I read this story a few months ago. I was curious because in more than one occasion it was mentioned as one of the best, if not the best, fic for the ATL bandom (or however you call it). So I gave it a try. Of course, from the beginning it was clear that the plot was far from predictable and, well, the writing was just so good. So my first impression was indeed a good one, but I was so eager to know what was bound to happen in the next chapter that I probably didn't make it justice. A couple days ago, for no particular reason, I thought about this story and wanted to re-read it. I honestly can say, I'm glad I did. I was in such a hurry to finish it the first time, that I didn't take the time to actually enjoy it. So, if my first impression was good (real good actually), the second reading made it painfully obvious that this is more like a piece of work. It's truly beautiful. And it's not only the plot, the characterization is outstanding. The references to psychology just adds some more flavour to the story and make it even more interesting and fascinating.
I fell in love with your version of Jack. It's so out of the ordinary, but real somehow, that it's impossible to feel differently. The relationship between him and Alex is just right, not too much. The water therapy and the scene where Jack shaved Alex, were so, so beautiful. Honestly I'm quite dreading the ending, because I fear what Jack will do and because I think you wouldn't give us an happy little ending. It just wouldn't fit right. I think it will be something not necessarily bad, but something bittersweet. I also am worrying about next chapter and the whole "You’ll finally know why this story is named after the concept of a Freudian slip and how Jack really feels about this whole thing." I have a few theory about the Freudian slip thing and I have the feeling a conflict will arise.
About the other character, I really dislike Sammy. Maybe it's because I don't have the whole story. I just don't like how he's the poor victim. Yeah Alex didn't deal the situation very well (which I think is understandable since it's not exactly an easy situation), but I don't like how Sammy reacted to it all. Eric, though. I don't know what to think about him and I don't think you have finished with him yet. I don't get what he wants. He is so snoopy.. Obviously it has something to do with Jack, but what exactly I don't know. He was eavesdropping when Zack and Rian were talking and, of course, it was the mention of Jack that sparked his interest. I can't help but being a bit suspicious.
I honestly can't wait for the next update. Waiting makes me antsy. Till now, I never had to wait because I discover the story just a little while ago. It's probably going to kill me, especially because we are now near the end. But if the wait gives you time to write this well, I guess it's worth it. :)
Awh, I'm glad to hear you gave this fic another go! You're not the first to have a little trouble getting into it, I'll fully own up to the fact it's pretty slow-paced but I really wanted establish my characters before they got together--something I think happen way too quickly in most fics. I wouldn't say it's the best fic out there, but it means a lot you'd even suggest it :)
I think even if most people don't see Jack as a psych major who goes out doing social experiments most people in the bandom do see him as a sort of 'healer' even if his method is stupid dick jokes that make you relax and takes things a little less seriously in life, so that's why I thought I could write a character that way even if it's a bit of a stretch.
You're right in knowing well enough I don't intend a super go-happy ending. I like to think of this genre as realism even as an alternate universe and that means not everything goes as smoothly as you'd like. 'Bittersweet' is a good word for it actually, but the epilogue will soothe all our aches, I think.
As for the next chapter--it's about 17 pages long so far and about 3/4 done, so you'll have to wait and see I'm afraid haha.
I'm really glad you said you don't like Sammy! I think you'll like what happens next, it's about time we stopped seeing him as a poor victim. (Not to say Alex is innocent either)
As for Eric, I'm curious as to whether you've ever read the TFS Q&A I did a while back where I answer some questions about Eric's character and his function in the story? (http://live-by-lyrics.livejournal.com/13013.html) He is pretty snoopy but so is the analyst when you think about it. I think people just see him as a threat to Jalex, but that will get resolved in chpt. 14.3. Eric means well, he really does.
I'm honestly just as antsy as the rest of you about the next chapter! I've been working on it a lot though and I'm done uni for the summer so I do have more time. An update will be much faster than usually I hope.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it!
Of course, from the beginning it was clear that the plot was far from predictable and, well, the writing was just so good. So my first impression was indeed a good one, but I was so eager to know what was bound to happen in the next chapter that I probably didn't make it justice.
A couple days ago, for no particular reason, I thought about this story and wanted to re-read it. I honestly can say, I'm glad I did. I was in such a hurry to finish it the first time, that I didn't take the time to actually enjoy it. So, if my first impression was good (real good actually), the second reading made it painfully obvious that this is more like a piece of work.
It's truly beautiful. And it's not only the plot, the characterization is outstanding. The references to psychology just adds some more flavour to the story and make it even more interesting and fascinating.
I fell in love with your version of Jack. It's so out of the ordinary, but real somehow, that it's impossible to feel differently. The relationship between him and Alex is just right, not too much. The water therapy and the scene where Jack shaved Alex, were so, so beautiful.
Honestly I'm quite dreading the ending, because I fear what Jack will do and because I think you wouldn't give us an happy little ending. It just wouldn't fit right. I think it will be something not necessarily bad, but something bittersweet.
I also am worrying about next chapter and the whole "You’ll finally know why this story is named after the concept of a Freudian slip and how Jack really feels about this whole thing." I have a few theory about the Freudian slip thing and I have the feeling a conflict will arise.
About the other character, I really dislike Sammy. Maybe it's because I don't have the whole story. I just don't like how he's the poor victim. Yeah Alex didn't deal the situation very well (which I think is understandable since it's not exactly an easy situation), but I don't like how Sammy reacted to it all.
Eric, though. I don't know what to think about him and I don't think you have finished with him yet. I don't get what he wants. He is so snoopy.. Obviously it has something to do with Jack, but what exactly I don't know. He was eavesdropping when Zack and Rian were talking and, of course, it was the mention of Jack that sparked his interest. I can't help but being a bit suspicious.
I honestly can't wait for the next update. Waiting makes me antsy. Till now, I never had to wait because I discover the story just a little while ago. It's probably going to kill me, especially because we are now near the end. But if the wait gives you time to write this well, I guess it's worth it. :)
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I think even if most people don't see Jack as a psych major who goes out doing social experiments most people in the bandom do see him as a sort of 'healer' even if his method is stupid dick jokes that make you relax and takes things a little less seriously in life, so that's why I thought I could write a character that way even if it's a bit of a stretch.
You're right in knowing well enough I don't intend a super go-happy ending. I like to think of this genre as realism even as an alternate universe and that means not everything goes as smoothly as you'd like. 'Bittersweet' is a good word for it actually, but the epilogue will soothe all our aches, I think.
As for the next chapter--it's about 17 pages long so far and about 3/4 done, so you'll have to wait and see I'm afraid haha.
I'm really glad you said you don't like Sammy! I think you'll like what happens next, it's about time we stopped seeing him as a poor victim. (Not to say Alex is innocent either)
As for Eric, I'm curious as to whether you've ever read the TFS Q&A I did a while back where I answer some questions about Eric's character and his function in the story? (http://live-by-lyrics.livejournal.com/13013.html) He is pretty snoopy but so is the analyst when you think about it. I think people just see him as a threat to Jalex, but that will get resolved in chpt. 14.3. Eric means well, he really does.
I'm honestly just as antsy as the rest of you about the next chapter! I've been working on it a lot though and I'm done uni for the summer so I do have more time. An update will be much faster than usually I hope.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it!
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