Just... to be sure.

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Those of you who read here, and generally have a nose to what is going on... but aren't always sure?  Seriously, no worries.  Failed romances, even idealized ones that I never thought had a real chance... are things of mirth in these parts.  Oh, there is always a bit of sting, but I am rather used to stings, barbs, cuts, bruises, puncture wounds, and such.  Trust me, minor issue.  I'm almost glad if one gets away.  Women, truth be told, are a lot of work.  Sure, there are joys, but there are... they are... complications, start to stop.  I'm an old, ill, man.  Don't begrudge my minor fancies and understood delusions.  They give me something to ponder during the day.

As for the darker aspects of recent things?  That was just an idealized set of notions of how the world works.  Fanciful, a bit, but with some grains of truth.  They aren't... urhm, how to say this... they aren't depicting my nature.  I was always a bit of a soft-shoe guy.  Women provide the drama.  The most I ever have done is... encourage it with women who had chosen to be with me.  Beyond, at this age, really, if I mean it, or even think it often, you see it.  I have no hidden side.  What you see, or read, literally and rather directly, is what you get.  That dual-sided thing is a thing of youth.  I am, simply, no longer that young and was always rather more assertive than passive.  Young men, these days, seem to be more passive, thus dual sided.  Wasn't my gig. 

Combat ready, but even that isn't what it seems.  I'd be easy to kill if you use only the slightest of intrigue.  Come as a friend, point to something you seemingly want to show me, let me take the lead, and pull the trigger from behind.  I am very simple.  Just... make sure it works, for both of our sakes, innit.  As for being cold-blooded?  That's just the reality of romance.  One, or the other, and often taking turns, is just that.  Someone has to be in charge and make the hard cold decisions, and generally I prefer that to be my role.  Choices, but the facts remain and someone has to do it.

Just don't worry.  I'm either discussing what women face, and pointing out their foibles, or laughing at my... peculiar fancies and failures.  I do have a mean bone in my body, dozens of them, lethal, every one of them.  Harder than steel.  But you have to cut through my flesh and pull one, or more, out to get a taste of that.  They are not just sitting there, right under the skin, like some kind of trap for the unwary.  I'm not vengeful, or at least undeservedly.  I am old enough that I think, long and very hard, before I act.  You watched as I wove a story about a point of interest, but did not act because I wasn't sure.  As I saw that it was not reciprocal, I let it go without a word.  And, as it passed, I have done nothing regarding it.  Seriously... relax.

I am rather good at life, easy going to a fault.  Just... thought I should say something. Yeah, I know you read here.  And, I saw troubled thoughts.  *sigh*  Relax.