Another Day Older (At Least I'm Not In Debt), Jack/Liz, the big 5-0, PGmichellekNovember 2 2008, 01:23:40 UTC
Jack was turning fifty fairly soon. He told himself not to worry about it; it was just another birthday, and he was reasonably healthy for a man his age. But his inner voice's mention of 'health' brought about a list of issues men over fifty routinely experienced. Difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection, less firm erections, decreased sex drive (even for a Catholic, it was difficult to believe God could be so cruel), and many health problems that didn't have to do with the sexual use of his penis. (To be perfectly frank, he wasn't ready to think about the phrase 'enlarged prostate.')
It all seemed terribly bleak. He could be a bottle of Cialis and a couple of girlfriends away from turning into Hugh Hefner which, if Lemon's ill-conceived E! marathon last Sunday taught him anything, was a fate worse than death. Generally he would talk over his fears with Lemon, but he didn't wish to discuss the future of his sex life with the woman who currently was his sex life. What if she was dismayed by pondering his age or, even worse, was looking forward to a time when his appetite for sex had lessened?
And so, Jack didn't bring it up to her. He simply did what he always did when things got difficult -- ate too much and pretended nothing was bothering him. Lemon noticed, however. He should've known she'd see through him. She could be less than astute, but she interacted with him constantly at work and was practically living with him (though he hadn't asked her to move in and she hadn't given up her apartment).
"Really," she said, moving closer to him on the couch, "what is going on with you?"
"Shouldn't it be obvious? My fiftieth birthday is rapidly approaching. I'm getting older. Weaker. Closer to death. Sure, it's not as tragic as a woman aging. Men gain prestige with age. I won't have to worry that my good looks will fade or ponder if I should shoot face-paralyzing toxin into my brow. There will be no questions about whether it was a mistake not to have children, as my seed will be viable for much longer than any woman could possibly stay fertile--"
"Well, I like that you're making me feel crappy, too."
He exhaled, shook his head. "I apologize. I'm simply very... anxious about approaching such a milestone. I feel I should tell you that this experience will be worse for you. Also, I think you'll have a harder time with turning forty--"
"Please shut up."
"Very well."
"Look, Jack, it's no big deal. So you're getting older. You're still going to be that alpha male man who is... manly and not close to death."
"I am a man who had a heart attack two years ago. A man who has plenty of reasons to have another heart attack."
"Please stop talking like you're going to keel over at any moment. I am not ready for you to talk about dying. Or for you to die. So... don't. Die or talk about dying." She pauses. "Should I cancel your birthday party?"
"No. That would make me look weaker. And if my age doesn't ruin my sexual prowess, appearing to be someone who can't handle a birthday party will certainly do it."
"You're worried about your sex life, too?"
"I'm worried about everything, Lemon."
"I'm going to be honest; I don't know how to deal with this." She sighed. "Okay, so. Listen. You're a strong, powerful guy. That's not going to go away in five days. It's going to go away gradually, so... this isn't helping."
"It is not."
"Look, Jack, you're... great. You'll be great tomorrow and you'll be great in ten years and you'll be great in twenty years. And... so will your penis." She paused. "You're not going to want to have sex with me in twelve years, are you?"
"If I'm still capable, I assume I will."
She raised her eyebrows. "Wow, you must really have feelings for me. So how about you focus on that? That you've found a woman you like enough to imagine still wanting to do her when she's fifty. And that I'll still want to do it with you when you're sixty-two."
He kissed her forehead. "That's a beautiful sentiment."
"Yeah, I should work at Hallmark." Then, he kissed her mouth. "Did me saying I'll still want to have sex with you in twelve years really make you feel better?"
"Doesn't knowing I believe that I'll still adore you in twelve years make you feel better?"
Re: Another Day Older (At Least I'm Not In Debt), Jack/Liz, the big 5-0, PGmidnightxgardenNovember 2 2008, 02:59:38 UTC
Oh Jack. How could you be concerned that Liz wouldn't adore you? *sigh*
I think I've figured out what makes your writing so awesome (to me). You can take any situation and makes it sound fresh and realistic and them. It's a testament to both you and Tina for creating/exploring characters that have such depth and are so lovable despite (possibly because of) their misgivings and failings.
Re: Another Day Older (At Least I'm Not In Debt), Jack/Liz, the big 5-0, PGmichellekNovember 2 2008, 04:10:18 UTC
I think that's why I like writing them so much. Because, just by virtue of how distinct and complex they are, there's a whole lot of interesting things one can write. Oh, Tina, I love you. And thank you!
Re: Another Day Older (At Least I'm Not In Debt), Jack/Liz, the big 5-0, PGlavenderseaslugNovember 2 2008, 03:22:44 UTC
"Wow, you must really have feelings for me. So how about you focus on that? That you've found a woman you like enough to imagine still wanting to do her when she's fifty. And that I'll still want to do it with you when you're sixty-two." - Oh the romance of Jack and Liz. It makes me do a happy dance every time you write such wonderful things.
This was lovely and sweet, and anytime anyone uses the word 'adore' it makes me enjoy whatever is being talked about a little bit more.
It all seemed terribly bleak. He could be a bottle of Cialis and a couple of girlfriends away from turning into Hugh Hefner which, if Lemon's ill-conceived E! marathon last Sunday taught him anything, was a fate worse than death. Generally he would talk over his fears with Lemon, but he didn't wish to discuss the future of his sex life with the woman who currently was his sex life. What if she was dismayed by pondering his age or, even worse, was looking forward to a time when his appetite for sex had lessened?
And so, Jack didn't bring it up to her. He simply did what he always did when things got difficult -- ate too much and pretended nothing was bothering him. Lemon noticed, however. He should've known she'd see through him. She could be less than astute, but she interacted with him constantly at work and was practically living with him (though he hadn't asked her to move in and she hadn't given up her apartment).
"Really," she said, moving closer to him on the couch, "what is going on with you?"
"Shouldn't it be obvious? My fiftieth birthday is rapidly approaching. I'm getting older. Weaker. Closer to death. Sure, it's not as tragic as a woman aging. Men gain prestige with age. I won't have to worry that my good looks will fade or ponder if I should shoot face-paralyzing toxin into my brow. There will be no questions about whether it was a mistake not to have children, as my seed will be viable for much longer than any woman could possibly stay fertile--"
"Well, I like that you're making me feel crappy, too."
He exhaled, shook his head. "I apologize. I'm simply very... anxious about approaching such a milestone. I feel I should tell you that this experience will be worse for you. Also, I think you'll have a harder time with turning forty--"
"Please shut up."
"Very well."
"Look, Jack, it's no big deal. So you're getting older. You're still going to be that alpha male man who is... manly and not close to death."
"I am a man who had a heart attack two years ago. A man who has plenty of reasons to have another heart attack."
"Please stop talking like you're going to keel over at any moment. I am not ready for you to talk about dying. Or for you to die. So... don't. Die or talk about dying." She pauses. "Should I cancel your birthday party?"
"No. That would make me look weaker. And if my age doesn't ruin my sexual prowess, appearing to be someone who can't handle a birthday party will certainly do it."
"You're worried about your sex life, too?"
"I'm worried about everything, Lemon."
"I'm going to be honest; I don't know how to deal with this." She sighed. "Okay, so. Listen. You're a strong, powerful guy. That's not going to go away in five days. It's going to go away gradually, so... this isn't helping."
"It is not."
"Look, Jack, you're... great. You'll be great tomorrow and you'll be great in ten years and you'll be great in twenty years. And... so will your penis." She paused. "You're not going to want to have sex with me in twelve years, are you?"
"If I'm still capable, I assume I will."
She raised her eyebrows. "Wow, you must really have feelings for me. So how about you focus on that? That you've found a woman you like enough to imagine still wanting to do her when she's fifty. And that I'll still want to do it with you when you're sixty-two."
He kissed her forehead. "That's a beautiful sentiment."
"Yeah, I should work at Hallmark." Then, he kissed her mouth. "Did me saying I'll still want to have sex with you in twelve years really make you feel better?"
"Doesn't knowing I believe that I'll still adore you in twelve years make you feel better?"
"Yeah. Yeah, it does."
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I love the bit about him still adoring her in twelve years. Because yeah, he would. :D
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I think I've figured out what makes your writing so awesome (to me). You can take any situation and makes it sound fresh and realistic and them. It's a testament to both you and Tina for creating/exploring characters that have such depth and are so lovable despite (possibly because of) their misgivings and failings.
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This was lovely and sweet, and anytime anyone uses the word 'adore' it makes me enjoy whatever is being talked about a little bit more.
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Awww!! ♥♥
I love this; it's far too cute! XD
And it sounds just like a conversation about this between them would do. :)
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Nice work you got here. :D
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Thank you!
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