did you guys know that the author of this story works for a defense contractor now? lmao fucked up

I used to have this story on my Nook when I was a Year Nine at a (very Catholic) school. Thank you for writing this story! It’s stuck by me since I was 14/15 and in 25 now. I never wrote a review for this story before (what a shame). Thank you for this amazing work of art.

i didn't think id be this excited but the chat logs are really hyping me up for them to finally meet. glad i clicked on this

Somehow, even 5 years after first reading this, I fall in love with this fic once again. I love it so, so, so much and it is definitely in my top 5 favorites, without a doubt. Even though it's mostly a textfic, it's still so smooth. Every chapter feels so natural, as if these were real conversations. Your writing is absolutely amazing, both in this fic and its sequel. Thank you for writing this!

OH. MY. GOD. During that first get-together, I could have died then and there, happily. I AM SQUEALING. God, I am such a fangirl sometimes xP

I a literally so excited. It is 11:16 pm and I feel just like Al, way to excited to sleep XD Gosh, I am so in love with this fanfic so far, and I can only imagine it’ll get better! X3

THIS FANFIC HAS BEEN SUCH A JOURNEY I'M SO GLAD I READ THIS FINISH THE DEVELOPMENT IS GREAT I ALMOST DIDN'T WANT THIS TO END THANKS FOR WRITING THIS THIS WAS AN AMAZING READ

This chatspeak idea is a paragon: in·gen·ious!

Goodness! You had me reading every chapter/conversation between these two like a fool... and what can I say about this particular scene, the meeting! I feel like I've been waiting all my life for it!

The summary I read gave me wrong impressions. It’s not about about actor drama, nor internet rivalry, but a funny, sometimes random, growing internet friendship to bonding RL to something more. That Alfred is an actor is more of a detail than a plot point. The Relationship Is Healthy! Healthy! Not instant love! Which is great! An Ode to Joy that is. The story has some darker parts, but is generally light and happy.
The story gets much better after the first parts. A quick criticism-the transition from FanBashing to telling personal info and friendship is way too sudden.
What is plot. Time is plot. Vague schedules is a plot in a ‘plot.’ A relationship is plot. It goes on slowly. I very much like it that way. Much background, slow growth, and happy feels.
A major part of the story is Fun times with chats. Digressing from the topic is great bc it’s funny when you realize it. Really liked it. Never got me bored. Interaction!
You can notice that Alfred and Arthur match-up in a way that is noticeably good. Artie gets a person who kills his Loneliness, gets him to try new things, and loves him. Alfred gets someone who can give him some sense and advice, and can keeps him Him, and not a Hollywood act. Of course, there’s some fluff,bickering,and jokes. It’s adorable. I really love their relationship and it’s growth. Fan-enemies to internet friends to RL friends to Undefined to UndefinedJokes of Flirting, but not actual flirting to ‘wtf plot twist there is sexual undertones to this but it’s mostly the same’ to the maybe romance ?.
-Additional bit- adore how Alfred’s nickname is America
The starting bits of Everyone thinks they’re a couple trope kills me. (Idk if for good or bad.) It being just undefined for the first parts makes me happy. A Platonic-ish thing is yes. Flirting without the icky feelings. :). The kissing surprised me. But I’m glad everything stayed mostly the same. Awkwardness is awkward. It took over half the story for any love, and I’m absolutely fine with that.
That is this is somewhat mirrored with Mattie and Gil makes me happy.
3 way chats with Mattie are awesome. Al/Am, Hockey, Cousin-telepathy, Insults, and animals. Praises and Kudos for the 3-way internet convo. However, there are things you don’t really post when you’re chatting? The topic of a hockey game when 1 is out of the loop and the other can’t see it is strange. At least in my experience.
Arthur has horrible internet safety btw..
Meeting someone irl is also unrealistic, but Ima let that slide.
The problem that comes with not knowing who you’re meeting in real life is solved nicely. So Little drama in a way that’s slightly anti-climatic, but it fits with the tone.
The fluff and shippable moments are great. Alfie is so innocent.
MaJor THANK YOUs for the family times and friendship! There’s not enough of that, and it’s huge part in a healthy relationship. You did it beautifully too, with things normal humans do. BONDING in RL. Things you just can’t on the internet. A new aspect to their relationship. Driving cars, drinking, and spying. Story favorited on that chapter.
FruUK reference. ;)
I love all the characters. So likable, all of them. The OCs are included in the likableness (cept for Arthur’s parents.) Parent figures (or their lack) are still a large part of a young adult’s life. Thanks for including it.
All the important people have a backstory and/or quirks which give them more depth, but the mains are especially detailed, like Arthur’s punk past, How Artie worked a Coffee shop, and Alfred’s multilingual abilities. Their Families, Money, Careers, college, and/or effects of Hollywood are things that add to them, and others.
The second story of friendly PruCan is also fun.
Mattie, I love. Snarky hockey-obsessed Canadian. Such family closeness too. Like Twins/siblings. But cousins. Theres a mention of how they look similar. That is bonus points! There’s a backstory for him!
Gilbert is made out to be horrible, but he’s not so bad, as we find out later. Canon Fact: He good with old people. Also in this, he is.
A side story of Gilbert’s is great. Old men can be awesome.
Love their dynamic of insults and retorts. It’s gay-ish but they’re straight! (Or so it is said.) Close male friends are yes. We need that. Freindship is underrated and Romance, over.
There is one confirmed lesbian ship of mothers, and 1/2 of another. Thanks for that. Girls are needed. Need a balancer for the Gay. There are straights in this top. Those are rare.
Some additional thumbs up for the Nordics and Soviet Family.
Ivan! Thy ‘connected by family, but not really family’ Rival. Ay.

SEQUEal. There is ONE. YES

Yes. Broship. They are hated friends.

Platonic PruCan. Mutual Rivalry. Insults and retorts of fun! Old men are awesome. Tony is... um. Tony. LESBIAN MOTHERS. YES.

THANK YOU for the family times and friendship! There’s not enough of that, and it’s huge part in a healthy did it beautifully too, with things normal humans do. BONDING in RL. Things you just can’t on the internet. Driving cars, drinking, and spying. Story favorited.

A single mention of Newark got me super excited. Calif person myself eh.

ill have you know Ninnesota is awesome. its for the awesome. thats why we push all thr unawesome people out with our ungodly anoints of snow