I'm so glad you tried it! It really is completely different from everything else I've written. I just loved that the setting let me show a whole different side of Brian, too. I *KNOW* that sweet, funny, protective, sentimental side is in there somewhere - it just took this story to let me show it to you. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment. TAG

I don't think I'll ever do a sequel to this one - it's just so perfect as is. But, to answer all your questions . . . Justin has lots of money afterwards from suing the hospital and his parents, so he's good until he gets done with art school and starts into a successful career doing something arty. Brian recovers some but he never will be the same Stud as before. The rhyming/clanging stays, sorta, but as his doctor pointed out, it's more his way of hiding from stress than true clanging by the point the story ends. He uses it as a crutch, although I imagine that gets better too once he's happily settled with Justin. In my mind, Brian probably uses that way with words to make a living writing in the future. The reunion with Gus goes great, and Brian eventually gets joint custody. Brian never forgives either Michael or Lindsey, though. But otherwise, they live happily ever after. Hope that helps. Thanks for reading this, my fave. TAG