FanLit

This. Yes. Exactly.

To read of Kai’s equally eager anticipation of Adam’s letter brought a quickening to my heart….it put me in the mind of two puzzle pieces fitting together, even though the look of each piece differs. “My first thought was that he needed to eat more. I’d have to make sure he ate well, breakfast, lunch and dinner, when I was back.” Kai has already claimed Adam as his and gone into nurturing mode, or is it the Commander looking after his platoon of 1? “I knew the exact floorboard he was referring to. I’d have to hammer it back into place and put new screws in. When he spoke about doing exactly that, I didn’t want him to do it. He’d probably smash his fingers. I should be the one doing that. He could hurt himself. “ I mentally swooned at the protective feelings bursting forth from Kai for his pen pal, the one he “got the urge to reach over and draw him close.” These two❣️❣️ “You don’t get to meet someone like that every day. Some never do in a lifetime. So when you do? Grab them and hold on for the ride; it’s worth it.” The unconditional acceptance Kai has of Adam for who he is (and mourns the parts chopped away by others) brought tears to my eyes. @Andr0gene, if this is what you do with them miles apart, I can’t imagine (yet very much look forward to) what you have in store for when they meet face to face. “The next morning, my coach complimented me on my focus, saying what a good night sleep and plenty of rest could do for you; so much different from yesterday, when my head wasn’t in the game. When he asked what had caused it, I just grinned and responded with, “I got places to be, people to see.” And Adam now becomes an important motivator in Kai’s recovery, both body and soul. ❤️‍🩹 This story is sublime. ❤️❤️

What a beautiful turn of phrase. I dare say this story is bringing out the romantic writer in us all. 😊

I love the idea of the rooms redone via the themes Adam came up with, something tells me Kai would appreciate it, too. “And reading it in bed made it feel intimate. It was easy to imagine he’d be right here next to me in my doubter bed.” Adam’s already more than half in love with Kai, eagerly anticipating a response to his letter with every postal visit. I had never heard of a doubter bed before reading of one here….Adam can keep it, I like a queen size mattress, myself, full size minimum; much as I too would “like lying close to someone, every naked bit of me touching him and basking in his naked body heat,” I need space of my own, lol. Adam’s surprise at Kai’s picture made me wonder if he met Kai’s sister during the sale of the house (I recall the necessity of selling quickly after their father’s death but not if Adam dealt directly with a family member) If he had, maybe she looks far different from her brother (?) Corresponding by letter has this ability to engage its audience that differs from social media, even a phone call….it creates this unique vacuum that inhabits only its occupants, it magnifies their communication, like kissing with your eyes closed….Adam and Kai are already caught up in each other. The layout of the home was very welcome, it served to explain why Adam loves it, as well as giving a glimpse into the family home it so recently was (and may be again). 🤞

Aww, I like the whole “Confounded” series, even considering what happened to Taylan.

Adam and Kai put me in the mind of pen pals with the singular appreciation both have for the written letter. It’s very charming. This is great. Old fashioned and refreshing. I can and can’t wait for these two to meet.

Adam was entranced by Kai through his letter, to me Adam is equally entrancing…his habits and schedules endearing; he is someone very taken with ambiance and atmosphere, who also happens to have a skill of creating a mood and scene of his own. He’s probably a very good writer. I too am a fan of copperplate (which when I looked it up I realized was the cursive writing we were taught in school). Kai has been through a lot & will go through more when he realizes he lost his father. This is a very engaging premise….looking forward to where this goes.

This was exceptional. Thank you for this. 🎁

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.