'Bench Sitting, Shoe Staring': The Jess/Rory Relationship Part 2

[aragons.livejournal.com]

JESS: So we'll walk around or sit on a bench and stare at our shoes.

As is shown by the vast fan following which continues to grow even two years after the show officially gave an end to their relationship, there is something unique, something special about the two of them and the tale that always leads one to the other. As of recent times, a renewed interest in the couple has emerged, resulting in an influx of new authors and readers. I myself am one of the new ‘wave’ of avid Jess/Rory ‘shippers (and authors) and am proud to be so, as this on-screen romance is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.

I fell into this fandom completely by accident, quite literally. Before about six, seven months ago, I’d never even heard the name Jess Mariano. I’d watched a couple of Gilmore Girls episodes on holiday and had really enjoyed them, but at the time I hadn’t really been into fanfic. Anyhow, I had been reading some fabulous Cassidy/Mac fic from the Veronica Mars fandom and the author’s userpic was fantastic. Initially I thought it was Mac and Cassidy in an episode I hadn‘t seen, but after a little research discovered it was Rory and Jess sharing their first kiss at Sookie‘s wedding. I remember vaguely thinking back to the episodes I had watched, but didn’t remember this relationship at all. Suffice to say I was intrigued. Through everything_inme's fantastic rec post (which I will give a link to at the end) and the site she co runs with hide_r  fell hard and fast for this couple.

Being a lit geek myself, the thing that drew this relationship to me was their love of literature. As I become more well-versed in the Gilmore world, I quickly saw that this relationship was something special. There was a dynamic that I hadn’t ever seen in a television teen couple before. Not only that, but all the insecurities, all the problems between them felt real. As I have said before, I loved Dean in Season One but his relationship with Rory simply never had the potential of her relationship with Jess. To further demonstrate this point, it appears that Amy Sherman-Palladino, the show’s creator, had originally intended Jess to be a series regular, offering Milo Ventimiglia a six year contract:

[from the February ’06 issue of Player magazine]
Interviewer: Let’s talk about Gilmore Girls, where you were cast as sort of the bad boy.
Milo: Reckless youth, misled youth, troubled youth, yes. That was the first job where I really was put into the public eye, where I was on a show regularly. With Gilmore, I had a two-year contract, they wanted six years and I said no.

That the show’s creator had decided so early on to keep Jess in Rory’s life for the foreseeable future, only serves to underline my personal feelings about the epic nature of their relationship. What they have is something timeless, something that can never be quite fulfilled by someone else; Jess is Rory’s first all there love, passion and intellect colliding in their relationship, heady and intense. I think it’s fairly safe to say that Rory was Jess’ first love ever. In their last episode together, you can see them together as they always were, bantering with chemistry crackling in the spaces between them. The only reason that their relationship is never given the chance to bloom is because something gets in the way, whether it be one of them, the town or another man in Rory’s life. However, there’s something cyclical in their relationship, which encourages me to believe that they will get back together. It may be messy, it may hurt and it may cause problems, but they fit each other in a way no-one else ever will.

--

RORY: I can’t catch my breath.
JESS: You’re not supposed to.
The Literati Guide:

FIC
I’ll warn you now, this is a very long fic rec.

First of all, I’m going to link to the fic rec that got me started:
http://everything-inme.livejournal.com/160648.html
She’s got the majority of the classics in there, explains why they’re worth reccing with links to both fic and the authors. This is the first stop on your grand fic tour.

Most of the classics can be found at the above rec, but just a quick note about these two fics:
Defending Bjork and Chasing Aphrodite
by MahliaLily.
Summary(s): “Completed 9.12.04. What if Rory and Jess had destroyed the snowman in "Bracebridge Dinner"? What if everything had been different? What if Season 2 had gone my way? Lit and JJ” and “Defending Bjork: The Sequel. Season 3, Becka-style. Lit and JavaJunkie”
Unfortunately Becka has said she isn’t likely to finish Chasing Aphrodite since she lost all faith in the show around Season 6. However, I would still heartily recommend reading these two fics, Bjork first of course. As everything_inme said, she takes the season we know and love and makes it even better. The way she plots everything and makes everything flow seamlessly, she’s practically re-created canon. It’s such a good read, with great pace and fantastic dialogue. They’re lengthy, but it’s totally worth it.

Authors:

columbiachica
I’ve listed several of her fics on this rec, because I kind of couldn’t help myself. Her writing had this quality that makes you want to squirrel it away and keep it to yourself. But that would mean she doesn’t get the credit or the view she deserves. Her stories are never too tangled, sometimes knotted but the writing is smooth and lyrical and a joy to read.

unfold
Just wow. I’m not sure Unfold writes Literati anymore, but reading her back catalogue is a great way to immerse yourself in fantastic writing. Unfold takes these situations, either from the show or her own mind and puts this great spin on them and it’s always written beautifully. Everything clicks together, no word wasted.

Hallon
Read all you can by her. She has an eye for creating these lovely little moments between our favourite couple, AND she gets the voices of the supporting characters, not just Lorelai and Luke. She’s a real talent in the fandom and well worth getting an alert on. 

everything_inme/ FallAway 
She has the most fantastic authorial voice. There’s something visceral about her writing, you can feel it in your chest as the words skip across the pages. She understands the characters beautifully and you can tell how much she gets involved with them as she writes. Read anything and everything you can by her, you won’t have wasted a minute.

Knowhere
What can I say about Knowhere other than she just totally gets this. She most noted for her AU fic Lux et Veritas (see above for a full explanation) She’s also recently embarked on another AU, called Gradual Descent which I’ll talk about later. Her series of one-shots are always great to read, alternately breaking your heart and handing you it back mended. The way she interacts with Rory and Jess is astounding, I’ve seen the way she thinks them through, they might as well be real to her. Also, if you ask nicely, she might well write a request fic.

abc79-de 
Wonderful, every Literati fic she’s ever written is fantastic. She understands the characters so well and she has this lovely writing style. Combine this with an ear for dialogue and an eye for the scenes we missed on the show, she makes for one truly great author. Look out for her WIP, a crossover with Veronica Mars called Never Enough.  , this epic length fantastic story And Now, Time for Something Completely Different and this amazing one shot Sorry For The Inconvenience

Arianna555
Arianna writes so beautifully. I can’t explain what exactly it is, but it rolls of your tongue and it fits everything you know absolutely perfectly. It can be harsh but it’s always right, and it fits. Her fics hit you and get stuck behind your eyes, they’re stories you reel from because they’re so intense. Minute Detail is one of her best, and one of my favourites.

Francesca Jones
Oh there are no words for the win that this author is. Seriously. She has written some of the absolute classics and some jaw-dropping fantastic oneshots that you all must read. I could go on and on, but I won’t. Just read. Especially Ruined in the Rain

someone5
Nicolle is awesome. Honestly, anything she writes is inspiring and brilliant and you want to read over and over again. Because you just should. Like any good writer, she has insanely good grasp on the characters and the dialogue and situations are never forced.

Leeson
Unfortunately for us, Leeson no longer writes GG fic, which is a shame (though she does write Doctor Who which is never a bad thing). Her fiction is always unique, never taking the typical view; or if she does, it’s always got a spin on it. Her stories are always full of beautiful images and symbolism that you’d be lost without. They are the kind of stories you want to keep close at hand and read over and over, picking through each word and crawling inside it. I promise that it’s not just me. My favourite fic of hers is Love Goes To Glory, you’ll see why when you read it. A close second is Sing of the Rhine.

AU:

Aftermath by unfold 
Summary: “Post 6.08 Literati. 'She fell in love. And it was simple. It was easy. No, it wasn't easy.' Complete”
At seven chapters, this is a quick read and a great one at that. The Rory and Jess in this story really feel like the adult versions of those we saw at seventeen. The dialogue is spot on and the plot is excellently paced.

A Gradual Descent by Knowhere
Summary: “Literati. She refused to be a cliché, falling for the seemingly dangerous guy when she was with the safer one. He refused to let the innocent girl of his friend to make him feel something unwanted. AU”
This is what I call AU. Knowhere has created a situation by which Rory and Jess meet as adults. Not only that, but she picks out some of their traits and really plays on them; thereby still using characters that are recognisably Jess and Rory, but different and intriguing. This is still a work in progress, so it’s well worth signing up to get a story alert from FF.net every time she posts a new chapter. As always with Knowhere’s fics, it’s fantastically well written, with an incredible amount of detail. She knows her characters inside and out and it shows.

Both Sides Now by columbiachica
Summary: "It's summer in Stars Hollow, and the heat is making Rory feel unfamiliar feelings. R/J. Note the small rating change; most of the objectionable stuff is implied, though, so it's mainly a precaution."
This isn’t one of the more hardcore Aus, but still AU none the less. It takes place over the summer that could’ve taken place had ‘Teach Me Tonight’ not happened, and Rory not gone to Washington DC. Her characterisation is great, playing with the slightly cockier side of Jess more than most. She does a great job of showing you what’s happening, if that makes sense. It’s a little lengthy, in a good way of course, clocking in at 19 chapters, but it’s well worth reading.

Lux et Veritas by Knowhere
Summary: " Very AU. A more relaxed college freshman Rory meets a more confident adult Jess for the first time. Different backgrounds, attitudes, and behaviors for the both of them. Literati."
This? This is sheer fantastic on your computer screen. Everything works so well, the little details, the new backgrounds for the characters, the ways in which they meet and pursue the other; her OC Ben has gathered his own little fan following because he is truly that good. Simple everything about this is wonderful, from the characterisations to the dialogue to the dog. Sheer unadulterated wonderful.

Questions of Science by columbiachica
Summary: “She's in a black hole and there's no hallelujah bright light. It all boils down to a matter of physics. [Lit]”
This is just perfect, the way I wish Rory could’ve resolved the Dean debacle. This works perfectly because she still screws up but it ends up okay because he gets it.

The Idiosyncrasies of Idiots by vintagequeen
Summary: “We can drive.” “We can barely walk in a straight line.” “Then it’s a good thing we’re not walking, isn’t it?” (Literati)”
This is just fantastic. It really gets to how Rory thinks and feels and it deals with everything perfectly. The situations, the dialogue and the couple are all pitch perfect. And the way in which she changes the most heartbreaking episode ‘Last Week Fights, This Week Tights’ into something far, far better is simply awesome. In the original meaning of the word.

U Turn by fulfilled
Summary: “What was worth changing for? The end of Season 4 through Jess' eyes.”
This is very well written, interesting plot wise and just a joy to read. At seven chapters, it doesn’t take too long to read, and there’s no chance of it getting too tangled up in itself. It’s got all the references you could ever want and it fit’s the two of them like a somewhat torturous but romantic glove. Read its longer sequel And When She Was Good too.

Ventricles by everything_inme/ FallAway
Summary: AU, Post Season Three. Connecticut seems like it’s not even on the map anymore. Jess. Rory. Oneshot.
Well, everything_inmeis one of the people that really got me into the fandom. By reading her fics I just knew I had to get myself involved. This is one of her most recent forays into the fandom and it’s perfect. It’s a different style than her usual one, but it just works. It’s literary in itself, with these picture perfect metaphors and the emotions that hit you, as if you’re part of it. It’s perfect.



Future fic:

Lovely Things by Buffychick 
Summary: "Rory and Jess run into each other, two years after she graduates college. They've grown up, but have they moved on?"
This is still a work in progress, which is being updated don’t you worry. It’s set about two years after Rory’s graduation and it’s fantastic. Really, truly is. It’s such an enjoyable read. Even her OC, Claire is wonderful to read and everything just works. It’s not overly sentimental, or clichéd but well thought out and very well written.

The Reply by Terra7 / kudosandhuzzah
Summary: “[Lit] He had to remind himself that they were not the same. They’d broken each other too many times for that.”
This is fantastic. Just honest to god, why can’t we see this being filmed, fantastic. Terra gets the voices, the actions and the way everything slowly slides together is just lovely to watch. And yes, I do mean watch. This is the way I hoped Season 8 could go but Terra’s version works so much better than anything else I could conjure up. Keep an eye on her too, she’s writing more soon.

The Wurlitzer Prize by columbiachica
Summary: “Rory's tried to move on, but her mind keeps whispering... I don't wanna get over you. [Literati]”
This is such a great fic, it’s taught, it’s funny, it’s detailed and they really are Jess and Rory, as if you’ve known them all your life. You get emotionally involved with this story, tying yourself up in these great passages that explain everything you’ve wanted to happen for these two.



One-shots:

A Calendar of Days Just for Her by iluvmylowandbaseball / linc_mike_jess 
Summary: “ Literati. Fluff. Post season seven. “Look, it’s jealous.” “What?” “The flower.” “I love your insanity.”
This is just simply adorable. The way this future has worked out for them, and the fantastic somewhat crazy banter between the two is the perfect pick me up.

Astronomy by unfold 
Summary: “Rory, Jess, stars, etc. Set during Teach Me Tonight. 'He is distracted completely by this sky.'”
How I wish that this fic had been filmed. This just works so perfectly with the situation and the characters and it’s vivid like you’re in the backseat. It’s a perfect example of everything you need in a fic. Read it, read it then read it again, I promise you’ll never get tired of it.

Annabel Lee by TrappedInPast 
Summary: He doesn’t feel like he can be the one to dilute her purity with alcohol. Leave that to her asshole fiancé. No, he breaks her in other ways.
It’s set in an undetermined future where Rory’s engaged to someone, by assumption is Logan. It’s based loosely on the Edgar Allen Poe poem of the same name (my favourite poem as a child) and starts from there. It’s this dark and heartbreakingly beautiful look at the two of them, and the mess they create for themselves. There is a real literary quality to this, something you can feel but not name.

Breathing by Angeleyez
Summary: "Literati. Future. Complete. “He has settled into their home of quiet solitude he enjoys it.” But now the apartment seems too still. She cries, he works, and it’s something like loss."
Angeleyez is prolific but this is my favourite of her works. It’s set in the future and is just suddenly perfect. This will make you tear up once you realise what’ happened. The story and the background are built up slowly and subtly, paying attention to the little things and just generally tugs at your heart. It’s a truly lovely piece, should be on everybody’s favourites.

Greater Than by fulfilled
Summary: “This is bigger than a kiss, bigger than 'I love you.' It's a conversation waiting to happen. Post 'The Real Paul Anka.'”
This is simply gorgeous and wonderful and right before your eyes. It’s Jess and it’s Rory and it’s almost closure. Read it now.

Kitchen Rendezvous by Ginny Clone
Summary: "“You know, my third husband had a fetish for doing it in kitchens. Maybe Jess, too…he does work in a diner.” Lit. AUish. Fluff. OneShot."
This is just a small fluffy humorous fic, set sometime in Season 3. The characterisation is great, especially Miss Patty and you have to try and guess the outcome before you read it.

seven months by Ginny Clone
Summary: “It was torture. Torture. Not the kind where you go insane and all that, but the kind where you’re always hurting deep, shallow, every kind of hurt and it never goes away. Ever. [Litish] One shot.”
This is a great little snapshot into the way Rory’s thinking in ep 6.08. It’s simply fantastic and right inside her head.

Skid marks (You Jump The Gun) by hide_r
Summary: 'Cause you saw the end before we had begun.
This fic is so wonderfully well written. It’s set in the future and it’s just superb. It’s vignetty in style but it’s all intertwined and painful and beautiful. I can’t really write much more without me giving things away.

Stupid Reasons by MahliaLily
Summary: “Love me for stupid reasons. I like those most. One-Part Future Lit”
This is just simply lovely. It’s fluffy without it being insubstantial, and they feel like the characters we know and love. It’s not overly sentimental, but quiet and together. It’s a lovely glimpse into this possible future.

Wanderlust by seaouryou
I’ve literally only just found this but it’s absolutely fantastic. In a short space it grabs your heart and wrenches it forward. It’s all there in the lines and it fits the two of them so well.


VIDEOS
The best videos I’ve seen have been made by ginger_noodle. I have to say, I’m not really one for videos, but a couple I’ve liked, apart from ginger’s of course are located here: GingerNoodle

Sway
I love the Perishers and this worked so well. Probably the first video I ever watched.
And here:
The Moment Jess Said It
This is because I’m a sucker for Imogen Heap and the idea for the story is nice. Editing could do with work, but you get the picture.


RESOURCES/SITES:
The best resource I’ve found so far, is the site run by hide_rand everything_inme
http://blurred-photographs.net
B-P is the most comprehensive Literati devoted sites I’ve seen. It has pages dedicated to quotes, to screen caps, to clips of episodes, to a play list, to a newly added fanfic archive and fan listing.
Of course, the community jessrory is good place to look, also having been started originally by hide_rand everything_inmeas well.

Hope you find what you’re looking for and that you’ve become sufficiently intrigued enough to explore Jess and Rory for yourself.

Comments

[a-white-rain.livejournal.com]

I'm um one of those people who started to dislike the series about season five/sixish, although the Jess/Rory relationship has always stuck with me for many of the reasons you talked about.

Now I want to go and watch the last episode. Good job.

[aragons.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you think I got it all down okay. And go watch that episode. In fact, just any episode with the two of them in it. Because Literati = love

[a-white-rain.livejournal.com]

Half the reason I disliked it was because I hated where Rory's character was going. That she gets back to her old self and with Jess makes me want to watch the episode even more.

[aragons.livejournal.com]

I know, when Rory goes off the rails, it's so disappointing. She's the first fictional character I ever really identified with and to see her fall like that, in a way shewas strong enough to avoid, was like a punch in the gut. But then Jess fixed everything*grins*

[a-white-rain.livejournal.com]

I thought they could have handled it better. :(

[aragons.livejournal.com]

Most definitely. ASP wasn't at her bestby a long shot.

[call-me-crazyx3.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks for this. I am in love with the Rory/Jess ship, but it's been hard for me to find really good fics anywhere, so thanks. =]

[super-tricie341.livejournal.com]

Ooooh~ so many lovely fic recs. Well there goes all my free time. :P

Wonderful job on this--it reminded me why I fell in love with this pairing in the first place. I was so upset with the way their relationship went in the show; after waiting so long for it to happen, I was utterly appalled at the way it ended up being handled. It got to the point where I was like, "Oh god, have mercy and end it already, writers." (Haha, that sentiment's the story of my life. TPTB seem to have a thing for sinking all my favorite ships. RIP Lorelai/Chris. D:)

[seaouryou.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for the fic rec. And the list; you've done all the searching for me. XD

[lovelylytton.livejournal.com]

This is fantastic, thank you so much.

[anythingbutgrey.livejournal.com]

HEY ISOBEL LOOK WHAT I FOUND.

[aragons.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAHAH HI YOU!