Such a bittersweet chapter, the art was amazing, poetic in a sense. I can't wait for the English translation
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Thank you blackberry! I love your summaries!
I have a theory about the scene where Brett is comparing the gangrape with the scene with Hayden and the safe word. I think Brett realized that when he was being raped he knew that he had no control of the situation, he had no way of saving himself, so he did the only thing he could, which is to observe the individuals that were raping him at the time. When he compared this scene with his time with Hayden, he may be realizing that Hayden gave him the ability to choose the outcome of his situation, and that the option to be subservient is but one of two options.
In a lot of ways, even with his family, Brett is in a position of somewhat helplessness. He may have been able to adapt through the manipulation of people and situations to give him somewhat of a control, or the illusion of it, but ultimately his life revolves around the whims and wishes of his parents and societal expectations. I am hoping I am right, because if this is the case, then Brett might finally be realizing what can truly have with Hayden.
you’re welcome!!! :D
I appreciate your analysis and I think you are spot on. Slowly but steadily, their relationship will progress as he will realize that he’s being cared of and that he has a say, that love is a “gift” that keeps on giving.
thank youu for the summary! totally agree with you that even though this was very cute it feels like the calm before the storm and brett looked (understandably) quite out of it even as he was indulging all of hayden's whims? i'm really nervous about what happens next..esp w/ getting physical after a traumatizing encounter. brett is usually confident in sexual interactions in terms of what he wants so i really wonder if things will change this time..
absolutely agree with your interpretation! brett's always thought of freedom as not being constrained by people and moving to his own (calculated) whims but i think he may be starting to see too how paradoxically someone's love can be "freeing" and how freedom can be actually be NOT having to constantly make rational calculations/moving people around on a chess board but a more unconditional and equal way of being with someone...feel like it's also this important step of realization in a negotiated bdsm relationship
no problem :D yes exactly, Hayden is adorable but Brett’s poker face and nonchalance makes me think there’s more to it. Which reminds me of the cover art with the cards (what kind of game uses cards? yep poker). Brett is playing his cards with a cool mind but will be able to keep it up the whole time?
Now that you mentioned they are getting physical next I wonder if he will recoil at one point, after all, it’s a natural reaction….
I just want my pookies to be happy :(
as usual, here is my summary:
They headed towards a place where it snows (artificial snow), since it doesn’t in LA. They also start wondering about what chemicals are being used to create that effect (lol). Hayden also seemed to revisit his conversation with Brett, the one they had at the theater. He said a theater stage is a screen with a picture that vaguely resembles reality, in a way that we still are aware it’s a fake world. “But even though the audience knows that, l’m willing to fall in love”. He also said that even if it’s a fake story made up by someone, the feelings are still real. Then Hayden opened his jacket and told Brett to come in closer and Brett was like “it’s not cold” but still approached him and they kissed. Hayden thanked Brett and said that he’s grateful (that Brett went along with him) and that he is experiencing happiness.
Then, they headed to a restaurant for dinner and on the way a lady ran towards her lover and called him “honey” so Brett started to remember that he agreed to use that word because it’s important to Hayden. For some reason he started to compare the assault with the time he used “honey” to stop Hayden and he mumbled to himself “What did you give me?”*.
After having dinner they went to Brett’s car and it seems they will have car sex.
*Throughout the date Brett is aloof, in the past he usually went along and teased Hayden but this time he was serious and not much in it. For us readers it would seem like he’s finally processing his feelings regarding the assault, but he’s also not paying it much mind so it’s kind of confusing. I hope with time he opens up his mind, he needs to let Hayden prove himself and show him how to /feel/ in the way theater evokes those feelings in someone.