Timothy M.

I can't believe you're caught up either ! I've enjoyed getting your insightful reviews, and they helped push me into writing on the next chapter.Did Evan unleash the monster - or did Jacob ? Very good point about the club and Russ realizing he could be seen as attractive. I'm glad Russ is progressing in your opinion.

Yes they are - fun isn't it ? I'm glad you approve of Chris and his caution, since I find him sensible and clever. Dating a guy almost ten years longer can be difficult and he want Evan to be sure before they commit themselves. Did you somehow read my mind about the night Evan left home ? Evan hates Russ hiding, but on the other hand he does not want to force him and upset him.

You mean I've managed to find a story you haven't read and reviewed already?!

Thanks Val, I'm sure you'll enjoy it and I'm proud the review caught your attention.

Yeah, that's why I want Granger to talk to Lady H. instead. She may be more sensible than Nelson. But of course you're bound by what happened in history, so unless you're making Nelson seem even more infatuated than he really is and then push him the other way via Granger influencing Lady H. there isn't much leeway. Did Hardy get sent home at this point IRL and when did he join Nelson again?

Thanks for commenting on both parts of the chapter, I really wanted to know your thoughts about them. I'm glad the father came across as a 'master manipulator' - it's one thing to say he is Thus, but much harder to show it. I was so relieved my readers thought it worked.LOL, I laughed at the phrase 'indulgent and slightly terrified looks' but you have once again hit bull's eye. The twins apart are a challenge, but together ? Oh my

I'll do my very best to have the mama bears do their bit, if it becomes necessary. And no here, it's simply I haven't gotten this far yet.I simply loved your observation about Russell's life changing moment. I think you're right, it's the moment Russ stepped out of Evan's shadow in his own mind too. Oh, they'll still have the twin bond, but it will be as equals.

Bridge - I loved that title for several reasons and also the chapter description 'Following suit' - you even used it in the text, when Carson's eyes teared up at witnessing Michael and Kendall showing their love. Back to the title: I've wondered when you'd start using Card Game names, and this one is probably one of the easier ones to fit in. And it also made me think of your other story (SaD), since the song Bridge Over Troubled Water immediately came to mind. Because that is what Michael is, isn't it? He is the bridge between Carson and Kendall, helping them connect, spanning the difficult moments, and overcoming the troubles and hurt from the past. He helps Kendall bridge the gap between the bastard of a father he knew for most of his life and the caring dad he sees now. When Carson's revelation of the college money threathens to crumble the foundations of their new father-and-son relationship, Michael enables Kendall to transition from his gut reaction and fear into a healthier understanding of what he feels and why. He's being the bridge between the past and the present, the bridge over the troubled water of the injustice. But it's also Bridge in the sense of the card game, isn't it? Now I've never played this game, but I know it revolves around having a partner who can understand your calls, interpret what you mean to do, and support you in winning from the best of his ability with the cards he holds. And isn't it also about working out from the calls your partner and your opponents make, what is the best way to proceed in order to come up with a winning combination? This is what Ace and Deuce are doing outside the hospital, right? Or am I overinterpreting? Anyway, it was a wonderful chapter including the way it ended with a teasing anticipation of a delightful afternoon. They need that - and so do we - after all of the difficult, emotional drama.

Ohh Ahmed I understand you perfectly and I rejoice that Junyad finally took mercy on you and spoke the words you've been longing to hear. Most of us are imperfect humans who cannot be as devout and spiritual as a dervish, for us earthly love is all we aspire to, and we struggle to make the most of what we have. I'm glad your bravery and devotion was rewarded. Thank you, AC, for leaving us with this beautiful image of two men in love. It soothes my aching heart for now.

LOL - well he is a teenager, what more can I say? The image you evoked in my mind was that of a champagne bottle being uncorked, and his sexuality isn't the only thing Russ has kept bottled up for years. More on that in the next chapters.Oh and your Q: How long has his self-deprecation been going on? A: Pretty much his whole life. Jacob has a lot of work to do before Russ reaches his full potential, and your comment about his caring nature had me smiling with satisfaction. Spot on, my friend.

Aaaw thanks, I'm glad you took the plunge. I'm thrilled you've enjoyed the story so far, and I'm finally getting started on a new chapter. I keep being distracted by this guy Rob shouting in my ear, and Batman (aka Gary aka Headstall) pouring out chapters to edit, and various other happenings Yeah, this story wouldn't exist without the villain, so you're quite right. I'll do my best to make you hate him without hating me for damaging the twins. Fortunately they have a couple of clever protectors hovering over them.

Yes, Russ is an expert at ignoring uncomfortable stuff, even on his own ! The mind is a curious thing, and I think the only way Russell could cope with various issues, was to bury them deep and avoid thinking about it. More on this later.Anxiety attack is probably the best description of what caused Russ to faint. Can we really blame him for freaking out ? Even if his fears are unfounded. You'll soon find out what Plan B is.

Once again I'm impressed with your ability to point out exactly what I wanted to convey. Yes, they do have some traits which could develop in that direcetion or be explored in role play. But on the other hand Russell will hopefully get more assertive as he gains confidence, and Jacob seems more scared than excited by the idea. Plus you're absolutely right about him being protective. The cafe scene was important and fun, and I'm glad you liked the cryptic proposal. As for your predictions about the twins together I wanted to use the but I guess you deserve to know you're spot on here too.

I felt awkward realizing that Nick had seriously crushed on me for over a year and I was just now putting the dots together. OH really ?! Why on earth would you feel bad about ignoring the hottest guy on campus wanting to be with you for months, while you chased around after unavailable guys? Why would you feel stupid to realize you could have had a funny, intelligent, considerate, adoring, hot-as-hell and brilliant-in-bed boyfriend, if you hadn't let your own securities and the idea you can suss out whether a man is straight or not, interested in you or not, good for you or not, FUCKING BLIND you to the opportunity of a life time. DUH ! How are you any better than PEP (Pete the English Penishead) ? You've flirted with Nick and given him hope, only to be completely oblivious to how he felt / feels about you. AND NOW YOU'RE DOING IT AGAIN !! Fair enough that you will drop Mike for Pete, since MAC (= Mike the Asshat Cadet) did not come out and commit to you. Even though I still think MAC is a hundred times better than PEP - although both of them needs to pull their heads out of their asses. But Corbs, if you start dating Nick, you had better mean it. Or his term for you will be true: “You’re a heartbreaker, Crowley.” And since you know the empty sound of a heart breaking, do you want to be the cause of that ? I don't know if Nick is the right man for you and the other way round, but he's a sweet guy, who does not deserved being fucked around. Being fucked, yes (and boy do I want to see that !) But not having his heart broken, so behave ! OR ELSE Oh and what's with telling Nick your password instead of asking him to look away while you typed it? But I guess it wasn't such a big deal then. I'm not even going to start writing what I think of I-don't-know Pete and his stupid texts and even more stupid talks - or else my laptop might spontaneously combust.

Chapter 44 certainly got (some of) the Will haters and lovers out of the closet. I bet you're loving that, Mark. I wasn't going to review, but I was inspired by some of the comments from other readers. After I posted the review I recalled a very important conversation between Brad and Steph (and JP?) after the shoe/clothes/car wrecking incident of Will running away. As far as I remember, Steph pointed out how Brad's business method of WIN-whatever-the-costs spilled over into his personal life, particularly with regard to his son. With epic disasterous results Steph also tried to teach Brad his own approach which was to create win-win solutions rather than win-lose situations. OK the immediate business gain might be less, but in the long run Steph's method paid off. I can't recall whether Brad ever really understood or agreed or changed his ways. Maybe they need to have the same conversation again in this new context? I mean, we can all understand and sympathize with Brad's pursuit of happiness - his own as well as Marc's, but does it have to come at a cost to his family? If Brad is too embarrassed to emulate Will's behavior regarding Zach, he should at least be able to look at JP and Steph, who most of the time manage to do a great job of balancing their own personal happiness with that of their partner and their family (Steph had a small set-back with the war investments, but he got it sorted - I shall forego mentioning who forced him to, LOL) Anyway, I'll stop rambling, but I would be interested to know if anyone else saw a parallel ? Edit - oops forgot it was Marc and not Mark, spelled it wrong in the review too. but no editing there.

I agree with centex and impunity - Brad and Will are so similar in their ploys to control each other. Maybe you should let Brad win once in a while. I mean 'win' as in being more clever and right and considerate and morally upright than Will. But I guess that's rather difficult to achieve. I used to like Brad a lot, and it's sad to see him being selfish so much - or rather focused on the person who makes him happy right now (Mark). Even if I understand why he does so after losing Robbie. Brad needs to see the broader picture the way Will does, because it makes everybody happy (as impunity pointed out). The examples in this chapter were obvious. Brad had made plans for himself and Mark and ignored his family except to hope their plans 'coincided'. When they didn't, he was forced to see that it freaked Mark out, and by then he had already pissed off Will and earned the disapproval of JP and Stef. I noticed no one contested Will's claim Brad was supposed to put his family first on the 24th as well as Christmas Day. Will made plans for himself and Zach which included making Brent and Zach's parents happy, and Zach appreciated this, once he realized. Everybody wins. Will thought about Rosa (perhaps JJ inspired him!), he wants Kevin and Cody and Brad to make up, mostly because they felt / feel like shit about the situation and Will wants his dad to be happy. I recall he made a real effort to get to know Mark - and Brad did the same with Zach earlier, which was cool. Brad needs to shape up or accept that Will calls him on his unacceptable behavior at times. Perhaps he should consult Mark more, since he seems to have good sense.

I agree. No Scandinavians

I'm speechless ! THEY KISSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I so wanted to hear Liam rip everyone's heads off for ruining the moment. Well, Neil is never going to forget his 18th birthday, that's for sure.

Yep, I agree. As to your wish So glad you liked the email conversation, it was something of a challenge. I better warn you that ch 4 shocked some readers.

You have great instinct, sir. Yes, Russell's self-image (body and mind) is warped by several things; his illness being one, being in his twin's shadow is another, but his father is another factor.I'm glad you saw the benefit of the scene at the beach, it struck me as particularly Danish, so I worried if US and UK readers would find it unacceptable. But perhaps honesty and good intentions can be universally appreciated.

Sorry about not replying before now, I wanted to give you a good answer to a great review, but I've been too busy. I'm glad you're intrigued by the story and that you saw Jacob's best qualities and how he can be good for Russell. I can't say all your questions about the parents have been answered yet, but some of them have.

I'm wondering if Granger could use his charms on Lady Hamilton and persuade her to take the precautions which Nelson refuses to do. Surely if she loves Nelson the argument his career and maybe even his life could be in danger might have an impact. This goes for her meddling in the Hardy situation as well as the lack of discretion. If Granger tells her he worries for Nelson's safety with an incompetent captain and is appalled to see Hardy being sent home (without revealing he knows the story behind), she might understand. But perhaps she resents the close (even though quite professional) relationship between Hardy and Nelson ?

Well, it confirms the old saying that the seat of lust is in the brain. Lady G's mind influenced by Vlad conjured up Ahmed as a better lover than he is in reality. He would never kiss that woman, never! Such intimate exchanges are reserved for Junyad. But now Vlad has gained knowledge of Lady G's secret, her infidelity and her plans to get pregnant with Ahmed. What will he use it for? Will he reveal it to Lazlo or use it for barganing? Or will Maria and Louis tell Lazlo first? And how will the Lord of the Manor react? Will he hate Ahmed and Lady G equally? I despise and feel sorry for Lazlo for being caught in Lady G's snares. He deserves better, but he should also know better and resist her influence.

Interesting how one of those bad consequences of Nelson's infatuation with Lady Hamilton came to light, showing that the fears of the Admiralty and George are in fact not simply meddlesome and out of place. Nelson should put Lady Hamilton in her place and teach her not to interfere with the running of his ship. But because he is unable to put duty above love he now has an inefficient captain and this could well make a difference in the war. But of course Nelson would be outraged if George pointed it out.

Ohhh, protective, clever and mean older sister, I like it ! I wonder if Zane forced himself on his cousin, since revealing her abortion seems to be worse for him than for her from his reaction (which wouldn't normally be the case). Bobby is a fool when he cannot see he is not helping Zane by staying his friend. If he told him they were done, it might shake him enough to wake him up. And of course Zane want to break Linda and Bobby up, he is probably jealous and dislikes the influence Linda has on Bobby. The saddest thing is Bobby will be pulled down by his 'socalled' friend. But perhaps Benny will benefit, He seems a great guy, who has a soft spot for Linda and might want a second chance at dating. Poor Dennis (why did he introduce himself as Denny to Linda), he needs good friends, and defending Jay has earned him the goodwill of the influential Lady Linda. I think he may come to bless the gym incidence, since it got him to meet Jay and his family.