Veronica Mars fanfic: Normal, 1/1

[dangermousie]

Title: Normal
Fandom: Veronica Mars (yes, I finally wrote a VM fic. You knew it was coming).
Rating: PG
Summary: He won't ask for anything she can't give. Veronica/Duncan. Not the way you think.
A/N: 263 words. Vague spoilers through 2.01


He won't ask for anything she can't give.

He won't ask at all, actually. He will let her set the pace and the rules, and when he makes a joke it will be simply funny, and when he gives a compliment, it will be heartfelt. The questions in his eyes are the ones she can answer. Their hidden mines remain hidden and he is content to hide their wounds too. He will take what she is willing to offer, and she knows whatever she offers will be enough for him. No personal salvation required, he stands on his own feet. She is not his savior, she is not his world. She is simply a girl he likes and who likes him back.

Their relationship is devoid of sharp edges. He will smile at her and she will smile back. And if they have a fight, she will be upset, and he will apologize. Or maybe she will apologize first. Their world will remain intact. She won’t have to worry about the weight of his universe on her shoulders. She loves not being needed.

Veronica Mars has a boyfriend. They hold hands in the hallways and kiss during lunch. He buys her flowers and she calls him every night. Sometimes he meets her at her locker and walks her to class. They make out in all the usual places, but of course, the girls’ bathroom is off limits. Because really, what kind of a weirdo would want to make out pushed against the sinks and the tampon machine? Normal. She can do it, see?

Comments

[poisontaster]

Yes. This exactly sums up the Veronica/Duncan relationship for me, and the tone that was set in the first ep. Great job as usual. I love the way you can cut to the heart of a situation in just a few words. It always leaves me stunned and bleeding, but smiling delirously while I do it. *g*

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Wow *is overwhelmed*

I really do think that D/V is really about security and comfort for her. It works because it's completely unthreatening to whatever she wants to be. Logan/Veronica are a lot of good things, but it was never (and probably never would be) easy. And Veronica craves something uncomplicated right now.

[goddess09807.livejournal.com]

May I friend you? Seriously. I was interested when you became obsessed with Roswell, because I could relate. Then you got interested in my BSG OTP Helo/Boomer, and now, now you're writing for Veronica Mars. Wow.

No personal salvation required, he stands on his own feet. She is not his savior, she is not his world. She is simply a girl he likes and who likes him back.

That section just made the story for me and you've just captured the characters Veronica and Duncan and their relationship and ALSO Logan and Veronica's relationship and it just rocks my world.

Poor Logan, because I really think that, at this point, Veronica IS his world and now she's left him and... GUH I feel his pain.

Poor Duncan too. Because I honestly believe that back when he and V were together, they loved each other and their relationship was naseautingly perfect. And now everthing is now everything is broken and it won't be the same. But he's willing to accept the facade 'cause he wants it sooo much and he jus stand's idly by.

I get why Veronica broke up with Logan and if I were her I would too. That doesn't make me stop resenting her just a little because she hurt Logan and she was the only thing keeping him sane. But then again, that's why she broke up with him. She doesn't want to be somebody's world.

This fic is just too good for words.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Of course you can friend me! I'll friend you back :)

at this point, Veronica IS his world and now she's left him and... GUH I feel his pain

And his pain is soooo good to watch. It's actually rather sad she is his whole world, because it shows how empty his life is. Because for most of us, no matter how much we love one particular person, there are other people out there who care for us and who we love back. But Logan has no one.

And now everthing is now everything is broken and it won't be the same. But he's willing to accept the facade 'cause he wants it sooo much and he jus stand's idly by.

Exactly. I don't think he could keep up or want the "new" Veronica. She is simply not the girl he loves or, given his taste in women (see V 1.0 and Meg) could love.

But then again, that's why she broke up with him. She doesn't want to be somebody's world.

I feel horrible for Logan but to be someone's reason for living is an awfully big thing to have on your shoulders at 18. And Veronica has enough damage of her own.

But they better get together at the end :P

[lpmufinfiend.livejournal.com]

See, a perfect example of out-of-fandom fic that I read because it's yours, and love because it's good. Bravo, glad to see you cranking 'em out. Ah, splendidly plentiful fic, how I love thee!

Thanks for sharing, always a treat to read.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you!

Veronica Mars (Wednesdays at 9pm on UPN) is actually quite goof and worth checking out.

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

You've really captured the Logan/Veronica dynamic so well:

"Their relationship is devoid of sharp edges."

"She won’t have to worry about the weight of his universe on her shoulders"

The first time I read the second line, I read "his shoulders" - the thing is the line works both ways in a way. Really well-written. I agree you have an amazing knack of writing these short pieces that reach into the swirling mass of character development, episode swirls and plot lines and just pulling out the core essence of the relationship and the characters. Meep.

Do you think that the fact that you watched it all in 2-3 days helped. How would your perspective have been different if you'd watched it week by week? I ask because I'm one of the people who watched it in 2-3 days as well and I wonder how that affected my perception of Logan - did I see him more clearly or less clearly.

I really like this piece. The only thing is, I think Veronica gets a lot out of Logan as well. He's her emotional and intellectual equal. Out of everyone in Neptune - he's the only one who really 'gets' her and can match her. It's not just a one way street that Logan needs Veronica. I think in a sense, Veronica needs Logan as well, she just hasn't realised it yet but you are right when you said in an earlier post that Logan needs to sort himself out and get his act together because he's too screwed up and damaged right now.

Again - great piece. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to reading more. ;)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Do you think that the fact that you watched it all in 2-3 days helped.

Oh, I think it helped enormously. That way I got to see Logan's character (e.g.) develop in one continuous loop. I didn't have to refresh my memory or forget things. I find that when I watch shows in this concentrated way, especially shows that are deeply iterative (my favorite kind), the concentrated experience really helps to immerse me in that world (Farscape, Firefly, Season 1 of BSG).

I think Veronica gets a lot out of Logan as well. He's her emotional and intellectual equal. Out of everyone in Neptune - he's the only one who really 'gets' her and can match her.

I agree. I just think she is at that stage where she is so fixated on "normal" and getting back the life she had, she purposefully ignores that part. She is so busy pretending that what she wants is what she has with Duncan. She does not want to acknowledge a loss. After all, Veronica 1.0 wasn't much with the comebacks. That's why I didn't have it in this ficlet, because it's all about Veronica trying to convince herself. As a L/V shipper I sincerely hope she is wrong and the conditioning won't stick.

I agree that Logan is pretty much her only intellectual equal in the place. He is certainly the only character that can outsnark her. Can you imagine Duncan keeping up? The reason Logan could hurt her so well in the early part of the season is because he is good enough to keep up with her. When 09ers who are not Logan try to take her down, Veronica just mows past them like a blitzkrieg.

Logan understands Veronica. And he certainly loves the new, tough, PI chick. Duncan is in the dream of the younger, gentler Veronica. And at the start of S2 that is the dream V shares.

Logan is a mess, but he is an interesting and challenging mess. Duncan is safe, and that is what she is fixating on for now, but I hope she'll see that you need more out of life than safety, one day.

[goddess09807.livejournal.com]

This may be slightly off topic.

You know I was just wondering earlier exactly why I and so much of fandom prefer Logan & Veronica to Veronica & Duncan. Because, honestly Veronica and Duncan as a couple, on their own, aren't so bad.
I think the problem is that we've seen Veronica and Logan together, and that they are waaay better chemistry wise and they just work in a way that Veronica and Duncan don't.
The problem is that we're comparing the two couples and that Veronica and Logan's relationship is waay more interesting and appealing since we've grown with these characters and because these characters complement each other so beautifully anymore.

I also think that the reason a lot of fandom look down at Teddy Dunn as a bad actor is because we compare him to Kristin and Jason. I feel bad for Teddy, because he is a good actor (Campus Confedential non-withstanding)but he's not great. The writers and producers didn't do him any favors making him one of the three leads because he really isn't on par with Kristin and Jason and those are the people he is constantly working with and bouncing off of. Not to mention the fact that Kristin and Jason have such an awesome chemistry that jumps off the screen. For an actor to play someon that is supposed to come between them, he has to have the same kind of chemistry. And he doesn't.

Did I make any sense?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree perfectly.

I think on paper Duncan/Veronica had as much potential as Logan/Veronica. Come on, first love, he thought she was his half-sister but couldn't stop loving her anyway? His parents think he killed his sister? That's just great stuff. In theory. But somehow it comes across as bland, flat, and unconflicted.

But Logan just develops into such a much more interesting character as the season progresses. And Logan and Veronica's relationship, whether they are enemies, friends, or a couple just takes on this really electric quality. They are interesting to watch together. They have great chemistry and Logan is the only one who can both dish it out and take it with Veronica.

I think the writers realized what a potential cool thing they had and started feeding it. I love watching Logan (and considering I started VM thinking the boy was very unattractive, it's the character that won me over, not his gorgeous looks. He can act sexy). Duncan just doesn't have many interesting scenes, or much interest at all. Logan and Veronica do. And yes, TD is a decent enough actor and is certainly good-looking. But he just doesn't work when compared to JD and KB.

I think that is yet another reason Duncan and Veronica are together now. Logan has to be the other guy in the triangle, because if L/V were together and Duncan tried to be the other man, it just wouldn't work. The interest wouldn't be there. He really couldn't pull off a rival to a successful and working L/V, because the chemistry and intensity weren't there. With Logan, there is always a level of interest.

[missmarch.livejournal.com]

I really like this. With very few words, you capture the V/D dynamic perfectly, and what is missing in it.

Although it's rather strange that with all of their weird history, Duncan and Veronica are still the "normal" couple. Normal and safe is great IRL but rather boring to watch.

Do you mind if I friend you? I like your fic and I read your analysis of the last episode and enjoyed it, so I'd like to have you on my reading list.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'd be flattered! I am friending you right back!

Duncan and Veronica are still the "normal" couple.

I think it's because despite the severe weirdness, they are completely ignoring it because they are so big on avoidance. Because there could be great potential there for angst and conflict and all the other good stuff, but they are just determined to ignore that part.

Normal and safe is great IRL but rather boring to watch.

Exactly. The thing is, if they were all about great chemistry and witty repartee, I'd be interested even with the absence of drama. But they lack that.