OP: Mmnm, god. This is deliciously good. You have no idea how much I enjoyed reading this, a!a. What a lovely surprise to wake up to!
I particularly liked the contrasting fantasies they held: Mattie's dream is the gentlest, and she has no intention of filling it because despite her attraction she's too dedicated to her morals and responsibilities to consider any possibility of a relationship, much less the idea of a positive one; Vanessa, usually considered the most reasonable and refined of the three, is the most brutal and derogatory in her imaginings—the Bitch in Black becomes simply the bitch, reduced from a dangerous adversary into an object to be used and abused—and is determinedly planning to make her vision a reality; and last but not least, Fisk is a balance between the two extremes, the iron fist of power covered by the silk glove, picturing Mattie's submission through blackmail in favor of physically forcing her compliance. It would seem that his plan is not fully decided on yet, but it's ultimately the more effective one for maximum satisfaction (and long-term angst)—why drag her into it kicking and screaming when the option to buy her compliance through the continued safety of her loved ones and the secrets she holds so dear is easily obtained?
You chose a good cut-off point, so that the reader is not left feeling confused or unsatisfied despite the desire to see where things might go if it was continued. Well done!
Re: Fill: Triptych
I particularly liked the contrasting fantasies they held: Mattie's dream is the gentlest, and she has no intention of filling it because despite her attraction she's too dedicated to her morals and responsibilities to consider any possibility of a relationship, much less the idea of a positive one; Vanessa, usually considered the most reasonable and refined of the three, is the most brutal and derogatory in her imaginings—the Bitch in Black becomes simply the bitch, reduced from a dangerous adversary into an object to be used and abused—and is determinedly planning to make her vision a reality; and last but not least, Fisk is a balance between the two extremes, the iron fist of power covered by the silk glove, picturing Mattie's submission through blackmail in favor of physically forcing her compliance. It would seem that his plan is not fully decided on yet, but it's ultimately the more effective one for maximum satisfaction (and long-term angst)—why drag her into it kicking and screaming when the option to buy her compliance through the continued safety of her loved ones and the secrets she holds so dear is easily obtained?
You chose a good cut-off point, so that the reader is not left feeling confused or unsatisfied despite the desire to see where things might go if it was continued. Well done!