Hello and welcome to our very first Fanfic Reading Club discussion! I'm very excited to be hosting this particular fic, because this story is one of my all-time favorites. The writing is beautiful, understated and engaging. The characterizations are a wonderful blending of canon tempered by circumstance and experience. And perhaps the most important aspect; It’s totally and completely filled with THE LOVE!
So without further ado, let's discuss…
Listed below are some of the facets of this story that, to me, beg to be discussed. Feel free to use these as a guide to your comments or feel equally free to ignore them altogether and post about completely different aspects of the fic. However you want to participate, it's all good!
• This is a very different Justin than the one we saw at the end of S1. And in fact, he's very different from canon!Justin throughout the series. His characterization still rings true to me, but it's been reshaped by a different life. Would you explain these differences solely by the absence of Brian in Justin's life? Or is there more going on here?
• Brian is different as well, and we need look no further than his willingness to actively pursue a friendship with Justin. And while it's subtle, drawn out and patient, I definitely feel that Brian is pursuing more than a friendship with Justin from a very early point in this story. Do you agree? Or do you think that Brian was just going with the flow, spending time with Justin because he enjoyed being with him, but wasn't consciously playing the part of pursuer?
• Given Justin's stalking pursuit of Brian in S1, how do you explain his attempts to insulate and protect himself from his feelings for Brian as this story unfolds? And do you understand why he does this?
• How long did it take you to figure out that this was an AU with Brian getting the job in New York in S1? In our fandom, it seems that authors usually put that information in their notes before the fic, but that's not done here, so you start out reading with no knowledge, no sense of where you are in terms of the canon time-line. It's a bit disorienting, but at the same time, it’s one of the things that drew me in almost immediately as I tried to figure out where we were. I think it also helped me to understand Justin's perspective. Somewhat lost, directionless, and drifting in terms of his personal life and his emotional connectedness to the world.
• This fic is written in third person, present tense. For me, the use of present tense adds to the immediacy of the piece, and makes me feel more in tune with what Justin is feeling and experiencing. It's like I'm right there with him as he lives it, rather than looking back on his remembrance of events. Also note that while it's third person, this is truly Justin's POV, and this is an author technique that I've come to really appreciate lately. What it does for me here again is to put me in close touch with Justin. I see the entire story through his eyes, but because of third vs. first person, I'm slightly removed. And this is perfect because it matches the sense I get that Justin, himself, is slightly removed from his life - holding events and people (especially Brian) at arm's length. What are your thoughts on this? Did the technique work for you?
• One of the things that I find most compelling is the way that this story demonstrates the inevitable nature of Brian and Justin's relationship. Separated for six years at the opening, their significance to each other is palpable to me in every paragraph. Even with Justin's hardened attitude of denial, we can see through the layers and identify that very thing that draws us to them in canon. Did you feel this way as you read? And if so, were their specific points where this was made clear to you, or was it more of an overall feeling you got from the entirety of the story?
• When Brian and Justin meet again after this long separation, they don't fuck immediately. In fact, about a year passes in this fic before they have sex again. Even with Brian's "no repeats" rule, a rule he broke repeatedly with Justin in S1, it's doubtful he'd be that opposed to fucking Justin again. We also know that Justin, as he says himself, has become somewhat of a slut. And yet they take no action. What do you make of this?
• As much as I love this story, it's difficult for me to read due to the angst level, which comes directly from the fact that Brian and Justin have endured a lengthy separation, and one that both of them truly thought was permanent. But I also find a type of angst in the waiting. As their new friendship develops, as their lives slowly intertwine, as they become close in a way that they haven't been before, as they quite literally fall in love with each other, there's an underlying pensiveness that adds a subtle air of trepidation to the story. Do you feel this as well? If so, where do you think this comes from?
• I think the six years that Brian and Justin have spent apart, coupled with the lengthy foreplay of their developing friendship results in a much more "balanced" relationship between the two of them. Justin's had some time to gain some life experience (and a great deal of cynicism), and Brian's had the opportunity to mellow and to allow himself to believe in love. I hesitate to say that they are in a better place here than in canon, but it certainly is different. Agree or Disagree? And are there aspects of the relationship in this story that you prefer to canon? Aspects that you like less?
• What did you think about the ways in which the author introduces or subtly hints at canon elements in the AU storyline? There's one in particular that gives me chills every time I read it. Can you guess which one?
• To say this story is superbly written doesn't even begin to cover it. The phrasing, the precise use of words, the things the author doesn't need to spell out directly - it all comes together in a fic that leaves me breathless with new discoveries each and every time I read it. Did you feel this way as well? And what were some of your favorite passages? Please feel free to quote them in your comments!
OK, now it's your turn to comment, discuss, squee or wax philosophical. Please share your thoughts and let us all know your impressions of this story. And don't forget - this is a discussion, so you're encouraged to comment on what others have to say, expand on ideas, ask for clarification and anything else that contributes to a lively and positive exchange!
Standard Reminder: This is a chance to talk about Subject to Change in a thoughtful and respectful manner. It's fine to comment on why something in the fic didn't work for you, or what you would have liked to see instead. But remember to keep the comments civil and appreciative of the author's time and efforts. And please be kind to each other as well. Flaming, sniping, and rude comments will not be tolerated and will be deleted.