imogene_arant

I’m soooo late to the party. I’ve got relatives in town and been working too many hours. I loved this chapter and everyone’s comments! Since I’m too brain dead to add anything meaningful to the discussion, I’ll just add this: “I drag my fingers over his in-betweenie” 👀 👀 👀

I was noticing the same thing and I think it's a big credit to Mrsgnomie's writing. In real life fights usually take two, and it's not always clear cut who is at fault. We're seeing realistic growing pains for two people with complex and very different histories. Unless you're dating a total asshole, there's usually some learning to do on both sides when you have a fight with your SO. I'm very interesting to see how this unfolds in this story!

Lovvvvvvve this chapter even though they have a fight. We're finally seeing one of Jay's flaws and it's a biggie. AND we see how awesome Loren is. “What’s going through your head? Are you freaking out?” I should be but— “Surprisingly, no.” Look how Loren has dealt with his past, how far he's come! The possibility of seeing his brother could bring up a ton of feelings, and yet he's in a place where he feels like he can handle it. “I agree, and we can. I don’t mind it. Despite what my two episodes make it look like, I’m really okay with it. We’ve built a good life that I’m fucking proud of. I wouldn’t be where I am today if they were in my life. They never would’ve let me. The older I get, the more I realize how shitty they were. It could’ve gone down differently but I think they did me a favor.” And here's the part Jay doesn't seem to get. Loren is and should be really proud of who he is and what he has in his life. He's chosen his own family, built himself and his business up, and has overcome a lot. I scratch my head, roughly running my fingers through my hair. “What were you planning to accomplish with this? I already had nauseating anxiety about meeting your parents. Did you want to hit me on the knees? Cripple me? Fuck. I need to go—” Okay... here I feel like Loren is panicking a bit and maybe he is getting triggered. It's a pretty big reaction from him. I'm on his side but I'm also like "deep breaths buddy, you guys can talk this one out." I collect myself, my keys, and my wallet. Before leaving, I grab the door jamb and turn around. “I need some time. A few days. Maybe a week. I don’t know. Then I’ll need an apology. Asking me to meet your parents because you think I’m not a complete person is…something I need to talk to my therapist about. Hell, maybe you need a session, too. So, you know, use this time to figure this shit out, okay? Figure it out. I’m begging you.” But in the next breath, Loren DOES pull himself together. He probably realizes he's getting triggered and immediately wants to process it with his therapist. He knows some of his reaction could be trauma talking and he wants to take care of that. AND he wants Jay to take care of his own nonsense. What a legend. Mrs. G -- love this chapter, love these characters!

If being with Essell has allowed Garjah to change so drastically beyond what his racial memories proscribed, I wonder if it’s the same for all Four Arms. What would happen if lots of aliens start mixing with them? Would their society be able to handle so much change?

Come for the minimal drama in the story… stay for the maximum drama in the comments between @kboisand @Mrsgnomie

Dude, don’t make me come back and defend your writing to YOU. Your other stories may have some drama to them but they also have great characterization and the drama is believable and in character.

Who are these two with their mature dynamic and open communication?! For real though, that’s what makes this story so compelling to me. There isn’t drama for the sake of drama, or unrealistic sitcom-style misunderstandings. Jay and Loren are both so realistic as people doing their best. I loved the way Loren brought up the double standard, and Jay leaned into the conversation. It shows how far they’ve come that Loren is comfortable talking about his feelings, even admitting he can’t watch Jay’s games.

☕️+📖=

Okay, today I drank my mocha first and then sat down to read this chapter so I’d be awake and not in the “I’m a demon because I just woke up” frame of mind. Didn’t expect to be fully knocked over by the absolute FEELS. I agree with all the other commenters. Outstanding chapter!! You do trauma and complex feelings so well. I was just about wrecked by this part (and the all the other parts, but if I have to just pick one it’s this): “I told you I’m not good at this shit. I’m not good with kids.” Jay pulls me onto the sofa next to him. “You saw a kid in need and you mother hen’d him. You went to him and took care of him. Just like you did when you came back just now. I saw you slide into the room. You heard Aidan crying and came in with a charge.” “Anyone would do that,” I defend. “No. Not anyone.” Not my parents, is what he means. “You’re great with kids. All week you’ve been great with Aidan.” “I don’t know about all that. I just know I’m sorry. I never should’ve blamed you and I never should’ve ran out.” “I thought I was gonna have to track you down. Honestly, I’m surprised you came back within an hour. That’s huge.” I snake a hand under his shirt and burrow in. He smells good. “The guys snapped some sense into me.” “Give yourself a little credit.” “I don’t feel like I deserve any credit.” Jay wraps his arms around me and squeezes me. I’m never this open with anyone. I’d never admit I don’t feel deserving to anyone else. I always come across confident, something I don’t have to feel with Jay. I’m so grateful for the way Jay gets Loren. He deserves someone to love him and help him overcome the emotional burdens he has. Or at least lighten the load.

I often think about whether with all our technology and medical advancements we are any happier as a society compared to 300 years ago. There’s no certainty in my mind that we are. Certainly people live longer lives, but whether they are more fulfilled I just don’t know. Maybe that’s the trade-off the new arrivals made. They saw the happiness and contentment of the planet’s inhabitants and realized their technology gave them nothing they needed. I was also surprised that Ned’s reward was having Peter back. I had assumed he would go live an ageless life with Peter in Mithras’ domain. This is nice too. Nothing wrong with aging together! It’s sweet.

All his thinking and thoughts left him with one horrifying thought, what if they inadvertently or unknowingly damaged or destroyed that magnetic field? I am shocked he would care about damaging the planet when he is so close to a lifetime achievement like discovering the long lost settlement. Maybe humans have evolved to be less self centered after 1000 years. Isn’t that a cheery thought! I wonder how the new 12 inhabitants of the planet will view their cousins and especially La Tombola. Surely it will be horrifying to them that a child is apparently sacrificed annually…

I wonder if they can convince Seedrah that their planet will be safer if Essell and Gardrah carry out their plan, how far he will go to help them. If his whole job is planetary security, seems like convincing him that this is the safest way forward would be key. And… yes please to a four armed massage!

I’m really digging the sentient planet/goddess element, especially in this chapter. It’s fascinating that she is powerful enough to sense the approach of other humans, but is powerless to do anything about it herself. The plot is definitely thickening!

Late to the party but the sinking feeling I had as you ratcheted up tension about the lottery was REAL. I’ve read The Lottery so had some clue the boys were not in for a good time. I’m hooked to find out more!

@Jjeffalch After drinking my morning tea and reading everyone else’s comments, I think I was being too hard on Jay. I can’t tell where my own insecurities about kids end and where Loren’s begin, but Jay was probably right to give him exposure to a sweetie pie like Aiden. I see Loren resisting being around kids with his words, but something in him wants that connection because he does stick around. Maybe he’s insecure or fearful, but deep down wants that feeling of family. Hopefully this visit with Aiden will build his confidence and interest in being an uncle. I wonder (and maybe this is just me) if some of his hesitation toward kids is because he thinks he’s damaged goods and doesn’t want to mess them up. If so, Jay and Aiden could be the balm that helps him see how much love he has to offer.

Alright alright. You guys have talked me down. It’s cute. Aiden’s sweet. Loren will like being an uncle and Jay is showing him how much fun it can be. I’m probably being unfair because this is too real:

True, true. I guess neither of them would bat an eye at not seeing the other for eight days.

Once we’re comfortable in bed, moments before sleep takes us, I lean over. “If you want to get pissed at me for not telling you that Aidan was coming to stay with me for a week, then don’t sneak off and go rock climbing the second I leave the country. Communication is a two-way street and you reap what you sow.” Loren stiffens besides me. Even as I drift off, Loren remains awake, staring at the ceiling. Oh, no he did NOT. That’s not a very nice move, Jay. I really sympathize with Loren here. I’m not a kid person. I have two of my own but I never, ever felt comfortable around kids before having them. If I were in Loren’s shoes I’d be annoyed my BF obligated me to be around a toddler for EIGHT days. That’s a very long visit. Add to that Loren’s childhood trauma and I honestly think he’s a saint in this chapter for being willing to stay in an uncomfortable situation for so long. I’m glad it seemed like Loren enjoyed himself and got more comfortable by the end. Maybe being around Aiden will be healing for him. But man… Jay might be playing with fire a bit.

What can I say, except you’re welcome!

Me, a millennial: LIFE WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA?! I kid, I kid… you’re probably way healthier for it!

I turn and leave the bathroom wearing nothing but one of Jay’s forgotten shirts. Ah, the old Donald Duck look. Shirt up top, absolutely nothing down below 😂 All jokes aside there was so much sweetness and maturity in this chapter. Ya love to see it folks. “You don’t have to coddle me.” That gives him a pause. He thinks about it, then he looks me dead in the eyes. “I do. I really do. It’s my God given right as your boyfriend…that when you almost die a thousand feet in the air—when you smash against the face of a mountain, not once, not twice, but a dozen times—I get to drop what I’m doing and take care of you. This part — so good. So sweet. You see Loren trying to wriggle out of feeling vulnerable and Jay just ignores that and gives him the love he needs. And he helps keep his IG afloat. What an absolutely wonderful, caring, mature, understanding dude. I was so sure they’d have a huge fight and instead they’re handling bumps in the road like big boys. This chapter was so so good!

If you enjoyed this edition of Ask An Author 3.0, then listen closely, folks. This was the last submission in the piggy-bank. I'm going to need a few more soon, or the first Wednesday of the month will be dryer than a fart mfw I’ll need to submit questions because you’ve made me feel guilty AND made me laugh.

All these comments have me wondering if Bouncer’s sentience is because of his bond with Essell. Hopefully someone can figure out how to talk with him because I am dying to know what his inner thoughts are.

Probably the same sadist who claims waxing just “stings a little”… there are some straight-up liars in the beauty/health industry! 😒 The things we put ourselves through for love 😅