God. This got to me in a way it didn't when I was betaing, and I'm crying, too. Fuck. Time touches what no person can. Who doesn't remember that last hoorah of youth? Finally discovering who you are and what you need, a moment before adulthood changes all of it? You captured that beautifully, and I'm torn between praising you and cursing you. (And the climax of 'Reductive' gave me chill bumps.)