Date: Jul 14, 2018 12:23 pm Title: Chapter 2 - Contagion
I agree, it was weird. Later on, when Ethan will repeat what Brian said about being poor and it will show that he might be a good violinist, but he has no imagination.
Date: Jul 12, 2018 1:54 am Title: Chapter 2 - Contagion
I did notice that and of course Michael came to mind. The evil idiot as I refer to him. Great chapter. I love how you took scenes that were just minutes and turned them into such an amazing story. Like Fab, but never ever liked Ethan.
[Report This]Date: Jul 07, 2018 11:59 am Title: Chapter 2 - Contagion
Getting into Justin's mind can't be easy, yet you managed to do so. There was always something a little creepy about how this went down.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I'm trying to not only get into his mind but show why I find Ethan's pursuit of Justin so much more sinister than I think most viewers saw it. I ALWAYS thought he was a creep. TAG
Date: Jul 07, 2018 1:27 am Title: Chapter 2 - Contagion
So, I decided this couldn't wait to be read. It's... interesting.
I'm VERY curious as to what exactly has happened to Justin. But I have a really hard time with him seemingly taking ALL of the blame for the entire Ethan fiasco. Maybe that's part of whatever it is that's gotten him to this point, where he describes himself as a shell and no longer capable of emotion. Because personally? I lay a lot of the blame at Brian's feet. Especially regarding the Vermont trip... yeah, it's his job. He's the adult, the money-maker. But throwing it in Justin's face like that? That was juvenile. And then to be disappointed when Justin wasn't the compliant little boy sitting at home and waiting for him to celebrate? Nope. No sympathy from me buster!
Now I realize in the world of TV Drama, this conflict was needed... otherwise, there would be no drama, right? So, I get it. And I am still in this for the long haul. Your writing, as always, is wonderful! And I am a sucker for a good "Justin down a well," Fic, LOL! But I have to be honest, Justin's constant self-flagellation does make me a teensy bit uncomfortable.
Author's Response:
Your review is impressive and quite insightful. In a round about way, this gets to the very core of the story I’m trying to write. So, at the risk of giving too much away, I’d like to expound upon this comment a bit.
I agree with you completely that the breakup between Brian and Justin wasn’t solely either’s fault. They both acted like idiots and their lack of communication was completely immature. The whole fiasco could have been easily resolved if they’d just talked to each other. But, of course, that would have been utterly OOC for Brian and Justin wasn’t mature enough to understand that. What you said about the nature of TV dramas, though, is very true - it was a complex situation and were very clearly BOTH at fault for the break up.
But what if Ethan wasn’t just some boy that Justin had a fling with? What if Ethan had intentionally gone after Justin, meaning to steal him away from Brian, and then fostered Justin’s guilt about cheating on Brian to make him feel like he was wholly responsible? A malignant narcissist, like the Ethan in my story, would likely use that guilt to manipulate and control his victim. Eventually Justin might come to believe that everything was all his fault and that he deserved everything that has happened to him. Which is precisely where Justin is st the start of this story.
Totally evil, huh? *Bwahahaha*
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