~ Karynn

Thanks for the lovely compliment and for commenting, Deb <3 You and the other readers kept my spirits up when I was hit by the virus from hell (not Covid but something equally nasty) that started just before I posted and then got much worse. I was knocked out for months.

If you are following my stories, I have good news. It looks like I will have a (fairly) short one-shot for the upcoming change to standard time :) And there will be a (not so short) sequel to Contortions!

~ Karynn

I could have left Michael out of the story, but you know… comedy gold :D

Brian’s never gonna get his protein as long as either Gus or Michael is around :P

Thanks for commenting, Karla <3 You and the other readers kept my spirits up when I was hit by the virus from hell (not Covid but something equally nasty) that started just before I posted and then got much worse. I was knocked out for months.

Good news: It's looking hopeful that I will have both a (fairly) short one-shot for the upcoming time change and a (not so short) sequel to Contortions!

~ Karynn

Thanks for commenting, Sarah <3 You and the other readers kept my spirits up when I was hit by the virus from hell (not Covid but something equally nasty) that started just before I posted and then got much worse. I was knocked out for months.

I have good news. It looks like I will have a short one-shot for the upcoming change to standard time :) If you are following my other stories, there will also be a (not so short) sequel to Contortions!

~ Karynn

Thanks for the comment, Becky! <3 You and the other readers kept my spirits up when I was hit by the virus from hell (not Covid but something equally nasty) that started just before I posted and then got much worse. I was knocked out for months.

If you are following my stories, I have good news. It looks like will have a (fairly) short one-shot for the upcoming change to standard time :) And there will be a (not so short) sequel to Contortions!

~ Karynn

Thank you for persevering! <3 I thought you would enjoy this chapter. I especially appreciate your comments since this middle chapter hasn't gotten much love here on KD.

Friends sometimes grow apart after high school (or at other stages), but I don't really see that happening with Justin and Daphne. I think their friendship matters too much to both of them. I also think Brian would foster their friendship. It's a bit of wish fulfillment that the three of them would get on so well, but not entirely; Brian genuinely seemed to like Daphne in canon.

If he'd actually lost his Tumi bag, Brian's voice might've reached a heretofore unheard register. LOL. Thank goodness for Daphne.

Yes, I did read about that snow squall in Pennsylvania. God forbid Brian's Vette should be dinged! (He's warding off any such possibility.) I think the Pittsburgh region is generally warmer than your corner of MN, but eastern Pennsylvania appears to be another matter entirely. Cockroaches can thrive almost anywhere, the little buggers. They were what I liked the least about living in NYC (the bathroom in this story is modeled after the one I had; only difference was that mine was slightly larger). Beetles were more of a problem - one infestation after another - but they were much smaller than the roaches, and they didn't fly. Besides which, it was possible to kill them.

Nope, sorry, you're off base again. I think you'll enjoy chapter three anyway, at least I hope so. It's the longest of the three, but it can be the shortest for you. Just leapfrog over the sex scene, lol.

Hugs and kitty kisses on their way back to you,

~ Karynn

Oops! No, it has nothing to do with day and night that you couldn't make the connection to the time change :D If you persevere, you'll find that connection in chapter 3.

Your idea about a chapter from Justin's POV, then Brian's, and then the two of them together is a good one, but I didn't even think of that. Three chapters happened because what was originally going to be a one-shot got too long and because I wanted to insert some of Justin's backstory. And it gave me a chance to connect the time change in the US with the change in Europe :)

I hope you like the direction I've taken with this story, even though it isn't what you anticipated. It might be fun to write more of Angela and Susan in future stories; a number of readers have liked both of them. I'll have to see if I can work them in again at some point.

I'm so glad you're finally experiencing some (mostly) headache-free moments :) Thanks for using one of them to leave a review <3

Hugs,

Karynn

Thanks for commenting :) It's much appreciated.

~ Karynn

I'm glad you like the start :) I can't promise more of Susan and Angela, but funny that you should mention Daphne...

Thanks for commenting, Claire!

~ Karynn

Thank you ao much for reading and leaving a comment, Cathy :) I'm honored that you did so and hope it helped lift your depression, even if just for a moment.

Brian is just as much of a romantic as Justin; he just expresses it differently most of the time - except for moments like this. Secure and happy, he can let go with his partner and say exactly what he feels :)

"Breather? Who needs a breather?" Brian wants to know.

"Me," Justin responds.

"Well, in that case..." Brian spoons Justin from behind and nuzzles the sensitive skin beneath his lover's ear.

Hugs,

~ Karynn

P.S. Thanks for the title inspo :) Maybe the next entry in the series.

Thank you for the lovely comments, Sandy :) I'm especially glad to hear you liked the ending; it clinched this story for me too. Secure, happy Brian at his best :)

~ Karynn

(Apologies for the delayed response. I hadn't checked for comments recently.)

I'm thrilled you're enjoying this series. There will be more to come :)

Thanks for commenting, Deb :)

~ Karynn, aka eureka1

It's a mystery how Brian and Justin put up with with a couple of particular friends at times...

Thanks for commenting :) It's much appreciated.

~ Karynn, aka eureka1