methodwriter85

Someone once tried to do a full family tree but gave up because it was just too much. Cody became a family friend in If It Fits, a Stefan book set in 1995. He ended that book dating Brian Parnell, who was discovered to be JP's biological paternal half-brother. I think Cody also dated JP in that book? I think his only relative in this series is Maddie Graves, his daughter with Jeanine that was conceived during an orgy with Tiffany, Brad, Robbie, and Jeanine. Maddie is currently 3.

Chapter 76 -When Travis comes out to his friends. "YMCA" by The Village People My favorite memory of this song is when I had my senior prom and a bunch of guys came out and did a dance to this. LOL God, I love that I went to a performing arts high school.

Your cynicism gives me life. No wonder you're suspicious of Travis.

They changed with the format change. Mark started posting CAP in July/August 2008. Mark and I knew each other from one of the many iterations of Adam Phillip's online groups. From about 2003 until 2018-ish Adam would hold online discussion groups. It started out as a discussion group for John Walsh's Fraternity Memoirs, but after John Walsh had a breakdown, Adam took the reigns. Adam was a very spirited young man who had a pattern of having meltdowns and then nuking the discussion groups, and then starting over in a new one. Until about 5 years ago when Adam finally decided to say good-bye to us one final time. Personally I kind of felt like Adam wanted us around because he wanted an audience for his story Cross-Currents, but after he finally finished, he struggled to stay interested in interacting with his fans especially because he just wasn't able to start new novels. Holy crap though it's been 20 years since I started reading Fraternity Memoirs. Oh my god, I was 17. LOL

Exactly. When the focus inevitably shifts to the Gen Z characters like Riley Danfield and Bobbie Carrswold I'm assuming Mark will find other ways of drama because holy crap that generation is very much past the closeted queer archtype.

Man, it's kind of sad to read this exchange between Will and Robbie.

Hey, Will gets better. He's much more likeable in The Streak and Black Widow. I did remember there was one point in the next story where I desperately wanted Mark to have Brad ship Will off to wilderness camp in Colorado for a few weeks to get an attitude adjustment but Mark didn't see the need. lol

Wow, this comment aged horribly. LOL

I mean, I'm sure he's part of it, but he's a pretty low-key guy and I can see him being on the periphery.

Chapter 11: AIDS -When Claire talks to Brad about announcing her engagement at dinner, and then deduces that her father is positive. "Secret" by OMD -When JP announces he's positive, Mouse announces he's positive as well, and then Claire announces her engagement to Jack. "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John -After the emotionally taxing week, Brad accepts Jack's offer to be best man, and sits down with Isidore, Frank, Robbie, Stefan, and JP to smoke a joint. "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth -When Brad surfs in Santa Cruz, and then talks to Robbie about the state of their relationship. "Echo Beach" by Martha and the Muffins -When Brad and Robbie visit his shrink. "Pearly Dew Dewdrop Drops" by the Cocteau Twins

Being 37 I just find myself looking back at my teen years and early 20's and just cringing. Ugh.

Chapter 10: Home At Last -When Brad comforts Stefan and JP about Roger and the overall devastation that AIDS is taking on their group. "Atmosphere" by Joy Division -For when they go to the hospital to visit a dying Roger, where JP also finds out that he is positive. "Mad World" by Tears for Fears -When Roger's ashes are buried, and the family celebrates his life. "The Wind" by Cat Stevens -When JP decides to accompany Brad and Robbie to Paris for a semester. "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" by Nik Kershaw -When Brad and Robbie have sex at the end of the chapter. "Space Age Love Song" by Flock of Seagalls

Chapter 9: Darius -When Brad and Robbie roadtrip to Califronia, stopping in Claremont. "Da Da Da" by Trio -When Brad and Robbie have sex at Grandmaman's house. "Like A Virgin" by Madonna -When Brad gets to catch up with his Claremont relatives, and watches Pastor Crazy in action. "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp -When Brad learns about Darius, sticks up for him, and he and Bitty just might have finally reconciled. "People Are People" by Depeche Mode -When Brad learns about why Bitty looks so terrible and likes being around East Claremont. "West End Girls" by Pet Shop Girls -When Brad and Robbie visit St. Louis but decide to enjoy each other first. "I Can't Go For That" (No Can Do) by Hall & Oates -When Brad and Robbie watch as Sam cheats on his wife with Jake in the garage. "Lover Girl" by Tina Marie

Chapter 8: Graduation -For Robbie and Ace's graduation. "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds -When Brad gets questioned by the police about what happened to Neil. "I Fought the Law" by The Clash -When Neil gets kicked out of the party and goes on a public rant against Robbie. "Dancing With Myself" by Billy Idol -When Brad and Robbie attempt a new sexual kink. "Wrapped Around Your Finger" by the Police -When Brad and Robbie have their good-bye sex, and Brad walks in on Ace and Bianca yet again. "Girls on Film" by Duran Duran

Heath Hutchins is my Patrick fancast. He's a former Mississippi State football player who got into modeling after leaning down. I liked him for Patrick because the transformation from hulking football player into a lithe fashion model was interesting, and I could see Patrick doing that himself. I consider the casting list to be pretty fluid- celebs come and go, and someone might come on the scene that actually fits what you were imagining better. Like for example my OG Will fancast was Sean Farris, but Asher Angel fits what I pictured better if you ignore the height. The green eyes and the dimples work great for Will's face. The one that is set in stone though is Colton Haynes for John Hobart as Mark really liked that one.

I'm pretty sure he did, but he doesn't seem like he associates much with the Cramptons/Schluters in 2004. Low-key dude and I can't blame him for avoiding the drama. Gathan seems like the type to happily settle in a Colonial in Shaker Heights, Ohio with his partner and starting a nuclear family.

I remember JJ bitching in Bloodlines about how he didn't like Gathan and it was the official end to your characterization of JJ as a sweet, cheerful kid. Lol

No. Gathan was given a happily ever after with a long-term relationship and was essentially written off, although we do still see him once in awhile through the eyes of other characters. His storyline is done, though. That probably makes JJ happy as he didn't like him. Lol

Check out the current Netflix hunk du Jour Corey Mylchreest: Any fancast ideas, fellow Mark Arbor Universe fans? I'm just posting him here because I think he's hot. I have always been a sucker for brooding good looks. Puppy dog eyes are my kryptonite. LOL I was initially thinking Man in Motion era Ace but I thought about it and think his looks are too brooding for Ace. Then again, as this woman puts it, Corey's smile is right up there with 1986 Tom Cruise which seems right for Ace. LOL

They fell in love during the aftermath of 9/11. Also, Zach looks like Liam Hemsworth. I kind of wonder if Uncle Will is going to cringe a bit when an 11-year old Maddie drags him to see the Hunger Games. LOL

Long ago I remember saying to Mark, "Oh wow, you're going to have them in New York City during 9/11? Are they going to be watching in Times Square?" Mark was like, "No, they're going to be in the Twin Towers." Lol Although I guess JJ dodged that bullet because he decided to sleep in.

If Mark's next story covers December 2004, I fully expect the family to be vacationing in Malaysia.

Chapter 7: The Silent Duck -When Brad goes over his graduation plans. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears -When we salute the Yale class of 1985. "Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen - When Brad informs Max that he'll be leaving his choice apartment to him. Then Robbie and Brad have sex. "Dress You Up" by Madonna -When Stefan, Greg, and Brad discuss the likely kink that Robbie has. "Tainted Love"/"Where Did Our Love Go?" by Soft Cell -When Neil swears vengeance against Brad. "Love is A Battlefield" by Pat Benatar -When Brad and Robbie talk at the end of the chapter, and then hug before getting Robbie ready for his graduation ceremony. "What About Love?" by Heart This song was just released and it basically ushered in a completely different era for Heart. As Ann and Nancy put it, "It was like our true artistic souls were on an island somewhere, and we were on a boat saying See you later!" LOL

Chapter 6: The Dilemma -When Brad and Robbie meet in New York City. "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves -When Robbie tells Brad that he's going to pick him over Neil. "Things Can Only Get Better" by Howard Jones -When Max calls up Brad, drunk. "Who Can It Be Now?" by Men At Work -When Max has Brad take his virginity. "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood -When Max and Brad, post-coital, talk about how sleeping together has made them have deeper feelings for each other. "Save A Prayer" by Duran Duran -When Brad learns that Robbie is blowing him off for Neil, and he has fun with his rebound Max. "Age of Consent" by New Order

Chapter 5- Conjugal Visits -When Neil tries to seduce Brad, and Brad turns him down. "Imagination" by Laura Branigan -When Brad and Robbie have sex after Brad basically forces Neil out. "Self-Control" by Laura Branigan -When Brad meets Bianca, Ace's latest squeeze, in a rather personal way. "La Dolce Vita" by Ryan Parris -When Neil declares that Brad can't satisfy Robbie like he can. Then Brad threatens to sic JP on Neil. "Jolene" by Dolly Parton -When Robbie and Brad have sex, and Robbie tells him that he's not going back to Princeton for grad school. "All I Need" by Jack Wagner -When Brad talks to Stefan and JP, trying to figure out what Robbie's kink is. "Obsession" by Animotion