Parental Guidance
| Fraser/Kowalski Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Parental Guidance |
| Author(s): | Alanna, Starfish and Kass |
| Date(s): | |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | slash |
| Fandom: | due South |
| External Links: | online here online at AO3 |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Parental Guidance is a Fraser/Kowalski story by Alanna, Starfish and Kass.
Reactions and Reviews
One little, white lie on Ray's part sets the ball rolling. Before he knows it, his parents start acting weird, but strangely supportive though of what, Ray has no idea. By the time he figures it out, it's too late to correct their misconception and that partly turns Ray's world upside down, though in a good way *g*. It's a sweet and funny story that had me smiling, laughing and shaking my head all the way through. I love the Ray voice, but I absolutely adore the parts where Fraser's quirky sense of humour shines through.
When RayK's mom starts hinting that it's time for Ray to start dating again, he succumbs to desperation and tells her that he's dating someone. Which he's not. But she takes his words to heart and starts trying to figure out exactly who he could be dating. Of course, we all know who Ray spends most of his time with.Also? Fraser spends a lot of time being *really* focused on curling.
I've been reading a lot of long, angsty epics, so this was a real treat. Fraser and Ray are wonderfully in character, Ray's parents are awesome beyond words, and the entire plotline is so cute I want to just cuddle it to death. Plus you have humor and Diefenbaker being, well, Diefenbaker. Highly recommended for anyone who is in need of a mood lifter. [2]
The trope of "they think we're doing it!" has been dragged out so many times it's downright threadbare, but these ladies manage to make it original again.If you've somehow managed to remain unspoiled in this blabbermouth world of fandom, I won't ruin it for you.
I *will* say that this was funny, sweet, and blisteringly *hot*, with just the right touches of angst and awkwardness to make it all feel real. Yum. [3]
There are so many reasons why I love this fic. Firstly, it's fun. It's got Fraser and Ray dating when they don't even realise it. It has a starring role for Ray's parents, who are brilliant at engineering a role for Fraser in their family when neither Fraser nor Ray realise his parents believe they're dating. It is also warm - Ray comes to terms with his own feelings after Fraser makes an offhand comment, and they're nervous and unsure, and it's really well done. My one gripe is that they jump from realisation to bed too darn quickly, but it's done so well it's really only a little problem. Such a feel-good story. [4]
One could argue that the premise for this fic is a bit tired and overdone: the guys are shocked to discover that others assume they're a couple even though they're not, and though they at first vehemently deny it and claim that there's been a terrible misunderstanding, the gears have started turning. Eventually, usually after further denials and misunderstandings, they finally see - duh! - what everyone else already knew and what's been in front of their faces all along.But there's a reason premises like these are tired and overdone - because we like them, they allow us to explore the themes we want to explore in slash - and when they're done well, they work! Parental Guidance is a perfect example. In this story it's Ray's parents who jump to conclusions. Ray doesn't realize what they're thinking at first, though he's vaguely baffled by their suddenly slightly odd behavior - his mother takes Fraser curtain shopping, he goes to dinner at his parents' trailer and sees a brand new rainbow sticker on the RV, his father makes an out-of-left-field comment about not judging people for how they choose to live their lives. Not really all that subtle - but this is a case of detective, detect thyself, and it takes Ray a while before his mind clicks into gear. Finally, though, he puts two and two together and clues in to what his parents really think. Of course, he's shocked and righteously indignant - but it's Fraser's reaction to his parents' assumption that floors Ray, turns him upside down, causes him to really look at himself and ask himself some hard questions that maybe he's been avoiding for a while.
Alanna, Kass, and Starfish take this premise and make it fresh again, with great writing, deft, clever touches of humor, fantastic characterization and dialogue, a terrific Ray voice, and underneath it all, a really appealing sweetness. It's a funny, light story, but there's a more serious undercurrent - self-discovery can be a very painful thing when you've been hiding from yourself, and Ray has to struggle a bit to come to terms with his true feelings and inclinations. This little bit of angst gives the story depth and substance and makes it more than just an entertaining bit of fluff, though it is undoubtedly entertaining.
Overall, Parental Guidance is a truly enjoyable read - a delightfully witty, clever, romantic - oh, and let's not forget hot (as if I ever could!) - fic. [5]
This is so freaking cute! Also, no mom is going to jump right to you’re dating your friend if she hadn’t already been thinking you might be just a little queer. If you were 100% hetero she’d be ‘why you lying to me’ not ‘make sure to bring him round for dinner ;)’[6]
Through a series of mishaps, Ray's parents think that Fraser and Ray are dating when they're not. Once again, adorable parents!fic.[7]
References
- ^ Due South Fanfic Recs - Fraser/Kowalski by Ximeria, Archived version
- ^ post by jane_elliot in Epic Recs, Jan. 29th, 2009
- ^ Due South Recs by Teland, Archived version
- ^ Mog Reads
- ^ 2004 rec at Crack Van
- ^ "August 19, 2022 Blog post". Archived from the original on 2023-01-04.
- ^ "Due South fic recs". Archived from the original on 2023-01-04.