Valediction - Epilogue

[q_dicted]

Title: Valediction (Epilogue)
Rating: R Language, violence
Warnings: Angst. Oh, and then? More angst. * Major Character Death *
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my thoughts, and even then sometimes, I rent.
Complete: Yes Word Count: 61,251

General Summary: Canon thru 509(ish), right down to some of the scenes/dialogue directly from the show. Some

Comments

[manueladb]

What a beautiful epilogue, it had me in tears. It was worth the wait. I love to think about Justin writing, talking to Brian years after he's gone, telling him about his life, his emotions, the people that loved Brian and were loved back. The whole part about Gus really touched my heart.
I read other death fics but none has affected me as much as yours. You truly are a gifted writer and I hope you'll write other QAF fics in the future.
Thank you for this beautiful story, it's one I'm gonna read over and over again.

[q_dicted]

Thank you so much! I can't tell you how nervous I was to post this part - I've never written in the first person before, but I so wanted to tell Justin's story. I think Gus was the hardest POV to write - he made me cry, too. Thanks again for the sweet words.

[gekko11]

I'm so glad you finished this. It's gorgeous. And so sad, especially when Justin talks about Brian having been gone longer than they knew each other.

[q_dicted]

Thank you. I think anybody who has lost someone they love and lives long enough to experience that 'moment' knows that it's a tough one. I know I did - and I got a little drunk, too. I appreciate the comment very much.

[anyusa0030]

this is better than i could have imagined, and i had such high expectation for it, because of what came before. you are such a gifted writer,its hard to imagine this was your first qaf fic,you have this amazing ability to pull your reader into the story and make them feel and live every emotion.thank you so much for sharing your amzing gift with me, i hope you write more qaf fics but if this turns out to be the only one am glad to have read it.

[q_dicted]

I am thrilled to know that the epilogue lived up to your expectations. I give full credit to the creators of these wonderful characters for giving me such inspiration. Thank you so much for the compliment and taking the time to let me know you enjoyed it.

[lapindiable]

This is a fitting end to one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories I have ever read. I don't know why this story affected (and still affects) me so much, I really don't. I think perhaps it's the way you conveyed so clearly and simply the emotions, evoking a common feeling that we can all relate to, as humans, as people who love and are loved, as people who cannot comprehend how someone can even begin to deal with something so utterly awful and unfair. So many times over the course of this series I've been reading - and needless to say crying helplessly - and get hit all over again with the honest, raw reality in your description of Justin's emotions and reactions. The things he thinks and feels, they're exactly what I think and feel when I look back at losing someone too soon and the empathy is just overwhelming. And yet this story is never overdone. It's understated, quiet, and for that reason it *aches

[q_dicted]

lapindiable, I can't even tell you how much your post means to me. Writing this story has been one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. Knowing, through such thoughtful comments as yours, that I've been able to touch some people in a meaningful way is an incredible feeling. As I said in the author's note, I struggled quite a bit with the epilogue until I stopped fighting to tell the story and let Justin do it.

I was wondering if anyone would notice 'it's only time'. Thank you for that, and for the amazingly kind and generous comments.

[livingbeauty91]

I just re-read the whole thing and I have not stopped crying. Oh god, it's so beautiful and so sad. I need to go drink two litres of water now to prevent the killer dehydration headache that's coming on.

Seriously, though, usually when I see anything about major character death I run in the opposite direction as quickly as possible. I'm glad I gave this one a chance. It was painful but well worth it.

[q_dicted]

As I said in the notes, I really, truly appreciate those who are afraid/leery of death fics and took a chance anyway. Sometimes a little heartbreak reminds us of what it is to feel good, you know?

Thank you so much for the comment. I appreciate it so. I hope the water did the trick! *g*