It is honestly scary how accurately some of the tiny details reflect experiences and feelings from my own life. There were moments when I had to stop and like “Is this play about us?” The similarities caught me completely off guard lol but in a strangely comforting way. It almost feels like reading the better ending to certain memories.

(experiencing a painfully Italian man from NY...)

I  also love the way you write Frank. There is so little information about what he was like as a teenager, so I can imagine how difficult it is to keep him recognizable while also creating a younger version of him. I think you have done that so well. The same goes for Billy. (BOOOOO) And I also love that the main character feels real and is someone outside of frank like she has her own storyline that we get to uncover and is a complicated girl rather than someone so “innocent” (?) or perfect. I would love to continue learning about her and seeing her struggle to open up and gradually learn that she can trust someone!!! (like yessss more tears( jk! ))

And the moment when Frank reassured her that she didn’t have to do anything she wasn’t comfortable with genuinely was just no words. His protectiveness and care never feel forced like they feel like natural parts of his character. You write him as someone who is still very much a boy, but who is trying to become a better man ( call back to his mom)

I also love that the story reminded me that wanting someone gentle, loyal, protective, and genuinely interested in who you are n not ur body is not unrealistic even tho this is from a fic point still stands yk. 

I did have two more slightly chaotic ideas, although obviously I completely trust wherever you are already planning to take the story. I’m ready for the sweet romantic moments, the emotional growth, and a reasonable amount of angst that hopefully does not send everyone into a therapy session.

Since Billy somehow already knows where she lives?????? (assuming it was him who sent the pics ) , I could also imagine him eventually realizing that she is one of Frank’s biggest emotional weak points (since he did tell frank that already at the lockers) and targeting her when she is alone….. not necessarily romantically, but to intimidate her or mess with Frank through her. Maybe he corners her or frightens her just enough to provoke Frank. I would love the angst of Frank finding out and nearly losing his mind over it lowkey although  without him doing anything so extreme that he completely ruins his future lol. I need the drama, but I also need that man to make it out of high school!

I also don’t know what timeline you have planned for them or whether the story will end while they are still in high school, but I would absolutely love seeing their relationship continue into Frank joining the military. The thought of them writing letters to each other is painfully cute UGHHHH. I can already imagine both of them missing each other, keeping every LETTER, yearning from a distance, THE SHORT PHONE CALLS, and then finally being reunited when he comes home after they haven’t seen each other for a long time.

There could be so many sweet moments in that storyline, but also so much emotional tension waiting for letters, worrying when one takes too long to arrive, and realizing how much they have both changed (idk about changed but i can see that with frank and the marines but still good boy frank) while still loving each other. Then obviously the reunion could give us all the wholesome romantic moments… and perhapssss a few less-wholesome ones too, respectfully, lmao.  

But again this is genuinely one of the best things I have read on here. The kitchen scene felt tv worthy I could picture everything so clearly. I can’t wait to see where you take the story, and I really hope things eventually end well for them! (PLEASE)

omg i got out of hand sry this is so long holy shit my b

HIIIII ANON OMG!!

The amount of times I read this should have me in a straight jacket BAHAH. I think in this series, Frank is… exactly who a lot of us needed when we were young. Unfortunately many boys/men cannot rise to these standards. Frank is one in a million—in this series and canon!

I’m so glad it resonates with you so much, and even more glad it got you to reach out! You don’t ever need to be hesitant or shy or anything to leave lil notes. Engaging in the fandom is so fun, so supportive, and writers like me LOVE to hear from you! Like this made my last 2 days. Yesterday and today.

It is challenging at times to write Frank as more of a softie while balancing his voice, but knock on wood…. LOL. Reader also needed to be complex for me. Life is complex. High school is complex. Frank needs someone with vigor and vitality and fight and sweetness, not a weak brat bimbo.

Your idea of having Billy approach Sweetheart is wonderful!! I need to see how I can work this in! Either way— Sweetheart feels something off with Billy. Sweetheart is not stupid. She’s met enough people she knows good apples from rotten ones.

As for Frank joining the military— yes. This will happen! They need to push and pull, the yearning, the letters, the phone calls. And inevitably, yes: seeing how they both change while apart. It’s too rich to not explore.

And don’t worry, anon. There will be—respectfully—nasty dirty smut in the college/post-graduation!era 😉

ahahahaha no but i DID find something baby trust me. this is how i imagine him fixing the car in chappie 4. am i still your fav?

I’ll remember the second pic

While I’m kicking yo ass for the first

I'm gonna try to wrangle together some of my thoughts after reading Birthday Surprises so pls bear with me:

I feel like the photos of Frank drinking and doing drugs are particularly gut-wrenching for sweetheart to see, given what we know about her relationship with her dad. Frank is her safe space, her escape from her shitty home life. Finding out he's just like her dad (not really, but that's what it seems like to her in the moment) is going to feel like the biggest betrayal. Even if she forgives him, I can see her having trouble fully trusting him again.

I know you've already started working on the next part, so no worries if this doesn't fit or you're just not feeling it. Just wanted to throw it out there :)

Anyway, I've gotta go run over Billy Russo with my car real quick so catch ya later ✌️

-@belovedspector 💜

👏 👏 👏 👏

CLAPPING FOR YOU YESSS HI HELLO!!

No, I agree! It fucking hurts sweetheart. The betrayal is so deep because she never expected this from her Frankie. It turns her world upside down, because that’s not the boyfriend she knows…. Not at all.

So it’s scary. We all have those gut-wrenching “discovery” moments when we’re dating someone. They’re terrible. She’s blindsided. Who is this guy, really? What is he doing when she’s not around? Is it that? Partying, drinking, drugs? She wants no part of the party scene.

If she forgives him… it’s the only opportunity he’ll have left. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? Not gonna happen. She’d drop him so fucking fast. Sweetheart isn’t about being a doormat. She’s been that her whole life to her father.

YAY I got these now, thank you!!!

The last pic……. Omg. Like what is my baby WEARING?! 😭😭😭 the pic of him with the hat on….. okay baby squirrel!!! That wittle smile with those wittle teefs!!!! He’s such a fuckin cootie patootie I CANTTTTT

The Polaroid he took of her wearing his hoodie after practice made me think that, since she has already been around him while he practices, it could be so cute to finally see her watching him during an actual game. Maybe she wears his jersey if he has an extra one, or she is just dressed really cute in his team colors and brings him a homemade sign.

I also feel like it could mean a lot to Frank because like even though he has been involved with girls before, he has never really had a girlfriend who shows up for him like that someone sitting in the stands, cheering for him, and genuinely caring about how he does. Maybe she goes alone the first time, and then at another game she sits with his mom, depending on what fits your plans for his family.

It would also be so fun for her to finally see him fully in his element because hockey is genuinely insane. I can imagine him getting really physical during the game and her being half impressed and half horrified. Or he checks another player into the glass directly in front of where she is sitting and gives her a little smile while the poor guy is still pinned there. Honestly, t could also be Frank getting slammed into the glass and still turning his head to grin at her like an idiot lmao. Either version would be cute.

Then after the game, especially if they win or he plays really well, they could have a sweet little moment. This could definitely stay completely wholesome, but if you ever wanted a tiny bit of tensionnnn, maybe another player notices her and tries to get into Frank’s head by making a comment about her during the game. Not necessarily anything huge just enough to irritate Frank and make him play more aggressively. Maybe he just gets into a normal hockey fight

Obviously, totally up to you and whatever you already have planned. I just feel like there are so many cute, funny, and romantic possibilities with her attending one of his games.

YOU, anon, have read my MIND.

I literally already have a pic banner made for a hockey game chapter!!! Because YES! It’s way too good!

Having someone show up to support your extra circulars is huge in life, but especially means a lot in high school. Now peep this, right? Frank’s parents are old. Mid-sixties. It’s not easy for them to move around, climb up in the stands, etc. They don’t go to every game. Ma has work to do, and Pops is literally at work providing. Billy’s in the group home, so he has strict rules. Micro’s in other clubs (I’m assuming geek type shit), so again… he can’t go much either.

Frank has no one that shows up just for him. Seeing reader there would mess with his head a little (in a good way). Maybe makes him a little more aggressive, not really show-boating, but he gets all red and huffy when he plays well ‘cause she’s losing her mind cheering and he’s never had someone… rooting for him like this.

And Frank’s good. Carries the team good. Is a leader good. In his element, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Checking guys, quick to snap his skates to a stop and throw a punch, fast as fuck for being so big.

I love the ideas of him against the glass looking at her. That will absolutely make it in! I see him grinning all stupid, his teeth all gooey with blood, and she doesn’t back away.

And then, of course, after the game. The excitement subdued in the veins, but still thrumming. Frank sweaty and sticky and head of curls messy. Maybe they get pizza. She laughs and recounts the game with such animation she forgets he was there too, playing, witnessing it firsthand LOL. And Frank’s just… ooey-gooey happy… Quiet, full of warmth… How couldn’t he be? He’s never had someone be this excited, proud, or happy for him.

-belovedspector 💜

THE WAY I DIDNT EVEN REALIZE THAT OMG???????