ITL 255

[CourtneyLee]

Moments of awesome:

“I want to please a man without shaming my grandmother.”

With a bright smile, Prince Remin pulled away.  Then Prince Remin’s gaze dropped.  His head tilted just a tick to one side as his gaze drifted.

            Oh.  Naritano blushed, picking at the knot to his apron, taking his apron off.

            The fiery heat which blazed in Prince Remin’s golden eyes seared right through Naritano, burning his soul and stealing his breath.  Prince Remin’s nostrils flared and his jaw tightened, and Naritano felt the sudden, very real urge to strip naked.

“Come and spend the day with me.”  Prince Remin’s voice was soft, friendly, fond.  “It’s a beautiful day of Setanoto’s love.  I want to share it with someone who brings such peace to my heart.”

“Remin can do whatever the fuck Remin wants to do,” Talin reminded Rini.  “If someone who works so hard for us and devotes so much of himself to the gods can’t flirt with a hot guy once in a while, without being stared at and gossiped over by a bunch of nosey rumor-mongering fools, then we need to start making public proclamations about who did what in whose bedroom, so everybody’s private life can be just as public.  If Remin can’t do anything without everybody having an opinion on it, then nobody should.”

“We can’t play all of the games that you used to play.  But I can still give you some of what you’ve been so miserable without.”

            Remin didn’t flee in terror of the idea.  Sitting here with Tano, feeling so easy, so natural, so much more vulnerable but so much safer than he’d been in years, he couldn’t immediately reject the notion.  He wondered what Tano could do for him.  How far this could go.  If he could learn to trust himself.  Was he only lying to himself to get the sexual satisfaction he needed?  Or was he really capable of being with a man again?  “I don’t know.”

            “We both know,” Tano said.  “We both know what you need.”

Anyone else need a cold shower after this chapter? Also, I think Remin's going to reach a crossroads soon. His dates are going to start bringing up Tano and Remin is going to have a bit of a conflict: do I keep dating, trying to find my husband, or do I spend more time with Tano and actually admit I want him to be my boyfriend? Whatever happens, his relationship with Tano is about to get physical. Yay!

Honestly, I'm surprised that it hasn't occured to Remin that Tano might be The One. I wonder if the realization will happen on its own or if one of his brothers will say something. I can definitely see Xio Voe doing it. He's the master of subtle manipulation.

[berryblu]

I want the realization to occur NOW!!!    I'm getting impatient for Tano and Remin to acknowledge their love.

[Mountie]

I've read it twice and think I may need to read it again... just because.   I agree with you both CL & berryblu.  I want the realization & declaration to happen NOW!  And frankly I think Xio Voe will step in because Illanosa was with him at the Festival.

I found the opening scene a perfect way to start the chapter.  I know Remin loves his food BUT I never thought sandwiches were that HOT till I read the opening.

Orinakin and Bade getting ready made me smile.  I love the snippets showing them together and so in love.  I also love the way Orinakin's brain works.   Conceding Jacacea ran the global economy made me laugh, Orinakin feeling generous indeed.  

I <3 Rini's wake ups.  *tries to writhe like Remin... fails*    And didn't you just squirm a bit when Remin put on the gates of hell cock cage... it's what every skimpy dressed Royal priest should wear.  I was so proud of him dressing for his day with Tano.

And frankly I think no one at all will be surprised that an engagement is announced after this:

“Tano.” Prince Remin walked straight towards him, smiling right at him, Naritano smiling joyously, helplessly back. And then Prince Remin hugged him.

The immediately following part just warmed my heart completely. Remin asking Tano to tease him sensuously with his body.  I still don't know how it got translated into Tano sucking him off in the hallway but rumours are like that.

I am hoping, fingers, eyes and toes crossed hoping, this was the most important part of the chapter:

Xio Voe frowned, looking up. Ilanosa?

Cause between Kudorin wanting to throw Remin in a ditch last night and Ilanosa being eith Xio Voe?  Like I said earlier, someone will intervene, hopefully Xio Voe.  What Xio Voe said last chapter is a really good point:

            “Is there much romance in watching lives crumble and hearts break as people wander ignorantly into disaster?”


OK so who was Desin talking to after he zipped up? I imagined it was his policeman BUT it could have been anyone. 

Sadly the only glimpse we had of Anosanim today was what Rini saw when he went to wake him up. I <3 Anosanim's quips.  And a chapter without talking to Anosanim just isn't complete for me.

And now starts the complete spontaneous combustion section:  And yes Courtney; I needed a cold shower... or something. after finishing the chapter.

Lo Homun shot him a grin. “Another day, then. I hope that whoever you’re shaking that ass for appreciates it.”

I sure hope Remin did.  I sure know I did.  And then... man oh man, Tano and Remin talking sex... *melts*

Rini is such a good brother though I wanted to smack him for interrupting, and I think Talin did too.  Yes, sorry Rini, the festival IS about who Remin fucks. ;-) At least it was for me.  And for every other Anorian to gossip about.  I agree CL, Talin had a great point.

I completely <3 Bade. Love him dearly for what he did to make Orinakin day easier. He is such the perfect diplomats husband.  And then...   Orinakin can't hear and lost Bade.   I thought Bade had done such a good job.  I was 100% in agreement with Bade.  And when lunch was called, I was sad:

Pride turned to uncertainty. Self-doubt. Dread. What’d I do?

Ooops, dread on my part too. It all worked out in the end.  Orinakin agreeing Bade was a perfect goat.  And after all that I loved that of all the things Kudorin could have commented on, it was the pink/blue pink/green comment.

And then with the last bit I was ready to completely combust. Completely, totally combust.  It's gotta happen sooooooooooooooooon.  It's just gotta.   

[Shanghi]

Yes Mountie we all know that Tano's food is orgasmic, this was just the first time we actually got to see the results! 

Ok one of my observations was wondering with all the rumors flying, when is the one that Remin & Tano are engaged going to start the rounds? You know..."I saw Remin with Chef Pitok and they look practically engaged" turns into "Did you know the Prince Remin & the king's chef are engaged! They just haven't announced it yet!" I can just see it happening.   

And of course the picnic on the blanket is going to turn into some kind of 69 when it hits the rumor mill. 

I did love Tano running out to find some clothes for the festival.. “I want to please a man without shaming my grandmother.”   I love how he still thinks of his grandmother even now.  And with his great body I'm sure the clerk had fun picking out clothes for him, with a little inspiration from Ilanosa & Anosukonim.

And Remin dressing to get the most skin contact with Tano, he shimmied into tight gold pants he hadn’t worn in years and a gold tank top. With his arms bare, there would be fewer barriers between him and Tano . And then realizing he couldn't run around in public with a hard on all day.. Halfway to the door, Remin paused. Once he took the robe off, he’d be left in only his pants. With Tano. All day. In public. Which led to him putting on the cock cage. 

And the hug in the kitchens, “Tano.” Prince Remin walked straight towards him, smiling right at him, Naritano smiling joyously, helplessly back. And then Prince Remin hugged him. Now doesn't that just look to onlookers like two people in love? 

And I love that Tano had prepared the picnic lunch ahead of time He loaded the plates full of food, all of which he’d made himself...some specifically for Prince Remin.

And yes, poor Bade trying to be helpful and ending up putting the two people who needed to be kept apart, together and sending them off to see the festival. Oops!  And the comment from Kudorin was so in character! 

And this last sentence... “Gods above.” Tano’s voice shook with desire. “Whatever you’re thinking about, I hope that it occurs to me someday.” ...What is it going to take to get Remin to see the obvious?    A sit down meeting with Xio Voe?    It does make you wonder what Xio Voe felt from Ilanosa and what he maybe planning to do.....

[Mountie]

I am all agog waiting for Xio Voe to step in, but what exactly it will look like I am not quite