed! M.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	lash_larue 2013-05-30 10:41 pm UTC (link)
	My thanks, I appreciate your taking a chance on it. We're all more alike than we are different, regardless of what we look like. "If you prick me, do I not say 'get that thing away from me?' " L (Reply to this) (Parent)