ficlet: "Not of Pavlov's Pack" (Ronan&Weir) PG-13

[tielan]

Name a pairing or character (that I'm familiar with, in a fandom I'm familiar with) and I will write the first paragraph or segment of a story for it.

Posting here because it's got greater relevance on this journal. Link to or pimp as you wish. I may be persuaded to write more, although I'm not sure where it's going, and I blame...oh...I've forgotten who she is, but she wrote an essay on Ronan, Weir, and Teyla and inspired me. Damn them! DAMN THEM TO THE WRAITH! *ahem*

for alliesings:

Not of Pavlov's Pack
(Ronan&Weir)

When Elizabeth was fifteen, she learned that men were like dogs. Generally, they were youthful, exuberant, and could be made to sit and stay with a little training.

That knowledge was only reinforced by the behaviour of the men on the Atlantis expedition. She was the leader and they followed her.

Cavanaugh might growl and snarl, but he knew who was in charge, even if he disliked it. Rodney was all bark and bounce, nipping at her hand to get her attention, constantly straining against his leash to get his full run, but willing to be held back by affection - and sometimes a good smack. Bates was the deceptively quiet guard dog that lay quiet until danger threatened; then he became savage. Others didn't need all that much encouragement to obey: for example, she could rely on Carson to sit quietly, his metaphorical tail rhythmically thumping the ground.

Even Colonel Sheppard - like the dog that went by the same name - might haul on his chain, the protective instincts too strong to be subdued, but he accepted her leash and obeyed her commands. Of course, it was usually only a temporary submission, until the next threat-crisis, but she was the master and they both knew it - even when he broke his chain.

They all knew the status quo.

So when Ronan Dex walked into Atlantis - a mish-mash, hodge-podge of clothing, fur, muscle and weaponry, with a feral mindset and an inflexible attitude - he upset the natural scheme of things in the way that a wolf will upset a pack of dogs.

If there was one thing that Elizabeth learned in the days and weeks following Ronan Dex's arrival in Atlantis, it was this:

Dogs accept the rules. Wolves tolerate them.

Comments

[miera-c.livejournal.com]

ok I loved how all of them were characterized as dogs, because they were dead on (though it's got scary animal transformation scenarios going on in my head which is bad).

But Ronan=wolf? Brilliant. And completely accurate.

[tielan]

Thank'ee muchly!

I don't know where the idea came from - one of those midnight visitation thingies.

[morwen_peredhil]

Yay! I've been waiting for someone to write Ronon/Elizabeth. I can't see anything happening outside of "aliens made them do it," but the idea is very hot. *happy sigh*

[tielan]

Hey, he has a tatt!

I think I could make it work. He puts her off-balance, she inspires his protective instincts, they clash, the end.

[morwen_peredhil]

The tattoo is a military rank thing, apparently.

I'll happily read any Ronon/Elizabeth you care to write.

[tielan]

Really? Did they say that, or was it in an interview?

Hee! I'm thinking of doing a Ronan/Liz quickie for the Harlequin challenge on sga_flashfic...

[morwen_peredhil]

In "Trinity," you can see that Solen has a similar tattoo.

[tielan]

Hm... *wonders if Liz has ever had a tattooed guy* ;)

[morwen_peredhil]

If she hasn't she definitely should. :D

[tielan]

*snicker*

[amalthia]

This was interesting. :) and I'd love to read more. :)

[tielan]

I'm not sure where to take it!

[amalthia]

lol, I know that feeling. :) anyway don't push it.

[tielan]

Well, thank you for wanting it!

Woof.

[mahoy.livejournal.com]

Of course, I never thought of it, but you really nailed the boys' characters with the dog analogy.
Very well done.
::applauds::

Re: Woof.

[tielan]

Heh. Thanks!

[dirty-diana.livejournal.com]

I like the metaphor. Am waiting patiently for the part with the kissing. :)

[tielan]

Heh. Me, too! *G*

[missyvortexdv.livejournal.com]

Nice way to explore Weir/Dex. I hadn't read anything with them at all yet and this was really good. Love the dog characterisations. :)

[tielan]

Thanks! geonncannon has written a Liz/Ronan fic that's a bit longer and more UST than romance but it works! Go check it out!

DM

[(Anonymous)]

Very apt analogies! I love this story. I'd love to read more Ronan/Elizabeth. I think they could go well together--he could be the bad boy for her staid image.

You write so well.

[alliesings.livejournal.com]

hodge-podge of clothing, fur, muscle and weaponry, with a feral mindset and an inflexible attitude

*is in awe*

I've heard you refer to this story, that you had written your first W/R fic because of a challenge, but for the life of me I couldn't remember ever reading it. Then last night, I was organizing files on my computer, and I found a link to this fic -- that I'd heard about but couldn't remember.

When I looked at the date, I realized why I'd never read it. I went to work at 8pm that night and spent the next two days in the hospital.

Anyway, this story just goes to show that you have had an amazing grasp of this dynamic from the very beginning. Very good.