(Deleted my comment on the first section, as you seem to have re-chaptered and it now kinda counts as a spoiler. :) I still kind of wish Dan had gone after him -- not in a "the story should have been written that way" sense, just in a "feeling the characters' pain" kind of way. Which is a fine thing
( ... )
First, sorry for the access problem, and then the rearranging. I always dither about where to break something that should have been in one piece to begin with, and I wound up changing my mind.
Re: Dan going after Duck I'm glad you got caught up in the situation that way. :) I think Dan was too much in shock to go after Duck until it was too late, and he is not the sort to leap into action in any case. I feel really bad for him, because he finally, after three days, managed to work himself up to a confrontation about something he should legitimately be angry about -- only to have the foundations completely pulled out from under him!
Re: last scene Dan is also fumbling around not quite sure of what the right thing to do is Yes, yes, exactly! I like relationships where characters fit together whether or not they are actively trying. I think that Dan is trying, but the very fact that he is so lost and helpless turns out to be the thing that comforts Duck most. After what's happened with Erik, and being reminded of his past
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I think it's partly because Dan is not the sort to leap into action in general, that I wanted him to go after Duck -- because I do think it's something he needs to learn to do a little of, if he's going to be in a lasting relationship
( ... )
The characterizations really resonate here, especially the way you know they're going to work through it, and their own self-blame. I like the ending, not too neat, but not devastating either.
Thank you! Yes, I don't think there was really a way to end the whole situation neatly. It's probably something that will affect them the rest of their lives, to gradually lessening degree, just like both their pasts already do. (One of the reasons this is an AU, because I do not want to be dealing with this in every other future story.) So, end on an upbeat and leave it as a hopefully ever after. I believe in them. :)
:D Thank you for the P.S., you needn't have to, but I'm overjoyed all the same ;) I love your story all the more for it's ending. It doesn't need the pretense of carefree optimism and the resolution that everything was so much better after having lived through the ordeal, because sometimes it just is and there is no better world waiting at the conclusion. But it's all the more honest and real for it. I like the suffering, of both, and the way being in a relationship isn't always easy. Well, you know how very much this story impressed me and I am glad that you didn't abandon this project. It's one of the rawest and most insightful ones you've written so far (and you're so good at the character studies that this really says something) ♥
Aw, thank you! Your comments totally make my day every time I think of them!
It doesn't need the pretense of carefree optimism and the resolution that everything was so much better after having lived through the ordeal, because sometimes it just is and there is no better world waiting at the conclusion Yes, I think that unexpected things happen and life goes on. Like I said above, this might cause Duck and Dan to reassess their own relationship, see where it can improve and also realize how strong they already are. I think that Duck having this 'secret' was one thing between them, and now that it's out in the open and the world has not ended, he can be more sure of himself. For Dan's part, I think that this may make him feel more secure, knowing that Duck needs him, and also that Duck really doesn't hold Dan's past indiscretions against him (probably doesn't really even think about them).
Always happy to let you know how much I love your work :) ...I just wished I had more time to do so XD (Answer to your email will follow asap)
I think that's what I like most about your PiC-series. The sheer realism of it. I know you were worried about the amount of melodrama with your latest addition and everything, but what actually gets me every time is the fact that I could just see this happening for real. There's nothing artificial or unrealistic about it. And I think that's quite an achievement. I'm still in love with how much thought you put into the Wilby characters :) Any new projects in progress? I'm afraid I still haven't had the time to catch up with my flist, I'll work on it next week ^^
Oh, that was a painful story to read. I liked the gradual reveal and unreliable narrator, and that much of it is up to interpretation. Also, I liked the Sandra cameo--accidental confession, huh.
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Re: Dan going after Duck
I'm glad you got caught up in the situation that way. :) I think Dan was too much in shock to go after Duck until it was too late, and he is not the sort to leap into action in any case. I feel really bad for him, because he finally, after three days, managed to work himself up to a confrontation about something he should legitimately be angry about -- only to have the foundations completely pulled out from under him!
Re: last scene
Dan is also fumbling around not quite sure of what the right thing to do is Yes, yes, exactly! I like relationships where characters fit together whether or not they are actively trying. I think that Dan is trying, but the very fact that he is so lost and helpless turns out to be the thing that comforts Duck most. After what's happened with Erik, and being reminded of his past ( ... )
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I love your story all the more for it's ending. It doesn't need the pretense of carefree optimism and the resolution that everything was so much better after having lived through the ordeal, because sometimes it just is and there is no better world waiting at the conclusion. But it's all the more honest and real for it. I like the suffering, of both, and the way being in a relationship isn't always easy. Well, you know how very much this story impressed me and I am glad that you didn't abandon this project. It's one of the rawest and most insightful ones you've written so far (and you're so good at the character studies that this really says something) ♥
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It doesn't need the pretense of carefree optimism and the resolution that everything was so much better after having lived through the ordeal, because sometimes it just is and there is no better world waiting at the conclusion
Yes, I think that unexpected things happen and life goes on. Like I said above, this might cause Duck and Dan to reassess their own relationship, see where it can improve and also realize how strong they already are. I think that Duck having this 'secret' was one thing between them, and now that it's out in the open and the world has not ended, he can be more sure of himself. For Dan's part, I think that this may make him feel more secure, knowing that Duck needs him, and also that Duck really doesn't hold Dan's past indiscretions against him (probably doesn't really even think about them).
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I think that's what I like most about your PiC-series. The sheer realism of it. I know you were worried about the amount of melodrama with your latest addition and everything, but what actually gets me every time is the fact that I could just see this happening for real. There's nothing artificial or unrealistic about it. And I think that's quite an achievement.
I'm still in love with how much thought you put into the Wilby characters :) Any new projects in progress? I'm afraid I still haven't had the time to catch up with my flist, I'll work on it next week ^^
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No new projects (none that are complete, anyway), but one new Points story, and I don't know if you read the last Wilby fic. Give these a look-see:
http://kuonji14.livejournal.com/49148.html
http://kuonji14.livejournal.com/49164.html
Btw, I tried to leave a comment on Wordpress for your new story but a glitch threw me out. I'll redo that soon. :)
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Re: Sandra
I felt like I couldn't talk about adultery without bringing up the events from the movie. :)
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