Israfil

I’m not exactly a nice guy 😆

I’m sure his parents have *just* enough financial control that he can’t tell them to screw off. He’s a better man than I - in his place I’d have laughed and really rubbed it in. Forced the father to admit his precious Brock was a dumbass. Like actually make him say the words. If you can’t say no to someone, you can at least make it really painful for them to ask - that’s my motto XD

Awesome ending. That swim meet had me on the edge of my seat though. Great job!

Honestly the more I think about this the angrier I get on Robbie’s behalf. In his place I’d be low-key contemplating murder - or at least a well time tumble down the stairs. He has to get ahead of Don somehow. He used to be a little less scrupulous - where’s Dark Robbie when we need him? I seriously hope this doesn’t end with him being a baby daddy cause that would be so unfair (of course life isn’t fair as we all know). While I don’t think he’s the sort to be praying for a miscarriage, I suspect there’s a part of him pragmatic enough to recognize the benefit if that were to happen. Our Robbie has a bit of a steel core - I think it’s a self preservation instinct especially in trauma survivors (total arm chair psychology though).

I mean, does he? We’ve discussed how one of his major goals is to screw Robbie over and bleed him financially in retaliation for messing up his “perfect family.” I was under the impression he knows perfectly well the trouble this will cause and how much it will derail Robbie’s life. Teen pregnancies are objectively never a *helpful* thing in the modern world.

I feel bad for Stephanie but damn, she takes forever to get to the point, doesn’t she? Before the crying, I mean, because she’s certainly going through a lot, but even in other circumstances, I feel like she’s the sort to bury the lede. I can see her being told to get on with it a lot XD Seriously though, big news like keeping the baby and not doing adoption is the sort of thing you say right away rather than at the very end. And her need for face to face and the cloak and dagger ironically ended up getting her secret out. Nathan’s development is surprising and welcome. I wasn’t sure he had it in him - not cause he’s a bad person by any means but because he just has a massive ego. Jo said what we were all thinking. Don’s actions are far from surprising but I am surprised Stephanie didn’t pick up from Robbie’s obvious reaction though that whatever Don said isn’t true. She didn’t strike me as stupid - just impulsive. Oh wow. I’m really ragging on the poor girl, aren’t I? XD

Ouch… I know that feeling of missing out on opportunities because you thought you had time. “How could someone do that - oh, wait…” and you remember all your own screw ups.

Her attitude in this chapter is akin to a little kid jumping up and down in the background being like “hey! Hey! I’m a part of this too - include me! I have something to contribute!” It’s a good thing Robbie snapped at her, honestly. While it’s annoying, it’s expected - she may be mature in someways but she is still a child. So’s Robbie. So’s Stephanie.

I also a suspect he wants Robbie to get stuck in a marriage, followed by divorce and child support, in order to bleed him financially. While it won’t benefit Don personally, it is the sort of spiteful act I wouldn’t put past him. Robbie has a nest egg that, if properly handled, could support him nicely going forward and help him become independent that much quicker. I’m sure Don dislikes this lack of control immensely and probably has some belief Robbie doesn’t “deserve” such good fortune. He’d probably even see it as fair since as far as he’s concerned, Robbie screwed up his life and family by not being “normal” so why shouldn’t his future be messed up in turn? Why, yes, I am very good at thinking like a total bastard and yes, it is because in some ways I very much am.

Sue had me relieved but of course Don’s going to mess this up somehow. His reaction’s been what everyone was pretty much expecting. And like everyone else, he makes me feel slightly ill every time he espouses his warped views. As a side note with this news, he gets to avoid confronting his biases regarding gay people like Connor existing - which I’m sure was an uncomfortable feeling for for him After all, it was all an elaborate ruse so Robbie could meet girls! Way more likely than a masculine farm boy being gay XD Lastly, while I can see where Sue’s coming from, I’m not sure I agree with her analysis of Robbie. Yes, I think he responds to people’s interest in him due to his trauma but I don’t think it’s as much a factor as she thinks. I think lots of 16 year olds would do the same thing given the opportunity lol

Epic ending line! Some of Rick’s attitude is showing through. So, is Helene deluded enough to think she and Gus were a couple or is she referring to starting over with their musical partnership (which Gus also says was never really a thing)? And while Zoltan apparently is fine with Gus being gay, I wouldn’t be surprised if the he and his wife’s conservative Eastern European background has them hoping that Gus can be “normal” with a co-star. Which they can then bill as some kind of musical wonder couple. Also, as excited as I am, I’m also worried that Rick floating on that “first love” feeling might not be as quick on the uptake as he needs to be. Sounds like he had to be on the top of his game for what’s to come.

Okay so....Stephanie’s an idiot - so’s Robbie but we knew that already and loved him anyways haha. But seriously, why the hell would a 17 year old want to have a child? Run away, Robbie! The kid will grow up in a financially stable home with what sounds like loving family. Hopefully his daddy issues won’t force him to try and...be a daddy. On a side note, I’m so relieved it’s out in the open. I was terrified you were going to delay it yet again when Nathan came down XD. Good job building up the tension with even Stephanie seeming to put off saying it, asking about Connor, etc. Though Robbie was way nicer in the beginning than I would have been - after all this time, I would have snarled to cut the small talk and tell me WTF is going on. Yeah...I’m not a nice guy lol PS. I was waiting for Robbie to drop the joke with Mr. Lube on his third “really” and be like, no, of course not, dumbass.

That cafeteria scene actually gave me some anxiety and even triggered a couple memories. Good job!

That ending line was gold. So happy that Rick is getting some positive reinforcement finally and the piano scene was beautifully intimate.

With luck Nicola will shepherd her to an abortion - Stephanie doesn't strike me as the type to want to be a young mother in college XD. For all we know, she's already made the decision to terminate the pregnancy and just really thinks Robbie should know, though he'd probably rather not. For god's sake, child, tell him on the phone or something. This calling then setting up a time to meet and talk is just asking for trouble.

Regarding his career choice, good for Robbie! There’s something special to realizing what you want to do - or at least having a strong inclination for it.

It was the security guard who was watching them in the waiting room, I think. I was suspicious of that last chapter. Didn’t think the other shoe would drop so soon - I’d forgotten about it over the course of the chapter cause it was so adorable

I confess - I did a little cheer at the end.

Ahh the stratospheric highs and abyssal lows of first love. So glad that nonsense is behind me XD

That last line cracked me up XD

That’s a bit unfair - first time inebriation is pretty intense. You don’t know which way is up in the best scenarios but factor in traumatic memories and that’s a recipe for disaster.

Looking at the picture, for some reason, I thought Dylan had longer hair. Ah, poor Liam really means it but honestly, I'm not sure there's coming back from that. I loved that line of Dylan's though - "the idea my words had hurt him so much was too good to be true." Shame there won't be anymore chapters from Liam's perspective - he's such a delightfully messed up character. I hope you reconsider

Got a notification about the comment and skimmed the chapter again - still love seeing Joey break down in tears like that XD

Dylan is my new spirit animal. I love that smile at the end. Though I'm glad he was honest with Sebastian, I'm surprised he cared that Seb was bothered by his words being thrown back at him. That's something I'd relish - "oh, does that slur make you uncomfortable now? Didn't bother you when you hurled it at me, did it?" That scene at the end was badass though.

Thank god. Forgiveness is overrated.