Krista

Yes, they finally got all their words right, out in the open, laid bare, and all that. Some people need smacked in the face by everything in order to get there. Apparently some people need to be plowed like a field in early spring. --- I do have an out of pocket guess as to who is hovering over Five as well. That very grateful dude with the injured kidney could've healed up enough to come waltzing through the front door. If it isn't Ethan. I guess most people lean Ethan, because Ethan seemed to want to mess up Five's attempts with Percy in the writing and it kind of fell through. Scorned, jilted, and bested... who knows. If I am correct then you've thrown one hell of a curveball. Is Percy Baby good at throwing curveballs? 😮 I actually forgot what position he plays... --- If Bethany will never pawn a gift from Five, then she is rather accepting of consequences. But, she did send him out to stud up Percy for a month to see where his feelings were. Maybe she is that selfless. I'm saying this still in possession of an engagement ring given to me by the one person that broke my heart and nearly wrecked me for over a year, so. Apparently I am not the pawning sort either. --- I know I've weighed their relationship against how I approach relationships and that's where most of my ranting comes from. Aside from interesting characters giving me fits. If I was looking at this without those shaders on, I would see all of them more fluid. A lot of wiggle room, so to speak, than I would allow my characters in most circumstances in my writing. Like I said, that's what makes them fun. I'll just rant though.

Dislike is a bit of a strong word. I've maintained that I've felt Five is the only one holding every card in this game they played from the beginning. When the stakes were raised, he kept playing knowing he was no longer just playing the game. I was critical of Percy, but unlike Five, Percy's involvement was more self-indulgent, until it also wasn't. They both lived and breathed in miscommunications and not telling the truth. A fault I find with all three of them, really. Five stood to hurt two people, he has hurt two people. Percy stood to hurt Five and himself, mostly himself as he kept shunning the idea that Five would choose or want him, and his assertion that he didn't want or need anything but Baseball. There is this confidence disconnect with him. And it is a triangle. It is a triangle of Five's making, it's just the parts doesn't fit together at the angles. Five wanted them to, he's said as much. Bethany is the type that has these... ideas, but in practice, she wouldn't like them. She would enjoy the sex with the two guys, but as soon as feelings were involved, I don't think she would be able to accept 'watching' the deeper romantic affection Five would show Percy and whatever. She'd be on constant alert to see if Five is being just as appreciative and affectionate with and to her, or that's how I see it. What also makes it a triangle is that Percy considers Bethany's feelings at times. Other times he disregards them, mostly when he's ass up and face down, but afterwards the thoughts came. Post orgasm clarity? Maybe? I write these drawn out rants on your characters because they have fascinated me. I wish I could write characters such as these, but it is not in my wheelhouse. They're messy, funny, there's some puppy-dog cute, sexy, and the creative cleverness throughout kept me here. It wasn't the filth. Sorry if that bursts any bubbles.

First, should've known it was just the sounds of filth being filthed in the next room over. Second, I was beginning to accept that the rest of it was a misdirection. That Five was a bit of a pervert with the soiled and pilfered underwear. Third, choose the next bits of writing very carefully. I may have ran Five through the coals throughout most of the latter half of this story. But, I like the guy. I just wouldn't date him. Although, no loss for him as he's firmly team Percy wrecking his ass for him. But... Oh, Bethany should just pawn that bracelet.

All three of them have done my head in. And now there's a mystery that I paid no attention to that I must now think about. I thought we were done with Ethan. How can one person be so sneaky, codes, cameras? Don't these people believe in changing the codes every now and then to keep people like Ethan from re-entry? So if this is Ethan involvement of any kind, I wouldn't know how any one person could be so sneaky and messed up. Apparently Gramps needs to invest in extra security measures if the Ethan theories prove themselves out. But my guess is that the sound he never heard before would be Percy having some sort of medical episode in the shower and everything else is coincidence or red herrings. The headaches, drinking too much, and all that. His career in baseball may end up being over before he gets into the new year if he keeps this up. --- Anyway all this is criminal. --- Percy and Bethany irked me more than Five this chapter. So, gold star to Five, I guess. Why Five feels the need to prove anything to Percy, prove what exactly? He's still freakin waffling. He's still making statements like, "I wish I could have you both..." this goes beyond not wanting to hurt one over the other. It points to a continued indecision. Mind you, we're not even a day out from the argument, so yeah, that indecision is very real and very understandable. But it would be more helpful to all involved if Five convinces himself, first. As Percy already laid it bare. He won't share. Bethany seems like she is hurt, but also would feel open to a polyamorous relationship as long as BOTH dudes were willing to play and be with her. Since Percy is not, then she wants Five. But, she is showing a bit of guarded selflessness and leaving it in Five's corner. Still think that guarded selflessness is forced though, she had to know this could happen. She said as much. Her letting him walk out that door, board that flight, and be up there should have led her to where we are now being a possibility worth preparing for, at least as far as her heart and mind are concerned. I do not like Five pressing Percy to come out. Percy has every right to come out the way he chooses to. The whole point of being closeted is to protect oneself from hurt, harm, and prejudices that the person cannot overcome or handle 'at the moment.' There is a fine-line between being closeted to protect yourself and what you're ready to feel. And, to be closeted because you're diminished by that fear and it is threatening to overtake your wants, dreams, and desires. Five feels that Percy has become the Deer in the headlights, too scared to move. But like I said, fine line. It is also a wee bit selfish for Five to demand that Percy be out, when Five doesn't even know who the hell he wants. Why does Percy have to declare himself, when Five is still waffling to do the same? Percy legitimately can be out to whomever he wants, it is no one's business. It won't completely hinder any relationship he'd have with Five. They can't kiss in public, hold hands, etc... but they can still love one another. Five has years in Florida as well, their lives aren't as settled for any hard line out and proud declaration demands right now. -- Edited to add: Percy is also in college. We've not really discussed his sports balls much, but there are doors that can close for any number of personal reasons. Get caught doping, even if it was baseline elevated blood panels. Could close a door. Percy's drinking could close doors. And, sadly, even in 2026 doors can close for gay men in some professional sports. Any player is an investment based on performance. Any baggage could weigh against them. It would be smarter for Percy to prove himself worth the investment, so that he has leverage enough to keep doors open and not closed.

Michael's whole apology and communicating was so off key. So Five and Percy were "the right stock of gay," that he respected. He was astonished to meet them and made the comment that leaned into that. Or at least that's how I read the words. It was so condescending in tone that I rolled my eyes. Percy and Five aren't ambassadors. But if Michael leaves having some lessons learned, he's better for it, but good lord he just crawls around so insufferable that I wouldn't be able to manage it. I hope he makes everyone involved rich, if not then I he's lost a lot of friends and coworkers in the process of making a fool and an ass of himself. They know him better than we do, we saw a driven by science, money, hope, and a little greed Michael, but yeah, there was defense of him from the others this chapter. Not a lot, but it was there. They made some excuses for him at least. I do not like the saying, "He's really not like this..." because that always falls short with me. If he wasn't like that, then he wouldn't have shown himself to act the way that he has the entire time he was there. So obviously he is like that and they've become numb or apologetic to that side of him. At least some of them, anyway. Krista wouldn't put up with Seb smoking, by the way. The very hint of it on his fingers, breath, or clothes and she'd give him an ultimatum. Smoking or her. Percy didn't want to listen to Krista. Shame. Because she proved her point not five paragraphs later. Maybe Percy should've listened instead of balked. Five is a coward. I'm sorry, but I can't with him. He is a liar and a coward. He doesn't deserve Bethany, although she seems duplicitous but even then, there is ample evidence that Five wasn't honest with her either. This was never a fishing expedition to see how he feels, he kind of already knew that. So he's lied to her as well. He doesn't deserve Percy. Percy may even tire of him, people who cannot make up their minds, want you to fall in line with their waffling - they're exhausting to be around. Even when pushed he couldn't make his mind up. His declarations of love cannot be trusted. Heat of the moment, the near miss of loss it can make people unpredictable in their feelings. I think that's a little bit of it, but the rest of Five's words and plans just makes me think that the boy's balls have fled to his abdomen. Until they come back, he cannot be relied upon to give any kind of real and honest truth. Percy needs to apologize for his part in all this too at this point. I still see him as a partial victim in all this though. Willing, but partial. Bethany and Percy seem to be living in Five's world. If they respect themselves they won't settle for the parts he wants them to play.

Congratulations!!!

Clucky, cheeky, and nuisance may be words I would use to describe you, my dear. If asked I mean. As far as gardening, love it. I have flower gardens that have Lilies, roses, lavender, and a few that I've planted and forgot the names of as they're perennial and just need pruning and given space to keep growing and coming back. I do a Vegetable garden as well. Tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, cabbage, pie pumpkins, jack-o-lantern pumpkins, butternut squash, zucchini. I want to start an orchard, likely peach trees. Strawberries and me don't get along, but they seem easy for a lot of people I know, I just can't get optimal harvests out of them. It may be my demand of them that makes me think they're not doing their best. The only thing I have little to no luck in that I really want are ferns, they're so needy. It seems that if you look at them they die on you so I've given up on them really, but as a backdrop plant they're lovely.

Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin. I don't think I would look good dressed up like either one of them though.

I will never say that I am good at writing physical scenes. I don't go into them thinking that I am good at it. That is why I insert dialog, sometimes even plot and character important dialog in the middle of everything. They say don't break up a lot of the action with meaningful distractions such as that. The whole... someone noticing a rose while on the battlefield scenario. The character needs to focus on not being bludgeoned to death and not the rose. But, the longer I stay in the consecutive sentences of the physical act the more awkward I know it feels/gets. That's why the dialog is important to me. It also gives me a reason to read it back, otherwise when I know it is coming I skip over it and the next thing I know @wildone has to tell me that I'm smooshed body parts that doesn't like being smooshed... well I guess if the character isn't into that sort of thing. Which begs the answer: Why do I do it then? I don't know, I can't find myself doing "off screen," or "fade to darkness," scenes in the writing. I feel, especially in mature romances that if you've been working up to the physical act then it needs to be written. Slow burn romances take that one step further, which I typically write. I spend thousands of words enticing, teasing, making the connective steps and to off screen it or fade it to nothing after a few kisses and gropes, I've always felt like if I did that it would steal something from the writing and the experience readers may be seeking within the story. But yes, I will always champion Female authors in M/M fiction. I can see where there is a bloated market and that markets can be dictated by majority rules. I will not sit idle when people preach the removal of us, because it doesn't solve anything. We all must learn that championing and fighting for what we want does more good than telling people they cannot exist in the genre just because. As for male characterizations in my writing, I do fall into comfort zones. I like light hearted and joke-heavy best friends, for example. A character 'there' to be the counter to anything heavy themed. I like Warm/Cold relationships, where one person is a bit more reserved and calculated and the other flies by the seat of their pants. I do think some of my romantic tendencies do lean female, but I go into it hoping that I can still do the male characters justice within the story itself. I try to write grounded 'human' types. --- I'll stop rambling now. There is a noted difference in the way I answered here and how I answered all those years ago as well. Regression or growth, who is to say of that opinion?

I'm boring as hell and I only drink water. Occasionally I'll drink juice if I can find low sugar, zero added sugar it is surprising how junk most juices in this world actually are. Peach juice being my favorite. For a warmer drink I'll mix a little concentrated peach juice into tea, but my body doesn't handle caffeine, so it has to be a low caffeine blend. I am a pure indulgent sucker for unhealthy, sugar heavy, artificially flavored + blended up cherry milkshakes and/or smoothies though. I allow myself to have a few of those in the summer months. I make them myself and I fuss at myself the whole time knowing all the terrible things I'm putting into them, but doing it anyway.

Thank you for taking the time to read this little ghost story/light mystery that's not really a mystery.

Yes, he does. I think after his father comes home and he can physically see and talk with him more, he can let loose and understand what his father actually wanted from him when he suggested going out for basketball.

Yeah, there's a lot of reasons why this story ended the way that it did. The most glaring is that it was for the Anthologies that ran too large and well past the due date for submissions. So, the idea I had for it was supposed to end where it ended to make the deadline, but the words got too high for me to submit as it is, so I added more to the story. The second is that realistically Rhett has his own life, he's coming to town for research. Proximity is how romances work. Establishing that soon is good, but the proximity isn't realistic for these characters. They had a genuine connection 'as strangers' and I could've had them exchange numbers and communicate long-distance, but I had no interest in writing such a story. If I did, it wouldn't be too tech-heavy, call me old school but I like a good handwritten letter if I'm in a relationship. Not a text or four hour phone call. Which, mind you, in my teens that's all I did... go from talking in person, right to texting, to chatting after dinner/calling, then chatting after I was supposed to be in bed... so writing a story similar to that would bore me, to be fair.

His own damn self! I am well behaved.

I have a full time job, I cannot babysit him all the time. I see that I've been lacking and let him run wild. *Sighs* He'll be dealt with.

I've seen it in hindsight thinking after the relationship dissolved into nothing. I struggle with poetry. It is an interesting concept. In the perspective of someone who knows they've done someone wrong, irreparable damage really, because that's what it is. People don't get that time back, those feelings magically lifted, there was once a time in that person's life when they were wronged so deeply that it 'changed' them for a time, if not forever. So, writing from that perspective, interesting. I don't know that I could do it justice. I also meant to thank you and @Bill W for taking the time to review the poem. It was a nice surprise for me.

Yes, there is fun in imagining things for characters long past the writing. Phil asked for his ball schedule, so maybe Phil will travel to see his son play a lot of his games. Baseball in the timeline is far into their future though, I think they start practice and then start playing exhibitions in late February? If I'm remembering correctly, a lot of teams take trips during that time. That would also be an interesting write... Joel, Davin, Gavin in the wilds alone, so to speak. I don't see Celia being the chaperoning type for them, probably would be for Lacey, although having "three" kids on the team would give her good reason to go. But yes, I can write hundreds of small scenes and portions of chapters, but with no underlying main conflict driving the narrative, all we have are scenes and wants with little connection. I don't like to do short stories, my short stories are hardly ever short really, most hitting between 20 - 40k. All of this is food for thought. I don't want to do this or a sequel. To me this story is finished for now. By the time I get interested in approaching the subject, there will be a lot of time passing. More since I'm struggling with Ellis. Time makes victims of things, so I'll probably forget too much of what I wished to cover in any sequel, writing it down would help... we'll see if I do.

Yeah, I'll never have your body count in stories. lol.. 😮

Yeah, some things are left a bit open-ended, but they're pointing to good things, linear, how life moves on if given the time to do so. The most unknown would be what happens at the Benton household after Joel's father stood up for himself and his children, but yeah. Thank you for reading, I loved these characters and still think of them often.

Yeah, I tended to change my mind a lot when I had darker opportunities. I know I'm not that sort of writer really. Some of the themes are baseline on the edge, but I tend to stay on the 'lighter' edge of that, if that makes sense.

No truer words have been spoken, especially since I've not written a word of, "Ellis," for over two weeks, I'm thinking. Not of any significance anyway. I don't want to call it dead yet, I hate to think me being almost 40k in and 6 parts in, for it to be 'dead.'

I think washing his hands of them and showing himself to be 'different' from their nature is better for his character than someone that grows to put it get his revenge. Although, they definitely needed it with everything they did to their own family, and how they did business to be fair. They're not good people.

I think part of that was that Jason, as healthy as their relationship seems to be, did begin it being a but codependent on Adam. People who are slightly codependent do forgive easier, but it is one of those things that can still be 'healthy' if both people are stable and equal within the relationship and there aren't any abuse or underlying things that goes alongside the dependency. But, I'm saying this not remembering exactly what happened in this late stage of the writing either or how bad Adam messed up. I still can't believe I called him Adam. In my head when you started reading this story, it was Rhett or Brett, but then I remember "Roommates" has a similar dynamic going on with the two main characters and I'm thinking one of those characters names are Brett. You would think since I wrote every word to these stories that I could remember such details, but I can't. Mind you, I'm decades removed from some of these stories, and by removed from them I mean completely. I don't think about them, I don't discuss them with people, they are essentially 'buried' in my mind as long distant memories. My favorite projects I remember, but some of these have fallen to the wayside. I enjoyed writing this story, but I know it isn't the strongest story I have, and if I am being critical, then I tend to avoid it, because I don't like to affirm my critical nature.

When you put it that way, it sounds ominous? Slightly.. lol. "To do what needs doing..."