I spent a long time deliberating how this page would go. And by "a long time", I mean, almost as long as Jessica and Aiken have played a role in the story. "How do I want to resolve this arc? I'm sure a lot of people would be more satisfied if I show them get back together? But wouldn't it be more meaningful for them to just be friends in the end?"
Maybe they'll eventually get back together over time, or maybe they'll go separate ways romantically. If the former happens, it's gonna take some time. And I don't mean like another page or two; I mean like months, maybe years. They have a lot to work out. If the latter happens, I still think that's good for them. They've both matured a lot, and learned from everything that's transpired. Not every happy ending closes with a kiss. ^_^
But please, let me know how you feel about this. :)
In this day and age, how many people finding a partner online do not sleep with that partner before getting engaged? I would expect not many. Dating, I totally get not sleeping with someone. But engagement....I think most people want to know what they are buying, before they buy.
That has always bothered me about this relationship.
For exclusive monogamous relationship the relationship needs to be able to meet all of those needs, otherwise it will be undermined. Sexuality is important aspect for many people, just like with other aspects of the relationship.
I'm not sure why the try before you buy thing is the phrasing in English, but there are commonalities to big financial decisions to other major decisions in life. I for the life of me can't think of a word or phrase to this that doesn't make it sound a little bit like a transaction.
Anyways, it is nice that they seem to want to pursue some sort of relationship. You don't always get a second chance when things get screwed up that badly.
Rei, marriage use to be a contract between two people/families. Some families would use a marriage to merge lands or other property. Dowry/Dower are still used to this day.
Many of the phrasings dealing with goods and purchases come from this idea of contract.
Well, it may not be "this day and age", but about 16 years ago, I managed to do something like that.
Unless, of course, by "sleeping with that partner", you literally mean sleeping, in which case I totally failed to not sleep with my partner before getting engaged.
That having been said, I've known several who have gotten married and at least maintained the story that they didn't have sex with their partner before getting married, even years later. None of these managed to maintain the story that they didn't enter a comatose state while in contact with the other person in such an ordering that the two people were comatose at the same time, however. Just to be clear on that point. (Several did try, though. Because, OMG, sleeping together.)
ahhh this is exactly what i was hoping for!!! i mean i didn’t consider they might keep the possibility of dating again in the future open, but that’s valid! i’m just so happy they’re friends, that’ll be so good for both of them!!!
It’s so good for them as characters, and also super refreshing to see a relationship arc happily ending in friendship rather than romance. Platonic relationships are just as valuable and we don’t give them enough credit!!
I really like this one and I'm so glad to have a new storyline to follow. I really don't want Jess and Aiken to get back together, I'm really hoping for Jess and Heather to get together (not just because we share a name) because I think Heather is a much more suitable partner for her.
this makes me supper happy to see. Jess needs some good things in her life. with how hard Aiken has actually been trying to understand everything and work on being a better person i think he can be a good thing in her life... how involved in her life and how good of a thing remains to be seen, but this is how they should have started out dating site or not.
Not only do I think it's more meaningful for them to try being friends first than, y'know, just kiss already, I think it also ties in well with the earlier conversation with Kellen and Heather about love including non romantic relationships. It makes meaningful adult friendships a theme for this chapter, maybe.
I don’t want them to get back together. They deserve to be happy, but I think it would be a little cliche if they ended up together. Just because you resolved your issues, doesn’t mean you have to date.
I’m really happy that Aiken and Jessica are making this decision to try and be friends. Aiken has grown by leaps and bounds, even if, as he admits, he isn’t perfect, and Jessica gets to have some closure here and hopefully gains a supportive friend. As some have commented, it’s nice to see a pair end up in a happy, platonic and non-romantic relationship. I just hope that it goes well for them.
@Jocelyn Has there been a page deleted from early in the comic at some point? After following a link back at some point I've been reading forward from whatever page was linked. I've noticed though that many of your posted links to previous pages are now one page out, and I have to go back a page to find the one you were actually referring to.
Since you ask, I'm concerned by the amount of baggage they're bringing to the friendship. My read on Aiken is that he's still in love with Jess. That's a lot to balance even without the bad experience and lingering resentment.
But sloppy makeouts weren't on the table, so this still went about as well as it could've.
Hey! Love the comic, been reading for a few years, really meaningful and lovely to me on my own transitioning journey! Big fan! Just wanted to say this comic has a big "Hello, Nice To Meet You" vibe from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAPbNkxcsOI and was wondering whether you watch that show?
That has always bothered me about this relationship.
I'm not sure why the try before you buy thing is the phrasing in English, but there are commonalities to big financial decisions to other major decisions in life. I for the life of me can't think of a word or phrase to this that doesn't make it sound a little bit like a transaction.
Anyways, it is nice that they seem to want to pursue some sort of relationship. You don't always get a second chance when things get screwed up that badly.
Many of the phrasings dealing with goods and purchases come from this idea of contract.
Also congrats to Ed.
Unless, of course, by "sleeping with that partner", you literally mean sleeping, in which case I totally failed to not sleep with my partner before getting engaged.
That having been said, I've known several who have gotten married and at least maintained the story that they didn't have sex with their partner before getting married, even years later. None of these managed to maintain the story that they didn't enter a comatose state while in contact with the other person in such an ordering that the two people were comatose at the same time, however. Just to be clear on that point. (Several did try, though. Because, OMG, sleeping together.)
It’s so good for them as characters, and also super refreshing to see a relationship arc happily ending in friendship rather than romance. Platonic relationships are just as valuable and we don’t give them enough credit!!
this makes me supper happy to see. Jess needs some good things in her life. with how hard Aiken has actually been trying to understand everything and work on being a better person i think he can be a good thing in her life... how involved in her life and how good of a thing remains to be seen, but this is how they should have started out dating site or not.
But sloppy makeouts weren't on the table, so this still went about as well as it could've.
Never even heard of it, to be honest. Any vibe similarity is pure coincidence. XD