xhaleslowly ([info]xhaleslowly) wrote,
@ 2006-02-23 17:41:00
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Current mood:grateful
Current music:A Movie Script Ending ~ Death Cab for Cutie

New Fic: B/J: It's Only Time
First off, a huge *thank you* to the anonymous sweetheart that gave me a Valentine's rose last week! That was very nice to get :X :X

So, in the Valentine's-ish spirit (yes, I know I'm like over a week late, but it's still February, okay? That kind of counts :P), I have schmoopy fic! Just a little post-513 thing :)



Title: It's Only Time
Brian's POV : PG-13/R-ish for coarse language and suggested sex
Premise: Post-513 schmoop

It's Only Time

"It's only time," the words slip from your lips with a shrug and you watch Justin's face soften as he hears them.

It's only time, you think, pressing your face into his soft shoulder, breathing him in, taking in the taste of his skin, his lips, the scent of his hair, the feeling of his body underneath yours... you hold him close for those last few moments before he crawls out from under you, before he pulls on his clothes and picks up his duffel bag, before he walks out the door and slides it silently shut behind him.

It's only time, you think, sitting on the edge of the bed that first night alone in the quiet loft, smoking and drinking and thinking about the sound of his voice as it reverberated through the phone line. Knowing that's all you'll have for weeks, months, years... who knows how long. You sit in the loft alone and stare at the wall and simply be alone. You've done that a million nights before in this place, but somehow you've forgotten how to do that now.

It's only time, you think, the world spinning around you, seconds transforming into hours, the music beating endlessly... choruses thump on for years, songs for decades. You dance alone at Babylon and it feels like time has stopped, like the sparkles of confetti raining from the sky spin slowly in descent, like you can see each one as it passes through the air, catches in your hair, sticks to your skin, trails down to the floor. You close your eyes and let the music take you where you need to be, let the music stop your heart then start it again, let the music get in your head and reminisce for you, bringing back nights here of dancing with him, of kissing here and fucking here and feeling like you were the only two people on the dance floor. The Technicolor lights flash behind your eyes, the dry ice and smoke fills your lungs, the throbbing beats echo in your ears and you savour each one for hours... you let this place take you back to that first time and every time after that.

It's only time, you think, and pluck a stray gray hair from your temple, wondering when it ever started to steal away like this. A wrinkle forms at corner of your eye and you consider Botox; you head to the gym and get on the treadmill, running your fears away.

It's only time, you think, Justin's soft mouth sucking the head of your dick, each lick drawn out forever, each swipe of tongue making your head swim, your heart stop. Minutes of riding the edge of orgasm that feel like hours, days, years. And then you come and it's over in a heartbeat.

It's only time, you think, and climb back on the plane that'll take you away from Justin, the 48 hours spent with him disappearing in the blink of an eye, but the days and weeks until you see him again dragging by like eternities. You've already started subconsciously picking off the minutes till you'll make the journey back to him again.

It's only time, you think, sipping at the glass of wine, watching as it disappears too quickly from your glass, the night passing by in a flash, Justin smiling and eager to share his work, share his paintings, his brilliance. His art now bears slim resemblance to the sketches he did when you first knew him, and the expanse of his talent, the growth in his ability astonishes you until you realize that this maturity has come from age and experience and practice. It hits you that the years that got him from seventeen and line drawings to twenty-five and masterpieces have gone by far too quickly.

It's only time, you think, and sit at home alone, waiting for his phone call. The minutes crawl on for hours, the second hand of your watch seemingly stopped as you stare it, waiting, needing, waiting...

It's only time, you think as he steps off that plane and into your arms. You press his face to your shoulder, feel his warm breath against your skin, his body touching every inch of yours. You tell him to stay as long as he wants. As long as he needs.

It's only time, you think as he moves back in, his life from New York filling the house, filling your world. His schedule fills up faster than yours, and he spends more time in his studio at the house than you do at Kinnetik. You find yourself whiling away time in the chair by the window, watching him paint. Those hours feel like long, lazy sunny days that never grow cold, just evolve into dark warm nights, the blanket of summer stars seeming endless and forever.

It's only time, you think and push into him again, feel that tightness on your dick, always there too soon but never fast enough. He moans and laughs and comes into your hand, and you following quickly after, spilling inside him. It's always fast-slow-fast with him, and you treasure every second of it.

It's only time, you think and curl your arm around him, your naked bodies side by side in bed. His breath brushes softly across your chest, his fingers wrap around your side, and you hold him to you tightly. Time has disappeared; time has dragged on, sped up and carried on. Time has taken your youth and your health and your opportunity. Time has given you memories and happiness and success. You've wasted it, cherished it, spent it, saved it. You've tried to make it pass more quickly, filling your days with idle pursuits. You've tried to enjoy it, make it last forever, kept moments of it locked away in your mind to replay over and over and over.

Time has taken everything. Time has given you everything.

Time has brought you to this place.

It's only time, you think and embrace it, empower it, make it yours. You kiss Justin's hair and feel the warmth of his body beside yours, the satisfaction and love in your heart. It's only time, but it's your time now, and you intend on making every last second of it count.

*** *** *** *** ***




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(138 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]damietta
2006-02-24 01:54 am UTC (link)
Oh, Ethan. Thank you for taking that stupid, stinging comment and making it beautiful.

This had the elegant sorrow that first enveloped Brian in canon, but allowed us to see the righting of the ship and the positive ending that should have been.

Deb

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]catkcrl
2006-02-24 05:24 am UTC (link)
Wow. This truly says it all.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(no subject) - [info]xhaleslowly, 2006-02-25 10:02 pm UTC

[info]_alicesprings
2006-02-24 02:01 am UTC (link)
I'm always so thrilled when you post new fic! I rushed in to read, and then time seemed to slow while I was reading. Very appropriate.

It was so beautiful, so beautiful. My heart was breaking for Brian while I read. Then by the time Justin came home, I had reached tears. Your wrting always makes me feel just how much Brian loves Justin.

I was just as proud of Justin as Brian was, by the end. Really lovely post-513. But then, I adored 'Starting Over' too. It's simply perfect.

Thank you ♥

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:12 pm UTC (link)
Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback - and for mentioning "Starting Over", as well. I liked your comment about how time shifted for you while reading this... and also what you said about my writing making you feel just how much Brian loves Justin. That's usually what underlies all my stories, so I'm glad they make you feel that way :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]sita_moonlight
2006-02-24 02:02 am UTC (link)
What a truly beautiful story. I loved it. Great work.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:12 pm UTC (link)
Thank you for this, Alison! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]mclachlan
2006-02-24 02:02 am UTC (link)
Oh... Oh, Ethan...

THAT'S what I call a happily ever after.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:13 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for this, sweetie... so glad you liked it :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]happier_bunny
2006-02-24 02:13 am UTC (link)
You made me cry and that's a good thing. Your stories always invoke such emotion from me and I thank you for that.

You should never stop writing!

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:18 pm UTC (link)
Your stories always invoke such emotion from me

Thank you so much for that comment... that's something that I always want my stories to achieve... to be able to create emotion in the reader. I'm so glad this one did that for you :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Time
[info]fansee
2006-02-24 02:16 am UTC (link)
You've wasted it, cherished it, spent it, saved it.

Not just Brian but all of us. That line applies universally. Time giveth, time taketh away. Thanks for helping us see that both are part of life. FanSee

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Time
[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:22 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for this, FanSee :) I'm glad you got that notion out of this story... I definitely wanted readers to get that sense of time, and cherishing it. I know it's something I struggle with myself - wasting time, spending time, saving time... you can get obsessed with it, and completely miss out on all the amazing moments of life.

Thanks again for your comments :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]aaddddiicctt
2006-02-24 02:19 am UTC (link)
im glad i didnt go to bed early.. that was really beatifull!
love your work

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:23 pm UTC (link)
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]mi_nion
2006-02-24 02:28 am UTC (link)
This was exactly the type of fic I was jonesing for. I don't think I'll ever tire of B/J loving.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:26 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for this! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

I don't think I'll ever tire of B/J loving.

And yeah, me neither. I think there are many, many more B/J stories left to tell :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]moose74
2006-02-24 02:35 am UTC (link)
1. I audibly gasped when I opened my f-list and saw this on top. Totally made up for my less than stellar night! :)

2. Then I started crying two sentences in. Then the third paragraph killed me. :(( I get choked up at the thought of 513, but I really think you perfectly captured Brian's state of mind in that last scene.

3. So beautiful. And sweet and romantic and real. Wonderful! :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:27 pm UTC (link)
These are all such great comments, Moose! Thanks for sharing with me the emotion you got from the story... and for telling me it felt "real". That's the best feedback to get :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]flamencanyc
2006-02-24 02:40 am UTC (link)
I totally agree with what everyone else has said -- in particular [info]_alicesprings who said:

I'm always so thrilled when you post new fic! I rushed in to read, and then time seemed to slow while I was reading. Very appropriate.

It was so beautiful...


That was exactly how I was feeling!
You are amazing, darling Ethan. The way you capture the emotional backstories and run with them...You are invariably author of some of the most moving fics in the fandom.

Thank you so much! I look forward to the next.

Ever your devoted,
♥ flame

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:34 pm UTC (link)
Aw, thank you so much for this, flame! You totally made me grin with all your very generous comments :) I love writing the emotional stuff - Brian is such a complex character and it's a great challenge to try and get into his head and figure out what he could be thinking. So much more is done and felt than what is actually said.

Thanks again for this... so appreciated :X

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]sixpackokittens
2006-02-24 03:00 am UTC (link)
So beautiful and melancholy... like a black and white movie pausing at all the right moments. Thank you for the lovely.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:35 pm UTC (link)
Thanks so much for this great comment... I love what you said about the fic :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]nairie
2006-02-24 03:05 am UTC (link)
OMG ... I feel the need to cry.

Really! This fic touched me ... I ... don't know what to say.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:38 pm UTC (link)
Thanks so much for letting me know how much this fic affected you... you made me feel like it did what I wanted it to do :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]nairie, 2006-02-26 02:31 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]xhaleslowly, 2006-02-26 07:03 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]nairie, 2006-02-26 09:51 pm UTC
Thank you
[info]tootiredtosleep
2006-02-24 03:09 am UTC (link)
Once again, you have touched the depths of my heart with your beautiful words. Thank you. As always, your work is brilliant. Please don't ever stop writing.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Thank you
[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-25 10:39 pm UTC (link)
Wow, thank you so much for this... I can't tell you how much I appreciate it :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]dis_mount
2006-02-24 03:10 am UTC (link)
Hello. Er, I'm actually new to this fandom, new to the show, really. I stumbled across your site and really dug the writing it includes, so I went to your livejournal and now I'm writing this. *smiles and waves* I really enjoyed this little story (so sweet) but I've never actually watched the show so I didn't *quite* get it. Anyway, your writing has inspired me to check out QAF -- could you be so kind as to tell me, please, if I should do the intelligent thing and start watching from the very beginning, and/or if there are certain episodes you can recommend? Thanks ever so much, sorry to force myself into your world like this. Cheers,
Dismount

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]fansee
2006-02-24 03:46 am UTC (link)
DEFINITELY start from the beginning and go straight through. You DON'T want to cherry-pick the episodes, especially in the first season. FanSee

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-24 09:56 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]fansee, 2006-02-25 01:00 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-25 02:07 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]fansee, 2006-02-25 04:07 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-25 04:21 am UTC
QAF virgin - [info]betty122, 2006-02-25 05:38 pm UTC
Re: QAF virgin - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-25 11:47 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]betty122, 2006-02-26 03:50 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-26 07:16 pm UTC
Help! - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-26 12:00 am UTC
Re: Help! - [info]betty122, 2006-02-26 04:00 am UTC
Re: Help! - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-26 07:09 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]xhaleslowly, 2006-02-25 10:46 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]jealin98, 2006-02-24 03:51 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-24 09:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]seanmegansean, 2006-02-24 02:22 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-24 10:00 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]xhaleslowly, 2006-02-25 10:45 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]dis_mount, 2006-02-25 11:50 pm UTC

[info]mdlaw
2006-02-24 03:12 am UTC (link)
I get so excited when you post new fic. It's sort of embarrassing. This was lovely, and emotionally fulfilling. Thanks,
m

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 12:52 am UTC (link)
emotionally fulfilling

Mmmm, I love that comment :) Thanks so much, M.

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]ragingpixie
2006-02-24 03:16 am UTC (link)
well hullo, handsome :x:x:x

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[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 12:55 am UTC (link)
Hey sweetpie :) *blows kisses*

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]equusentric
2006-02-24 03:17 am UTC (link)
Every time I think you can't possibly get any more amazing, you do.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 12:57 am UTC (link)
You know, after writing as many stories as I have, I worry that I might get repetitive or boring or that people won't be interested in reading my little stories anymore. But getting this... well, thank you :) I really appreciate it :X

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]luceononuro
2006-02-24 03:22 am UTC (link)
this story has the flow and cadence of a warm breeze - beautiful

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 01:00 am UTC (link)
Thank you so much for this... what a nice comment :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]ladooshka
2006-02-24 03:48 am UTC (link)
I always thought that the show has to have a slightly different ending, not with Brian dancing alone in his "Babylon" club but with something like you've written for we would all understand what does "it's only time" really mean for Brian and Justin. For me it means that how faster time would not be struggling to run with each passing day they will always remain the epitome of timeless eternal love!

Thank you for your wonderful writing!

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 07:08 pm UTC (link)
I'm with you Lada. I was never satisfied with the ending they gave us for the series. It felt empty and meaningless and without growth, which I just didn't believe. I've been struggling to make peace with the ending, and the only way I've been able to do that is to expand on it in a way that satisfies me. And I really wanted to try and understand that throwaway line, "It's only time". I didn't quite get it when I heard it on the show, and wanted to see if there was a way that I could make it make sense for me :)

I'm so glad you enjoyed this fic... thanks so much for your comment!

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]jealin98
2006-02-24 03:48 am UTC (link)
Ethan that was so beautiful sweetie. I hated it when that line was said in the finale, but here, here it is such a wonderful feeling. Thank you for that, for making those words not so ugly for me. This was a beautiful night cap!!

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 07:09 pm UTC (link)
Thanks so much as always, darlin' :) I didn't "get" that line when it was said on the show and wanted to see if there was a way I could make sense of it and give it a bit more meaning. So glad it worked for you!

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]sapphire9977
2006-02-24 04:18 am UTC (link)
Such a beautiful and heart warming story. Thank you Ethan!

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 07:10 pm UTC (link)
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]luciblue
2006-02-24 04:24 am UTC (link)
Agh! I loved this.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 07:11 pm UTC (link)
Thank you :) So glad you enjoyed it!

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]severina2001
2006-02-24 04:25 am UTC (link)
Oh, very lovely. So melancholy, but ultimately uplifting and so real. Personally I love that line -- it's only time -- because it always seems to me that Brian measures his time in Justin-increments... sometimes Justin is there and sometimes not, but it's only time and Brian knows that sooner or later the time when Justin IS there will come back around.

...

Also, because I am a pimp the fandom deserves more of your writing... have you heard about [info]qaf_anon yet? Um. Go check it out. Really. *is shameless*

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 07:24 pm UTC (link)
Hey Sev! Thanks so much for the comment... and I like your interpretation of the "It's only time". You're right - it can mean so many things.

Re. qaf_anon... yeah, I did see it and will definitely participate as a reader. But I have to admit that I get nervous about the idea of entering any of these deadline or competition based challenges (I've actually never done any of the challenges that have floated around the fandom!) I'm always afraid that it'll be the kiss of death for my inspiration and I won't be able to produce anything! lol!

But thank you so much for letting me know about it - it looks like you have a huge list of writers already, and that's fantastic! I look forward to reading all the great fics that will come out as a result :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]onacleardayican
2006-02-24 04:41 am UTC (link)
It is not our time to save, but to spend. We can neither borrow or save it. Only make the most of what we share. We must use it well.

Thank you for reminding me of that.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 07:27 pm UTC (link)
I'm glad you got that message out of this fic... in thinking about that line and what it could mean, I wanted to see the different possible interpretations of time and what it means to all of us, at any given second. How it can change or be manipulated given the situation.

Thanks for this great comment - much appreciated :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]msjudi
2006-02-24 04:59 am UTC (link)
YAY I loved this, thank you for posting it!! :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]xhaleslowly
2006-02-26 07:27 pm UTC (link)
Thanks, sweetie :X So glad you enjoyed it :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)


(138 comments) - (Post a new comment)

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