Date: 04/27/17 02:01 am Title: Chapter 66
Okay, I have to comment on the picture first because I laughed so hard when it popped up on my Instagram feed! Sometimes, I swear that the guys must lurk here and read some of the stuff. Like Nick saw this story and was all: "Yo, Howie, let's get coordinating pastel dress shirts and go out for brunch together just to mess with the fans over at AC who are all reading this super popular fic about us being a couple ...".
Anyways, to get back to this chapter, Howie and his bloody wink! I actually cringed at that bit! Really?! Don't be an idiot, Howie! Ugh! If you want to scare Nick away, flirting with him during dance rehearsals for a love song is probably the best way to do it!
Also, Lauren is not gone for good. I've decided. Nick is getting back with her and Howie is gonna be devastated.
Finally, Brian of course peaced out to be with Leighanne and Baylee. Are they ever NOT around?! Another ugh!! :)
Author's Response: OMG, I did the same thing with that picture, and another friend tweeted me and said it reminded her of this story, so I knew I had to post it next time I updated. Howie and his winking...LOL. Sometimes I think he can't even help winking, like it's some sort of tic. Interesting prediction about Lauren. And yes, of course Brian went with Leighanne and Baylee. Why would he ever go out to lunch with the other guys without them?? Ugh indeed. Thanks for the review!
Date: 04/27/17 01:25 am Title: Prologue
Oh, no, notifications haven't been working! At least that means I get three chapters all at once!
The plot is moving along nicely. I am a bit upset that we never did get to find out much about how Nick and Howie worked having a relationship during the summer. I wonder if the paparazzi encounter is going to come back to haunt them. It's nice to see Nick and Lauren talking again, and I look forward to the complications this is likely to produce.
Author's Response: Oh no! That's always nice when you have more than one chapter to read. Yeah, I kind of fast-forwarded through the rest of summer, but it's safe to assume it was more of what you saw leading up to that point, since they're still together and seem to be doing okay. Thanks for the review!
Date: 04/26/17 09:11 pm Title: Chapter 66
Soon excited to read a new chapter. I was afraid Lauren would show up. I hope for Nick and Howies sake that this wont cause any problems. I mean Nick is so far in the closet he might just go to Lauren to prove a point😲. I hope not cos like you said they look adorable together. You have me so hooked on this story. Another wonderful chapter.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how this little reunion with Lauren affects Nick.
Date: 04/26/17 03:36 am Title: Chapter 66
Yes! Yes! They! Do! They even coordinated their outfits! Like what are the odds?! But when Lauren had showed up with Ro and Ava and AJ skeedaddled, I couldn't help but think "Oh well this is futile; he has Howie now!"
Author's Response: I laughed so much at that picture! LOL Yes, if only AJ knew... Thanks for the review!
Date: 04/19/17 11:00 am Title: Chapter 65
When BSB posted the pic of Nick and Howie having an Easter brunch on Facebook, I thought, "Awww, they'd make a cute couple. I can see why that nice elderly lady at the space exhibit thought they were a gay couple."
I love how accepting the Doroughs were. After almost losing Howie to a suicide attempt and liver failure, nothing could tear them apart.
Good luck to Nick if he thinks he can hide their relationship from his bandmates. I wonder if his bandmates will be more or less perceptive than Howie's sisters, and if Nick will run into Lauren in LA.
Author's Response: LOL I thought the same thing about that picture! Howie's family seems close and seems like they'd be supportive of anything. We'll see what happens with the boys. Good questions! Thanks for the review!
Date: 04/18/17 09:09 pm Title: Chapter 65
Did Howie really think that Nick was just going to up and agree to tell the rest of the guys? I mean, I know that he's made progress in terms of telling other people, but telling AJ, Kevin, and Brian would make the situation too "real" for him. Right now, he can still walk away from Howie and pretend like the whole thing never happened. As long as nobody in Nick's immediate world knows about him and Howie than he's "safe".
I also think that he makes a good point in the sense that it wouldn't be good for the group if he and Howie went public. I'm trying to think about what would happen if this came up in real life. How many fans would peace out if two of the boys came out as being a gay couple? The whole concept of a boyband is a bunch of good looking guys that girls are supposed to lust over so that they spend tons of money. I know that the die-hard fans would stick around no matter what, but I'm willing to bet that the guys would lose a lot of the "nostalgia" crowd that still comes out to see them. No straight girl wants to scream for a gay man. I know that the guys are all married, but as long as they're straight, there will always be those women who think that they still have a "chance". If that "option" was gone (especially as far as Nick is concerned), I think that a lot of their fans would be gone too.
Thanks for the update! I'm looking forward to the next one!
Author's Response: Great points! "As long as nobody in Nick's immediate world knows about him and Howie than he's "safe"." <-- I think you hit the nail on the head with this. Your question about how many fans would lose interest if two of them came out as a couple in real life made me think. I don't think it would bother me any more than them being married to women, although it would definitely be weird at first, but I'm sure some fans would have a problem with it. I keep thinking of Lance and 'NSync, but it's different because he didn't come out until after the group had disbanded, and it's not like he was dating someone else from 'NSync. It's interesting to think about. I definitely prefer the bromantic relationship the Boys have with each other to any romantic ones, although it's been an interesting challenge to explore the latter in this story. Thanks for the review!
Date: 04/16/17 10:59 am Title: Chapter 65
Happy Easter. You certainly made my day. I feel so bad for Howie but I understand where Nick is coming from. I have a sneaky suspicion that things might get a little worse for them before it gets better. I'm keeping everything crossed for them lol. You are doing an amazing job.
Author's Response: Thanks, and happy Easter to you too! You made my day as well with your review. I think Nick is just super insecure, and it will take him time to get to the place Howie is with being more comfortable with who he is and not caring so much about what other people think. There may be more drama on the way, but I'm glad you're rooting for them. Thanks again!
Date: 04/13/17 05:30 pm Title: Chapter 64
I came across this story a few months ago and have been reading it ever since. I am glad to see Nick is slowing opening up about his real feelings towards Howie. I cannot wait and see where this leads to.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for checking out the story and leaving a review! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far.
Date: 04/11/17 12:55 am Title: Chapter 64
Well, this chapter just gave me all the feels! I think you hit it bang on with Howie's siblings already knowing. I mean, they know him better than anyone OF COURSE they would have an inkling that he was gay. Also, I loved that his sisters called Nick out and I love that Nick actually didn't run screaming from the house in terror. He's still a long way from going public with his feelings, but I feel as though his thought process is evolving in a very natural kind of way.
I am dying to find out what happens once they meet back up with the other guys!! I just need to know how they will react, because I have a pretty good idea that Nick and Howie won't be able to keep their secret for very long. :)
Author's Response: Aww, thanks! Yeah, I figured with as close as Howie's family seems and his siblings being older than him, they might have suspected. It was a big deal for him to come out to his family, but this was also an important chapter for Nick, getting over that hurdle of opening up to other people about his relationship with Howie. The group will be back together in the next few chapters, so you won't have to wait long to see what happens there. I'm going to post the new chapter today. Thanks for the review!
Date: 04/10/17 03:32 pm Title: Chapter 64
I jumped up and down seeing that you updated this. Such a beautiful chapter and I'm glad Nick is getting braver in admitting his feelings for Howie. Great job. Loved it...
Author's Response: Thanks! This was definitely a big step for Nick, to admit to someone else what's been going on.
Date: 04/04/17 09:06 pm Title: Prologue
Started reading this yesterday. I'm a huge slash reader/writer but this is not typical slash and I love it. It's such an amazing story. I've never read howie/nick before. Never liked it but you have me rooting for them. Absolutely AMAZING....now I will have to be patient lol. Great job.
Author's Response: Thanks!! I had never written a slash before this and am not a big slash reader either, so that's probably why it doesn't read like a typical slash. That said, it means the world to me to get compliments from slash readers/writers, so thank you again! I'm glad you're rooting for Howie and Nick. I will try not to keep you waiting too long; I've been trying to update at least once a week, usually on the weekend. Thanks for giving it a try and leaving a review! :)
Date: 04/03/17 05:32 pm Title: Chapter 63
Thanks so much for the update! This is definitely going to be a different experience going chapter by chapter rather than all at once. :-)
I am enjoying the character development, especially this chapter; I'm looking forward to more soon!
Author's Response: Thanks for the review! I am trying to get back to at least weekly updates (usually on the weekend), but I know it's a different experience to follow a story as it's written compared to binge-reading it all at once. The good news is you came in toward the end of this one; it has a little ways to go yet, but I anticipate finishing it this year, probably over the summer. Stay tuned!
Date: 04/03/17 02:33 pm Title: Chapter 63
You're back!! Yay! I'm assuming that you went to see the boys in Vegas over March Break. How was it?? I've seen nothing but positive comments floating around the web. :)
LOL at the bit about Holden looking like Nick. I totally agree!! I seriously don't understand how Howie produced that child. :P
I have to give you kudos for being realistic about Holden wanting to escape his stroller. I swear my child feels as though her stroller is a prison. I don't get it. I mean, I would love for someone to push me around everywhere I went while I chowed down on some delicious Gold Fish crackers.
So, what will come of all of this now? Will Howie tell his family? Will he and Nick tell the other guys? Will they "come out" as a couple? I still think that Nick won't let it happen; that he will back out before it can get serious and everyone finds out. We'll see.
P.S. Glad to know I haven't been the only one singing that damn AIDS song in my head this entire time!
Author's Response: I'm back! Sorry for disappearing for a few weeks. March flew by - so busy!! I did go see the Boys in Vegas, and it was so much fun! Then I was sick for like two weeks. Finally feeling better and ready for my real spring break, which starts next week. Hoping to get some writing done then! I see Holden's resemblance to Howie in his face, but that blonde hair!! Must be Howie's Irish genes coming out. LOL I don't have kids, but I do have a young niece and nephew and have seen how much they both hated riding in a stroller anywhere where there was lots of stuff to see and touch. I agree; I would happily ride in a stroller now! LOL AIDS AIDS AIDS!!!
Date: 03/23/17 01:49 am Title: Prologue
I happily just discovered this fic! I love your authorial voice. I look forward to more updates!
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it! I was updating regularly and then got distracted by BSB in Vegas and the flu, but I am going to try to update this weekend.
Date: 03/18/17 12:08 am Title: Chapter 18
Aww so Nick does give somewhat of a damn
Author's Response: Yeah, even though he's angry at Howie and has every reason to be, it would be hard to erase 20+ years of friendship. A part of him does still care about Howie. Thanks for the reviews!
