Our Epoch - Comments

Wow. I've been reading a lot of sad stuff lately, but this really is heartbreaking. The ending really did get me. I thought the concept of having the time throughout was really quite interesting, especially when you finished it off by saying that they had ran out of time. It was a really simple touch, but a really effective one.

A few people have said this already, but I love how real this feels. InsaneArtist is completely right, why would someone give up plans for a wedding for one moment with someone that would be considered taboo by most others? They wouldn't, and despite the fact that I really hate that he didn't, having Steve stay would just be too much of a fairytale ending. You've captured so many real feelings and emotions within this and it comes across really well to readers (or at least me).

I also love that you manage to create two very real characters with very real emotions and you do that in less than 1000 words when some people can't do that in over 10000. I could feel some of the hopelessness that Rick must have felt when he was left in the middle of the floor at the end and it honestly made me feel so bad for him. I also felt bad for Steve, in a way. Even though he's the one leaving, he's leaving for something that (or at least I assume) he isn't going to be as happy with that and that makes me really sad. Then again, I do feel really angry at him for telling Rick how he feels and then just buggering off to marry someone else. That really irked me.

I couldn't even tell you how I feel after reading this because I have so many mixed emotions and conflicting opinions. One thing I can say is that I love this and I love the realism of everything in this. I love the characters and I love the idea. Amazing.

As much as I want to say the end was sad, I don't think it was. I think it was real. You didn't twist it into some Taylor Swift fairy tale. Why would Steve suddenly decide to throw out all his marital plans because of one moment? Granted, the moment was touching and cathartic.

The use of time seemed to be a good two-bird one-stone sort of thing. It expressed how time slows and can disappoint us when there's a happy possibility in the future. Of course, the whole "our time is up."<3 It also conveyed the fact that all time is limited, even if it feels like it doesn't move, you only have a little bit of time.

I'm glad you didn't call them gay or bi-curious or tried to explain their feelings. People are people. Calling yourself gay or straight or bi or whatever else feels more like a label so society knows who to segregate more than anything. What matters is love, and that's what these two had. Unfortunately, they didn't end up together. But like I said before, sometimes reality doesn't match desires.

Which what makes this one-shot such a good tale. Real people. Real emotions. Real wants. Real ending.

First off, I'd like to thank you for entering this in my contest. :) I loved the picture in the layout; usually, when you see pictures of guys kissing, it's two 'emo' teenagers and while I don't have a huge problem with that, it's nice to see a picture of just two average guys together. :) I must admit that I would have liked to see a bit more of a summary describing the story but nonetheless. :)

I love how this piece focused on time and really, how slow it goes when you're waiting for something. That's an idea that I always love to see explored and you did a great job with it. I also love how you explain how their relationship doesn't mean they're gay; I honestly feel that labeling your sexuality is kind of silly. But regardless. Just before the ending, I was smiling so widely; I thought that all was going to be okay and that they were going to be together. And then, the twist; that was excruciating. I'm glad that you chose to end the story like that, however; it definitely seemed more realistic. Thank you very much for entering this in my contest! :)

Holy shit, Batman, you need to come read this beast-as-hell story
I don't know what that was; don't ask. *cough cough, I'm so lame*

Anyways, this was just too amazing.
I agree in whole with what Cherri!isazombie. said. It went amazingly with the picture.
I also really love the idea of them not being gay or bisexual per-say. Ever since I watched the show "Torchwood" - where two of the main characters have a relationship together and the one admits that he's not necessarily gay for men in general, but he's gay for the other guy - I've loved that idea. So I love that you added that in here.
This story is so great. Bottom line.

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this. was. amazing. :D

this is so adorably sad, yet so perfect :-)

oh and I *loved* Little Manhattan(:

This was really good. :D It went along so well with the picture.