Slashy literature, part 3

[lobelia321]

Here I am, innocently reading my son's current favourite novel, and I come across

.

this.

The novel is Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn. There's a lot of fighting, a lot of intrigue and a love story between the young male protagonist and a young lady.

Here's the young man talking after the death of a nearest and dearest:

While we spoke in whispers in the darkened garden, the silence broken only by the sudden splash of a fish or the distant hooting of owls, the feeling between us had grown more intense. Now, Makoto drew me into his embrace and held me closely. "Whatever you choose, you must let go of your grief," he said. [...]

His affectionate words, his touch, made the tears flow again. Beneath his hands I felt my body come back to life. He drew me back from the abyss and made me desire to live again. Afterwards, I slept deeply, and did not dream.

And just in case there is any doubt left, 5 pages later we get this:

He put out his hand and traced the outline of my mouth, the edge of bone beneath my cheek, the nape of my neck.

I was light-headed with lack of sleep, with grief and desire. I wanted to lie down and be held by someone, but the footsteps were crossing the gravel now.

So much for the innocence of what nine-year-olds are reading, eh.

I immediately googled 'Lian Hearn', and it turns out he (I thought it was a he!) is an Australian children's writer called Gillian Rubinstein.

I am sure she is a slasher!!!! She must be! I wonder what fandom she writes in...