faye_dartmouth: (Default)
faye_dartmouth ([personal profile] faye_dartmouth) wrote2012-10-19 09:50 pm

Primeval fic: In Vino Veritas (Second Life verse)

Title: In Vino Veritas

Disclaimer: I do not own Primeval; feral Stephen was created by [livejournal.com profile] lena7142

A/N: I realized today that I hadn’t posted this last night like I normally do. Apologies! As always, beta given by [livejournal.com profile] lena7142. This is part of the Continued Adventures of Feral Stephen.

Summary: Stephen was socially inept most of the time, but Cutter had to admit, he was a good drinking partner.



-o-

Stephen was socially inept most of the time, but Cutter had to admit, he was a good drinking partner.

The man could handle his alcohol, even better than his clone. And he had a much broader taste for heavy liquor. Cutter was undecided if this was an inherent trait for Stephen or if being painfully sober for the better part of a decade had just made him more keen to indulge his wayward fancies.

So it wasn’t uncommon for the two of them to end up at the local pub after work, nursing a few beers or whatever else Stephen felt inclined to try. Cutter enjoyed getting just a bit tipsy -- he worked with rifts in time and prehistoric predators, so he reckoned he was entitled -- but Stephen never drank enough to impair himself and always walked out as straight as he walked in.

Cutter thought that was something of a pity, but then, Stephen had always been the one to help keep him accountable, and this incarnation was just as capable as his alternate.

Still, some days, Cutter was just incorrigible.

“You’re drunk,” Stephen announced as they walked back toward Stephen’s place. It was on the way to Cutter’s place, and the idea of Stephen stalking the streets alone at night was still somewhat worrisome to him. Not for Stephen, of course. But for the rest of humanity.

Cutter snorted angrily. “I am not.”

Stephen regarded him coolly. “You are.”

“I am only mildly inebriated,” Cutter allowed, holding up his finger as they walked along.

Stephen was not impressed “Your reactions are noticeably slower,” he said. “Two seconds can make the difference between life and death.”

Cutter rolled his eyes. “Well, if a crazy sabre tooth cat comes springing out of the next alleyway, I guess that’s why I keep you around, yeah?”

Stephen frowned. “But I’m not even armed,” he said. “The self protection laws here are irresponsible--”

Cutter sighed. “You could try to be normal.”

Stephen actually looked hurt. “I am trying,” he said. “Isn’t it normal to worry about your friends?”

Cutter pulled up short, dragging Stephen to a stop. “Friends?”

Stephen blinked at him, realizing his slip up. He paled, jaw working. “I just meant--”

Cutter gripped his arm, holding his gaze. “You just meant I was your friend.”

Stephen looked visibly uncomfortable, body tense as he seemed ready to pull away, to bolt. But he kept himself painfully still. “There’s not really a better description--”

Cutter shook him emphatically. “You think we’re friends!”

Now Stephen looked annoyed. “I’m starting to reconsider--”

Ignoring him, Cutter whooped with laughter, shoving Stephen away playfully. “No, no,” he said. “I have it here, in your own words. We’re friends.

Stephen straightened, brushing himself off and eyeing Cutter disdainfully. “You know I’m starting to hope a sabre tooth cat does come out of the next alleyway.”

“So you can save my life, no doubt,” Cutter said.

Stephen shook his head. “I’d let it eat you,” he said. “And laugh while you screamed in agony.”

“You’d miss me,” Cutter told him earnestly.

“Bugger,” Stephen muttered, starting back down the street.

“Where are you going?” Cutter called after him.

“Back to the pub!” Stephen called back. “Suddenly I feel like sobriety might be overrated after all!”

goldarrow: (Default)

[personal profile] goldarrow 2012-10-20 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
LOL, poor Stephen, caught with his emotions on his sleeve...

It's about time he realised he cares. *chuckles*

the idea of Stephen stalking the streets alone at night was still somewhat worrisome to him. Not for Stephen, of course. But for the rest of humanity.
*snorfle*

Stephen blinked at him, realizing his slip up.
...
Now Stephen looked annoyed. “I’m starting to reconsider--”

Can one say 'oops'?

Lovely installment. *G*

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
LOL, yeah. Stephen can face predators without fear, but emotions are just not his thing :)

Thanks!

[identity profile] joshinator.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
This pair have the best banter ever :D

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you enjoy them. Thanks!

[identity profile] freddiejoey.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Stephen shook his head. “I’d let it eat you,” he said. “And laugh while you screamed in agony.”

“You’d miss me,” Cutter told him earnestly.

I'm the one laughing. They're tremendous together.

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
So glad to make you laugh! Thanks!

[identity profile] kristen-mara.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 04:14 am (UTC)(link)

LOL - the boys even make a walk home from the pub fascinating and full of meanings ;)

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
They are just fascinating like that, aren't they :)

Thanks!

[identity profile] nietie.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
Hahaha! Oops! Showing a bit too much of your feelings there, Stephen? Good for you :D
Edited 2012-10-20 06:55 (UTC)

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
It's definitely against his will to show real affection :)

Thanks!

[identity profile] natchris.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 08:54 am (UTC)(link)
Cutter pulled up short, dragging Stephen to a stop. “Friends?”

Stephen blinked at him, realizing his slip up. He paled, jaw working. “I just meant--”

Cutter gripped his arm, holding his gaze. “You just meant I was your friend.”

Lovely!

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you :)

[identity profile] judithjohn.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
It's just fabulous!

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much :)

[identity profile] flaccidduck.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 12:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Cutter rolled his eyes. “Well, if a crazy sabre tooth cat comes springing out of the next alleyway, I guess that’s why I keep you around, yeah?”

Stephen frowned. “But I’m not even armed,” he said. “The self protection laws here are irresponsible--”

Cutter sighed. “You could try to be normal.”

Totally gorgeous!

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

[identity profile] lukadreaming.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 12:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Oops! That's caught Stephen out! Great dialogue as always.

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Poor Stephen. Of all the things in the world, facing his emotions scares him the most.

Thanks!
fredbassett: (Default)

[personal profile] fredbassett 2012-10-20 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
*howls laughing* Poor Stephen was well and truly busted there!

I loved Cutter's simple glee at his slip up. This was great.

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
I did have fun writing this one so I'm glad it was well received :)

Thanks!

[identity profile] knitekat.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
LOL, brilliant.

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

[identity profile] aunteeneenah.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 03:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I love this 'verse. Stephen's slip up is wonderful and I love Cutter's reaction and Stephen's reaction to Cutter's reaction... I could go on, but I won't. A lovely installment.

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad people are still reading it!

Thanks :)

[identity profile] reggietate.livejournal.com 2012-10-20 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I love how overjoyed Cutter is at Stephen's admission of friendship :-)

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
Cutter's had a rough go of things, so I suppose he takes his happiness where he finds it.

Thanks!
aelfgyfu_mead: Aelfgyfu as a South Park-style cartoon (Nick & Stephen)

[personal profile] aelfgyfu_mead 2012-10-20 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
About freaking time, Stephen! Poor boy, so embarrassed!

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
Writing this Stephen is so fun because he's pretty much fearless -- unless it comes to interpersonal things.

Thanks!

[identity profile] lsellersfic.livejournal.com 2012-10-21 11:05 am (UTC)(link)
Hee! I'm glad Nick is now sure enough to tease Stephen.

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
They've come a long ways :)

Thanks!

CUTE!

[identity profile] sophie-deangirl.livejournal.com 2012-10-23 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Once again, I just thoroughly enjoy your take on friendships like Cutter and Stephen. It's downright adorable!

Fave Parts:

Cutter thought that was something of a pity, but then, Stephen had always been the one to help keep him accountable, and this incarnation was just as capable as his alternate.

--I can so see this.

Stephen actually looked hurt. “I am trying,” he said. “Isn’t it normal to worry about your friends?”

Cutter pulled up short, dragging Stephen to a stop. “Friends?”

Stephen blinked at him, realizing his slip up. He paled, jaw working. “I just meant--”

Cutter gripped his arm, holding his gaze. “You just meant I was your friend.”

Stephen looked visibly uncomfortable, body tense as he seemed ready to pull away, to bolt. But he kept himself painfully still. “There’s not really a better description--”

Cutter shook him emphatically. “You think we’re friends!”

--This made me giggle!

Re: CUTE!

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-10-26 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
It's been fun revisiting this dynamic in this verse. I get to keep the angst and intensify it but keep a happier ending.

Thanks!

[identity profile] eviinsanemonkey.livejournal.com 2012-11-18 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
hee, aww! this is lovely!! ♥

[identity profile] faye-dartmouth.livejournal.com 2012-11-20 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
The bond between these two always makes me happy :)

Thanks!