Reviewer: HalfTime1030 (Signed) · Date: February 06, 2010 10:41 AM · On: The Only One

Oh Brian... my heart was breaking all over again for him here. It's only slightly OOC in that he's actually talking about his feelings, but from a literary perspective you can only have so much introspection and inner monologue. :D   I think that of anyone in the group, Brian would actually be more willing to open up to Ted. Debbie, Lindsay & Emmett would be too pushy and emotional, and Mikey is out for obvious reasons. Oddly enough, I was re-watching some of Season 1 today and Brian and Mel actually seemed to bond & get almost cosy during Mel & Lindsay's breakup and the whole French guy Gui fiasco. I had forgotten that. Especially the scene at Woody's in 116 when Justin announces he's been suspended...

The scene with Ted helped to clarify the distinction between Ted/Blake and Brian/Justin. The fact that outside Deb/Vic/Michael "family," Brian had never really known or experienced pure love - not for his body or amazing sexual reputation- but for HIM, all of him. Having opened himself up to that kind of emotion and trust with Justin only to have him walk away - even knowing he had a part in causing the breakup, Brian's got to feel absolutely gutted. You never know what you've got til it's gone is the understatement of the century in this case.

Thanks for the update & enjoy your weekend! :D

 

Author's Response:

That's true -- particularly writing in the 3rd person, eventually to learn what he's feeling he does have to say something! :) 

I'm glad that Ted seemed like a good choice for this chapter. That's also a really interesting point about Mel. I'll have to look back at that.

That's definitely one thing I had in mind with the uniqueness of Brian's situation. He hasn't had someone who just will hang out with him, who cares about him in even mundane situations. I mean, possibly Michael but I think we all see that Brian isn't totally comfortable with that situation because Michael always wants something more too... so when Brian lost that, it was a rejection of him in many ways and a loss that left not just a gap but a total nothingness in many areas of his life. 

My weekend's going okay and the next chapter's almost done! :)

Reviewer: Minoloushe (Anonymous) · Date: February 03, 2010 08:09 PM · On: Nobody Like You

I like the idea of Brian having the trick eat at the table and positioning him like a faceless mannequin. It actually strikes me as more poignant than merely sleeping with someone who physically resembles Justin – because sex is something Brian does often and casually. At the end of the day he can still tell himself it’s still “just fucking”.

Positioning a trick in a domestic context and feeding him is something very different and much more intimate. Especially as Brian orders the food before touching the trick. It also made me think about the scene in 108 where Justin makes jambalaya. It’s an interesting comparison; in that scene Brian bitches at Justin for appearing too domestic and intruding on his tricking time, while now he’s using the trick to fill in the physical and emotional gap Justin’s left. The conflation and expression of emotional loss through physicality is very Brian.  Can you tell I’m enjoying myself and this story?? :)

Author's Response:

It was much more poignant to me than the sex scene, too... it sort of foreshadows his revelations in chapter 4 (hee, hee.). 

There may be another chapter with a similar theme, though I'm not sure... the optimal time for it may have passed, but maybe not. 

I wasn't thinking about the jambalaya scene, but I'm awfully glad that you were; it does make for a very interesting comparison.  Brian's coping by trying to physically change his environment to meet his emotional needs is pretty reflective of him... it occurs to me now how he is really *showing* his pain, but there is no one there to see it. 

*poor Brian!* 

I have a feeling you'll enjoy analyzing the next couple of chapters, too. It has a couple of themes that I know you like (but Brian does remain in human form throughout! LOL!!!)

 

Reviewer: shimayo (Anonymous) · Date: February 02, 2010 09:10 PM · On: Nobody Like You

the chapter turned out more than okay, I'm hooked up! I love how Brian try to deal with Justin's leaving and still think of him every day and every where. It's kind of bittersweet but also good. Thank you.

Author's Response:

Thanks! He is definitely thinking about him everywhere -- and it's hurting him a lot. Ultimately I think it will work out for the best though. Thanks so much for reading! :)

Reviewer: connie (Anonymous) · Date: February 02, 2010 07:05 AM · On: Nobody Like You

I am turning into a real fan of your writing.  I am liking the third person.  It really feels like I am watching an episode of the show. 

 

I like what you did with the trick.  If Brian would go so far as to buy a hooker that looked like Justin, I can totally see him having a trick sit where Justin did.   Maybe even go so far as to shower with one and have him use Justin's shampoo that you know is still standing in the shower right now.

 

Can't wait for more of this and more of  Why Not With Me.

 

Blessings

Author's Response:

Wow, thanks so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the stories, and thanks especially for writing in. I love hearing from reviewers and it has made my stories so much better with the insight gained from that process. 

I love the shower idea -- I'd been toying with another sex-scene one, and the detail of the shampoo would be great. Thanks for the idea; if I use it, I'll be sure to credit you! :) 

Thanks again!! :)

Reviewer: HalfTime1030 (Signed) · Date: February 02, 2010 06:25 AM · On: Nobody Like You

I think the whole hiaving the trick eat at the desk is not too out of the realm of probability, especially since we know definitively he hired a Justin look-alike hustler. The difference in mindset between Brian and the trick was great; the trick was so in the moment and there to enjoy himself while Brian was merely on auto-pilot, hoping to lose himself in his memories/fantasies of Justin. Fantastic contrast.

I have always thought that Ben and Ted did not get the focus and spotlight nearly as much as they deserved for being good, supportive friends. They both have a quiet strength and have been through so much personally that their advice is often very wise. So I'm glad you have him making the offer to talk about things with Brian - though whether he takes him up on that is another whole story :)

Thanks for updating! :)

Author's Response:

I'm excited that the sex scene went that way; it was a funny one to write -- going from passionate/ecstatic to disinterest/indifferent! I have a chapter for Ted coming up, and probably another for Ben -- I do like them both and they have a lot to offer in this particular story (as does Emmett). 

I hope Brian will talk, too. I'm not sure, though... :) 

Thanks as always for the marvelous reviews! :) :)

Reviewer: edom (Signed) · Date: February 02, 2010 03:04 AM · On: Nobody Like You

He really is a very sad man at the moment, and he can't even admit that, even to himself. I feel so bad for him, but at the same time I want to smack him for letting Justin go in the first place.

I don't actually think Brian would ever feed one of his tricks, but I can understand why you would put it in there, it just enhanced Brian's loneliness.

It's very believable that he would have to think about Justin to be able to feel anything at all, he was really fucked up at that point.

All the drinking worries me a little, I don't like that he needs to be passed out in order to sleep.

Great chapter.

Author's Response:

I think you're right that at this stage Brian doesn't even admit to himself  quite how depressed he is getting.... unfortunately it'll take him a while to realize the full depth of his own misery. 

I know, I sometimes want to smack him too -- or write Debbie in to do it!! lol! Maybe in a later chapter!! :)

The drinking is starting to become far too necessary.... :( 

Thanks so much! :)

Reviewer: Minoloushe (Anonymous) · Date: February 01, 2010 05:00 PM · On: Heartbreaker

I’ve always thought that scene with the Justin look-a-like says so much about Brian and what he feels for Justin…and the way he needs to hide it. This is such a great place to start the story. Very well written too – the third person pov really emphasizes Brian’s isolation.

 

*is excited about the angst which is sure to come* :)

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! I'm delighted that the third-person writing is going well. It's amazing how much it changes writing. I feel the change -- I mean, I don't ever deliberately change my writing, but the style and mood change without any conscious attempt on my part, simply by writing something as I think it should be written  (or how I would want to read it). But writing in third person... I suddenly find myself describing place and action so much more, which I think/hope will open the door to somewhat more symbolism and other interesting plot developments. It does add to the sense of loneliness. We're standing "outside" of Brian, just as we do for the actual show... 

Angst is definitely on the way. Plus, several chapters down the road you have some lovely confrontation scenes to look forward to (and I'm looking forward to writing them!). :) 

Thanks as always for your enthusiasm! It's invaluable (seriously, I mean that!). :)

Reviewer: HalfTime1030 (Signed) · Date: February 01, 2010 08:16 AM · On: Heartbreaker

***Not likely to include many scenes with Ethan***

Thank goodness! Over the years certain characters rubbed me the wrong way at times *cough*Michael*cough*Lindsay* but I never liked Ethan one little bit...  :-p

I think you did a fantastic job with the 3rd person POV.

This scene seems very in sync with the events in 301 but I have a feeling this will be a tough read (for me) as both boys had so much inner turmoil and pain during this time... I'm looking forward to seeing Brian and Justin through your "eyes" though :D

Author's Response:

Yeah, I really don't think Ethan will be more than incidental. Most of the fic will be Brian-centered, and Justin will eventually re-enter. I don't have the whole story planned yet in full, but I am pretty sure of this. 

I liked writing in the third person; I hope I'll like it enough to do the whole story that way.  I hope it won't be too hard to read... but I do think some chapters will be. For better or worse, I love writing the intense chapters and stories. I hope you'll enjoy every chapter!! (and that you'll write to let me know either way ;) ).