Hope you're having a good summer & thank you as always for your excellent writing!

I mean, in traditional a/b/o they’re usually meant for reproduction, but with the added benefit of closeness between partners during ties which can help with disagreements or issues since they’re literally unable to leave.

In CRU, I’ve altered that slightly to include heats/ruts where they benefit the people in the cycle even without the aim of reproduction, i.e., there is a biological benefit to a cycle that can reduce illness/injury, fatigue, and yes, also disagreements. Which makes sense to me because you’re essentially going through a sauna slash intermittent fasting slash oxytocin session that extends for several days and requires immense amount of rest in between pitches. There are multiple times in the CRU where heats are also attached to drops, where the heat itself is protective when the body tries to shut down out of grief/danger etc. In theory, it used to benefit omegas in wartime etc where they needed alphas to bond with them instead of kill them, but in modern times, it’s a way to reduce overall aggression by alphas (a dropping omega ticks all those instincts the wrong way) or to encourage a shock heat with a partner their body needs at that time.

Thank you!!! I don’t know what “it” is but I’m glad I’ve got it.

There’s something so tender about this heat/rut cycle and I went back and read Bruce and Clark’s in ASOH as well as their first shared heat from ACR and the way this pack has grown not only in number but with each other is just so amazing; especially as one of your readers that has been here almost since the beginning.

This is the first time we’re getting to see a shared cycle without it being like stressed induced. Yes, there’s the challenge going on, but they were headed down this path long before that. The only other two truly shared cycles we’ve seen before are between Bruce and Clark and they were a) triggered by a drop or chemically induced and b) happened after their relationship was VERY much established.

It felt like a blessing? Almost to be let in to the intimacy of the //before// that happens within the pack as everyone works together to make sure they’re two youngest (the pups don’t count they haven’t presented) will go through this cycle as easily as possible. They’re prepared this time, and, though they have less time than ideal, they have time to prepare Jason and Roy as they go through this together.

I think there’s also something infinitely more intimate about a clumsy first time than most other instances of sex. Especially with these two who are scared of their own bodies when it comes to this, seeing them clumsily try to navigate each other even though every instinct in their body is screaming that they //need// this /now/, but still taking the time to make sure each other is comfortable.

Idk I feel like I’m still not saying any of this right but tldr I really really loved this chapter and I feel like it’s a true culmination of this pack that we’ve seen build itself so far.

Ahhhh I think you nailed it! They’re being given space and time to fumble, which is so much sweeter (and bittersweet) when we know this Pack has been through so many forced or unwanted cycles. Very few of them have had time to slow down and just enjoy the heat or rut. There’s always a sense of urgency, even when Lex went into heat in prelude and found Dan.

Part of what I want to focus on next chapter (other than Jason and Roy 😏) is how this change of pace comes across to the other pairs, especially when they realize how good it is for Jason and Roy to be safe and with each other for five days knowing that others had the watch and the world wouldn’t move too far on without them.

Bruce and Lex especially want to protect that because they rarely had it themselves. Feeling safe and secure and so very loved. Their alphas love them and will always protect them, but they didn’t have parents doing this for them. Bruce suppressed his heats and prevented Alfred from helping him for years, and Lex had no parents, a traumatic presentation, and the can-do attitude of someone who has rarely allowed themselves to feel vulnerable. It’s a gift they’re so willing to give Jason and Roy, and I know Dan and Clark would do anything to make it happen too.

Yk when you read a fic so breathtaking you go straight up to author's other works in this fandom? Those moment accure pretty common to me. Usually, when I get lucky, I discover a fic, maybe two, that i have read previoisly, not noticing the same name appearing. I see this, laugh to myself, think, "oh, it seems that's my new fav!" and move on.

WITH YOU. HOLY SHIT.

I had a fic, "hold you loosly", that encouraged me to find your other works. So I open the page, see 158 more works (THATS AMAZING. HOW CAN YOU BE SO CREATIVE. GENIOUSLY), and I sense the sparks in my eyes growing, cause that's gonna be an great night filled with great literature.

So I'm scrolling. Stumble upon a fic I read. "Oh nice". And another. "Ain't it on my marked for later list?". And another. Then another. Then some more. My jaw drops. How in hell? I select fic mostly from a main Batman tag page with loose filters. I still managed to pick out so many of yours. Subconciously. Without a pattern, just because I liked them so much or they caught my eye.

"Yup. I read it in the last month. I nearly cried during this" *scrolls down* "I READ THIS TWO WEEKS AGO HOW DOES IT KEEPS HAPPENING"

I am so shocked. My first Superbat fic I devoured came from under your hand. My first outsider POV fic I cherished was yours, too. So many of beautiful works with crack and fluff and hurt/comfort were written by you. I'm extremly thankful that I could read them.

(First smut i bookmarked was also yours but shhhhh)

ANYWAY thats it. Idk what youre gonna do with this information. I just wanted to let you know that you write some of the best fics in this fandom. And by doing it you bring so much happiness to people (im people). Thank you thank you thank you

Good night/day whenever you read this!! Hope your pillow is always cold on both sides

The lengths we go for love indeed.

Is it Dan and Lex’s turn to go ruin Olivers month now? I feel like they could use the outlet