Cane23

The rehearsal is mechanical and overly precise, which makes every minor flaw - Luke’s teasing, Bella’s stress, the placeholder chairs - feel exaggerated. Reading this scene, I had a sense of claustrophobia and irritability. Nothing flows naturally... every gesture and word is scrutinized. I was looking for a deeper meaning of Alexander's words: “But this is like getting ready for an exam. Too much repetition might end up making you develop a bad habit of misunderstanding things." Even if we read it simply as annoying and exhausting, it still speaks volumes about the tension and strain of the rehearsal. Above all - Lyn being… Lyn. As long as everyone’s happy, satisfied, and harmony is restored - birds are singing, flowers blooming… never mind the emotional wreckage underneath. 😜 At least, Alexander didn't stay silent: “I see that you’re enjoying cozying up to the bride to be,” “I thought Brad was giving me the weirdest compliments when telling me that I reminded him of this Lyn person he used to know in college. For the longest time, I thought you were either imaginary or, worse, a girl Brad must have crushed on…” So, Brad had spoken often enough of Lyn for Bella to form a picture. He described Lyn in a way that suggested emotional significance - even romantic. The notion that she thought Lyn was “a girl Brad must have crushed on” twists the knife... it captures how closeted, displaced, and misunderstood Lyn’s entire college experience was. “What the hell had she been trying to say?” This closing question works perfectly. It’s ambiguous - is Lyn shaken by Bella’s words because they suggest Brad had feelings for him? Or because they confirm that Brad, now her fiancé, still keeps Lyn’s memory alive - but misread, sanitized, heteronormalized? The question is not just “What was she trying to say?” but “What did Brad ever feel — and what has he told her about me?” It sets the stage for a storm of introspection and possibly confrontation. This whole Brad's development (in past and present) makes me so frustrated with Brad that I’m on the verge of stopping commenting on him altogether - at least until the @Laura S. Fox finally reveals what his true feelings really are. The ambiguity is driving me mad (in the best way)! 😁 Would you steal your best friend’s gal, given the chance?’ - that line isn’t about any imaginary girl from their past, and it’s certainly not about Bella. It’s Brad projecting - and it’s all about Lyn. It’s also a displaced echo of something older... the unresolved sexual tension between Brad and Lyn. The question, aimed at Alexander, carries an unspoken subtext - Could you steal what I took from him? It destabilizes both men - Alexander because he senses the latent rivalry, Lyn because he’s trapped in its crossfire. Lyn’s attempt to defuse the tension (“were you two stealing girlfriends from each other in college?”) is classic self-preservation - humor as escape, control through wit. Yet it doesn’t fully work - the air remains charged. And then again Lyn...being Lyn: “Could it be that they had had something going on before Bella met Brad?” Lyn’s jealousy takes a new, ironic form - he begins to imagine that Alexander might have a hidden connection with Bella. This isn’t just insecurity; it’s displacement. Unable to confront his true feelings for Brad or his loss of control with Alexander, he redirects suspicion elsewhere. His mind becomes a hall of mirrors (mirrors for @LeeSA 😉 )... desire, guilt, jealousy - all projected onto one another. In other words, Lyn, baby, this is pure bullshit! 😂 “The walls you build, Lyn… They are so thick, you’ve left no room inside for breathing, let alone living. That’s not protection – that’s a prison.” Woooooooooooooooooow!!! Or a bit professionally - this is a rare moment where Alexander articulates the psychological truth that Lyn intuitively knows but struggles to accept... his perfectionism, control, and fear of vulnerability have created emotional imprisonment. You didn’t trust me then… I did, but I hated that I had to trust you even when I didn’t.” Still hidden from us what happened that fateful night - we see now the start of healing old wounds and reaffirming connection - the act becomes both pleasure and reconciliation.

As much as I’m disappointed in Adrian, Harry turns out to be a more complex character than I expected. I have to admit I’m glad @vanalas gave him more depth than just being opportunistic or villainous. He has doubts, he makes poor decisions, and while it seems he’ll end up on the wrong side of history, he’s not portrayed as a monster - rather as a weak, conflicted man.

Adrian leaves a really unsettling, almost predatory impression. We don’t know much about him or his motives yet - whether he’s acting purely as Veronica’s ally or pursuing something personal...but so far, it doesn’t look good. It seems Veronica has split the responsibilities: Harry handling Zayn, and Adrian in charge of River. Poor River - this house is full of sharks. I can’t help wondering if Adrian might have become a better man, if he followed his own path rather than his mother’s influence. He could be acting on personal motives, even a kind of private vendetta, and fear - especially fear of losing status or security - can be a powerful driver, even for the wealthy.

Actually, I really like the comparison between Casual’s smut writing and Tom of Finland’s art. I once read that Tom’s work isn’t simply meant to arouse - it celebrates queer identity, masculinity, and desire in a bold, unapologetic way. Casual’s well-endowed (anti)heroes embody that same raw strength and dominance. Their enormous phalluses may fuel our imagination and fantasy, yet in Casual’s literary world they don’t always symbolize the power of their proud owners, but rather the strength of those who receive them - often repeatedly. It’s not uncommon to wonder, in such encounters, who truly holds the power. For instance, we might assume Malik is the one leading the game, yet his confession reveals otherwise - he’s already far too entangled, unable to resist Daniel: “He has no idea how much gravity he throws. The want in him. The hunger.”

Does he mean “not normal” as in unusual or uncommon, or “not normal” in a homophobic sense?

I don’t remember when or where I first read this amazing story, but I know it has stayed with me ever since. It evokes both sadness and hope - endings and beginnings, closures and new chapters of life. A beautiful tale of lost souls brought together by the spirit of a man who never stopped believing in them. It’s a story of friendship - virtual friendship, the kind we know so well... that transcends the net, connecting people and finally materializing through the spirit of a departed friend. I believe this story touches many of us deeply and feels very close to home. Thank you, dear @Inkognito, for this wonderful piece.

This chapter has completely blown my mind! Harry is acting like a jealous boyfriend toward River - the “real” boyfriend who we all know is actually fake. Then we have Zayn getting jealous when Malvin flirts with River… followed by Zayn swooping in to rescue his fake boyfriend from Malvin, who apparently isn’t such a gentleman after all. And just when I think it can’t get any more chaotic, River performs a lap dance for Zayn… only to end up throwing up and falling asleep on his shoulder! With all this glorious drama in the triangle, I still have to mention Damian and Liana - the most charming heterosexual couple ever. They are simply adorable.

I absolutely love the wordplay here - “I was riding a wolf” and “Are you sleeping with another wolf?” Brilliant! 🤣😂

Now that would be a proper soap opera! I can’t wait to see what @Laura S. Fox has to say about it! 😜 You think Alexander might have a kid?! 😮 Now that’s an intriguing theory!

Too late!

That's the point...I guess!

No new chapter on Saturday?! I’m going through withdrawal here! 😭

"Dreams of Humanity" is a breathtaking epic of science-fiction and space opera, clearly inspired by the great masters of the genre such as Frank Herbert and, to a lesser degree, Isaac Asimov. The universe it unfolds is rich with detail: enormous space battles, memorable characters, and a tapestry of old and newly born worlds. From the very first chapters, the author immerses us in a setting both vast and intimate - where politics, faith, technology, and war intertwine with deeply human questions. The story presents a future in which ancient religions have evolved into fanatical cults, new galactic orders rule with iron agendas, and both natural-born humans and clones are drawn into relentless struggles for dominance. In this world, human clones make up a significant part of the population, raising profound ethical dilemmas: Are clones truly human? Should they hold the same rights as their creators? If they are deemed worthy to die for a cause, why are they denied the freedom to choose their own path? These moral questions form one of the story’s most compelling thematic pillars. Author @dkstories skillfully constructs a post-democratic Republic governed by Great Houses - a clear homage to Herbert’s Dune. Each House has its official Speaker, and though they hold power, they rule guided by ethics and a sense of duty to their citizens. In such a system, democracy as we know it becomes portrayed not as a salvation, but as a danger - susceptible to populism, corruption, and emotional manipulation of the masses. By contrast, Earth serves as the heart of a rigid Empire, ruled by religious authorities. There, natural-born humans are seen as God’s true creations, while clones are condemned as abominations. This ideological clash sets the stage for sweeping conflict. At the center of this saga is Garret, a special clone with striking green eyes, raised as a true member of the Lars family - son, brother, soldier, and ultimately, a leader. Loyal to the Republic with every fiber of his being, Garret must face impossible choices and heartbreaking sacrifices to protect the civilization he loves. Whether he succeeds, and what it will cost him, is the emotional engine of the narrative. The novel’s conclusion offers closure to one chapter of his life, while opening the door to a new journey in Book II. In the end, I wholeheartedly recommend "Dreams of Humanity" to every true sci-fi enthusiast. I do not know whether @dkstories is still active as a writer, but this series deserves to be published in print alongside the greats of the genre. I would also like to thank @Myr for making it available to readers on the GA site.

With one exception, this marriage doesn’t involve children. And children, as we know, can be a powerful catalyst - capable of making things either messier or calmer.

Brad actually does react - just indirectly. His joke about the house being from “the 1950s” (Brad threw another cursory look around. “Maybe. But do they do deliveries to the 1950s?”) shows what he really thinks, but instead of commenting openly, he hides judgment behind humor. He always assumed Lyn (and Alexander) came from wealthy backgrounds, so the modest home doesn’t match the image he built. His silence is avoidance, not acceptance. And when he offers to pay for lunch, it might be awareness of Lyn’s situation, but also, it’s partly Brad trying to keep the old dynamic where he feels like the one “on top” in the trio.

Runaway Groom 😂

I certainly hope so - without Malik’s intervention, Mr. and Mrs. would’ve died of pure boredom. This way, they’ll either burn in ecstasy, die in sorrow, or kill each other… but at least they won’t drown in apathy.

"First love is never forgotten"...but, also... “Love is blind!”

Honestly, I've been surprised by Brad's unexpected visit, probably as much as Lyn! “What does my house look like to Brad?” Brad’s presence turns the house into “accusing eyes” - one of the best lines in this section. It signals that Lyn’s shame is chronic and deep-rooted. Brad doesn’t have to actually judge him - Lyn is already doing it for him (remember the Alexander's words: “I’m not the one judging you. You’re doing a fine job yourself.”). If the house earlier symbolized Lyn’s shame and insecurity, the bedroom now symbolizes the only space in his life where he has control, dignity, and identity. This room is who Lyn wants to be, not who he is forced to be. “This room is just like you… pretty much a warning not to ask too many questions.” In other words, Brad unknowingly points to the closet Lyn lives in - emotionally, socially, economically, sexually. “Don’t you ever want to skip ahead past all the bullshit?” Brad reveals the small crack in his golden-boy armor. This is the only space where Brad is not performing. And Lyn, tragically, becomes Brad’s emotional comfort while receiving nothing of equal intimacy back. Brad needs Lyn. Just not in the way Lyn needs Brad. For the first time we see that Brad and Alexander are actually mirrors of each other in one crucial domain - the burden of family expectation. What makes it compelling is that they respond to that burden in opposite ways, which is why Lyn perceives them as opposites, even though at their core they are shaped by the same wound. Both of them are victims of expectations, even if neither would ever claim that out loud - they are fighting the same ghost... their families’ vision of who they must be. Brad’s visits to Lyn are his oxygen - the only place he can drop the mask. Lyn becomes his sanctuary from the suffocating golden-boy persona. Similarly, Alexander’s intensity around Lyn comes from the opposite emotional need - Lyn represents someone he can be authentically seen by, not as a family legacy, not as an heir, but as a mind, as a man, as an individual. Therefore, both Brad and Alexander come to Lyn for relief of identity-pain... but in different emotional languages. Brad submits to the role assigned to him; Alexander resists the role assigned to him. Alexandar is especially interesting here due to his brief marriage because it shows that even the rebel can break under legacy, even Alexander can be cornered by expectation and that both men, at least once, lost a battle with their upbringing. Lyn is the “gravity center” of the triangle. He soothes the same wound in two contrasting men. Yet, there is distinction which is crucial for understanding Lyn’s psychology and why his adulthood looks so radically different from Brad’s and Alexander’s, even though all three come from emotionally messy backgrounds. Brad and Alexander's trauma is active, loud, and external. Their families demand and judge - so their adult lives are a direct reaction to that pressure. One bends. The other defies. Lyn’s mother isn’t pushing him to be “the best.” She’s pushing him to perform a fantasy... a fake image, a “beautiful surface,” a social illusion. Not excellence. Appearance. Finally - The Clouds in Your Eyes! Those “clouds” in Lyn’s eyes are not moisture - they are grief, yearning, and the sudden realization of distance. In that instant, Lyn sees Brad’s path clearly - Brad will have the life Lyn can never share with him. The future that Brad dreams of is the very thing that will leave Lyn behind. The glasses - “Maybe, one day, you won’t need them anymore,” Brad is speaking literally but... it’s prophetic, it foreshadows Lyn’s transformation. it is the moment when the story tells us - you will not always see Brad through Lyn’s longing. One day, Lyn will remove the glasses. At the beginning of the story, Brad is commenting: “Fucking hell, man, you look awesome,” Brad began, pulling him into a strong hug and patting his back. “You got LASIK or something? I remember you always worried about breaking your glasses by accident.” When Lyn appears at the airport, he’s already on the path of emotional clarity. The glasses, the clouds, and the small gestures in the flashback all serve as foreshadowing for this internal shift.

He is changing...can you imagine the guy from the beginning of the story saying this: I always thought getting my inheritance would be the best thing ever. But hugging my father again… hearing him say he was sorry — it was something else entirely. If he didn’t leave me a single dime, I think I’d still be happy.” No matter how sad the end of this chapter is, Zayn is doing the right thing. As he himself says, he’s finally following River’s advice - he has to go back to his past before he can truly move forward. Of course, we all wish he would already recognize his feelings for River and see through Harry’s rotten soul, but that kind of clarity doesn’t happen overnight. What I really hope is that River’s remaining time in this house doesn’t turn into humiliation after humiliation - villains gloating while the rest of the family just feels sorry for him. Even if Zayn tries to stay discreet with Harry because of the fake-relationship performance he still has to keep up with River, Harry will be more than happy to show it off to everyone. And that’s the last thing River deserves.

Amazing chapter - tender, sorrowful, and yes, punctuated by a few well-deserved slaps. The beautiful, heart-stirring church scene is unfortunately tainted by Veronica’s presence, but I suppose that after her unpleasant clash with River, she simply had to cast a shadow over a sacred moment. The return of the Prodigal Son, filled with repentance and forgiveness, culminates in an endearing embrace between Leonardo and his boys - one of the most touching moments in the story so far. And River… his two conversations with Zayn, both at the beginning and the end of the chapter, reveal just how extraordinary he is... selfless, loving, and willing to put someone else’s happiness above his own. If Zayn’s joy lies elsewhere, River refuses to stand in its way; instead, he gently guides him toward it. The ending is undeniably sad, but Zayn giving Harry another chance is probably the only right decision at this point. He needs to open his heart, find closure, and see Harry’s true face. Only then, free of doubt, can he ever move forward… perhaps even toward River. And that is exactly what River is telling him.

Mississippi didn't need her to prosecute.

Funny thing is that in my language - mali means - little! 😂

Well, when you come from the homeland of Eugène Ionesco, should anyone really be surprised?

So many mysteries were uncovered in this chapter. Faced with disaster and death, the situation brings out the best in each of them. Both Theodore and Vince are prepared to sacrifice themselves - one as an Alpha who understands how rare Guardians truly are, and the other as a Guardian whose duty is to protect his Alpha. And finally, Jack steps in, ready to share in that same courage and sacrifice. What an amazing chapter!