Fantastic chapter.  So happy you two are back to updating it.  Hope you both had wonderful holidays.  It is snowing here in the Pittsburgh area and really cold.  The pictures were a great addition to the story.

And the mystery continues.  Love the tunnel, wonder where it goes?  Now they've seen all of each other just how long will it be before they're touching.

I’m proud of Brian too. *sniff* Very nice. Can’t wait to see how the rest goes.

Great update.  Small steps, but any steps are progress.  The story just gets more interesting as you go along. Fantastic job.  Happy Holidays.

Wow we have a long way to go before our boys can physically connect because of Brian’s many deep mental health issues. However a trusting bond is building and that will be a basis to a lasting relationship hopefully. I am loving all the twists and turns this story takes as we wander through this lovely building 

Mysteries AND easter eggs. 

Have to admit that I'm dying to know the story of the hidden stairs and room. All kinds of things run through one's head when it gets to this point in a mystery story, from dungeons to secret treasures to simply a vehicle for reconciling one's ocd with one's past. This is seriously good plotting, my sisters! And I'm damn proud of Eggy for actually making it all the way to the basement - and beyond - without totally freaking. Seems his brat is imbuing him with some courage - or simply making him aware of the courage he's always used in other ways. 

Watching Brian bloom here is wonderful. Not too fast, even with the shock therapy of Justin Taylor. 

And I gotta say I love Bill! 

First of all, I get so wrapped up in reading that I sometimes forget to mention that the pictures you add are amazing.  Secondly, did not miss the "sly" mention of portals and time travel.  Nice going ladies.  Now as for this chapter, absolutely amazing. One thing that I love about reading Brian and Justin stories is that we know what the characters look like from QAF and that makes it so much fun to imagine them in these situations.  When I read other novels (which is rare now that I am hooked on these stories),  I can imagine the characters from the writer's descriptions, but it is not the same.  So thank you again for sharing all the wonderful ideas that you come up with.  I hope you are both planning a wonderful holiday season.

LOLOL. I've gotten no further than the dishwashing part and already had to comment. My bff suffers from panic disorder, anxiety, ocd, etc... I cook for her sometimes and always offer (quite generously, I might add! LOL) to do the dishes afterwards. It's funny that she's okay with me doing the dishes, but SHE HAS TO WASH THE SINK AFTER! LOLOL... That scene with Brian here is so spot on. The difference with Brian and my friend is that he's worried more about germs... my friend is worried about brush placement, water spots, proper folding of dish towels, replacement of sink stoppers into the proper holder, alignment of stored cleaning supplies...and a partridge in a pear tree. Needless to say, she never accepts the invitations to my place. She'd have all kinds of attacks if she watched Miss Meeps drape herself across my dish drainer to drink out of the faucet... 😂 

Loving this story! can't wait to read what happens next

I think you both are writing them perfectly.  Justin really is fun as you said.  I can see the devilish look on his face when he makes comments.  And, Brian is coming across just as he should.  Still Brian in so many ways, but the OCD makes him more real and vulnerable which is just as he should be.  Now to rescue Bill !!!!!!!!!!!!  LOL

Love Justin's thoughts on his Eggy.  Justin needs to get one of those hazmat suits and a flashlight.  Can't leave William down there all alone.

51,117 Words - in 23 Days!  Can't begin to tell you ladies how very proud and impressed I am. That's a hell of a lot of writing! And Oh-So-Good! It has all facets of good writing: Mystery, intellect, funny as hell, a love story, and a great Plot Line. All which keeps me so engrossed while reading. You can also tell that a lot of research has had to be done, prior to writing this. So, Congrats!

I do have to wonder if a dishwasher would be satisfactory to Brian regarding dish cleanliness. What with the temperature of the water, and nobody contaminating them by touching them, I would think he'd really like one.

We had a naughty Justin in this chapter. See anything you like? Yes, poor Brian would have about passed out from sheer embarrassment. I also think Justin is portraying conceited tendencies with his cute, little twink body. But, oh boy. Brian will have something to see in his dreams tonight when he goes to bed, or uses his trusty condoms, prior to sleeping. But it will be fascinating to see how he finally gets in Brian's bed. (That DOES happen, right?) But our dear Brian had to put his foot in his mouth by asking Justin what he wanted to do, and then Justin brazenly looking at his crotch. Even if Brian could get past his issues, of famly, grandfather, etc... Could he have Justin touching him, kissing him, what with his OCD?

I have to admit laughter ensued reading about Justin finding the 'broken wall', and Bill's plight into looking through it, and Brian's demands to the cat, or reading of Justin's broken ass. You gals have to quit doing this, or I'm going to have to quit reading these chapters with other people present in the room. My daughter had just laid down on the couch five minutes earlier. Yeah, I was unappreciated, even as I had tears of laughter leaking out of my eyes. 

First, even looking 'down the staircase', it gave me the willies. I have an unnatural affliction to heights. I asked my doctor once about acrophobia, but I CAN at least make myself go some places, so we kind of ruled that out. But you won't even get me up on a ladder. Needless to say, if Bill went down the hole, I'm going to bet on him being okay. My granddaughter's cat fell off a building one time, and she read an article, where a cat survived falling 32 stories. So, Bill will be okay.

You asked our opinion on the staircase's outcome. I think with Justin's help, and Brian's curiosity, he will make a concerted effort to make it down. What will they find? I think your story summary speaks for itself here. I'm assuming the remains of Jay and his lover. Is it Andrew, or the mysterious B.?

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this story!

{{{Big Hugs}}} Cathy =^..^=

xxxxx

It was the most peaceful I’d felt, probably in my whole fukcing (fucking) life.

Fantastic chapter.  I am so fascinated by this story.  I thought Time Blitz kept my attention, but this one does it even more.  Just love the fact that it is mainly just the two of them and Bill.  Congrats on your goal.  I knew that the two of you could do it.  BRAVO !!!!!!!!!!!!