Moving Up in the World - (Fic Challenge #101) PG-13

[MickLifeCrisis]

PNW - this was delightful! What a great backstory to the FOS and a very enjoyable look at Mick and Josef's friendship.

I reread darkstarrising's A Snow Angel for Christmas which had floated to the top, which led me to the Coffee House, which led me here. Can I ask what the original Challenge was that inspired you to write this?

[darkstarrising]

Jen,

I'm here on a return visit from the Coffee House....

The first time I read this, what attracted me was the banter between Mick and Josef...it was so on key, so right. Josef had something he wanted to do right then, right now, regardless of the fact that Mick was really beat and wanted nothing more that to crawl away to his freezer and sleep.

What I failed to appreciate the first time around was that Josef was preventing Mick from doing just that for the rest of his life - crawling away and hiding. He had finally broken from Coraline and had made a business for himself. It was time to start over. but even in his genuine interests for his friend's well being, there is the classic Kostan snarkiness.

Look." Josef had suddenly lost all patience. "Your current place is a sty. I've checked into the landlord there - he's too busy with his other properties to worry about your run-down building. Besides, this is your chance to make a fresh start. New office, new apartment...new life."

Mick rested his hands on his hips and looked down at the polished hardwood beneath his boots. Josef was right - this WAS his chance to start fresh. He lifted his head and held his hand out to his best friend.

"Thanks, man...thanks for this."

Josef clasped Mick's hand warmly and gave him one of his rare genuine smiles. "You are most welcome, my friend. I'm just happy I won't have to dry clean my clothes after a visit to your home in the future."

Sill love the line about the gargoyles. It's something only a guy would notice.

But the ending is the icing on the cake....a new office, a new home, a new client, one that would ultimately lead him to a new life.

[Albra]

Wonderful story !
Josef behaves like father or older brother towards Mick - this is genuine friendship ...

Thank you

[jen]

Just came back by for reread.

Still delightful. I love the line about 'early crappy office'

I know early crappy office. I don't think I invented early crappy office but I do believe I have taken it to new heights...or is it depths. In short, I have made it my own. I live there. When I'm not here.

Wonderful backstory.

[Moonlighter]

Hi PNW! All the MLA birthday/anniversary wishes led me here today, and wow! I'm so glad!

I love reading Mick and Josef friendship fics. They are truly brothers, and I love how you have Josef helping Mick move along in his new life journey. The ending makes it come full circle. You are so talented and clever in how you manage to bring us the raw beginnings of the FOS, England and Beth all in one piece. But most effectively you bring us the depth of Josef's feelings about Mick and Mick's about Josef. So nicely done.

"Early Crappy Office" Perfect Josef snark.

I'm just jumping for joy at all these lovely stories I'm finding for myself today!

[jen]

Yum!

This is one of those delicious little morsels that provide depth and dimension to the Moonlight universe. Something we would have been deprived of if not for the wonderful imaginations of the writers here.

I am forever in your debt.

[redwinter101]

I love it when I re-read a story that I haven't read for a loooooooooong time and precisely the same things strike a chord as they did the first time around.

Early crappy office is STILL a great line - and the genuine warmth and affection (hidden beautifully behind Josef's disdain) still comes through loud and clear.

Just lovely, honey.

Red

[PNWgal]

Thanks, Red. I love it when an old story makes an appearance again!

I'm glad you enjoyed this as much this time around as you did the first time.

[jen]

The fabulous chemistry between Mick (Alex) and Josef (Jason) produced some of the most amazIng character interaction of the series. It has provided a medium for some wonderful fanfic and this is a stellar example.

I've enjoyed this many times, and still find new delights in it.

The gargoyle line is classic--it is something a guy would notice. And early crappy office

For all the secrets Josef keeps, and Mick probably doesn't know more than a tenth of them, he has been a good friend to the P.I. and vice versa.

Thank you for writing this wonderful little fic!!!!

Jenna

[PNWgal]

Thanks, Jenna.

Some of my favorite ML moments are between Mick and Josef, and I love any fic that really hits their relationship - a deep and abiding friendship. I'm glad you think I hit the mark. And I agree...Josef may keep a lot of secrets, but he's been good to Mick, and vice versa.

[jen]

Noticed something else about this delightful fic--probably won't mean as much to the rest of you, but the day this fic was posted was the day I saw my very first episode of Moonlight.

[cassysj]

I'm re-reading some old favorites. Early crappy office This was quite an important day for Mick.

[PNWgal]

Carol, I can't tell you how much I needed that today.

[allegrita]

OMG, it's been aaaages since I read this!! I LOVE this!!! Thanks so much, Cassy, for popping it back up. It's simply delightful--perfect Josef snark, perfect friendship between two absolutely different, but totally simpatico vamps. (Both of whom happen to be favorites of mine, you might have noticed...)

Thanks, dear Pgal, for writing this fabulous story.

[MickLifeCrisis]

Really enjoyed the re-read of this one! So glad it popped to the top!