Mark Arbour Posted August 13, 2010 Author Posted August 13, 2010 Hmmm, I think Brad might be taking things a step too far now. Here Robbie confessed the root of his problems being how he feels he is the inferior sub in the pairing, Brad tells him to grow a spine and take charge, then wants to permanently enshrine Robbie's position on the leash. Yeah, that wasn't well thought out. Not sure why JP didn't spell it out clearer that this was a bad idea, unless he was afraid that Brad was already too emotional to reason with at the moment. Hopefully Robbie starts to take initiative, and Brad uses the time to get his own head on straight . ...and the pendulum begins to swing back...
Hermetically Sealed Posted August 13, 2010 Posted August 13, 2010 It's kinda expected. lol Brad has always been prone to letting his emotions cloud his reasoning. I think he's right in feeling that Robbie has to prove himself, but he shouldn't be punished for the rest of their relationship, nor put into a position that would just make him resent being in the relationship.
Mark Arbour Posted August 13, 2010 Author Posted August 13, 2010 It's kinda expected. lol Brad has always been prone to letting his emotions cloud his reasoning. I think he's right in feeling that Robbie has to prove himself, but he shouldn't be punished for the rest of their relationship, nor put into a position that would just make him resent being in the relationship. Sometimes it takes a while to get over something like that.
mmike1969 Posted August 13, 2010 Posted August 13, 2010 I really do not like the way this story is going... If Brad is this emotional train wreck in the works, how is he expected to lead the family when JP, let alone Stef dies? He's the designated heir to both empires and that's a lot of $$$ at his disposal, not counting the foundation from Tonto or the Trusts he's in charge of. If he cracks, what's to stop him from spending (for revenge or for whatever) until there is no tomorrow? Nothing like seeing a broke former American made aristocrat working the cash register of a fast food joint... Worse still, how is Robbie going to hide @ Escorial? You would think since Brandon is Stef's personal assistant, he would be at Escorial at all hours of the day too. And what kind of obsessed man would plant or corrupt a personal assistant to Stef, plant or corrupt a worker at Anders-Hayes, who we find out are BF's or at least FB's, all the while getting Omega to fund Amphion to try to take down Stef?
Hermetically Sealed Posted August 13, 2010 Posted August 13, 2010 Brad will recover, I think. Remember, this is all only a few weeks worth of events. That's a lot of different things going awry in his life in a very short time, and let's face it, even JP didn't always handle things well. As for Escorial, I doubt Stef would have a hard time finding reasons for Brandon to not come around. Besides, even if he does show up, Robbie has a reason to be there because of family, and with the way things seem to be between the two, I don't think it would be hard for them to pretend animosity or at least tension.
GLH Posted August 14, 2010 Posted August 14, 2010 Another fine chapter put to bed, read and enjoyed. If patience is a virtue, I'm burning in hell.
rjo Posted August 14, 2010 Posted August 14, 2010 Over the years JP has really tried to help Brad and Robbie. I am thinking maybe only Cody and David can do it now. Robbie and Brad help a equal relationship. Not Brad making all the decisions. Brad also has to stop using Carson as a club. beating Robbie over the head over and over again.
B1ue Posted August 14, 2010 Posted August 14, 2010 I really do not like the way this story is going... If Brad is this emotional train wreck in the works, how is he expected to lead the family when JP, let alone Stef dies? He's the designated heir to both empires and that's a lot of $$$ at his disposal, not counting the foundation from Tonto or the Trusts he's in charge of. If he cracks, what's to stop him from spending (for revenge or for whatever) until there is no tomorrow? Nothing like seeing a broke former American made aristocrat working the cash register of a fast food joint... Worse still, how is Robbie going to hide @ Escorial? You would think since Brandon is Stef's personal assistant, he would be at Escorial at all hours of the day too. And what kind of obsessed man would plant or corrupt a personal assistant to Stef, plant or corrupt a worker at Anders-Hayes, who we find out are BF's or at least FB's, all the while getting Omega to fund Amphion to try to take down Stef? I think some of this is a bit premature. Brad is demonstrably not falling apart. In fact, I think he's acting quite normally to the comfortable world he's crated for himself falling apart. Granted, Brad reacting normally is for him pretty abnormal, but parenthood might have introduced Brad emotions other than rage. Remember how he acted when Billy died? The man has ice water in his veins, quite like JP, except when he's angry. And throwing around money like he has lately probably isn't indicative of an underlying problem. He has an awful lot of it, and during his narration has emphasized that all the expenditures he's been making have been well within what we might call "mad money." And, for a living, he daily shuffles around more money than most of us will ever see at one time. So I don't think he'll ever turn consumerism into a vice. Hedonism is cheaper, and far more his style. Also, I don't think Robbie is hiding at Escorial, per se. Nor would he have hidden himself on the yatch, as Brandon would have figured that one out pretty shortly as well. But JP has total control over who can access Escorial. And honestly, don't you think JP's limited patience is a much more daunting barier than a few measely hundred miles of water? Short of someone *cough*Carson*cough* oozing up to Matt and Wade and convincing them to invite him to granddad's house for some good times, I think Robbie is well beyond reach. Someone asked earlier how JP might react to all this as the patriarch. Unless Steph or Brad directly ask him to intervene, with all the consequences that would imply, I think this is one instance where he might hold himself back. It isn't his fight to lose, after all.
Mark Arbour Posted August 14, 2010 Author Posted August 14, 2010 Think, for a minute, about a friend you had who was struggling with a relationship. They sometimes seem illogical and ridiculous, and you just want to shake them and try to snap them out of it (don't do this with babies). Then think about when it happened to you. It's a lot easier to make the right decisions when it's not you that's hurting. That's what's happening to Brad.
Conner Posted August 14, 2010 Posted August 14, 2010 If Brad breaks off with Robbie, he will do so still loving him. Brad's definitely getting his pound of flesh from Robbie. That tells me how much he's hurting. His own pride is torturing him right now. I think he's going to have to have some kind of epiphany around the relationship before he can forgive Robbie. Super chapter, M
centexhairysub Posted August 14, 2010 Posted August 14, 2010 Another very well written chapter, I can't say it made me happy though... I do think that Brad knows that he loves Robbie, but will that love be enough to keep them together is the real question. I hope so but think even if they break up they would have to remain at least on friendly terms for the sake of the kid's... I don't think Brad is really behaving that irresponsibly with money, even buying the car for Kevin was something that he could afford easily and not something that put any strain on anyone's finances. Although he has shown a more volatile side during this crisis nothing has indicated that he would not be able to handle things in the future or immediately if something happened to JP or Stef. I really want to believe that Brad and Robbie with stay together in the long run. I want to believe that love can be enough to keep them together. I want to believe that they are truly soul mates. I want Brad and Robbie to both have that moment when they both realize how much they have to lose and find a way to make it work. Can't wait for the next chapter...
Mark Arbour Posted August 14, 2010 Author Posted August 14, 2010 If Brad breaks off with Robbie, he will do so still loving him. Brad's definitely getting his pound of flesh from Robbie. That tells me how much he's hurting. His own pride is torturing him right now. I think he's going to have to have some kind of epiphany around the relationship before he can forgive Robbie. Super chapter, M You know Brad so well. Another very well written chapter, I can't say it made me happy though... I do think that Brad knows that he loves Robbie, but will that love be enough to keep them together is the real question. I hope so but think even if they break up they would have to remain at least on friendly terms for the sake of the kid's... I don't think Brad is really behaving that irresponsibly with money, even buying the car for Kevin was something that he could afford easily and not something that put any strain on anyone's finances. Although he has shown a more volatile side during this crisis nothing has indicated that he would not be able to handle things in the future or immediately if something happened to JP or Stef. I really want to believe that Brad and Robbie with stay together in the long run. I want to believe that love can be enough to keep them together. I want to believe that they are truly soul mates. I want Brad and Robbie to both have that moment when they both realize how much they have to lose and find a way to make it work. Can't wait for the next chapter... Nothing is ever easy for these guys.
Westie Posted August 14, 2010 Posted August 14, 2010 I think this story is getting to the most interesting part. The Amphion stuff is an interesting sub-plot, but for me the real story is definitely Robbie-Brad. I think that this is going to come together to the point that Robbie feels a huge weight of guilt following his soul-searching. He loves Brad. He will come back to him. I think he will give brad permission to be "open", but will remain monogamous himself. I think that having done that, Brad will realise that their love is not something that can be diluted. I am reminded of a time that I lost out on re-election to our Student Council. I was offered the RIGHT to continue attending meetings as an honorary member. It was a right I ACCEPTED, but out of respect, never exercised. In the same way, I think Brad will accept, but never, NEVER stray. The interesting thing is that Brad has become more like Robbie than he realises. When he has sex ONCE - its just sex. The more he has with someone, the more he does seem to equate it with LOVE. Exceptionally well written Mark West
Mark Arbour Posted August 14, 2010 Author Posted August 14, 2010 I think this story is getting to the most interesting part. The Amphion stuff is an interesting sub-plot, but for me the real story is definitely Robbie-Brad. I think that this is going to come together to the point that Robbie feels a huge weight of guilt following his soul-searching. He loves Brad. He will come back to him. I think he will give brad permission to be "open", but will remain monogamous himself. I think that having done that, Brad will realise that their love is not something that can be diluted. I am reminded of a time that I lost out on re-election to our Student Council. I was offered the RIGHT to continue attending meetings as an honorary member. It was a right I ACCEPTED, but out of respect, never exercised. In the same way, I think Brad will accept, but never, NEVER stray. The interesting thing is that Brad has become more like Robbie than he realises. When he has sex ONCE - its just sex. The more he has with someone, the more he does seem to equate it with LOVE. Exceptionally well written Mark West What an astute observation. Didn't someone observe that Robbie wasn't the only one with a mid-life crisis?
Tiger Posted August 14, 2010 Posted August 14, 2010 I think that this is going to come together to the point that Robbie feels a huge weight of guilt following his soul-searching. He loves Brad. He will come back to him. I think he will give brad permission to be "open", but will remain monogamous himself. I think that having done that, Brad will realise that their love is not something that can be diluted.I think that whole line of thinking is problematic. That would only cause problems in the long term. If they can't come to a compromise, they might as well split the sheets and move on with their lives. Either both of them should be able to f**k multiple people or neither of them should, period. There's no way in hell I would allow my man to have his cake and eat it too while I couldn't. I'd tell him goodbye for good. There's supposed to be equality in a relationship. If you strip that away, then you have a relationship that's just plain doomed.
Mark Arbour Posted August 14, 2010 Author Posted August 14, 2010 I think that whole line of thinking is problematic. That would only cause problems in the long term. If they can't come to a compromise, they might as well split the sheets and move on with their lives. Either both of them should be able to f**k multiple people or neither of them should, period. There's no way in hell I would allow my man to have his cake and eat it too while I couldn't. I'd tell him goodbye for good. There's supposed to be equality in a relationship. If you strip that away, then you have a relationship that's just plain doomed. I agree.
Canuk Posted August 14, 2010 Posted August 14, 2010 I think that this is going to come together to the point that Robbie feels a huge weight of guilt following his soul-searching. He loves Brad. He will come back to him. I think he will give brad permission to be "open", but will remain monogamous himself. I think that having done that, Brad will realise that their love is not something that can be diluted. The interesting thing is that Brad has become more like Robbie than he realises. When he has sex ONCE - its just sex. The more he has with someone, the more he does seem to equate it with LOVE. Exceptionally well written Mark West re your first point: I have to disagree there; the word "doormat" comes to mind! - no basis for a relationship. 2nd point - yes I agree - I think they are more similar than different - the differences are exacerbated by Brad being the narrator. 3rd point - whole-heartedly agree!!
methodwriter85 Posted August 16, 2010 Posted August 16, 2010 I liked the reference to June Cleaver, since Robbie(and all of the Hayes men except for Matt Carrswold) are supposed to look like Tony Dow. Except I think they aged much better. (Well, except for Nathan.)
Mark Arbour Posted August 16, 2010 Author Posted August 16, 2010 This is how I visualize Robbie. Only with thinner hair.
centexhairysub Posted August 16, 2010 Posted August 16, 2010 Oh My f**king God...... This chapter was so well written and constructed, it is just unbelievable... Brad and Robbie's interaction in with David was so on point. I think Robbie is finally realizing how close he is to completely losing Brad. Robbie believed that he and Brad would survive this and now he isn't so sure, that was just heartbreaking, to see him realize that. Brad knows that he loves Robbie but wonders is that is enough to get them back to where they were in their relationship. After this chapter for the first time since about chapter 3, I believe that Brad and Robbie are going to make it. I think that Robbie will end up doing whatever it takes to hold onto Brad and Brad will overcome his anger and realize that Robbie is trully his soulmate. I am not saying either process will be easy or painless but I finally believe that they may survive this... Mark's writting on this story has been so good and honest and raw that it is just amazing. The emotions and feeling that have filled each chapter are so honest and true to life that I have become wrapped up in this story more than I thought possible. I still think there is someone besides Dan, Carson, Brandon, etc... involved in the business issue that we may not have seen yet. Keep these chapters coming, this is just great......
Westie Posted August 16, 2010 Posted August 16, 2010 (edited) Again, a spectactular chapter. Well writen, with a well executed storyline. The "lightswitch" moment for Robbie was particularly interesting to read... though I wonder about the dynamic with David the shrink.... Why did Robbie only "get it" when David told him that it was worse than he thought? Why is he seeking David's approval? Im starting to wonder how healthy that relationship might be.... Edited August 16, 2010 by Westie
methodwriter85 Posted August 16, 2010 Posted August 16, 2010 This is how I visualize Robbie. Only with thinner hair. Yeah, Tony Dow didn't age well, but at this point in his life, he was pretty handsome in a very unique sort of way. Thankfully that point is preserved on film.You gotta love those eyes and pouty lips. I wonder if Will is going to end up with his own corresponding Hayes guy, but with Robbie being his dad that might make that a bit icky.Seriously though, it is kinda funny how every protagonist that is not a Hayes will usually end up with one at least once. Marcel and Matt are Hayes boys(although in blood only really), JP had Jeff AND Marcel, Stefan had Jeff, Brad had Robbie, and Steven had Aaron. Will in a future story might or might not snap that streak. Right now, I'm leaning towards Will NOT falling for another Hayes boy, because he grew up with Robbie as his dad and Matt as his older brother. It'd be a bit much.
Conner Posted August 17, 2010 Posted August 17, 2010 I want some woo. Just loved that line. David was great in laying it all out for Robbie. The ball's now in Robbie's court. I think he'll do fine....which should mean that Brad will be really enjoying himself once this Amphion affair is resolved. I often wonder how much "espionage" actually goes on in the business world? The threesome with Kevin was awesome.
Mark Arbour Posted August 17, 2010 Author Posted August 17, 2010 Thank you guys so much. Not all of the posts addressed to me today have been so nice. Oh My f**king God...... This chapter was so well written and constructed, it is just unbelievable... Brad and Robbie's interaction in with David was so on point. I think Robbie is finally realizing how close he is to completely losing Brad. Robbie believed that he and Brad would survive this and now he isn't so sure, that was just heartbreaking, to see him realize that. Brad knows that he loves Robbie but wonders is that is enough to get them back to where they were in their relationship. After this chapter for the first time since about chapter 3, I believe that Brad and Robbie are going to make it. I think that Robbie will end up doing whatever it takes to hold onto Brad and Brad will overcome his anger and realize that Robbie is trully his soulmate. I am not saying either process will be easy or painless but I finally believe that they may survive this... Mark's writting on this story has been so good and honest and raw that it is just amazing. The emotions and feeling that have filled each chapter are so honest and true to life that I have become wrapped up in this story more than I thought possible. I still think there is someone besides Dan, Carson, Brandon, etc... involved in the business issue that we may not have seen yet. Keep these chapters coming, this is just great...... Wow. Kind words. Thanks! I think many of your instincts may be right. Again, a spectactular chapter. Well writen, with a well executed storyline. The "lightswitch" moment for Robbie was particularly interesting to read... though I wonder about the dynamic with David the shrink.... Why did Robbie only "get it" when David told him that it was worse than he thought? Why is he seeking David's approval? Im starting to wonder how healthy that relationship might be.... Thanks to you too! I don't think Robbie's seeking David's approval. In this story, if you think about it, David plays the voice of reason, the beacon of rationality. So when they go see him, it's a bit like the Oracle of Delphi, not over his predictions, but over the clarity with which he sees things. Robbie's coming at this from a standpoint that he f**ked up, but he's sorry, so all should be fine. David just held up a mirror to his relationship and said "Look!" Probably the first time he's really grasped what damage this experiment he launched on November 2 has done. Just loved that line. David was great in laying it all out for Robbie. The ball's now in Robbie's court. I think he'll do fine....which should mean that Brad will be really enjoying himself once this Amphion affair is resolved. I often wonder how much "espionage" actually goes on in the business world? The threesome with Kevin was awesome. That threesome was fun to write! I'd like to think things like this are pretty rare. My instincts tell me they're not.
Tiger Posted August 17, 2010 Posted August 17, 2010 That threesome was fun to write! I'd like to think things like this are pretty rare. My instincts tell me they're not. I really liked the threesome too. I've never had a threesome, but I've heard that they are more typically awkward. I'm sure others are here are experts in that arena. For real life, I'm a one man man despite my flirtatious nature.
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