This was more than interesting to read, thank you for such a detailed and touching answer! Perhaps, this is a first clue to understand why it touched me so much: you put a lot of a thing you love and, more importantly, that you wanted to pass on us. I must have caught all the affection and the reverence you have for this one shot (by the way, if I may ask: what is it? I'd be definitely curious now!). Funny enough, I have something similar in mind for O2A2, something very influenced by Phaedra (which I mentioned in my previous comment, haha) and, well, I haven't written it yet because of rules, but I kinda understand where you're going from in that regard, I think (I guess I never really talked about what this project was about yet, so, I suppose it's something else between you, me, and anyone reading, haha).
Also, I had some time to think about it (literally spent my day with no thought or feeling but Aelfric and Conrad), and I realised a few things:
- I really love Aelfric's devotion in everything he does: his duty as a hero, and his love for Conrad. In particular, regarding his love, he shows him in what could be seen in a shallow manner (showering him in gifts) but also in what could be seen in a more profound manner (by helping the people in the village and getting closer to Conrad's lifestyle; in particular, seeing them bond after a delivery was good). I think it touched me that both weren't opposed to each other: that these signs of affection, shallow or not, can coexist and be reflections of what is true deep down: love.
- The inversion at the end of the story was clever: after having seen Aelfric trying so hard to embrace Conrad's lifestyle, seeing Conrad doing the same conveyed in such a unique manner the extent of his feelings for him. It has touched me to.
- But overall, I think I lost it in the barn scene, the one in which Aelfric tries to find Conrad, to find an explanation before leaving to fulfill his duties. I do think Aelfric was extraordinary in this scene, and there really was something that broke me in it... Perhaps it's the purity of Aelfric's feelings? Pure enough to have a real and honest talk, without feeling shame for exposing his feeling; and pure enough to respect Conrad's decision and to give him the space he needs. But I've already seen that, but the execution there... has something I have yet to identify, haha.
So, I suppose I make more sense than yesterday (at least I hope!), but naturally, it's going to take me much more time I think to really understand it (hence my curiosity for the one-shot!). It took me years to understand everything I loved about Phaedra (and even so, I read it everyday and discover new things, but I do think I have the gist of it after eight years!), so I don't think one day would be enough but... I'm still willing to discover more about these characters (and you have no idea how happy I got when I saw the word that the sequel was outlined in the artbook, haha).