Friday Fics Fix - Da Vinci, Like Never Before

'"What did they do to you?" he whispered. "What have you done to yourself?" he added without thinking. Words tumbling out of his mouth like the thoughts that used to tangle in his mind. "What did I do?"'

This week's fic is for a TV show I absolutely adore, and which was cut short too soon after just 3 series.

Da Vinci's Demons is a highly underrated show.

It's basically like Game of Thrones with real historical people, but keeping the weird-a** paranormal/fantasy elements.

So it's kind of like an alternate version of history, with a young bad-boy Leonardo Da Vinci.






It was also filmed mostly in Wales, despite being a US series set in Italy, because our primary export is apparently TV drama.

We also make Dr Who and Sherlock here, so you're welcome. 😉

(And yes, I'm still somehow not sponsored by the Welsh tourist board - like, dudes, you need to start paying me for this!)






Being in the Game of Thrones style, it's important to be aware that it gets VERY graphic, often with some not v. nice things.

There are lighter moments, but there's also some v. dark sh**.

Also, like Game of Thrones, NONE OF THESE PEOPLE ARE GOOD LIFE ROLE MODELS. They do bad things which should not be copied.

Maybe that shouldn't have to be said... but with the world we live in... *shrugs*

That said, if you're ok with watching something like that, I do rec. it.

As long as you know that it's not an aspirational thing 😅

So, watch it on the TV viewing option of your chance if you can and if you want to! 😉






One of the main draws of Da Vinci's Demons is Count Girolamo Riario.

Not to be confused with the real 15th Century Italian Girolamo Riario, who possibly did do messed up sh** - he was a 15th Century Italian nobleman, they all did - but it wasn't the particular messed up sh** shown in this series.






The Count Riario of the series becomes more important as the series progresses - possibly (imho) because the showrunners noticed how attractive and talented actor Blake Ritson is.

Also, apparently the writers like for bad things to happen to him, including torture, as well as things which require him to take his shirt off.

I can't honestly blame them.

See? Would you blame them?! Lol!

'Riario blinked again, but then he closed his eyes. His head sank forward and then it tilted to the side. But Leonardo was quick, was suddenly close to him, offered his own shoulder for support and laid his arm around the slender frame. In a moment Riario’s head rested on Leonardo’s shoulder and his body against him.'

This fic takes the changing dynamics of Riario and Da Vinci's interactions over the three series, and takes it an extra step, turning it tentatively romantic.

Honestly, it's not that big a step from where they are at the end of the show.






First, though, Leonardo has to rescue Riario from some serious unpleasantness.

There's some heavy topics dealt with in this fic, so WARNINGS for:

child sexual abuse, abuse within the Catholic church, self-harm, self-loathing, reference to attempted suicide, reference to murder, mental health stigma, abusive asylums, torture, starvation, injury, and reference to complex mental health problems.






As always, take care of yourselves my nerdlets.

Knowing that your health is better off if you don't read something, or read it with caution, knowing that you can stop if you need to, is strength, not weakness.







This week's fic is:

Damaged by callisto24



I hope you decide to give the series a try if you haven't seen it and it sounds like your kinda thing, and the fic a read if you feel like it.

And remember that all those beautiful hills and beaches are located in Wales 😉

Have you seen Da Vinci's Demons? Are you tempted to check it out? Do you like any series that you feel are underrated? Talk to me! 😄💬

You can follow me on Twitter @CeeDoraReads, on Dora Reads @ BlogLovin, and on Google+. For more ways to support me, check out the Support Me page









Previous Friday Fics Fix posts:

• Friday Fics Fix - Deeper Than You'd Think

• Friday Fics Fix - Westeros-by-Sea

• Friday Fics Fix - Genius, Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist... Father

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Last updated: 5th August 2018