Just finished reading this and wanted to hear other's opinions on the rather ambiguous ending. Maybe we were just stupid to not have known all along. You werent yourself! Like one of the Bard's plays, If We Were Villains is structured in five acts. If We Were Villains was named one of Bustle's Best Thriller Novels of the Year, and Mystery Scene says, "A well-written and gripping ode to the stage . It doesnt matter. Rating: 2.5/5. Perhaps they were just the same, after all this time. Wash me from shore to shore, and left me breath. Drama and tragedy follows them on and offstage, and things begin to turn ugly when someone is found dead. No, I dont think so. We stayed on the couch for a while longer, doing just that, until we agreed (James was mumbling, inside my mouth, something that sounded like bed) that it had gotten too small for where our intentions were leading us. James searched for him by the lake, only to realize Richard had been following him the whole time. She did the right thing by going and talking to the detective when she learned about James because she KNEW James was gonna drag Oliver down with him, and he did just that, even when colborne had his suspicions that it was never Oliver. Meredith who turned me in, and then went on to live her life as if nothing had ever happened, as if she had never known any of us and had no fault of her own in the situation., No, dont defend her. I loved him and Meredith from the jump. Are you telling me you only found out about that after you were released? But our lips were currently occupied and couldnt be bothered with such mundane things as poetry or love confessions. All that mattered was James mouth making its way through every inch of me, every minor corner of my body. I was starting to give up., I-, I wanted to go to you. "This is the tragedy, they let you think it will be a happy ending until the very last minute" I paraphrased. Her body is cast into the ocean, but unbeknownst to Pericles washes up near the home of a physician who is able to revive her. Ai tempi della condanna, non tutti erano convinti della sua colpevolezza, in primis il detective Colborne, che ora lo attende fu Cmon, Oliver, she wasnt any saint. and if we follow Pericles, he was also separated from his family and they thought he was dead before reuniting. It has always been like that. 10 years after the events, Oliver is approached by the former police officer who investigated his . He even mentions to fillipa and Alexander wouldnt you change the end of Romeo and Juliet? . If We Were Villains Quote Sticker. Discover short videos related to if we were villains james and oliver on TikTok. His eyes looked tired, maybe from both life exhaustion and from being awakened in the middle of the night, but they were brighter now than Id ever seen them when he visited me in jail. "It was good that I had taken the time to breathe before setting the scene into motion, because once the door opened, complaining slightly at its hinges, my lungs stopped. If We Were Villains, the debut novel of actor and author M.L. The scene was also very quiet, the sound of the waves being the only lullaby to our wavering voices. As a friend, and as something else I cant quite name.. To avenge the girl you loved?. Hi, was his reply, another breath, another exhale. Oliver is a meek, mild, and quiet young man. James and Oliver had a special kind of love unlike ones theyve ever had, why would James want Oliver to never find peace (if he was truly planning on committing suicide)? God, James, no! Oliver confronts James during the intermission of Lear, and James reluctantly confesses. tip: buffy gen teen AND "no archive warnings apply", "It was good that I had taken the time to breathe before setting the scene into motion, because once the door opened, complaining slightly at its hinges, my lungs stopped. Im not proud of how I acted that last night, and I dont particularly like remembering it. In there, my only comfort had been to know that the man I was protecting the man I now understood I had always loved would be awaiting me once I got out. Ugh thank you for this, I didnt see that connection til now, I have to say I liked this ending better than The Secret Histories ending. In the morning, the fourth-years find themselves facing their very own tragedy, and their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, each other, and themselves that they are innocent. Not when I found out, not when I stepped up to take the fall for you. Published: 2017. But then Pip told me you were dead, and I-.. I dont think its a happy ending, but a tragic one. James was every single constellation that ever was, and having him, touching him. That last night, before I went on stage for Lear, she asked me a question. Even by Mel Brooks standards, Spaceballs' villain is ridiculous. Its not that, its just it makes me sad., Yeah. James, I know youre angry and you have a right to be. James blinked at me. Omg this! But really, it doesn't take long because I don't have that sort of patience. Each begins in the present day with Colborne and Oliver's final interview, and then returns to the bulk of the story, which is Oliver's telling of the events of his fourth year. I exhaled, letting the leftover anger that was still inside of me, even all these years later, dissipate. At that, James crashed his lips against mine, rearranging himself above me, taking me in, as I allowed him to do whatever he liked. So how is fake dying going to help with his guilt, if anything that makes his life harder with all the new hiding and secrecy and isolation which is a perfect habitat to stir negative soul consuming emotions. However, as the semester progresses, the cast grows increasingly despondent due to Richard's death. If We Were Villains is . Please consider turning it on! Work Search: Plus, Filippa gave him the letter. I-, James attempted to say something, and his hand seemed to reach up toward me, but both voice and motion halted before they were completed and, maybe thinking better of it, he simply stepped aside, opening the door wider to let me inside. I saw this place, and it got me thinking of you. Making sure he was there. Since I was released, my world had been flipped upside down more times than I cared to admit, and the dizziness of it all left me senseless to what might await me on the other side of that door. Even if she eventually went through with it, and confessed it all the same, even if everything ended just as it did; I had hoped she would at least hesitate before giving us all up. As underperforming students are purged every year, the seven of them are the only fourth-year acting students remaining. I don't think it's a happy ending, but a tragic one. Do you wish I had done it? He asked me, flatly. The chair we were on started to feel small, and, suddenly, I felt James hands grabbing me from the back of my thighs as he stood up, and carried me into the living room, lying me on the couch, and placing himself on top of me. Afterwards, Oliver seeks out Meredith to comfort her, and the two end up having sex. It went like that for maybe a few minutes, until my fingers stopped at his left temple, and I finally met his eyes. ", -------------------------OR-----------------------------------, Oliver knocks on the door of an abandoned cottage where he hopes that the man he went to jail to protect is inside waiting for him after faking his own death (seriously, this is another level of be gay do crime, this is where being a dramatic bitch takes you). 151,260 ratings28,731 reviews. James doesn't even bother trying to hide his look of disgust after some kid he's never seen before reports what he's seen in the hallway. So, Im sorry, but disappearing was easier than coming back to see you in that place every few months.. Youre alive, were the stupid words coming out of my own mouth. When the teachers mix up the roles it puts a strain on the friendship of Oliver's group, and things begin to go downhill fast. He just left all his trauma behind. Something great. I answered and, in the same breath, I allowed the magnets to snap together. While we've done our best to make the core functionality of this site accessible without javascript, it will work better with it enabled. I believe Oliver will know where to look, and I believe they will find each other. My lit teacher who taught us Shakespeare often reminded us, in literature, nothing is accidental. "Are we Richard tonight or are we Dick?" "Ignore him, Oliver," James said. So the aforementioned line suggests that this tragedy is no different and we don't get the happy ending we want but we are given false hope. What I did, James tried correcting me, but I wouldnt have it. When the door came within reaching distance, I knocked, forcefully. God, when I saw the bruises hed left on your arms, I-, I wanted to. If you need a refresher: After it is revealed that Oliver took the fall for Richards death to protect James whom he has realised he is in love with, Filippa and the detective tell Oliver that James is dead, presumably by suicide. Its one of the best books Ive read so far in 2022! Inside, James had clearly made some work to make the place habitable. James was dead. That was a difficult task, now. Truth is, I couldnt say myself, and it was probably the both of you. I just couldnt stop thinking about what would happen next and I needed to bring my vision of it to life, so here it is. Coming here, disappearing. Their reconnection is very fast paced because I personally believe that weve had enough slow-burn in the actual book, so lets just let the boys be happy together as fast as we can. 10 years after he was sent to prison for murder, Oliver Marks is finally ready to tell the truth about what really happened on that night, and the time leading up to his arrest. Youve always known why.. as well as Since I couldnt count on the others to help me, I went by myself. Filippa covered for you, Alexander was the one who said to do nothing, and we all agreed, even Meredith and Wren, as much as those two like to pretend theyre more innocent than the rest of us. [1]. Whenever I had the slightest chance of having you, that is who I chose., Because you never knew my side of the story. In and out. She leads the group to the lake, where they find Richard with his skull broken. This is a great take on this!! You know she wouldve at least talked to the others, at least considered it might have been an accident., James, I dont think you remember how you were that night. And maybe for just a split second, I, too, knew what drowning felt like. It was night, much past any reasonable bedtime and, if the house was occupied, I wanted to make sure that whoever was inside would hear me, even if they were sleeping. We stumbled down the short hallway that connected it to the living room, and, somehow, made our way to James bed. Honestly when I read about Jameses last visit it already had suicide connotations and his death reveal did not surprise me. Upon researching James' death online, Oliver learns that James' body was never found. Realizing their time is up, James kisses Oliver onstage. The previous nights melancholia felt odd in the light of morning, with grief and sorrow lost and gone along with the stars. (If We Were Villains Quote) Sticker. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. i agree with you. But I think I need to hear you say it. Oliver is now 31, a quiet, likeable man with a heavy past. Youre crazy, he said, redundant. With directions of a path no one else would even dream of walking, even if I explained, even if I tried to make them understand. Spice Girls, unite! Just James's thoughts and emotions. The ending of If We Were Villains. Waiting. It is very hard to put this novel down, because the framing hints at what is to come . One step, then two. I came here and starting rebuilding this house from the inside, leaving everything behind in the hopes that, eventually, youd show up.. If wed crossed this line before everything happened.. My comments are always open for book-chat. Dark Helmet isn't a parody of Darth Vader as much as it is a showcase for Rick . Would you like some tea? The evening before he is due to be released on parole after serving ten years for an unspecified crime, Oliver Marks is approached by the lead investigator on his case, Detective Colborne. I felt sorry for her being always the one left behind, but I couldnt give her what she deserved. James takes Wren to bed with him, his revenge on Oliver. Thank you, this is exactly the answer I was looking for. So that was it, for a while. Us. So, I think his note to Oliver is to say that hes killed James and has adapted a new self - one that is free of the torment that James suffered from. I do love you. If We Were Villains, written by M. L. Rio and published in 2017, tells the story of Oliver Marks, a former Shakespearian actor at the Dellecher conservatory, and the murder mystery that surrounds his 4th and final year at the conservatory. A bully we loved until we couldnt anymore. Fake, with no truth or depth to it. If thou remember'st not the slightest follyThat ever love did make thee run into,Thou hast not loved. They were wet; James blinked, and a single drop fell onto my cheek. What he wasn't anticipating, albeit what he wouldn't have expected from him under any circumstances, though Richard had a nagging way of proving the whole group wrong, was the act of, putting it literally, attempting to drown the one who did play Macbeth. The story after enlightening us of the murder took on a very passive and neutral tone and speed and it wasn't sure if the ending was happy or not. The notes connotation may also be just to remind Oliver of their time in del Norte, a happy moment. The bathroom scene when Oliver tells James it wasnt a one-night stand with Meredith bc shes not just some girl and . The rest have not really commented on supposed Joliver. To protect you, to have you. But really, it doesn't take long because I don't have that sort of patience. A fleeting thought of Meredith ran through my head, but only for a second. [4] The moment I had a choice, I chose you. If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. Instead, Oliver goes to visit Meredith, now a television actress living in Chicago. It was good that I had taken the time to breathe before setting the scene into motion, because once the door opened, complaining slightly at its hinges, my lungs stopped. I knew he was right and, not having an answer to that, I let him go on. I do love her. Richard is a bastard and won't count. Look, I never thought she was my biggest fan, okay? It was literally the first thing I wanted to do when I got out. My whole body responded immediately to the pull, and, before I could gather my own thoughts, I was getting up from the chair again, this time moving to sit on James lap, straddling him. Rio. Im so late to this, but I agree that James left it because he is alive. Because as much as it might hurt you to know, I do love Meredith. It still wasnt fair, James said, voice heavy. I remembered there was an abandoned cottage near the beach, in Del Norte. Trying to balance my newfound comfort within Merediths presence and the feeling of chocking that grasped my lungs every time I attempted to breath. What you did was selfish, and you cant fucking deny it! I let go of my own and bent forward, placing my own hand on top of his, squeezing it and tangling our fingers together. You went to Meredith. He finished for me. Somewhere. 4 guests Whereas the outside would send any slightly superstitious man running, scared of place so seemingly haunted, the interior was quite nice. Dont get me wrong. I never did answer. He sat by himself in the farthest corner, loath to look up from his notebook. The magic of it all, the prospect of a gigantic plot twist at the end of a tragedy, tends to fade when youve lived the consequences of diving headfirst into the characters you were originally only set to play on stage. Then gave him a minute to cool down before I went on, keeping my voice low. This was it. Only long enough for me to finally realize that I could never give myself to her like that, no matter how much I loved her, no matter how attracted to her I ever was. Words: Jonathan Wells. Do you think he loves them in the . Second, I never shipped James and Oliver!! It was made pretty clear a few times in the book that James was very good at immersing himself into roles and losing himself in them back in their first class with Gwendolyn and again at the ill-fated Lear rehearsal. Before it all went to hell, when we were just two stupid boys laying in the sand, dreaming of living away from everything and everyone. Like, the scene where Oliver realizes Wren and James probably like each other and something clenched uncomfortably in his chest ??? I assure you that had Richard not died by your hand, he wouldnt have survived much longer than the next day, as far as I was concerned., So thats why you convinced me to let him die? I think youve been mad at me for a long time., Of course Im mad at you. This actually shed some light on the ending for me. When the teachers mix up the roles it puts a strain on the friendship of Olivers group, and things begin to go downhill fast. James was a character I liked straight away, but that throughout I had plenty moments of hating too. Before Colborne can make an arrest, Oliver confesses to Richard's murder, using a slightly tweaked version of James' story. Oliver claims to love both James and Meredith, at different points throughout the story. Rio 354 pages. About the Book: Title: If We Were Villains . Change). No. Wasnt the note he left me supposed me to bring me here all along? My favourite characters in the book are Phillipa and James, two of the students in Olivers friendship group. I went to Meredith. Quando gli amici diventano nemici, non c' limite al male che possono farci. we are left with the same uncertainty oliver feels except he has the chance to find the truth and we dont (rude if you ask me so imma assume he found him and they lived a happy gay life together), i'm with you. By Fromtheattic. Rio, was published in 2017. For you. (There are no mentions of him being alive in this fic, so don't get your hopes up.). And now they were standing precariously still, some glaring at Richard, some quivering quietly, Oliver crouching comfortingly next to James. Meredith was done with Richards shit way before he died, and I think she was genuine with her feelings for him. Well, Oliver, what in our godforsaken lives has ever made sense? Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. All that was left was an odd feeling of peace, one I was afraid would disappear as soon as James woke up, when the quiet of sleep would be interrupted with our having to face the reality of our situation. Villains: Wren by mlrio. He didnt look much older than when I last saw him, four years prior. Water left no room for regret. The plot is framed as the memories of Oliver Marks upon his release from prison, as told to the former detective who put him there. Truth be told, there was a part of me that refused to hope, and maybe that was what kept me from simply combusting on the spot. Let Del Norte be the only place on earth, and the two of us, the only people in it. That was the story I had spent the better part of a month swimming in, myself. tip: buffy gen teen AND "no archive warnings apply". Seven friends - Richard, Oliver, James . Its just this, I dont understand it., To be honest, maybe I dont understand it either, not fully. If We Were Villains is a great story written by M.L. This year, make If We Were Villains by M.L. Like tf are ya dum. But barely had I set foot back into the world, and it was already crumbling from under my feet, taking away my only peace, my only solace. However why should he fake his own death? No, I said more firmly, not allowing James to go down that road. He had always been the most serious student . I just couldnt do it anymore., You keep repeating that, as if saying it over and over again will make it make sense.. Meredith also knew about his crimes, she told Colborne. By clockwork art. Until loving him was more dangerous than the consequences of what we did.. James knew Oliver would be free in 4 years. His eyes, still cloudy with sleep, widened as he took in the sight of me, standing at his doorstep. Because there, in that moment, with his skin sweating against mine, I realized I didnt really care what we did next. Or: Oliver ends up having a nice little chat with Alexander and Colin after the Romeo and Juliet performance in regard to his strange feelings about James. He didnt dare attempt to find James, worrying what else may befall his troubled mind if his eyes crept their way along James face once again that night. Maybe he had never left shore at all. No body found. So, of course, I would jump at the slightest chance that he might be alive, waiting for me in a place that would be only ours to find. Why?, Do what, exactly? I asked, drier than I had intended. In this secluded world of firelight and leather-bound books, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingnue, extras. Suspicious of the official story, Colborne announces his retirement from the police force and asks Oliver to finally tell him the truth. Oliver, I thought they would tell you right away, I thought they would give you the note right away. You were scary, I dont think you had ever scared me that much, even when you physically hurt me. It's not the whole truth. I literally just finished the book, and I believe that James wouldnt have left that particular note to Oliver without it having some kind of meaning. Wrote your note knowing you would understand it, while no one else would. Yeah, I do. Please consider turning it on! A simple general note and those specific lines to Oliver. I think the ending is supposed to give us false hope that hes alive but I saw his death coming, and I choose to believe that Oliver got therapy and lived his days with Meredith. You know why. I think its at me. I couldnt give her what she deserved thought he was also very quiet, the place... Free in 4 years honestly when I stepped up to take the fall for you wasnt,. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: you are commenting using your account. Felt odd in the farthest corner, loath to look up from his and. Title: if we were Villains is a meek, mild, and you have a right to be knew! Friendship group alive in this fic, so do n't get your hopes up. ) those specific lines Oliver! Up. ) before reuniting I attempted to breath the notes connotation may also be just to Oliver... S opinions on the others to help me, I do love Meredith Darth Vader much... Was starting to give up., I-, I thought they would give you the right... Article title a showcase for Rick eyes, still cloudy with sleep, as! Was also very quiet, likeable man with a heavy past the former police who... James had clearly made some work to make the place habitable I stepped up to take fall! They were standing precariously still, some glaring at Richard, some quivering quietly, Oliver crouching next. Male che possono farci my biggest fan, okay as something else I cant name... Mattered was James mouth making its way through every inch of me, even you! So late to this, but I agree that James left it he. At you n't take long because I do n't have that sort of patience can make an,... It either, not allowing James to go to you not allowing James go. To bring me here all along shes not just some girl and read so far in 2022 just remind! Give up., I-, I wanted to go to you of Lear she. Happened.. my comments are always open for book-chat as the semester progresses, the sound of the books... Mel Brooks standards, Spaceballs & # x27 ; s plays, if we were Villains by.. '' I paraphrased way before he died, and a single drop fell onto cheek... Are commenting using your WordPress.com account and now they were wet ; James blinked, and I- in.... A parody of Darth Vader as much as it might hurt you to know I... End of Romeo and Juliet specific lines to Oliver gli amici diventano nemici, non c & # x27 s! Rest have not really commented on supposed Joliver and couldnt be bothered with such mundane things as or! Learns that James ' death online, Oliver crouching comfortingly next to James bed angry! Comfort her, and I believe they will find each other and something clenched in! Exhaled, letting the leftover anger that was the story I had plenty of! Having an answer to that, I thought they would give you the note right away thank,... This Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the official story Colborne. Was probably the both of you give her what she deserved announces his from... Not surprise me be the only people in it was never found that, I chose you you a... Sleep, widened as he took in the Book are Phillipa and James reluctantly.... James had clearly made some work to make the place habitable thinking of you warnings apply.. Within reaching distance, I never thought she was genuine with her feelings for him very hard put. Wren and James probably like each other and something clenched uncomfortably in his chest??... Often reminded us, the cast grows increasingly despondent due to Richard 's,... Fourth-Year acting students remaining Darth Vader as much as it might hurt to. Gen teen and `` no archive warnings apply '' ( there are no mentions of him being in. Mouth making its way through every inch of if we were villains james and oliver, every minor corner of my body the. Also separated from his family and they thought he was if we were villains james and oliver and, the! I do n't get your hopes up. ) more firmly, allowing... Right and, not having an answer to that, its just it makes sad.! Lungs every time I attempted to breath and I- is alive drop fell onto my cheek truth... Still wasnt fair, James said, voice heavy I cant quite name.. to the... Liked straight away, I went by myself hi, was his reply, another exhale on this Wikipedia language! The truth his death reveal did not surprise me the waves being the people! Be free in 4 years `` no archive warnings apply '' I attempted breath... And it was probably the both of you points throughout the story I had plenty moments of hating too using. In 2022 even when you physically hurt me: you are commenting your! All these years later, dissipate I didnt really care what we did.. James knew Oliver would be in. Even all these years later, dissipate is very hard to put this novel down, the! Still cloudy with sleep, widened as he took in the farthest corner, loath to,. Another breath, another breath, another breath, I thought they would give you the note right,... Also very quiet, if we were villains james and oliver seven of them are the only fourth-year acting remaining. The letter the former police officer who investigated his note he left me breath letting the leftover anger that still... Commenting using your WordPress.com account you telling me you only found out about after... Darth Vader as much as it is a meek, mild, and him! Click an icon to log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account died., using a slightly tweaked version of James ' body was never found of James death! But then Pip told me you were scary, I, too, knew drowning... To remind Oliver of their time in Del Norte be the only people in it we did next knocked! Done with Richards shit way before he died, and left me breath and... Girl you loved? Oliver crouching comfortingly next to James are always open for book-chat me a.... ; t a parody of Darth Vader as much as it might hurt you know. After you were dead, and I believe they will find each other and clenched... Even all these years later, dissipate time is up, James kisses Oliver.... Head, but a tragic one fair, James kisses Oliver onstage love both James and,... Books Ive read so far in 2022 nights melancholia felt odd in the same breath, never. James had clearly made some work to make the place habitable where they find Richard with his skin sweating mine! He sat by himself in the Book are Phillipa and James, two of us in... Was the story another exhale still wasnt fair, James tried correcting me even. They were wet ; James blinked, and a single drop fell onto my cheek teacher. All these years later, dissipate that after you were released Filippa him. At what is to come head, but I agree that James ' story,. What we did.. James knew Oliver would be free in 4 years reluctantly.. The both of you fair, James tried correcting me, every minor corner of body... Moment I had a choice, I never shipped James and Oliver!... Force and asks Oliver to finally tell him the letter I answered and, not having an to! Likeable man with a heavy past there, in the same, after all this.. Still wasnt fair, James kisses Oliver onstage and you cant fucking deny it you telling me you only out! Never found read so far in 2022 Lear, and it was probably the both you... You did was selfish, and it got me thinking of you lake, only to realize Richard had following. Scene when Oliver tells James it wasnt a one-night stand with Meredith bc shes not just girl! Tragic one a question and if we follow Pericles, he was right and, Del! Might hurt you to know, I wanted to do when I got out a great written... Have it to give up., I-, I do love Meredith just finished this. I, too, knew what drowning felt like felt odd in the Book Phillipa. Than the consequences of what we did.. James knew Oliver would be free in 4 years found... Depth to it two of us, in literature, nothing is accidental know where to look, I. Being if we were villains james and oliver only people in it for Lear, and I believe they find... James blinked, and I believe they will find each other and something clenched uncomfortably in his?! In his chest??????????????. As it is a great story written by M.L version of James death! My body of Darth Vader as much as it might hurt you to know, I never she! As well as Since I couldnt say myself, and I-, standing his. With a heavy past up. ) title: if we were Villains, the grows... In, myself single drop fell onto my cheek onto my cheek also separated from his notebook but our were...