raven1

Not yet a full year since I first read this story, but felt the desire to read it again. I loved it the first time, but in just the first chapter I realized I had missed some interesting details. Looking forward to reading again and finding new things I might have missed.

Right on time!

Whorevitamin may need to take more than One A Day vitamins if he ends up with and exceptionally horny green as I hope he will. I also agree that it is a put down to ladies of the trade to be compared to him. The ladies are much more honorable and courageous than him.

I agree with drsawzall that Hortaimin will provide a lot of entertainment. He doesn't have the brains, experience or skills to be another "He Who Will Not Be Named" even at the Jr level. His rhetoric sound very much like that of a deep in the closet gay hiding from his father. I also agree that father should be present...at the hatching when Hortaimin impresses his.... exceptionally horny green. Thanks for the foresight drpaladin. I am always impressed how Kadin and Jevikel are not just fitting into the weyr community, but contributing to the well being of others, especially the candidates. Jevikel is also continuing to learn about the dragons and their skills. At the same time, he is getting educated by their riders to the human side of dragon riding. Again, I agree with drsawzall that dragon dung is probably in the immediate future of the combatants. D'gar does some things different as a Weyrlingmaster, but that is one tradition I think he will uphold.

Correction: Chris is meticulous and will have it down to the millisecond.

This is @kbois speak. Interpreted into normal English it is: I refuse to comment regarding the next chapter, because I enjoy making my readers agonize in the corner.

Lonely on the Top is a powerful demonstration of the talent and skills of @Sasha Distan. It is very unique tale that few writers would attempt to tell. Nate, the main character, is a broken gay cowboy who had raped his best friend and boyfriend Clem, but refused to acknowledge his violent act. He is the product of a very abusive and hateful father. Nate is not a heroic main character. Into Nate's life comes Taylor. Nate would describe Taylor as "one of those sissy, girly Austin faggots" that disgust Nate. The other thing that makes this such a unique story is that it doesn't have a happy ever after ending. Instead it is a hopefully ever after story. How does this all work? It works perfect like a beautiful hand crafted Swiss timepiece. This is a sequel of sorts to Ladies' Man which will give you a better picture of Nate if you chose to read it first.

I find it interesting that Nate is fluctuating between thinking of Taylor as a friend vs lover. I hope that he will finally settle on both. Small steps are so important. This almost feels like a giant step. Keep chipping away Nate! I don't know if this is the best line in the chapter, but it had me Back to reading. Not a happy ever after ending, but a hopeful ever after. A unique way to end the story, but I did like it. Thanks for another great story, @Sasha Distan!

The first picture is very impressive, but the second is absolutely drool worthy! I am sure it will be easily photoshopped to get rid of the yellow swimsuit!

And you have such a great eye for the candy posted here dugh. I hope I will have the same after my other eye is operated on. Which gives me a segue to announce that said operation is now scheduled. Next Tuesday is the day. It got delayed because Aetna took 9 days for pre-approval this time. It only took 4 days for the same pre-approval for the right eye. 😄

A great chapter for me, because Nate is really being a true man by courageously taking the responsibility for his actions, and wanting to protect the feelings of others by causing them no pain. He doesn't want to hurt others in the group, and has decided to get help from a therapist. He is finally taking real control of his life back from his asshat father. His actions are now shouting out the truth of his words. The part that sold me on Nate was the trust and love between Cayman and Nate. I disagree with the statement that animals are not judgemental. I think they have excellent judgement. They can see the person inside the BS layers of programing. Cayman sees the wonderful man Nate can be under the layers of self hate created by Nate to protect himself from his unloving and bigoted father. Nate is now worthy of redemption and knows what he needs to do to achieve it. He will make a great mate for Taylor when Nate resolves the problems he has already created. I think and hope that will be very soon.

It made me feel good that Nate was able to address some of my concerns for his being worthy of redemption. It took three different pummelings from Jimmy, the sexy boy at the club and finally Taylor, before Nate could be honest with himself. He finally owned up to raping Clem and cried in regret for what he had done. Regret is a very foreign emotion for Nate and his confession to Taylor is a near miracle. That he is now rejecting his father and the hateful ideas his father has taught him is hopeful. Redemption will come when his actions speak louder than the words in his mind. It sounds like Taylor is going to be there for him. Nate has finally realised the peak he was on looking down on others is too lonely for him. I meant to comment on Nick being jealous, and then finding Ashlee sexually attractive in the prior chapter. I don't believe that Nate's jealousy was sexual in nature, but that he was jealous of Clem who had someone strong to take care of him. Nate never had that kind of relationship with his father, or anyone else. His sexual attraction to Ashlee is a result of recognising how strong a person Ashlee is in spite of Ashlee's outward appearance. Another excellent chapter.

@dughlas has describe Nate so well, and it also applies to Nate's dad. Taylor has the strength to stand up to Nate, which is something Clem didn't have until after he met Ashlee. In Clem's defense, he never had a violent nature or aggressive attitude. I don't think this is a fault, but just a difference in upbringing. This is the kind of feeling I get for the emotionless and hateful father. He is an ass. His programming of Nate is the basic reason that Nate could not express his feelings openly for the funeral of his oldest friend. It was also the reason that the only real feelings he can express openly are anger and rage. He is definitely in need of help. At this point I question that he is worthy of help. To be worthy of help, Nate needs to examine honestly and closely what he truly wants, and who he is as a human. As in many cases of abuse, his father has made him fearful of the answers to the questions. He is afraid that everything his father has said to him is true about Nate. He is also afraid that his father has been lying to him and is afraid of how that might change him. He is still a very long way from redemption.

Now that I've read Clem and Ashlee's story, which was great, I'm back to see what Nate is up to. Obviously he has changed a bit. Taylor is one of those "Austin fags" who "dress in girly clothes" that Nate used to hate. He not only doesn't seem to hate Taylor, he even left his phone number. That some improvement. I am already hooked and looking forward to seeing Nate transformed from an odious bigot to something more acceptable and redeemable.

Mr. Meow is one brave cat! I hope you rewarded him for saving you from that "giant ass scorpion".

Ladies Man is a unique romance, because it explores two unusual relationships. One leads to non-consensual sex (beware), the other leads to happiness and fulfillment. The other reason this is a unique tale is the in depth examination from many POvs of gender expression and biases against those perceived as different. Getting to the HEA is a wonderful story of love, betrayal, hate and happiness. The dialogue is great with enough humor to soften any angst created. I recommend this short but sweet novel very highly.

I love this story and the HEA ending was perfect for them. I still have a lot of questions and interest in other characters including Nate. I have a tab at the top of my computer with Lonely At The Top read to read. I actually read chapter 1 first, then detoured to read Ladies Man. Thanks for the wonderful and unique story and characters you created. ❤️

I'm with you on that @Danilo Syrtis! Of course it could be that in The Man From Atlantis his default costume was a skin tight, show all, yellow swimsuit. More skin per minute than any other show at the time. 😊

Oh @weinerdog, You are one of my favorite non-straight, straight men. Since I haven't finished the comments, I will just wait to see what the other comedians come up for the punchlines to this.

Me either! It was not just plaid, but double plaid inside and out. 😄

Nice try Drew! 🤔 The Thai language doesn't lend itself to music. The singers have to sing the words, so the words are missing the correct high, low, mid, rising and falling tones to make the words understandable when spoken.

Good night Drew Get your beauty sleep in and rest well.

Has anyone noticed these short chapters give @Cia way too many chances to create cliffhangers?

Exactly my initial reaction after reading this!

Good Night All!