fic: A Handful of Rain Masterpost

[riyku]

Title: A Handful of Rain
Genre: J2 AU
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: ~33,000
Disclaimer: I think we all know this isn't how it happened.
Warnings: Substance abuse, strong language, and heed the rating.

Summary: Life on the streets had taught Jensen that everything came with a price. Family was a word that meant the people who kicked you out, religion was nothing more than a free meal, and salvation something that he could buy for ten bucks a hit down on the bad side of town. Scoring had become his full-time job, and finding a safe place to sleep was what he did in his time off. It was only a matter of time until this life caught up with him. Now, strung out and with no where else to go, Jensen finds himself following his feet to a place he never thought he would go--to the home of a stranger who can unfailingly see past Jensen's mistakes, and who can see right through to the good that is still left within him. The challenge is getting Jensen to see it as well.

Link to zaipixie 's beautiful art: here.  So much love!

Part One  ::  Part Two  ::  Part Three  ::  Part Four  ::  Epilogue

Notes, pdf , and Music


 

Comments

[kruel_angel_lj]

Made this into a pdf for later reading, it's here if you want it.

[riyku.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks so much, and that was fast! I'll link it in the notes if you don't mind. Thanks again!

[azazelblack.livejournal.com]

Wow, I would love to get a hold to your PDF library. I haven't thank you yet and I really should 'cause I've downloaded almost every j2 fic you've turned pdf. So THANK YOU.

[kruel_angel_lj]

Someone asked for it the other day too. I don't have as much as some but it's still too big to upload anywhere. And, you're welcome! =)

[onthehill]

Thanks for making the pdf of this (A Handful of Rain). Downloaded it for later :)

[kruel_angel_lj]

Yeah I've been waiting for this one and the one before so I set the tracking to new post, lol.

I don't mind and you're welcome! =)

[riyku.livejournal.com]

I hope it was worth the wait! I've linked the pdf in the masterpost. Thanks again for making one for us.

[kruel_angel_lj]

Wow, that was gritty and visceral, like a punch to the gut, but ultimately hopeful. Awesome story, ♥ed it! So worth the wait. =)

[riyku.livejournal.com]

Your descriptions of the story were exactly what I was going for, and I'm thankful that I somehow managed to pull it off. Many thanks!

[moragmacpherson.livejournal.com]

I quite liked this: realistic but hopeful to the end. Very well done and it's evident you put a lot of work into it. The art is lovely as well, if a little Frank Miller for me. Thanks for supplying a .pdf for those of us who can't be on the internet at all times.

[riyku.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much. Yes, this story has consumed much of my free time in the last few months, and reactions such as yours make every minute worth it. My first thought when I saw the artwork was Sin City as well, and I do like the grittiness of it. kruel_angel was kind enough to make the pdf for us. Many thanks for reading.

[rozabellalove.livejournal.com]

I loved it.

bittersweet and sad but hopeful with a twist of real honest rawness.

made me smile a bit and almost cry a bit and pretty much just enjoyed the whole thing.

If I had to make a tiny minor criticism it would be that - knowing a couple of recovering alcoholics - one of the first things they are told is not to get into a relationship for the first 12 months or so. But you made it feel like they just couldn't resist each other - which in the end is what it's all about I guess!

Oh and the art was awesome too, just beautiful.

Fantastic work :D

[riyku.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for your feedback and your thoughts about Jensen's decisions here. Yes, in the end they just couldn't resist each other, I suppose, just as much as I couldn't resist writing them together.

I was so very lucky to have worked with zaipixie on the art. Her style complemented the story, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner on this.

It's great to hear that you enjoyed this, many many thanks!

[tinasugar.livejournal.com]

i'm reading the pdf so i don't know what part i'm in, but god this reads like a movie. i feel like i am watching a movie. wonderful descriptions. loving it so far!

[riyku.livejournal.com]

So glad you're enjoying this! I hope the rest of it didn't disappoint. Thanks so much!

[deadlychameleon.livejournal.com]

Great story! Gritty realism with just enough hope. I agree it's complete where it is, but I'd love to see a time stamp someday if you're ever inspired.

[riyku.livejournal.com]

So sorry for the late reply-I wasn't getting notifications for a while there, and this slipped through the cracks. Thanks very much for the note on this story. Funny you mention a timestamp...there's something about this story that always stays in my head, and I must have half a dozen other scenes written out that I haven't posted yet. Hmm. Maybe one day...thank you.

[buttercup22.livejournal.com]

This was heartbreaking. Just over three years ago I lost my brother to a heroin overdose, and what your Jensen did, was doing, and going through was so real to what we went through with my brother. This hit home.

[riyku.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear about your brother. I too lost a dear friend years and years ago. So yes, a lot of first hand knowledge and frustration went into this story. Cathartic, I suppose, and a chance for a happier ending that we all wish for. Thanks for reading, even though I'm sure it must have been tough. All my best.

[tcs1121.livejournal.com]

I've had this .pdf in my folder to read for a year. I remembered it after reading "Yesterdays."

This was an amazing piece of writing. You are an amazing author. Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent with us.

[deancaslover32.livejournal.com]

Such a wonderful story -grins- I am sad Jensen started using again but usually you struggle with it more then once i am sure if you are a drug addict it was a great story totally enjoyed every minute of it.

[ou-peachus.livejournal.com]

Hey, this was brutal but very good. I posted a link here: http://ou-peachus.livejournal.com/246798.html

Bravo!!!

[deans-mine.livejournal.com]

Amazing! One of the most perfect pieces of fiction I have ever read! You hit every favorite button I have head on. Jensen's internal pain, and addiction were so realistic and powerful I just wanted to jump in and help him somehow. Jared's love was endless and so very much exemplified the ways of how my religious beliefs say we all should be. I felt an instant bond with his character. This story is something you should feel really proud of. It's perfect.

The art work was by far the most remarkably supportive work I've had the pleasure of seeing. It perfectly complimented your story to the point of professionalism not many paid professional master artist can reach. Bravo!!!

[havenerbaxe.livejournal.com]

Да уж По моему мнению, об этом пишут уже на каждом заборе :) (http://zimnyayaobuv.ru/) (http://zimnyaya-obuv.ru/)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Very dark and sad, and makes me glad I don't have first hand experience of this world because I am nowhere near as strong as your Jensen or as kind as your Jared. I can see how a sequel could be written, but if realism was to prevail I'd be very worried it wouldn't be a happy ending. Even though you finished on a positive note it still brought tears to my eyes.

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

Just read this for the second time. I thought I'd commented but I guess I haven't. Doh!

Anyhow, this is a beautiful story - so achingly raw and real and bittersweet. Jensen is a deeply damaged person who doesn't seem to understand why he does what he does, and that's very realistic. Jared is such a beautiful person here, so selfless and loving.

I worked in substance abuse rehab for several years. Not an easy place to be, or to see others in. Relapse is a fact of life and I'm glad you had it here, in this story, because it shows that a person can have everything they need on the outside - money, love, whatever - and they still end up falling because of what's inside.

[audelise.livejournal.com]

I want to write you a long, long letter thanking you for this, but I will try to keep it brief. I recently got out of nearly a decade long relationship with an on and off recovering coke/heroin addict. It was obvious you have some first hand experience with what addiction is about and this really hit home for me. It was cathartic...lots of tears and chills throughout so many parts of this. I have a notebook with quotes from stories that hit me hard, and I filled up pages of them with this. Your description of the overdosing, the withdrawals, the inner dialogue detailing the all consuming illogical obsession...it was perfect.

I was first a little frustrated about the relationship starting so soon, because that is highly frowned upon (and honestly used too often as an escape, a transfer of addiction). But it happens...a lot, and sometimes it works. In this case, I cannot thank you enough for showing that relapse is common - no matter how well someone seems to be doing for weeks or months or even years. That for no reason at all the itch starts up and without even thinking, the addict goes into their "junkie-logic" and falls right back down. That a relationship isn't a cure-all and the choice/growth has to happen inside the addict. Thank you for not giving this a happily ever after, but rather, a hope for the future. The story opened with Jensen dying, and closed with him choosing to live - even if it's hard, even if the want won't ever go away completely.

I have so much to say about this piece and it's really been an emotional roller coaster...a necessary one. Besides the topic, your writing in general grabs me by the wrist and weaves me through such incredible twists and turns. Your words come to life, are a palpable thing, and evoke such strong emotions. Thank you, thank you, thank you.