Paladin

I think you will find that @Mark Ponyboy Peters was referring to a radio station in the New England Region of NSW, Australia. Matt and Luke's home town is clearly in that New England Region

Those of us who lived through the horror of the AIDS pandemic years know how true this is. I fear that too many young gays believe AIDS is history. A future on antivirals is the price of not playing safe in the present. An advertisement at the time said "When you sleep with someone, you sleep with everyone they have slept with". Always worth remembering and not just for AIDS.

All I can say is that the people I give it to, ask for more.

So Johnny is enjoying his first gay sexperience. He has heard Clay's narrative of first love turning into lasting, if closeted, love. We will have to wait to see if Clay's experience will influence what he does next. It is likely that he will continue to conceal how wealthy he is. We know nothing about Bo, apart from being a Southerner. Hmm Southerner. For all we know, he could be heir to an oil dynasty and equally concerned about revealing his wealth.

A fun, enjoyable read. Thank you @Lee Wilson. The story come to an end with marriage, adoption and confirmation that Rocky is straight. All that was missing was Bruce being Rocky's Best Man.

Another beautifully written and beautifully told chapter in this captivating love story. I am completely drawn into Oliver and Niko's love for each other.

The comments have taken a turn I didn't expect. Yes @Lee Wilson Vegemite is salty. In fact the only change to the recipe in the 101 years since it was invented was to reduce the amount of salt. Still salty, just not as much. Tim Tams are moreish.

My favourite @mansexlover is vegemite and cheese on toast. Haven't tried it with honey. Haven't tried scrambled eggs with marmalade on toast. I make my own marmalade. Tangelo and lime when my tree fruits. At present I'm making Orange and lime.

I totally agree with you, @Al Norris. Nowadays here it is down to a question of consent, not whether it was enjoyed. The offender has to establish that consent was obtained if they are using that as a defense.

Like most readers I'm looking forward to the next chapter. This chapter has given the background to what promises to be a very interesting story. John is a very wealthy gay young man who has grown up in a secluded environment. He is about to have his first sexual experience with another person and a little latter he is off to Harvard to live on campus with a bunch of horny men. He wants to experience love but is aware that he wants someone to love him and not his wealth. Nothing here that could go wrong. Hmm

There's something sinister about wooden spoons when not used for cooking. Another example of the extended families coming together and each in their own way providing love and support to all the others. Lovely descriptive writing, as usual.

Tourism Australia hates it but I just love these stories about how dangerous Australia is. Killerroos! Yeah they can be dangerous when threatened and can kill in a fight but they don't go out looking to kill. They're herbivores. Koalas have sharp claws (they climb trees) which can inflict injury if you really mess with them. We do have snakes. Lots of them. About 140 species of land snakes and 12 species produce deadly venom. We have antivenom so only about 2 people a year die from snakebite out of about 3000 snakebites a year. Northern Australia has crocodiles. Again about two people are killed by crocodiles each year. I won't mention drop bears.

Rocky was surprised when he went back to school that Bruce didn’t bother him at all. No hassles at their lockers. Bruce said ‘hello’ to him before history class. He even told Bart Packer to leave Rocky alone when Bart threw an insult Rocky’s way at lunch. OK it looks like there has been some change with Bruce, but so far very superficial. Has there been any deeper change? His bullying doesn't seem to have been confined to gay kids so i can't see that changing quickly. Bruce and his father have, so far, gotten off very lightly. So Wilmer has been to Charlie's often enough to recognize Manny as one of the barmen. Interesting! The biggest change has been with Rocky, who is turning into a nice kid with friends. I hope he accepts the offer of being adopted by Manny. Rocky, Bass and Manny are an excellent match.

Another amazing chapter and finish to this book. I've commented before that I seem to be one of the few who haven't read the previous version but, I have to add that I'm enjoying this version so much I don't have any desire to check out the old version.

Another excellent chapter. he interaction I did like was: "The fuck you didn't know. Leave. Now. Or I won't be responsible for what happens to you." "I'm not afraid of some little pip-squeak that can't do shit if I'm ready for it." "Are you ready right now?" "Yeah. Start something." Rocky started something. A quick combination of hits to the face, stomach, and groin and Bruce was down on the floor. Rocky got in three kicks to the face and head Bruce certainly didn't learn from is first encounter with Rocky, just as his father didn't learn from his first encounter with the keypad. Bruce is in hospital so the police are probably involved now. Now, we just need the truth to be revealed. Lawyers involved ???

I like vegemite, especially on toast, but then I grew up having vegemite sandwiches. I've read some research that suggested both marmite ad vegemite are acquired tastes and the overwhelming percentage of people who like them were introduced to them before the age of 4 years. Only a small percentage of people who first tasted them as adults like them. OK it's a weird thing to research. OK I'm with you here. I prefer the dark chocolate Tim Tams and don't like the various flavoured ones. I still like the original ones.

Thank you @Lee Wilson for reading and enjoying the story. Ollie has certainly won over the grandparents.

Yes some croc! We may have some dangerous animals @drsawzall but the people are friendlier. Also you have almost no chance of being shot.

Wow @Cane23 It's taken a while for you to check them out. They are a very popular Aussie chocolate biscuit (not American style biscuit) even if @Summerabbacat doesn't like them. Send your address privately on DM and I'll organize it.

I'm pleased you loved the chapter and there may be some bumps. I didn't expect the parties to have such appeal.

You stayed up later than I did @Summerabbacat. I now have to catch up with the comments that were made while I slept. I agree with you as my experience is that Tim Tams don't last long when the teens are around.

I agree @Summerabbacat that Ollie is soaking up attention like a sponge, which could be because he hasn't received much (any) since his father's death. I also agree that Logan is being careful with what he says about Ollie's mum. After all he's only recently met Andre and Chris and the rest of the gang and doesn't know the details leading to Ollie being fostered. Also he wouldn't know if Chris is related to Ollie's mum and that being the reason he was selected as the foster parent. Ollie's friends will help him blossom as well. I don't recall there being Tim Tams at Lachlan's parties

Yes @Cane23 you have mentioned Lachlan's parties. Remember he's having a holiday in Europe. Maybe you can meet up for a party while he's there. Just because Andre and Chris are foster dads doesn't mean they've lost interest in having loving sex with each other.

Thanks @chris191070. The grandparents were easy to win over and Ollie likes being part of a welcoming extended family.

You are right @Al Norris that life has a habit of intruding. Hopefully not for a little while. Jackson still has to meet up with the awesome4some during the holiday.