Likable Ethan/Justin's Career Sabotaged/Justin Is Close To Someone Besides Brian In Family

[http://users.livejournal.com/bitch_goddess_/]

1.I've only read a couple of fics in which the author managed the seemingly impossible... They wrote an Ethan Gold that I actually liked. One was "If You Needed Me" by the much-missed myrna1_2_3.

 Another was pretty short and I can't remember the title, author or website but, in it, Justin and Ethan were at the Diner and Ethan said something was 'ridiculously romantic' and it caused Justin to finally remember the Prom. Ethan was really decent about the whole thing when Brian and Justin got back together.

Anyway, I'd like to know if there are any other fics out there that somehow redeem Ethan 'the man-stealing whore'. Or maybe he and Justin never had se x and just became really great friends and no redemption is necessary.


2.The above mentioned fic by Myrna also contained a scene in which Lindsay, still angry at Justin for leaving Brian for Ethan, kills his chance for some award at IFA. It was a pretty small part of the fic and, like too many QAF writers, she's easily forgiven by both Brian and Justin for being such a conniving, deceitful, two-faced bitch.

But it got me to thinking about Justin trying to break in to the art world before and after 513. Are there any fics in which someone (not necessarily Lindsay) that has it out for Justin for something and actively works to keep him from success? Maybe deliberately offers bad advice or napalms the publicity for an upcoming show?



3.I always HATED that the writers did their absolute best to present Justin as nothing more than an extension of Brian. So, I'd really like to read a fic in which a real friendship grows (or has grown) with at least ONE member of the Liberty Avenue Family. Someone he can turn to for encouragement, advice or just true emotional support. As much as I liked Daphne in general, she understood what Justin was going through about as much as Michael still knew everything about Brian. (Which is to say that she didn't actually understand what her childhood best friend was going through anymore.)

But why not Emmett? He's the closest in age to Justin within the family. Deb and Vic came close occasionally but were too influenced by Michael's past with Brian to be of much use. I really feel like maybe Vic could have become a strong father-figure for Justin but too much of Justin's time in Deb's house was spent on a 30 year old man's jealousy of a 17 year old boy who was essentially homeless. Or... and here's a long shot... how about Ted? Responsible, reliable, dependable Ted could have stepped up for him to lean on occasionally. He'd have grown a spine long before Season 5 and might have avoided the trip down the rabbit hole. Can't be Mel since she hates Brian. Can't be Lindsay since she loves Brian. Connecting with Ben would be interesting and, as a bonus, would make Michael's head explode. And I didn't buy the friendship Cowlip created between Justin and Michael when it first aired and I won't buy it now. What I'd really like to read is Justin having someone... ANYONE... who will put him first, who will respect that he actually loves Brian and support him with the good and the bad that comes with doing so. And not because of who Brian is, but because of who Justin is. Let's face it... with the exception of the time right after the bashing, Justin had no one like that. And, when it seemed like he did, it just ended up as another way to vilify Brian. Which does what? Makes it all about Brian and Justin is, once again, not the focus when he needs to be.

I know there are several AU's in which Justin is friends with (or related to) one of the family before he meets Brian. Not what I'm looking for here. Looking for something that stays with canon until the friendship begins or is made obvious and continues from there with the changes that friendship will create.


The last one includes a decent sized rant (read: passionate opinion) that is actually the reason I had to make any cuts in this post. But it spells out the request pretty well if I do say so myself! (And, to be fair, I deleted a lot of it when I saw how long it was.)

Thanks for your help! Can't wait to start reading!!!

Sandy
MrsHippyfreak


**Several suggestions found for #1 & #3!! Thanks so much for them!!**

**None found for #2... though that really doesn't surprise me. But maybe someone will write it now that the idea is out in the universe!**

Comments

[wouldbedorothy.livejournal.com]

Mostly just wanted to say BLESS YOU for using the cuts :)

Can't think of specific fics off-hand, but the "friendship: justin-ethan" tag is likely to have the most likable portrayals of Ethan.

There are definitely some "friendship: justin-ben" fics that come close to what you're looking for in terms of starting from a canon place, but they tend to always include an unnecessary (in my mind) element of attraction and/or makeout scene.

[http://users.livejournal.com/bitch_goddess_/]

I'll check out the Friendship: Justin-Ethan tag. Thanks for that... I didn't even think to look!

And yeah, I've read a couple of the Friendship: Justin-Ben fics. But you're right... they do tend to sway toward attraction/infidelity. The best one IMHO is Myrna's "Little Ditty". Everything there is completely plausible and, while there is a level of attraction, I feel like it's more about the surprise Ben feels while really getting to know Justin as a person and acknowledging that if there were no Brian and Michael, Justin and Ben could/would have been a good pairing all the way around.

But, yeah... I really want that friendship/emotional support for Justin that he often seriously lacks.

[nochaser-12.livejournal.com]

For your No. 3, one that comes to mind is 'Getting Help' by HollyIlex. I don't have a direct link, but it's in her QAF fics on the GIH shared site. Deals with Ben helping Justin through PTSD, and becoming close as his counselor - (and they don't have sex!). Not pleasant to Michael, but I'd never let that stop me... ha.

Roni

[amythesw.livejournal.com]

Here's a link...

http://slashcity.org/hollyilex/qafusa/gethelp.html

[http://users.livejournal.com/bitch_goddess_/]

I vaguely recall having read this before. Justin and Ben bonding always fabulous, Hollilex was a great QAF author and Mikey unhappy in any fic is just a bonus!! Guess I'll have to give it another read!! Thanks!

[edith l. (from livejournal.com)]

For your #1, I really like *Know* by jenn & josselin. These authors are writing from Ethan’s POV in season 3, and it’s the first fic I read where Ethan is not being demonized (i.e. not a complete jerk).

>> http://seperis.livejournal.com/137054.html

I also love *Closure* by severina. It’s got everything, from Ethan/Justin friendship to Brian/Justin love in a post-513 universe.

>> http://archiveofourown.org/works/99352

Hope you’ll find more suggestions!

***

Something just popped into my mind for #3: *The Things I Cannot Change* by suzvoy. It's an AU where Brian is an alcoholic in season 1 - and Emmett actually becomes Justin's friend (more than he is, I think, in canon). Can be found on Aly's GIH under suzvoy's name.

[sandraj60.livejournal.com]

Apparently, we share most than just a similar name. I agree whole heartily with your “rant”. I have always enjoyed stories like the ones you requested. I do feel that the writers didn’t know what to do with Justin’s character. I won’t expound any further because you have done an excellent job, but just one more thing – I thought I was the only one who was not always enamored of Daphne as a best friend.

Anyway for #1, Stepping Out of the Darkness by Wildsweet Angel for 1:
http://www.midnightwhispers.ca/viewstory.php?sid=1173

The Dog Star by Nightvision55 is excellent. Ethan is such a sweetheart:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9347880/1/

[nightvision55.livejournal.com]

Ah, thank you for the rec, hun! Although I feel I should point out Dog Star is an AU, all from Brian's POV, and the Ethan/Justin friendship isn't central to the story. I hope you like it anyway.

[sandraj60.livejournal.com]

Oops! You're right, but when I think of a likable Ethan, The Dog star is one of the first that comes to mind. I never even thought of the canon aspect of it.

[urugwaj.livejournal.com]

"Dog Star" at fanfictions.net is not finished, right? But this is fantastic fic! Is there any other place where I can read this to the end or maybe this will be a permanent wip?

p.s. sorry for my "English" but this is not my first language

[sandraj60.livejournal.com]

Oops! The Dog Star is a WIP. I was referring to the new rec's I added.

I like your avatar. I could certainly use it right now, LOL.

Sandra:)

[urugwaj.livejournal.com]

don't.make.me.cry!!!! ;-(
I don't believe you :-P
I'm sure that an author tell me something different 8-)

[sandraj60.livejournal.com]

Oh noooo.... Sorry, I was in a hurry. I was trying to get my kid off to school (just barely made it in time;)). The story is a WIP that she updates regularly, so dry those tears, LOL.

[http://users.livejournal.com/bitch_goddess_/]

Oddly enough, I already had "The Dog Star" up on a tab getting ready to read. But that's simply because I really like most of this author's work and was excited to find something new!!

And I'll take a look at the other one, too!

Thanks SO much for these!!

BTW... I'm thinking of putting that whole (uncut, unedited) rant on my LJ. May end up doing that with several shows I have loved over the years. There's almost always a character or actor the writers either ignore or pigeonhole... and, without fail, that person will end up as my favorite in the series. Perhaps ranting on LJ, and possibly finding likeminded readers, I can ease some of the tension that builds in my neck and head. I'm thinking that watching TV should not be so freaking stressful! If only the creators/writers/producers (who-the-fuck-ever) would pay more attention to their viewers! **sigh**

[sandraj60.livejournal.com]

Let me make up for my snafu:

Astoundingly Romantic and sequels (?) by Cathy:
url:http://www.qaf-fic.com/atp/viewstory.php?sid=2071
url:http://www.qaf-fic.com/atp/viewstory.php?sid=2076
url:http://www.qaf-fic.com/atp/viewstory.php?sid=2075

I Didn’t Stand a Chance and sequels by Cheryl:
http://www.qaf-fic.com/atp/viewstory.php?sid=2107
http://www.qaf-fic.com/atp/viewstory.php?sid=2111
http://www.qaf-fic.com/atp/viewstory.php?sid=2118

They are all canon related (but that AU Dog Star is still good;)).

PS: They may state that they are in-progress but they are completed.