New Fic: Flashback (B/J, R)

[xhaleslowly]

Well, here we are again :) This one's a little different - it's got a mix of POVs and tenses and this episode and past episodes and it's kind of an experiment, but I hope you all enjoy it.

Huge hugs to ragingpixie for the read-through and hand-holding ;)

Comments

509

[mdlaw]

Ethan, this was breathtaking. The symmetry was flawless. I've noticed quite a bit of that in the show this season, but you made the similarities and differences so clear. You break my heart. Next week you have to mend it.
m

Re: 509

[xhaleslowly]

Aw M. Thank you for this... I've also noticed so much symmetry this season. I really wanted to play it up with this gapfiller - there were the two great "flashback" opportunities with Deb and Brian as well as with the art show, and I wanted to try and run the whole fic with it. I also feel like Brian is at such a decision point in his life right now... he can see where his future will take him if he keeps along the path he's currently on. And I don't think he likes what he sees all that much. He's got a choice to make.

Let's see if next week he makes the right one ;)

Thanks again for the support!

*Damn You Again*

[buttrfli_80]

No one wants to see Brian end this way. But my goodness Ethan, did you have to make it so brutally beautiful. Does that make sense? The tone made everything not hurt as much but at the same time it was the worst pain you could feel. How do you caoture these characters like that? You take me inside and show me another side of "fictional" characters that I never thought I'd see.

I have been watching this show since the beginning. You have these characters figuresd out in a way that makes me wonder where the hell I've been for the last 5 years.

Thank you for this. Each week gets better and better thank you.

Re: *Damn You Again*

[xhaleslowly]

No one wants to see Brian end this way.

Oh I know. But damn... unless he wakes up and stops his train of destruction, he *could* end up like that. What other choice is there? No one is young and beautiful forever, no matter what Mikey might think.

You take me inside and show me another side of "fictional" characters that I never thought I'd see.

That is just such amazing feedback, thank you so much. I'll admit I spend *way* too much time thinking and writing about these characters... but for whatever reason, I feel a connection with them and I love writing with their "voices". It's so great to hear you like my interpretations of what we see (and don't see) on screen :)

Each week gets better and better

Thanks for this extra encouragement. So appreciated!!

[happier_bunny]

This is so haunting it hurt my heart. Brilliantly written as always. You've nailed the sadness and frustration exquisitely.

[xhaleslowly]

Thanks so much, bunny.

You've nailed the sadness and frustration exquisitely.

That's so great to hear... it's hard writing this sad, sad, sad stuff without going overboard on it, you know? I tried to balance it off with the "flashbacks", but damn, the frustration level in that episode was pretty tough. Brian's just losing everything around him and he knows it.

Thanks again for the feedback :)

[mmmorpheusq]

You made me cry again. Shame on you!

But, as Brian would say, "It's exquisite."

Is there life after QAF?

[xhaleslowly]

Oh Morpheus, thank you so very much for this. I always love hearing from you - yours were the very first gapfillers I ever read... I'd never even heard of one before I found your site with all your amazing stories! So thank you for your early inspiration, and thank you for the feedback :)

Is there life after QAF?

I've been wondering that myself lately... I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet, but boy, it sure feels like people are checking out already. It's been a weird season with so many people having access to the screeners and so much spoiler talk going around (you must be glad you "bit the bullet" this year and succumbed to spoilers! I know I am - there's no way I would still be spoiler free! lol!).

I guess we'll see what happens post 513, and if everyone closes up shop or what. Honestly, I think I'm still in denial that the end is so near!! lol!

[mmmorpheusq]

Yes, I'm glad I succumbed to spoilers this year, I'm afraid I'd be dead about now, knowing there was a lot of speculation and misery about the finale. I'm still coming to terms with it myself. I've only watched 513 once so far, it's just too painful for me.

Life will go on, I just can't imagine what I'll do with myself after five years' obsessing morning, noon and night!

I remember when you first started writing. I've always been a fan!!

[xhaleslowly]

I actually haven't watched past the episode I've gapfilled for yet. I find I get way too distracted and want to write *past* the episode I'm supposed to be gapfilling for and go straight to the next one! So though I pretty much know what's happening in 513, I still haven't seen it yet.

Life will go on, I just can't imagine what I'll do with myself after five years' obsessing morning, noon and night!

lol! Yeah, no kidding! It's been a long haul, for sure. Maybe now it's time to try writing something of our own? Kind of a daunting thought after feeling so comfortable in the shoes of Brian and Justin, but I think I might give it a try :)

Thanks for the kind words, Morph :)

[ugipinky]

I personally liked the 'Deb and her surrogate son' part and hopefully the 'Flashforward' would never ever happen to Brian >,< ... it is too heartbreaking. I'm typing this comment with my misty eyes and as always your story is beautifully written. Thank you for writing this for us ^o^

[xhaleslowly]

I'm so glad you liked the Brian and Deb bits... I love their relationship, and I was so glad to see it resurrected with this last episode. I'd been looking for an opportunity to write about them, and this seemed like my best chance :)

Thanks so much for the feedback!! It's so very appreciated.