Reviewer: smoxen (Signed) · Date: April 16, 2018 10:42 PM · On: Chapter 1 (Prologue)

Excellent story!  I really enjoyed the unique progression of their relationship.  

Author's Response:

:)

 

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I really had fun writing this.

Reviewer: steff (Anonymous) · Date: May 06, 2016 05:11 PM · On: Chapter 11

I know this story is complet and I don't have to review after every chapter and repeat myself BUT I can't helf. This is sooo fun to read! I liked the not so angsty start, Justin and Brian being something like friends, and later Brian almoust courting Justin when he was deeply depressed. I love this giraffe thing, it was so very fitting. Two legs for feeling incomplete and the Comic-Brian trying to help with prothesis-legs. Sweet and funny, that still makes me smile (and I read it yesterday) :-)

And now Brian is just being Brian, not feeling good enough and wanting the best for the peaple he care for deeply. Which here is obiously Micheal, too. Brian and Michael as good friends, that is nice for a change ;-)

I'm really enjoying this story of yours. Thank you again for sharing!

Author's Response:

As an author, I love receiving reviews - whether it is for individual chapters or for the story as a whole. There can never be enough reviews! :D

I am really glad that ypu are enjoying this story - I had so much fun writing it. 'Being something like friends' is a nice way to put it :)  I never expected that the giraffe thing would be quite so popular, lol. Glad that it is, because I was thinking of a childhood toy when I came up with it.

Reviewer: MAFITA (Signed) · Date: March 10, 2016 04:31 AM · On: Chapter 14

I loved it. Even if it was very depressing at times.... T_T But I'm glad that Brian and Justin finally found a way to each other, baggage and all. I also liked that there was enough drama between them that there was no need to villain-ize Michael and the munchers. Ok, I'll admit to very much disliking the munchers.... XD But anyway, great story! Hope to read you soon in another one! Kisses!

Author's Response:

Lol, if you thought this got depressing at times...you should read some of my stories that actually have angst warnings ;)

Glad to hear that you enjoyed this one. I had so much fun writing this. My stories never villian-ize Michael or the munchers. Sometimes Michael is whiny in my stories, but he is never a bad guy, and always redeems himself by the end. I really like Mel as a character, and never saw her as a bad person, so she'd never be a bad guy either. Lindsay was annoying, and she might be annoying in my fics, but not villainous. That's about it. Ethan, on the other hand...I've had lots of fun villain-izing him! Mwahahahahaha!

Anyway, thanks ever so much for reviewing, and glad you liked this :)

Reviewer: Alois (Signed) · Date: February 13, 2016 12:50 PM · On: Chapter 14

Amazing, as always. Loved this, but you already know how much I love your work. I'm sorry I wasn't here during the posting, RL does suck sometimes, but I wanted you to know that I read it in one go and will look forward to any futures stories from you, if you ever come back.

anyway, thank you for all you have offered us :) I hope things in RL get better for you very soon ** big hugs **

Author's Response:

Thanks so very much for your review, and for reading :)

And for the hugs! Do I ever need those...

Reviewer: nickknack (Signed) · Date: February 11, 2016 02:19 AM · On: Chapter 14

Lovely story. Unusual premise but still our boys getting to know and love each other - that's always a good thing:-)

Author's Response:

Thank you! Glad you liked it :)

Reviewer: ANDROMEDA (Anonymous) · Date: February 09, 2016 10:22 PM · On: Chapter 1 (Prologue)

Loved it!

Reviewer: ANDROMEDA (Anonymous) · Date: February 09, 2016 10:21 PM · On: Chapter 12

Loved it!

Reviewer: ANDROMEDA (Anonymous) · Date: February 09, 2016 10:21 PM · On: Chapter 10

Loved it!

Reviewer: ANDROMEDA (Anonymous) · Date: February 09, 2016 10:20 PM · On: Chapter 8

Loved it!

Reviewer: ANDROMEDA (Anonymous) · Date: February 09, 2016 10:20 PM · On: Chapter 6

Loved it!

Reviewer: ANDROMEDA (Anonymous) · Date: February 09, 2016 10:19 PM · On: Chapter 3

Loved it!

Reviewer: emac66 (Signed) · Date: February 08, 2016 05:47 PM · On: Chapter 14

Sooooooooooo....it's that time. I was really excited to see this chapter, but at the same time....sad as I knew it's the last chapter. I know I'm repeating myself, but man....I really enjoyed this one. What a great journey you took these 2 on. Full circle, except that now it's Brian stepping up to the plate. 

I loved how you had Justin grow in this. Well both of them really, but Justin in particular.

so what's next? An ideas for a new project? :) lol.

Hugs!!!

Love you back my friend!! I'm always here!

Elaine

Author's Response:

Hi Elaine,

I am truly glad to know that you enjoyed this. I had a ton of fun writing it, and moreover, it kept me sane and gave me something to do :)  I wanted a story about internal drama only, with more romance than I normally attempt to write. Very happy that you liked it.

3 - 4 ideas for new pojects, but I have no will to write, or do anything anymore. This will likely be my last fic. Hopefully not, but, hey, if it is, at least it's completed, right? :)

Thank you very, very much for all your support. I can't tell you how good it is to hear a voice of sanity and compassion during a storm.

 

Reviewer: tiger062 (Signed) · Date: February 08, 2016 02:52 AM · On: Chapter 14

Lovely ending. Full circle. And so much for Brian being no good at speeches - he did just fine.

Author's Response:

Lol, glad that you liked Brian's speech :) I wasn't sure if readers would find it 'too much', but those things just had to be said.

Thanks so much for reading this, and for your reviews!

Reviewer: Toto_too514 (Anonymous) · Date: February 08, 2016 01:53 AM · On: Chapter 14

I have to be honest... I put off reading this for a few days. I just didn't want it to end. But it did have the most perfect, Brian & Justin happy-ever-after ending. Thank you for this great story. Is there another one for me to look forward to in the works, maybe? 

Author's Response:

Aaaaw, thank you :) Very happy to know that you liked the ending.

Unfortunately, I'm taking a break from writing, because, you know. Life.

But you guys have been awesome, and really appreciated all the support and encouragement. Thank you ever so much!

Reviewer: 7wildwaysup (Signed) · Date: February 08, 2016 01:29 AM · On: Chapter 14

I loved it! I'm so happy that Brian came to his senses, allowing himself to love and be loved...


Of course I hate to see it end, but maybe they'll be a squeal someday?

Hugs Darling ~ Kathleen

Author's Response:

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks so much for reading this story, and for your reviews :)

Very, very happy that you liked the ending!

 

Reviewer: Oliviatheolive (Signed) · Date: February 07, 2016 07:35 PM · On: Chapter 14

This was truly a great Brian and Justin story. I'm seriously going to favorite it. I found this be so romantic and realistic. Loved it! You did a phemonenal job writing this job. I love that you interwove so many different element into this story. I didn't feel like this was rushed at all. You gave Brian enough time to come to his senses and win Justin back. I'm very happy that I decided to read this story- and I can't read anything else you manage to write up. 

Olivia.

Author's Response:

Hi Olivia,

I'm thrilled that you liked this story. And you were amazing, in reading the whole thing, and all your reviews. THANK YOU!

I normally don't write romance, so it tickles me pink that you found this romantic AND realistic. Such a great thing to hear. I had two films - 'Hum Tum' and 'When Harry Met Sally' - but there were things that I couldn't import from those films to Brian and Justin, and the story with grief and guilt was something I wanted to explore, unlike in 'Hum Tum'.And I wanted to write a story with internal drama, but no external drama. The only external event here is Spencer dying; everything else is internal. It was something new that I wanted to try. Very happy that you found it enjoyable :)

Thanks for reading and your insightful, really kind reviews :)

 

 

Reviewer: Oliviatheolive (Signed) · Date: February 07, 2016 07:15 PM · On: Chapter 12

Good chapter. I love when Michael sets Brian straight. It's always a welcome change from the Michael bashing stories. Michael is a really great friend to Brian and I love that he spoke openly and honest to him- put him back on the right track. Justin saying goodbye to Spence and Brian is super sad. 

Olivia

Author's Response:

Hi Olivia,

Hahaha - glad you liked a sane Michael. I generally don't write Michael-bashing stories. Never any anti-Michaels. Sometimes he is a douche, but he always wisens up by the end, and usally plays the hero to make up for hs earlier behaviour.

Reviewer: Oliviatheolive (Signed) · Date: February 07, 2016 07:00 PM · On: Chapter 10

BRIAN SETTING JUSTIN UP ON A BLIND DATE WITH MICHAEL! This makes so much sense for the weirdness. Absolutely love this. You just keep on surprising me. The discussion between Jenn and Justin was great to hear. Jenn gave great advice. Brian is ridiculous. I hope Justin properly tells him off. 

Olivia

Author's Response:

YES!!!! Someone who thought it made sense! YES YES YES!!!

It's so simple for Brian - Justin is perfect and deserves the best. The 'other' closest-to-best Brian knows is Michael. Brian would only get the best for Justin.

It took me a whoe day to write that scene with Jen, so am glad to see that you liked it.

Thanks so much for this wonderful review.

Reviewer: Oliviatheolive (Signed) · Date: February 07, 2016 06:29 PM · On: Chapter 8

Okay I'm sticking out and finishing this fic. Especially after that last scene in the car. yikes, sooo good. And the wedding was adorable as well. I love the fact that Ted made the connection between Justin and Cleveland. And Blake being there too, yes. I really want to see more Ted, Cynthia and Brian scenes for some reason. This was gold and I love that Justin is slowly falling in love with Brian again. 

Olivia.

Author's Response:

:D thank you!

I really liked writing the wedding scene, but my beta prefered the car scene.

I wish I could have allowed for more Ted & Cynthia, but the nature of the story really didn't allow for a lot of interaction outside of Justin and Brian.

This was my favourite chapter to write, aside from the last chapter, so I'm really happy to read this review.

Reviewer: Oliviatheolive (Signed) · Date: February 07, 2016 06:02 PM · On: Chapter 6

Yes. Disinterested Justin and interested Brian. Loved it. I love when Brian goes out of his way to help Justin. The dialogue between them is truly amazing and so realistic. I also enjoyed the ending-where Justin puts Brian in the comic strip so adorable. Shit! I didn't know that this was a 14 chaptered fanfic. All I saw was that it was completed and for some  reason I didn't think it would be very long. I have things to do today....damn.

Olivia

Author's Response:

;) Role reversal in this story, though I kept their personalities intact (I hope). It's also an older Brian, so...

I am so GLAD that you liked the dialogue. I had so much fun writing this story. I wrote a chapter a day until I hit chapter 9 or 10. Then the writing was harder.

There was a small temptation to make the story longer - each chapter is long and most could be split into two, doubling the length of the story, but I prefered the flow of longer chapters and a shorter story. Plus, I figured people would get bored.

Thanks so much for your reviews :)

Reviewer: Oliviatheolive (Signed) · Date: February 07, 2016 05:25 PM · On: Chapter 3

This is so good. Justin dancing at his own goddamn bachelor party- of course, no stripper is as good looking as him. Love the Brian and Justin flirting- so spot on and perfect. Justin coming onto Brian- even more perfect! I don't think you can even make perfect more perfect. I'm so happy that you're finished with your story. I get like really obsessed with stories and pissed when authors don't update. Even though I commit the same crimes. :0

Allons-y! Next chapter.

Olivia

Author's Response:

Hi Olivia,

I once had a 4 - 5 month gap between chapters, and on a collaborative story, my co-author and I took an incredible 5 years between chapters. Never again, I decided. Now, I only start posting a story that is already finished on my end, or that has only a minimal amount of chapters to be finished. That way, I won't let down readers :)

I just *had* to include that stripper scene ;)

"I don't think you can even make perfect more perfect" - oh wow. Blown away! THANK YOU!!

Reviewer: YumYumPM (Signed) · Date: February 07, 2016 03:36 PM · On: Chapter 14

Just the ending I was hoping for.  This time it was Brian 'stalking' Justin.  And Brian stopped being a dick! 

Author's Response:

:) I am glad you liked it!

Yeah, this story was a role reversal of sorts for Brian and Justin, while keeping their personalities intact.

Thanks so very much for your support. Very much appreciated.

Reviewer: Carol (Anonymous) · Date: February 07, 2016 01:36 PM · On: Chapter 14

How do I love this story? Let me count the ways ..... How long do you have? :)

I'm not very familiar with either of the movies this story is loosely based on but I thought Brian turning up at Justin's graduation was a very Brian thing to do. The singular, ridiculously romantic gesture amidst the plethora of underplayed loving actions. Endings are always bittersweet for me, I ll miss the story and I ll miss you. I don't know why some of your days are dark but know this there are many days when seeing an update from you quite literally lights up mine. 

Author's Response:

Lol! FOREVER. I have forever to listen to you say nice things!

There are large elements of the story that follow the movies, but at the same time, the actions are different, because it had to be things that Brian Kinney would say or do, and things that Justin Taylor would say or do. So things from the movies like crying on the phone about jilted boyfriends and girlfriends and picnics in the park were all scratched out and replaced with other stuff.

I am SO glad that you agreed - Brian would, and is, capable of that ridiculously romantic gesture, even if he doesn't realise it, and that's what we get from him at the end - just like the prom, the house etc.

I could yammer on forever about my motivations for every litle scene, so I will stop.

Just know that I am very, very happy that you liked this story, and your reviews were so wonderful for me.

Reviewer: eureka1 (Signed) · Date: February 07, 2016 04:21 AM · On: Chapter 14

What a feel-good--and plausible--ending! <3

Romantic Brian always touches my heart. I like his explanation that he's been following Justin since Justin was 17. So true, even if it took Brian awhile to figure it out. :)

I'm so happy the two men have found their way back to each other. I wonder how that will change the gay superhero comic, whether it will still be called Rage. Maybe that calls for a sequel. Hint, hint.

Aw, thanks for mentioning me and that my reviews helped you through awful days. Same here. I've had a really rough five months and, sadly, the end isn't yet in sight. You're one of my favorite QaF authors; reading your stories brightens my days.

Now I must head over to AO3 to download this story. I'm already looking forward to your next story. Greedy...me...no. ;)

Many thanks to you and to Xrifree. You two make an awesome team, whether collaborating on a story or acting as betas for one another. Those 100+ reviews are well earned and deserved.

Author's Response:

PHEW!!!

I'm so glad you liked this ending. I'm glad someone other than my beta does! There's been no responses so far, and I was getting nervous.

I hope Brian was in character. He was always capable of being ridiculously romantic, like the prom showed us. So I thought that it wouldn't be a huge stretch. Plus, there had to be an ode to Billy Crystal somewhere, which was the last part of Brian's speech.

The original ending for this story was fleshed out earlier...and then I used it for 'Take on Me' instead...kind of glad I did, because I prefer this ending.

I have an unfinished story from 2010 that was never published. Another one that's just an idea taken from 30 minutes of a Hugh Grant movie, and another idea inspired from Shakespeare. Will I write/finish any of them? I don't know. Life is very dark right now, and I honestly don't know how much further I have the energy for. I'm just glad that 'Watercooler' got finished, and I'm not leaving a single reader hanging anywhere, even if I never type another word ever again.

I am sorry to hear about your rough days. Truly. Believe me. I hope it gets better, somehow. You sound like a fabulous person who deserves a good life. If you ever need to chat, PM me. Deets on my profile page.

Xrifree is a wonder, truly.

As always, thank you for being an amazing reader. I'm so fortunate!

 

Reviewer: tiger062 (Signed) · Date: February 05, 2016 10:53 AM · On: Chapter 13

My heart is breaking for both of them. Justin deserves to be loved and so does Brian - if only he'd wake up and allow himself. I can understand Justin walking away - being forced to take less would break his heart and damage any relationship they had. Brian - give yourself permission to love.....

Author's Response:

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! You're right; both Justin and Brian deserve to be loved and be happy. Just one last chapter left - I'll be updating over the weekend, and hopefully, you'll like the ending. 

Reviewer: eureka1 (Signed) · Date: February 05, 2016 03:08 AM · On: Chapter 13

This chapter makes my heart ache. :( Wake up and "take a chance on love, Brian!"

You did a great job of tugging at my emotions with this chapter. It's good to see Justin stand up for what he wants and needs, and this chapter provides a bit of a role reversal from their initial meeting 10 years previously.

I'm so glad you're also posting this story as well as a couple others on AO3. MW and AO3 are my favorite sites for QaF fanfiction: MW as a dedicated QaF site, primarily B/J stories, of course (and the one where I first started reading fanfic last summer); and AO3 for downloadable stories and the thread one can maintain with comments. I hope you'll be posting more of your stories to AO3, including the one you recently completed with Xrifree, "What They Won't Tell You at the Water Cooler". 

Author's Response:

I'm really happy to hear that you liked this chapter. Especially because this chapter was not part of the original story I planned to write. But I felt something was missing, so I inserted this chapter as a filler, and to also address some issues (such as Justin standing up for what he wants and needs) that didn't really fit into their fight in Chapter 11 or the last chapter. It was also a small throwback to their break up in S5.

So glad that you found this afterthought of a chapter moving :)

Someone kept asking me to post on AO3, and I resisted for as long as I could, because I hate having to post on multiple sites, but I finally caved. I agree that the commenting system is better there, because it is far more interactive. Once I post the last chapter of this story, I wil import all my stories onto AO3. If you want downloadable versions, I've turned a few into PDFs - the links are on my profile page here.

I don't know if I would import "What They Won't Tell You at the Water Cooler" though. Xrifree isn't on AO3, so I feel uncomfortable posting the story under my name, because it was 100% a collaboration between us. It feels like I would be taking all the credit. If I can find a way to share the credit with her, I will.

Thanks so very much for your spectacular reviews. They are awesome, and I love reading them, especially the depth to which you understand the story and the characters.

Reviewer: YumYumPM (Signed) · Date: February 04, 2016 07:14 PM · On: Chapter 13

Oh dear.  Justin has admitted he's not going to stop caring for Brian, maybe that's a good sign?  The suspense is killing me.

Author's Response:

:D

I somehow never expected this chapter to be suspenseful. I just imagined that everyone could spot the ending I had planned a mile away from around the Chapter 8 - 9 mark.

Thanks so much for sticking to this! Very soon, I will update the final chapter.

 

Reviewer: Carol (Anonymous) · Date: February 04, 2016 05:44 PM · On: Chapter 13

I like that Justin will settle for nothing less, it may appear like he's giving up but I don't see it that way, I'm not even sure if he sees it himself, but this is classic Justin Taylor ...he knows exactly what he wants and he refuses to compromise, or allow Brian to. Brian s already committed to Justin's happiness he just needs to understand that denying his own is the deal breaker.

Author's Response:

Hi Carol,

Really great to read a review from you :) Also, because you've *really* understood Justin. I can't even rephrase what you've written, because it's just perfect. This is exactly what Justin is doing, kind of a throwback to their S5 break-up.

Thanks so much for reading and commenting - just one more chapter left!

 

Reviewer: TheGirlNoOneKnows5 (Signed) · Date: February 04, 2016 01:37 PM · On: Chapter 13

I can't wait to see what happens next!! :) 

xoxo

Author's Response:

:D

Thanks so much for reading this! And commenting!

The final chapter is back after being betaed, and I've revised tiny things in it about a trillion times, but now I'm really excited about it, and if I don't feel the urge for more revisions, it'll be posted sooner than later!

Reviewer: britinmanor (Anonymous) · Date: February 03, 2016 08:23 PM · On: Chapter 12

hmmm....  no brian and justin??

Author's Response:

Soon!

:)

Reviewer: YumYumPM (Signed) · Date: February 02, 2016 05:25 PM · On: Chapter 12

I think it's up to Michael to set this straight.  He knows that Brian loves Justin.  Now that Justin said good bye to Spence it's time he fights for what they both need.  Excellant story.

Author's Response:

Aaaw, thank you! You've been amazing, consistently reading and commenting and giving feedback :) Thank you so very much!

Reviewer: TheGirlNoOneKnows5 (Signed) · Date: February 02, 2016 08:05 AM · On: Chapter 12

I'm not crying *wkward, fake laugh* 

Beautiful writing 

xoxo

Author's Response:

Aaaaaw, what a really sweet comment!

Thank you so much!

Reviewer: JAZZEPOET (Signed) · Date: February 02, 2016 06:16 AM · On: Chapter 12

Brian get off your ass QUICK!

Author's Response:

:D

Brian will do *something*. Perhaps not what you want, though :P

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

Reviewer: Toto_too514 (Anonymous) · Date: February 02, 2016 03:47 AM · On: Chapter 12

Oh, wow! I just finished catching up in the chapters I missed, and no sooner had I submitted my comment for those, this chapter popped up!

Um, how stubborn must Brian be when Michael has more common sense than he does? He is so far gone, that he is literally grasping at straws to maintain his air of indifference. He needs to get over himself already!

I am hoping that Mikey and Ben DO work things out and get back together again.

I am very worried for Justin. I don't like that he is saying good-bye to the people he loves. 

Author's Response:

:)

Oh, Brian. Dear, dear Brian. What *will* he do next? Because you are right - Michael channeling Ben is making a lot more sense than Brian. Brian *will* do something soon - but will it be the right thing to do?

Thanks ever so much for your fabulous comments!

Reviewer: emac66 (Signed) · Date: February 01, 2016 06:46 PM · On: Chapter 11

Great chapter! Was very happy to see this update and you didn't disappoint. :)

I get that Brian's motivations were good. But really....Justin and Michael? YICK! Mind you, that's coming from our own perspective knowing the series and characters. In RL, his intentions may have been a bit more accepted. Not necessarily by Justin, but by the readers....just thinking out loud. :) Ti him...he's thinking just like you wrote it. Justin adn Micheal are 2 great people, who deserve to be with great people...thus...his thoughts of putting them together.

Denying himself of course. Pushing himself off the Kinney cliff so to speak.

Can't wait for the next one! I have seen When Harry ....but not the other one. Don'twant to as I don't want any hints at what you may be thinking. Just looking forward to each chapter as they come.

PS...how's things lately?

Elaine

 

Author's Response:

I am so glad you liked this chapter! I know that it wasn't the epic fight + make up sex that some were expecting, and believe me, my beta and I had long conversations about which direction this fight should go in, but at the end, this is what I felt was true to Justin and Brian.

'Denying himself' - YES. THIS. This is *exactly* what Brian is doing. He thinks he is doing Justin a favour by bowing out, it is shocking to him that Justin wants to be with him, a version of reality that Brian is not ready or not able to accept. I know the whole Michael thing is a bit weird, but it would have only worked with Michael. Because Brian would not/does not value anyone else to that level, that he would have considered the person good enough for Justin.

You can totally watch 'Hum Tum' now, because from here on, nothing is based on the movie  :)  . I have to warn you though - it is LONG, at times SO boring, and there are lots of songs.

Most of the similarities you have already read, like: the trip to Greece (though in the other movie the characters fought all the way to Amsterdam and back), the dead husband, the bachelor party. Like 'When Harry...', there was emphasis on the men vs. women thing, which I totally omitted. Justin being a cartoonist also comes from the movie, partially. But there is a good deal more focus here on death and guilt, which wasn't there in the movie. It's also been a switch because in 'Hum Tum', it's the quieter character who gets married, but I switched it to Justin as opposed to Brian, for obvious reasons. And Brian's non-dating of Justin is different (and longer), because it had to fit the characters, and the fact that Brian had a legitimate job in Pittsburgh, and couldn't just randomly hang around Justin's home for weeks on end, like it happened in the movie. 

Both movies and this fic has the matchmaking gambit, and that's where it all goes down different roads. The biggest thing was that 'Hum Tum' was a very culturally Indian movie, and where they went after the matchmaking thing would have made such little sense for Brian and Justin (it barely made sense in the movie). But I couldn't switch to the 'When Harry...' route either, because there are elements here that is not present there, so I would like to think that the last three chapters are quite independent, except for a small homage to Billy Crystal at the very end.

I dunno. I often see similarities where there are none, because in my head, I know it's where the inspiration came from.

Have I thanked you for being AWESOME?

Reviewer: 7wildwaysup (Signed) · Date: January 31, 2016 02:29 PM · On: Chapter 11

So if this was just the opening scene, does that mean you'll be posting the rest later today? I'm in need of more please...

Hugs Hon ~ Kathleen

Author's Response:

Aaaw, I'm so sorry, that turned into an entirely independent chapter. But I will post it soon!

Thanks so very much for reading and reviewing!