I keep meaning to comment on this, but Pixie phrased it best. It's raw and bloody and beautiful. I could really feel Mara's despair and Deon's clashing emotions. Everything is well-described without being repetitive or superfluous, which really drives a story like this deep down into the pits of your heart. It makes me kind of sad this is AU, instead of canon. It's so well-written. <3