Please come back. I can't express how much I miss this story.

I might be a little late to start your story but I LOVE IT! I can't keep myself from feeling the emotions Mike is going through. It's great! You did great! Thank you for this :) And now I'll keep reading :D

Finally I see some light at the end of the tunnel for Mike... it seems like he was irremediably hopeless even after he got his mark. He was being so stubborn that even after getting the soulmark he was fighting it so so hard, that at some point I really got to believe that he was going to push Chester away.  Of course their kiss at the end of the prior chapter changed everything.

So I came to this chapter with much more hope and you have not disappointed. Have I ever told you how much I love the way you write Mike? Your Mikes are always a delight to read.  I'm glad that Anna is now a memory fading away and is no longer coming back to haunt him.

They are moving fast on everything but I'm not afraid of them messing up, they are all into it now and is not like one of them will change their minds.. If only things were like this on real life! That pufff! You get a soulmark  and you know for sure your life will be filled with love and happiness with that person, sounds so much like a utopia! But let me ask you, it's there a chance of someone getting a mark and then not being able to find the person matching that soulmark, like ever? Will they die of sadness? Oh and what happens when your soulmark dies or something? Do you have a chance of getting another mark with someone else or you are predetermined to go alone grieving for the rest of your life? This sounds a little extreme...

Anyways,  I really enjoyed this chapter... the discussion about their new house and their conservation about sex. I can see why Mike is dying to get fucked (like Chester,  I'm also surprised Mike is willing to bottom, I always imagine Chester as y he bottom one for some reason). I'm pretty sure he will love it and I hope they can jump to that moment in the next chapter.  I really love this fic! Genius!

Thank you for updating this beautiful story!

I didn't expect them to buy a house so soon. You really surprised me. The whole chapter is like a ray of sunshine in this dark world. They are sooo adorable. I liked their exchange about sex so much, it's full of trust. And it must be a huge relief for Chester that Mike finally believed in soulmarks. Hope to see a new chapter soon.

I'm happy to see you update this. I know it's been forever. I was shocked when I read it, of course. I wasn't expecting everything to already be done. I have to laugh at Chester's ending thoughts over not wanting to ruin anything by going too fast lol he cracks me up! buying a house, meeting the parents, proposing - all in like three weeks. No. That's not fast at all lol but Mike is totally into it and seems quite the willing victim now because of his soul mark, which I know is what you're going for. It's really nice to see him happy and actually thinking about the future rather than the past. He's been kinda stuck there this whole story, so good for him for moving on and letting Anna/his old life go. That needed to happen.

And even though buying a house so abruptly seems way risky, I agree it will be good for them. Places have memories, and Mike's apartment is depressing to him. So getting rid of that and moving forward with a new space with Chester will probably be good for his mental health. It will be their home, not the home Mike shared with Anna. Not to mention I'm sure it would be cramped trying to have two home offices in that small apartment. Lots of divorce happening lately when people are suddenly working from home together.

And I think it's nice that Mike is finally looking outside of himself with the whole choosing thing. He needed to let that go. Not everything his about him, you know? Sometimes things happen for others/because of others. Just like Anna leaving. Yes, that sucked for Mike, but it wasn't about Mike.

I get the feeling this story will be ending really quickly now, and I'm bummed about that. I love your work.

Come back please!!! I miss this fic so much!

I noticed the chapter titles are lyrics of Final Masquerade! You're a genius. I asbolutely loved that song, especially its acoustic version where Mike gets to lead along with Chester. Their voices compliment so well...it's like they were meant to be together in an unbeatable, heavenly harmony.

Its nice to see more of Jason in the first chapter itself and he is trying his best to comfort his brother after the sudden separation from his spouse. And it appears Mike is hell-bent on trying to push everyone away.

Mike is really in a dark place right now. Like really, really in a dark place. The woman he was supposed to spend his life with, the mother of his child has left them to find her own soulmate and Mike is left with scattered pieces of what he assumes to be his life from now on. He's really struggling in his new role as a single parent and poor Otis!

I hope we get to read about Chester next!

I love how omnious the prologue sounds along with the background of a sudden revelation that sends humanity upside down! And if its 2010, then it must be the time when Mike sported those sexy bangs! Gah, I can't get that haircut out of my mind. I wish he had it back again!

Its interesting to bring soulmark fiction into LP universe! I couldn't have even imagined something that could be so romantic. And it also seems that appearance of these has destroyed Mike's life. I can't wait to read how his journey continues!

That kiss was something else - gahhhh! <3 The final paragraphs of this chapter make me very hopeful there WILL be a happy ending for these two. <3

That said, I really DO get Mike in this story. I would absolutely hate feeling like I didn't have choice in who I wanted to be with - or maybe that is interpreting the soulmarks in the wrong way... Maybe they're not put on your wrist by an external force, but they come from within and THAT is why there is no denying them...? At least soulmarks and free will/free choice wouldn't be mutually exclusive then... The connection between Mike and Chester was undeniable from the start, long before Mike's mark showed up, so maybe it's time for Mike to stop overthinking everything and listen to his feelings for once. ;)

Can't wait to see where you will take this story next!

Please update soon.)

I cannot praise Jason enough for all that he does for Mike, seriously he is the BEST brother ever. He was so understanding and I appreciate the fact that he encouraged Mike to speak to Chester instead of shut him down, instead of judge him for getting a man's mark on his wrist or make fun of him.

Now I was getting really nervous when I started reading, when Chester got to the apartment to face Mike and Mike was so nasty about everything. I started to lose faith and thought that maybe Mike would never accept his mark and will condemn both of them to an empty and lonely life. When they finally kissed it was like everything aligned and it was so beautiful. I want to continue reading this fic is so amazing and cannot wait for the next update.

Happy to be the one who has given you "the gentle push"!)

I have been hungover only once, and your vivid description instantly brought back the memories. I like your descriptions so much.)

As you probably already know, I love your Jason endlessly. Not only did he help Mike in this chapter (for the hundredth time), but he was also so cool about Chester being his match. I mean, if every gay, or lesbian, or bi had such a supporting brother, the world would be a better place.

As for Bennoda first kiss, well... it's by far the best kiss I've ever read about.

Hope to see the next chapter soon!

Gotta admit I was worried through the first half of this chapter. I totally get your indecision when it comes to this story. It's such an open concept and there's so many different ways you could take this. The ideas are endless, so I get it. I like the way you chose, making the marks powerful enough to overcome personal feelings. Jason was so cool about it. Just...it doesn't matter. He's your person. But I love that you coupled that with experience and then showed that experience when they touched and kissed. Man, If I was Chester, I would be so hurt with Mike's reactions. He gets points for powering through that.

I think my biggest thought is, IF Mike were to continue to deny all this, he's not just doing it to himself. You know? If Mike choses a life alone in misery, he's sentencing Chester to that same fate. How awful is that? So I get Chester's desperation. It's not like dating. You can't just say, nope. He/she's not the one. Let me date someone else. This is it. You only get one person, so you have to be all in no matter what. It's a scary thought, especially when your person is resistant and drinking themselves to death.

I'm very glad you ended this chapter with a glimmer of hope :) The last few have been so down, so I'm ready to see them giving this a shot and Mike going through all the firsts of being with a man. LOL which will be amazing because of the marks. He better not mess it up with his attitude *glare Mike's way* ....just saying. I'm so happy you got this chapter updated and I know it will probably be awhile before the next, but I'm ready for it. Bring on the happy.

Aghh I didn't expect such a strong reaction from Mike... he is being cruel with Chester but unfortunately he is right... the simple truth is that Chester lied to him, he not only omitted the fact that he had a mark.. Mike's mark, he deliberately hid it on purpose, the fact that he disguised the mark is horrible, or at least Mike believes it is. I hope Mike can give him a second chance. I was so afraid Mike was going to hurt himself when he picked up that knife!

Mike should just let go and stop questioning everything or I'm pretty sure he will continue to be unhappy. Maybe he can talk to Jason? I know it has to be very difficult for him to admit to his brother that his mark is a man. By the way I loved loved loved the questions Mike was asking himself about the possibility of being able to love a man.. "Would he be able to kiss that masculine jawline, touch those muscular arms, drag his hand across that hard stomach?" This was my favorite part of the entire chapter. All of that is Chester and yes Mike you can do all of that... and I hope you show us soon. Please I'm dying to read the next chapter!

it was so emotional. I hope Mike will figure it out and won't reject Chester.

And I'm looking forward for next chapter

Ok!! I HATE soulmarks now!! All of Mike's thoughts just conveyed me.. This is such a complicated thing. When I first came across soul marks it's settled perfect. Predestined, perfect match.. Now just being on this ride with Mike and all his introspective and analysis I'm as confused as he is!!!

Poor poor Mike... Sometimes I think he should just let it all go and embrace it but I totally get where he's coming from and I'm so glad he's not just accepting all of this and is fighting it and trying to understand it... It's sooo GREAT!!!

AND it seems under all his angst over his soulmark he still hasn't gotten over Anna's betrayal..I thought he was doing better... And it's telling that the reason he was doing so much better was Chester and of that is taken away he's in a dark place again...

I think Mike should accept that soulmate or not Chester has had a HUGE impact on his life... And maybe that will make all of this easier

I don't know what he's going to do and I think Otis will be ok...

This chapter has left me feeling so confused and I thought I would be more at peace after reading it but NO

This chapter is sooo emotional. I feel sorry for them both, they are a mess, especially Mike. No wonder he feels betrayed, but I hope they figure it out. Knowing you, there is more drama ahead, and I'm ready for it!

I get Mike's issues. I love - love - that he's hung up on it being a choice. Over not being a sheep and running off to blindly do what the universe says. Good for him for being an individual.

On the other hand...you know, people go their whole lives looking for true love and never find it. How awesome to be handed such a gift. Even though Chester isn't Mike's ideal partner, it's obvious the powers that be know something he doesn't.

The part where he was thinking about Otis got me. About having to tell Otis when he's older about Anna leaving them and trying to explain to him how much he was wanted/he loved Otis' mom. Damn. Such a parent thing to think. I've known people who tried so hard to have a baby and then they have one and it's like...eh. Like they regret it, and it's so heartbreaking. This reminds me of that. As a mother, I still find it crazy that she left Otis behind. That she left him, instead of taking little Otis with her.

I love that the marks are gold and that Chester's turned gold even though it was covered up. I hope Mike will talk to him soon and not be too nasty about it. I knew it was a bad idea for Chester to lie. And to lie for so long. I get Mike being pissed about that. But I also love his little trip through memory lane, about their first meeting and whatnot, and how he connected the dots. That's not an accident, Michael. It's meant to be!

The part at the end got me too. With the knife. I wasn't expecting that at all. Is it wrong I wanted him to cut it? I know. I'm sick and twisted, but I wanted him to do it in hopes that the universe would heal it. You know? Like a giant "Nope. This IS your mark. Accept it" sign. There's no cutting away your soulmark. But I'm also glad he didn't. Can't have him bleeding out on us either. I feel bad for him drowning himself in alcohol and being all alone. Ugh, it sucks.

I'm hoping that when he wakes up and is hungover again, he'll be up for at least talking to Chester. Maybe when they see each other again he'll get all tingly on the inside or something or! Better yet! Instant arousal next time hahaha can you imagine? I can picture it perfectly. It could be hilarious. But whatever you decide, I'm here for it.

I love this story, I love all your stories, I am addicted to them. and please continue

This is such a cliffhanger! I'm dying to find out what happens next.

You've described Mike's racing thoughts so flawlessly. I emphasize him deeply.

I know I have already said it, but Jason is a gorgeous brother. I wish I had a sibling like him.