I gave it some thoughts
I haven`t read the other comments yet,because I don`t want to be influenced by other people. So I might repeat things other said before,but I might not; given the fact that it seems like I think differently in so many ways and I am quite sure I will get an other`grow up!` lecture for this as well.but nevermind,here they come:
Justin is different here from season 1 Justin and from canon!Justin too.I don`t think he likes himself and who he became."feel a tremor of nausea settling in his gut".But I don`t think that he is only different because of the absent of Brian in his life.For sure that was a big part in it,but he also hasn`t got friends there and he hasn`t got Daphne who could have been I think a rock for him during all the hard times.They both (Brian and Justin) are clearly not people person,so it`s no wonder they haven`t got friends there.Also if Justin would have stayed in Pittsburgh he might have grown up differently,but that is an other AU.
Brian and Justin staying friends.well I didn`t buy that for a second.And for me Brian had a plan before entering Justin`s club for the first time.Maybe his plan wasn`t very exact not even to himself but I am convinced that he wanted Justin back in his life .
Justin protecting himself from feeling anything for Brian.That is a reason for me why they didn`t fuck for so long.Because the minute Brian touches Justin he would have lost it completely.And Justin still felt the pain from loosing Brian. At the beginning I think he was sure that Brian was there only for some time not for good and he did/couldn`t want to go through the pain again.And shutting out feeelings and seeing only body parts not faces is what Justin mastered during the years and he sort of built a life up on it,so for him to give that up would have meant to start his life from scratch again and that is a scary thought for everyone.
As for if they are in a better place as they are in canon...that is a really hard question to asnwer because it`s so complicated.I love Brian more in this verse and I love the fact that Justin didn`t get bashed,but there are so many incredible scenes in canon(prom-pre-bashing,308-314 etc) I would miss.
canon elements:uhm can I have go at your favorite? hotel!sex white sheets and white toweling robe?? if not,I suck,pfft.my favorite is the mentioning of Brian`s cancer.I loved the cancer arc even though it was FULL of angst.
oh gosh,I am writing the longest comment ever,I could go on and on. but finally I just want to qoute the other part besides crayons I love the most: "Brian only let Justin top once.Sprawled out against blue sheets,guiding his every movement,shuddering and gasping with every thrust.Stretching muscles,murmuring,groaning in response to Justin`s every gasp.When it was over,he said Justin was amazing,and the next day he left for New York."
this is so full of love it hurts and shows way beyond their relationship in season 1.
omg,I got carried away,sorry,but I love this fic sooooo much!