So, does it make me morbid that I saw this coming? There WERE enough hints with the John who was so determined to cause as much damage as possible in the most unconscionable manner and then Ryan getting sick when no one else did.
I'd say you have him reacting in character, especially for this fic. The most visible signs of his most recent physical trauma have finally faded- at least to the unknowing, naked eye. Certainly he'll have the scars from some of his injuries for the rest of his life, even without a cast, bandages, cuts and the bruises that all would draw attention. More recently, it's been about the emotional cost of what he's endured- and not just from the rape and beating, but from so many violations. Now, he's back to both emotional and physical components and reminders. The combination should both blindside him all over while having the potential to wreak havoc with his very fragile sense of self-worth. If he thought he was damaged goods before, now he has every reason to feel like a pariah and wonder if he's doomed to be unwanted and untouchable all over again. There might have been emotional reasons for his intimacy issues, but now there will always be far more he can't deny.
I can't imagine that Sandy and Kirsten would feel any differently toward him, and I'd imagine they'd discussed this possibility already as a potential scenario. That doesn't make the reality any easier, but they had no prior preparation for trying to help Ryan cope- or confront the horrors of his life themselves either. I'll be curious to see how they rally for him as well as how his friends do.
Ryan's a realist and he's always been someone who has lived in the present and focused on immediate survival out of necessity. This would continue to fit that perspective and mode of daily living, but it certainly drives his mortality home in other heightened, regimented ways. It seems poor Ryan is always more vulnerable and more at risk for something.
His reaction to Summer seems very natural. He'd want to withdraw before being rejected and he really doesn't know how anyone he's known so briefly would react to something so shocking and beyond the realm of her experience, especially if she was anticipating a new level in their relationship. Right now, it's more important for Ryan to have support from the people who are with him for the distance- and then go from there.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-08-21 06:25 am (UTC)I'd say you have him reacting in character, especially for this fic. The most visible signs of his most recent physical trauma have finally faded- at least to the unknowing, naked eye. Certainly he'll have the scars from some of his injuries for the rest of his life, even without a cast, bandages, cuts and the bruises that all would draw attention. More recently, it's been about the emotional cost of what he's endured- and not just from the rape and beating, but from so many violations. Now, he's back to both emotional and physical components and reminders. The combination should both blindside him all over while having the potential to wreak havoc with his very fragile sense of self-worth. If he thought he was damaged goods before, now he has every reason to feel like a pariah and wonder if he's doomed to be unwanted and untouchable all over again. There might have been emotional reasons for his intimacy issues, but now there will always be far more he can't deny.
I can't imagine that Sandy and Kirsten would feel any differently toward him, and I'd imagine they'd discussed this possibility already as a potential scenario. That doesn't make the reality any easier, but they had no prior preparation for trying to help Ryan cope- or confront the horrors of his life themselves either. I'll be curious to see how they rally for him as well as how his friends do.
Ryan's a realist and he's always been someone who has lived in the present and focused on immediate survival out of necessity. This would continue to fit that perspective and mode of daily living, but it certainly drives his mortality home in other heightened, regimented ways. It seems poor Ryan is always more vulnerable and more at risk for something.
His reaction to Summer seems very natural. He'd want to withdraw before being rejected and he really doesn't know how anyone he's known so briefly would react to something so shocking and beyond the realm of her experience, especially if she was anticipating a new level in their relationship. Right now, it's more important for Ryan to have support from the people who are with him for the distance- and then go from there.
Thanks for update!