Israfil

Since Don’s prejudices are so deeply ingrained, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t think Robbie and Connor dating is even a possibility, despite all evidence, because “anyone who works on a farm can’t be gay” - some other ridiculous stereotype. Would align with his “hard work and get fit” comments - because strength and manual labor is something he associates with a typical “straight” masculine men. I’d be very interested to see how he would process that many gay men view the gym as a second home haha

Tyler’s saintly-ness is beginning to irritate me but it moves the story along haha. As for Aiden’s dad, screw that guy - for once, Aiden’s reasoning is spot on. It’s great he’s getting help and now we know why he flipped when Aiden came out, but a reason doesn’t constitute an excuse. So his dad was scarred and now Aiden is too - possibly worse and remorse doesn’t fix the damage. Aiden isn’t obligated to forgive him and even if he does, it doesn’t mean he’ll ever want his father in his life. It’ll be a long time before he gets past the trauma. He might need some therapy himself, I suspect. Whatever he feels now, Robert’s actions have irreversibly damaged Aiden’s life going forward - he can never really be his father again after something like that. It’s just not possible - so no, I don’t think Aiden was too rough at all. Heh, Hartley himself stated he was somewhat..off when he admitted he could pursue the principal job normally but it was just more fun to scheme and make everyone dance. I mean...guys got a point but manipulating a bunch of teenagers? That’s some accomplishment. Truly an unparalleled mastermind! 🙄

All in all, these stories remind me why I hate small towns...especially high schools. No one realizes how meaningless they are - the students, the teachers. Whatever they think they have isn't real power - not in the long run. Next chapter's title exemplifies this - "king"? Just...ugh. It's all so delusional and transient. So nice work evoking this!

Oh my god, some of that stuff really should have made it in! At least Billy setting the church on fire - that would have been excellent catharsis for readers. And it's pretty tame, assuming no one was in it, considering how much pain religion has brought him. His mother, the preacher, Joey - a lot of the homophobia he's experienced has come from religious underpinnings. I understand your desire to show people being forgiving that doesn't preclude some vengeful acts. People can take revenge then regret it (supposedly, I wouldn't know) - often times we don't realize how empty revenge can feel until after we get it. I mean, never had that problem myself but I've been told some it can take people that way... Yes of course, Mr. Hartley's horrible - but I still laughed for a split second when he said that, then felt horrible myself. But I guess he's just such a creep that most people aren't surprised by this point - just add it to the list of reasons why we hate him.

All that is kind of true - but a lot of how Corbin acts is kind of justified to my mind. He's still in the South, and people will automatically think he's lesser because he's openly gay. He needs to assert himself and that's what he's done. It's also what makes Corbin - and this whole story - so captivating and dare I say it, refreshing. Purely anecdotal but from what I've read on this site and others, most heroes in GA stories tend to have "good guy" stamped on the foreheads from chapter one. They may be flawed but it's usually something that's easily forgivable - like a bad taste in men, too trusting or a bit clueless. Many writers in gay fiction seem hesitant to go for a protagonist that really tests the reader's ability to like them. By the end of the story, they usually take the high road and be the bigger person. I can understand the issue with wanting to keep readers, but a character can be unlikeable and still fun to read about. While I personally love Corbin as a protagonist, and wouldn't go so far as to call him an anti-hero, he comes closer than a lot of other characters on this site (and I'm clearly not alone here). Corbin is basically a good guy but that doesn't mean he's a nice guy. His flaws include being manipulative, a little cruel and somewhat petty, you can see him being the villain of someone else's story. These are all traits that writers here tend to shy away from in their characters and probably why this story has taken off like it has. When Corbin does something good, that makes it hit all the harder - it's nowhere near as impactful when we already know our hero is a kind hearted soul. Plus, those guys are boring AF.

In Billy’s case, Aiden doesn’t want to try and doesn’t want to hear anything to the contrary so that’s kind of on him. He didn’t get the opportunity with Tyler until now so I see it as less his fault. No ones really inclined to see “the other side” of someone when they’re threatening and attacking you haha.

Ehhh…. While you're the author, my interpretation on reading it was more that hindsight is 20/20. I can feel a degree of sympathy for him but still, up until now he didn't give the impression of a particularly deep thinker so this part felt a little sudden. But then, as we all know, teenagers aren't exactly known for their long term planning. Ugh...Joey….another character that I sort of see where they're coming from but still despise. Forgot how viscerally I hated him (speaks to your skill though!). What amused me about WAR and the theme you're continuing here is that everyone seems so forgiving - almost too much so.

When did Tyler get so smart >_> That’s the real shocker of this chapter. More than his being rook but that he was so insightful in that last conversation.....

Corbin had another great moment here. While it's cool he recognizes his own part in creating the current circumstances, I loved that he's sticking to his plans. While well-intentioned, his friends clearly went about their "intervention" wrong. It was heavy-handed and silly - but that's kind of par for the course with a bunch of college guys. People need the space to work through their issues and friends should just let it know they are there for them - which I suppose they were trying to do, but it was less support and more "can you just get back to normal already cause this is making us uncomfortable." It's unfortunate the moment they chose was the same one when Corbin decided to try and be "normal" as they called it - his friends kind of sabotaged their own objective XD I think what Corbin said at the end was quite reasonable. Also badass.

So yes, Aiden is annoying but then again, we all were at that age. Fifteen and sixteen year olds are a bloody headache for all involved, including themselves. I remember when people were saying similar things about Billy in the original WAR series and now we're all surprised by the amount of Billy hate in this story 🤣 Mind you, Billy was and is one of my favorite characters on this site. Though I can certainly empathize with hating other kids cause they have something you want or seem to have it easier (and believe me, I hated those kids), it is a little strange at how Aiden doesn't just hate Billy, he thinks he's some kind of evil force. It's almost like he's needs to justify his hate, the poor kid. Just admitting you hate someone out of good old honest jealousy - even if just to yourself - makes everything so much easier Despite his hardships, Aiden doesn't seem to understand his own privilege or how he has something many would kill for - a genuinely accepting parent who is completely in his corner. Something that the three seniors he's dealing with - Dustin, Brett and Billy all lack in some form or the other. I know kids aren't the most introspective but can he really not realize just how important it is to have someone like his mom support him? I facepalmed when he brushed off Brett's explanations about Billy not coming out sooner as "excuses" especially on hearing about Billy's mom's church issues. A supportive parent (or lack thereof) can make all the different - Aiden of all people should know that. Ending on a positive note, I had major respect for how stuck to his "just friends" stance in making up with Dustin, after seeing how much their involvement messed him up - that shows he has some potential maturity. Not sure I would have been as stalwart...

It’s reasons like this that I love Robbie XD Seriously, sometimes you have to be a bit manipulative to protect yourself. Yes, one could say he’s being selfish in triggering additional family strife - Nicola has already implied that - but is it really that bad when you’re just bringing someone’s worst tendencies out into the open? (Ok I know it’s not that simple but I’m being cheeky 😉) Part of what I like about your stories is your characters are believable and realistic. Too many writers of LGBTQ fiction try to make their characters moral paragons and it’s tough to relate to them.

This chapter was actually quite satisfying. Robbie got a little more reflection, dodged (for now) some fallout from hooking up with Stephanie, and had, what I think, was a somewhat healthy ex-boyfriend conversation. The kind where you can refer to being together without it getting awkward and talk like normal people. While he admitted to himself there were some things he missed about Nathan, he didn’t seem to be exactly pining after him on the bus. Progress!

I can see where he's coming from, but Freddy's holier than thou attitude is incredibly irritating, but then again, that's probably intentional. It can't have been nice for Beth but seriously, Rick was 18 years old - no one really knows who they are at that age - both in regards to dating Beth and not coming out. Teenagers aren't usually interested in making a statement and just want to fit in - especially in a small town. Freddy's accusations sound like the sort of thing one would throw at an adult who stayed in a loveless marriage for years before coming out, not at someone who was quite literally a child. Of course, Freddy isn't much older than Rick so I can't imagine he's gained enough distance from the past to think like that. He just sees how his sister got her heart broken....which honestly, while it sucks, isn't that big of an issue - high school relationships usually end with graduation - it's how it works.

Sounds like the type of story we all love to read here haha. To follow up @Ken Ransom's comment, some minor grammatical errors but the main thing is your dialogue can be a little stilted sometimes. Still, your stories themselves are quite interesting so the audience can usually overlook them.

Oh hey, you're alive! Whatever the timeframe, glad to see this story will continue sometime - it was one of the first stories I started reading on GA back when I discovered this site. I see a lot of myself in Corbin >_>

I know that feeling all too well...

Thank goodness. Nathan will always be important to Robbie and that gesture with the play was awesome, but Connor's the best choice for his mental health right now. As someone who doesn't always make the best decisions, I can sympathize with Robbie's situation. While Connor seems obviously better on paper, when you have a connection like Robbie had with Nathan, all their faults are seemingly...minimized. Plus, Robbie handling a situation well is always a pleasant surprise The locker room....I remember those guys. When I thought I could get away with it, I'd make it clear in no uncertain terms how unattractive I found them along with finding other, subtler ways to get even. Sometimes I got lucky and struck a nerve - teenage egos are so fragile Robbie doesn't seem the scheming type, unfortunately. Pretty worried about what Don has in mind though - especially combined with Jo's warning last chapter. He's been humiliated in his personal as well as public life to a degree - that makes anyone dangerous. While I'm not sure he'd try and kill Robbie as Jo suggested, I do suspect there's a certain...ambivalence regarding his nephew's personal safety. If something were to happen to him, Don certainly wouldn't be first in line at the funeral, that's for damn sure.

This is where I think Robbie was actually very lucky and the siblings (and maybe even Sue) don't receive enough credit. There are many people who, even if they don't agree with Don, would be angry to be confronted with such horrible traits, especially in a parent or close family member. They might even have resented Robbie, the victim, for having made these things known to them. No one likes to be faced with anything uncomfortable, let alone at this level, and being forced to take action. Many LGBT people face this, with bystanders saying things like "oh why did you have to go and be different" or "if you were normal this wouldn't be an issue." Even Daniel who passed the family test with flying colors brushed (likely unknowingly) with this thinking in saying "you really know how to get under his skin" to Robbie, when we know that the worst Robbie has done is be himself (the sass really just came when he was attacked). If he hadn't had the previous arguments about Nathan, Daniel might have had a harder time coming to terms with his father's issues. He's at the age where one starts to realize one's parents are more than just...parents. They're people with their own baggage, problems and flaws. Up until your teen years the biggest "problem" with parents is when they say no (in a good household at least, Alex would have something to say about that). Seeing his father like that couldn't have been easy. However, more than the kids, I was worried about Sue, who would blame Robbie's presence for being another point of contention in her already rocky marriage. She might do the right thing, but she might resent having to do it.

Well, as frightening as it must have been for Robbie, I think Don losing his composure like that in front of Sue and Daniel was a good sign. It means he’s unraveling 😆 Though of course that makes him more dangerous, at least Sue was forced to take a stand. As for Robbie, I think he handled it pretty well. The line about fingerprints made me want to hug him. Also, somebody better get the phone, cause I freaking called it regarding Don blaming Robbie for screwing up his leave-it-to-beaver style life.

While it was nice to see them all having fun, I was ready for a little more story progression. The twins clearly would have some kind of PTSD from the incident with their mother and I knew that you wouldn't shy away from it. It was only a matter of when it would be addressed. Personally, I would love to see a little more of their father and his reaction to all of this. How does he feel knowing all of this was going on under his nose and being confronted with evidence of failed parenting?

Yay for honesty! 1) I think it was mentioned Ginny had some mental health problems too so I suspect she might be suspecting some of whats going on with Robbie (hence the stare). 2) Don worries me not only because if his unenlightened views and lackluster parenting skills but because now he might have something of a grudge against Robbie personally. He might see Robbie as the catalyst that put him out of control of his own home - something very important to a man like Don. How that plays out could make him even more dangerous. And something about how he showed up and Sue’s very subdued manner screams aggressiveness on his part.

I have two articles to write on deadline but I still can't help stopping to read. My own fault for checking GA, really... Yay for mental health progress. Perhaps Jo is related to his mum somehow. If that's the case, I hope that revelation comes only after he's had a few more sessions. I'm pretty sure she'd have to stop working with Robbie if it turns out they're related. While I want Robbie to get better and have his happily ever after, the conflict in this story is what grabs me - I'm excited for the next chapter. Bets on the "adversary?" Thinking Alex or Don. Both would damage Robbie's recovery by their mere presence - Alex would trigger sexual abuse trauma and Don is anxiety incarnate.

They did have a history - Adam said as much earlier to Artie.

I knew there was a reason I liked Dizzy, he’s a Borderlands fan! Also, kudos on addressing where Artie’s coming from and how that affects him. Such a massive shift requires a transitional period, no matter how much we may like a new setting. Also, Ezra was doing so well until he did the “word of god” thing - I felt my lips curl...

Oh thank goodness. I’m glad Robbie has the sense the trust Jo. Though it might be less to do with self-awareness (which he’s improving on though) and more to do with her lucky resemblance to his mother. Whatever works haha. The police officer scene made me chuckle. Sue, your provincial small town background is showing, dear.