Palooka
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| Sentinel Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Palooka |
| Author(s): | Pares |
| Date(s): | 2001 |
| Length: | 7,300 words |
| Genre: | slash |
| Fandom: | The Sentinel |
| External Links: | Palooka |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Palooka is a Jim/Blair story by Pares.
This story has an example of Blairscent.
Reactions and Reviews
This takes place sometime after “Sweet Science”, in which a boxer friend of Blair’s was killed, and helps to explain the title. The episode was deep into the third season, so Jim has been working on controlling his senses with Blair’s help for quite a while and it shows here. Jim uses his senses unconsciously and effortlessly, monitoring Blair without any real thought or intent. And that’s how his sense of smell tells him what’s going on in Blair’s life. He knows, for instance, when Blair’s dating someone new, because their smells rub off on him. And he knows when Blair is getting laid, because he’ll smell like freshly-baked bread. Then, his senses start to go out of whack. He knows Blair can help him but is at a loss as to how to explain it or engage Blair. He’s starting to suspect that Blair might be part of the problem. Jim’s confusion is endearing and his reactions are hilarious. The banter is snappy and the interactions are laced with that casual good humor and affection that was the hallmark of the show. Enjoy! [1]
In this one Jim finds that he has the hots for Blair and thinks that Blair is way [too] het to ever love him back. Hmmm. Think he just might be wrong about? Nah, not in the TS universe. Yeah, right. It's not as angsty as some stories like this are, which is good. I so wasn't in the mood for that. This story is hard to rec, in that it's sort of typical TS slash. It's good TS slash though. Pares, almost called her Dawn, is an excellent writer and I think she captured the essence of Jim. She handled his voice pretty well. My Jim muse was impressed. Have I mentioned he's a bossy bastard. Never shuts up. Nit picky, I like him though. Stuck with him so what am I going to do. Anyway, what I really liked about this one that Jim realizes he might be bi. Embraces it, doesn't dance around it. Decides to confess it to Blair and figure it out from there. Well, eventually Blair catches a clue and they live happily ever after or something. Until the next serial killer comes along, you watch TS you know some bad shit happens to one of them or the city in general each week. So happy together at least. This rec sucked, but have you seen the amount of things I'm rec'ing this update. There wasn't alot to say on this one and I've got alot to do. More great stories just keep popping up too, which only means I find more stuff to rec. I think that slash drought is over now. Thank god. I'll just shut up now. Just go read it. It's really good, I swear.<g> [2]
The cleverly titled Palooka by Dawn Pares, is my favorite of hers yet; the use of Jim's senses is persuasive and fresh, her Jim is adorably confused -- and the next time you rewatch an episode after reading this, you'll be thinking about Blair's ass. Betcha.[3]
There's really no one like Pares for dosing romance with realism and still making it all *wonderful*. Sweet and hot and just... *snicker* No mystical experiences, no weepy Blairbot, just two guys, one of whom happens to be a curious Sentinel, naked and well on their way to sex.Breath of fresh air, really.
What I really loved about this story, though, was the progression through Blair's relationships. I really do have a kink for happy het Blair. *g* [4]
Best FF Use of Various Orange-Based Beverages, Including Orange Julius, Which I Didn't Think Even Existed Anymore: Palooka, by Pares. The Sentinel, Jim/Blair. Jim's senses are, obviously, something most FF writers take into consideration when they're writing sex scenes, and frankly I have rarely seen any special ability so uniquely suited to bedroom activities. It's like the series creators said to themselves, gee, what combination of characters and traits could get us the most slash fiction in the least amount of time? And the answer was The Sentinel. But even in a fandom filled with mutant-sex stories, "Palooka" stands out, winning the "Phenomenal Use of Jim's Senses" special Sentinel slash award. (Of course there are special awards. I'll be doing a whole nominations set on them, just as soon as I figure out what the rest of them are.) [5]