Reviewer: agian18 Signed 1
Date: June 05, 2019
Title: Chapter 5: Bask in the glory of all our problems
Okay first of all, I now have Issues stuck in my head, so thanks.
I love it whenever Pam wears Jim's t-shirts like they're hers. Especially since it's a Widespread Panic shirt, because Jim now has at least 3 of these in his drawer, in my mind.
Can I just say how proud I am of you for coming so far on little smutty scenes? Because they're so perfect. "...and then do a number of things that had absolutely, satisfyingly nothing to do with paper." See? You see that. Ugh. I love it. And then there was, "...made her look absolutely wrecked, and he hadn't even gotten there yet." You really do turn the subtle sexy on SO well.
I also love that, despite all of the issues they're having, Jim is still 100% in Camp Pam, always supportive, and not losing the banter that they've always had (in canon at least). Like him saying that he would run off and join the circus with her (I am now 100% in Camp Jim the Juggler) and the tickling/wrestling that just takes all of the worrying out and gets them back to their roots.
I honestly contemplated stopping reading (is that grammatically correct? I have no idea) after "You know nothing, Jim Halpert" because I didn't think that could be topped, but congrats, because you sure DID.
The fact that they just had the shittiest date in the history of Jim Halpert, and now they're sharing take-out while splitting it up like the old days without missing a beat just breaks my heart, because the love is still there (and obviously you prove that later, and shatter my heart even more, but we'll get to that).
Brian like Camera Brian? Same Brian? Do you just like the name? Either way, I'm definitely on board with the fact that Pam actually had a relationship after Jim, that she didn't stew and feel sorry for herself, and was actually able to be her own person (one who did drugs--I LOVE YOU FOR PUTTING THAT IN HERE, CAN I JUST SAY??? CRAZY, FLAWED PAM DOING STUPID SHIT IS SO FAR REMOVED FROM EVERYTHING I KNOW AND I LOVE IT).
Also, Jim getting a DUI because he was so broken over Pam is absolutely what would have happened, and I love that you basically took these two people and shattered them into shells that have nothing left but the residual feelings for one another, because that's truly all they know and will ever need. And then throw in Betsy wanting to know how his date is going, because honestly, moms always know best, and she probably misses Pam too, and I'm just sitting here in a puddle of my emotions, thanks.
“Jim Halpert, Danny Cordray. Danny and I fuck without feelings and Jim’s ass is hanging over my couch.”
I don't really need to say anything else on the subject, do I?
And now, Pam has a fuck buddy, and this Pam is slowly becoming my favorite Pam, because she is doing the exact OPPOSITE of sulking, and she's just trying to make sense of a life post-Jim. Because "It wasn't Brian..." and she's TELLING HIM that it wasn't Brian instead of cowering away, and I'm just
Ugh.
Jim only has one night stands because he can't emotionally connect with someone other than Pam and they just REALLY ARE BROKEN.
You're really the best, ya know?
I loved the line about, "Wanna go back to talking about my parent's divorce?" because it just shows how fucked up they've truly gotten, but it still made me laugh out loud that *divorce* was less painful than how their lives have been going as of late.
Listen. I am ALL for reusing the fortune cookie bit. Especially the way that you did it. Because flashbacks with future connections are what I THRIVE on (who, me? *cough cough*) and the way that you did this was so PERFECT. Because here's the thing. You could have made them kiss, or fallen back into what happened in the flashback. That would have worked. But not in this story. And in some cheesy version of this story, they would've been super awkward about the whole thing. But instead, Pam is inviting Jim to a 4th of July party, and they just really need to keep seeing each other, and it's SO obvious, and you did that so perfectly.
The "I don't remember our last date" *actually* broke me. Twice. Because I didn't think he was going to stop and tell her. And though it is so typical of *Jim* to remember all of those details, why did it hit me so much more that *this Jim* remembered everything? Oh right. Because he "moved on" and was married and came off as this huge asshole, and this is his moment to basically show the world that things about Jim have changed, but the one thing that hasn't is that he still loves Pam Beesly. It's okay. I'm fine.
(No I'm not).
"Does it count if I never really quit loving her?"
That's...that's the last straw. I need the next chapter NOW.
Author's Response:
There are so many things that I appreciate about this review and your love of this story. But I really appreciate that you GET what these two have to go through before they can get to the good stuff. As always, the things you point out are always some of my favorite parts to write. *yea!!* A few things:
Yes, that Brian. I don't want him with Pam in canon but Brian was hot (those arms!).
I have too many Thoughts on mildly rebellious Pam and Jim, it just makes sense to me that at this stage they both dabbled in being reckless and kind of self-destructive.
Ooooh, I hope you like the Betsy chapter when we get to it!
I think of you a little bit every time I write those flashbacks. ;)
Everything in your paragraph about the part that broke you (sorry bout that) is SO TRUE! That whole part about how he's changed in many except that he still loves her... AND your part about at their most broken, their feelings for each other are all they've known or need???? I'll give you credit if, no when, I steal those lines, okay??