FanLit

This was a nice glimpse back into the “regular” lives of the group as they were not touring extensively and expanding their families….HaHa to Rachel getting her revenge with that game. “It had been the worst three weeks of my life, and I knew for certain, the worst three weeks of Rob's life as well. But now, I was okay; I had fully recovered and I was almost thankful for what had happened to me because it had brought Rob and I the best gift life can give – our child.” A little reminder from chapter 33 (if the muses should inspire, since you’re sharing snippets of life here and there). 🙂

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ To paraphrase from the great “Casablanca” : Of all the classrooms, in all the towns, in all the world, he walks into his. I'm very glad Paul Rudnick and Sergeant Robson get a thousand more days together….Paul passed Sarah’s muster & even enlisted Tyler as a co-conspirator, impressing Rob in the process. Rob’s marriage gives me shotgun wedding vibes, then, in for a penny, in for a pound, four kids later (one observation of several this story brought up). “This year was going to be a handful.” A very good handful (or two, lol). Thank you for leaving us with them, here. 🎁

This chapter had a lot going on. I chose the “love” reaction, but it was really a combination of “love”, “wow” and “sad”. ”The hyper-masculine dirty talk, the possessiveness, the shared, quiet understanding of what it meant to take care of your people—it was real. Rob wasn't just draining the plumbing, and Paul wasn't just a convenient release valve. There was a profound, suffocating vulnerability there that neither of them was equipped to handle.” And since they can’t handle it, they have to pretend it doesn’t exist….(?) I half expected Paul to bump into Wifey and the platoon in the lobby. Great interest on how this will end.

That sounds like Rob will put the brakes on whatever this is; the intensity of his feelings could be a threat to the status quo of his life, which he happens to like-it’s clearly important to him that he be the full time, present leader of his familial unit until they are grown & I don’t think he’ll allow anything to threaten that. Que Será Será…. It’ll be bittersweet but understandable, if that’s the outcome; either way, Rob and Paul have made a definitive impact on each other.

I’m torn between this being a memory both could look back fondly on in the future or the beginning of something more permanent (it’s clearly already more meaningful). Rob is a true alpha, a commanding, take no shit kind of guy and comfortable enough in his own skin that he has no problem showing appreciation, sensitivity and vulnerability….I'd dare say he’s half in love already (is there anything wrong with having a steady “understanding”? ) I’m still trying to figure out Paul-I think he’s just as attracted and overwhelmed by Rob as we are; kudos to him indeed for being there for his sister, niece and nephew…. I think Rob would enjoy meeting Paul’s family and vice versa. What the heck is gonna happen at the Lamb & Flag at 10 p.m.? (or 22:00, if we’re doing military time)….exactly who’s bedtime is that going to be & how much sleeping will be involved?

This is great!! And seeeexxxxyyyy.

⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ 🙏 🙏 I can deal with tested love, I cannot deal with memorialized love, not with these two.

Okayyyyy. *kicking stones*, lol. I understand and agree with everything you said and did feel Liam’s emancipation during his conversation with Marina, which ultimately is more important. “Remember, the true villain of the story isn't Marina, but the predatory system she represents. 😉” She is an excellent representative. I’d delight in something wretched happening to her as a representative of the system, as well. 😉

Excellent. I read every chapter that includes the five years forward/present time swing with stomach churning anticipation: what else will they do to Liam? How will he handle it? What does his life look like now? Good on Liam for exposing the inherent corruption of the modern day studio system; clearly Liam went through hell to get to the other side five years later….I only hope he didn’t pay too high a price (and that he and Hudson are still together; I’ma keep on hoping it until I know for sure, lol). Also hope Liam taped that conversation with Marina. 🤞

At first, after Liam’s conversation with Rod, I thought Rod was trying to create a rumor that would force Liam and Adrian together when he told the bike group about the Liam and Adrian being on vacation together, it was only during the actual vacation to Australia that I realized they really were together, that they reconciled. “The apartment was quiet again, that careful, balanced quiet I had spent years convincing myself was peace. Tonight it sounded more like an echo” “For now, I turned off the kitchen light and let the dark settle around me, listening to the quiet and trying not to think about the fact that it felt lonelier now that I knew what it was like to have someone else standing in it.“ if these feelings after Liam’s call with Rod galvanized him to act, then good; I’m just curious if Liam bumped into Adrian on Sundays & that generated a conversation or did Liam seek Adrian out, as Adrian would likely have avoided the places he’d run into Liam out of deference to Liam (which is the impression I got if Adrian was checking on Liam through Rod after the kitchen talk); the reconciliation would’ve been nice to see. Whatever the cause, Liam has a partner for better or worse, in good time and bad, whether rings were exchanged or not. Mazel tov to them. 👏

I love this twist of phrase and definitely share your sentiment, lol.

Gorgeously told in its glorious evil. Through love, the puppet became flesh and bone that the machine tried to strip and break. (Fuck you, Marina, maybe if you got that properly and regularly, you’d be happier, heartless bitch). 😡 Exploitation of children and innocents are not just sexual, the mental and emotional manipulation is just as bad…. while living in their own skin is a punishment, those who do it belong in a special hell. Five years later, Liam wants to break his silence; hopefully he and Hudson are still together and Mateo is still his messily loyal self….it would be a beautiful gift if Liam gets to have a satisfying professional and personal life.

This story is charming, sexy, erotic, romantic and beautiful. Thank you for sharing. 🎁

Is Brad’s condition genetic? I hope Brad and Ella have twins. I hope Lynton takes Brad’s advice about Alexander (as long as he comes correct). I’m afraid Brad will be referred to in the past tense in the epilogue, dimming any HEA.

It could be an interesting plot device to continue relating the story via Aaron and Brad’s perspectives only but I think the other characters speaking for themselves (while keeping the focal point on B & A) will make a more well rounded story. Or…..lol As you’ve already been doing this vignette style, each new character or incident can have their own chapter; personally, I prefer the first suggestion but if your characters, location and plot are engaging enough (as they are, 🙂) the narrative should be whatever option speaks best to you.

@ChromedOutCortex’s way with words is incredible; kudos to whomever is responsible for the grammar too, lol.

This chapter had me feeling “wow” and “sad” over Liam & Adrian’s conversation, I also “loved” the considered realism of it, so I was unable to pick one feeling overall. While Liam’s panic was the genesis for the exchange, it was Adrian’s measured response that deeply impressed: it was ironically mature and reminded that his younger years did not immune him from grief of his own, a reminder to Liam that his potential new partner is more than ready for commitment; I hope he gets over his fears enough to return the same.

These have been illuminating vignettes into the life of this i“opposites attract” couple; They are exactly whom the other needs. Thank you for sharing. 🎁

I think Lyn’s vision impairment is internal-as the son of a prostitute, he viewed himself as less than; he didn’t believe himself worthy of romantic attention from those he idealized….even as successful as he has become, he still views himself as a servant-his workaholic devotion to his job, he’s a top because he has to please his lovers. Acts of service may be his love language because it’s the only way he feels worthy.

I thought Alexander made the deal with his family their senior year, as disciplined as he is, I doubt he would’ve risked Lyn’s future even for this fleeting moment of tenderness.

In a modern twist on the intricacies of class and internalized homophobia within various socioeconomic dynamics, you engage us in an intense drama with Lynton, Brad and Alexander. Lynton is the child of a high class prostitute, saddled with the shame incumbent of those circumstances and dealing with a mother who loves him but is incapable of providing financial and emotional stability, as she always “has to depend upon the kindness of strangers”. (A big smile came to my face when I saw Ms. Calloway’s first name was Blanche, as her house and persona gave me “A Streetcar Named Desire”vibes from Lyn’s first visit back home). Lyn is emotionally stronger than his mother, with the drive to better his future through education; however, much like his Blanche, Lyn also constructed an ideal fantasy world that coupled with low self esteem, ill equipped him to deal with emotional realities. Brad is Lynton’s dream man brought to life, it was love at first sight for Lyn, who dedicated himself to Brad fully when Brad declared him his best friend after that first college party. Middle class Brad was a party boy who was accustomed to coasting through life on his good looks and social acumen, aspirational in his own right, yet fearful he wasn’t good enough to do so on his own. Lyn might have initially been one of the social constructs Brad establishes to get by but then became so much more. Alexander Montgomery III was to the manor born…handsome and intelligent, his patina of wealth and privilege gave him an instinctive social exclusivity that wasn’t defined by the weight of one’s bank account, he had a fierce desire for independence within his rarefied world….his friendships with Lyn & Brad were in defiance of his heritage as well as essential to his well being, as “His Majesty” had his own love at first sight moment with Lynton. Lynton denied his same sex attraction, as do Brad and Alexander….while we know for Lynton his homosexuality is all encompassing, it is not as clear for Brad and Alexander-were they bisexual? Lynsexual? (Brad had Luke as an oral sex buddy but he never reciprocated, was Luke his first suck off buddy? If not, did he do more with others? What would he have done with Lyn if Alexander didn’t ward him off?) Alexander actually came off more asexual outside of his attraction to Lyn; was he closeted himself? He apparently dated but those interactions seemed anemic at best; while Lynton was the nucleus of his interest, Alexander did seem to develop a genuine friendship with Brad. This trio was fractured by rejection and betrayal….Brad’s rejection of Lyn’s feelings destroyed all collegial feelings Lyn had for both relationships, as Brad’s abusive tirade mistakenly led Lyn to think Alexander betrayed him. Given their last exchange, I’m very surprised Lyn accepted the wedding invitation….it seems Alexander wasn’t the only one who “wanted to see how it would end”. Things are poised now to provide closure (and continuity?) for these gentlemen now that Lyn’s emotional cataracts have been removed. What will happily ever after look like for these three?

Liam has amazing friends.

Mark’s (from the bike club) concern along with the joint and individual friendships Liam has with Rod and Sean speaks volumes: Kevin and Liam were deeply in love and deeply loved by their friends; they all mourned Kevin’s loss in their lives and have kept emotional sentry over Liam and his deep grief. It is very evident that everyone is incredibly happy over what is developing between Adrian and Liam while they gently bring Liam back out from the shadows of mourning into the light of intimacy. Liam is a good, decent man who deserves a second chance at a different but just as meaningful, loving relationship. 🎁💝

This chapter is one of the most poignantly, bittersweet, and beautiful I’ve ever read.