Joking 18

[kinukitty]

I think I said something about posting this chapter in a more timely fashion, didn't I? Unreliable. In my defense, I write this out longhand, and I spilled water on my notebook, turning my tiny, already-illegible handwriting into a smeared, crinkly, impossible to read mess

Comments

[elflady_2001]

Shit! Aya, you are well and truly messed up now. Not that you weren't before but ya know, nearly bleeding to death is hard on your gorgeous self. You did save Yohji, even if he doesn't know it (but maybe eventually will). And you've got to be thankful admit that Yohji sure did a good job stopping the afore mentioned bleeding and kiss him cut him some slack and take him into your confidence...for real this time.

So am I ever glad Ken agreed to help. *hugs Ken*

[kinukitty]

You would think that Aya would have to be thankful that Yoji saved his life and carried out the mission -- or at least acknowledge it. We'll see.

Ken's been waiting patiently for his big scenes in this story. He's a good guy. He deserves a hug.

Thank you for commenting! I spend a lot of time with this story, and it's wonderful to know that someone's reading. I really appreciate it!

[elflady_2001]

Definitely reading this, devouring it in fact. Ken is a good guy, I hate it when writers depict him as the simple minded pal or some clueless dolt. For goodness sakes! So I do like your Ken.

Now, I'm looking forward to the next chapter (as I'm sure all your readers are!) because I'm a sucker for a bit of hurt/comfort and geez...Aya's hurt bad.

Wonder what Crawford's thinking right about now...

[vom_marlowe]

This was beautiful. I love how good Yoji is--smart, capable, ruthless, cunning. He finds a way to get Aya to safety and bargains heavily to keep him safe. I found the morphine very telling--that he couldn't stand to see Aya in pain. Their mini-argument in the very beginning really adds to how tense Aya feels about the whole thing.

Mostly of course, I spent the whole time thinking "He can't be dead! He can't be dead! Hang on, Aya, hang on!"

[kinukitty]

Thank you!

Yoji is good. He likes to fake people out with all that flirting and the sunglasses behavior and the weird hair, but he's really quite effective.

I don't think it's spoilery for me to point out that the likelihood of me killing Aya off is pretty damned slim.

[vom_marlowe]

I don't think it's spoilery for me to point out that the likelihood of me killing Aya off is pretty damned slim.

Yeah, but my personal gauge for the quality of a story is how much it makes me fret, no matter how well I know the ending!

Wow, yet another terrific chapter!

[mikasamu]

Talk about remaining cool under pressure. Aya's and Yohji's smooth professionalism is wonderfully true to canon, and rather frightening to observe. I love that Yohji took the time to complete the mission, knowing that Aya would want him to do so and in faith that it was the right thing to do. His meticulous actions, costing precious time but so very much needed, were beautiful to behold. Crawford was clearly correct that Yohji was needed, and in many different respects. Ken showed himself to be a true champion, although it seems unlikely that he will feel more warmly toward Aya. Still now that he knows the truth (and how, I wonder, will Aya and Schwarz react to that), maybe the slate has been wiped clean for a fresher start.

Re: Wow, yet another terrific chapter!

[kinukitty]

Thank you!

I like to think of Yoji as being all cool and professional and effective as an assassin. Aya too, but that's one of the few givens with him. I'd love to do an international espionage story with them. You know, if I didn't have to work and otherwise provide for my family.

I've really enjoyed thinking about how Ken and Yoji's friendship works. And how Ken works. He's not done yet -- go Ken!

[wedjateye]

Ahh! Ahh! Are you and VM trying to kill me? I'm all avoidy and first she posts fic and then you post fic - well, probably the other way around since I'm browsing my flist via recent entries first... and then I realise I missed another fic of yours... I'm too tired to read (I was too tired to write which is why I was browsing in the first place). Bloody hell. I'm now cross. Which is the opposite of what you deserve for posting more. Bad me. Will come and read soon.

[wedjateye]

Oh, that was riveting. I don't think I stopped clutching my chin with my hand once while I was reading. I'd have loved to be able to see it from Aya's POV - what was going through his head while he was waiting to be shot. I loved Ken's 'I'm not a complete idiot' line and the way he helps despite being so angry. I'm looking forward to Schwartz's involvement.

[kinukitty]

Thank you! Thanks for reading, and thanks for commenting! This was my favorite chapter. I wanted to work in some Aya POV but couldn't figure out a way to do it that wouldn't just gum up the works. And I've come to really like Ken in this story. I was thinking of him as a loyal, team-oriented kind of guy, and Yoji's his friend, so he'll do a lot for his friend. I re-watched Gluhen last year sometime (no idea when; and now that I try to pin it down, I'm not even sure it was last year...) and it made me start thinking about Ken again. I like him better in Gluhen than in the original series. Well, they're all better-characterized in Gluhen. But I digress. Thanks again, and I continue to hope you get to sleep and write!

[wedjateye]

I did get some sleep this weekend. Son two seems to be settling into a better pattern overall - sleeping from 11.00 or so until 5am on at least a few nights a week. Well, as long as I hold firm and let him cry a fair bit on the nights he decides he wants to wake up every 2 - 3 hours for a feed. If I cave it's a very short slide into hourly waking.

I digress. My point was I have written some more - up to 5000 words now but still quite a few scenes to go. Hopefully I'll be done by Christmas!

I would have guessed the Aya shooting (where he does the shooting) as your favourite chapter. They are similar in many ways. Lots of plot and action. Less focus on the twisted relationship dynamics. Both riveting. I adore the twisted relationship dynamics BTW but I've barely taken a breath through the two action-oriented chapters.

[artemisia_l]

I am really, really enjoying this. I'm hooked - it's a good thing there aren't any more chapters to read tonight because it's already 2:00 am. But that doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to reading more soon! I really love the intricate interactions between Yoji and Aya and the plot keeps me guessing as well. Keep it up!

[kinukitty]

Thank you! It is a wonderful compliment when someone is willing to lose sleep to read your stuff.