The migraine was caused by stress but not from seeing Brian and Steve still together; had they shown up the next night for the actual opening night of his show, there wouldn't have been any problem and therefore no migraine. Rather the stress was from them seeing Ryan. Their sudden appearance was definitely a surprise, but it was the added worry that they might say something about Ryan to someone in the Pittsburgh family. As Daphne told them Justin doesn't want his mother or sister to have any knowledge of Ryan. There are two reasons why Justin didn't stay to explain: 1) his son is tired and needs to be put to bed and 2) he doesn't want to argue with Brian over his decision to keep Ryan's existence from Jennifer, Molly, and the Pittsburgh contingent. That's why he told Daphne she could answer their questions and tell them anything she thought might help.

Brian believes that friendship is possible since he didn't turn his back on Justin when he left Brian for Ethan. What Brian doesn't understand is that the situation with Ethan isn't the same as with Steve. He pushed (whether intentional or not) Justin to Ethan whereas Justin never pushed Brian to be with Steve. Justin was blindsided by Brian's affair. And there was the added history of Michael interfering in their relationship as well as comments by others in the family (the bet comes to mind) and even strangers. Add to that the fact that Brian left Justin for someone 12 years older than Brian and not someone close to his own age. Steve is old enough to be Justin's father so that's got to be a bit of a blow to Justin's ego, especially with the fact that Steve looks like the men Brian so often tricked with in the past.

I agree with you about Brian's reason to go back to Justin following Steve's death in Simon's series. I felt he chose to be with Justin because he thought Justin would be easy, meaning Brian wouldn't have to make an effort to start a new relationship. He never considered Justin's feelings about anything once they were together again. He tells Justin they can find a new place to live so that they aren't in the duplex where he lived with Steve. But then he changes his mind and wants to move into Steve's lake cabin, saying they can renovate it so it would be their place. He walks around wearing Steve's cardigan, disappears for days without saying anything, etc. Then he gets sick and completely cuts Justin out. It felt as though he was somehow punishing Justin; basically saying "you aren't important enough to me."

Just a side note, Simon wasn't a fan of the TV series (which I find it odd that someone would write fanfiction for a show they don't like with unbelievable characters) and felt that Justin was not a good match to Brian. This was Simon's way of putting a natural end to their relationship. To be honest, I think Simon was bashing Justin with writing him as a clone of Michael and making a mature Brian to be very boring while with Steve and eventually cruel later with Justin back in his life.

I also enjoyed ‘Falling Down the Primrose Path' (except the disfigurement of Justin) and ‘One Foot in Front of the Other' very much.

Again, thank you for commenting.

Deb

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the comment!

:)

Thanks for letting me know that you liked the story and my writing - it's much appreciated ? 

I agree that it's unacceptable that the family seemed to turn their backs on Justin, but I don't find it all that strange. Justin has lived in California for a few years, so he's much further away from them than Brian is living in NY with Steve. You know, the whole ‘out of sight, out of mind' thinking. And, of course, the gang has known Brian longer than they have known Justin so they'll try harder to keep him in their lives. At the time of their breakup, Jennifer still wasn't all that comfortable with Brian and Justin's relationship, so she's hoping that he'll forget about Brian and move on with his life. Molly, I think, remembers all the turmoil that took place when Justin came out and has never forgotten or forgiven Justin for that. She's also a bit jealous of Justin which is why she invited Brian and Steve as well as the other members of the Liberty Ave family. She sort of sticks it to Craig for his refusal to walk her down the aisle if Justin were to be at the wedding.

Anyway, I do have thoughts for a sequel with a very successful and happy Justin. I just have to work out how I want it to go. LOL!

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Deb