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I don't even know what to say nor how. As a preamble, of course, peak writing quality, Hayden very handsome in his own natural way, Brett tailored from head to toe for his public character.
It was heartbreaking. First the hug, within seconds, Brett being torn between letting himself go to this "warmness", to something he's not used to and more importantly something he doesn't have full control of OR back to comfort usual zone, which obviously he does. Then he starts on his charade about the case and the terrible date idea. Hayden is horrified, sad and just shocked, while as a reader I got a very unpleasant taste in my mouth. Heartwrenching moment.
From this point on... Descent into hell for both of them, although differently. Brett breaks up whatever it was between them.
What now? Hayden doing the surgery je was advised against? Them meeting in court/uni and acting like strangers? Hayden being in a spot thousand times worse than at the beginning of the story? I'm not wondering about Brett, because he's back at his usual playground, with all the basics well settled (from the outside) while Hayden was trying to piece himself one piece after the other.
In the end, as heartbreaking it was, EXCELLENT chapter of an excellent story from a brilliant writer

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This ending man fuck, I just really hope Hayden doesn’t regress, I dont he would but who knows. I would like to see him try to cope by putting himself head first into his work, maybe that comment abt being too emotional will make him want to mask himself just in a different way that before. Or perhaps he’ll be more “alpha”. I just like the image of Brett missing Hayden and then seeing him on TV. Idk man the one thing I don’t want is a TIME SKIP

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We ended up in shock ...
I don't think there will be a time skip? It feels like there is so much yet to be resolved and there has always been a "deadline" matter between them (although now there is literally nothing between them)
I also think Hayden will steel himself (and being even further apart from the joyful spontaneous version he was younger), he'll deal with the bonding asap. How could he trust himself with anyone now? He thought Brett was the perfect match especially with his heat/pheromones. It's honestly really sad.
And Brett will be back at being socially fake and superficial with the ones surrounding Jim

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We ended up in shock ...
I don't think there will be a time skip? It feels like there is so much yet to be resolved and there has always been a "deadline" matter between them (although now there is literally nothing between them)
I also think Hayden will steel himself (and being even further apart from the joyful spontaneous version he was younger), he'll deal with the bonding asap. How could he trust himself with anyone now? He thought Brett was the perfect match especially with his heat/pheromones. It's honestly really sad.
And Brett will be back at being socially fake and superficial with the ones surrounding him
Solar plexus? A forearm? Was it really ... Necessary?