Defiance19

The sad irony of this is, the little boy had to go through this so you would be who you are now. If he wasn't brave enough, strong enough? Who or where might you be? If you listen, I bet you'd hear him thank you for not letting him down. I think he would be immensely proud of you. You should be proud of you. It's a great, brave thing to embrace him and your past, as he will always be part of you.. You're a good, good man Gary, I'm glad you're never giving up.... Thank you you for sharing..

This is a very interesting begin Tim. I feel drawn to Tait, and I want to know so much more about who he is.. I also wonder after so long, what made Sean snap. So, so many questions from this opening chapter, I can't wait for the answered as it all unfolds. Excited for this one Tim. Great job!

Nothing prepares you for that cold of winter after being on a warm vacation.. Bleh! I just want to hold Owen and make it better. And before you go running off at the mouth to Sean, I just feel Owen's pain.. CJ is thinking clearly for both of them, and he's right on the money. A lot can happen in 8 months and it will be interesting to see where they both are when that time comes.. So so fun catching up with all that was going down in DC. And, a lot went down, at least with the older set. WTH with Trip? CJ still got texts to respond to so hopefully the young ones have less drama going on! Sooo, Dash? Is he permanent? Great chapter Carlos!

So, poof goes my Deena and Lani theory, inspite of lack of evidence. You know I always loved David. I'm so happy that Deena told him how she sees him, confident and supportive. Because he is and we see it, but David needs to hear it more and with Deena there's no agenda. Now, him advising Deena about faking to be someone you're not? I need him to stand in the mirror and make that his mantra. Twoey and David setting Sam up to go out with Deena.. Did David forget how he felt about the set up with Kathy? If that's even what Sam wants.. I hope it doesn't blow up in his face.. Poor Chuck's head must explode with his hero worship of David. Hell, I'd want to be him too.. And he'd better buckle up if he's going to be friends with Matty.. Cause yea, his friendship is pretty much hands on. A fact that might have not gay David excited in the shower.. Not gay David misses his naked David calls, and really enjoys those kisses and late night calls from his green eyed Twoey... Those were really sweet scenes.. Finally, he takes serious notice of the white van!!! Great chapter SkinnyD!

Poor Viktor, trying to please both his brother and father leaving him miserable. I wonder if he's capable of the life that Dante, Vlad and Nobu are enmeshed in. Nobu at least found a way to at least spend time with Viktor away from Vlad. Hopefully the info from Dante will buy him some time and favor. Hopefully he uses that time and makes it worthwhile. I want them to get to know each other without the influence, and then watch as Viktor decisions for himself.. That may be a while though.. Does Nobu realise that Dante's family is watching their operations too. Stands to reason if he put part of it together he should guess that, unless he's more concerned with Nobu. Dante's uncle doesn't at once come off as heavy handed as the other two dads do. I'm wondering why that is and if it's why Dante is a little cocky in the way he operates.. Loving it Cynus.. Thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS! Well done Gary!

The doc is in! Dr. Dooley does have a nice ring to it.. I was so excited to see the four men together just hanging out. Their teasing and fooling around had me laughing and made me realize how much I missed them. Chet and Arron having a baby! That is awesome. I'm so happy for them. Plus the way they're doing it, what a generous soul in his sister. These guys are more like brothers to each other so it's no surprise about the godparent exchange. I can't wait.. Do I dare guess why Kendall's gut made him invite Sandy to the wedding? Kendall is such a great guy. Also, look how far we've come! Michael calling his babe from across the gym! I'm still grinning! This was a happy, celebratory, feel good chapter. That includes the mini- me's, Nate and Bodie.. Great chapter Gary, loved it!

Of course as luck would have it, his one little lie escalates into this Lady in the Flames fiasco! I loved every minute though. I was thinking too bad that Tom and James wouldn't get together, but at least Trevor is nice. Then bam, it's Tom! So happy that worked out! I enjoyed this very much! Thank you..

The fact that Brad circulated that picture, tells me he didn't deserve Gabriel, and that he's not a nice person. Gabriel's only mistake was reading more into the relationship than there was. I feel like if they were on the same page, he might have laughed but this would be ridiculously cute and something they talked about for years. But Avery turned out to be the secret admirer so that worked out great. Even after the mix up with his sister in the photo, which sent Brad on a dating bender. Denny was nice too. I just realised Avery caught the arrow too, so Cupid got it right after all! Great story, thank you.

I was hoping it was Ken and was so happy that it was. Thus unfolded very nicely. I can understand Colin's reservation after his experience, but I was so happy he let himself be open to this. Both these men deserve this time for them.. Loved it.

Very good story, and well told. Both guys had a hard time of it, but sometimes good things do happen when you put yourself out there and take a chance. I hope they have their HEA.. Lovely story..Thank you

Aww.. So nice. I really loved it and it kept me guessing. I loved the twist at the end, especially as I wasn't sure that John deserved the attention. Hope Maria is it for him though. That aside, I'm glad Eric can have a chance with Tony. This was a most lovely story.. Thank you.

Loved it Parker. Reading it I felt protective yet hesitant to disturb the peace he'd found. Well done..

Ok, so a not so happy ever after on V-day. But, I'm hoping that after he let this all out to Aiden, it gave Mike some perspective and he sees him self worthy of a happy ever after eventually. I believe he will find his One! This had a very real true to life feel. I really liked how you told it. Thank you..

Defence owned that game..

Was David wound a little tight? I liked how he handled the situation withJack. His non violent approach is working, and is definitely more mature. Now if Jack turns out to be gay, that would be hysterical. David would be building a harem of sorts. Hehe.. I get what he's saying, but it is kind of funny that David complains about labels and boxes, when he is the king of compartmentalization. If he figures in everything he controls, including his response to Twoey's kisses, he will have too many boxes to count. When soccer starts, I have the pleasure of picking up my nephew and godson after practice. That means three days a week my house may have 5 or 6 prepubescent boys just hanging.. Thanks to Matty, the door to the spare bedroom is coming off its hinges, and they lose access to the basement. OMG! Matty is insatiable.... Can't wait for for the next one SkinnyD!

Mother of pink just knock me over with a feather! While I still have a need to know the root of her evil, I will concede that Carly is as hateful, vengeful, deceitful and what ever other 'ful' you can think of, as they come. Carly has been competing with her brother and fighting for attention from her peers. Her self esteem must be shattered, and rather than retreating she went into battle mode. She manipulated this situation, managed to keep it a secret for so long, and still lost. No wonder she's spitting nails. Should that baby turn out not to be Jared's, it will be so disappointing to say the least. And if she's using the baby knowing that, well then I just give up.. There should be a good lawyer in Craig and Jared's future.. I am glad that Jared and Craig talked though. Now they get to move forward with the truth in hand. I'm kinda scared for Carly, when Craig unleashes. Where the hell do they go from here.. Also, did I miss mention of where their dad is? I'll have to go back.. I'm curious as to what his role is/was.. Great chapter Gary!

I have to side with everyone before me. That was kind of bullish of Gary and his father. Everything that Toph ran away from is catching up to him in one fell swoop. The problem I'm having, is how easy Toph just let it happen. He didn't protest not a bit.. If this is not the life you want, how do you accept that someone like England, talks to your old boss, unhands your job and set you up with a cushy spot. All without your say so, but by the way, after the reveal, you could say no. I have a huge problem with my life being managed for me for better or for worse, so this does not sit well. Gary then, really is a General. Steve has every right to be worried. I think he sees the situation much clearer and for what it is. I missed the last chapter, so I was just thrown for a loop reading them together. Well done SkinnyD, I am anxiously awaiting what's next!

Wonderful build up, excellent detail and introduction to Patrick. It warmed my heart to see everyone's reaction to the story. As for me, I'm looking forward to falling in love with this story and experiencing it all over again. Thank you Tim..

Very nice story you built from the prompt. I hope more now, that you make it to the next round. Fingers crossed. It also kind of reminded me of what I liked in Rumors of War.. I hope that's ok.. Nice job Cynus, you should be proud!

You know I get the running part... As for the sentiment of the poem, I agree wholeheartedly. Taking the time to enjoy and live for what you have now is so much more gratifying. We lose moments and some of the best times in our lives, by worrying about the future. It is hard to strike a balance because we're human, but if we remember to throw our all in the moment we might forget to worry at all.. As always Gary, wonderfully written. You always give me a reason to pause and think..

Wonderful story. I was so into it though, that like some of the other readers the penny didn't drop until almost at the end. When it did, I had to go back to the beginning. Lol. Thank you, I thoroughly enjoyed this. The ending does leave it open to a follow up you know..just in case you thought about it.

Figured Casey was the plant, but what the heck just happened! I was hoping Casey would give it up and get on the freighter with him. Not the usual Valentine fare, but I found this very interesting. So much so, I was wishing there were more pages to turn. Well done, Thank you..

I just needed a little reminder...

Very nice Emi.. im just learning myself, but I think you did them very well.