And I've read it many times. I re-read it a few weeks ago, and posted about it in my journal, unaware that you were going to be discussing it here at qaf_coffeeclub. This is what I said there: I love AU's. When I first found fandom, they freaked me out a little because they just didn't seem like the *real* Brian and Justin to me. I have come to realize now that finding the *real* Justin and Brian in an AU is what makes them SO wonderful and appealing. When it's done well, it's just as good as canon. And I think Teacher is one of the best. The only one that I think about as often is Pulse Point. They both capture all the things that make me obsessed with Brian and Justin. It's been a real pleasure to me to read this one again tonight.
So. I'm not sure that I think Brian and Justin are IN CHARACTER as much as I think I can see what I think of as the "real" Brian and "real" Justin in the story.
It's not at ALL in character for me that Brian likes to cuddle in this fic, for example. But I do see a lot of what I see in them in canon...Brian is sharp and scathing and sarcastic and sees that Justin can be so much more than he is. Justin is talented and generous and caring and believes in Brian.
Their sexual chemistry is beautifully hot and steamy and always tinged with the most important thing this fic has to offer and that's TEH LOVE.
More important than the premise of their ages being swapped and the danger and allure of Justin fucking one of his students and even the backstories of their awful families, I am always just wrapped up in the amazing, beautiful love they share. It's just spellbinding...
Sorry for the deleted comments! I had a hard time today...