This is particular arc, not to drop spoilers, is COMPLICATED. It was complicated in the story this is all based off and the added complications of changing time, place, and narrator (I wrote the original Boys of Summer in third person limited, with the narrator locked on Darin.) as well as the addition of the visual medium has certainly not made it any less complicated. This particular scene played out a lot differently in the story when Darin was just a po’ boy (from a po’ family *starts singing Bohemian Rhapsody off key*) and Josh was just some rich boy that Darin went to a prissy school with. Now Josh is a nobleman and Darin isn’t. And then you swap the direction of narration to Josh not Darin…

Long story short(er) I had troubles with this update and worries about it and you going Topeka! sorta made me ACK! because I wasn’t driving straight for that ship. (Although Josh and Darin are sorta cute together, and as Morgaine has pointed out, two hot guys together can make people’s ship flag go up anyway, then you follow that with a scene with them kissing and, really, who wouldn’t go Eureka!)

But don’t worry, I am pretty bad at red herrings, usually (other than knowing that Freddy Jones should never accuse him of being the bad guy.) and avoid them when they’re not so important, so most of the time if you see hints, you’re welcome to raise all the ship flags you wish to. (eg. yes, Sev has a crush on Marianne and we will probably see more of that pairing as time goes by.)

This was just a weird, weird, weird update. Sorry about that. And hey, it does mean you’re thinking about the story and that’s good. It’s not all mindless fluffy tooth and brain rotting candy floss.

So sorry about that! :S

And while, yes, Josh does kiss him here, I’m not sure that Josh really likes him or has chemistry with Darin either. It was more in response to latching onto the feeling of security that Darin is giving him. Which I think even Josh, when he’s thinking straight, will understand is a bad basis for a romantic relationship.

Their relationship will develop into something else besides bully and bullied post this happening, but we are a long way off of Josh heart Darin.

So if I’m giving off slash-heavy vibes here… I’m playing this out wrong… *sigh*

As for the old Orkney Keep burning down, I’m not sure, I asked Morgaine if she minded if I said that it did burn down (for reasons) and she loved the idea. (I think that lot drives her nuts sometimes.) But whether it happens in current canon or post I don’t know cause I’m not sure if she knows yet. I guess we’ll both see.

And yeah, I liked giving Loki/Mordred a very boring subject to teach. Especially to a bunch of three quarters asleep teenage boys who just rolled out of bed.

Thanks, Van! *goes back to wondering where she went wrong*

If I had a nickel for every time I’d found that! But this didn’t read like drivel at all.

So I wasn’t crazy when I detected that hint of chemistry in the last post! Curious as to where Darin and Josh go from there.

Elizabet is awesome, and she would make a fantastic witch if she did happen to get the lucky genes. Good of her, covering for her brother, especially since she always seems to know exactly what’s going on. And for all Josh may not always be the nicest, and is tied up in some shady stuff, he seems like he lucked out in regards to dodging the worst of his father’s genes as well, at least what I can gather from not having met his father yet.

The old Orkney Keep burned down? Interesting. Is this foreshadowing for upcoming Albion events, given what’s up with the current lord there, or is this a more recent(ish) development?

Also, small thing, but it pleases me that Mordred’s new incarnation teaches a boring subject. “Damn it, heed me, students! Revere me! Acknowledge me as the center of the universe, the only man whose opinions matter!” “…zzzzzz….”