Awkward --PG-13

[librarian_7]

I have to admit picturing the conversation between Mick and Josef about this whole situation is...hysterical. And don't think it hasn't occurred to me to write up such a thing. My Josefmuse is, shall we say, against it.

I would have to say, I think perhaps Josef's awkwardness is with his own emotions, and his reluctance to admit to himself that he might have some sort of feelings for this freshie.

Freshie Lucky's feelings haven't changed...so she has less to be awkward about.

Lucky

[AggieVamp]

I agree with everyone about the smacking of Josef similar to the the smack in Moonstruck that Cher delivered with the line 'Snap out of it!'

Thanks for the Lucky story!

Karen

[librarian_7]

Glad you found this, Karen...I meant to pm you about it.

And yeah, trust me, even Freshie Lucky was wanting to smack him. One of these days, she will, I fear. Out of sheer frustration with his behavior.

Lucky

[Lilly]

I love the way he is agonizing here. And, it occurs to me that in many ways Josef is not so very different from Mick. They've just drawn the line -- the one that separates man of honor from monster -- in different places. For Mick, the line is drawn at his refusal to feed fresh. For Josef, it is drawn at toying with the hearts of those he feeds from regularly. In four centuries, he's obviously seen faithful hearts devastated by trifling actions and has learned some difficult lessons as a result. I have no doubt he crosses the line of sexual intimacy on a regular basis -- just not with the women who faithfully nourish his body and soul.

[Luxe de Luxe]

the tables are slowly turning. josef reasserted his physical dominance over lucky to allay the deep feelings of anxiety that arose from his loss of control (in Comfort). he's feeling deeply unsettled, hence the unusual display of discourtesy to Lucky. I think this is a really crucial stage here. I don't imagine that Josef enjoys the awkwardness of this change in relationship very much at all. He's so used to be perfectly balanced. I think their relationship is poised on a knife's edge, it could go either way at this point. I'm looking forward to seeing how you resolve this Lucky.

[librarian_7]

Lilly, Luxe...you make me feel positively DEEP. I'm interested to see how things go forward myself...but for now, Josef is running off to Colorado to take out his frustrations on poor freshie Sam...to say that he is deeply troubled over the situation is an understatement, I think.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses.

Lucky

[Fishy]

I am coming into this very interesting ‘debate’ about the last thought provoking chapter in this wonderful story perhaps a little later than many others of your avid readers. I’ve been working away from home since Thursday, and today have come back to my computer to find that you have again worked your magic! Oh, the way you describe the feelings that are returning to our Joseph! He is having to relive/relearn the angst that is part of loving.

Of course he ‘hit out’ - and I expect will feel even worse before he feels sooooo much better when he begins to relax and go with the flow of his special relationship with someone who truly accepts the complex man he still is. Vampire or not.

I do not see Lucky as weak, her patience and forbearance comes from deep affection. Love that creeps into our hearts slowly and grows as we experience life together, is peaceful and patient. This I feel has happened with Lucky. Joseph (and of course Mick) did not think of her as ‘ruined goods’ to be discarded - early in their relationship. Selfish as he may sometimes be, he showed real compassion. Sonnet 116 by Shakespeare, which I had read at my wedding years ago, says more to me about love than anything I know. A few lines come into my mind now.

Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark, that looks on tempests and is never shaken;

Joseph will always have adventures, but I hope there is a ‘constant’ in his life now.
Certainly I hope that I can look forward to the time they ‘make-up‘!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are in your hands!

[librarian_7]

Fishy, what can I say, except--I love you. That was a beautiful comment, and it is so wonderful to see how this relationship looks from the outside. It's a hard path to follow, for both of them, and some days I'm not sure myself where it's leading. We'll see...

Lucky

[Josefismysire]

How did I miss this little gem? As always, Lucky, you have taken the Josef/Lucky dynamic to a whole new level. Beautifully crafted and compelling to read!! It seems that for Josef, for once in his undead life, he's the one not in control and (gasp!) a mortal woman is...

Isn't that the way every relationship should be? The man should always think it's his idea (but we know the truth)...

[Penina Spinka]

I'm really glad I found you again. I didn't read what created this awkward situation for Josef, but I'll probably find it now that I have some time to read again. Lucky being 'fed up' on Josef is a reversal in a punnie sort of way, isn't it? She's got the confidence to tell him to get over himself. I'll bet not many people besides Mick get away with mouthing off to him when he deserves it.

[cassysj]

I'm really glad I found you again. I didn't read what created this awkward situation for Josef, but I'll probably find it now that I have some time to read again. Lucky being 'fed up' on Josef is a reversal in a punnie sort of way, isn't it? She's got the confidence to tell him to get over himself. I'll bet not many people besides Mick get away with mouthing off to him when he deserves it.

Penina Lucky's story Comfort is what brings about Awkward and Consequences. Both are incredible.

[wpgrace]

Oh man!!! Aptly titled...and the awkward continues. Wow, make one... indiscretion... as a vamp and it really stays with you, huh??

I LOVE the line about want... not sex or blood but connection.... That seems so real, so apt for Josef.

Lucky is way stronger than I'd ever be... she's gonna outlast this awkward phase better than he is... and I'm glad for her about that. I'm glad to see her where she is here... I was worried about her...

[MoonShadow]

I have no idea how I managed to miss this chapter in their story. This is positively perfect for them.
I have said before and delightfully say again, your writing is poetry. Each phrase is poised, balanced and exquisite to read.

" and left him standing alone."

How perfect. Nothing more needed anything less would be unpolished.
thank you so much for writing!

oh Josef.... shaking her head Josef!

[librarian_7]

It looks like I need to get a better alert system in place, with several of you having missed this...I'm getting my pm list developed, and will be better at notification in future.

And now that the big move is done, I promise to keep my index up to date, as well. Honest!

That being said, thank you all for your comments...the relationship continues, and the path does not seem to be an easy one, for all their history together, or perhaps because of it.

Lucky

[tucutecats]

Just re read this story from Comfort to the last. You are so talented , these people jump off the page and become real to us. We bleed for them. Your talented is awesome and I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.