#iif17

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Beer. Laptop. Fire pit. Hoodie.

Let’s go.

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*whispers*

Don Berna

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PLONK.

Okay, I’m going to go sleep for a thousand years.

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Javi, dammit, I need you to use your words.

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I hardly doubt what you’ve written tonight is shit, and it’s okay if you don’t believe that. that’s why we’re here, to believe in you when you can’t :) take your time with chapter 17 bebs. You gave us 14/15/16 so quick and you also have a life and you need to take care of yourself. We aint going anywhere 💜💕

Thank you, friend. With the help of my dear @the-ginger-hedge-witch , I think I’ve finally ironed out the major kinks - now it’s just a matter of making it all flow.

You’re right, thought, that I’ve been turning and burning these chapters, and I’m just about burned out. After this one, I’m gonna take a nice, long break.

Thanks for the support. I’ve needed it for this one!

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So I'm going through some shit and don't have the mental capacity to type a huge thing rn but I just wanted to say that chapter 17 was Everything, and you should be so proud of yourself! Seriously you deserve all the hugs and rest for the gift of this chapter 💛

Sweet friend,

First, let me offer you all the hugs. I’m so sorry that life is being a bitch right now. Let me know who’s ass to kick. I’m pretty useless in a fight, but I’ll send Ears your way - she’d love to roll some heads in defense of her soul sister. ❤️

In all seriousness, you owe me nothing. I’m so glad that you’re able to read and enjoy Better Love, especially right now. I know how important it is to be able to just bury yourself for a while.

Thank you so much for your kindness and endless support. It means the world to me!

Big love and tightest hugs,

- Jay and Ears

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That chapter though??? I mean...

I am incredibly happy that our favorite couple has finally gotten to talk, even if it was just for a little bit. Ears is still the love of my life, and I just adored her determination to protect her Javi in this chapter, mirroring his determination to rescue her while she was missing. Is it weird that I find commiting treason for the love of your life oddly romantic?

It's clear that they have many MANY things to discuss like, I don't know... BUG, MAYBE? HUH, EARS?? I get why she didn't tell him right away (he would've become when more protective over her, and that was the last thing either of them needed while handling the FARC situation), but I'm really really looking forward to Ears coming clean about her suspected pregnancy. She's been handling it on her own for far too long (especially after Ana was rescued), and she deserves to have some help and support.

And they also need to talk about what happened and didn't happen to Ears while she was being held, because if they don't Javi might just get an aneurysm. Poor guy. He really needs a vacation.

And the Don Berna POV was great! I love how you write his voice, your version of him has a very specific way of seeing things that you manage to keep beautifully consistent and vaguely scary throughout the story. He's a really interesting character, and his insights on the other characters are always fascinating to read. On a lighter note, when I read "petardo" my brain immediately went "who is he calling an idiot?" and then I realized he was referring to Ears as a firecracker and laughed. Polysemy is funny like that.

Anyways, I'm really excited for this story, especially since Javiears have been reunited and might even get to have a full-on, interruption-free, sincere heart-to-heart soon. But, of course, take all the time you need to rest that galaxy brain of yours, mental health is KEY.

In short, thank you, this chapter was everything, I loved it, I feel bad for Javi and I feel bad for Ears. Take care of yourself and have a nice day!! ~ 🍪

Okay, but I’m laughing so fucking hard at the idea of Berna referring to Ears as an idiot throughout this entire chapter. Maybe I should rethink Petardo, but honestly I’m getting a real kick out of that. Thank you for cluing me in! 🤣🤣

I mean, I’m with you - committing big treason is practically how these two say, “I love you.” For a couple who denies that they’re romantic, Javi and Ears have a pretty good grasp on the whole grand, sweeping gestures thing. 😉

Ears is going to realize very soon that it’s okay to ask for support, I promise.

Also, your comment just made me picture, okay, what if Ears did just blurt out that she’s pregnant in the middle of the conversation? God, I cannot even imagine it - like I’m pretty sure Javier Peña’s heart would have just stopped on the spot.

Bless him. He’s still stressed to the max about what Ears may have endured at the hands of Feo. Remember, he has no way of knowing that Ears wasn’t housed in the “rape dungeon,” with the other girls after Ana’s trade. And Javi does tend to be a catastrophic thinker - they need to talk, and soon.

I just fucking LOVE Don Berna, okay? He and Steve are actually my favorite characters to write. ❤️❤️

Thank you so much, Cookie Anon! I appreciate all of your kindness and your insights, and I’ll be back to throw more Javiears goodness in your direction before you know it!

Mad love and soft hugs,

- Jay

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i haven’t had a chance to give a proper reblog for chapter 17 bc ✨life✨ (also bc i read it as soon as i woke up, and i was still kinda groggy so i need to reread bc i definitely missed stuff) but it was so good! I love how in each chapter you answer some plot questions but then create more :) ik javi and ears have a LONG way to go in terms of healing but i’m so happy they’re reunited

(p.s. THEY STILL HAVENT SAID I LOVE YOU WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME)

(p.p.s. javi knowing he would probably go to jail for treason but being ok with it bc it would mean hannah is safe???? that broke me)

jay you DESERVE a break and i hope it’s restoring and re-energizing!! i can’t wait for the rest of the story :)

Thank you dear! Again, you guys don’t owe me anything - life gets insane sometimes! I just appreciate you guys reading and loving. ❤️

(not that I don’t absolutely adore reblogs - all writers do 😉)

There will always be more plot questions. Lmao, they aren’t home yet, and I’m nowhere near finished with Better Love!

Expect anything and anticipate nothing. 💋

Ah, Javi. I just love him more than words. He knew he was on limited time and he was desperate to find his girl. Does he want to be tried for treason? Of course not. But he feels like he deserves it, and by day 19, knowing that Ears was recently seen alive and that nobody was going to get her... yeah, our man was willing to sacrifice ANYTHING to see her safely home.

But we know what Ears has to say about that.

Regarding the I love you exchange ...

That’s coming. I promise.