I JUST. MYSTERY AUTHOR OWUIOUDWjlNDLSJ_)"*(IKW:AKSLJD. ♥ ♥ ♥ DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HAPPY YOU HAVE MADE ME!??!?! I SQUEALED WHEN I SAW THE PAIRING. I BOUNCED WHEN I SAW IT WAS A LOOOONG FIC. I FLAPPED AND FLAILED AND RAN AROUND IN CIRCLES WHILST READING.
OH. MY. GOD.
*breathes* Ok. Right. Ok, so I have been ridiculously busy lately, and unfortunately, I only managed to read about a third of the fic before I was swamped with various RL committments, but based on that third alone, I rec'ed this wonderful, wonderful gem in my LJ. That's why you still got reviews from people who came via my rec, but no review for me, and for that I apologise.
I finally finished reading the fic just now, and just. ARGH. You are amazing! Firstly, the characterisations were just wonderful. I loved Teddy, he was a sweet mixture of Tonks and Remus and a bit of a unique twist of Teddy added in there. His voice, his struggle to find out what he wants to do with his life, his quiet confidence alongside his bookishness and cheerfulness was simply adorable. By far the best characterisation of Teddy I've read so far since DH.
I think, though, that my favourite characterisation of the whole fic is Harry. What a complex load of emotional baggage you've given him! And all of it natural and real and so very wonderful, and my heart ached for him. I could truly believe that this was what 37 year old Harry would be like. He was still very much like Harry from the books, but a softer round the edges and a little tired and weary. Poor thing. ♥
Really, ALL the characters you wrote about were lovely - so many complex relationships, my goodness! I loved every relationship you created - the Andromeda/Kingsley, the Harry/Percy, the Sirius/James/Remus and Sirius/James/Tonks.... I've often found that the side pairings in fics seem underdeveloped and superficial, but somehow with your clever poignant writing, you made every relationship work and implied a wealth of unexplored history and lives that just added to the realness of the world you created. Your writing style is also delightful - clean and easy to read, with clever subtle shots of humour and the ability to imply so much with just a few natural words.
The progression of Harry's and Teddy's slow acceptance that they have the hots for each other was fabulous - there were several moments where I bounced about in my chair and stifled a gleeful chuckle. Somehow, the fact that they're godfather/son was emphasised and yet downplayed. I don't know how you did it! But somehow the fact that they're godfather/son just made the relationship so RIGHT rather than wrong or kinky. I loved the similarities between them, how they both wanted to marry the Weasley family, how they were both drifting in a sort of lonely limbo, and how their coming together was like the perfect addition to their friendship.
Aaaaand finally, the sex. :D My oh my. So yeah, you pretty much filled up my voyeurism quotient for the next 6 months. Wow. Teddy wanking to Harry wanking to Sirius/Remus has got to be..... just about the hottest thing I can think of! Argh! And then Sirus looking at Harry and mentally imagining him as James, and Harry realising Teddy was like the "gorgeous lovechild" of Sirius and Remus, and oh, hee! Everything's such a mishmash of slight guilt and inappropriate lusting and naughty associations and confusion, I loved it! Poor, confused, horny boys! :D And then the Harry/Teddy at the end, with FIRST TIME TOP TEDDY OMFGGGGG!!!!!!!! How hot was that!?!?! Guhh. And Harry trying to be the teacher, but Teddy's such a forceful and intuitive chap that he just blows Harry's mind with his hotness, and Harry's just left there mumbling that Teddy's "bloody amazing". *glee*
Oh man. I am just... speechless with joy. And before I make you cry from my endless array of run-on sentences, let me add another thank you thank you THANK YOU, my wonderful Secret Santa. This is like an xmas and birthday present rolled into one (my birthday was on the 1st) and boy, I am overwhelmed! I cannot WAIT to find out who you are. *loves*