Date: Dec 03, 2021 2:31 pm Title: Part Four: Lux Aeterna [Perpetual Light]
Hi, thanks for the story. I liked it a lot.
Of course the story is yours to do what you will with it. However I have a ‘slight’ problem with parts of it. The sex shop in Altooner reminds of a similar place in Philadelphia. In your story, you described it negatively. I don’t see as that. It was a good way and for many gay men to learn and experience. At least I think so. I wonder how many Altoona like places there were.
John was a tragic figure. A key to me was that there were several pictures of other men found in his studio. The point being that John had many (some) other relationship with other than Brian of similar age. One could look at John as a predator. I lost a little interest in him.
inally, the story ended with B/J having unprotected sex. It was suggested that since Brian only had protected sex the last three month since he was tests he considered it Safe Sex. That is not my understanding of Safe Sex.
Thanks again for the story. It was somewhat biographical for me at well.
DavidR
Author's Response: Thanks for your review. I’m puzzled that you found my description of “Rumors” as negative. I’ve been to many gay bars (with back rooms) so I thought my description was sorta the average. Granted, it was a bit rundown, but it was a gathering place for local gay men. I admit…I’ve never been to Altoona. I was more observer than participant, but these bars were part of my evolution, too. I have also written a story with 11 chapters about Rumors and Brian’s relationship with the bartender/ owner…and the evolution of both the relationship and also the business. I hadn’t planned to post that story here because it is far outside the domain of QAF…but I thought Rumors was important enough to be the setting for the longest story I’ve ever written. (Brian helps build a dark maze that doubles the number of patrons and rescues the business from failure.)
Date: Dec 01, 2021 9:12 am Title: Part Four: Lux Aeterna [Perpetual Light]
First, welcome to KD. It's always nice to see new authors.
I have read the majority of your work years ago, if not all. And have copies of it too. That said, I was really hoping if you put this story on here, you would have changed your bottom notes, because I believe every person out there knows or realizes Randall Morgan is NOT a HE. He was never even a person. All that was all over LJ YEARS ago. The fact that you would credit HIM, and not the true author, Carol, really hit a wrong chord with me. Many, many, many QAF fans were very upset when the truth came out, I would presume you were aware of that too. So many great authors were duped and disheartened by the news, and seeing you still crediting HIM today, well it's so wrong on so many levels, and greatly upsetting.
Author's Response: I had no idea that Randall was female. I was totally duped...so I'm sorry my accreditation has the wrong gender, but I still give credit to Randall, whoever & whatever he/she might be. So, was I the ONLY male fan-fiction writer for QAF? I don't remember any others. And...am I the only male fan-fiction writer in THIS group?
Date: Dec 01, 2021 7:29 am Title: Part Four: Lux Aeterna [Perpetual Light]
Wow, no I didn't get this! That's ridiculous romantic :-) No, seriously, I love this thought! It's beautiful!
Regarding my question to The White Party - Yeah, I know that Justin stayed at home, but you put Ben into it and that's why I asked myself if it's AU (because I think that was a few years back). And as I said, it's just not for me and Brian and Ben, no thanks ;-)
Author's Response: I love that my work is sometimes called "Ridiculously Romantic." That's one end of my spectrum. The other end is...well, I'll wait and see if you'll read some of my "other stuff" and I'll let you come to your own conclusions.
Date: Dec 01, 2021 2:59 am Title: Part Four: Lux Aeterna [Perpetual Light]
A wonderful chapter with which you close this story. I love their conversations here. Yes, even if Justin makes a lot of mistakes and has this sometimes carefree naivety especially at the beginning of the series, on the other hand he is also very mature for his age, which is why I never understood why the age difference is such a problem for some. With this chapter and what Justin says about John's written words, it became clear to me why I had such a stupid feeling about him, especially in the second chapter, and why I wrote that I don't know what to think of John. For me, his words are just too melodramatic, too theatrical. and in this chapter there are now the almost accusations "you could not love in return" ... It sounds so bitter and I'm glad that Justin helps Brian to see this and that he finally finds the strength to move on. The last scene! Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing this story with us!
Author's Response: Did you get the “light” connection? Lux Aeternam means perpetual light. That last scene has two light sources… the burning books, and the colorful sunset. And the “perpetual” connection is (hopefully) is the love between Brian & Justin. I just thought I should mention this.
Date: Nov 30, 2021 10:17 pm Title: Part Three: Dies Irae [Day of Wrath]
Hi! Again very well written and one can well imagine that this was Brian's past and the experiences with John and then the ones you describe here have made him the man we get to know in S1. "no promises, no expectations, no regrets...no responsibilities" - I love this protective side of Brian: "Back off! He's taken" The detailed sex scenes with Brian and other men are, as I said, not really for me, but here it just fits well to explain Brian's past. I have a question about the White Party story. Justin doesn't appear there at all?
Author's Response: Justin didn’t go to Miami; he stayed in Pittsburg to attend the wedding. That’s what happened in the QAF episode. This was a totally hedonistic trip for Brian. No apologies. No yearning for Justin…although he did show a preference for young blonds. Who knows what was in his mind, unless he tells us.
Date: Nov 30, 2021 6:30 pm Title: Part Four: Lux Aeterna [Perpetual Light]
Loved it. I think Brian taking Justin to the funeral and the tour of his past as along with the burning of those books was just what Brian needed to help get him through the pain and hardship of his past and to help him to start moving forward with Justin.
Author's Response:
Thank you for your review. During the broadcasts 20 years ago, I was mesmerized by the character Brian Kinney. I wanted to know more about him...particularly the details of his life before he met Justin. That interest led me to fan-fiction and a whole series of stories about his earlier life that might explain his behavior...with Justin, Mikey, Debbie, and other major characters. I think these 20-year-old stories have fared well ove 20 years. They still seem relevant today. So I'm happy that you like them.
Date: Nov 30, 2021 11:25 am Title: Part Two: In Paradisum [In Paradise]
Hi! I just read your answer to my review. Yeah, I totally agree, we all are capable of loving more than one person - let's just say, I don't want to see Brian with someone else than Justin ;-) but as I said, in his past and how you write this, that's okay for me... Does this other story you mentioned also play in this universe or is it detached from it? But did I understand correctly that after John, Brian didn't get involved so intensely with someone until Justin came and couldn't be stopped from slowly but surely bringing down the walls?
So, this chapter. Great writing-style! Even if it's a rather sentimental-sad story overall, there are also these cheerful moments: "Have you ever seen Justin eat pizza?" - haha :-) Yeah, Justin (or should I rather say in this case Randy) can open his mouth real wide. And I love those little casual moments with which you show how strong Brian's feelings are for Justin and how good he is for him ("he beamed with that toothy grin that always makes me smile"). Is that the answer to Justin's question: "Why did you bring me here?" So that Justin can understand a part of Brian better, but also because Brian simply needs Justin in these moments? Brian's first time was kind of very sad too. Yes, unlike Brian and Justin's first time, love was already there, but these guilty feelings afterwards ... I'm not sure what to think of John ..
Ah, there would be so much more to say ... but I want to go on reading! ;-)
Author's Response: Exactly! You hit the nail on the head. Brian took Justin to State College for 2 reasons…to share the story of his past…and to have Justin there as emotional support. It wasn’t just a bragging trip…”Here’s where I fucked so-and-so. It was a trip Brian needed to make to dispel the negativity, ultimately, of his relationship with his former professor. To show Justin why he lived his life the way he did.
Date: Nov 30, 2021 8:14 am Title: Part One - Requiem Aeternam [Eternal Rest]
Hi again! So, I was not sure, if I should read this, because, yeah, I'm a sucker for Brian and Justin. I normally don't read stories where Brian has serious feelings for another man. Just doesn't fit into my picture, what I have of Brian, because if Brian loves then he loves really and then there can be tricks, but no other man. Ridiculous maybe, but well. But it would be foolish not to suspect that there might have been someone important in his past who influenced him. I don't think I would have wanted to read their story in the present, but you brought the past into the present. So, amazing first chapter. Very well written. And it fits into my picture I have of Brian an it explains so much about his philosophy of life. At what point in the series does this happen? and I've just got two questions... two things I haven't understood. Ah, well, when I wanted to ask you exactly these two things, I get it. When Brian gets out of the car, he picks up the bracelet back ... I so so love the end of this chapter and the reference: "At first it reminded me of eternity and later it reminded me to be wary of permanence" - "A sign of permanence? Perhaps" And maybe that's the important difference... "We'll share it"
Author's Response: What a lovely, thoughtful review! Of course there would be other guys in Brian’s past. I have another story about his high school experience that I’ll post shortly. But that doesn’t diminish his love for Justin. It just explains some of his behavior. All of us are capable of loving more than one person…and in different ways. Please read some of my other stories that will be posted soon.
[Report This]Date: Nov 29, 2021 12:09 pm Title: Part Four: Lux Aeterna [Perpetual Light]
This was an amazing and very compelling story. There were so many emotions felt by all the characters throughout the story.
You can't choose who you fall in love with, some things just happen. Brian loved Justin from the beginning, but due to his past, felt very unworthy of being loved in return. He needs to learn to accept things that just are, things that can't be explained or controlled.
~Lorie
[Report This]Date: Nov 29, 2021 11:43 am Title: Part Four: Lux Aeterna [Perpetual Light]
I waited until the end to comment. I needed to read all of it. Autobiographical and yet so Brian and Justin. Brian opening himself up in the only way he knew how. The ending love making, for that's what I feel is what it was. So powerful. A link a connection that they needed. Very well done..bravo!!>>> Cat
Author's Response:
CAT, I love your writing and your reviews. And there is so many more stories that I look forward to sharing with you. Feel free to give me a tough review in the future; I can take good criticism, especially if it improves my writing. I like your stories, too.
Date: Nov 29, 2021 12:01 am Title: Part One - Requiem Aeternam [Eternal Rest]
Welcome to KD! So happy to have you hear. Can't wait to read all your stories! TAG
Author's Response: Thanks for the welcome…and special thanks for your help in submitting this story. I realize that many readers want to read stories about Brian & Justin together. (It was the same 20 years ago when my stories were written.). But, I hope that readers will like my writing style enough to read my stories regardless of the character-pairing or plot-connection. All of my writing is part of one big “tapestry” that, taken as a whole, is far more powerful than any individual piece. I hope that readers will explore my writing with an open mind and a willingness to “stretch the boundaries “ a bit.