Dollhouse, "For Her, His Way" Boyd, Echo

[quirkysmuse]

Fandom: Dollhouse
Title: For Her, His Way
Characters/Pairings: Boyd, Echo, slight Boyd/Echo
Rating: PG
Word Count: 179
Genre: Friendship/Comfort
Spoilers: general series knowledge
Notes: Written for the "Friend" prompt at dollhouseflash

Summary: Boyd reflects on his friendship with Echo.



Echo has a friend now, but she really doesn’t know it. She’s forced to feel that way. Like some damn computer or robot, she’s programmed to only look at him through fabricated senses and man-made thoughts.

But if anyone asks, Boyd will say that he is her friend despite this. He knows it’s true even if no one else believes it. Topher Brink laughs at him and teases him about being an overprotective father. Dr. Saunders isn’t sure he’s strong enough. Maybe she thinks he’ll give up, or he’ll eventually treat her like the other handlers.

But Boyd Langton won’t.

Echo settles down in the chair, and she looks up at him with that trusting child-like expression. Other times before, he would usually look away. Not now, and not ever again.

He watches her, the computer buzzes, and he can almost feel the anguish she has on her face when her brain receives the pinch.

He takes her hand and squeezes lightly. This is all he can do for her. He can only share in her pain this way.

Comments

[lavastar.livejournal.com]

Oh, this was so adorable! I like the feeling that Boyd is different from other Handlers, because I think he is - I don't care if the trust is imprinted, those two have chemistry that is unique! :P

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you thought so.

[apckrfan.livejournal.com]

Can I just say - yay! And yay again! :-)

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Thanks, darlin! *squishes*

[apckrfan.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. As if you didn't know I'd be all over this one!

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Hee! I take it you must like this pairing. I don't think I've talked to you about the Dollhouse fandom yet. :3

[apckrfan.livejournal.com]

No, I have been kinda scarce. The oldest child is pushing her new "I'm legally an adult now" limits. Fun stuff!

And, yes, I like this pairing, even as a protector/need protection role. He's different than the other handlers we've seen, and he realizes for whatever reason she's different. I like his nervousness in this past week's episode. And I like how the tables were turned on him in the week prior's episode and he had to trust her.

It's Joss, though, so I'm sure he'll turn out not interested in women or already married and we just don't know it yet or he's taken his vows to a life of celibacy *s*

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you're digging this pairing too. The series seems to be pushing Echo with Paul, and I rather like her with Boyd for a het pairing for the reasons you stated above.

I hardly think Boyd has time for marriage if he's working with the Dollhouse. His job might be too dangerous for a spouse, though we might see his past dealings come up, but yeah, I think there's room to ship them.

[apckrfan.livejournal.com]

Hee, well, I was kinda joking about the married part (though it wouldn't surprise me if he was at one time). Just that it's Joss, so that means nothing will ever happen the way *I* want it to LOL

[emmademarais.livejournal.com]

Oh very nice! I like this! Boyd's an honorable man so he'd take this one sided (of a sort) friendship on because it's the right thing to do. I do see him having an affection for Echo that wouldn't make logical sense to people like Boyd who see her as a human etch-a-sketch or to Laurence who sees her as a thing more than a person, but Boyd's all about the humanity and he'll hold onto whatever humanity is in Echo because he's the only one who can.

Thank you so much for writing this for the challenge! It's really quite wonderful.

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the comment! I'm glad to enter; the prompts give me something to work with.

I appreciate it!

[piratescribe.livejournal.com]

So nice :) A very gentle piece, just like how Boyd treats Echo :)

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you picked up on Boyd's gentleness. I know he's really strong, but I think he realizes how fragile Echo can be.

[obiwahn.livejournal.com]

Aww. Poor Boyd. Poor Echo.

This was lovely and sad. Thanks for posting!

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Sure! Thank you for the comment. :D

[morbidmuse.livejournal.com]

I think that the relationship between Echo and Boyd is really interesting and I like your take on it. Nice job. :)

This is all he can do for her. He can only share in her pain this way.
Aw. ♥

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[xfirefly9x.livejournal.com]

Aww, I like. Very bittersweet.

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

[favouriteyear.livejournal.com]

This is so good. It's exactly how I look at their relationship.

Like that scene, where he gets all excited/nervous when she's about go on stage!

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yes, I really do think he's very protective of her. =3

[idjunkie.livejournal.com]

This comment is far too late but I couldn't resist saying something! This was AWESOME! These are the words that describe the way Boyd views Echo... just a great depiction of what he's thinking. Loved it!

[quirkysmuse.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I don't mind late comments. <3
I'm glad you enjoyed it.