Thanks for commenting. :)

~ Karynn

What a lovely, detailed review. :) Thank you, Pushpanjali! :)

Brian was just as messed up after the bashing as Justin, but the only one who considered that he might also have PTSD was Justin. It led Brian to try and fuck his way out of his troubles - standard pain management - but it didn't work nearly as well as usual. I'm made up that you like how I showed Brian's emotions regarding this. He really did fuck up with ZM (thank you - I hadn't thought of using the troll's initials before this :D). Sure, the loft belonged to Brian, but if he wanted Justin there (and we know he did even if Jennnifer dumped her son on him a second time, after initially refusing Brian's efforts to help), he shouldn't have belittled Justin by fucking ZM over the couch in the loft that they shared.

Not only would something like 'the key' moment in canon have helped Justin recover, it would have benefited Brian too. They were both the walking dead, with Brian wearing the bloody scarf like a hair shirt.

A mama's boy is exactly what Michael is. He's never let go of the apron strings (nor did Debbie really want him to). "I didn't mean it like that." Ugh. That trite excuse is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

At first, I was squicked out, thinking about where Michael's face would have to be for Brian to fart on it. But then I started laughing because even passed out stoned (which he would have had to be for Michael to get anywhere near his ass), Brian clearly expressed his opinion of doing 'that' with his 'best friend'. :P

I always enjoy your insights. :) Thanks for sharing them with me.

~ Karynn (aka eureka1)

Yay! My story merited an 'A-Mazing' rating from you. Thanks so much!

As I mentioned to Cathy (BritinManor) down below: It’s implied when the rules are set up in canon that the 'no kissing' rule only applies to tricks and the attendant one-fuck policy, but it isn't explicity stated. I bet Brian would have included Mikey in the rules if there was some other guy Justin liked to lock lips with.

Everyone barging into the loft was as annoying AF. Of course, if Brian had put his foot down, it almost certainly would have stopped. Instead, when the girls intrude during the spanking scene in 2x13, we get a weak memo to self to remember to lock the door. Aargh! 

Thank you for leaving a comment, Azabeth - it's much appreciated. :)

~ Karynn (aka eureka1)

I'm thrilled you liked the ending, Sandy! :) Brian has realized he can put his trust in Justin - and in his love for him. It doesn't get any better than that for Brian. :)

Thanks for leaving a comment; it's much appreciated.

~ Karynn

Thanks for leaving a comment!

~ Karynn (aka eureka1)

Thank you so much for the compliments, Claire! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed this story so much. :)

You're right; the key is hugely symbolic. Locks of a sort on their door, but without eliminating their free will. And who better to have a key than Brian's lover? It's high time that the transfer was made from Michael's hands to Justin's.

Even the key doesn't demonstrate Brian's trust in Justin as much as letting Justin top him does. He's ready to let himself be loved... which is as it should be.

No matter how eager Justin is to top Brian - and you can bet he was rarin' to go, lol - he'd want Brian to be comfortable, and to show how thoroughly he'd learned his lessons. :D After all, he's gonna want another invitation...

~ Karynn

Thank you, Phyllis! When it came to defending her chick, Debbie really jerked Brian around, sometimes intentionally. The infamous 30th birthday party was a shining example. Brian did what she wanted, only for her to tell him afterwards that he'd gone overboard. Never mind that Brian knew exactly what it would take to get Michael to let go of him and latch onto David instead. Of course, Deb didn't limit her expectations of Brian just to Michael; she expected Brian to fix other things too, like Stockwell.

~ Karynn

Thanks, Kerri. :) It means a lot to hear that from you. 

~ Karynn