Repressed OTPs
Jan. 16th, 2007 04:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
woodfaceI have a thing for the repressed OTPs. I don't think I've always had this. In fact, I'm pretty sure I used to root for the couples who hated each other with a fury, constantly were in each other's hair and then somehow it all turned out to be sexual tension. Oh hell, I'm still about those OTPs, but I think it's been bumped off in favour of the repressed OTP.
I think the main examples that I can think of this instant are Sam/Jack and Roy/Riza. There's more out there, though. Now I kind of want to draw up a list. Either way, it tends to be such that the relationship is between co-workers. People in a chain of command if my brain can help it. Which might be cliché, but there you have it.
I like it when the relationship is silently there, maybe even acknowledged, but just not acted upon. That would be unethical or messy, it would screw up the great dynamic that they already have and neither one wants to risk that. Should risk that. So the most romance you get is when the characters just stand closely together or speak without words. It's in hands brushing, a moment where all façades drop and just for a second they let the other show that they worry, that they care, that they need them. It's about respect, duty and honour coming above the personal needs.
It's Cesario/Viola pining away for her master and doing everything she can to make him happy even if it goes against her own happiness. It's Sam and Jack putting their lives on hold because the universe needs saving. It's Mustang and Hawkeye who can't breath without the other, but will never take that step. It's Crusher and Picard because he'll never cross that line, but she still his best friend.
Okay, so partly this post is about me wanting to ramble just how much Mustang and Hawkeye rock the whole repressed OTP thing. They're the über!OTP of repressed OTPs. I thought Sam/Jack did, really, because how many freaking years did we have to wait? But they still get kisses that aren't exactly real, but guess what? It's a hell of a lot more than what Mustang and Hawkeye get.
There are no words to encompass just how awesome this OTP is. They're tied up in each other in so many ways. Without her, Roy would never have become the Flame Alchemist. She saw his dreams, his hopes for the country and she entrusted her greatest secret in him, created him. Only to have the military abuse that power and she was ashamed of him, a little scared of what she had created. I think he was scared of what he'd become too so he put his life in her hand. He made a promise to only use his alchemy for good and he gave her the power to shoot him if he ever disappointed her again. And that's how they've been ever since.
I don't think they ever crossed the line. I don't think they have ever so much as shared a kiss or held hands. They just... are. Quietly revolving around each other, but never quite touching. They don't talk, ever. They don't know to, they just somehow know what the other is thinking. They need each other and I think seperating them would kill them both. She needs him, she can't function without him. She'd follow him to hell and beyond. And he knows that, he fears it even, because he needs her just as much as she needs him. I think he's terrified of losing her, but he's even more terrified that if something happens to him, that he'll drag her down with him.
They know all this, they acknowledge it even and somehow manage they move on from there and work as if it isn't there. Roy loves playing his gigolo card, but I don't think Hawkeye ever really worries about it. She knows she doesn't have to. Mustang is all about façades. He plays the Colonel who hates paperwork, who prefers lazing around over actually working so the people around him won't recognise his ambition. Hawkeye sees through it, even plays along in his little game as she pretends to be a love interest any time she's out on a mission for him that Central can't know about. Dude, seriously. They flirt on the telephone and she calls herself the scary aide and it is just so awesome.
They are awesome, because it feels like one is the extension of the other. They're canon without the need for them to flirt. They're understated, they're background noise. It's easy to miss if you don't want to see it, but when you scratch the surface it's undeniably there. They're wrapped up in each other.
So yes, I love repressed OTPs. Maybe partly because when the UST is laid on too thick and the line is crossed, that it loses some of its charm. I like the promise, the tantalising. I like pairings where the big romance isn't a date or overly flirting or not even a kiss. It's the brush of shoulders and silent conversations. It's touching her hair and being told to shut up. And yes, I do want to see a kiss and I want something to squee over. Most of the time anyway. It's weird that for Hawkeye and Mustang, I don't even need that. It's as if after all that they are to each other, a kiss or an admittance would ruin it all.
Or you know, maybe I just have a thing for Colonels. Which I'm willing to accept.
I think the main examples that I can think of this instant are Sam/Jack and Roy/Riza. There's more out there, though. Now I kind of want to draw up a list. Either way, it tends to be such that the relationship is between co-workers. People in a chain of command if my brain can help it. Which might be cliché, but there you have it.
I like it when the relationship is silently there, maybe even acknowledged, but just not acted upon. That would be unethical or messy, it would screw up the great dynamic that they already have and neither one wants to risk that. Should risk that. So the most romance you get is when the characters just stand closely together or speak without words. It's in hands brushing, a moment where all façades drop and just for a second they let the other show that they worry, that they care, that they need them. It's about respect, duty and honour coming above the personal needs.
It's Cesario/Viola pining away for her master and doing everything she can to make him happy even if it goes against her own happiness. It's Sam and Jack putting their lives on hold because the universe needs saving. It's Mustang and Hawkeye who can't breath without the other, but will never take that step. It's Crusher and Picard because he'll never cross that line, but she still his best friend.
Okay, so partly this post is about me wanting to ramble just how much Mustang and Hawkeye rock the whole repressed OTP thing. They're the über!OTP of repressed OTPs. I thought Sam/Jack did, really, because how many freaking years did we have to wait? But they still get kisses that aren't exactly real, but guess what? It's a hell of a lot more than what Mustang and Hawkeye get.
There are no words to encompass just how awesome this OTP is. They're tied up in each other in so many ways. Without her, Roy would never have become the Flame Alchemist. She saw his dreams, his hopes for the country and she entrusted her greatest secret in him, created him. Only to have the military abuse that power and she was ashamed of him, a little scared of what she had created. I think he was scared of what he'd become too so he put his life in her hand. He made a promise to only use his alchemy for good and he gave her the power to shoot him if he ever disappointed her again. And that's how they've been ever since.
I don't think they ever crossed the line. I don't think they have ever so much as shared a kiss or held hands. They just... are. Quietly revolving around each other, but never quite touching. They don't talk, ever. They don't know to, they just somehow know what the other is thinking. They need each other and I think seperating them would kill them both. She needs him, she can't function without him. She'd follow him to hell and beyond. And he knows that, he fears it even, because he needs her just as much as she needs him. I think he's terrified of losing her, but he's even more terrified that if something happens to him, that he'll drag her down with him.
They know all this, they acknowledge it even and somehow manage they move on from there and work as if it isn't there. Roy loves playing his gigolo card, but I don't think Hawkeye ever really worries about it. She knows she doesn't have to. Mustang is all about façades. He plays the Colonel who hates paperwork, who prefers lazing around over actually working so the people around him won't recognise his ambition. Hawkeye sees through it, even plays along in his little game as she pretends to be a love interest any time she's out on a mission for him that Central can't know about. Dude, seriously. They flirt on the telephone and she calls herself the scary aide and it is just so awesome.
They are awesome, because it feels like one is the extension of the other. They're canon without the need for them to flirt. They're understated, they're background noise. It's easy to miss if you don't want to see it, but when you scratch the surface it's undeniably there. They're wrapped up in each other.
So yes, I love repressed OTPs. Maybe partly because when the UST is laid on too thick and the line is crossed, that it loses some of its charm. I like the promise, the tantalising. I like pairings where the big romance isn't a date or overly flirting or not even a kiss. It's the brush of shoulders and silent conversations. It's touching her hair and being told to shut up. And yes, I do want to see a kiss and I want something to squee over. Most of the time anyway. It's weird that for Hawkeye and Mustang, I don't even need that. It's as if after all that they are to each other, a kiss or an admittance would ruin it all.
Or you know, maybe I just have a thing for Colonels. Which I'm willing to accept.
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no subject
Date: 2007-01-16 04:31 pm (UTC)But that's not to say that I don't say Word to everything you said about Hawkeye/Mustang.
I love repressed OTPs so much more than the bickering ones because in general I don't think anyone can do it better than Beatrice and Benedick. And, man, I love them. So to me, it feels like almost every bicker-y changing into love relationship is just a poorly done rework of that one. On the other hand, just about all my relationships fall into that category so maybe that's why... :D
Mustang and Hawkeye so very much fall into the silences. That's one reason why I loved how the anime did the "Are you coming with me?" scene so much. It's one of the most important moments of their relationship (even though they both already knew the answer) and it happens offscreen. Just their voices over a shot of the desk. Because that's where they understand each other best. It's a madly passionate love affair that is obvious but never fulfilled.
It's the brushing of sleeves when she leans over to point out something in paperwork, and the faith that no matter where they turn, the other has their back. The hipcheck out of the way because "you're useless in the rain" and the look of complete sympathy - using the non-cloying definition - when action or inaction is required, the way Hawkeye calls him on being an ass and Mustang pokes at her about being too repressed. She's his officer and he's her responsibility.
And I don't know if a kiss would ruin it for me. Though to be honest, I can't think of a possible way it could be done onscreen that would make me happy. I don't think there is sex in the background. But later on if they survive? Or possibly even before during the Ishbal War? I can see it.
...this has so gotten long. And rambly. So I'm posting now before I continue because I totally, totally could.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-16 05:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-16 06:02 pm (UTC)Ooops, that might have been sekrit.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-16 06:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-03 09:22 pm (UTC)I just spent a little bit perusing your journal, thought maybe I'd add you to my List. I'm always looking for new reading material and meta, although I'll have to wait until April to read anything about SG-1...not that I'm bitter.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-04 01:16 pm (UTC)And yaaay! *goes add you back!*