ColumbusGuy

Damn it James, this is so screwed up. I hated Siggi at the beginning, now all I want is for him to find happiness...and I desperately want it to be with Dmitri. Let Gunni fix his sights on someone else since all he can give is half a relationship. Perhaps the actor? It's not just the sex angle here--Dmitri and Siggi fill the gaps in each others psyches, they know what is needed to help the other heal--and despite his own resistance, I think Siggi is beginning to feel much stronger emotions for Dmitri--perhaps even love. I tried reading the other-world story of Siggi, but I can't make the same connection with the people there--it's hard enough with your other story about Oliver, much as I like that one, I just can't wrap my head around the concept of transgenderedness. Two weeks, sigh--I'll wait, no other choice.

Absolutely awesome Val! There has to be more at some point--we need to see them settle in a house of their own, new friends at school for Johnathan, the whole nine yards! How about a multi-chapter story rather than prompts? There is so much potential for this trio to grow and explore their new family life. Don't take this wrong, but you are doing yourself an injustice limiting yourself to prompts.

As everyone says, this story ended at the right moment, but OH how I wish for more! You did it, I like the new Nathan, and I hope he will settle down with Taylor on the ranch when his evil father retires--Taylor will be the support Nathan needs to withstand all the crap his father can dish out, and keep Nathan true to his real self. Sequel please?

What an excellent story, albert--perhaps some of the events changed for the better, but of more importance was the affirmation of his recognizing his true problem, and facing it when it was most needful. I'm looking forward to reading more of your works!

Okay, I'm in for the ride while biding my time for prompt responses in your Jonathan story. Always a great read, Valkyrie!

It's wonderful to have the guys back again, Don! I've missed them, and the rings sound fantastic. With Dan sorted out, I hope Cam can have a talk with Mark--William's a big shadow to live in, and the boy needs encouragement badly. I'd love to see some other gems for the rings--ones that matched their eyes rather than the common choices of emerald, ruby or diamond--diamonds particularly seem cold and impersonal to me despite the fact they represent eternity--the only things which survive that long are dead and unchanging, not living things like people or their relationships. For that matter, I'm not fond of gold either...I'd opt for something in silver over gold any day of the week. This is a custom piece of jewellery, it deserves more than the usual gems to accent the unique design.

Moving right along Iarwain! Yirgella is wonderful, and it's fascinating watching him develop himself into a fully self-governing entity like we had in Turaku. Karmai is going to be missed, but with any luck Mirri and Jarra will be able to keep close contact with him. Maybe one of the new ComPatches? Eager for the next one, I'm crowded with ideas of what might be next!

You did it agan Gary, brought us the wonderful warmth of their friendship, now augmented by the love they can now fully express without holding back--for it was always there. Poor Michael, he's going to want to start dieting if people keep saying things to make him feel fat. He'll have to eat more of Kendall's muesli! I have to say this is the only time I've had to say I disagree with Irri--perhaps it's a gender-related thing--but the desire to fully encompass each others manhood is thee ultimate physical manifestation of lovemaking--it shows you are fully committed and that there is nothing more important to you than showing your partner just how much they mean to you. To not give your best efforts to your partner is a form of withholding part of yourself, and that will cause nothing but trouble down the road. Perhaps the physical differences are too great to allow it, but the partners know that they tried--and that level of committment is what's most important. It is important to say the words 'I love you'...but words can also be used as a mask to cover other feelings, actions in intimate situations speak far more honestly than words. Never having had sex with a woman, I can only go by rumor and that seems to indicate that they don't like oral sex on men--I don't know if that's true, but perhaps it explains a bit--men are fairly simple and easy to please, while women's excitation is more deeply seated niside their bodies? Don't studies indicate that their release is triggered by more intimately personal actions than men--it takes emotional involvement as well for it to be truly amazing? Men, hah--a few quick strokes and we're in love. That may also explain why most of Man's earliest deities were female fertility figures, as they were far more mysterious in the ways of generation than men. Long cycles of growth and fertility as opposed to the male deities quick thunderbolt or lightning flash? Anyway--totally awesome and funny chapter, satisfying on all levels--all set for the next one!

Wonderful chapter Billy, but we all know Brent is going to be trouble--I just hope there will be people to help the boys from suffering the worst of it. People from large towns and cities just aren't going to understand small town life, whatever the person's job is, talk spreads and if it hadn't been the cop, it would have been someone else. The problem isn't that there was talk, but what comes of it: it can be helpful or malicious--others might be more observant, or more willing to lend help if it gets serious...you just can't tell. With the way small towns usually are set up, race isn't an issue, but sexuality is the one area which might cause problems even today. Let's see Brent eat some teeth in the game ahead when Sammy smacks a homer right down his throat!

Holy Cow, James, when you come back from a hiatus, you come back roaring and with a cymbal-crashing bang! That Siggi has progressed to the point he has in four years, despite physical illnesses, abuse and the mental hammering of his father leaves me speechless. I don't know where he will end up, but I'm hoping it will be with someone who can provide him with even a bit of what Arnar does; I wish that would be Dmitri rather than Gunni, but that's my own opinion speaking--I just don't think Gunni can be up to the task of loving Siggi. More pleae, James!

Read this at one of your other sites a while back, and I'm happy to see you appearing here with us. This was such a sad chapter, after all Russ' mom went through with her husband's activities outside their marriage and with their children...I hope her slide into Alzheimer's won't be prolonged...I wouldn't want to continue living as a vegetable.

Had to look up 'haptic' to confirm my suspicion, and it proved to be right--what a surprise that Vampires can be Idiots too, despite their longevity. You might be able to 'fake it' with a normal empath, but not with one whose touch-activated. I assume we'll find out, but does Ishca's brother really exist, or is he a separate part of his consciousness he just thinks of as being a brother? It would be so nice for him to have this presence to fall back on. At some points, it's like he believes he's talking only to himself, others as if he really is communicating with his brother. He's going to be a good addition to Aki's Rectory, I just hope Aki isn't going to freak out at another charge to worry about.

What a fantastic Valentine's present--the guys have begun the most important part of a relationship--creating the lines of communication. As long as the talk is honest and open, then they'll make it. Even in their talk, the banter of friends was there also, teasing about who is better looking. More please, G-Man...bring on the doctor and more recuperative recharging of the libido.

Over-protective mom--they typical gay stereotype, and the distant father figure. I don't know if therr'es anything to it, but that was my family. I'd like to think the car helps--but the amount of time spent is limited due to their jobs. Jay is good for Mikey, but he is only seen as a friend--if that changes, I think the attitude might change too.I think I chose Jay's POV as being less anxious to read, but also for me to write; Mikey's had his angst moments, and seeing his reactions to Jay/parents interaction tells us his concern and confusion too. The atmosphere was tense not just because of the subtext of boyfriends, but because this was a more formal occasion--and they needed to be there for each other. Pleasing the reader and progressing the story, can't get much better than that.

Holy Cow, Val--I'm not gonna look at a romantic dinner the same way ever again. Or Valentine's Day...or daffodils...or steak. The only good point is that my feelings remain unchanged toward broccoli. Hate it, thanks for making it even creepier. Like molly, I do and I don't want to know more...and that's a very clever thing to do to your readers. Awesome.

Now here's my point proved that reviews mean a lot to a writer--it's one thing to say 'nice chapter', but I have the good fortune to have people who tell me what they liked, and why--and it's something different for each reader. The 'whys' mean a lot to me because it shows me a bit about how you view the characters and the story, s0 I guess I'm doing good to solicit such helpful insights.I put in what feels right at the time, some of it is intended to be useful to the plot, other things to be scenery or internalized observations...and what gets commented on is often not what I thought would be...but it tells me you all care about the players, which is the most humbling thought for me...that I can help a reader to have a smile which might not have come otherwise. When I have my Mikey doubts, you guys are my Jays to prop up my spirits.

I'm glad you liked it, even if it was Jay's POV. I guess it was a 'cop out' on my part because I would have had to really look at my parents and their effect on me then, and I felt it had been covered in the previous chapters. For over a week the only thing I knew about this chapter was Jay's reaction to my mom's Mustang--and that led to the 'rich' aspect, and it sort of snowballed from that.More time with Mikey--and his parents have no clue, was that skill or what? I'm most glad to hear that you think I kept it 'real', which is my goal here. Next up is the call to uncle Mikkel and school on Monday.

That's the whole point for Miles--he always said they weren't mean or anything, just not there. When he was little, they spent time with him, but as the kids got older, the sisters did most of it while both parents worked. With just him home now, he can't se why they both still work just the same amount, if not more. He watched his dad talk more with Jay being there than he had in ages, and his mom cooking? These certainly aren't the people he was used to...thank god for Rosalie and Dirck.

POV: Jay When we got closer to Mikey’s house, I could see two cars parked in their oval driveway, one in front of the garage which held Mikey's turquoise and white Pontiac, the other off to the far side of the drive about twenty feet away from the house. I pulled into the drive and parked in front of the unused second garage, next to a medium-blue Mustang. It looked about ten years old but was in great condition, and I was green with envy. “Damn, Mikey—who drives the killer Mustang?”

God, Gary could this have been any more touching? Happy tears along with the excitement of their informal vows...I do see a potential trouble spot they might need to deal with occasionally, Kendall's incredibly bad timing to think things through, and his poor choice of words to express himself...a little mental button to pause his mouth while he thinks what comes out might be a nice upgrade--I think when he finally has Michael's committment down deep in his own soul, that button will not be needed anymore. Poor Colleen, having to wait for the good news, but I can see their point, it's a big announcement and a time of celebration. No matter what they tell her on the phone, I'll wager she already knows the real story--mom's seem to work that way. Next chapter please, not that I'm pressuring you.

What a wonderfully touching story, Val. Now I know what I likely missed commuting to college rather than living on campus--but the Orientation days told me I wouldn't like the 130-year-old rooms or communal baths. The food was good though, I have to give it that. Keep up the great promptings.

Thanks, Gary, you know the doubts I had writing the beginning, and your words to keep it in gave me the need to tell it right. I had thought to write a happy chapter with Jerry coming home a good thing--but that niggling little brick-layer voice said 'Jay won't have time for me now'...Mikey didn't doubt Jay's love, but he did begin to doubt whether he was worthy of it, just as his old self would have. Thank God Dirck saw the real problem, and had just the right thing to fix it--we now know where Jay gets his insights from. And, it brought home to Mikey like nothing else could when he saw him crying in the kitchen--that Jay can only be 'Super Jay' with Mikey to inspire him. Dirck is who he is thanks to bad circumstances--a close family, but losing two brothers--and the last one gradually at home taught him the value of love and compassion like nothing else could have. A man like that deserves to be a father. Now the hard part--Mikey's parents--not gonna be easy to write without letting my memories color past events.

I hate showing up late for reviews--other people have said what I was going to, even he 'kendall-sexual' line. Not one single bit of this chapter was anything but true and openly honest...as it should be between lovers, or indeed friends. The sex scenes were achingly tender, and I was smiling my head off during them. I can see AC's point, but I don't agree with it; yes, Kendall seemed insensitive, but it allowed Michael to safely discuss every lingering issue that lay between them, rather than keep it hidden inside. In their long relationship, there had only been one secret--their love for each other--and so there could be no more secrets between them for this to work on both sides. Michael would have 'fessed up' eventually about the jealousy, but at what internal agony? Kendall knows Michael needs to be up-front to be focussed, and gave Michael the chance to do that. As an added bonus, it brought home for him just how true Michael was being in revealing his love for Kendall...there were now no nagging doubts or reluctant hesitations between them. When Kendall called him Sunshine, I cried. That is such an apt name for Michael, as it is his true inner self. I hope Michael comes up with something personal too, besides Babe--that is sorta generic although I'm sure the emotions in it are extremely felt. Maybe I've been reading too much gay fiction? Relating the 'moonlight sonata' scene was the clincher for Kendall--to realize that Michael had loved him for that long was a true revelation, and the culmination of his dreams. Tears and laughter in one chapter...I am so glad there is more to come!

Great chapter Billy, I'm glad at least that it seems Tony's father wasn't part of the beating...I hope that's true. As for Evan, he needs to go to prison for what he did. Sammy has a tough choice, but I wonder why he didn't tell Tony his own sexuality--his father knew, you'd think he'd offer that as support for his friend. More please!

This was tough for the boys, but I think they are stronger than ever now, and Mikey has someone he can go to when things get murky in addition to Jay. Belonging is something new to Mikey, but Jay is just the person to convince him that he's wanted and valuable in his own right.AC is busting my chops about F(f)ar and M(m)or...do they work like English: capitalize if they are used instead of names, and not if they just refer to mom and dad in general speech? How is it handled in books?