Het!Reid vs. Slashy!Reid

[poeticpathetic.livejournal.com]

We had a great discussion going on here about Reid as written in slash fics.  Some people touched on Reid written in het fics as well and I was hoping to explore that a little more.   I know het isn't as popular amongst fandoms as slash is (and this is across the board), but I've seen two distinct variations of Reid in het fics, and I'm new to the genre.  There's the confident, self-assured Reid who's clearly aware of what he's doing, and then there's the Reid who is a total fumble and fail and lets whoever he's with sort of take over.  What do you think is more accurate and why do you think we see two ends of the spectrum?  What episodic evidence do we have when it comes to formulating Reid's sex-life, if any, and how do you interpret it?

Comments

[madlori.livejournal.com]

I don't think either portrayal is entirely accurate. I don't like the totally-inept Reid, because that isn't who he is, and definitely isn't now. I see him as somewhat shy, kind of awkward, but capable of holding his own. In canon, he wasn't really that shy with Lila Archer. He had no problem talking to her even if he felt a little hesitant about his attraction to her. Once they were in that pool, though...damn. She kissed him first but then he pretty much took over. And once Morgan got him going with Austin the bartender, he was completely in control. He was a little shy but he did just fine.

I'm currently writing (or posting, I should say, it's already written) a lengthy Reid het fic. Part of my goal of the story was to portray a Reid who was confident and grown up, but still retained some of his shyness. He's not an alpha male like Morgan, but he's not giving up his own power in his relationship. I don't think it has to be one or the other. I think Reid is both.

[renee7931.livejournal.com]

I agree with this. It seems that once he knows the female in question is interested, he's pretty confident.

[emmakitty.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you. Reid's self confidence is seen a lot even in non-sexual encounters (like in that halloween episode and when he blows up the film canister in the bullpen) but his awkwardness is there too, sometimes. Like in that episode with the bartender, he says something like he doesn't know how to start the conversation, but then once Morgan gives him some tips on how to start it, he totally works it on his own. I think that's one of the things that makes him such an interested character (and that really speaks to MGG's skill as an actor) -- how so many seemingly contrary characteristics (shyness and self-confidence) legitimately exist in this one character

[vampireheart88.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty excited to read this story.
Reid het fics are very hard to come by these days.

[madlori.livejournal.com]

You can read it right now, it's being posted one chapter per day at bau_fic. It's called "How to Fight Loneliness." Here's the link to the first chapter on my fic journal, just keep clicking Next Entry.

http://madlorific.livejournal.com/730.html