Defiance19

So now, we add Dante to the mix. You said another complicated factor was coming and you delivered. Everyone is scheming to establish or keep power it seems? I imagine as a powerful foreigner in a foreign country, alliances are everything. I think Nobu is smart to be wary of Dante until he knows more as no one can truly be trusted yet.. And Vlad! He is a bit of a wild card isn't he. I wonder what he's up to and who his alliances are.. Exciting chapter Cynus. Distinct characters and I'm loving the set up!

Caz, I can't believe it! Another cliffie... Like Puppi, I'm hanging on..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

You handled that really well, and by you I mean Zander. No one should be outed for any reason, but I will say I think Greg acted wanted to hit back and did so selfishly. Coach is a good kind man, and he took the news of Zander and then Andy admirably. Have to say I was worried about Nonna, but she surprised me. I saw her so clearly as this played out. Thankfully the rest of the family reinforced how much they loved Zander. There, that's a little less anxiety. The fall out amongst the athletes and his school peers still remains to be seen. Maybe it will be nothing he and Andy couldn't handle. I loved the conversation Andy had with the minister. We really see him opening up once he chooses who to trust with his past. He is working so hard at understanding why things happened the way they did and to find hope. I'm proud of Andy.. Also loved his chat with Monica. We get to know the family background a bit more too. Great chapter Parker, The only thing that got me going hmm, was Mrs. Marjorie's response to being thought of as Andy's grandmother.. Other than that, I loved it!

And we are off to a fantastic start. Jared is in a tough spot. I don't imagine that it's easy to fall for your ex wife's brother. Carly is bitter and I get that it's a painful pill to swallow. By Jared's comments at the end, I'm betting she gets worse before she gets better. Mom was pretty cool. Then there is Craig. Is he prepared for Jared's admission and all the tangles it comes with? You have a unique ability to create characters that feel like they could be our neighbors. Their actions, their situations are something we can easily understand, and of course empathize with. Naturally, I'll be rooting for Jared and Craig, as they go on this journey. A really great beginning Gary, can I start begging for the next chapter now..

I dislike intensely, this Erik business... Mom snooping is rude but not unusual and given who she is, totally expected.. But Enos! That is downright offensive. Even as I think David should proceed with caution, I hope he comes up with a plan that annihilates them both. Can we give Twoey a hormone suppressant or an anti-Erik shield.. Mike's worry is making me nervous, for no reason I'm sure. As always a great chapter SkinnyD..

I love how you used the word association to reflect on your journey. Different is good and whatever form you choose to call it, it works. The meaning and feelings is clear in the connection of the words chosen. You manage yet again to strike a chord in me Gary.. I think it's brill.. (The kids still say that?) xo

Leaving the past behind is tough.. It follows you, it seems everything triggers a memory. However, I truly believe that when you handle it like you're doing, it becomes infinitely easier to move on. You're writing about it, in essence facing your demons, acknowledging that all of this happened to you. You're getting help, and you have forgiven people who maybe didn't deserve it. All of that is huge Tim. It's you taking control, deciding to not let the past dictate your future. And it will for some things, but more like what not to do.. You keep on doing that and focus on Mike and all the good things you have going for you now, the past will eventually loosen its hold.. You my friend are surrounded with love, there's so many who believe in you. You got this.. xoxo As for daddy dearest, though I don't wish it on him, he's in for a miserable existence.. Hate does that..

An era of firsts indeed. I liked his introspection, and then consciously allowing himself to experience those firsts. Little things, but significant. I sense, and you've indicated that there's a lot of ground to cover with Toph. I want to know what happened with Toph's family, why he is reluctant to discuss them. Was there a real trauma or simply their lack of interest and connection with Toph, which is, growing up with it, is trauma enough. Will he bring Steve if he gets invited to the wedding, if he even goes.. Also, very curious about the story with Niles.. Loved the chapter SkinnyD, I'm eager for more of Toph..

There was an urgency to this chapter that I could taste. I was reading fast to find out what happened only to re read to make sure I didn't miss a thing.. Those Alectarians will have to answer to a lot of people.. I knew I didn't trust that cocky little upstart... But, more soon, please! Great job Lit..

Just a wonderful chapter Parker.. I love Mikesboy review, he said that perfectly.. I'm really happy for Andy, and I'm glad he's joining the team. Knowing who he is apart from Zander is extremely important, so the opportunity to make his own friends, be a part of a different social group is not a bad thing.. He made a friend and there was no ill consequence at this party. Yay! Loved that he slipped and called Monica mom, he's comfortable and that relationship is a meaningful one to him even subconsciously.. Looking forward to more, even as I know Carlsberg is on the horizon..

Awesome chapter.. Well worth the re read before I could comment.. It's too early for wine I think, but they made me want to.. A Tyson Hill concert was brilliant. CJ and Owen I like how that's moving along, and Dawon got shut the hell down. Of course I'm thinking and wondering how and if it will change once Owen moves to the US.. I love that Brett is coming around. His rules are not an accusation and reasonable.. You know how I feel about the dads down time, and I was loving it each time.. Thanks Carlos...

Well, I wasn't expecting that! I understand why Indie would run in the opposite direction. Jameson broke his trust and betrayed him in the worst way. I'm glad he was able to wake up with Preston, but I wonder how easy it will be for him to trust again. Hopefully Preston makes that real easy.. Speaking of trust.. Efrain and Cory are on a different level. There's something amazing about being able to trust someone that much. I echo what Graeme says here about the contrast. Intense chapter Dayne.. Your scenes were both vivid and visceral.. Good stuff..

I think Jackson will be learning a lot more than he thinks from this. Sure he will resist and act cocky, but it is an act. I don't think he really is that kid, and this punishment will show him who he could be.. And then there's Luke, so yay! Well done chapter!

Aww.. I'm kinda falling too! That was a painful flashback. :-[ Loved the date. I like that when we get to be in both these guys heads, they are both so cautious, questioning and (insecure)maybe? Yet they project none of that when they are together. It's like it all disappears and they are so in the moment.. We have only hints that some thing is not quite right, and obviously both carry baggage. So looking forward to more..

David showed such maturity in forgiving Gary, but thinks in this universe that it would be ok to even think about dating Lanni? Twoey would not be okay with that I don't think, and not just because he's gay! He is feeling confident though, and because of that feeling, I'm waiting for the ax to fall. There's so much that can go wrong. Mike's worry just added to that, and if anything goes sideways, I think it will probably be Gary, judging by how strongly he felt about Mike.. Great chapter always SkinnyD! Bring on part 3!

Love the continuation, and Daniel's brother whoa! Should Carlos be worried or intrigued... Exciting times ahead. Looking forward to it! Nice chapter Caz..

This is a thoughtful poem Gary. I'll only add to what everyone has so brilliantly said, that there is such freedom in having choices. Courage too, when we dare to stand up and speak out. When we do get it wrong, hopefully it's a life lesson that influences the next choice, the next course of action or the direction we take. We don't always choose right, but it makes life interesting sometimes. Great work as always Gary..

Oh Cynus, you are building a very intriguing plot here. How is Nobuyuki going to feel using Viktor. I'm sure this will develop into a friendship that neither expected. It's going to be interesting to see the choices Nobuyuki makes because of it. Then there's Viktor's own feelings to consider and his expectations, dealing with his own family BS.. Oh boy, onward..

So Jackson already is getting underneath the skin. This could only mean good times ahead! Love the start.. Looking forward to what's ahead!

Ok so David is back to controlling his environment. Controlling his reaction to Tommy's mother is not foolproof, but it's worth not being aggravated. This new plan however, involves Gary and Mike. Why is it so important to him, that Twoey included, they become the four musketeers. Does he think that it will prove to Twoey or himself that they are better being friends, and that it would soften the blow when and if he decides to tell Twoey find another boy to love? That they will still all be friends? He is delusional. Meanwhile he forgets that he boned up thinking about Matty. It may not be an attraction, but Kathy didn't do it for him, he felt weird. I don't care that he doesn't want to give himself a label, but the boy protests too loudly. I'm glad Dr. Keating suggested he think some more about Twoey, because clearly he needs to consult someone just maybe not Putin for the obvious... Also, in the end he initiates the flirty goodnight call. This is going to be messy. I can't wait to see how he'll deal with Gary now that he knows.. Nice chapter SkinnyD, thank you!

Such beautiful imagery Adi.. I loved it, and 'still' is how I felt reading it..

I actually don't hate Josh at all. He frustrates me, and I feel like he's trapped. I can understand that he is so used to being in this relationship that he probably can't see his way out of it even as he is staring at a better? option.. I'm with Gary though, Galen I'm having trouble with.. I want to know what's going on with Ethan besides Galen.. So glad you're back Val, this was well worth waiting for... (and I actually left a review!)

Oh Andy, I am so proud of your progress. Yes it's in small stages but it's impressive considering all he went through. Zander in his own right, is showing amazing growth and maturity as well, though we see a bit of his vulnerability. They're each learning about themselves in some form, from each other. The trust is there and it's growing.. I love that they slept together anyway, because they can't do it any other way.. I bet that bathroom run didn't fool Zander's mom either.. Lol. Also love that Andy added Eustace as his middle name. That was great. Lovely chapter Parker, Thank you..

Chapter title: excellent.. Loving Winter. It's the same characters save Owen, who is fantastic, and yet it feels different. It flows so effortlessly. The location is the icing. Now I understand why you went to church that day. The sermon here wasn't bad at all. Loved that Brett came to his own realisation about Owen.. He's really not a bad kid and I kinda like how you're painting him and CJ right now. Great chapter Carlos.. ps: I'm still perving on Papa Brett's muscular ass, half hidden by the car door. Don't tell Cesar!