FanLit

It seems acts of service is Runyan’s love language, as well as his diversion from worry (when he’s hurting, help someone else out).

⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ This is what I was trying to say when I said Runyan is impressive, LOL!!

“He soon discovered morning loving was especially good loving.” The BEST part of waking up, not Folgers in your cup, LOL!! Regis and Darnell’s path could easily have been August and Fletcher’s had August not been wily enough to hoodwink Albert….the fugitive duo put me in the mind of how motive makes all the difference for a crime, it may not excuse it, but if the penalty for stealing a loaf of bread is getting your hand chopped off, should the father stealing to feed his family get the same punishment as the thief who steals for stealing’s sake? Fletcher’s quickness to forgive and forget sped up August’s own path to understanding….it’s just a lucky thing Fletcher was only grazed with the shot; seems like one who has a gun and has no clue how to use it is more dangerous than a trained marksman, lol. Should things not work out with Regis’ grandfather, at least they also have the option of Barnswallow, (as long as they can get there safely). As generous as A&F have been with providing a safe haven, I worry about how many people know of where they are going; they could do no less for ones the same as they are, (it has to be reassuring on some level to all five young men to know they are not as singular as they thought they were). Speaking of safe haven…. Runyan was damned impressive, tracking August and Fletcher (the compass!!-an obvious prized possession and how very well he uses it) allowed him to rescue them from that shitshow robbery attempt by Regis and Darnell, his command of the situation, as well as his plan for confusing R&D’s path so the demon uncle can’t easily find them leaves no doubt that Willy James will be in good hands (if he’s been able to manage on his own so far)….even with the rampant worry Runyan has for his man, he’s still willing to guide the fugitives to a more secure escape; I will also breathe a sigh of relief when Willy James and Runyan are safely reunited. Was Willy James able to safely escape? Will Regis’ grandfather accept his grandson and his lover? How much longer before destination: Barnswallow? Find out in next week’s installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 🍻

“Now, every step felt like retracing his way back to where he belonged” "Definitely," Mark grinned, his heart bursting with a happiness he hadn't felt in a lifetime.” Just a couple of lines that touched me in this HEA. Both family’s and the town’s ready acceptance made me smile deeply; this is still not the reality for many in their families and communities…. I love the beautiful bow you wrapped this up in.

I’m glad Mark and Sandro made up. Jared’s been a protective friend to Sandro, makes me wonder if it’s only platonic respect and affection there. There is still work to be done- Mark’s confession about his feelings for Sandro and the acceptance of himself as gay….Sandro was braver but probably has his own fears and insecurities but “a burden shared is a burden halved”.

I can’t remember the last time I read about a stampede as plot point….the lead up from mistaken travelers to “OH SHIT!!” was very gripping, as was Morgan/Miles’ foray through it (it’s what you do when you’re going through hell, right?); The revelation of the boys’ relationship, as well as the true story of Morgan/Miles is out now, I truly hope the Riggs are a soft place for M/M to land, as well as a source of help.

Couldn’t make it easy, could ya? I'm laughing and shaking my head….stupid girl.

“Cheese, fresh soft bread, and salted ham pieces” is simple fare but when well made, tastes like a gourmet meal. “Lord this bread is good,” lol Lion and Tiger? Oh my, where’s Bear? ☺️ “The kiss wasn’t short, but it weren’t long either. “I’m pretty sure kissing you just made the moon brighter.” You mean the moon you roped, Augie? “Go on with you,” indeed, lol. How old is too old for a mare to “catch”? “Fourteen ain’t too old in my experience.” “When Fletcher turned around, his cock reared hard as an axe handle.”- Your imagery in this story has been particularly vivid, Gary, LOL!! August’s solitude (isolation dictated by his father- “worked alone, rode alone, went to town alone, and even ate alone most times” ) is another vivid image, yet one of stark loneliness….he's now embarking on a journey that makes that feeling a thing of the past. “No, sir. We gonna fuck?” I must say, this line had me guffaw-quite the record scratch to the romantic, dreamy lines the guys had been giving each other all afternoon….a funny reminder that hormones are a strong component of romance sometimes, lol. “My cock is leaking like a trough with a bullet hole in it,”- you are on fire!! LMAO!! Their discovering the ways of physical love with each other will seep into the marrow of their bones, they will be memories even time could not steal….this realization of who they truly are and who they are truly meant to be with-this claiming- will ruin them for anyone else. I’ve always been curious about “bathing” in the rain but never had much of an opportunity growing up in the city….my mother said she did when she was younger, I would think it quite the cold experience, lol. Your last paragraph….sigh indeed. Thanks for this chapter, Gary; the guys can remember this night when the work is tough and their bodies are tired, knowing like Ms. Maureen said, that even the smallest moments are to be celebrated and cherished; this is the first of hopefully many nights together for them.

Finally. Mark. Self hate is the worst hate, and is usually the underlying source of behavior exhibited to others, alongside fear. Mark comes from a good, loving family & inherently isn’t a bad person himself, I think even with his family’s support, he could do with some therapy to truly sort out his internal homophobia. Mark’s made a mess of the most important relationship outside his family, but it’s still salvageable….even young Max said so. 🙂 Being gay is not the only thing these two young men have in common-there is a reciprocity of romantic feelings that would surprise Mark because his plight’s made him oblivious; Sandro’s been suffering, too, even though he was braver, will he let his hurt go enough to hear Mark out? Whether Mark and Sandro make up, Mark had a huge, necessary revelation and that is huge…..one way or the other. he should be okay.

What's funny is that I was thinking along "familiar" lines when I made these comments....the only difference being that Albert's wealth is plentiful and not exaggerated, both sources were more than likely ill gotten, however. It's been my observation that if you have to prove you're a genius, you're only proving that you're not, lol; real intellect, like strength, is evident, without the fanfare. Karma is real, not always evident and sometimes long in coming, but real nonetheless; it's why we won't have to ding dong when the witch is dead, just appreciate the house or the water.

Exactly!! Horny kids, lol!!

I always mix up "psycho" vs. "socio", one time I think I read something that had me believe "socio" actually lacked socialization or empathy & was the incurable one, whereas "psycho", while still bad, was treatable, now I'm as confused as I used to be, lol.

Holy Homicide, Batman. The burgeoning attraction between "Morgan" and Troy is apparent and interesting to watch develop; in a way, Troy's sharing reminded "Morgan" that there are others who have had life just as rough....that they both endured so much so young is something that will bond them beyond their physical attraction to each other. The jury is still out for me though on whether or not Troy killed Tyson: “He threw me off of him and charged at me. The next thing I knew, Tyson wasn’t there. I was standing at the edge of the cliff looking at his body. He’d been impaled on one of the steer’s horns. I didn’t scream. I didn’t yell down to him. I didn’t freak out. I just stood there. I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.”-while it stands to reason that Troy pushed Tyson (which he would have so richly deserved, talk about mirror twin, it was Cain and Abel in one amniotic sac....the fact Tyson made his appearance known by grabbing his brother's leg on the way out should've been a clue, in retrospect), anything could've happened to impale Tyson on a steer horn (nice death choice for that sociopathic piece of shit, btw). These two young men are falling for each other and share more than they know, (age, troubled family dynamics). I'm of two minds of what we may find out on this journey: 1/ Troy killed Tyson & "Morgan" killed his uncle; 2/ Troy killed Tyson & "Morgan" didn't kill his uncle; 3/ Troy didn't kill Tyson and "Morgan" didn't kill his uncle; 4/ Troy didn't kill Tyson and Morgan did kill his uncle....okay, so I'm of more than two minds, lol. This chapter more than made up for the brevity of the previous one, lol....looking forward to the next installment. Any of these scenarios still bond these young men because at one time or another, both believe they've killed-both scenarios in self defense “Keep going, asshole. Make sure you get a hit in for old Grammy. It was fun messing with her medication. You should’ve seen the look on her face as she gasped for air, clutching her chest.”, yeah, "Troy" was the asshole....Tyson was not going to stop until he was put down, however it happened, I'm glad it did. This chapter more than made up for the brevity of the last one....looking forward to the next chapter.

“He who has the most toys wins”, yet he can’t take any of this with him; he probably doesn’t even care to, he just wants it in his lifetime…he says he’s leaving it all to Rob but he clearly has no intention of loosening the reins anytime soon.

That’s a couple of feet. 🫤

You’ve effectively depicted the inner turmoil and self loathing that Mark feels about his sexuality; at first it seems his slur was not a first time comment, but Sandra’s reaction shows otherwise. What a refreshing turn that being gay in their social circle is accepted, it makes Mark’s self hatred all the more puzzling-is it a family belief? How is he perceived in school now? Do his parents know about Sandro? Do the Totti’s know about Mark? If Mark wants his friend back, he’s going to have to apologize and show he accepts Sandro, but that would require him going through a painful, soul searching acceptance of himself, as well as his attraction to his former best friend.

There is a bittersweet anticipation about the start of a new journey, even if where you’re leaving is a place you long to leave...while August is going to where his mother grew up, he’s also leaving the place he grew up with her, I imagine that counts for something, even though Cooley Country has been a cold, desolate existence since Ms. Maureen’s death. "You take advantage of anything what comes your way, and never, ever, let concern for others stop you, especially not that Crawley boy. You stand still, boy, and it’s only a matter of time before you get swallowed up.” What horrid advice to receive from a parent about how to move through life; it explains everything about Albert Cooley, as well as the magic that Maureen Cooley possessed if she softened him in any way, shape or form. I get the impression Albert is going through some hesitation (not the right word I want to use but can’t think of a better one-reminiscence? contemplation?) about Virginia’s arrival, as though it’s hitting him another woman besides Maureen will be in his house and in his bed (which is different than visiting a woman somewhere else) and he’s missing his first wife, “Your writing looks a lot like Maureen’s,” ….”saying it so quiet August almost missed it. “ or maybe it’s me trying to humanize a clearly, dark and broken spirit; no doubt Maureen would be devastated to see how Albert is with her boys....I wonder what Rob's relationship was like with his mother? Was she blind to his ways, or did she soften him up, like she did his father? "but I reckon Roland felt like he’d taken five good kicks from a rank bull. "- not just a bull, which is dangerous enough, but a rank bull, so you’re getting the stank as well as the kick, LOL!! What a vivid phrase that highlights the glee Albert took from dissension in the Crawley ranks. Are the mines a real prospect , or is this part of the townsmen’s plan to keep him distracted? Happy 20th birthday to you, August, no better present than freedom from oppression. 🎂 🎁 a Happy Birthday, eight days in advance to you, too, Fletcher, hopefully by then you and your husband can be someplace where you can "celebrate" some. “Fletcher stood there with a lantern, though the August moon shone full and bright enough he could clearly see the man’s smile. “ An August born in August….I love that, I was wondering if the month he was born was a reason for his name; the shared initials with his father likely pleased Ms. Maureen more than her husband; it’s sad but no surprise Albert didn’t remember. The difference between the Cooley sendoff and the Crawley sendoff was night and day, that August is leaving a family he only acquired is tempered by the fact he’ll hear from or see them again soon enough,. What state will Albert Cooley will be in come the springtime he expects to hear from his son? Would Albert have treated August (or Rob) differently if they were girls? Where the heck is Rob? Find out in the next installment of "Roping the Moon" 📿🌕 🍻

You know, I saw "Geron Kees >" at the top of a page when I visited the site a few days ago and I instantly thought about Carlos Hazday & Comicality and I just didn't want to see that this post would be the same as those posts; today I saw that header at the top of the page, followed the arrow and saw another pearl on the string of remembrance. 😢 Goodbye and thank you, Mr. Kees. I don't know why this notice made me cry but I think it has something to do with your quote....the circle of life between reader and writer; I am glad to have shared this orbit with you in the galaxy we call gayauthors.org....may you rest in peace. My condolences to his loved ones, here and everywhere.

Uh oh, that’s what happens from a double post….I was much happier with the “ok” from the first one, lol.

Uhh….simmer down, I can marvel at whatever I want before I read a chapter….go focus on commenting first on a new page, or something.

Food porn = Yum 😋

And Frick & Frack are back in the building, lol!! Wouldn’t feel like a story of either yours without it.

So it’s mutual attraction at first sight between Troy and “Morgan”. As the scion of this working spread, Troy took quite a personal interest in the new ranch hand….the external and internal twists and turns we'll see before that “Let’s ride!” comment takes on a different meaning will be interesting, indeed.