sorgbarn

I see their dilemma, or maybe it's mostly Asher's - he's afraid to get emotionally invested only to have his heart broken if/when Michael decides he'd rather be with a woman - and it's understandable. It also makes me want to know what the statistics say; is it less likely for a relationship where one is bi and the other is gay/lesbian/straight to last longterm? Are bi-people more fickle do you think? Or is it worse to be left for a person of the opposite sex? Because I never got around to comment on the last chapter, I can say I'm glad Michael's back. It's probably the tension and and all those possibilities for misunderstandings between them that contributes to that ... and the possibilities for sex of course ;-p They are just so much more entertaining together than on their own. And you're letting Michael play the romance card a lot in this chapter, is he honest or is he saying what he's been brought up believing his partners want to hear? I do hope he is honest, but I don't expect matters to settle too smoothly. And then there's the upcoming legal matters with the shooting and trial, sounds like Asher has his hands full.

Thought I'd just leave a comment before the next chapter will be up. I actually read this last week, Tuesday, but I've been too tired to comment anything during the week. I must say I missed Michael in this chapter - I think he's my favorite character so far-, and I'm amused at the bad timing Asher is having with his sex life, be it on his own or with a partner. If this keeps up I'm expecting him to be caught in the act not too soon into the future. As for the computer problems, I've always told my students to save their works in at least three different places/media that way something really remarkable has to happen in order for them to lose it all at once, but who listens to teachers?! And as for the porn - maybe you just need different computers for different uses?!

Oh no, I've caught up! What am I going to do now? Do you have any idea how much time I have to kill in this darn hospital room of mine? You have to write faster! And I guess I'm not the only one that was caught up in this chapter, Michael was too - with his past. Poor kid! first an absent father, then a dead father and the responsibility for his mother and his twin siblings at that. It sounds tough enough to push an adult over the edge, not to mention a twelve year old. It definitely explains a lot of the anger he is feeling - I can only imagine what a mixed set of emotions he must have for his father, and then the less than perfect situation at his workplace ... yep, he's got a whole lot of baggage to work with. But I've got to say I've liked Michael most of the time despite his flaws and without the knowledge of his past. In fact I think I like him more than Asher, just because Asher is more likable, but also because I feel at times Asher should act more grown-up because he ought to be more in-touch with his feelings, and not the least with whom he is, while Michel is far behind in that compartment. I think that difference may cause trouble in the future - they are just not on the same page ... yet. Well, I guess I have to wait ... ... I'm still waiting. Have you written anything yet?

How old were these guys now again? They are walking into this (with Michael taking care of Asher and the two of them entering some kind of relationship) like kids, both equally unaware of what it will come to mean to them or what complications might appear. Taking care of someone ill is not an easy job, and even more difficult when you don't know each other. for two apparently grown men I get the feeling they are stupidly naive at this moment - och I get it, they have to be in order for the story to work - and I do like it. It reminds me of some of the classical fandom tropes (and yes, I know that is probably seen upon as an abomination, to compare original fiction with fanfiction!!!) hurt/comfort to begin with (it's also an old classic within straight romance, where the heroine gets to take care of the hero). Will Michael really be sleeping on the sofa? Both Asher and Micahel have changed over the last couple of chapters, and I'm not sure it's for their better. Yeah, Michael has accepted there's something between them, but maybe he should confront himself and what he is doing and why before he moves on. As should Asher - who really should know better! He's acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, all caution, all wisdom gone! I'm so looking forward to all the upcoming conflict these two will run into. I'm really enjoying myself, so keep up the good work.

Hahaha! The last piece of this chapter made me laugh. I can't believe he actually asked his father for help. But then again he has no siblings, or I think that would have been the more logical choice in an awkward situation like this one. Next time he'll remember to not leave his apartment quite so quickly - since one never knows what might happen, and don't forget clean underwear!

This story develops nicely. The conflict in this chapter has a classical feel to it; it's no longer just Asher and Michael but a third part involved. I thought Asher might take Tyler home but was still a little surprised when Tyler called out from the bedroom. Strictly speaking Michael of course has no holds on Asher, they are barely friends as it is, but no doubt it still hurts for Michael. Maybe it can do him some good? Or maybe not? Seeing how I am more than a month behind when reading this - does the health issues still apply? I hope it's settled for the better.

I guess this chapter really answered the question I asked before. So Michael really didn't know? Didn't even suspect, have as much as an inkling ...? Well, I guess it is possible. People tend to see what they want to see. But except for a few rescue missions it has been Michael coming to Asher looking for company, and maybe he just need a friend, but that's no reason to go all crazy like that over the guy in the park; what's wrong with seeing it as a compliment? It will be interesting to see what will happen from here on.

Oh, I like it better and better. I like the two new friends of Asher's,more characters gives new opportunities as for what is coming - it won't just be a tiny chamber play, so yeah, I'm looking forward to the rest of this story too. Do you still mean Michael hasn't realized Asher is gay? Surely he must have by now, or have a suspicion or two after meeting Ian and Milo. i guess I have to read the next chapter in order to find out for sure. (I haven't lost a sibling to cancer - I got my leukemia diagnosis little less than three weeks ago - I can honestly say it's a pretty stressful way to start one's summer vacation. And in fact I can take back anything I ever said about the chapters being too short. At my present situation, this is exactly so much I can manage reading in one sitting.) I'll take a short break and will be back for more.

So it took a little longer than I expected to start reading again. I wanted there to be a few more chapters so I got to read a little more at once, but ... life got in between. When I started reading I figured this would be an all one POV story - Asher's. But that's not quite the case is it? On occasion it drifts toward omniscient, as when Michael came in to the bar in this chapter looking for Asher - is it deliberate? I don't mind changing POV:s as long as it is done well, I don't even mind omniscient ... I juts came to think about it when reading this chapter. So Michael must be up to something, or why else would he come visit Asher like this? It will be interesting to get to know him a lot better. I'm sure he's nothing what he looks like at the moment. Or maybe he just doesn't have any friends? The part about Asher's sister struck more than a little too close to home for me (though I'm not dead yet), and one of the reasons it's taken me some time to pick up the reading again, and I seriously hope there will be no flashbacks to her illness or death or I don't know whether I'll cope. I have quite a few more chapters to catch up with, and I will. Maybe not right away, but I will.

I actually read the first chapter a few weeks back, and for some reason or other never commented. Now I've read the latest three and feel like I should say something ... Actually it was kind of good reading three chapters at once, since your chapters are usually quite short, and I find it easier to both get to know the characters and the plot/action if I can read a longer piece of a story at once. Not that short chapters are a bad thing, especially not if it's an already complete novel/novella, but when you have to wait a whole week for the next one ... Anyway, now I have got to know Asher and Michael a little better. Asher is a really good guy. Like someone already said in an earlier comment, he's a much, much better person than (they) I'd ever be; I would have just past Michael on the street the first time, and the second, I probably would have tried looking in an other direction completely. So yeah, Asher is so far the good guy, but don't you think he tends to fall in infatuation a little bit to easily? Has he no other guys he can be infatuated with? And how old is he? Older than the guy at the reception desk at the sport center. Was it in the first chapter? Michael on the other hand must have at least three different persona (or sides of himself); his working/career choice self, his drunken self, and the self-assured entertaining self, and yet he seems so clueless or naive maybe. He's going to be an interesting acquaintance to make, or so I hope. He clearly has a drinking problem, but the interesting matter is of course why is Michael drinking? And how has he managed before Asher got into the habit of picking his drunken ass up from the street? As for this last chapter; I hope it's not a date. Not because I don't like a bit of - ahem -romance, but because it would make the hunt too short and far too easy. And what was it with Jonesie? Unless he doesn't have information (which he then should have received from Michael himself) about Michael that we don't, I think he was out of line, especially with his last words. Well, I guess that's it. First four chapters make a nice start. I'll see how I'll do, if I read it one chapter at the time, or wait a couple of weeks ... but then I'll probably will have to go back and re-read... hmm, what a dilemma.

Every time I read something about open relationships I feel like a dinosaur. A playroom? Really? It reminded me of a danish movie I watched many, many years ago about a group/collective house where the people had this kind of room (off topic, I know). So this story made me feel ancient and out of date (maybe monogamy and exclusive relationships will come back in fashion sometime in the future,till then I'll just pretend it's cool being old-fashioned, exclusive, ... unadventurous?). What I did like with this story was how you worked with stereotypes, how manly/masculine is always better, something to strive for, so much Ian actually feels he can't act on his attractions out of fear to appear less masculine. There's an important issue right there. I also liked Curtis. I wish the story came with drawings. I think illustrations of Curtis would be interesting, his different hair colors, his different clothes. Ian is a great example of how we, humans, often (always/most of the time) initially judge people by their looks and appearance. I still think here is a lesson in gender perception and values of male-female attributes/characteristics. Even when they get together it is important for Ian to point out how unwomanly Curtis is. What pulled me in to the story at first was the promise of a sweet, romantic tale, and despite the playroom, I wasn't disappointed. But didn't Ian feel even the slightest bit uneasy when he came home and his partner was occupied "elsewhere"? The description of their relationship helps show just how much ob decline their relationship really was, imo. Long term relationships take a lot of (hard) work to make it function successfully, it's not for quitters. I also came to think of what clothes means to you and your writing. To me it seems as if you often pay attention to it, and make it an important part of your stories and the message they can tell. In Swedish there's a saying the clothes makes the man, is that an expression in English too? I wouldn't mind reading about Ian and Curtis "date", even though I like open endings. It leaves it up to me to decide what happens next. (Sorry about the lengthy ans somewhat off topic comment. And thanks for sharing your writing.)

This was fun, and I love how the poem is constructed with the simple exposition/introduction, the growing anticipation/excitement, the (unexpected) turning point and the happy end. Like a miniature story in itself. I also loved the different exclamations and how they help to create the growing tension. And then its such a simple and delightful theme and scene. It reminded me of how long it's been since I last took a bath, almost ten years ago. When the tub was full to 2/3 I ran out of hot water, so when I finally got in, the water was no more than tepid. A couple of weeks later my son was born and the tub's been full with toys ever since. Despite the interruption, your bath sounded more successful.

I like the overall sensual feel this story has, I like the play and exploration of gender roles, and I like how you gave the story and Jamie and Trisha a happy ending. When the story began it was obvious Jamie and Trisha don't have the best of relationships and in the first couple of chapters I thought they would eventually slip apart and maybe end up having a divorce. A lot of the focus was on environment/setting and with clothing. Initially i wasn't sure what was the intention with that; you set the mood, both readers' and characters'; but it wasn't until Jamie's scene getting dressed in the 20's style dress and he was all prettied up it all made sense to me. Both Jamie and Trisha seem a lot more content and happy in the last chapter than they were in the first. It was also nice to see how much they improved their relationship, and how the exploration of gender roles (not sure that's the correct word, but I'll use it in lack of better terminology, I hope you can understand what I mean by it) helped them redefine each other's love for one another. Thanks for writing and sharing!

First, beautiful waterfire! When reading this chapter I only pictured one fire on the river, I can imagine the real thing must look truly magnificent. Second, this was the 'climax' of all the built up tension and expectations from the moment Jamie arrived to the spa. And I, too, like how you are blending the sexes of your characters. So what's next? How will Jamie and Trisha move forward from this point? What will it mean to their relationship once they are back to their everyday life? (This wasn't the last chapter was it?)

So that was the main reason Trisha didn't like to see Jamie in women's clothes - she thought he wanted her to dress like that. It makes sense on some level, and I can very well understand her, dressing very female takes time and effort, and usually it will restrict how and where you can move around (like tight skirts and thin, high heels, often in combination with delicate fabrics and so on). I'm also glad to see Trisha is willing, and as it looks even enjoying, to see Jamie all dressed and prettied up. And I wonder what will happen next. This River Glow, what is it? Is it something one should have heard? Or is it made up? I still enjoy your style, it's introspective, sensual, full of sensory detail, and for me it is necessary to read slower than I usually do, which is good because sometime I'm in such a hurry to get to the end of a story I almost forget to enjoy what's in the middle.