Date: Oct 30, 2018 8:53 pm Title: Chapter 31
Hi again! Another great chapter! I really love how you let this friendship between Brian and Ted develop. It's great how he lets Brian be like he is, but also isn't afraid to answers to him, he supports him and is just there for him. And you describe this scene at the diner just so wonderful again. This cautious approach, Brian's uncertainty, but also his desire for a reconciliation with Debbie, this cute scene when he shows Debbie pictures of Luke and Gus. It seems, there will be better times ahead. I'm very happy for Brian and also for Debbie.
I also love how in every chapter, there are small things which reminds Brian of Justin. And I must admit, I miss Justin just as much as Brian :-) Will there be also a few scenes where Brian talks about Justin to Luke? We already know that Luke knows much about Justin, he recognizes Justin immediately. Will you tell us for example when and how he got this photo, which is on his bedside table?
I totally agree with what you said about Brian and how he wasn't allowed to grow up and develop in the Show. We already wrote about how terrible and hurtful this last scene at Babylon was - especially without Justin. Today, I read about a petition in Facebook regarding a Season 6. My first reaction was to sign it immediately, but then I hesitated because even though I don't believe there will ever be a Season 6, I'm not so sure I want to have a 6th Season. Why? I would be worried that either Brian wouldn't still be allowed to grow up and would have to continue to be the Stud or - and that would be just as bad - they would let him mature, but let him fall in love with another man, justified with arguments that through Justin he would have learned to open up and to love and to be loved, only that it just wouldn't be possible with Justin due to their age difference etc. bla bla bla. And that, I could not stand or endure... So, thanks again for these wonderful two stories where you allow the characters to grow up and develop. Warmest regards!
Author's Response:
Yes, the friendship that developed between Ted and Brian was something I really liked on the show and I was sad it didn't get more focus in the last season. Too bad the season was so short and too much time was wasted on things I could have done without (Brian backtracking 4-5 years in emotional growth, that whole stupid Brandon bet, Michael and Lindsay being their bitchy selves, etc...). I would have really loved to see more of their friendship. I loved the way Ted reacted when Brian told him he was cancer free. It showed how much Ted really cared about Brian :D So I hope this story did them justice. It's just my idea how I think they could have been as "real" friends :)
The scene in the diner showed the way I see Brian: Desperate to have love and people he loves in his life, but at the same time (due to his own past) scared to let them in and let them close. The fight in him between wanting to let them in and wanting to protect himself... In the end, his need to have Debbie in his life won and we can only hope that it was the right decision for him :)
I miss Justin, too. And the small things about Justin are intentional. Brian has never stopped loving Justin, despite what people might think of him because of his actions. In his mind he did what he did out of love for Justin to give Justin the life he deserved. We know he was wrong, but he gave up his own happiness so that (in his mind) Justin could be happy. I've said it before, at times I think Brian might have loved Justin too much for his own good. But to me there has never been a doubt: He DID love him all the years he has known him and also when they were apart.
Of course we'll hear about the picture on the bedside table ;) Very soon in fact!
If the showrunners let Brian fall in love with another man, I am pretty sure they would have a riot on their hands ;) For some reason no one seems to mind seeing Justin in relationships with other men, but Brian... I think that would totally destroy it for many people :( I know what you're saying about a possible season 6, but to be honest: I would still want to see it. No matter what. I am that shallow *lol*
Thanks for your comment! More will be up soon :)
Date: Oct 28, 2018 11:28 pm Title: Chapter 31
Great chapter. Glad Brian and Deb are getting back togeter.
Author's Response:
Thank you :) I am glad you liked it!
More will be up on Wednesday :)
[Report This]Date: Oct 28, 2018 11:23 pm Title: Chapter 31
So Deb's back in the fold.
Author's Response:
She's starting to make her way back - after all there's also still Jennifer and Ted and Blake to consider who she has offended a lot with her words. It wasn't just Brian :(
More will be up on Wednesday!
Date: Oct 28, 2018 9:16 pm Title: Chapter 31
Ted is an amazing friend: he dares talking back to Brian and doesn't take his BS anymore; he also knows when to stay mute.
Author's Response:
Yes, Ted is a great friend :) One of the most underrated characters on the show. I love him <3
And he's just the kind of friend that Brian needs by his side, someone who talks back to him, doesn't take his bullshit and supports him when needed. A real friend!
More will be up on Wednesday :)
Date: Oct 28, 2018 5:38 am Title: Chapter 30
Hi again! I think I've written this before, but I really love your changed and matured Brian and I'm so glad that he's started therapy. It does him so good and it helps him to fight against his demons. It strengthens his self-esteem, so that he can finally break down some of those walls by himself and it shows him pretty well what he wants and what he no longer wants, also regarding Debbie. And I think, without therapy, a reconciliation with Debbie wouldn't have been possible.
I could say, Jennifer wins back a few pluses here as she points Brian to something very important... Luke and Gus. Especially Gus, who has already lost so many people in his life. And it is important, but crazy, I'm still so angry at Jennifer :-) Also, I totally agree with Brian, that he don't want his sons to experience Debbie's "kind of conditional love".
You made me smile... to imagine Brian at an indoor playground... :-) That would have been more something for Justin!
I love this conversation. You let Brian say everything that matters. Wonderful writing style. And I love that moment when he says "then Justin came". It's so damn sad that Brian had to wait 29 years for that (on the other hand, I'm sooo glad, that it was Justin! :-)) I also like Debbie's reaction. She understood what Brian told her, she tries not to defend or gloss over anything - because that would be nonsense - she looks at her mistakes, she does not try to justify herself. She says yes that's how it was and I'm sorry. A first important step. Now, she has to try and change her behavior. Great chapter and I 'm looking forward to the next one! Warmest regards!
Author's Response:
I love changed and mature Brian as well :) To me he is the Brian he could have been if the show hadn't been sooooo damned interested in keeping him the Stud and saying he would always be the Stud. It's like the writers of the show only wanted him to grow a bit, but not too much because otherwise he wouldn't be Brian Kinney anymore. To me, in the two Back for Good stories, we see a Brian that could have been if given the chance. I really think Brian could have grown into this more mature man if given the chance.
It's okay: You're allowed to stay angry at Jennifer for as long as you want to - she deserves it and so much more!
Yeah, Brian at an indoor playground gave me a good chuckle as well. He might love his sons to the moon and back, but some things... that's what you have uncles, grandparents or later on Justin for :P
I like to think that in hindsight Brian realised that Justin has loved him from the very beginning and that what Justin felt for him was an honest, unconditional love. I love the idea that both Justin and Gus came into Brian's life on the same night and showed him in different ways that he was worth the love they gave him and that he deserved to be loved as well. And for him to identify Justin as the person that loved him unconditionally also shows some growth in Brian: He wouldn't have said that out loud to anyone just three years ago. And I agree, it's sad that he had to wait 29 years to find out about real, unconditional love :/
We'll see in upcoming chapters if Debbie and Brian can live up to building that new relationship :)
More will be up later tonight!
Date: Oct 26, 2018 6:52 am Title: Chapter 30
I was surprised it took Brian five weeks to agree to see Debbie. As desperate as Carl had appeared, I was surprised Carl was still with Debbie. Brian really went through a lot of different thoughts of what he wanted and needed from Debbie.
I started crying as soon as I read the words, I loved you like a mother, and didn't stop until the end of the chapter. God, the things that came out of Brian's mouth. You could feel the anguish in his voice. It was heartwrenching to read. But Debbie needed to hear each and everything he said. All the abuse she had bestowed on him all these years, when he gave nothing but his love in return. I especially loved how he pointed out everything about Michael and all Brian had done for him, then telling her how she had betrayed him after all those years of protecting Michael for Debbie, and the thanks he got by her turning her back on him, when he needed her the most. That's right, Deb, That's Not Love... That's Hate.
I loved it when Debbie told Brian how much Vic loved him. How Vic saw who Brian truly was, and how he saw Michael, knowing he truly wasn't a good person. The hug at the end really got to me. Long overdue for both of them. Brian especially needed to feel that. I really don't think Brian will wait for too long before contacting them to spend some time with him and the boys.
Very good update. Looking forward to the next chapter.
XOXO ~ Cathy
Author's Response:
Really? I thought five weeks was rather fast for Brian to come to a decision that big. We should not forget that this is a new Brian, a more grown up Brian. A Brian that has been hurt even more by the people he thought loved him. There are even more feelings of betrayal, insecurity and being unlovable than when he was a child. I can understand why it would take him time and why he would weigh all options very carefully before going ahead with this meeting.
As for Carl: That man must be a saint and he must really love Debbie a lot. Lucky for her!
Awwwww, I am sorry I made you cry :( But like you said: He needed to say these things to her and she needed to hear them! It was important for both of them. Without this honesty, there can't be any moving on.
I always loved Vic on the show and he was always the father figure Brian needed in his life. I loved a lot of his interactions with Brian, but also with Justin when he lived at Debbie's place. Even though it was never really shown on the show, I am sure he would have seen both Brian and Michael for who they really are.
As for Brian waiting long or not - you might be surprised once more :P We're talking Brian here, a person that even on his best days doesn't trust easily.
More will be up tomorrow :)
[Report This]Date: Oct 25, 2018 1:52 am Title: Chapter 30
Well, we knew he would eventually forgive her. Do you think he can get her to cook healthier for the sake of the children?
Author's Response:
The children deserve a good, hearty Italian meal every once in a while :P It's not like they're eating at Debbie's every day ;)
More will be up tomorrow!
Date: Oct 25, 2018 1:46 am Title: Chapter 30
Great chapter. Finally Brian was able to tell Debbie exactly how he felt. Terrific writing.
Author's Response:
It was long overdue that he told her how he felt. And she needed to hear it.
More will be up tomorrow :)
Date: Oct 23, 2018 7:26 am Title: Chapter 29
Hi again! I really love how everything in your story makes sense and how you link things together and find a solution. To me it makes sense that Carl is the one who asks Brian to give Debbie another chance, at least to listen to her and maybe even forgive her. I always liked Carl in the show and how he developed to a human which tries to be very open-minded. And next to Vic, in my opinion Carl could be the closest to a father-figure, which Brian never had, but would have needed. Carl is open-minded, sensitive, honest and tries to be fair. I'm very curious how Brian now will react. Warmest regards!
Author's Response:
Awwwww, thanks for saying that about everything making sense. I was really trying hard not to leave any plot holes ;)
To me it always made sense as well that Carl would be the first one to reach out. He loves Debbie very much and sees how badly she is doing. He would want her to do better and he would know that Brian could make her feel better. He would do anything for her, including talking to Brian...
I agree about Carl and also see him as something of a father-figure to Brian. Especially in this story and Back for Good where they have new family dynamics compared to the show.
We'll find out more about Brian's reaction in the update tomorrow :)
Date: Oct 23, 2018 3:08 am Title: Chapter 29
The hell with Debbie
Author's Response:
Well, maybe Brian will feel a bit more loving towards her ;)
We'll see in the next chapter which will be up tomorrow :)
Date: Oct 23, 2018 1:17 am Title: Chapter 19
Always liked Ted
Author's Response:
Me too <3 Always had a soft spot for him!
Date: Oct 23, 2018 12:55 am Title: Chapter 17
Dont trust that bitch
Author's Response:
Nope, better not trust her :(
Date: Oct 22, 2018 1:48 pm Title: Chapter 29
That must be hard on Carl who is honest and loving. I love when he calls her "Red".
Author's Response:
Yes, it is hard on him :( And he really loves his "Red" a lot <3
More will be up tomorrow :)
Date: Oct 22, 2018 10:34 am Title: Chapter 29
Ahh ha! The long awaited chapter of Debbie wanting to be back in Brian's life. I wouldn't have guessed it was via Carl, though. It really sounds as if she is in a bad way. I really don't blame Brian being cautious. After everything Debbie has said, and lack of support she publicy showed Brian, he's right to be wary. But Carl said one thing correctly, You have a big heart and... Debbie has always said that when you love someone, you love them with all you have to give. I know you love her. I suppose he ends up discussing it with his therapist.
Good chapter and update.
XOXO ~ Cathy
Author's Response:
I always thought that Carl would do whatever was needed to keep Debbie happy. He really loves her and for me it made sense that he would see before she did that she was missing Brian and needed him in her life. Carl is a good guy and just wants his "Red" to be happy :)
We'll see about the discussion with his therapist.
More will be up tomorrow and we'll know then how Brian came to his decision to let her back into his life.
Thanks for your comment :)
[Report This]Date: Oct 21, 2018 11:06 pm Title: Chapter 29
I hate to say it but I can understand Brian's reasoning for not wanting to forgive Deb. If she truly has changed they best meet someplace private without the kids.
Author's Response:
I can understand him as well :( Poor guy has been hurt by her... deeply.
I am sure Brian wouldn't for a second consider a meeting with the kids. Not in this life *lol*
More will be up tomorrow!
Date: Oct 21, 2018 8:26 pm Title: Chapter 29
Good update. Brian & Debbie really do love each other, but Mikey & Lindsay always made so much trouble and Debbie thought she had to protect Mikey. Terrific writing.
Author's Response:
They do love each other, but with Debbie it was always a very conditional love as soon as Michael became involved :( Sometimes she just protected Michael too much and should have protected Brian instead...
More will be up tomorrow :)
Date: Oct 21, 2018 7:30 am Title: Chapter 28
Hi! Great chapter again! "Lalana" - how cute he is! :-)
I really love how things develop and as I said before I'm very happy for Brian and for Gus that things are getting better from day to day! And I have to say it again... I'm glad that I already know tht we have similiar views about Brian and Justin in terms of relationsships and falling in love... Because... You know... I'm happy, that for Brian it seems to be enough to have this pleasure lunch once a week. Through Luke and Gus he's already undergone so many changes, he's already matured, he seems to be at ease somewhere at the moment and now also the therapy seems to do him very well and help him to handle his issues about love and commitments... I'm really just glad that at this moment in his life there doesn't appear another man and I only hope that stays the same for the next three years...
Again, Ted shows Brian how a real best friend should behave! Brian is very lucky to have Ted by his side! I asked myself, is Ted already Luke's godfather or will this be some futher topic? Warmest regards!
Author's Response:
Luke is the cutest :) What is not to love about a Justin mini-me ;)
Both Brian and Gus deserve some happiness after everything that has happened to them in the last months :( They have been through a lot!
Brian is in a good place - for Brian Kinney that is! He is content with his sons, he is content with the family and friends he has around him... Of course it could all be better with Justin there by his side, but we know that's not going to happen for another couple of years and we know that Brian thinks Justin needs to be in New York for his career. So for the moment, Brian is as happy and content as he can be. And I have to admit, I quite like the man Brian has changed into. Grown up Brian Kinney, a happy and content man.
As for another man in Brian's life - well, we do have the same views about Brian and I can honestly say, there won't be another man for Brian in my stories. Justin is THE ONE for Brian where I am concerned. So nothing to worry about!
Ted is a true friend and through him Brian learns what real friendship is like and how a real friend behaves. He deserves that :)
Ted is not Luke's godfather yet, no. That will come up later in the story. As often happens with Brian, things are a bit unconventional :P
Thanks for your comment! More will be up tonight.
Date: Oct 19, 2018 12:25 am Title: Chapter 28
Oh Boy! Ted's heartfelt speech had me choked up. It reminded me of the time he delivered one to Emmett when Em was involved in, "See The Light". Nobody can evoke emotion quite like Ted. He's such a sincere person. Brian really needs a friend like that, after having two controlling friends most of his life.
So happy Brian is already in therapy, and it seems to already be helping him deal with things a little easier. I am surprised he uses Kinnetik for his weekly escort. You would think he'd want to use a little more discretion than that. You never know when an employee might have an issue with something within the work place, and a disgruntled employee can always cause problems. I mean, he has dealt with CPS once already. (There's always Motel rooms for something like that.)
I like how Brian constantly thinks about Justin. Brian remembering such good things about Justin just shows how much he still loves him. But the one thing we haven't heard Brian think is, "Oh, I bet Justin would have loved to see his son do that." So, as much as he loves Justin, he apparently still thinks he did the right thing by sending Justin away.
I'm happy how well Gus adapted to staying with his grandma. Now, I think it's time to spread his wings a little more and spend some one-on-one time with Ted and Blake. Get him used to staying at a few different places, and see how he handles that.
Thanks for the great update and I'm looking forward to Sunday.
XOXO ~ Cathy
Author's Response:
I love Ted - can't help it <3 I loved that speech to Emmett on the show - such a great argument to shut up those religious fundamentalists that love to sprout their whole "Being gay is a sin"-spiel...
It was time for Brian to see what real friendship is like and that Ted is a true friend to him - he deserves to have a friend like that :) A way better friend than Michael could have ever hoped to be.
Well, Brian is scheduling his "lunch delight" during lunch break when most people are out and even if they are in: In every company there are times when you can't disturb your boss and can't get into his office and might have to wait for a bit before speaking to him. Brian's office being off limits for a certain time a day is not unusual in the business world. And it's not like Brian would have always been in the office before. He used to work from home the whole week and had Ted and Cynthia take care of many things in the office. Those disgruntled employees will just have to wait just as if Brian was in an important meeting. For all we know they might have been told by Ted and Cynthia that Brian has a meeting... And even a boss is entitled to a lunch break where he is on break and not to be annoyed with work stuff :P We know Brian has had sex in the office before and in more public places, too ;)
Brian definitely still loves Justin. It was never about not loving Justin. Quite on the contrary: Brian might have loved Justin too much :/ Telling himself he had to sacrifice his own happiness and the happiness of his child and partner so that Justin could be happy and have his career (not that Justin ever wanted it, but well... Even Brian isn't perfect!). And yes, Brian still thinks he did the right thing. We know from Back for Good that he still thought that even after Justin's return. He only started changing his mind and seeing his mistake when he saw how much he had hurt Justin and the pain he had caused him and Luke with his decision.
Thanks for your great comment! More will be up tomorrow :)
Date: Oct 18, 2018 11:47 am Title: Chapter 28
Ted definitely became the true friend to Brian
Author's Response:
Yes, a better friend than Michael could have ever hoped to be...
More will be up soon :)
Date: Oct 18, 2018 2:46 am Title: Chapter 28
Huge step for Gus and Brian: even bigger for Gus who wanted to do it again.
Great speech from Ted, showing Brian that best friends could be there without being intrusive and without a cost.
Author's Response:
Yes, a huge step for both of them :)
It was about time that Brian learned what real friendship is like and that Ted is a real friend to him. I love Ted - can't help it <3
More will be up soon :)
[Report This]Date: Oct 18, 2018 2:33 am Title: Chapter 28
Things are going well in Brian's life.
Author's Response:
Things finally seem to be looking up for him and his family :)
More will be up soon!
Date: Oct 18, 2018 1:22 am Title: Chapter 28
Great chapter. Love the friendship that Brian and Ted formed. Great writing.
Author's Response:
It was about time that Brian learned what real friendship is and how a real friend behaves :)
I am glad you like it! More will be up soon :)
Date: Oct 16, 2018 7:44 am Title: Chapter 27
Hi again! Great chapter! I really like this matured Brian for whom nothing is as important as his children. Justin would have loved to see him behave like this... But as we all know, it will happen... With this chapter, I also got the feeling that finally everything starts to get better for Brian and also for Gus! And I'm very curious to see how this first separation for a few hours will go. I could imagine that it'll drive Brian nearly crazy to be separated from Gus and maybe through this experience he'll be able to admit to himself that he also needs help to work through everything which happened. And I also could imagine that therapy will help him not only to move on from what happened with the two idiots but also in his further dealing with Debbie.
So, am I right... nearly two years aleady have passed? I'm very curious if you'll let this story end with Brian open the door to see Justin standing there... If that's the case then I hope we'll get to know how Jennifer and Brian discussed Justin' return... But, okay, first still three more years to come... Warmest regards and I'm looking forward to tomorrow!
Author's Response:
Yes, I like grown up Brian, too :) If we don't take into account what he has done to Justin, of course. That kind of destroys him a bit :( At least we know there'll be a happy ending for all of them, so it's easier to forgive Brian in the long run...
Yes, things are finally turning around for Brian and his sons and we can only hope that the bad times are finally over. They all deserve some happiness :)
We will see about the separation in the next chapter and we'll see then if it will be harder on Brian or on Gus :P
As for Brian and therapy: I don't want to spoil much, but yes, therapy will definitely help him deal with everything and that includes Debbie as well.
Yes, at this point in the story a bit less than two years have passed. As for the ending: Once again, I don't want to spoil anything, so my lips are sealed. As for the discussion you'd like to see between Brian and Jennifer... hmmm, you're on the right track :)
Once again thank you so much for your kind comment and nice words - more will be up tomorrow :D
Date: Oct 15, 2018 11:31 am Title: Chapter 27
You started this chapter with a character growth of Brian, but by the end had him taking two-steps back. I hope Brian will give Billy's words some real consideration... and follow up with them... soon. If Brian will realize how following through with Blake and Jen's suggestion has had such positive effects on Gus, he has to see some merit in himself reaching out for a therapist. He, himself, needs to learn how to let go of his anger he feels towards Lindsay, Michael and Melanie. Because it will eventually destroy him. We can only hope that Brian will sarcastically say something to Ted and Blake about what Billy suggested to him so they can help Brian see how much he could benefit from seeing a therapist.
I love how Gus appears more relaxed and happier now. I know Brian will have a hard time separating himself from Gus, even for a short time, as I understand Brian's view on not wanting to cause Gus undo stress. So maybe if Brian starts with even a half hour, they both won't suffer too much from separation anxiety. Besides that, shouldn't Gus be in school already? Gus needs this even more than Brian.
Right now I'm very happy this story is "The Pittsburgh Years", so I won't have to read about Justin's involvement with another man. Although I agree with your theory on the difference between Brian and Justin moving toward a new relationship, I still don't want to have to read about it. I started reading a new story not so long ago about Brian and Justin moving to New York together, and then Brian fell for one of his co-workers. He broke it off with Justin, virtually leaving Justin to fend for himself in New York, to buy a million dollar condo with his 'soul mate' (which is what he kept referring to this guy everytime he talked to Justin.) Needless to say, I couldn't stomach it anymore and quit reading it.
Thanks for this update and I look forward to Wednesday.
XOXO ~ Cathy
Author's Response:
I honestly don't see it as Brian taking two steps back. We have seen just in the last chapter what his opinion on therapy is and how much he didn't like Jennifer's suggestion that Gus might benefit from seeing a therapist. Just because Brian in the end might have come to the conclusion that seeing a therapist could be good for his son after all, doesn't mean Brian's own opinion of himself or therapists has changed completely. He did what he had to do for his son, so Gus would get better, but that doesn't mean Brian changed his opinion on therapy. And even seeing that it was helping Gus doesn't mean he's ready to accept that it would help him as well... I think Brian is just on a path of natural progression where therapy is concerned and he's just slowly realising how it might also be good for him ;)
As for everything else: We know that Brian won't be that stubborn forever and will eventually change his mind on therapy.
We'll see how the separation goes in the next chapter and then we'll see if it will be harder on Gus or Brian.
Yes, Gus is in school. But school is something Gus is used to and he knows he has to go and he knows his Daddy can't come with him. The separation anxiety covers more of his time outside of school when it's just him, Luke and Brian. Poor Gus probably doesn't have a lot of friends in his new school yet :(
And I don't want to write about either Brian or Justin with someone else, so don't worry - there won't be too much detail ;)
Thanks for your comment! More will be up tomorrow :D
Date: Oct 15, 2018 3:10 am Title: Chapter 27
Glad to read that Gus is doing better; next week might be tricky though if Brian actually follows Billy's suggestion and leave Gus for a couple of hours.
Author's Response:
Poor guy deserves to do better. We'll see how hard Billy's suggestion will be on Brian and Gus and who will have the harder time ;)
More will be up soon!