Ok, back, but now I don't know what to say. Everything about this was so great. The atmospheric descriptions were so evocative of fall and the forest. All your characters-- even the smallest parts-- Donna, Pete and Gabe and Brendon, and James and his tie, omg. The friendship dynamics between Gerard, Ray, Bob, Patrick, and Ryan was also perfectly done. (Oh RYAN.) Gerard and Mikey's relationship and brotherly communication style was a thing of beauty.
And now we get to Frank. I just... I don't have the words. There is no way anyone couldn't fall in love with this Frank ("the epitome of cool!"). I was so afraid this fic was going to break my heart but it didn't, and I'm still amazed you managed that. I mean, it was pretty heartbreaking, but it ended so happily...
I really liked the way you handled the issues of Frank's death and murder (and how they're not exactly the same). The world-building you did for the afterlife is fascinating. Frank's murder was handled really well, I thought-- Gerard's reluctance to acknowledge even to himself that that's what happened, Frank's reticence to talk about it or deal with the repercussions, all his repressed anger.
I love your Gerard so much. Sassing the jocks and so suspicious of Ray and Bob at first because he's convinced good things don't happen to him. Willing to get bullied so he didn't put his friends in danger; so, so worried about Mikey (and him being relieved about an afterlife so that he knew Mikey wouldn't go away was wonderfully done).
Gerard and Frank's relationship was amazing. I love the instant draw and the slow build. You showed great give-and-take, Gerard protecting Frank as much as Frank protecting Gerard.
Reading this, I really got the feel of a whole world, with history and complicated relationships, and the characters as people outside the story. Really, really well done.
I know there's a ton of stuff I'm forgetting, but you made me laugh and cry and it was completely enthralling the entire time. Thank you for writing this; I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time with this fic in the future. :D
!!! Okay, so, I am a bit of a terrible lurker, mostly, but I've loved your fics for ages, especially Break the Walls, and it is so incredibly awesome to see that you like this beast of a fic of mine. Like, holy fuck, this comment made me SO HAPPY. So, uh, just as a warning, I am friending the hell out of you now, and because even if I didn't already adore your fic, omg this comment, thank you SO MUCH. And I am trying to be better about commenting myself, so expect to see me about soon. *G*
I'm so glad you liked the way the fic finished -- I worked hard on trying to make sure the story ended hopefully, despite all the angst and awful things that had happened, so that comment of yours delighted me down to my toes, seriously. It's a dark topic, but I tried to examine it as realistically as I could and still give the characters all some resolution and a space to grow from. And ahaha, I am SO TICKLED you liked my takes on Gerard and Frank! I had so much fun with them, thanks so much!
OMG YAY. I am both bright red and really pleased, so, uh, hi! I'm glad my comment made you happy; your story made me very happy. :D
I really did love the ending-- I did not see it coming at all and I was on the edge of my seat (I can't remember if that was one of the things I remembered to mention or forgot). I was shocked Gerard got kidnapped, and (very pleasantly) surprised when they managed to work out a happy ending. And now I must resist the urge to reread the whole thing right now-- I need to save it for when I actually have the time... like tonight. ;D
And now we get to Frank. I just... I don't have the words. There is no way anyone couldn't fall in love with this Frank ("the epitome of cool!"). I was so afraid this fic was going to break my heart but it didn't, and I'm still amazed you managed that. I mean, it was pretty heartbreaking, but it ended so happily...
I really liked the way you handled the issues of Frank's death and murder (and how they're not exactly the same). The world-building you did for the afterlife is fascinating. Frank's murder was handled really well, I thought-- Gerard's reluctance to acknowledge even to himself that that's what happened, Frank's reticence to talk about it or deal with the repercussions, all his repressed anger.
I love your Gerard so much. Sassing the jocks and so suspicious of Ray and Bob at first because he's convinced good things don't happen to him. Willing to get bullied so he didn't put his friends in danger; so, so worried about Mikey (and him being relieved about an afterlife so that he knew Mikey wouldn't go away was wonderfully done).
Gerard and Frank's relationship was amazing. I love the instant draw and the slow build. You showed great give-and-take, Gerard protecting Frank as much as Frank protecting Gerard.
Reading this, I really got the feel of a whole world, with history and complicated relationships, and the characters as people outside the story. Really, really well done.
I know there's a ton of stuff I'm forgetting, but you made me laugh and cry and it was completely enthralling the entire time. Thank you for writing this; I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time with this fic in the future. :D
Reply
I'm so glad you liked the way the fic finished -- I worked hard on trying to make sure the story ended hopefully, despite all the angst and awful things that had happened, so that comment of yours delighted me down to my toes, seriously. It's a dark topic, but I tried to examine it as realistically as I could and still give the characters all some resolution and a space to grow from. And ahaha, I am SO TICKLED you liked my takes on Gerard and Frank! I had so much fun with them, thanks so much!
Yeah, just, basically <3<3<3!
Reply
I really did love the ending-- I did not see it coming at all and I was on the edge of my seat (I can't remember if that was one of the things I remembered to mention or forgot). I was shocked Gerard got kidnapped, and (very pleasantly) surprised when they managed to work out a happy ending. And now I must resist the urge to reread the whole thing right now-- I need to save it for when I actually have the time... like tonight. ;D
<3<3<3<3
Reply
Leave a comment