Balance: Chapter 28

Kouta and Ryuu are excited about their decision to attend Ryuu’s movie premiere together. However, there are hurdles in Balance, Chapter 28.  Here’s a bit:

Kouta knew that Ryuu was waiting for an answer. Still, it wasn’t about a simple yes or no. They had appeared in public together but the premiere would be on a grander scale. Plus, Ryuu was often annoyed about being in the news. Attending the premier with him would remove any lingering questions about their status. They were likely to get many questions. Now, with such an important prospect in front of him, Kouta wasn’t sure he wanted that kind of scrutiny. However, the more confident part of him finally helped him find his voice.

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 28

Darion learns that Tolrek and a few others have been acting on his behalf in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 28.  Here’s an excerpt:

They’d set about gathering information, putting the pieces together. They’d enlisted a variety of resources; having Fei review a multitude of communications for clues to Meric’s whereabouts, using the state-of-the-art surveillance equipment Tezza and Reya had provided, accepting Makdan’s financial support to pay informants and directing Halsam to make sure that Tolrek was aware of the proceedings, while he was still fighting Ersha.

Izdahl and Armando Updates!

Izdahl and Armando are recovering from a painful conversation. After arguing about the status of their relationship, they’ve been pondering their last discussion in their posts titled Frustation! and Blindsided. Read their thoughts under their sections from The Characters Say…

Armando is preparing himself to be more revealing with Izdahl than he has ever been.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 33

Izdahl and Armando have a candid conversation about Izdahl’s frustrations with their relationship in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 33. Here’s a portion:

“I get your damn point!” Armando snapped. “You can be so impossible! You take me from zero to furious in a matter of seconds. I guess I’ll leave you alone. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, especially on Amasi property.”

Vaironian Tides: Chapter 27

After being apart due to the war with Ersha, Tolrek is able to see Darion again in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 27. Here’s an excerpt:

Tolrek had requested special permission to take leave from his duties. No matter how much Darion tried to shut him out, he was determined to check on his lover’s health. However, Darion was refusing even to look at him.

 

Balance: Chapter 27

Kouta and Ryuu wrestle with the increased media attention to their relationship in Balance, Chapter 27.  Here’s a bit:

They had stayed up late, arguing about some recent trouble with the tabloids. Well, Ryuu had considered it trouble; Kouta hadn’t. Ryuu continued to be more private, especially since he believed their relationship wasn’t widely accepted. Kouta, on the other hand, had stopped caring as much about those circumstances and sometimes liked to push boundaries. Two days ago, he’d kissed Ryuu while they were in public. They’d been returning from a movie and Ryuu had made a joke that had caused Kouta to laugh. Enamored by the charming expression on his lover’s face, Kouta hadn’t thought twice about pressing his mouth to Ryuu’s. Pictures of the moment had appeared in the entertainment news the following day.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 32

Armando reacts to Xersa’s expectations of him, with surprising results in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 32. Here’s a portion:

Armando was well into his tirade, before he realized how cold the room had gone. He was puzzled when he could see his breath puffing into the air. If Izdahl had been there, he could have warned his lover. Xersa’s anger had hit one of its deepest levels. It had been in this same range when she’d telekinetically slammed Syrik against the wall, scaring her oldest grandchild for life. Fighting to retain her composure, she turned away from the architect. As the room grew even colder, Armando began to shiver. His teeth chattered and frost appeared on his hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 31

Izdahl receives positive news about the Resonance Ceremony.  However, there are still challenges to his relationship with Armando, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 31. Here’s a portion:

He was truly happy that being closer to Avila, spending time with her had helped to reveal that they were not suitable Shield partners. Armando would be pleased that he had not needed to sleep with Avila. However, Izdahl still had to meet with his second potential partner, Matero Nolasca.

Balance: Chapter 26

Kouta and Ryuu deal with the aftermath of meeting Alexis, Greg and Natasha in person in Balance, Chapter 26.  Here’s a bit:

Kouta stirred in the tortellini, as he thought about how to broach his next question. He was ambivalent, wondering if he should leave the day’s interactions alone for the time being. Ryuu had sounded overall pleased about what had happened and optimistic about what the future held. However, Kouta knew him well enough to see that some insecurities remained.

The Architect’s Guardian: Chapter 30

Armando reveals to Izdahl a far-reaching decision that had been made decades ago in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 30. Here’s a portion:

Izdahl sighed, feeling overall contentment but still wishing that his doubts could go away. He truly hoped that the decisions made decades ago by their families would not take away their happiness. Nitelge grew up with the understanding of just how much they were connected to the Shield. Humans rarely had the same level of requirement. So few were intricately entwined with it. Why was it that his lover, a human who completely had his heart, had been required to make such a great sacrifice? Even most Nitelge would never have to deal with this kind of burden.