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I missed this update somehow and was glad to see it tonight. First, a 'no' to finishing it up fast I think these last two chapters were well-done in that you showed Michael growing into their relationship and becoming more comfortable in his own skin and with the idea of being gay. I think their relationship progressed too in them talking like with the Paul thing...not just getting angry and being quiet until it ruined the relationship..it was refreshing to see two characters deal with an issue the way a couple should. That all said, I think you're at a crucial part of the story. From the start, the main hurdle for Michael when he began to have feelings for Asher, was how he could deal with what it would mean to his job when he came out. He cared a lot how people saw him and about what they thought. Their relationship has been growing in this small utopia built around him being out of work and home with Asher, helping him recover. He is out in front of Asher's friends. And it was a big step forward for them to go out and for Michael not to stop them from showing they were together. But, how will he deal with going back to work and with the rumors that started before he left? Even bigger, there is a sense of coming a full circle back around to Asher being back behind the bar and that bar being a hang out for Michael's co-workers. How will Michael deal with it? Will he be comfortable admitting who he is and show by his actions that he is with Asher while he's there? You also introduced the whole 'post-traumatic stress' issue which may come up as Asher goes back behind that bar. I can't imagine it not hitting him hard when he steps behind it. I'd think he'd be picturing the shooter coming in and seeing him there in his mind's eye with the gun. For someone with PTSD it would be really tough to be standing in the place of the traumatic event. He clearly is a bit fragile if you look at the response he had to the thought that Ziggy had brought the shooter's wife there. I think that though the shooter is being prosecuted by the state that Asher would be called to testify and he'd have a stake in seeing the guy put behind bars. It is nice for Phillip to help them out...the reality is that the guy who shot him has a lot of money and it would make sense for Asher to go after him in a civil suit...not that you have to go into that, but that would be where Phillip could help him. I think the comments Phillip made about the possible difficulty in prosecuting him are his opinion, but Asher would have to talk to the prosecutor. he'd be called to testify.. I think it would be a case that is pretty shut and dry if there were witnesses to the shooting and the gun may have been found (you know how we all know how the system works b/c we watch CSI or these stories on 48 hours about murders and the person being prosecuted lol)...how would Asher deal with confronting the shooter in court if he is dealing with the PTSD. So those are threads that you have to follow through with in the course of bringing the story to a close. There is still room for their relationship to change and grow. Will Michael take Asher to see his family? Will he come out to them? I guess these are all little things I'd like to see worked out as the story goes on. Another thing is that I understand why Asher wanted Michael to bottom and it was cool to see this guy who slept with so many women and had such control in his job and daily life let himself be vulnerable like that. It goes to show his trust in Asher on a deep level. I'd like to see Asher come to trust him enough to reverse things and trust that it isn't going to put Michael back in a mind-set of being the top always and possibly remind him he was a lady's man who did the fucking or whatever Asher might be afraid of on some level. I'm just theorizing and of course Asher is your character so you know how he thinks. Well, the story is going well and I hope you won't rush to end it. I hope you can tie all the threads together in the end and I know what a good writer you are so I am confident you will do a great job with it. Looking forward to more!

do we get to choose dinner and a present? I'm really wondering if Otto is going to want to join in. Not sure how I feel about that. I can't get over how horrible the mom is. You'd think she'd love her son enough to throw Axel out and try to 'save his soul'. I don't know where she thought they'd go if it is truly that cold there~ the only place close enough is the house they went to. I am wondering where they will go from here? I am looking forwrd

The work is paying off. The chapter was really good. You could feel the emotions falling off Michael. I felt so badly for him since being told the guy you care for deeply (if not love) had or may still have feelings for someone and be with you b/c he can't be with that person would suck, esp after what they shared hours before. Ian really needs a talk about boundaries. It's not right to tell Michael things he was entrusted with that are so personal for Asher and that should come from him. I am still holding back excitement for this relationship to a point b/c the reality is that Michael's biggest problem was the idea of letting others know he was gay. It's easy to be with Asher in this bubble of no work and amongst Asher's friends whom he doesn't know first hand. I am really afraid that he won't be able to come out. I think Asher needs to talk to him about it soon or he stands to get his heart broken again. I understand wanting to give Michael time, but with how far the relationship has progressed, they need to talk about it. I believe Michael has the best intentions but could find he can't do it. I look forward to them getting to know each other better, maybe visiting parents etc. great stuff.

Very poignant. Scary at the start. I'm thinking he was grabbed and put somewhere dangerous. I'm not sure why the blood and the skull were there...unsure if they had some significance I am missing aside from making it a scarier place. But, the idea that things said are burned into you and can affect a person even if they don't realize it, is definitely true. The other thing was the sense of safety that can come in true love and the sense that you can face stuff like that with a partner by your side. Thanks.

Intriguing start to a story. I hope it will be continued.

Hey, great story. I was wondrering how it could be ended in 3 chapters in a satisfactory way. That's a hard length...enough to get invested in the characters and be left wanting more in most cases. You managed to make it feel like it was filled out well, developed enough to feel like it was finished. I'd have preferred a longer story about these two, but it was sweet and didn't feel rushed. Great job.

LOL...Hey, you could always have Sami find the right girl to expand her horizons. Afterall, she's a supporter of LGBT! I'm a fan of fucktastrophe too...I probably will steal that one too. His mind wanders briefly to a moment back when he was thirteen and he and another boy had been kissing for a really long time and the boy looked at him with wide eyes and said, ‘I think we just had oral sex!’ Gosh did that make me laugh. ~ that was a cute one. I think I may have liked this chapter best of all of them. It was great to see their relationship come to a boil~ I personally think you could have had it be a bit rougher between them...they are hot together when they get like that. I only am a tad surprised that Jacob didn't let Marcus verbalize what he felt. I know they aren't 'like that' but at the same time, Jacob was so angry that M didn't acknowledge what they had that I was surprised he shut him up. I would have liked to see him reveal a bit more of how he felt. I LOVED his bedtime story! Very clever. Please don't be done with these two. I really like them a lot. Thanks~ I really hope you have another story in you about these two. I think they have more to offer. I'd love to see them post-college or at least moved into a place of their own or some such thing.

One inconsistency I found was in the chapter before. Don't know if I saw it the first time and said it already, but you begin with 7 mos. have passed. You tell the story about his school. Then you say 2 mos had passed. I think the story of school is in the best possible place if you want to keep it in the story, though, so I would just not put how long had passed at all in that part. Just say that as time went on they could talk more and one story was... Then you can discuss 2 mos. and then to 5 when they made love which led to being caught and them leaving. the one thing that would have been smart/necessary would have been for them to grab as much of their stuff as they could. If they could grab some extra clothes, etc. it would be best, as clearly they can't just go to town and get some new clothes. I'm glad you said they took their jackets, but I would have had them grab what they could for Axel, push past the mom and stop in Xav's room and grab his stuff and even say they put it all in the blanket and tied it up. Then they'd go downstairs and grab jackets on the way out. Maybe even took Xav's blanket too and walked together under that. It just would make things easier when they go somewhere else. They have no money or accessibility to things they need otherwise. What I do hope is that he contacts his brother through Otto and sees him and talks to him again. His brother clearly cares about him, though he demands a high price to take over his chores. Being that he is so young, he'd be jealous that his brother wasn't paying attention to him, esp in a place where they prob. only had one another. It doesn't sound like there were friends coming and going, It would be just as plausible that the brother would not hold it against them as it would be that he listen to the propaganda his mom will spout upon them leaving. I wonder what Otto can do for them? That isn't his house. What can he offer aside from a barn or something. Is this the same house that his friend he grew up with lived at? Did both men who came after them live there? I have to go back to check. I wonder what Otto can do for them? That isn't his house. What can he offer aside from a barn or something. Is this the same house that his friend he grew up with lived at? Did both men who came after them live there? I have to go back to check. I look forward to getting more of the story.

I enjoyed this story all along the way. There was one thing I was confused about...wouldn't there be a risk of the men who were given the farm being id'd as the raiders? Esp. if Marcus made a show of wanting to find them as prefect? There would only have to be a slave who was there to say he saw those men... Anyway, I thought it was cute when Koen was so confused as to why he'd be punished for sleeping. It was really nice to see Koen freed and I hope the next story will continue to follow them. The story took a while to be done, but it was worth the wait. I look forward to your next work.

I like how different your characters tend to be. I like these guys and wouldn't want to see them get too soft with one another. I like how intimacy can take different forms between people.

I haven't been on the blogs the last few weeks...so I missed this! It rocks. I love it so far. I can't wait to see where it goes!

I am sorry I'm writing such a long comment, especially b/c you are so proud of the chapter. I hope you see it's only meant to help. You know I've been enjoying the story a lot. I agree with KC. I would have liked for us to see that transition from the first sexual experience Xav ever had and their having sex. I think the jump ahead feels bigger b/c when the last chapter ended, he had not returned the favor to Axel. . A random (totally random!) thought I had is how the neighbor, who helped teach him the b'day song in German, reacted to Axel's wanting to learn 'I love you' right after that. Will he connect the dots between the boys, would he possibly let others know? Maybe tell Jake? I definitely am sensing some jealousy on Jake's part. Is he missing his brother or does he have feelings for Axel too? On the story of Axel's childhood, I am wondering how old he was. I feel like something was missing in the story. Why did he tell Xav? I was waiting for him to accidentally reveal his sexuality to one of the girls, maybe blurt something out when they teased him with the porn mag or find that the girls just had a feeling he was gay? Either way, I kind of felt unsure of what the story was telling us. Was it to just tell the reader how Axel was a hottie from a young age ? I'd have really liked to hear a story about his time in the war. We haven't heard anything about that. How was he captured? How did he come to be in Canada in the first place? I can't wait to find out who sees them having sex. That was a great (and mean cliffhanger. All I can say is, "AWKWARD!" There will be a huge explosion either way. I think it would be worse if mom saw it, but Jake seems to be a tattle tail and that combined with the jealousy we sense in him, will cause a big explosion too and probably lead to mom finding out anyway.

It was nice to see them go farther together...Axel was definitely patient! I felt bad for him that he got nothing in return. I do agree with KC about the first time he takes him into his mouth he's deep throating him. Though it seems that Axel may have had some experience before the war maybe? I still think it would have been better to say he did it after a few tries. That is a pretty small detail. I also doubt he'd have any thought of being mad during his first blow job lol! I'd have liked him to do something for Axel...at least let him get off if not ready to give him a blow job. He better make it up to him the next night. Just keep in mind that he never did this before and won't be deep throating him right away! One part I really liked was Axel being in charge. I think it fit with their personalities. While Xav is smart and teaches him English and guides him as he tells him what to do on the farm, I not only doesn't have sexual experience and it balanced the fact that we hear less from Axel bc of the language barrier and because Xav is the narrator. It gave Axel some control and gave him a starring role for a bit. It worked well and I hope Axel will continue to take control in the bedroom... or barn, as the case may be lol It also developed Axel as a character, further, which was needed. I hope that now that they are spending more time together you can let Axel tell Xav more about himself and his family and his life before the war. We really don't know all that much about him. You could say that he occasionally went to see Otto when he needed to learn some words We could tell he had it in him earlier when they were in the tree bc of the bear when he had the balls to tell Xav he wanted him, despite the fact that he had more reason to keep his sexuality a secret. He also to Xav's bedroom when he'd had enough of being frozen out by him. Overall, it was a good chapter. lookin' fwd to more soon!! c

Somehow I missed more than one chapter. I was not online for a bit though b/c of some problems going on....but it made it kinda fun to be able to read a few chapters in a row. I really was surprised when he explained his reasoning for the friends only comment. It wasn't on my radar when I thought about reasons why he ruined Xav's birthday surprise. It was a great reason and extremely telling of his feelings for Xav since he wanted to protect him as well as himself. First, it reminds people of the fact that though the killing of the Jews in concentration camps is the well-known facts about the war, there were millions of other people killed too for such reasons. I like when story makes you think and reflect. It was surprising to me that he let Axel stay in his room in the morning and risk being found by Jake or Mom. I also agree that Jake was very annoying and could cause trouble for the boys. I can't help but worry that they will be found out and I know that could have dire consequences for them both. They will have to work much harder to act like friends. In Jake's defense, they were not talking and their interactions were clearly icy the day before. The sudden comradery would stand out all the more. I'm enjoying the story a lot. In some spots the things he said seemed a bit too poetic for a boy his age. I hope that Otto doesn't wonder why Axel wanted to know how to say those things. Off to ch. 14! p.s. thanks for the shout out hope I'm not too critical of you lol.

I hope this is going to be continued. I really like the characters you created. I think you used the flashbacks well. The one thing I'd like to know is whether Jeremy did it in such a callous way on purpose or b/c he thought he was too good since he had his career in Hollywood? I guess we've all been hurt at some point (well the majority of us..hooray for those who end up with their first loves) and you managed to pull that feeling out of me and make me feel it along with the character. The pain Is almost palpable. It was a great way to end it with that past tense. I look forward to more of their journey. How hard is it to make up for something you do that devastates someone at the time and may change them or their attitude toward love. When is it too late? Will he just be accepted back or will they have to fall in love again? What caused Jeremy to have this realization? I am wondering when this happened, since he doesn't seem flabbergasted that he is on his front porch as he was thinking about him. Did they grow up together...I know ...wait for the coming chapters lol great start!

You broke my heart at the end. I haven't read your work before and I really hope it's all not so sad. The end depressed me. I know not all stories can end perfectly, but I do hate when they end on such a bad note. I felt bad b/c what was the point of his being human if he didn't even get to say goodbye to the boy he'd come to love Poor Rock. Thanks for the great imagery and interesting characters.

Hey, one thing I noted as I went back to read the first chapter again is the fact that Gracchus says he started in the fields 6 yrs past. That can't be given the later revelation. He'd have to have been with the family for much longer...dating to before Marcus' birth. Just in case you attempt to publish it someday.

WOW great chapter. I love the revelation about Gracchus. That explains a lot. I am sure Marcus doesn't know of his true parentage, as he'd act differently if he did. I loved the whole take-over and am glad Koen got to deal what would be the death blow to Lucius. I am also glad you didn't do as I expected and have Gracchus save Koen's life after revealing his being Marcus' father and his realization that Koen loves Marcus in return. I do believe Marcus can never know the truth, as he'd not let Gracchus continue to work for him and Gracchus wouldn't accept not protecting his son for the remainder of his life. I am glad Gracchus got to see what he did and has the peace of mind that his son is truly loved and happy. I am not sure what the plan is for the rest of the legion that took the slaves off to wait for something. Will they claim to have stopped the take-over? If so, the slaves would have seen the others who acted as raiders. Does Marcus get the mine? I'll be interested to see how it ends. Esp. how their relationship is worked out. I know how badly Marcus wants Koen as his partner, an equal one. I know he mentioned his being a Gladiator allowing for the best chance, but I can't see his risking Koen's life for it. I guess if he is freed, he still isn't worthy of being a partrician's mate? I am still wondering about the dreams they both had of the past. I thought Marcus was retired from the legion a bit before Koen was captured. I am assuming he wasn't the one who cut down Koen's love, right? I hope Cato makes it and am only surprised Varus wasn't the one to go with Koen to kill Lucius, given his need for revenge for slave Lucius' death. I've loved this story and will be sad to see it end.

I've enjoyed this all the way through. I think that it has improved as it went on! You did surprise me with Koen's story of love. I am sad to hear it ends soon bc I hoped for there to be a process as they got to know one another better and Marcus made Koen his mate somehow. I believe Koen would not have a problem still being a slave legally, a partner in action. I have come not to mind the dark through some of my favorite writers. lol They have corrupted my once sensitive soul lol. But, it was so sad to see Lucius die, esp. with Varus clearly loving him. I am glad to see Gracchus being less of a jerk toward Koen. I think he finally gets their relationship and his importance to Marcus. I enjoyed seeing Marcus being willing to be with him as an equal. Great story. Will be sad to see it end.

WOW! This chapter revealed so much about the characters! I think that Ian is looking out for Asher...that sure is a thing a sibling would do, so for me it proved the brotherly thing. Sometimes you care so much that you butt in where you don't belong or just go too far in your attempt to open someone's eyes. As the oldest sibling I've NEVER done that. But, I wouldn't blame Milo or mike, especially Mike who doesn't know him for taking it the wrong way and possibly thinking Ian is slightly jealous. Ian was out of line since he should have experienced or know someone who did, the process of accepting you're not hetero. Not everyone is fine with it right away, especially if you're in an environment where it might not be 'acceptable' like Mike's office. I do think Mike has to worry about Mike's temper. It isn't the first time he has gone off like that! He has no ability, it seems, to just deal with his emotions and let something go for someone else's sake or b/c of the place and time, etc. Would asher ever be at risk with him? If he pissed him off enough would he strike out at him (I'm not saying people who act before thinking or who have a hot temper are abusers, only that it is something to think about)? I'm scared to think what will happen with Tyler there. Did Ian invite him to test the situation? If he were always at their parties, Asher would have known him. I think Asher only added to the fire by giving details about their sex life, esp when others could hear it. God, Mike must have turned red...again! I hope that Mike can take solace in the fact that he 'won.' But, I don't know if it's in him to think like that. I'm sure it will just be another drop of gas on the fire when he sees him. I love it as a stopping place...that was perfect! I'm glad there was only some damage to your house with the lightening. I will never forget the feeling of electricity through my body when a home one house away from me got hit! I thought mine did. It was awful b/c then we had to watch it burn to the ground from the fire that started. It was so sad to see. I'm glad you guys are safe. Can't wait for more!

I liked this chapter a lot. It was great to see them get more intimate. I don't mean just physically. This relationship didn't have as much of a chance before bc they hadn't really talked. idn't get to the deeper issues or really talk about feelings. It was sweet and spontaneous. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for more.

Hey, I love this story. I loved how he set up the surprise. I expected him to just sing happy b'day in german and not the beautiful scene. And how long did it take you to set up that Axel drawn in characters?! I have to be honest though, the end didn't fit for me. I read your comment above, but my feeling is that, taboo or not, Axel made it clear he was interested in Xavier. He was pretty forward. I agree that Xavier would probably hold his feelings in and maybe didn't make it obvious he felt the same. I think he is more likely to be affected by the contemporary attitudes, but he still was open to it. He put himself out there. The part of the scene that didn't feel like the character acted the way you would expect as you've built the character is Axel. It seemed like too much of a shift in the charzacter's actions and emotions. The boy in the tree would have made a play when Xavier showed such a romantic side. Axel said he wanted Xavier for his B'day. He wouldn't get to a barn where Xav arranged for private time and made a beautiful and romantic show of his caring for him, only to share a hug and to say d'we're good friends.' Afterall, that's not something Jake or another 'good friend' would do. You did leave us hanging at a point where you could go either way. I'd like to see one of them kiss the other even if you don't want to take it farther right away b/c of the reasons you stated in your response above . I look forward to the next chapter to see how you move their relationship forward. I hope yo

I just wanted to say that your profile pic with the dog is so adorable. The kind of pic that reminds us why animals are such a great part of life.

I was happy to see the new chapter. I missed it when it came out I think. Anyway, I was so glad to learn something about Michael's past. I don't know if I am just tired, but I am having trouble figuring out how his terribly painful past is affecting his fear of coming out. The one way that his painful childhood does affet this relationship is that he had to take care of everyone is his family when his dad died. I think that it was the first time that someone took care of him, when Asher did. Another is to think how scared he must have been when Ash was shot and how much fear he must have felt, thinking Ash might 'leave' him I'm glad that Michael is willing to be vulnerable with Ash and I think that bodes well for their relationship. Ash is taking a big chance for love. He has to know that at any time Michael could decide he can't handle the public scrutiny that would come if he came out. I enjoyed Lana as a character. She did such a great job of defusing Michael, who can really get wound up fast! I liked how she stood up to his violent reaction to the implication he was gay. She could probably help quite a bit with him learning to accept himself. Her comments fit into the discussion of the recent ruling of the Supreme Court perfectly. I don't get how denying others the rights to love one another officially and from having the rights that a (straight) mate/partner are entitled to, make one feel safer It would be nice to see her again. Lookin' forward to more, KC!

I wouldn't have guessed you struggled with the ending. I think that all in all, it was well done. I'm sure all of us would have liked the story to go on, of course. But, I think you If you ever decide to work on it and maybe post it elsewhere or something, then the only thing I would point out is that he told Liron that he would show him it wasn't a mistake to come and he'd prove it, but we didn't see that. Maybe an announcement or a dedication on stage. Something that was a big enough to fill his promise. Enjoyed it a lot and look forward to your next work.