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So I'm working on a follow-up to my little Disease/Addiction ficlets. A whole 3 people mentioned getting Tucker to Vulcan, and I had come up with a mechanism to get him there. I have since been working on a plot. In that time, BnB has come up with 'Payment' and over at wwbj, Rigil has 'Janus' going. My story isn't nearly as dark or brutal as theirs -- not to say I haven't been enjoying them, because I have.

As I mentioned over at wwbj, my story is more MU:Lite - 75% less abuse. In fact, it's more like no abuse, just a really unhealthy relationship.

So, what's my question already? I'm trying to deside if I should put in the gratuitous sex scenes or just go with implied. Here is an example (and TOTALLY un-beta'd) excerpt:
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She still had her back to wall. He moved his hand to the wall over shoulder. "This goes both ways, doesn't it?"

She wispered, "yes."

His voice was soft, "I plague you, as much as you do me?"

Her head tipped back to look up at him. "I would not use the word plague."

He was centimeters from her, "then what word would you use?"

Her eyes did not leave his, but her voice waivered. "Enthrall."

He watched as she inhailed his scent. "You still want me."

"Yes."

"Is that why I'm here?"

She clung to threads of logic. "I do not trust Archer as am emissary."

His eye narrowed, "So you're protecting me?"

"Yes."

"What if I don't want your protection."

"Then that is unfortunate for you."

His lips twisted into a smirk, "you chose these technologies 'cause you could convice Sato that only I could install them."

She could feel the threads slipping from her grasp, "they are of strategic value."

He moved in even closer to her. His words puffed hot breath on her ears, "so it's a package deal then. Vulcan gets their new toys, and you get yours too."

He turned his head just enough to look into her eyes. Her pupils were dialated to blackness and beads of sweat had formed over her lips.

Good to know I've still got it.

It was his last coherant thought.
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So, what do you want to read? Stick with implied, or go for the smut biscuit?

Opinions, please.

What he said.

If it don't feel right, it won't read right. Put it down the way it comes out. Forget what the readers want. Write what the characters want. That's the only way to make it work, IMO. The story is coming out of YOUR soul, not ours.

In that case - do ya'll like honey or jam on your biscuit?

I just didn't want to write these scenes (yeah, more than one) and have reader comments about gratuitousness.

I guess it *is* MU - it's almost expected.

You could do one version with the smut biscuit....and another one without it? I would read the first one only though, I must confess....

Smut biscuit, please. With butter and honey.

I'd advise against something that could have the smut part easily cut out without missing anything. That's what makes them come off as gratuitous. If you make it part of the story, and make it mean as much as the rest of the plot, then it isn't gratuitous. I know some people will always call it that, because they don't like the explicit nature of it. That's why we have the NC-17 rating.

Ever notice how some baking powder biscuits are soft fluffy and an absolute delight when warm fresh from the oven and yet others seem to be weapons grade?

HtH


DIsclaimer on file per state and local regulations.

Comes from overhandling the dough.

I can agree totally with the "go with the flow" notion. When I'm writing, if a scene doesn't feel right to me, I rewrite it. Go with your gut. If the story feels right to you, it'll feel right to the readers.

I think I'll go with the biscuit on the side - it's there if you want it, but not necessary to enjoy the main course.

'cause sometimes you're just craving a little biscuit.



I can hear my beta's eyes rolling from here.