Ah, what can I say? Another great chapter! And I love that Brian confronted Gary S. and punched him out! Great!

Regarding Lindsay... I have to say I think about her as badly as I do of Michael. some "best friends" they are... She pits Mel and Brian against each other, even in the first scene. In my opinion, a child's name should be chosen in peace between the partners and not make it a contest. And while at times it seems like she's supportive of Brian and Justin's relationship and hopes Brian will grow up a little, there are also those totally opposite moments like before their wedding when she talks Brian into going to a crappy White Party instead attend her wedding!? Where he is going to do what? Fuck guys like every day? I didn't understand that at all!!!! In my opinion she is a manipulating bitch.

Alright, back to your story. OMG, that moment when Justin takes off his beanie, Gus recognizes him and the two of them are just so incredibly happy. Even if it was manipulative, i agree, he needed this moment of joy and happiness. Awesome!

Oh, and by the way, I really really like Sam!

I'm a little speechless, shocked. Wow, that was... intensive, painful, heartbreaking. I didn't expect that Justin would see Brian, that they would be in physical contact in any way. Doesn't Alex risk losing Justin's trust completely? By the way, I really like Alex. So, he went through something similar and was in a similar situation as Brian? What also fascinated me is your description of Boytoy... "the bouncers make sure that they have a ride home" - What a comparison to Babylon and how differently sensitive people can be when you compare this Ari to Sap. I like Ari's way, how respectfully he talks about Justin, how protective he is. And I love how you portray Justin. Although he is totally broken on the one hand, he can still behave respectfully, responsibly, even tenderly towards a boy like Tommy.

And again, how can someone be so dumb? Okay, the only credit I can give Michael here is that he is at least honest and admits his jealosy, but that's it. "It was easier to pretend that it had never happened, than to remember what you went through." OMG! He's a selfish little whining dumbass and I think Brian has enough on his plate and shouldn't have to deal with Michael at the moment. Justin should come first for once. So often I had exactly that thought while watching the show regarding Brian's behavior towards Michael and his excuses for him (for example during the cancer storyline).

But as I wrote before, it was not only Michael's behavior, it was the rest of the family (for example when they started this bet about how long they would be happy - so cruel and pathetic) and it was also Brian himself.... "And I went after his ass at every opportunity after that; oh, it was well concealed." "And I resented that easy, open love he had for me" "He had to listen to me deny any kind of feelings I had towards him." - But he starts to admit it, he starts to openly talk about it! That's a start!

And again, intense and amazing chapter! I like how you present Alex, how he's also coming straight to the point, not holding back. In this short conversation he already shows Brian so many truths, which Brian didn't see or didn't want to see, but which he hay to accept and deal with if he really wants to help Justin. And I'm sure he will choose the second choice! And then the real work begins because long before Justin needed therapy Brian would long already needed it. Don't get me wrong. I love Brian and I love Justin and I love their love, in my opinion they belong together. Both of them made mistakes and I didn't always or I did often not agree with the way the authors let them go through some storylines. Such complex characters, Brian who is already damaged when he meets Justin. Justin who goes through so much in the first season... So many interesting storylines which stayed sorts of open... And this damned 5. season with this stupid end where it looks as Brian just goes on to living his life as he has before Justin. Pathetic. I'm looking forward to continue to read your story because from what I've read so far I'm sure that you will open many of Brian's wounds and let him work through them. In order to help Justin he will have to really open himself!

What a great and intense chapter. First the glimpses into Brian's mind, who is finally confronted with what he did and the impact it had. He's done some cruel things to Justin before, but as I've already previously written, that "Take a shower. You stink"-scene is probably the most horrible thing Brian has done to Justin. Yes, mental abuse. Debbie later says, "I don't know what set him off, Brian." Brian should know. And yes, I know it's a TV series, but they started so many interesting storylines and then didn't finish them. They didn't let them talk enough. Whatever. And then that scene with Brian and Debbie. Very well written. "She laughed at me and said that you were the least of her concerns, that you were at least honest about the fact that you took pleasure in humiliating people." Heavy stuff, but not entirely untrue. "Justin said that he had been told that we would've been better off if you'd just left him lying there" - So, in your story, Michael didn't say that to Brian , but straight to Justin? Michael - what can I say, I don't like him at all, but I've always hoped that Brian and Michael would also have a clarifying conversation about their toxic addiction friendship - and not in the form that Brian offers Michael to fuck him.

Thanks for another incredibly intense chapter! These glimpses into their thoughts are very interesting. "Brian locked the man he had shown Justin away" - Oh, I so agree with Daphne. You mention all those events that I also hated so much about S2 and Brian's behavior. I mean, really, a hustler for a birthday? It would have been so much better if he hadn't given him anything. But that was about the most disrespectful thing he could do. And it hurts me so much to see Justin's face, the joy, then the disappointment and how he tries to pretend he's happy for Brian afterwards. There were already so many little hurtful disrespectful things with whom Justin could deal before the bashing, because he had an almost naive, courageous, self-confident and enthusiastic way of approaching life, but after prom and after everything he had to experience at the age of 17! And that scene "Take a shower. You stink"! I can understand so well that this experience could completely destroyed Justin mentally - it was so cruel. And while reading this chapter and thinking about it, I wonder how the authors could deal with the bashing and the aftermath so carelessly...There would be so much more to say about all the things that happened between Brian and Justin in S1 and in S2 and about their effects...

Hi, Kerri. It's your friendly pest again. I just reread this story and I honestly think it gets better every time I read it.

I hope all is well with you and your family.

I just wanted you to know that I'm still missing this story, and how much I someday hope you will have the time to finish it.

Hugs,

Cathy

I like that Brian went out to share an experience with Ethan and Sam it have him an insight to what friendships are supposed to be, and that shallow people aren't worth anyone's time especially Justin.

I wish Debbie would learn not to grab Justin when he is still not ready for that, thankfully Emmett and Ted were there to help Justin remain at ease.

I love Brian and Justin dancing and how all their pain and fear vanished with just that one look of acceptance and forgiveness, I also like that Brian is taking everything slow because physically their bodies might be ready to make love, but mentally they aren't there just yet, but holding each other while they sleep is another layer of the past fading into the background of their pain.

I especially liked how Brian describes himself as the canvas and Justin's fingers are the brushes upon his skin, very moving.

Totally Worth The Wait!

Thanks For the Update 😃

Things may not have gone exactly as well as they could have, but Brian now knows that he and Justin are on the same page.  My favorite part was Emmett and Ted.  

Whoa! Another punch in the guts! Amazing chapter!

Lindsay is slowly becoming "decent" and reserved.

Brian is opening up to her and I hope she will be a true friend and keep all he said to herself.

Just love the story, hope all is well with you and your Mom.. Cant wait for the update

so glad for Tommy and Roman

Brian get rid of Michael, he never learns