FanLit

☺️ I saw no texts, only story content. I “loved” the comment as acknowledgment of reading it.

You are a very considerate writer. You bring out the emotionality in the mundane with delicate, yet precise strokes, that elegantly underscores how life is a series of mundane movements, that sometimes said movements ground oneself between the heartbeats of major moments. “His questions were not helping him choose a pack. They were helping him feel less frightened of the fact that he was about to walk into mountains he had never seen.” “Eleven minutes was the length of their love. Not its depth. Its length. The time it took to say everything they were willing to say and to leave unsaid everything they weren’t.” “Force went through bone and tendon and rubber sole into the ground of a country that wasn’t his as much as a place he needed to be.” Then, you detail the background of said moments in vivid watercolors: “as dawn announces itself in southern cities—not a brightening but a thinning, the dark going translucent, the buildings coming back as though they had been there all night with something in front of them.” Your scenes are humbly majestic. 🙂

Unless the challenge is part of the thrill….😯🤔

I’m very glad Peter resisted the “easy” way out. How easy is it really, though? Would the pain of cutting your wrists be less than the pain in your head or heart? When I had suicidal thoughts as a youngster, I wanted the least painful way possible, as I was already in enough pain. Thank heavens Peter has his art, I hope he can also spend some time with Jessy and Kyle this summer-Jessy did pick him up when she thought he was lonely. Daniel did the right thing in ending things with Peter, maybe by the fall Peter will warm up to the idea of a romantic relationship with him; I don’t think we’ve heard the last of Tyler, either….he has some serious thinking to do and some serious choices to make, Peter is not in the closet, he shouldn’t be a secret for anyone.

I love Mark and Rob. 💙💙

I applaud the maturity all around….given what Owen invested, he could have been the messy one, too. Was his proposal a Hail Mary/last gasp?

Life is all kinds of shades of gray, the task is navigating what color should be on the canvas, and when. And I agree, that was as mature a break up as break ups can be.

“On one hand, seeing him again and having him back in my life feels right. On the other hand, I have no idea in what capacity this rightness exists. Is it friendship or is it more? Do I want it to be more?” Really, Troy?!?! 🙄 The question isn’t whether you want it to be more, it’s whether you can risk being with someone who can hurt you the way Miles can, the way only Miles can. “Whatever you decide, you can’t hide. You need to face everything, even the unpleasant parts. Let’s face it, someone is going to get hurt.” “I knew he was right. No matter what, either Owen or Miles would get hurt. I would too. Adulting sucked sometimes.” Adulting really does suck sometimes (boy, does it, LOL!!) but Erik (as usual) is right. I've tolerated Troy’s relationship with Owen, but have never been a fan of it; Owen seems a very nice guy, and clearly loved Troy….he actually gave Troy the kind of attentive love he needed after the split with Miles; as an aware and educated person, though, I think he knew this was an uphill battle in which he’d always be second best: “I love you, Owen.” “I know you do. But you’re in love with him.” It was not a question. …“ Owen deserved more, and knew that, which is why he was open to his other attraction before the trip to Scotland (his jealous, territorial reactions over Miles annoyed me but I know-two things can be true at the same time). Owen left the relationship long before (or at the same time?) Troy did; I wish him well, but that was never going to truly be with Troy. What now remains is whether these two men, who experienced a passionate, mature love, as young, traumatized boys can navigate the fault lines of their past….they’ve both done the work to grow into the love they share, will this time be once bitten, twice shy, or truly a case of the heart wants what it wants (home)? Knowing what you’re capable of @kbois, it can go either way.

The Daniel/Peter situation has potential shitshow written all over it, only because these are two nice guys who can potentially get very hurt; there would be another downside-the burgeoning friendships Peter could have with Jessy and Kyle (now that’s more like it in the friends department, at least if the hookup goes south, Daniel’ll be okay). One way or another, Peter will find his tribe, anything will be an upgrade from Luna….my jury’s still out on Tyler-I have sympathy for his confusion and his genuine feelings for Peter but he was part of that stupid “one off” (yeah, right) idea with Luna in the first place, and his arrogance is irksome. That rumor SUCKS, big time, thank goodness Peter appears to have a thicker skin& good on him for having the maturity not to out someone for revenge. I want Luna to get more karma than losing her boyfriend and “best friend”, lol; what a shallow, immature girl….maybe she’s good at playing others because she has no baseline for herself. Interesting story, @Paul Zhy, the twists and turns are refreshingly unexpected.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how supportive Robbie is of Mark’s “side hustle”; he’ll never leave the group and this is just another facet of his songwriting, a more personal side. So Damien still lurks, huh? LOL. 
The heart wants what it wants….he probably would leave Josh if something happened to Robbie; speaking of something happening….
 I know one of these enjoyable snippets will be a sobering recount on what almost killed Mark; it looks like it’s something that leaves him vulnerable if he imbibes too much alcohol. Just so you’re aware there is still great curiosity about what that is, whenever you’re ready. 🙂

I’m here. waiting for Saturday

The luck of our intrepid quartet still holds, with the Wardell property suffering only from neglect, that it appeals to Willy James and Runyan, and was gifted to them by August, has now set the two households, which while separate in the ways that will matter, will also be interchangeable in the ways that will matter….as long as either of these four draw breath, there will be support for the other. So in addition to horse breeding, (which seems their more immediate means of making a living) acquiring livestock, and farming, a foray into the fashion world will be another income stream, with Runyan’s skill as a milliner (I’m using the term unisexually, even though I know that’s a hat maker term for women’s hats). I do know Runyan will more than likely be making hats of a more practical nature but I daresay that foray could turn quite “foncy” with the right request, lol. Given the literal landfall and the hardworking mindset these young men brought with them has them set on such a prosperous course, failure doesn’t seem to be an option for them. It’s a whiplash reversal of fortune I’m glad they are taking in stride. Enniskillen clearly had a demonstrable element of bigotry amongst its townsfolk, let’s see if Warrensville does, or if being associated with one of the town’s best families will pave a clearer path. "Feel the same… can’t imagine living without him. He makes me forget how mean this world can be sometimes.” Would that we all be blessed to have someone capable of inducing that type of amnesia, sometimes. 🙏 🎁 What will be the first task the new men of means take on? Does the esteemed author know how much it’s appreciated that he diligently puts out this story while ill? Wonder how things are at the Cooley estate? Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 🍻

Preferably not at dinner, lol.

Relationships have ebbs and flows, sometimes your partner is the person you want to see more than anyone else, sometimes their face looks funny to you, lol. I think the survival of a relationship is a result of the rut (or ruts): do you recognize it in time to do something about it? We’ll see what happens with these two.

Oh. Em. Gosh❣️❣️❣️❣️ I loved this little peek into Mark, Robbie, and Magie’s downtime. 💝 I am as curious about this path Mark is going down as he is….Mark has been the primary songwriter for the group from the beginning, but that included collaborations with his band mates, this is all him, deeply personal in a way those songs are not. As Robbie stated, they are his therapy, which is a likely byproduct for most artists, and a fortunate turn for their fans; it’s not always enough (per Robbie) but sometimes it is (per Mark) These gentleman are at a beautiful point in their careers and lives, and it is beautiful to witness. I love seeing an older Magie, she’s at that age where she’s unimpressed with her superstar dads: “Can we put on Frozen now?" she said, almost exasperated.” 😄 “….and I still enjoy posting here, even if it's just for myself. 😊” “….who've been following this little French adventure of mine for the past five years.” Like you, @unilive, these are my favorite fictional rockstars; I love the world you’ve created with and around them, and per paraphrasing Mark in his clip releasing “Libre”: “….who've been following this little French adventure of mine for the past five years.” I look forward to every single glimpse you share of them. THANK YOU❣️❣️

Don't get put in the Korner for irking Teacher. I saw a puddle there, I think someone forgot to use the doggy door this morning....😶

Working too hard at what, though? Those grocery store flowers ain't Viagra, lol. Although, maybe it was the thought that counted- did new dude sprinkle flowers on the bed during one of their hookups? 🤔

You've done a good job in creating a mysterious tension within Owen, one that defies being busy with his work and potential career advancement: "In hindsight, if I'd known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have been so flippant, but his decisive take-charge attitude had surprised me." "I bit my lip. “Would you be okay if I went?” "His teeth stopped mid-bite, and for the briefest second, his eyes narrowed and darkened. He cleared his throat. “Sure, it’s fine with me.” "Just then his phone pinged, and he glanced at his screen, ignored whatever the message was, then slid it to the side. He didn’t notice me nod as his attention was already riveted on his plate again." At this point, I don't know if Owen is going to hit Miles, or if he's being a "pushy bottom" for someone else. Thank you for the food porn: "I pulled up one of my favorite playlists as I filled a large pot with water for the pasta and melted butter to make a roux. I added chicken stock, minced garlic, and lemon juice, and whisked it furiously until it boiled. Then I turned the heat down to let it simmer and thicken as I seared boneless chicken thighs in another pan. When they were browned, I added them to the sauce, sprinkled them with lemon pepper seasoning, then covered the pan and turned the heat to its lowest setting. The chicken would finish cooking while the pasta boiled." I substituted shrimp for the chicken thighs, but that's a banging meal, either way. *Yum* My "gourmet dick" 🙂 then shriveled up after "Dill pickle cookies. Birthday cake frosted with mayonnaise. Cold, greasy hot dog water." The hot dog water may have done it for Troy, but the mayonnaise frosted cake had me checking statutes in the Geneva Convention; I mean doing THAT to CAKE?!?! 🤮🤬 Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive....maybe it doesn't count if you're deceiving yourself first? "We spent the day alternating between sunning ourselves on the blanket, reading or snoozing in the shade, and playing like teenagers in the waves. We joined a group of guys and girls playing frisbee tag for a while, too. I don’t remember the last time I let go like this." “Your nose is pink,” Miles remarked. “Is that all? It’s usually bright red after a day in the sun.” Miles was quiet before he replied, “I remember.” My stomach did its weird little flip thing again." I do not make predictions on @kbois stories (well, I try not to, lol) but, yeah, I don't think that wedding is happening.

I go into all of your stories braced for the unexpected, so it’s just a matter riding out (or with) your doozies. I did change from rollercoasters to cars because I get motion sickness and at least my emesis wouldn’t be projectile should my nausea advance, lol. TMI, I know, sorry.(ish)

"So shouldn't you"? Typo, or hint? Wait, you don't give those, lol.

AND….TROY asked to stay in touch. Whether he liked it or not, Miles was going to leave Troy alone, it’s the penance he feels he owes him.

So the truth is out. May Lynn have found the peace she sought by escaping hell; I think she had at least one child whom she name Miles or the feminine version if she was a girl (Mila? Miley? Melissa?) May the sibling’s sperm donor now be to someone in jail what he forced his daughter to be to him. Look, love is not always enough to keep a relationship, but when the love is strong enough, and deep enough, it can forgive a multitude of sins. I wonder how Owen has been during this time, knowing Troy has been keeping in touch with Miles….or does he? Wyoming should be his last stop and he should bring Robbie for a true family reunion. I wonder how Erik is doing….he’s had Parkinson’s for over 10 years, and even with the best of medical intervention, it’s a progressive disease; in my experience with it, an opportunistic disease, age could be an enemy. You know why you feel nervous, Miles, change is coming again.

Such a beautiful way to phrase this story.

“My ma always told us it’s not the place,” Runyan continued, “but the company what mattered, and sharing the Lord’s bounty with family in good times and bad… and we surely had both of those.” Runyan’s Mama’s words could surely apply to this new family unit, as well; each were grateful for the opportunity to be with the one they loved and were willing to work hard on far less than they’ve been presented with, now their hard work will be to maintain and expand upon their bounty….and what a bounty it is. Willy James’ gentle assertion for his and Runyan’s own place showed some of the spine previously hinted at via his interaction with August, his disclosure of such to Fletcher in a matchmaking mind, as well as his determination to venture into the unknown for the chance to live and love freely, even though he is a townie, lol. As protective of Willy James as Runyan is, W. J.’s stand was a nice reminder of the nuances of strength between these two. It was fitting that the exploration of the upstairs be done with August and Fletcher alone, considering it was the first time August was stepping foot into the room his mother grew up in-the place she spent the most time outside of her time with her husband and children….it is a reverential move to leave her room her room, unless it’s to provide a bed for visiting family members and books/bookkeeping, something she would appreciate. “They’re fools, love, but they can’t see it yet. Time has a way of bringing light to the darkest of places. We must forgive our parents their sins, and hope they give us the same grace one day, leastwise in their hearts.” Willy James left parents united in hating his lifestyle but differing in the intensity of disgust-I daresay W. J.’s mom really believed he had an affliction he needed to be “cured” of, while his father viewed him as tainted offspring to be put down; Runyan left parents who still love him, but know it’s safer to let him go. “Love… it be a hard thing to kill. Expect I’ll write them one day.” I hope the day he does, his father will have learned his lesson and keep the info to himself. “It’s been a day for sure, and it breaks my heart to hear how some of our families have treated us… or what they’d do if’n they knew we weren’t who they want us to be. We deserve better, all of us being good, decent men.” And they now have it: camaraderie, unconditional familial love, and an amazing start to a new life….as long as they are mindful. What will the 200 additional acres be like? Where will they all hunker down this evening? What’s for supper? Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 🌕📿 🍻

Fuck Luna. However else this ends up, Peter is better off without her. To all of them could be said: “be careful what you wish for”….