CincyKris

The beginning was hilarious: That was the deal. Nothing more. No kneeling. No looking like he was ready to take on a herd of males in their prime, assisted by blue pill Funapalooza. No, no. Begone! Now! The middle was pleasantly domestic, the end was hot!

Oh they connected, all right! Then Alec was stupid, Kenji called him on his bullshit, Alec started his comeback. How's that for a Cliff's Notes version of IHTT?

Some therapy wouldn't hurt Gwen any either! Matt was never going to recover without a couple back steps. The news of the 4 dead young men was traumatic, rightly so. Maybe helping the feds try to catch these monsters will add to his therapy. I've said it before, but he's just not ready for a relationship with Andrew yet.

Around here the most common version is "don't shit where you eat", which is good advice literally and figuratively! I'm intrigued by the invitation that "wasn’t anything like we expected".

This one was very well polished, very finished. It was a great short story.

I loved this very domestic chapter, both inside and out. That the two (+1) are comfortable with each other is obvious, now it is obvious to their outside world and both men are ok with that. I look forward to the moment Kai becomes a resident, not a guest, I don't think I'll have a long wait!

This is a good start to a longer adventure. A have an educated guess at the author.

This scene preceded one of my favorites from IHTT, the one that seared into me that Kenji is a power player: “Where were you before age fourteen? What does your family do?” Alec grinned, mentally patting himself on the back for his quick thinking. “We are in business.” Ken replied simply. “What kind of business?” Finn asked. “The business kind.” “The business kind of business?” Finn asked and Alec blinked at the flare of irritation in the blond’s chipper tone. “Correct.” Kenji said, clearing not willing to expand on anything or explain. That River is wearing Kenji's locked collar, and Kenji is wearing the key is a very bold display of their relationship. That it gives River such comfort is a personal turning point.

I couldn't have said it better! A relationship between Matt and Andrew would be ridiculously unbalanced right now. Andrew is the rescuer, the provider, the saviour. Matt can't go back to Windy Island and be a kept man to the guy who literally just bought him! Maybe his moderately helpful mother is a blessing in disguise, Matt will have to make his own way. Making some friends (ones that don't drug and sell you) would help to start his journey to independence.

I remember that episode. A little life lesson about the effects of changing a crucial aspect of yourself causing you to turn into someone unrecognizable. Except the final results of his risky decision for Picard was a life of adventure, Rachel's safe decision resulted in unhappiness followed by resignation, then boring contentment. Which would I choose? I'm honestly not sure, since I had no children to erase from existence.

I would really like to read more of this weird 19th century rail travelers transported to an alternate world/video game?/romance adventure. Fun!

I loved the twist that a ghost would return to a different point in their life than their death. It seems that Rachel couldn't ever get over her decision to choose her husband instead of Marian.

This chapter was joyous! Phil has come such a long way, but he is not the only one! All of our principles have grown happier since the first chapter, Phil is the epicenter, but all of his new friends have helped each other.

I was afraid that Red was going to get mad and harm Makayla! She’s a possessive old girl! If I were Susan, I’d grab Makayla (who I hope is OK), and get the hell out. Mom can clear out the house on her own!

I liked the intentional pronoun confusion, it adds to the character's genuine gender confusion.

Check out the last few chapters of Halos and Heroes by @P. E. Knapp, pretty steamy! Edit: sorry I meant to type in the wonderful author of Halos and Heroes, @JJ Quinn!

Janek made a huge step towards unloading his baggage, but I doubt he is there yet. It will be interesting to see if Marc will handle the brother himself or put one of his many influential family members on the take-down? I'm betting he will be hands-on.

I can see Adam and Megan as best friends. And Adam and Callum will have some amazing conversations, it it will be like watching a chess match. One brutally direct, the other unfailingly polite, but both smart and honest. These four are going to have some lively times!

I get the impression that Mitchell is a classic narcissist. Greg was important, even precious, to Mitchell only when he was fulfilling his roll, once his usefulness was done, he was disposable. I would imagine Mitchell left a string of models, assistants, and hangers-on in his wake. I'm not surprised he would agree to a new exhibition, even if it doesn't portray him as a decent human. I think Mitchell only cares about his reputation as an artist, he couldn't care less about the rest. If Greg is able to both profit financially and emotionally, he should go ahead with the exhibition. This could be huge for Vaughan, he would gain status in and outside his field. That could be valuable in his dealings with Heyward.

River is so honest with himself internally, but so censored with everyone else. It's so amazing to delve into the rockstar River from IHTT, and see that vulnerability.

I can’t wait for the first meeting between Callum and Adam!

This is my favorite, so far! I loved the road trip that allowed Noah to see the country. I think he gained some confidence and his relationship with Liam will be stronger. I also think Liam will re-prioritize and appreciates Noah more. Kaira got a much needed break in her routine and strengthened her friendship with both men. I have a strong guess on the author!

So awesomely creepy! I wonder what the Cowboy Lady's story is? I agree that those albums must hold some interesting pictures.

I am late to the party because I work on Saturdays, but I have so many feels! This was such a complex chapter: Matt wanting to risk the unknown to chase his lover, Andrew wanting Matt to stay due to many levels of feelings, Maeve wanting a child to love. We have Andrew chastised by family, authorities, and readers. I think Andrew could have made better decisions, but he made them quickly and all with good intentions. I ask his detractors, including @Flip-Flop, would it have been better for Matt to have been sold to another master? Because that is exactly what would have happened if Andrew hadn't interceded. The "Market" is not a stable, long-term website, any delay would have resulted in Matt going back into slavery. Should he not have written the book? Then the market could have continued to be a secret to the public, is that better? He has not spent any of the money made from the book, he intends to use it to help the victims, how is this ego-stroking? I love this multilayered story and the thought provoking comments it has garnered. That it has provoked such strong opinions is a great achievement by the author, and all of our opinions are valid. Even @weinerdog's!

Great job ramping up the spookiness! I wonder if Makayla is easily spooked? Will Susan even tell her, or be too embarrassed? Susan's mom seems like she might be a helicopter parent, I wonder how often Susan has been allowed alone time in her young life. I'm looking forward to her girlfriend's arrival.