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When the weight of his lies becomes unbearable, Taylor makes a choice that could destroy the first real romantic connection he's ever had.

Thank you for your patience, everyone! This one ended up extra long and has 11 images instead of the usual 8 because there was just so much ground to cover. I hope you enjoy the new chapter! 💖

P.S. Since there may be some question, this is NOT the end.

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Robertlouis

Well, Emory, if you want to end it there, you could. What an absolutely perfect episode, more of a gentle switchback than a rollercoaster, although it did have its moments early on, but the final third was just beautiful, and, as I say, could be the right place to end. We can assume that as all’s right with Maya, and that Taylor is happy simply being Taylor without being pinned down to any definition beyond the name, that things can be resolved with Abigail, Alicia and all other players. That final picture of Taylor is the ideal summary of the entire tale. Beautifully executed. xxx

Crewchick

WOW!!! That was both highly emotionally charged and so sweet and charming.

Gemma

As I read this episode I was half expecting you to pull the rug out again from under us and some twist to happen. Thankfully not. Just such a beautiful episode Emory. Taylor is also such a beautiful sincere character and person. Taylor’s humility and strong moral code are so endearing. How could anyone reject someone so open, vulnerable, honest and real. I just loved the way the dialogue exchanges between Maya and Taylor gently guided us all through the maze of issues, dilemmas and confusion that has been part of the landscape of Taylor’s life for so long. The last part of this episode was so gently written. The slow build up of the sexual tension, the anticipation was palpable. Witnessing Taylor beginning for the first time to love his body and to see himself as an attractive and a sexual being. The pacing and building up to the intimate and sexy last scene was so emotionally touching mind blowing and fantastic. Thank you Emory.

Maggie Heels

This is insanely brilliant. ❣️❣️❣️❣️

Ellen Mellor

I don't think I have any words after reading this. It was beautiful. Thank you.

Kris Greg

I adore this chapter so much! I love how Taylor is coming to see that his body could be a good thing.

Samantha Louise

That was a hell of a chapter. Still a lot of things for Taylor to figure out. Still needs to talk to Abigail again, hear her out, get more datapoints, more theories for them to ponder to help figure out who they are and what they want. But this with maya, it went way better than I thought it would and I’m glad Taylor needed that.

Jade Diaz

Two for two, you magnificent witch. You made me cry again. Also, I love how you keep using sex as a mechanism to get people to stop hating their bodies. I'm not saying you have a pattern, but...

Thomas Tolliver

I'm lacking a set of secondary sex characteristics up top, but I can definitely vibe with the feeling of being okay with either gender. Though I don't feel very brave, since I just express as my cis self.

Emory Ahlberg

Well, Thomas, as Maya would say: “You have your whole life ahead of you.” ♥️

SingularCurve

That was amazing!! The emotions come right through. Im crying happy tears.

Robertlouis

Nailed it, Gemma. Thank you.

Gemma

Thanks

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you so much for this, Robert! 💖 I think that for Taylor, that moment in Maya's room is the first time they've ever been truly seen (all the messy, contradictory parts) and not just accepted, but desired. So this is the resolution of their deepest fear: that if anyone knew the truth, they'd be a monster. Maya's acceptance is proof that Taylor isn't broken. And you're right, it could be an ending. A hopeful, beautiful one. But there's a little more to come. ☺️ Maya's acceptance gives Taylor the safety to finally ask the real question: "Who am I, and what do I want?" That's a question they've never been safe enough to even consider before. The conflict with Abigail is so raw and tied up in her own identity as a trans girl... And Alicia... she's the ghost of the person Taylor used to be. They can't be a whole person until they find a way to make peace with that ghost. So, I'd say this chapter is the end of Taylor's survival story. Now, Taylor's story about how to actually live can begin. 💕

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you so much, Diana! That's exactly what I was going for. The chapter is kinda about the whiplash between expecting absolute rejection and receiving unexpected grace. Taylor walks in ready for the world to end, but Maya just refuses to let it. 💖

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you so much for this beautiful comment, Gemma! I'm so glad you felt that relief. The last thing Taylor needed was another disaster. What he (they/she?) needed was grace. And I think you captured Taylor's core conflict: They're a fundamentally decent person who believes they've committed this unforgivable sin. Their humility and moral compass are exactly what's causing them so much pain. Maya sees that. She doesn't see a liar - she sees a survivor who's drowning in guilt, and she just refuses to let them. I'm so happy the pacing worked for you in the final scene. Taylor's body has been a source of nothing but shame and trauma for years. For them to experience it as a source of pleasure and connection for the first time is a monumental shift and was really fun to write. 💕

Emory Ahlberg

Aw, thank you so much, Ellen! 💕Writing for Taylor has been wonderful, and also its own kind of journey. I'm already looking forward to next month when I get to come back!

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you! Maya's desire is monumental. For the first time, Taylor's body isn't a source of shame, but something worthy of love. It's a paradigm shift. 😉

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Samantha! 💕 Maya gave Taylor the safety he(?) desperately needed to even begin figuring things out. But you're right, the conversation with Abigail is the next big experiment.

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Jade! What can I say? It's the most effective therapy I know. And way cheaper. 😁

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you so much. Singular! That's honestly the best compliment I could ever get. I wanted that ending to feel like a dam breaking. All that pent-up fear and loneliness finally washing away. I guess your happy tears mean I got it right. ☺️

Gemma

Thanks also for clarifying adjective pronoun to best captures Taylor’s gender. I was unsure as to how I should I refer to Taylor in my feedback comments-‘he’/‘she?’ ‘They,’ at this time, is probably a more apt descriptive pronoun to use when referring to Taylor.

Gemma

Spot on!

Tomoa

Amazing chapter!!

Thomas Tolliver

My wife keeps encouraging me to explore. So maybe maybe.

Sunflower

God bless Maya! How wonderful for Taylor, to have someone handle the situation in just the right way, and reveal a whole new path for them. Goosebumps!

AB

Wasn't Taylor a C-cup just sometime back. Also I don't think I can feel happy for Taylor until he fixes things with Alicia.

Claire

You really could have ended it right here but I’m so glad you didn’t. Taylor is starting to see themselves as existing in the world… and it might not be so bad…. But what about Abigail!

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Tomoa! ☺️ Writing it was fun - I'm glad reading it was, too!

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you! Maya's kindness is the first safe place Taylor has known in a long time. 💕

Emory Ahlberg

He wasn't sure! In Chapter 1... "The breast growth began at puberty and had just never stopped. At age fifteen, his chest was already an A cup. At sixteen, it was a B. By seventeen, it was a solid C. And now, at eighteen? Well, he hadn’t had the heart to measure lately." Totally agree about Alicia. That poor girl deserved better. Taylor froze, and you can be sure he's feeling awful about it... (or will soon!)

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Clarie! Maya healed a wound, but the one with Abigail is still wide open. 😬

AB

See Chapter 3 where he measures himself and orders online. I don't mean to nitpick. It doesn't matter and takes nothing away from the story. It's also weird my brain remembers this stuff.

Emory Ahlberg

Good catch! I missed that. I’ll fix. I actually love when readers catch what I miss. It helps add to the authenticity of the story. 💕

Robertlouis

Thanks Emory. This also leaves the way clear for Taylor to just be Taylor - they don’t have to make a decision that places them on either side of the gender binary. If Maya accepts Taylor as they are with all their contradictions, and Taylor is comfortable with that too, they can face the world with courage and confidence. Reconciliation with Abigail should be relatively straightforward, although explaining everything to Alicia will take some time. I’m certainly optimistic about Taylor’s future after this chapter.

Robertlouis

Oh, I thought chips and gravy was a north of England thing. Hadn’t realised it was popular in the US as well. Not for me though - I’m a traditionalist. Salt and vinegar only, and lots of it.

Emory Ahlberg

Haha, I respect tradition. But in my experience, the best things in life are just a glorious, gravy-covered mess. 😉

Firewalker

Had to reread this. Everything about their conversation and the eventual kiss, the reconciliation, it's so damned sweet. Tears.