#fadel and style have me in a chokehold

[fandomfairyuniverse]

“It’s okay to love” but it’s not. Because this whole thing started from a lie. Because style only started this because he wanted a car. Because this isn’t just going lead to a buttload of heartache for them but also for Kant and bison. It’s okay to fall in love but it’s not. None of this is okay. But they’re going to fall in love anyway

[nnnn99999]

Op thank you so much for writing this because I had the same thoughts myself. Style and Fadel had such a horrendous first impression of each other. They have every reason to dislike each other. And if as I guess, Style is indeed the type who doesn't believe in casual hookups, there is no way he will properly flirt with a man he obviously dislikes.

Style, in my opinion, is actually a lonely and bored puppy. He is very playful and carefree and just wants to have a good time. The only people in his life seem to be his dad and Kant. And though both of them indulge his playful and ridiculous behavior, neither really engages with him. They don't play along. And after Kant started pursuing Bison, Style must be oh so very bored, with no one to play with. I think that is partly why he agreed to keep Fadel busy for Kant. Not just because Style believes Kant is in love for the first time and wants to help out a friend, not just for the car he has after for who knows how long, but also because Style is just so bored. Might as well help out a friend and get revenge while he's at it.

The masterchef roleplay in the kitchen is such a significant moment for Style's change in mindset. Because in this scene, Fadel doesn't just indulge or acknowledge Style's roleplay and brush it off, like the others may have done. No, Fadel properly plays along with Style. He participates in the roleplay. And that is why Style for the first time wants to properly flirt with Fadel.

When Style enters the sauna he is still very much in a playful mood. Yes, he is actively trying to seduce Fadel but this is all still very much a game to him. It's only when Style starts to caress Fadel's tattoo and Fadel totally fails to hide his reaction that Style finally loses himself in the moment. So it's not just Style who finally breaks through to Fadel in this moment. Fadel also, totally unintentionally, breaks through to Style in this moment. The moment Fadel starts to show his emotions, Style starts wanting Fadel for himself.

The best part here is that although Style knows that he had an effect on Fadel, he has no idea about how big that effect actually was. It will be so much fun to see the FadelStyle dynamics play out next episode.

I thought I was done talking about Style in THK's episode 2, but jokes on me, no I'm not.

I keep thinking about Style and Bison's first interaction and how pure and sweet it was. In the middle of the mess that is this 4-way whirlwind of lies and deception, it felt like a refreshingly honest conversation between two people who are only accidentally lying to each other.

Style seems incredibly earnest when he tells Bison that Fadel is "down bad" for him. It doesn't feel like Style is 'wingmanning' Kant here; or if he is, it isn't meant to be malicious or to mislead Bison. It feels like someone being friendly with his bff's crush and hoping that they can get along because he thinks this one's going to stick around.

Similarly, when Bison tells Style to go for Fadel for real, it feels very honest and earnest. Setting aside whatever games Bison is playing with Kant, Bison seems to genuinely want someone for his big brother, and not just so he can date who he wants or as a distraction.

It's also interesting how Style's protest is that he can't see himself actually gaining feelings for Fadel because in a way there's nothing to recommend Fadel to Style at this point. As far as Style is concerned, Fadel is arrogant and condescending, rude and ungrateful (after all, he did replace a bunch of parts in Fadel's car for free), a stick in the mud about his brother dating, and can't seem to take a joke.

We see the polite, pleasant and reasonable Fadel, but Style doesn't.

Which is why I've been obsessing over Style's expressions immediately after the conversation with Bison. Bison's parting insight is "He's rough on the outside, and on the inside," and I think he accidentally piqued Style's curiosity with that line. Because why does Bison still want his brother to have a "real" relationship, then? What makes Fadel worth loving, despite (what Style thinks is) nothing to recommend him?

Ugh I wish I knew how to make gifs because Dunk goes through a whole sequence of expressions here that suggests a shift happens in the way he's thinking of Fadel. There's a pensive and thoughtful look and then almost like, "Oh what the hell, might as well see where this goes" kind of amusement at the end. And I think the reason he has this shift is because he's realised that Bison clearly loves his brother and that must mean that there's more to Fadel then his initial impression of the man.

It's interesting that his next attempt at messing with Fadel actually invites Fadel to play along with it. It's so much tamer and more private than the previous attempts because he isn't actively trying to humiliate Fadel this time. And it works?? Fadel engages in the roleplay, indulges Style's ridiculousness, actually chops faster (whilst the most hysterical series of minute expressions play over Fadel's face <3). Perhaps this was Style testing the waters: can Fadel engage with something playful and not take everything way too seriously? Huh, turns out, he can!

The next time Style shows up around Fadel, he's circled back to that playful over-the-top flirting that characterised the garage scene. This is the first time in this episode that Style is actually flirting. Every other time was just to frustrate/humiliate Fadel but notice how he's actively trying to look attractive to Fadel now? He's putting all his best (ahem) assets on display, and poor Fadel has no real protection against this. And, oh, Style is loving this! He's gleefully lapping up every single time Fadel fails to completely hide that he's affected by him.

This, though. THIS precisely is the point I think Style decides that he really does want Fadel for himself. There's so much playing out over Style's face: the determination to push things further, the delighted surprise to see Fadel so rattled, the razor sharp focus, and then desire. Style has finally broken through Fadel's "roughness" and he loves it.

If that uncle hadn't walked in, I'm convinced Fadel would have let Style do anything he wanted, and I think Style knew that.

It's the first time Style immediately chases after Fadel when he walks away from him, and he's absolutely delighted when Fadel all but chokes him against the lockers because that means he still has Fadel within reach.

The whole conversation about "love at first sight" is breathtaking because it feels like Style is discovering what's going to make Fadel crack as he says it and realising just how much he wants this. And no, I don't think he's in love with Fadel yet (not by a LONG shot), but I think he realises that he wants Fadel to fall in love with him. This is such a shift from what he expressed in the diner to Bison. In the diner, there was no hope, no chance for this.

The kisses catch Style by surprise too: you can see that he's just reacting, pushing to see where Fadel will finally draw the line. Because Fadel kisses back in the first kiss and actually fails to push Style away for quite some time in the 2nd kiss (the camera purposely lingers on the way Fadel's hands hover over Style's waist without shoving him back). The third kiss is the point Fadel finally starts fighting, and in the immidate aftermath you can see Style watching so carefully again. And Fadel nearly kisses him again, you see the way Fadel's eyes drop to Style's lips, the way they both freeze and linger in the moment for that one second. The way Style registers that moment and it leaves Style shaken himself.

It's so interesting that this is how we leave Style in this episode (we only see Fadel's fantasy version of Style after this point). I've got two possible interpretations for this line:

Style possibly catches on that Fadel is more dangerous than he seems. Maybe just from vibes, maybe from something in the way Fadel threatened him that kicks off some kind of fearful instinct. This could be what makes Style start questioning if Kant told him the full story and lead to whatever scene it is where Style demands answers in the episode 3 preview.

Alternatively, perhaps Fadel is starting to become real to Style in ways he wasn't before. Fadel was almost a caricature of a man, one which Style didn't like very much before, and that made it easier to fool around with him. But this? This almost tortured man who clearly wants Style but can't seem to give into that desire? Something is going on and Style isn't sure it's worth the game to either of them anymore. Because maybe Style recognises that he's more affected than he should be. And that has implications that Style was not ready for.

[justwriting]

THK Musing Episode 3 - so, after watching the episode several times, the following scenes stick with me the most:

1) The opening scene with Madam Lilly: She is a manipulative witch who has her 3 sons in chokehold. Played masterfully by Parn Thanaporn, Madam Lilly holds command as soon as she walks in the room (or foyer).

Keen, the oldest son (hello Pepper!) yearns for her mother approval. He is eager to please her and she knows this very well. She casually demeans him by stating his younger brothers are more adept in the field, knowing this frustrates him and will make him more determined to prove his worth to her. I also wonder whether we will see anything more with the short interaction between Keen and JJ’s character? - Madam Lilly definitely clocked on that encounter.

Fadel loves younger brother Bison the most. Most of us think Madam Lilly has a hand on Fadel’s first love disappearance or death? Either way, Fadel is desperate to stop Bison from making the same mistake as he did. And the way he did not outed Kant to her tells a lot. Bison is partly why I think Fadel continues to obey her. He may not like the tattooist and suspicious 🤨 of him, but we all know Fadel will inevitably give in to his beloved younger brother.

Bison, truly the youngest. He has a blasé attitude and seems to get away with almost everything including the casual way he cutely says “bye bye” to his adopted mother with Madam Lilly reciprocating. And dare I say, likely the favourite son? (for now) - although Fadel seems to be the spokesperson on behalf of the 2 of them (which I think again speaks volume of Fadel protectiveness by shielding Bison from the worst of Madam Lilly).

Either way, it’s hard to go against your adopted mom who has raised and molded you to take her word as gospel. I’m not buying the whole “we only kill the bad people” thing from her. I think the boys believe they are doing the right thing but I suspect Madam Lilly is also taking hits for people that while they may not be angels are not necessarily evil. She just presents the targets to our boys in pretty lies to fit her narrative.

2) Style and Fadel relationship: Style is a ballsy, shameless man who has too much time in his hand 😂 (and I say this with such affection cause this is Dunk’s best role to date). For a mechanic who technically should be working in his father’s garage, he appears to rarely spend time working his actual job. Instead, he stalks Fadel, working for free at the market/burger shop and spends time sipping cocktails at the poolside with his bestie.

Also, only Style will have the audacity to keep pursuing a man despite thinking he is a hitman....

Plus, I’m putting him on notice (although it is in keeping with Style character!) for crossing the line by intruding Fadel’s support group and making up the most outrageous lie (hah! And what’s up with the name Boonterm? Madam Lilly has a dinner meeting him and now Style using it as the name of his “dead dog”).

The sexual encounter that follow suits is well done. It is explosive but lack intimacy and emotional connection between the 2 boys (and I think it is meant to show this). Fadel's almost clinical approach... he is attracted to Style but he is not (yet) in love with this infuriating man. He said yes because he was partly angry with Style but also a way to claim back his control that is currently shaken by Style (plus the lust he felt 😂 - can’t deny that! And I think he believes this will get Style to leave him alone so that he can continue to brood in peace. But as we all know - Style once he is fixated, does not let go)

Similarly, Style had this satisfied look on his face as he slyly clocks on how Fadel responds to him during the NC scene. Again, I don’t think Style himself is in love with Fadel (yet) - more intrigued and he wants to peel layers of the gorgeous and sexy, brooding man in front of him.

Also, the song choice during the NC scene between Style/Fadel! I don’t know the artist or song name. However, the lyrics talks about being in the moment, having a reason to be someone else (which reflects well on Fadel state of mind as he continues to grief his first love).

3) Kant and Bison relationship: Kant is desperate and it shows in this episode. While he likes Bison, he is definitely thinking more about getting the job he is assigned by Captain Christ done (for now) so that he can finally get the clean slate he wants to live with his younger brother.

I personally thought the discussion on BDSM etiquette at the tattoo parlour quite well done - the hesitancy from Bison part as he gauge Kant's limit plus Kant fake enthusiasm when he said he enjoyed the slapping part. Bison is a novice dom and it shows. However, I did think Kant was starting to enjoy the nipple play/pain before Fadel cut short of that encounter - unfortunately, once the sexual component is gone, Kant is only left with the painful part as Bison was not given the opportunity to give the aftercare to his partner to make the encounter a pleasant one.

Which brings us to the ultimate ending scene - it is uncomfortable to watch and meant to be depicted that way. Bison thinks he has finally found someone who matches his taste. However, high in drug and alcohol, he cannot read Kant's expression, which clearly screams discomfort. An experience dom would have stop the scene. Bison is neither experience nor coherent enough to do so. Kant, trapped (by his own making because he underestimated Bison's tolerability to whatever drug he gave in the club) and now, in the mercy of a hitman. He can't even say his safe word (I will never be able to see a penguin in real life ever again without thinking of these 2!) because he needs to be at the house to complete the mission.

(I must add - the background music choice while Bison gleefully ties Kant is a good choice!!)

Either way, it will be interesting to see whether Kant will eventually enjoy this aspect of a relationship as they move forward. Also, I'll be interested to see if Bison will ever find out that Kant was faking his enthusiasm/consent re: BDSM cause I can't help but think that it will devastate him.

shout out to all 4 boys - I think all of them played their roles masterfully