"To define is to limit." – Oscar Wilde

OMG thank you so much ❤❤ Even if your criteria for the best thing you've read is "they don't get to even kiss for at least 100 pages and 4 years" haha 😭

But it does seem like a microniche, doesn't it? I've been scouring my memory for stories that hit that pining spot and I blanked so hard.

If anyone reading this has a rec of fics where Brian is pining for a long time, please share!

But what I remember so far are:

Broken Open by thesalmondean - this is a post-season 4 canon divergence where Brian cuts contact with Justin when he goes to LA to make Rage. They reconnect by accident after 8 years. At the beginning (which is like 30k words lmao), Justin has no interest in letting Brian back into his life and the burn is so slooooooowww and good and the resolution is so painful I love it!

Life Goes On by Frayach (plus sequel: Strength) - I need to warn you that this was one of the most devastating post-513 fics I've ever read because it starts with Justin falling out of love with Brian and over the years that follow Brian goes through HELL. But then there's a happy ending! Mostly. 😭 the writing is fantastic, my advice is to read it and chase with something happier.

need a new one. I need all

the help I can get.