(From WN-17, don't read if you haven't read LNs/Manga and/or you are anime-only)
(ss credit: X (twitter), @keizuki...WN-17, Ch-4 Jinmao scene translation)
That is why I want people on 'Jinshi doesn't know consent'/'Maomao dislikes Jinshi's touch, antics, etc etc...' carriage to hold their horses and not jump the gun regarding Jinmao dynamic...Anime/Manga is very early in terms of adaptation of pace, many actions of Maomao, esp. wrt Jinshi, that feel ambiguous/disinterested to viewers/readers find their actual context quite later on in the volumes (even Maomao 's response in LN-5 scene)...It would do everyone good that instead of labelling Jinshi with all these predatory terms, they allow the story to finish....
If Maomao acted cordial with Jinshi back then only because of the power dynamic or was disinterested, she would not have teased him about that later on...The fact that Maomao remembered this 4 years later, should mean something, no?
A mini-fic I don't quite want to post on ao3 bc it's basically crack. Essentially, Neil and Matt are held hostage by an evil woman who wants revenge or whatever. The twist is that she stole Neil's body.
Neil glared up at the imposter. She smiled back, causing him to shudder; the sight of his father’s smile on his own face would always be the fuel of his nightmares.
“Comfy?” she asked.
Neil pulled at his shackles and snarled in response. He had to admit, it was genius: tying herself up before switching places with him. Now all she needed to do was rinse and repeat, and Neil would be tied up in his own body. He had no doubt that she had an accomplice waiting around some corner to come untie her once Neil had been neutralised. It was the crazy sort of genius that was only available to lunatics.
Seemingly reading his mind, she said, “Not just yet, Nathaniel. I have a few errands to run before giving this back.” She gestured to Neil’s body. “I think I’ll start somewhere fun – how about I pay a visit to your little boyfriend?”
Neil stopped rattling his chains. “Don’t you dare.”
“Jealous? Don’t worry, I’ll let you watch.” She pressed a remote, and a screen lit up behind her. A view of the roof, where Andrew was smoking at the edge.
“No.”
“Oh, yes. Any messages to pass on?” she said. “Afterall, this will be the last time he sees you for, well, ever.”
“Tell him that we’re tied up in the lounge,” Matt tried.
The imposter didn’t seem to consider that worthy of response.
Neil thought for a moment, picking the perfect few lines out in his head. “Tell him… I love him. Tell him he’s the best boyfriend in the world. Just–” he made his voice waiver, “be romantic?”
The imposter almost looked sorry for him.
It took fifteen excruciating minutes for her to make it to the roof.
“I’m so sorry, Matt,” Neil said. “She came for me.”
“I mean, it could be worse, right?” Matt tried to smile. “At least it isn’t your dad. And hey, I’m sorry too. I didn’t realise… how serious you two were. Are. We should have trusted you.” He nodded towards the screen.
The corners of Neil’s mouth twitched. “Well–”
Then Neil’s body stepped into frame on the screen, and they both froze. Andrew didn’t react as the imposter sat down beside him. “Hey baby.” The four of them sat in silence for a minute, until the imposter spoke again. “You know, I never used to believe I could have anything. I thought I would die young and alone. The idea that I could have a boyfriend, especially one like you… I mean, I couldn’t have imagined it.”
“Do you want me to close my eyes or something?” Matt said.
“Shh,” said Neil. “Just wait.” It seemed he was the only one who had noticed the way Andrew’s shoulders went stiff at the words.
“Don’t say that.”
“I can’t help it when you’re over there looking like a dream come true,” the imposter said.
“Well,” said Andrew slowly, “you always know what to say to make a guy feel special.” Neil felt a small smile creeping onto his face.
“Andrew,” the imposter said quietly. “I love you.”
Andrew didn’t miss a beat. “I love you, too, sweetheart.”
“Oh my god,” whispered Matt. “Did he just… Sweetheart?”
Neil shushed him.
“You’re the best boyfriend in the world,” the imposter said.
“It could be ‘fiance’.” Andrew ran his fingers through her hair. “You never really explained why you won’t marry me. I still have the ring, you know.”
Based on the noises of hyperventilation, Neil figured it was only a matter of minutes before Matt passed out.
The imposter smiled sadly. “I’m sorry.”
Andrew reached down and took her hands in his. “Don’t be.” As he leaned in, her eyes closed and her lips parted.
“Oh no, Neil –” Matt moaned.
Just before their lips met, Andrew was suddenly on top of her with a knife to her throat. “Where’s Neil?” he hissed.
“Andrew, what –”
“Don’t play games with me, darling. I don’t know who you are, but you are not him.” His lips curled. “You’re identical, but you’re not the same.”
Matt’s mouth hung open. “Holy shit,” he whispered. “He knew? What is happening?”
“I’m –” the Imposter started.
“I do not care,” Andrew said. “I asked you where Neil is. You have one more try before I decide I do not need your help.”
“You can’t hurt me; that’d hurt Neil, too.”
Andrew dropped the knife and slugged the imposter on the side of the head. Neil winced; that was going to be painful. The imposter went limp and Andrew swung her unconscious body over his shoulders. He glanced around the roof then spotted the camera. He picked it up and spoke into it. “You’re next.” He shoved the camera into his pocket and the screen went dark. Matt and Neil listened to the sounds of Andrew thumping down the stairs.
“Was that some sort of code?” Matt asked.
“In a way.” Matt’s look was a question, so Neil elaborated. “Andrew knows me very well, he couldn’t be fooled.”
A clatter rang out from the screen and was followed by yelling.
“What did you do to him?” shrieked Dan.
“Oh god, Andrew! Is Neil okay?” Nicky now, less accusatory but still cautious.
“Move,” Andrew ordered.
“Put him down, monster,” said Allison calmly.
“Get out of my way or I will stab you.”
“You know what? No. We’ve all put up with enough of your shit for a lifetime, and now Neil isn’t here to play your advocate. So put him down before I call Coach.”
“Allison,” hissed Andrew. “You may remember what happened last time you got in my way and, to your point, Neil isn’t here this time so he cannot stop me.”
The sound of footsteps resumed then the sound of a car door slamming and the roar of an engine as Andrew peeled out of the parking lot.
Ten minutes later, the locker room door opened and Andrew burst in. He saw Matt first then locked eyes with Neil. “Who are you?”
“Neil.”
“And who’s the guy I beat up in the hallway?”
Neil shrugged. “Some thug.”
Andrew walked over and crouched in front of Neil, studying him. Satisfied that it was Neil, he got to work unchaining him.
Neil stood up, finally free. “Thank you, sweetheart. Now all we have to do is figure out how to switch back.”
“I’m not so sure…” Andrew flipped the imposter over with his foot. “She looks a lot more punchable this way.”
