CincyKris

Very cozy chapter. I like that all the little steps are adding up with a few bigger steps snuck in by Owain. But the spectre of Colin's horrible mum looms over them at the end. I'm really hoping he makes at least a little stand against her ridiculous demands.

I liked Edward, I don't think that they have anything to worry about him. A paparazzo would not have an expensive studio like that. As for the party, we'll see. Well we won't, but the lucky party goers will!

Great get to know you chapter, I hope we see lots more of these boys. As in the twins get adopted by Asa and Caleb and Marcel gets adopted by Colin! I’m looking forward to the Russian reconnaissance, I’m just hoping there is not a shadow shifter or other elemental that pulls them out of light mode.

Mhairi is a lot more like her parents than she realizes. If she wants a relationship with her son as an adult, she is the one that needs to change. I hope she will realize this over the next year or so. "Built like a brick shithouse" is still a saying in the good old US of A, perhaps in part due to the old Commodore's song "Built Like a Brick House". Of course Lionel Richie had to drop the "Shit" to get radio play, but everyone knew the missing word. For those unfamiliar, the meaning is that a shithouse, or outhouse, is typically not a sturdy structure, so one built of brick is very well put together. I like the direction and pace that Colin and Owain are going, it feels natural. Colin was forced to make his big change all at once at 18 years old. To expect Colin, and even Mhairi, to change just as quickly is unrealistic.

This big meeting turned out to be successful and stress-free. I'm not surprised that Toby and company got on well, Toby has such an infectious, happy personality, now that he's allowed to be himself. I'm a little surprised at the group coming to look at the balcony jungle, what an unusual gathering of individuals. Toby keeps collecting a diverse group of friends and family.

I’m betting Marcel will go back with Asa and Caleb. As for the brothers, who knows?

Colin grew a pair! Hopefully his first step in standing up to his mother will get him to realize that she's going to bitch and moan regardless. She's been biting the hand that feeds her for years. I hope her free ride is about to end. Standing up to Jimmie was a no-brainer, there was no downside. Colin has been so stuck in his rut, he is just now realizing how easy it is to make some small changes. The big changes are still down the road, but you've got to start somewhere.

The best way to get fresh eggs is to have a neighbor that raises chickens, great eggs with no hard work! Although the bastards ate a third of my very best heirloom tomato (grapefruit sized!) and several other good ones. Regarding Jubal's scars, I had the same thought as @drpaladin, maybe his father was responsible. But, I don't think the timeline works for that. His dragging scars were incurred "last fall". I get the feeling he left his father's home as soon as he could and never looked back. He also has spent some time cowboying. I bet he's got some really old scars from the miserable old man, not to mention all the emotional scars.

I wondered what happened to you, but never expected a stroke! Who does? Get better and take your time, we’ll be here when you’re ready.

I'm more than happy that we are following what feels like a natural pace. Nothing takes me out of a realistic story faster than an artificially fast pace. In no real world, would Jubal and Lucas have survived their ordeal and hooked up and played house in two weeks. Also, it means we get to enjoy "Bearpaw Mondays" for a long time!

This is a very promising start. I liked that you got your point across without a ton of exposition. It allows the reader to be there with the characters, rather than us being force-fed an information dump. I'm also impressed with just the right amount of emotion without being maudlin. I'm looking forward to the next chapter and the showdown with the caseworker.

I eagerly look forward to the day when "frisky activity" will be possible for them!

Jubal is doing his best to keep his mind too busy to dwell on fears. It may only be partially successful, but he sure is getting a lot of work done! He may be primarily thinking of helping his friend, but he's building his own home, whether he'll admit it or not. I am hopeful that Lucas is improving, I think he did respond to Jubal's touch. Also, I'm jealous of his 2 1/2" boards, you don't find that much anymore, at least not in my price range.

I love how well Brian and Gordon balance each other. Brian is a natural worrier, but not in a self destructive way, possibly because Gordon pulls him out of that. Having that one person he trusts assuaging his worries keeps him from going overboard. I'm also concerned about Deirdre, she's like a looming dark cloud upwind from them, not destructive yet, but could be when it arrives.

I agree that Colin will probably be found out, rather than come out. Hopefully he has a few weeks of dating Owain to get more comfortable before he had to deal with the consequences. While I firmly support everyone coming out on their own terms, Colin has stretched being in the closet to an unhealthy level. Being accidentally outed will force him to change his relationships with his family and employees, some much needed changes.

I find myself both sad and happy that I was right about the night 15 rears ago. It's just so desperately sad that a teenager's fear and panic caused a divide that never should have happened. It should be mentioned that Chase also responded with fear and panic and fled, rather than talk to Micco at the time. But happy that Chase is as much in love with Micco as Micco is with him, there is hope for the future. As for the possible gaslighting, I hope so. But then we have the inconvenient fact that Micco has lost time. Why can't he remember? Dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder) would explain the lost time, the uncharacteristic behavior reported by others, and has only been reported in people who have experienced severe trauma. If he is being gaslighted, someone is doing a hell of a job at it.

While for most people, flowers and an apology are a nice statement, for Colin it is a very big step. I hope he has a conversation with Owain afterwards, not just sex. He needs a gay friend to talk to, it will help normalize being gay. His complete isolation from other gay people has done him no favors. I know I mentioned allowing Jimmie and co. to be disrespectful last chapter, but I'm with @Cane23, it was not OK! At the very least, he needs to put a stop to their banter.

Brian and Gordon may be new at full time parenting, but they are doing a great job! I think they are hitting the sweet spot for the amount of attention they are giving Toby. Too little (like Noah), and they might feel unimportant. Too much, and they feel smothered.

WooHoo we have first contact! The boys enjoyed lighthearted fun until Colin's employees showed up. I know that good employees are hard to find, but the least Colin could have done is asked his workers to cut out all the homophobic banter. It's not only pushing him to the very back of his closet, it's disrespectful to the client. I know that it's going to take some effort from Owain to get Colin comfortable, but I'm looking forward to a time when Colin grows some balls to go with that fine ass!

I'm rereading and you brought forth feelings and memories yet again! My first time at my favorite Thai restaurant, the owner recognized a newbie and asked what my favorite ingredient was, I told her mushrooms. She said she would bring me a special, only a little spicy. I asked her white people spicy or Thai people spicy, she cracked up, punched my arm and said "you funny white lady, I surprise you". Best Thai food I'd ever had! I actually cried when Kayala and her husband retired. This also reminded me of a dear friend from college, now gone from cancer, who struggled with his orientation. Thanks for the good memories on my day off!

My most fervent wish is that sometime soon Jubal will not be able to think the following ever again: The urge to touch the man’s face was as strong as any he’d ever had, but he didn’t have that right.

I don't get bad vibes from Russ, but I could be wrong. He just seems to be a rich guy who is used to having his offers accepted. Would he react with vengeance if he were rejected? I doubt it, a smart businessman would just move on to the next conquest, hopefully that will be the case here. One of the reasons I'm guessing this To be the case, is the way he responded to the request regarding Toby. Rather than use the possible loss of business as a veiled threat, he offered positive reinforcement. Manipulative yes, but when aren't rich businessman manipulative?

Maybe they were shifter squirrels

It’s lucky for them your thanksgiving was last month! I haven’t seen any for a week or so, I think they’re getting paranoid!

Its pretty obvious that Owain is going to have to make the first move. Hopefully Owain will shock Colin out of the holding pattern his life has become.