Can I answer here? I'm relatively new to the forum and still not sure how it all works. Will delete later if it's not the right place.
I've already read your previous works but felt a bit too late to the party to leave a comment so I decided to write it for the newest one (and ofc I messed it up and revieved the 1st chapter not the last one, so sorry!). They're great too. I love the subtle European/Slavic "climate" (is this the right word?) that you created in them; not sure if on purpose, but many details seem familiar to me and got my attention cause I'm from that part of the world too. And as I've said before, I'm looking forward to reading something longer, but obviously these daily doses of your writing are great too.

As for Jim - stopping pranks was also supposed to be a part of his new work attitude, but with time he realized he doesn't have to do it (or wants to). I didn't see pranking people together as messing with someone's feelings (and Pam didn't mind either for the first two seasons), more as Jim trying to sense how much "normal" they can act again, and I think it's a good way of dealing with this awkward situation. He was hesitant about doing something together I guess and needed time to adjust, just like Pam needed time to realize her feelings. Also, the audience obviously knows they love each other thanks to the cameras, but characters don't. Pam seemed happy with what he's ready to give until she realized she wants more and told him that after the coal walk. She basically did what he did before - dropped it on him after a long time of avoiding the topic and let him decide, though still wasn't as clear as Jim in Casino, and with their crazy coworkers around, which was a bit more embarrassing tbh. Later she said she doesn't mind anything as long as Jim's happy; before it she got back with Roy - and who knows what would happen if he didn't go crazy - so it's not like she knows what she wants exactly.
I'm probably biased too cause I was actually in situation similar to Jim's irl (lol), and it wasn't easy to figure out how much of the contact will be too painful, while at the same time you're obviously supposed to act like an adult and a professional, also to not make your new partner feel uncomfortable. The weird "friends-but not really" state. It's hard even when there's no chance to get together, so it's probably 100x worse when you both wish to/still have feelings for each other. I think Pam could be a bit more understanding, especially when she obviously expected the same from Jim. My point is, I don't see Jim as a perfect person - nor Pam, so I got a bit intrigued by the way you and other members pointed out how Jim sucked in the 3rd season. I think they both sucked a little bit, as in previous seasons and the next ones lol. Which is great, cause I think writers did a pretty good job with balancing it out and making it realistic.

Sorry for the essay, I just don't want to be misunderstood by you or other reviewers but also don't want to create an off-topic conversation below your work. Maybe there's some other place for this kind of talk if someone would like to discuss it further? I'd gladly talk some more since I'm new in the fandom :-)

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