Date: Nov 30, 2019 12:17 pm Title: Chapter 2: Back to Pitts
So, Justin‘s back. You have described his mood perfectly well and it‘s similar as in the show (at least at the beginning). This scene in the Diner where he pretends to be so content, to be back. And later, when he admits only to Brian, how great everything was there. When Brian asks him, why he should have even come back, and Justin says "Can‘t imagine", I got a little bit depressed myself, and felt very sorry for Brian. I also had the feeling that Justin had changed after his return, he was more serious, thoughtful, seemed partially to be lost. Therefore, your story really makes sense that these feelings and his previous experiences leads to a serious depression.
There are so many awesome aspects and little amazing details in your story, but I can‘t name all of them - the review would simply be too long. You have portrayed his feelings and his struggle so well especially those fears that something terrible might happen to other persons, and the guilt that it‘s happening now because you thought so. Fortunately, Brian has also recognized the changes and is looking for a conversation.
„I don't know if I had ever heard Brian speak in a paragraph before." :-)
I love the way you let them talk. Is good to see a Brian who confesses also his own fears. And I really love how you let Brian be so sensitive and attentive. Great chapter!
Author's Response:
Thank you again for such a thoghtful comment!
I loe to imagine their relationship as it exists away from anyone else and I'm glad you're picking up on that. I think Brian is a natural caretaker (look at how amazing he was with Justin after the prom...well once Justin was living with him) and that will definitely come through in this story.
Date: Nov 26, 2018 1:41 am Title: Chapter 2: Back to Pitts
"Sadness is something. Depression? Depression is a big fat nothing. Just nothing at all. The total absence of anything."
I always called it flat-lining. Total absence of emotional landscape. No hills, no valleys, no rivers. Not even a random rock. And then, all of the sudden, a flat tire is good enough reason to think of ending everything. It makes no sense. It doesn't have to. It's depression.
Wow... this is a revealing chapter. Depression is an insidious, creeping vine that wraps around one's life and chokes every color out of it. Kudzu.
This is well done.
Author's Response:
Depression is an insidious, creeping vine that wraps around one's life and chokes every color out of it.
This is exactly what I was trying to describe, that is exactly what depression is.
Thank you for reading.
Date: Nov 18, 2018 11:26 pm Title: Chapter 2: Back to Pitts
Good for Brian, taking it seriously from the very first moment. TAG
Author's Response:
Yeah, Brian doesn't mess around with Justin's well-being. If only everyone else would see that.
Date: Nov 06, 2018 11:45 am Title: Chapter 2: Back to Pitts
Wow! Talk about the difference in a person who was so happy in Hollywood, to come home and fall that deep into a complete loss, and the absence of hope. I'm happy Brian noticed it, and addressed the issue with Justin, even though it was so OOC of Brian.
You wrote the desolation of Justin, beautifully. I'm surprised he opened up as much as he did to Brian, which showed me how much Justin really wanted help to deal with what he was going through. I'm not sure if Pennsylvania is one of the states that allow the hospital personnel decide whether to allow the individual voluntary stay, or force them into a long-term commitment after the 72 hour hold, but I hope they are. With Justin's aversion to hospitals, I can see a voluntary stay problematic.
It will be interesting to see the issues Justin deals with while in the care of the mental health facility. I can see many over the course of time since he was 17, starting with the abandonment of his father. Brian's refusal of commitment, preferring to trick in front of him... Michael. The Sap. The bashing/Chris Hobbs. They are all there. And the biggest one, his loss of making his way in college and Hollywood. That's an awful lot to deal with when the kid is what, 21?
I look forward to continuing reading this story. I'm not sure how I fell behind on it, but I will catch up on it today.
XOXO ~ Cathy
Author's Response:
It is a bit OOC for Brian to be asking about this but we know that canon Brian would do nearly anything for Justin. I'm reimagining the effects of the bashing to include Justin struggling with non-verbal communication and Brian has realized this (after the Ethan arc) and has improved his communication - of course only with Justin and only in private, can't damage his rep! The One Where Justin Loses His Hearing on AO3 really explains this canon divergence well (especially the most recent part she's posted - The Thing About Fairy Tales) and I'm taking inspiration from her.
It's like you've read ahead in the story and know what's coming! I'm not sure exactly of PA laws but most states do allow for involuntary holds. Since I'm in CA, I'm taking artistic license and using CA Welfare and Institutions Code. Justin has been through so so much so it makes sense to me that there would be longer term effects than what is portrayed in the series.
[Report This]Date: Nov 05, 2018 2:06 am Title: Chapter 2: Back to Pitts
Woah! It's kinda like when you feel so good you feel like a balloon, but then all the air goes out and you feel empty. Going to the hospital has got to be better than living like this.
Author's Response:
That's a perfect image - the air being let out of a balloon.
Date: Nov 04, 2018 7:18 pm Title: Chapter 2: Back to Pitts
Never expected his happiness from chapter one to take such a drastic turn when he returned home. At least this time they weren't taking his funk as something to just not think about.
Great chapter.
Author's Response:
His time in LA is a stark contrast from how he feels when he's back in Pitts, that's for sure!
Date: Nov 03, 2018 3:47 pm Title: Chapter 2: Back to Pitts
Wow, what a powerful chapter. Depression is such a nasty thing and you wrote it perfectly.
Author's Response:
Thank you! I'm glad you felt I was able to capture it. Not at all easy to experience or describe.
Date: Nov 03, 2018 12:52 pm Title: Chapter 2: Back to Pitts
Whoa! That's hard to read, but I guess this was the best decision to take.
Author's Response:
I know it was intense - thank you for reading!