Fandom Discussion -- Kissing in fanfiction -- I hate your fucking guts but let's kiss anyway!

[themostepotente]

Perhaps it's me, but is there a lack of really steamy and passionate kissing in fics?

It probably doesn't help that I thrive on;

a.) antagonistic pairings
b.) darkfic
c.) Snape and his lousy oral hygiene

Not exactly a breeding ground for 'Casablanca' and 'Gone With the Wind' style passion, I know.

I'm posing a couple of questions here.

How important is kissing in a story for you?

Should kissing be bypassed with some pairings? (Extreme and utter hatred, implausibility, etc.) If so, let us know what they are.

What makes or breaks a kiss for you?

What was the hottest kiss you've ever read in a fic? Link if you can, please. I've been craving kissing too. Don't read nearly enough, dammit!

Bonus points if someone can rec me kissing in a Snape/Black fic that's plausible.

Anything else you want to mention about kissing in fics? By all means!

--P

Comments

[syndarys.livejournal.com]

I love kisses, probably more than some sex scenes, actually. I'm weird, I know, but hey. I dunno, kissing is just so much more intimate than sex sometimes. Depends on the pairing, I guess.

That said though, it can also work in slightly more offbeat pairings - not for the intimacey, but for the steaminess - nothing like a couple who are snarking in between chewing on one anothers lips.

It may be a cliché, but I also really like kissing when one or both of the people involved are crying. Or if it's raining. Kissing is great when there's water involved, heheh.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

It may be a cliché, but I also really like kissing when one or both of the people involved are crying. Or if it's raining. Kissing is great when there's water involved, heheh.

Oh, I love rain in fics. And dammit, it doesn't have to include the kissing. Just a nice wet fuck :-)

[froda-baggins.livejournal.com]

Well I don't read the same sort of pairings/fics you prefer on the whole, so I suppose my views on kissing are coloured by my unashamed romanticism.

However, I love good kissing in fic. Of course, steamy, passionate kissing as foreplay to great sex is a definite plus, but my favorite kind of kissing is the sort that's just sort of lazy and explorative, with no real goal except just to kiss, and taste, and be with the other person.

That said, probably my favorite kind of kissing is sleepy just-woke-up kissing, the sort of kissing lovers do when they wake up in the morning and just can't keep their hands off each other.

Also, awkward first-time school days stuff really trips my trigger.

So yeah. That's my terribly sentimental take on kissing.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

That said, probably my favorite kind of kissing is sleepy just-woke-up kissing, the sort of kissing lovers do when they wake up in the morning and just can't keep their hands off each other.

Guh -- sleepy, just-woke-up kissing. The kind where even the worst morning breath makes no bloody difference :-)

[ausmac.livejournal.com]

It is interesting that you make this comment, because I was just working on a sort of personal challenge to myself by writing a Harry/Draco fic, a pairing I would never normally touch (I adjusted it by making it adjut Harry/Draco and turning Draco into someone I could actually enjoy writing) and part of the reparte was on the "I despise you" line before they got to it. And I'd just stopped writing at the kissing stage, because I love a good tasty kiss, writing wise.

No, it shouldn't be bypassed. Sex can be as much about dominance and combat as anything, and imposing the mouth on someone else can be a real rush in a story. I have only so far written two Sirius/Severus, but you take a look at http://home.iprimus.com.au/amacker/HPThingsIDo.htm as it does have them kissing. I don't know if you'd consider it believable, but my characters seemed to enjoy it.

I'm also in favour of nipple play. More nipples in fic, I say!

[froda-baggins.livejournal.com]

Mm nipples. I second that.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

I'm also in favour of nipple play. More nipples in fic, I say!

Especially pierced nipples! *grins*

[ceilidh]

Mm kissing. I love kissing - I hate you kisses, sleepy cozy kisses, first kisses, millionth kisses, angry kisses, possessive kisses, teasing kisses. I think first kisses are my favorite though, especially if they aren't expected.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

You forgot 'trio kisses' dear!

But I agree, any form of kissing will do :-)

[ahriman-lives.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's just me being odd, but I adore the kisses in fandom. They're how I remember a fic. I won't remember the sex scenes (with a few exceptions) or the title or how I found it but I always remember the first kiss.

What makes or breaks a kiss? *ponders* I think it spoils the tender moment when a worm is involved. Or when one of the following lines is, 'You make me puke.'
I'm not quite sure how quite I'd put into words how heart-achingly beautiful some of the Cinnamon kisses are. There's this fragility to them, which is stunning to read. The bittersweet kisses are what I live for.

And as for the hottest kiss. . . I'd have to nominate the Love Under Will Chapter Five kiss. I still remember the first time I read it...

[artimusdin.livejournal.com]

Do you have a link to that fic? I know it's familar, but I lost the link long ago, if I had it to begin with. ;_;

[artimusdin.livejournal.com]

How important is kissing in a story for you?

For the most part, I'd have to say that yes, there is a distinct lack of steamy, passionate kissing. At least, well-done ones. *grumbles* However, those authors that do it and do it well are guaranteed a gold star and bookmark on my fav. list. There is NOTHING like a good kiss in a fic. It usually can outdo any actual love-makingfucking that can come later. *shivers* There are times that the kiss can be far more intimate and hot than them actually getting naked and groiny together.

Should kissing be bypassed with some pairings? (Extreme and utter hatred, implausibility, etc.) If so, let us know what they are.

I've yet to see any pairing that absolutely, positively should be bypassed. All it takes is a good author to bend their skills to making it plausible and workable. It can be done. It HAS been done.

What makes or breaks a kiss for you?

Oddly enough, it's usually the author that makes or breaks it for me. It's all how they write it and how they carry it off that gets me. If they can get me well and truly involved in it, I'll adore it. If it's just there, and I can't get into it, it usually doesn't make my list of Awesome Kisses.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

There are times that the kiss can be far more intimate and hot than them actually getting naked and groiny together.

I wholeheartedly agree. cluegirl's fic 'Thirty' is a prime example.

[iibnf.livejournal.com]

I'd say there's an under abundance of kissing because there's an over abundance of rape. (And way too much bonding/comedy rape/forced to marry fic. Shudder).

I love the kissing - but as to writing it, that depends on the pairing. I don't see Snape/Sirius having long, sweet, affectionate make out sessions.

Hagrid, on the other hand, would be a face eater.

[ausmac.livejournal.com]

LOL, I can see that, with Hagrid.

"Snape wasn't all that fond of kissing, but Hagrid was, and he would frequently be acosted by the half giant, grabbed off his feet and find himself being enthusiastically slobbered over. The big mouth would cover his, along with his nose,chin and and a good area of his cheeks. And as Hagrid's lung capacity was greater than his, he often had to slap Hagrid to get himself released before he suffocated under the hairy rush of affection...."

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Yes please! I'd like to know that too! :) a HUGE percentaje of Snape/Black fics feels somehow rushed when it comes to feeling. I mean hot quick sex I can understand... but quick love? no, no... thing should be take slowlier there...

I can't see a Snack kiss in a PWP. It would take them 'awhile' to get to that point, if ever.

[mizbean.livejournal.com]

I think part of the problem is that writers tend to rush to the nitty-gritty, bypassing flirtation, innuendo and courtship to get straight to teh hot sex. Casablanca is all about unspoken passion.

I thought emmagrant01's Left my Heart had two great kissing scenes in Chapter 4 (http://archive.skyehawke.com/story.php?no=4093&chapter=4) and Chapter 5 (http://archive.skyehawke.com/story.php?no=4093&chapter=5). At that point in the story, Harry and Draco are skirting around their feelings for each other; they both not sure how far to take their attraction. Both kisses show hints of what's to come. I thought the author did a great job communicating a heart-racing thrill that happens when you kiss someone you really like for the first time... and the passion.

I love kissing, by the way, I find it can be pretty erotic on its own.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link.

Build-up is everything sometimes, I agree :-)

[danbi.livejournal.com]

Got here by way of dracorocksmysox.

I have not read a lot about kissing, I must say. I love kissing - I wish more characters would kiss! But I prefer the tender kissing. Passionate kissing is harder to write and I can't think of a place where it was done. Actually...well, it wasn't passionate, but devon_may was writing A Different Kind Of You for a while there...it's been a while so I'm sorry, but I don't have the link. But that's Harry/Draco, not Snape/Sirius (which I haven't read as often, sorry). You can find it in her user info, though.

Anyway, I love kissing. I can't really think of anything else to say on the subject. So here's a short poem, I guess:

Kissing is the best thing ever
Those who write it are quite clever
I love reading it everywhere
It makes me shiver as I stare
At my screen, at hot, hot words
Now I'll go and feed some birds.

Yep.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Clever poem!

No worries on finding a Snack kiss. Very hard to come by.

[arachnethe2.livejournal.com]

Bonus points if someone can rec me kissing in a Snape/Black fic that's plausible.

??????
Sod plausible and read this (http://www.tittisrealm.com/thinline/fabula/repechage.html) instead.

P.S. As for kissing in Snape/Black stories, I see it so: they can fuck each other as thorough as they want, but once they start kissing they are lost. And that is the main premisse of Snack in general.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. That is one of the hottest kisses in fiction, let alone fan fiction.

[aqua-chuu.livejournal.com]

I think kissing is a very appropriate sign of affection, so it can not be absent in good fics.;) To me, it seems that many authors focus on the erotical aspect of the pairing, more than the emotional, like kissing. Reading about your OTP sharing their first kiss can be a very sweet thing too, you know. I personally love kissing in fics (amazing effect when on the same time you put Kiss by Prince in your disc-man ;O), but I haven't read that many.

Well, I'm off to find some, then, because you've tickled my fancy to do so.;) If I find any good results I'll let you know.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Keep us all posted!

[amberdiceless.livejournal.com]

[Here via Daily Snitch]

Well...if you're willing to entertain the notion of a het pairing for a moment, I'll share my favorite (not necessarily hottest, per se) fanfiction kiss...

"You're arrogant, you're always getting into fights with my friends, yet you hardly even look at me, you couldn't offer a wholehearted compliment if your life depended on it, you have a mighty hazy idea of right and wrong -- but you don't call me 'Mudblood', and you saved those kids from Rosier, even if you reckon you had an ulterior motive, and you have a really nice smile which no one ever sees, and lovely hands, and you're rather interesting looking, if not actually handsome, although you might want to consider washing your hair once, maybe twice a day, and I really think that you're supposed to kiss me now, because I truly shouldn't be allowed to talk like this--"

He kissed her. She gave a little squeak of surprise, and then realised that he was kissing her, and his lips were warm, and his arms were around her waist. She kissed him back, and no more words were needed. --There Is No Such Place, Chapter 2 (http://www.mirrordance.net/hpfic/nsp/nosuchplace2.htm)

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Heh -- I'm not scared by het. I do write it on occasion.

Before I click on the link -- what was the pairing?

[kyasuriin.livejournal.com]

I also love kissing...er..reading about kissing :) My favourite sort of kissing is 'first' kissing. everything is new and exciting and unsure..wonderful. I think what makes a good kiss in description but not too much as to distract from the actual mental imagery, if that makes sense. You want to be able to picture it in your mind, but not have to read it three times in order to comprehend what the author is trying to say in such longwinded descriptive passages. I'm not sure where I have read a really very good kiss but when I come across it, I know who to rec. it to :)

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

First kisses are definitely hot. I think the Snape/Harry pairing is best for this.

[miss-serpentine.livejournal.com]

Since I personally find kissing nearly as erotic as the sex act itself, I really enjoy reading about it in a story. Although there are definitely some pairings/situations where it doesn't work- like when it's pure hatesex. It *can* work, but it takes a talented writer to pull it off.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Snape/Lucius kisses really trip my trigger.

*chuckles* Good quote from froda_baggins!

[gaycrow.livejournal.com]

I also find kissing (especially well written kissing) extremely erotic, and the kiss in McKay's "Too Wise to Woo Peaceably" (found here (http://remembrall.slashcity.net/)) was what sucked *g* me into slash.

McKay (scribbulus_ink) always writes beautiful kissing scenes. Her ensnared_senses and arionrhod's cocoa_cardigan from the_leaky share some wonderfully hot kisses, which lead to very hot other things. :D

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Hey, I know that RP! *chuckles*

Yeah, Arion and Scribs are cool like that :-)

Now if only I could coax the Lockhart muse into kissing Arthur.

[firebird5.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking about this actually. Kissing is something I love, and really miss in this era of nothing-but-PWPs. It's not really fluffy, when you think about it. I almost felt like not writing the last chapter of one of my stories, because of the sex, with the bottom face-down, and, well... it seemed so un-intimate, whereas in the chapter before that, they were snogging each other's faces off and getting into little bickering fights in between. Anyway, I recently read a lovely kissing story (http://prillalar.com/fic/stories/000307.php), and it's so fitting for the pairing. Even more fitting than porn, which, actually I don't think fits much with R/D. *shrug* Dunno why. Hate-snogging seems more likely, and nicer to read, than hate-sex.

(here via d_s)

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

No, I agree, it isn't necessarily only in fluffy fics.

If hate!sex exists, you have to know that hate!snogging does too. But kissing is very personal which is why I don't see it nearly as much in the pairings I adore.

Touché I s'pose :)

--P

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about this a lot recently. I wrote a lot of kissing in a recent fic I did for a zine, but was not as happy with it as I could have been (I cut out details from a lot of scenes because I was constantly aware that I was going to go over the maximum word count).

And in my ongoing original fiction project, there's going to be a lot of kissing because I want to develop the relationships slowly, and also to have some characters staying 'kissing-close' even after they realise that a full-on relationship isn't going to work out for them.

I really must nag my betas about how well they think this scene works (Richard, an Oxford academic, has been working late and James, a first year student he has just befriended, has fallen asleep on his settee):

He draped the blanket over the boy, then crouched by James' head. In a different version of history Richard and Olivia might have married, and by now had children not that much younger than James. Richard wondered if that, combined with all the other coincidences relating to his past, was what drew him to this friendless, fatherless boy. He smoothed James' fringe back from his face, then leaned forwards and brushed his lips against the boy's forehead. James' hair smelled of mint, and something that could well have been apple. His skin tasted of salt and Imperial Leather.

As Richard drew back, he saw those obscenely long, brown eyelashes flutter. He froze, embarrassed. What would the boy think of him? What had he been thinking?

James half-opened one eye and squinted at Richard.

"I guess that means I can come back?" he murmured.

That scene is going to have a lot of significance for both of them later, hence I want to get it exactly right.

Gina

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Forgot to mention. Here via su_herald

Gina

[dessert-first.livejournal.com]

Here via su_herald. Interesting discussion. Personally, I adore kissing, both in real life and in fic. It really can be more intimate, more infused with significance, than other kinds of physical contact.

Maybe it's cliche, but one big fic kink I have is not kissing until after the sex. When the pairing is in denial about the true intimacy of their feelings and deliberately withholding kissing on the mouth, while the fic rolls on its merry way and crazyhot sex is had by all. It somehow ratchets up the UST while still managing to heap on the S. When well-written, this can be sweet and sexy and deeply satisfying, like they finally plugged in that emotional component and sparks fly.

I must admit, though, reading about morning breath kisses? Squicks me a little bit. I'm a pansy, yes.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Wow -- I was a bit surprised to see my fandom discussion linked from a Buffy comm -- probably because I'm not active in that fandom.

Funny though, cave_canem has been enticing me with the Xander/Wesley pairing, and I must admit the Buffyverse intrigues me.

Thanks for coming over and responding! I've went ahead and friended the comm.

Oh yeah, and post coital kisses? HOT!

--P