Afterglow, part twelve, conclusion (M/B/J, PG-13)

[redwinter101]

Oh what a lovely comment, Shadow - you've totally made my day. Thank you. And this,

but a story like this is something that really brings Moonlight back to life for me.

is beyond kind.



Red

[jen]

There are no words.

I remember when I first read this, I was so desperate for a happy MickBethy ending. I suffered so, and yet when I got it...

Ouch. At what cost???????

Yet, this was so true to the character of Josef Kostan.

I remember seeing something about 'stories that characters would love' -- I think Josef would love the ending you crafted here. Josef hated to lose and he got to be the hero of the piece. He got the outcome he sought on severe terms, yes, but he secured the safety of those he loved.

Stunning. I wonder if I will ever be able to read this classic without crying (I'm going to go find some tissues...)

[redwinter101]

*hands jen a hankie*

That makes me so happy, jen. Not just that this provoked an emotional response, but that it rang true to the characters. Josef was always presented as the great survivor, so making a case for him willingly giving up his life was a huge challenge and I'm so happy it worked for you.

Red

[redwinter101]

So, I confess, I don't usually pay a great deal of attention to the "views" counter on my stories ('cos it's ALL about the comments ) but I did notice a couple of days ago that the counter on this chapter clocked 1000. Then today I spotted that it was 1030. So in just a few days, this old, old story has had 30 hits. That really made me smile.

So, whoever you are who's coming back to read - thank you. It's much appreciated.

Red

[jen]

Red,

This story is a fanfic classic (for me, and a lot of others, I'm sure).

I read a comment attached to another story and don't recall who said it (sorry) but it said, in effect, that the story didn't just tug at the heartstrings, it knitted them into an afgan with fringe.

That is so very true here, too. After reading, and rereading and rerereading, I just read the ending of this story and was entirely captured by its magic again. (This isn't just about my memory, though that may be a factor in other things] Sometimes. a fic so captures the essence of Moonlight and the heart of the characters we all love, that revisiting it just does not get old. It will continue to wreak havoc with my heartstrings as often as I read it.

And I will be reading it again.

I should analyze it carefully, and see what writing lessons I can glean from it, but at the moment, I sit here with a nose totally blocked and ears partially blocked and face red and puffy from crying. I don't know if I could survive a long-term study of it.

To say 'beautifully done; is absolutely true, but is entirely insufficient.

I have read some wonderful fics you have written and thought, there is no way she can top that, and you do on a regular basis.

Thank you for keeping the magic alive.

.

[redwinter101]

Oh, jen. Thank you.

Just. Thank you.

Red

[maggatha3]

No matter how many times I have read this story, I really cannot find the words to praise Red's brilliant writing, to express how much it affects me!

[MickLifeCrisis]

Maggatha and Jen, I commend you on your reread of this. I only ever read this once, when it was originally being posted by Red chapter by chapter. And I cried so hard - I was sobbing. And as much as I loved this story and how much it moved me and how awesome Red's writing is, I've never been able to bring myself to read it again. Maybe now, after all these years, I should give it a another try.

[maggatha3]

I am addicted....I always come back...