Reviewer: Naughty_teaspoon (Signed) · Date: May 20, 2019 07:32 AM · On: In Public

Thay was so good. Craig is such a bastard. He don't deserve to have such a wonderful person for his son. Justin is so strong <3 

Reviewer: Minoloushe (Anonymous) · Date: January 26, 2010 06:46 PM · On: In Public

I liked this chapter very much indeed - it was definitely worth the wait! While this story is more focused on Brian, Justin’s thoughts on “love” as a verb show just how much he has grown as well. The teenage focus on superficial romance and picnics on the floor have been replaced by something which seems less “silver screen” but is actually much more exciting. I also like the fact that love / their relationship isn’t viewed as a goal so much as a journey – that you don’t just reach a place called “love” and sit there for the rest of your life without having to analyse or work at it. That’s the reality of any relationship.

 

The unity between Justin and Brian / Beautiful really shone in this chapter. The fact that they retain their individuality while making each other stronger at the same time. In as much as we see Brian gaining strength and security from Justin, it’s clear that Justin gains an equal amount from Brian. It’s about support and finding a relationship dynamic that works, not about losing yourself to someone else. Brian’s headache and the scene between Justin and his father show that quite clearly, as did the respect Brian and Justin show each other in discussing how to confront Joan and Craig. The space they’re willing to give each other, support without being interfering or controlling. I found your writing of the confrontation between Justin and Craig really strong, by the way – it flowed beautifully and I could really “see” it. Seeing Craig’s point of view was quite brutal but necessary, I think. He has such a visceral response to Justin: his skin crawls and his throat goes dry. The physical manifestation of his hatred and perhaps, by the end, the realisation of what he’s lost. Finally (promise I’ll stop soon!!) I loved the lead in to the confrontation – that we move from Justin’s caring for Brian and thoughts on love, to Brian’s session with Dr Stevenson and growing strength in what he and Justin are together, grounding themselves and especially Brian with the memory book - all culminating with the Craig scene. It highlights what’s important in a relationship (at any level, whether romantic and sexual or not) and just what’s missing from Craig.

 

Okay, I know I said I’d stop but the other thing I really liked was Justin’s musings on taking care of Brian and how that’s different from being “maternal”. You’ve already heard all of my thoughts about the difference between the unconditional love, support and care parents are supposed to give their children versus treating someone “like a child”. That Craig does the latter by disrespecting Justin’s life, while failing to give the former just reinforces that there is nothing inherently “parental” amount Justin’s needs being met through dominance and nothing “child like” in Brian’s satisfaction in submission. Those issues were nicely dealt with here.

Author's Response:

Wow, I'm so late in replying! I'm sorry about that!

I'm heartened by your reference to Justin's little "love speech." I wasn't sure if it would be seen as too sappy or if the substance of it would grant it a place in the chapter and the story. To me personally, it's a meaningful concept and one that I think was especially critical for  Justin to reach -- I think it will also ultimately help him to see how Brian's loving him was evident in a myriad of ways throughout the seasons. 

I greatly enjoy your analysis of their relationship. They truly are standing in relation to one another, continually treating one another as full human beings -- never as an object for what they personally are trying to accomplish or want, etc. 

I'm delighted that you liked the Craig scene so much. I hadn't given a lot of thought to how I wanted to portray him, and when the moment came to write it I was a little nervous that I wouldn't know what to say. Fortunately, though, it fell into place and I'm glad the writing reflected that. The essence of his character was the very gut-level reaction he had to Brian, to their relationship and finally to Justin's words. No amount of intellectual understanding would be likely to break through.

I wasn't thinking about the parental / relationship parallels but I'm glad you were! You make, as always, an excellent and insightful point on these matters! Thanks so much for the review! (you know I'm addicted to them, lol!) 

 

 

Reviewer: sfscarlet (Anonymous) · Date: January 25, 2010 08:19 AM · On: In Public

so sad that craig has so little feelings for the son he loved and raised just because he chooses to be with Brian.  I wonder if Craig would feel that way if Justin had  been with a female who was a real loser in his eyes. ( felony charges, drug user, wrong side of the tracks- etc)

sad that this happens more than we like to think

Author's Response:

That's an interesting point. I guess it would depend on how class-ist he really is. My guess is that his reaction would be similar, but not as extreme, to that sort of situation.  It is so sad, and poor Justin now left to wonder what those first 18 years really meant if they weren't worth saving. :( 

Thanks so much for your review!

Reviewer: edom (Signed) · Date: January 24, 2010 09:53 PM · On: In Public

It was so great that Justin told Brian to call him, and that he actually did it. It was a little funny that Brian didn't realize that Justin oculd hear in his voice when he is hurting, you'd think he knew that by now :)

The idea of doing both their parents in such a short amount of time is genius, better get it over with and then they can start to heal from it.

Craig really is a bastard, as if it was in any way Justin's fault that their relationship is non-existing. Justin was so strong and so good when he said what he needed to say and then just left!

I'm so looking forward to Brian's confrontation with Joan, it should be interesting!

Author's Response:

I thought it was interesting too, how Brian still doesn't get how much  Justin knows him. He'll get used to it, though. 

Yeah, the next chapter with Joanie is a short one, and the one after that will deal with the aftermath. I think Justin has much less "aftermath" in a sense and is better equipped to deal. Luckily he'll be there to help Brian, who will be having a harder time.

I know. I wrote the Craig part and I was like, "What a fucking jackass!" It was great to write Justin walking away from him, though I think my favorite moment was when Justin stopped Craig from grabbing the keys. 

I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter; I'll post in 6-8 hours I think. Thanks as always for your wonderful and insightful reviews!!!!

Reviewer: templeton_ma (Anonymous) · Date: January 24, 2010 01:05 PM · On: In Public

It's so sad to see a father & son relationship disintegrate like this but it's great that Brian and Justin have each other to face Craig and Joan. 

“Because Justin will  be there.”  What an admission. The Brian a year ago probably would have kicked Justin out of the loft to spare Justin from witnessing Brian's vulnerability.

 

Author's Response:

Oh hi!! I'm so glad you're back; I've been wondering how things are going with you and the job search and all. I hope it's going well!

Exactly! Wasn't that huge that Brian would say that!?! You're so right that it shows so much of how Brian has grown and how much he now trusts Justin. 

I'm so happy that you're still reading!! :) 

Reviewer: sjmpets3 (Signed) · Date: January 24, 2010 11:36 AM · On: In Public

i loved how justin got him to relax. to take some time in his day just for him. his floating images at first were hysterical. if he doesn't take the time to himself then justin is going to be there to do it for him.

talking about what was going to happen and how he felt about talking to craig was good for justin. he had to face his fears. craig is an idiot to throw his son away. i think justin handled the entire situation perfectly. if his father can't accept him for who he is not what he is then craig doesn't deserve him.

brian's attitude in dr. steveson's office i feel was mainly because he was surprised by their last session that brian didn't know what to expect this time. that he was willing to talk about his plans to talk to joan and what he was expecting from it was a big step for him.  i'm glad dr. stevenson reinforced all the positive changes he's made.

very nervous about the up coming talk with joan and am glad justin will be there for support.

Author's Response:

*grins thinking about Brian the Sex Superhero in his Armani cape!* 

I liked the session with Dr. Stevenson a lot; as you say, the doc is very supportive and tried hard to be sensitive to how Brian felt. I think part of Brian's difficulty in that session was because he was alone with someone else who in some ways knew that other part of himself. So he was struggling with whether to be more of "Beautiful" in the office. 

I hope you'll like the next chapter; I'll post in probably 6-8 hours. :)

Reviewer: BluvsJ (Anonymous) · Date: January 24, 2010 09:16 AM · On: In Public

It's always worth the wait ...... I am glad Justin got to say what he needed to say to Craig... it gave Justin some closure and the knowledge that things would never change or get any better between them... I am sure the same thing will happen when Brian speaks to Joanie because she is even more of a lost cause than Craig...   

Author's Response:

It did give a lot of closure; now Justin can know that his father still doesn't care, even though he said outright that he was hurt. I think he'll feel much better now. I hope you'll like the next chapter; I'll post it in probably 6-8 hours. :) 

Tiffany