This is the first time I've seen this story; someone recommended it over on Live Journal. Beautiful work.

Fuck. That was beautiful, ESPECIALLY the ending. I loved how you incorporated drawing & emotions. That's why I loved that you gave us the description of angry drawings at first, when then went onto sketches of her family.

Ryan seeing his own portrait... Dammit, that was so lovely. And then you said that he couldn't even find words to express his appreciation, that finally, someone loved and remembered him in such fine detail.

And then... That final line: "Sandy and Seth, both talkers, would never get him the way she did, never capture him perfectly both emotionally and, with a careful hand and a remarkable memory, in black ink." - I love your use of words. This line speaks so much truth.

Definitely adding this to my faves!

I thought this was really beautiful. The imagery was awesome, and the bond between Kirsten and Ryan was masterfully captured. I actually had tears in my eyes a couple of times. Congrats on a great story!

Aw, i wanted to read this story but then i saw that i already did, but didn't review, so here it comes.

I really liked how she talked with Ryan and it was just so lovely when she flicks through the pages to show him that she had drawn him too. Such a cute moment.

This was lovely. So very emotional. As with a pen and ink sketch, you provided the outline, in strong definition, and let the reader's imagination do the coloring. I like that Kirsten is artistic, and it brought tears to my eyes that she would be able to draw Ryan so well from memory. That alone should have eased Ryan's mind about his place in her heart.

Submitted review before but it can't be seen, so I'm doing it again.

Good job!

Love Ryan/Kirsten moments so much!

And Kirsten knowing how Ryan look so well by heart - that's touching!

Please keep this up! )

I soo know what you mean about Ryan and Kirsten...I think that's why he goes through her on a different level then Sandy and Seth do... remember when she locked herself up in the closet after she found out about Lindsay? It was Ryan who got through to her...because they...conect :)

And when they had this talk with the doc from rehab? And everyone was supposed to say something...Ryan brought a completely different option in...because they both knew he was the one who knew most about such stuff...

The two of them are really good :)

And you're story caught it perfect. I loved how Ryan said he liked her new openness...I mean...this kind of touches are something he sure missed with his biological mum...

Thanks :)

oh wow, you've been writing lots recently and it's all so good. Really deep but really readable. This was really great

Nice idea. I always liked the bond that grew between those two. There are way to few Ryan-Kirsten moments on the show.

I'd really like to read more ficas like that.

keep going

i like Ryan/Kristen fics

wow. i liked it. really good. i had a tear in my eye.

I really loved your story. I mean I love all Rysten stories. But it's one of the most beautiful things I've read in a while. If wish I could say something more constructive but I really suck when it comes to things like this. Anyway great story!

This is a wonderfully insightful combination of introspection and interaction. Ryan and Kirsten are the two most compelling characters, but the two most neglected, at least lately. There's so much unexplored territory in terms of their complicated past and evolving relationship that seems to progress so slowly. It seems that they're forever engaged in an awkward sort of dance as they both are so uncertain as to how to approach the other. Just when it seems maybe they can really get past their difficult beginning, which had to be so painful for Ryan, and Kirsten makes attempts at demonstrating some interest and affection, there is her alcoholism and the intervention and Ryan's confused guilt over Trey to separate them even more.

I'm glad you chose night for this particular encounter since that sets a more quiet, calm and private tone and atmosphere. There's something fitting about two such reserved people engaging one another under the extra protection that darkness seems to provide. It almost adds a surreal, dreamlike aura to the whole exchange. They didn't plan for it to happen and since it occurred at such an unexpected hour, Ryan might even wonder if he imagined it.

Once again you nail the dynamic between them. There is that unmistakable discomfort that neither voices but both knows exists between them. Ryan still feels like an intruder in so many ways, and not just for interrupting Kirsten's thoughts. You capture his initial hesitancy in her presence and trepidation at looking the sketch pad perfectly. Having him anticipating a reprimand for his actions becomes all the more painful when you allude to silent ways he feels punished by her.

Although the actual drawings only serve to add focus and dimension to the story, you describe them very creatively through Ryan's perceptive eyes. While Seth or Sandy would want to see the pictures of themselves, Ryan is more curious about how Kirsten is expressing herself. He never expects to see himself included and marvels at the very fact that she thinks enough about him and of him to put her feelings on paper. He's even more amazed that she cares enough to memorize his features, pay attention to his responses and accurately depict him. For someone who probably had even very few photographs taken of him by his parents, he must be in awe.

You take such a simple scenario and introduce so many layers and complexities. Although the words are never spoken, it's all about love. It's so ironic that Kirsten struggles so much in her connection with Ryan, particularly in the presence of others, but when they're alone she can share things with him that she might not trust anyone else with.

I think I've missed another Ryan/Kirsten story you wrote. Note to self: read!

Keep these coming. You read and write these characters far better than canon.

I loved that story, it was so sweet, and you are right about how both are so guarded and that is what makes them have such a bond. This really is a great story!

loved it!

amazing writing and a great idea!