FanLit

With the loss of Carlos Hazday still a presence on this site, the loss of Comicality is a fresh reminder that life is fragile and precious. Rest in peace to Comicality….may loving memories of those who knew him personally sustain them in this time of mourning, as we fellow readers will be sustained by the legacy of his stories.

My goodness, what a great series; I was hoping for a few more chapters that at least left all the Kingsman’s coupled up….Janie too, as long as it wasn’t with Will, lol.

Uh oh. What cowpie did I step in? 😳👀

I left it out of my comments but credit is due to River’s mom for admitting to her failings as a parent as well as her desire to improve their relationship….it’s such a distinct contrast to Alec’s mom….River is right, that hateful harpy probably doesn’t feel she did anything wrong in her rearing of Alec.

The slow pace of Kenji and River’s ”courtship” heightens the anticipation of each interaction they have, their chemistry is palpable and Kenji is just as affected as River, he simply has more obligations and responsibilities than River does. While their ride is different, Kenji is River’s Finn.

American Traditional, Trash Polka…. I wonder how many other tattoo styles there are; I’m sure that doesn’t even begin to take account one’s own individual style. Positive or negative, River knows himself very well and seems to be comfortable in his own skin….what a perfect protector for Alec when they struck out on their own….much as I love Alec, I’m starting to equally love River, I don’t recall River being in therapy so it seems much of his progression is self realized; for him to face his own demons while walking Alec through his own is lovingly admirable and impressive. That tattoo client will definitely be back to try and get physical with River….” “You think you’re hot shit? I’ll be back to show you what a bitch you are!” He’s clearly overcompensating for some weakness of his own but he’d better watch out-River seems clearly able to take care of himself, not to mention ex cop Lukas and ex criminal Cameron…. I haven’t even mentioned what reach Kenji has, which seems very deep and he’d clearly use it for River.

Our “Wisdom” is always so much easier dispensed to others than to ourselves, lol. I love the passage “Would that I had A magic looking glass Such tool to surely help The covering of my own ass” 😊 Physician heal thyself, indeed. Lol. I have always admired your poetry, Gary; I admire all who attempt this form…. I must admit I’m inspired to see if expressing myself this way will help life as it looks today. Thank you for sharing. 🎁

The “Secret” that we should love ourselves as much, if not more than the others we are fortunate to bestow love on is a lesson that all too often isn’t learned until we are much older, if we learn it at all. Oh how masterful a life one can live if we learn that healthy love for ourselves first, can only enhance the quality of every single love we experience….circumstances of our environment can derail or destroy that lesson but if that lesson is learned early, the possibilities are limitless.

All of your haikus (with the exception of # 2) speak to your love of nature, I enjoyed the snapshots each evoked…. #6 made me think of your grief for your beloved Sky and at first saddened me, then I thought I detected a sort of grace in your mourning that only time can bring….if there is comfort in your grief now, I’m glad for you, Gary. This poetry format finds its rhythm in line symmetry instead of rhyme, I’ve always found it an interesting challenge and like your efforts here. I’ll review “Secret” and “Wisdom” in other posts.

At least River’s mom owns her mistakes and wants to move forward, something Alec’s mom never did. There is time and room for healing with River and his Mom….he deserves the apology from his parent & it’s to River’s credit he doesn’t hate his mother, I’m sure forgiving is for him not for her.

Sportsball?!?! Do you mean baseball? Baseball deals with big, hard bats…. not a bad topic at all. ☺️

Love their banter. It surprises Kenji he’d be attracted to someone sassing him, I think it helped he was attracted to him before, lol. I also consider it refreshing that someone with such a conservative demeanor is totally accepting of someone….not, lol. He does have two tattoo sleeves, so still waters and all but Kenji will also be affected by his interactions with River in unexpected ways.

I’ve enjoyed this binge. I’m dreading catching up and waiting for the next chapter to drop. I could say I’d wait for another bunch of chapters to build up to have another binge but I won’t, lol unless RL gets in the way.

I thought Kenji was going to be one of River’s customers. I can’t wait until they meet up again in person.

I too, thought of Alec’s thoughts of isolation from this friend group but I think he was projecting his own feelings as there seems to be nothing awkward with he and August. I think they angle Auggie’s face out of most of the shots, worst case, they can pixelate blur him out.

[user853739: I thought you looked familiar.] Ahh Sookie Sookie Now!!!! Kenji-san was ready and waiting!! Also- I love this friend group. Stop gaming & show why you belong here, Sage!!

“River?” I raised an eyebrow as he kept his eyes closed but rolled onto his back, “We’ve been trying for so long, do you think we come out of this life happy with how we live?” “I mumbled softly, “After everything we’ve been through and how hard we work at it. We’ll be happy. We have to.” Wired the same, indeed.

“There were two sides to my coin. Hopelessly insecure with a sprinkle of self-loathing on one side. God complex on the other. Some days, I thought I was the hottest thing on the face of the earth. Other days…I didn’t like to think about those days.“ Oh, River deep….a virtual hug for you. 🤗 (I hate this emoji for hugs, lol) I dare say this applies to a lot of us, not just River. Auggie, for all his newfound fame (or maybe because of it) is experiencing a new facet to his existential crisis, he’s now in a position where he never has to be alone, yet he’s lonelier than ever….he’s more comfortable fighting fatigue than loneliness; his relationship with Sage (love the name & the hue) is of great curiosity at this point, as it doesn’t seem to satisfy him at all but something makes him stay; It looks like Sage and River are the most important people in his life. Kenji-San saw River and Auggie canoodling & thinks they’re together, I don’t think he likes that, lol. When will Kenji give our River that mountain high? Hmm….

“A Tattoo for Lex”?

“So, he was more than hot. His soul said something to yours. Whether it be good or bad.” August, the profound. 😊 “There was no way he made me interact with other humans. I was going home and that was final. We both needed to get some rest. It’d been a long day. Nope. There was no way August talked me into making horrible decisions tonight.” “No way.” It's so cute how he tried to convince himself, lol. Betcha he meets Kenji again hanging out with Auggie.

Something tells me Kenji will have something to say about it as well, which may have more sway than anything else. Then again, I think Kenji can keep River plenty busy, lol.

Love at first sight, River style, lol….seems like Kenji got bit, too. There were dom/sub vibes about them in IHTT, let’s see how it plays out.

“The way I chose to customize my avatar was beneficial in some circumstances.“ He recognizes he puts on a persona for the world, who really sees the real River? Alec’s probably the only one he feels comfortable enough to be himself.

This is a fantastic first chapter that fleshes out River and some of his motley crew of misfit toys, lol. River’s clear eyed, succinct self awareness is astounding and leaves me agog. So many lines and passages slayed me in this chapter: “If God was so great, why did my dad leave me before his face became permanent in my memory? “ “The parts of my personality shaped by his leaving, sit with me in the dark when I’m alone.” “There are bits of him in everything I do. I feel him every time I’m by myself. The parts of my personality shaped by his leaving, sit with me in the dark when I’m alone. Those things I never wanted. I’ve spent my entire life pushing them down. It hasn’t mattered. Ever. They sit with me and they whisper. After thirty years, I still haven’t found a way to stop listening. “ Geezus. “With Alec, I was safe and sleep overtook me quickly.” Got my Alec sighting in chapter 1….Hi Alec!! 👋 River’s not used to anything remotely like benevolent parental concern so he chafes at Cameron and Lukas’ united front of care. I really enjoyed this, lol.

I don’t know how I missed this before but am glad to have found it now. Loved “I Hate This Town”; River is the best BFF & I’m glad to see a story about him….the synopsis makes me concerned that his match made in heaven might have turned to hell but I’ll go in hopeful….selfishly hoping there are mentions of Alec & Finn as well. 😬