[fic] strawberries; lost; alex/richard; pg13

[krickets]

strawberries, pg13
lost; alex/richard; 553
au; for bittersweet325 who requested richard and the modern world

Richard is surprised at how quickly Alex adapts to life in this new world, their new home. She fiddles with her phone, a strand of hair stuck at the corner of her mouth.

"Ha," she lets out a laugh. She's got something figured, a new piece of data that means nothing, except perhaps this momentary satisfaction.

Richard looks up from his book, studies the movement of her ankle, her bare heel propped up on the coffee table, her toes practically curling in excitement. Each day she teaches herself things that Richard has no desire to ever learn, things that will someday, for him, become obsolete.

It's the blessing of a young mind, he knows. Alex would be just as happy in a canvas tent, or under the stars, as he would be -- with the simple comfort of a metal cup filled with rain water, a soft place to lay her head, the sun on her shoulders, her feet bare. But unlike Richard, Alex doesn't have a hundred years of knowledge, guilt, pain, and bitterness to fill her memories. She doesn't have a fraction of it. She hasn't seen the world change, technologies come and go, and societies fall. And that, he knows, is where they are different.

Is there a limit to what the human mind can comprehend? Is there an end to what you can learn? What is the state of a mind stuffed full? Richard fears he will never learn these answers. That the things he knows, the things he feels, will never reach their limit.

Even now, each night he learns a new sound she can make, his hand at her waist, his thumb ghosting over her breast, his teeth at her shoulder. Alex squeezes him between her thighs, lets out the strangled cry of his name. Richard closes his eyes tight, files the sound away in his mind, and remembers his rhythm so he can someday get her to make it again.

Later, Alex rests, curled beside him.

"What's it like to live forever?" she asks him.

Richard pauses a moment. "Lonely," he tells her. "It's lonely, Alex."

"That's not what you used to say," she says, no longer shy about eavesdropping on conversations she had no place listening to as a young child. "You used to tell Ben it felt powerful. That it was a gift."

"Not anymore," he says. "It's no gift."

"What changed?" she asks, sliding up to look him in the eye.

Richard only kisses her, his hand sliding up her naked back, doesn't utter the unspoken: you.

-

Despite her zest for this new life, at the end of the day, Alex is still a loner, like him. They don't make friends. They don't make small talk. Some days they barely even talk to each other. They shop for groceries and go their separate ways: her down one aisle, him down another.

A while later, Richard feels a vibration in his pocket, pulls out his phone.

"Strawberries?"

A message from Alex.

He smiles, resists the urge to leave the bread aisle, find her, and tell her the answer in person. He promised he'd learn. For her.

It's not as though she has anyone else to send messages to after all.

He flips open his phone, presses the buttons one at a time.

"Lots."

-fin

Comments

[gigglemonster.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful KC! I love the idea that despite the fact they are so similar, there's still that really significant divide between them in that he knows what forever is like and she can't possibly understand it. This section was especially beautiful

That the things he knows, the things he feels, will never reach their limit.

Oh Richard. And the ending! So sweet :)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Writing these two comes with so much built in angst because of that reason, and because of the fact that he will continue to live, long after she is gone. Oh, ouch. I'm making myself sad over here, haha.

Thank you!

[weatheredlaw.livejournal.com]

Really wonderful.

Even now, each night he learns a new sound she can make, his hand at her waist, his thumb ghosting over her breast, his teeth at her shoulder. Alex squeezes him between her thighs, lets out the strangled cry of his name. Richard closes his eyes tight, files the sound away in his mind, and remembers his rhythm so he can someday get her to make it again.

This is such wonderful imagery right here. I love the cataloging of her voice. It's such a sweet and powerful part of a relationship. Beautiful job, as usual.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you so much, hon. ♥

[colourmayfade.livejournal.com]

Aww. I'm not sure what launched Richard/Alex into cult ship status but I enjoy it so much! I could actually see them working. As you pointed out, Alex's youth allows her an excitement that Richard doesn't have, and in that way, they would balance each other out. This is so unexpectedly sweet, I'd love to see their adventures, even if their adventures are just figuring out how to use an iPhone (a real challenge, srsly). This is a wonderful ficlet and you packed so much of a relationship in it. I completely believe this could've happened.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for reading and for your lovely feedback. Much appreciated.

As to how it became a thing? Framing? Haha.
Check the screencap from bittersweet's icon below: http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/97896662/4423520

I mean look. How can you not? Haha.

[bittersweet325.livejournal.com]

This was absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much. I love the angst that comes along with this pairing. But it was also a really sweet take on their potential relationship. Thanks again for writing it!!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I'm so pleased this worked for you. I was really stoked when you asked for Richard and even more glad you are a fan of Alex/Richard as they're definitely one of my favorite pairings. And it was very fun finding a way to work in your prompt. Thanks so much!

[bittersweet325.livejournal.com]

They are my OTP so I was thrilled! Thanks again.

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Oh man, this is gorgeous. Richard absolutely breaks my heart here, how he knows he'll lose her one day, but he'll keep going on makes me so achy. And then the texting. GUH. Wonderful fic.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

♥ Thank you, sweetie. Poor, Richard. It must be so sad for him.

[hitlikehammers.livejournal.com]

This is gorgeous -- there's something really subtle and beautiful about how you've painted these characters here, and the way they coexist and cope and love.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. Very flattering.

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful ficlet. I love Alex/Richard and the way you address their relationship. Bittersweet, but lovely. Starcrossed lovers for the ages.

He smiles, resists the urge to leave the bread aisle, find her, and tell her the answer in person. He promised he'd learn. For her.
It's not as though she has anyone else to send messages to after all.

Such a sweet scene.

Have I been under a rock? (Well, yes I have, but seriously...) I miss reading your fic!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, well I like it when you come to play, wherever you've been! Thank you so much for the lovely feedback! I'm really pleased to know it was worth emerging! ♥!

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

This is so creative and beautifully written. I can't even pick out a line I like the most because they all weave together so well!

And the ending is love. Strawberries and texting, it's perfect :)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Aw, well thank you! That's such a high compliment. Hehe, I thought it was pretty cute. ;)

[holycitygirl.livejournal.com]

I kind of adore this. Wait - scratch out the "kind of". I totally adore this.

Richard fears he will never learn these answers. That the things he knows, the things he feels, will never reach their limit.

You should write more of Richard in the modern world. Lots more.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Hi you!

Thank you so much. Really? Really? Yay! I don't know why I'm surprised that you read this but it's definitely a pleasant surprise!

I love writing Richard but somehow I always feel daunted doing it. I shall try though!

[cynthia-arrow.livejournal.com]

This is a really lovely exploration of these two characters, melancholy but beautiful. Thanks for sharing it. :)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

And thank you for reading it! :)

[tellshannon815.livejournal.com]

Love the relationship between Richard and Alex here!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Thanks hon! ♥

[elliotsmelliot.livejournal.com]

This was sweet. I liked Richard's conceptualization of everything eventually being obsolete.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I imagine that's what it must feel like to him. Not that I can really imagine what it would be like at all. The mystery of Richard, I think, will always fascinate me.

[fogandfoxglove.livejournal.com]

This is so perfect! I'm in love with it! Your characters are exquisite, wow. Beautiful, so now I need to read everything you write. :)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow thank you so much for this amazing comment! Much appreciated!