Wayne Gray

It's a drizzly Friday morning on the northern coast of California. Banks of low clouds blend into fog blanketing the forests of what has become my home. Big, brainy, loud ravens shatter the quiet as they bicker at one another in the field beside my work. Still, I'm amazed by the serenity, peace, and beauty of this place. I love the green, the fog, the wetness and the cool. I love our trees - the tallest in the world. Walking among them instills wonder in me, even after thirteen years of living here. They sway, their tops moving over twenty feet in the wind. It's like watching giants silently dance to some unheard beat. There are so many things I miss about Kentucky - where I'm from. But... this place... It's home.

Thank you, Fae. It's a slow, steady progression for them. Stanley might be more experienced, but he's still not far along himself. It was fun to write them. Thanks both to you and @Mikiesboy for the many questions answered and feedback given. It was really helpful.

Ultimately, the goal is to weave everything together in a way where all the arcs all connect and are dependent on one another. Kent and Stanley are fun for me. Their exploration is one I designed specifically to sort of ease my vanilla readers into D/s. To prove the Life isn’t harmful, and that it’s fulfilling for the right pair. For established D/s folks, it’s going to be child’s play. But, that’s where Kent and Stanley are right now in their evolution. Stanley's not wrong about the state of gay romance. It just seems that a happy ending is anathema to many gay love stories. More is coming out now that's not an utter tragedy, and that's great. We're just people living our lives. Show the sad, but show the happy too, damn it. That's really what we need. Thanks for reading and commenting, Tom!

Lives, messy and tangled wrapped around, twisted, knotted up together. That's what I love. I truly enjoy things that aren't clear-cut. I love gray choices - flawed people trying to do what is "right". Sometimes hitting the mark, other times failing. It makes characters human. Thanks for reading and commenting, @Canuk!

I love my little Stanley! He's attuned to Kent - attentive, careful. Yet, he's human, and a young, horny guy. He constantly fights with his own urges to avoid a situation Kent might not totally be ready to try. In the process I think it makes their interaction sweet and sexy both. Yeah, who would have known standing next to a furry, muscular guy in his underwear while you clean up his facial hair would be so erotic? 😋 Thanks for reading and commenting, @JeffreyL!

Beards ARE sexy as hell. I agree. That scene was a lot of fun to write. Most readers can feel the tension between them. Even though we're firmly in Christopher's perspective, I think it comes through that Nate is feeling that same electricity in the air. Your grandfather sounded like a character. 🙂

Interactions between characters are my favorite things to write. Intimate moments are particularly gratifying, because I get to show these connections growing. I really like that stuff. I'm glad you enjoy that part of my writing, Parker. Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂

When I first wrote that scene, I could picture it so vividly in my mind. These are two guys who have barely met... but they're bonding quickly, just sliding from strangers into friendship naturally, inexorably. I like it. 🙂 Thanks, Thorn!

Thanks for reading and commenting, Chris. I definitely think Kent and Stanley go well together - that they fit pretty well. And yes... something is going on with Chris and Nate.

Bodies are gross. But trunks with pockets are nice. Welcome to the world of men's swimwear. I'm glad you're feeling better, Thorn.

You're right, of course. I'm certain that those times we had to suffer alone... that they stick with us. The effect can be lessened over time, with love, understanding, and acceptance. But yeah... I don't know if it ever goes away entirely. It helps make us what we are, and gives us an empathy for others in similar positions. Thanks, tim. I appreciate your time spent reading and commenting.

Thanks for commenting, Bryan! FYI, I make zero claim to personal knowledge of D/s dynamics. My two guys are feeling their way - learning, deciding, taking what works for them both. In this case Stanley is the more experienced guy. So, the submissive guy is sort of leading the way for the nascent Dom. Stanley has been given a chance to build the kind of sexual partner he wants... yet, he's also conscious of Kent, and always keeps his needs and wants at the forefront of his mind. I wanted to turn the paradigm around a little. I do think it works for them. I will say that I make no claim that their way is "the" way. It's not. It's their way, and it will not jive with what some know as D/s. But, neither will it be something used as a plot hook, or something "dirty". I'm glad you're thinking about how Markus and Thomas are connected to it all. Keep them in mind as you go. We've also not seen the last of Miranda. The eye of the storm is juuuust about to pass. And you know what comes after that. There's a hell of a blow comin'. So hang on. It's about to get wild. 😈

Mmmm! That sounds tasty!

"Broken Hearts Club?" Kent held the DVD case and read the back of Stanley's choice of movie for their night. "I've never heard of it." Stanley had taken off his coat, and now the small-framed man moved around in his kitchen. The sound of plastic bags rattled as he took their dinner and set it on the kitchen counter. "I thought it might be something you hadn't seen. It's a nice movie. It's a gay romance that doesn't end in utter tragedy. Those are sort of rare." He shook his head and chuckled

Thanks, Tom. Markus is having a rough go at it. He's trying to come to terms with his sexuality in a place where he's almost completely unsupported. That does something to a person. It makes you feel wrong, and flawed, and illogically undeserving. We can only hope he'll find someone or something in his life to help him realize that he's not wrong just for existing. There's an update coming soon. Markus won't show up again until chapter nine, but damn... that's a hell of a chapter.

Within this collection you'll find mourning, thoughts, wishes, hopes, anger, and memory. You'll find all of those things, and all are completely valid. @AC Benus and @Mikiesboy have done a great service for our community here. This work honors those who lost their lives in that terrible night three years ago at Pulse. Read... and remember.

Thank you for organizing and posting all these, tim. I know it wasn’t easy to do. Not easy to read either, but worth the tears to remember and honor these souls.

It's very easy to feel that way from our point of view. Personally, I understand why he did what he did, but I don't condone it. I'd never do such a thing myself. Like so many things about emotions, Chris's are confusing and difficult. Because, the heart of it is Christopher doesn't want out - he never did. In short... he fucked up.

I'm glad to see you being recognized, tim. Your work speaks, and proves that you deserve the spot. Well done.

Thanks, Jeffrey! It was a lot of fun to write! 😄

He really has fallen and fallen hard. You're right - the way Nate feels makes him vulnerable in a way he has never been before, and Chris is the only guy who could possibly understand. It's akin to a house of cards... each doing its part to hold up the ones around it. Kent and Stanley... I like them. Sort of feeling their way along, and there's something special in that too. 🙂 There's absolutely more to come. Thanks for reading and commenting, Parker!

Yes, they’re the center of it all. Yet, in the middle of the entire story is Tad. He’s the reason for so much of what has happened and what is to come. A man with limited days, a tremendous drive and purpose. He’s the keystone of it all.

Wow. Thank you for the great, insightful comments. I wondered if the characters would feel TOO far removed from one another. I’m glad you stuck around long enough, and that you’re beginning to see those connections. You’re right concerning the underlying sadness wrapped up in the story. Tad’s right - we’re all going to die. That said, there’s something about having a constant reminder of our mortality. I love the comparison of Nate to the Tinman. The difference was that Nate wasn’t looking for a heart. ❤️ Yes, there’s a potential connection that’s likely becoming more obvious as we go along. This story... it took a lot out of me to write it. So thank you for reading and commenting. It’s appreciated.

I'm glad you read it, Fae. That scene with Tad and Nate in bed... that one, it's a bit tough, but sweet too. At least I think so. ❤️

The connection they have with Tad at the center... that's really what forced their paths to cross. Now that they have, you're right - there's this weird, (hopefully) interesting dynamic between them. The experience with Tad tightens things, forces a commonality that they won't find with anyone else. Thanks for reading and commenting, Thorn. 🙂