Aditus

This was a great idea. I love seeing the story from different perspectives.

And one is still missing.

I really liked that the imaginery friend changed his outfits/hairdo and that the change seems to be a mirror for his moods. This is somewhat normal for existing people, but for imaginery friends? Intriguing. Whether this is a friend who exists only in the protagonist's mind or a metaphor for a real but absent friend still very much present on his mind... doesn't become clear and doesn't have to. Loved it.

Lit! Thank you, for your comment. So you like overly prepared love declarations? I'm glad! I thought I needed to portray Julian some more in this series...and this is what happened, lol.

Yay! Your first anthology review and it is for my story! Okay, it's the first in the list...still... Thank you! I think I said it before, there is some Adi in all of Julian's preparations, lol. I'm glad his nervousness came across okay. I thought combining their different styles would be a good metaphor for their future life. I like modern and antique together in one place, it breaks up monotony. Thank you, Drew, for telling me your thoughts!

The slideshow was very technical and business-like, but this is Julian and I'm very happy you think it was thoughtful and romantic. What may seem awkward from the outside, came from the (very nervous) heart. Yes Roman had to save him, lol, this part almost wrote itself, we (Roman and I) just couldn't let Julian suffer anymore. Thank you for your great review, Defiance19.

Thank you, craftingmom! I almost became nervous too just writing this,lol. I'm glad you liked it.

Haha, I hope you don't get a nightmare... Thanks!

Thinking, if you have to let someone pass, he/she will meet their deeply missed lover(s) and or family members and eventual you again, can be a great solace. A wonderful piece, Val. You made me cry because I was sad, then because I was happy. Thank you, for sharing.

Sometimes you just have to do what you think is right and bear the consequences. Rush is brave and selfless, on the other hand, without knowing more about him and Ben, there couldn't be everything all right between them, if it ended like this IMHO. The conversation at the end of the story cleared what happened between them. This is a piece to think about, it makes me curious and I want to know more, so there, if you wanted to accomplish that, well done, lol. Great work, Cole.

I liked your story when I first read it. Now I love it. Especially the Jimmy part touched me, he gave him hope with an angle feather! Perfect.

Aww come on, you're not that nervous anymore about writing reviews, lol. Yes, I thought that some readers might be expecting 'THE QUESTION', but to be honest, in my opinion the decision to move in together is much more important, combine your respective quirks and all that, at least if you think he is your one. And I might have channeled some inner aditus with/in (?)Julian, lol. Oh...and this is Europe. Everyone has some antiques somewhere on their grandma's attic. Doesn't mean it has to be Louis-quinze or something, haha. And it was Bauhaus style...although he might totally want one of these cool lamps or a Mies van der Rohe chair or two... *dreamy eyes* er yes...channeling inner adi, lol. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, AC. It's very much appreciated. And I'm sure you pressed the review button with a sure finger. JK.

Thank you for this wonderful comment, Wayne. You're right, the simplest, smallest things can make it or break it. I saw this so many times, and like to point it out in my stories, you got me,lol. You will see them again in winter, or maybe next year too, I'm not sure yet if I should expend their story to next year's anthologies.

Yes! The cake is a good metaphor. Usually Romeo's field of work, maybe that's why he reacted so well to Julian's professional romantic. Thank you, Peter!

Good. It means a lot that you love it. I think Julian planned this to be perfectly choreographed, only it didn't work all that well. Okay, it did work, with a partner like Romeo, who probably loves him for his quirks, among other things... Thank you, Gary, for your comment!

I have to thank you for reminding me of the Ghazal form. I had forgotten all about it, just the name has been somewhat familiar. The first (Smile) is a summary, the second (Freedom) an interpretation and as Gary already said, the third is a love letter. I'm intrigued by this form, especially the strict version. It's more forceful, focusing ah well... I won't write an essay here, lol. I'm really glad you like it, that you found something you could rely on, and yes this time my signature is red. Normally it's blue.

Surprise! Very nice surprise. Thank you, to everyone who worked hard to realize the anthology. And I really like the banner.

An A for effort...lol. You're so mean Val, haha. He tried to hide behind professionalism, I guess. I even worked...kinda. Thank you, Val! So glad you like them, they'll come back at least one more time.

Thank you, Lisa! This is why they work so well, Romeo picks up when Julian flounders, lol. Also thanks for all your help.

I'm always happy when readers say things like 'I recognized Julian's nervousness', then I feel I did something right. Thank you, Puppilull! Well, I guess it's romance a la Julian.

Well, I had an excellent beta reader... Thank you, Cole. I'm glad you like this last version. I was really nervous it would be too much. *hug*

Thank you, Peter. I had to try the Ghazal for my 'Black Poems' in my language as required. There are only a few, who actually understand it though, and the translation is never as good as the original poem. This is the reason, why there probably won't be any more poems in German. I'm glad you like it and even honor it by comparing it with the St. Matthew Passion. Is Bach your favorite composer? Ah, now this is a challenge I like. A 'rainbow' poem... Danke, Peter.

9:05 PM BLUR: something vaguely or indistinctly perceived. (Merriam Webster) Julian watched the high rises on the other side of the street. A few bright rectangles here and there showed some people still at work. Or they'd forgotten to turn off the lights. It was Friday night. Everyone should be at home with family or at some bar with friends or at an expensive Italian restaurant celebrating their one-year anniversary… No, no, not going there. Lights…right. The cleaning crew going throug

It's their first year anniversary and Julian surprises Romeo with a candlelight dinner at his office. He's about to give the most important presentation of his life.

Jamel