Eee, you make a lot of good points in this. I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around the concept of OT3s either. I’ve always had one character left out, or not working as well with other half the pair. It turns out that I just haven’t been presented with the right character dynamics and relationships. Speaking strictly about T/L/G, I do agree that Laurence is the “central” person in the relationship, the one that starts it off, and I see where you are coming from with Tharkay/Granby. I also think they are more the more plausible pair (if they ever get over Laurence, romantically) for the same reasons.
A part of me still sees Laurence as totally straight, or forever unaware of the idea that he might be bisexual, and, let’s face it, not even looking for a romantic relationship/marriage. Jane was a good fling for him, yes, being both a friend and someone who could burn off any sexual energy he has, lol. I am of the same mind when you say that Laurence is too invested in duty (and Temeraire as a life-companion). The poor boy already has a lot on his mind, I think. He’s better off focusing on himself for a bit until Tharkay and Granby come around with a 2x4 and whack some sense into him. Also, I have an issue with Temeraire still not getting it. (And if you want me to elaborate here, I will try my best if asked, but imma go back to warbling about the ot3.)
I admit, I must have been wearing the thickest tin hat ever the first time I read the books. I did not pick up on Laurence/Granby until the fourth book, and even then, I had to read FIC first to actually SEE that there was potential. (LAURENCE IS JUST THAT STRAIGHT TO ME, I GUESS.) I was thoroughly more engrossed with the Laurence-Temeraire relationship (and sort of calmly accepting that I rather like Laurence/Temeraire to a certain extent). For all we know, Granby could be the only gay one, lol. Initially, I saw him as, like… the helpful little brother and REALLY good friend Laurence never had. IDK how to explain it; erm, Granby is adorable, yes. :x If they were a couple, mutually in love and all that, I think it would create the least emotional conflict in comparison to Tharkay/Laurence. They’re both aviators, so they can understand that their dragons and England come first. They are my sunshiny-couple, so to speak. But here’s the thing: I GO NUTS FOR ANGST AND EMOTIONAL CONFLICT.
Which brings me to Tharkay… When he came in, I DID see the pairing, and they were my first real fanon!ship, but I am actually a big fan of unrequited love, so I was really seeing Tharkay -> Laurence. And it’s so painfully obvious to me that Tharkay is heads over heels in love with him. Otherwise, the literary critic in me looks at Tharkay and mutters, deus ex machina, especially in the third book, and, if I put my hands over my ears singing “LALALA” over the subtext, the fifth book as well. Luckily, he did get some development over time and he become too full of win and awesome for my argumentive critic to say anything more. Long story short, my personal canon is Tharkay -> Laurence.
So, with Tharkay being the head-thwacker, and Granby being somewhat sweeter and understanding (but no less forceful when he has to be), the threesome works quite well in my head, granted that Laurence doesn’t freak.
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branchandroot
Here I come fashionably late, sleep-deprived, and rambly. UH-OH.
Date: 2009-04-04 05:19 am (UTC)A part of me still sees Laurence as totally straight, or forever unaware of the idea that he might be bisexual, and, let’s face it, not even looking for a romantic relationship/marriage. Jane was a good fling for him, yes, being both a friend and someone who could burn off any sexual energy he has, lol. I am of the same mind when you say that Laurence is too invested in duty (and Temeraire as a life-companion). The poor boy already has a lot on his mind, I think. He’s better off focusing on himself for a bit
until Tharkay and Granby come around with a 2x4 and whack some sense into him. Also, I have an issue with Temeraire still not getting it. (And if you want me to elaborate here, I will try my best if asked, but imma go back to warbling about the ot3.)I admit, I must have been wearing the thickest tin hat ever the first time I read the books. I did not pick up on Laurence/Granby until the fourth book, and even then, I had to read FIC first to actually SEE that there was potential. (LAURENCE IS JUST THAT STRAIGHT TO ME, I GUESS.) I was thoroughly more engrossed with the Laurence-Temeraire relationship (and sort of calmly accepting that I rather like Laurence/Temeraire to a certain extent). For all we know, Granby could be the only gay one, lol. Initially, I saw him as, like… the helpful little brother and REALLY good friend Laurence never had. IDK how to explain it; erm, Granby is adorable, yes. :x If they were a couple, mutually in love and all that, I think it would create the least emotional conflict in comparison to Tharkay/Laurence. They’re both aviators, so they can understand that their dragons and England come first. They are my sunshiny-couple, so to speak. But here’s the thing: I GO NUTS FOR ANGST AND EMOTIONAL CONFLICT.
Which brings me to Tharkay… When he came in, I DID see the pairing, and they were my first real fanon!ship, but I am actually a big fan of unrequited love, so I was really seeing Tharkay -> Laurence. And it’s so painfully obvious to me that Tharkay is heads over heels in love with him. Otherwise, the literary critic in me looks at Tharkay and mutters, deus ex machina, especially in the third book, and, if I put my hands over my ears singing “LALALA” over the subtext, the fifth book as well. Luckily, he did get some development over time and he become too full of win and awesome for my argumentive critic to say anything more. Long story short, my personal canon is Tharkay -> Laurence.
So, with Tharkay being the head-thwacker, and Granby being somewhat sweeter and understanding (but no less forceful when he has to be), the threesome works quite well in my head, granted that Laurence doesn’t freak.
... Long post is long. Sorry. .__.