Claiming my DTH: Higher and Higher (Temptation), H/D, 28.5k, NC-17

[birdsofshore]

I wrote a fic for dracotops_harry.

I didn't mean to sign up for any more fests at that time, but nobody else claimed this amazing prompt and there was a possibility that I was simply NEVER GOING TO STOP THINKING ABOUT IT if I didn't write the bloody thing. So, 28k later, here it is.

Thank you very much indeed to everyone who read and commented. People seemed very enthusiastic about the consent issue, which surprised me. Minor spoiler: Harry gets stuck wearing a magical collar which means that following an order from Draco gives him intense pleasure. Contrary to what you might expect, in this fic Draco is bothered by the moral implications of the situation and tries hard to resist getting involved with Harry while he is wearing the collar.  I thought that people might prefer the hotness of a morally dubious Draco who abuses his power because my usual readers are a bunch of kinky perverts, but apparently consent in itself is sexy. \o/

I was also surprised at how many commenters said something along the lines of "I won't normally read 1st person POV, but xyz." This intrigues me... I think I will make a separate discussion post about it.

The title comes from the wonderful Temptation by Heaven 17, which has always been a big favourite of mine. I adore the drama of the song and the rising tension throughout, and the lyrics seemed perfect for borrowing.

I can now thank my beta, dicta_contrion who was a bloody wonder, as always, and improved the story immeasurably. ♥

Title: Higher and Higher (Temptation)
Author: birdsofshore
Summary: Only Harry Potter could manage to put on a magical collar on impulse and find himself unable to take it off again. Now following Draco’s direct orders gives him intense pleasure, and Draco has a whole heap of troubles to deal with, not least the way Potter looks when the collar has him gasping with bliss. The whole situation would test the morals of a saint... and Draco’s no saint.
Rating: NC-17
Warning(s): Themes of D/s and consent
Word Count: ~28.5 k

Comments

[sassy-cissa.livejournal.com]

Now knowing this is yours, I'll be able to give it a go. Gods...I'm such a whimp. I wibble at the slightest thing lately. ♥

[birdsofshore]

Aw, cissa! I think you'll be safe with this one, actually - there's a spot of pining, but that's as angsty as it gets. If you need to know more about the consent or the D/s themes, feel free to pm me.

[oakstone730.livejournal.com]

IT WAS SO GOOD! I need to go back and re-read it, because I just went through it so fast.

Your comment about consent being sexy reminded me of this video done by Lindsey Doe of Sexplanations where she introduces it by saying that consent is "unbelievably, inarguably, bubbling, sex-cauldron hot." She is referring to real-life sex/consent vs real-life rape ( - so not kink-shaming) and she presents it in a very sexy way...

[birdsofshore]

Ahhh thank you so much! I was delighted that you enjoyed it. I have read other people's fics where consent played a big part and found it really hot, but I don't think I have ever played around with it myself before. I feel like I just found a new weapon to add to my arsenal ;)

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

Jesus, but that was scorchingly hot.

[birdsofshore]

Ohhhhhh, thank you so much. That's a lovely thing to hear. <3

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

Your fic was brilliant I adored it so much :)

[birdsofshore]

Thank you! I'm really chuffed that you enjoyed it!

[what-katie-did.livejournal.com]

I used to be one of those people who would say "I don't like reading first person..." but then i realised that three of my absolute favourite books werewritten in the first person and that I don't like first person stories unless they're written reallywell. It's hard to make a character truly convincing in first person, they need to have relatable thoughts, human flaws and contradictons, while still being essentially likable (for me to like it, anyway :) ).

This fic was a great example of first person done well, I loved Draco's thought processes, how you made things obvious to the reader while still showing his doubts, the moment when he gave in and had that super hotkiss, and the fact he made them sit down for a civilised drink when Harry just wanted to jump his bones - I adored it all!

[birdsofshore]

Ah, yes, I adore books written in 1st person as well! I am definitely going to write a discussion post about the whole 1st person thing. You're absolutely lovely to say such kind things about the story. I'm thrilled that you feel the POV worked and that you enjoyed being inside Draco's head. I think I am hooked on 1st person. I can't get that immediacy in any other POV, it always feels like there's a separation between me and the reader and the character. I even wrote 1st person Harry this year and I think it worked OK!

Many thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts.

[dicta-contrion.livejournal.com]

♥♥♥♥!!! Absolutely my pleasure, and as always I think you undersell the first draft. Do agree with the other commenters that it's delightfully, deliciously hot and a damn good story!

[birdsofshore]

... and *I* think you underestimate the cumulative difference that the (individually smallish) tweaks you suggest make to the final fic. ♥

So glad you were available to work on this one. A great piece of luck for me!