Stories, Part I: Popslash

[jain]

For this year's DWNOGA, amuse wrote Windmills for me, which is a breathtakingly lovely Chris/Justin story about friendship and love and reaching for the stars. Chris's voice is just perfect--and it's written in second person singular, too, so that's doubly impressive--as witness in just a few of my many favorite lines:

"How the hell do you keep finding me?" you snarl, only slightly good-naturedly. "I'm a moving target for fuck's sake."

and

"That might be the stupidest thing you've ever said. Seriously, if you're trying to tell me that I'm not truly living because I won't jump off a bridge, I'm gonna kick your ass."

and

And it's not something you're bitter about. You're not angry. Mostly, it's just a wistful sort of pride that your boy done growed up and left the flock.

Then you beat yourself over the head with a Corona bottle for being a sentimental idiot.

Justin's nicely characterized, as well: a wonderful blend of ambitious and caring.

More recently, cjmarlowe wrote me a ficlet, Brian and Bono and fatherhood, set at the What's Going On video shoot, and it's just touchingly sweet.

Finally, my own DWNOGA contribution: Inside Out (Kevin/Nick) for _bettina_ Kevin is not having a midlife crisis.