LeeSA

I am not sure what part is endearing? A tragic display in delusion yes. Part of the delusion is because its not about survival. She feels that she deserves to live in that manner, that these men are the answer to that. If it was about making enough money to "survive" the woman would have got herself an actual job... but no... she believes that that is what she deserves and wants other people to see that she is still part of a society that she is, so clearly not. Whats worse is that she has to take advantage of Lyns loyalty to ensure that she is not alone in her quest/delusion. It is manipulative. I wonder what the scene would have looked like if Lyn did not play along and challenged her. Instant anger I imagine. When that instant angry reaction comes, thinking of the belt she gave lyn as a gift, that screams personality disorder. Well to me anyway. It is no way to grow up and it is certainly not parenting.

The term "emotional support human" should not have cracked me up but it did 😂. I blame my double shift as in retrospect that is exactly what Lyn was. All three of them have flaws which make them unique and frustrating at times to read. I have wanted in equal measure to smack them all up side the head. If Lyn doesnt start being honest soon....he cant continue to expect anyone else to do things differently if he continues to hide parts of himself.

Thats what I love about differnt people everyone sees things differently.

Maybe, maybe we will see. 😂

Personally, I am not sure he evolved as much as though that the only way forward in his new realisation was to die. To be so rigid and choosing death as the outcome as @akascrubber its sad.

I took a punt on the belt reference, yes and eagerly await the outcome, so to speak. One can also assume that Brad would have little idea who Bernado Gui is. Which your right, is a little mean. I am also aware of the some of the debate surrounding "Gui". Your use of rigid and morally absolute made me think of who Lyns actual father is? Though I dont think that was the intention. Without descending into a debate of Medieval Religious anxieties, I struggle to see anything positive about the nick name. But perhaps that is my own limited understanding of "Gui's" guidebook. Perhaps it is just a refernce to Lyns ability to not be dissuaded from his path and belief in the timeline and what he needs to achieve before he lets himself be free... or as free as he was in the 8 missing years.

It is sad, but a very Brad thing. He needs to learn that his actions have consequences as they all do. He can either continue to be selfish or he can grow up. If he looks hard enough he will see that the pain and hurt will guide him. Though that will prove true for the three of them.

While I think Lyn put to rest his adolecent crush once and for all there were signs that that was coming to pass anyway, the hike just completed that for Lyn. Lyn, however, purposefully ignored the oportunities set out for him to be honest and open.... again. But I should not be surprised really. I think the epiphany was more for Brad than Lyn. He is about to get married and he is finding he cant coast through shit like he always could. He also just realised that he has lost the adoration that was given him so freely once upon a time. It was easy to maintain his ego when he had Lyn in the background, he knew that when everything turned to shit Lyn would still be there. As an adult he potentially faces responsibilities that you cant pass off to friends. Bella has expectaions I guess and Brad wonders if he is good enough. Maybe he is, maybe not. His choice to make and he has to do that on his own I suppose. Bernardo Gui @Laura S. Fox I am hopeful that Alexander's comparison was to the historian/inquisitor and not the book .... the comparison is interesting though. One can only ask so many questions when you base your truth on a lie. That being said Lyn will obviously address this with Alex, but, is he going to like the answer?

Ohh and I forgot to say that I dont think that Lyn is perfect....he is as full of shit as the other two....Just in a different way than Brad. Lyn is also easy to relate to being a goal orientated control freak. 😁

Why thank you @Seraph28 I will take all the leeway I can get. I can be a little... hmm fixed in my opinions at times 😂

Nope dont like him at all, not even a little bit. He's not malicious no, however ego and ingnorance are not umm.... qualities I like in anyone. You are right, if he doesnt get something out of it he doesnt give a shit...Brad is Brads focus.

See I did not read it in that way. From Lyns perspective it was the type of gesture that was affirming, supporitve and the holiday itself was average so to speak. As to Brads motive.... less genuine and more so that Alex had asked for confirmation and he was saving face. His not Lyns... Which brings me to two other points.... Would Lyn have asked Brad in the first place? I think not. I think Alex asked one out of a desire to spend time with alyn away from Brad and two because he knows that Lyn has his pride. Plus Brad needs to sit at a minus 5 for that kiss episode. Dick.

Nope, nope, I will not let you use psychology to make me feel even a smidge of empathy for Brad. Now that is totally unfair. 🙄😂

Interesting... your thoughts on who Alexander is referring to with his comment directed to Brad about Lyns orderliness etc. I am thinking that because Lyn grew up the way he did, it is the easier road to crush on Brad as that type of "mess" and "inability" to work out what Brads feelings are, is the more comfortable and familiar option for Lyn. His Mother continued to strive for social standing, the security and lifestyle money could offer with the only means or hmm marketable skill (not wanting to offend anyone who chooses that line of employment) she had available to her. Her needs if you like versus her love for her son. Brad and Lyns mother have some similar qualities and as we read Lyn has always tried to support his Mother in her own delusions and mess by being the fixer the mediator, the calm and together son. He does the same thing with Brad. Fixing protecting and supporting. I think the comment as such was directed at both of them, the initial part to Brad about being a chauvanist and the rest to Lyn but only to highlight that Alexander is aware of what Lyn is doing and perhaps why. Made me think of Lyn fixing the roof. So I agree, more mirrors hidden behind smoke. Lyn wants to be seen/loved by Brad but like his mum it wont happen because of their selfishness. Lyn may want to fix Brad inside and out but he cant so keeps trying just like he does with is mother. We seek what we know. We tolerate based on familiarity and it is not until someone points it out consistently that we start to notice. Which is why I think Alexanders methodical approach is working in the present and wouldnt have back then.

He understands thats why he acknowledged it. However Lyn being Lyn means that he will bury it. He is going to stick to his plan, crush on what he cant have, set personal and physical goals that he can distract himself with and because its safer than risking his heart and being hurt. The rest is Lyn waffle, he works hard for people to see him a certain way. I dont think Lyn and Alex would have worked in this time line anyway Lyn had to grow up a bit they all did. They have had no contact for 8 years so they are going to have to relearn each other in the present meaning the masks wont work forever.

What I find particularly interesting is the ambiguous language that Brad chose to open the conversation, using words like experiment and refering to nuts and bolts and working out what fits. I briefly wondered if Brad was trying to speak that way on purpose although my consideration of him doing something like that did not last long, quickly nulified by his tantrum. If that does not speak volumes about what kind of person he is.....So still not still not a fan Lyn has really constructed what he sees as safe walls insulating himself from too much scrutiny from the outside. He was unable to stop his reactivness to Alex even back then. I wonder when he will have the "so much wasted time" moment. Fear and familiarity were enough to put a stop to any emotional growth. Poor Alex, if only Lyn saw him with as much clarity as he sees Lyn. That being said on this time line he is still hiding part of himself too.

I am bracing myself .... I guess I am going to get very annoyed with Zayn and his slow building of a spine. Its easy to see Rivers motives but what will Zayn do to turn that into true love ? As for the other two never hurts to plot practice the perfect murder. Give me a broke couch potato in trackies anyday. Oh and maybe never marry a man who has a, well Veronica... as a sister.

A lack of diplomacy is not a bad thing. Though I prefer the word blunt.

I am glad that River has self respect and a back bone. Pitty Zayn has not found his. Zayn may want to get his shit together though.

Ooops your right again .. no idea why my brain wont work after 16 hours on. 😂 can even edit that f***up

Tried and true, yes. I have read several of your other stories but never from the outset. Being completely honest, I have finished some and not others. Xavier's not a new character type but I do look forward to his humbling.

Vulnerability, intimacy and acknowledgement. Not to mention, I thought, hot.

Hmm my brain automatically spat out what is the difference between "particular" types of Preachers or Policitians. Alexanders knows. Sits with my theory

This much I know work brain or not. I just feel like Alexander has know Lyn or of Lyn a lot longer than we may be aware of atm. Though I have been known to be wrong 🤫

The Bro bit stood out to me too, but in the reverse I cant hear Brad saying Mr President, it almost sounded like it was directed specifically at Lyn. As you said Presidents are chosen. Again maybe I am just being a little one sided. Am still waiting for @Laura S. Fox to swivel my head to a more empathetic place in regards to Brad.