I just went through this and some others of your fanfictions and... I love them O.O I love their topics, the way you're dealing with them, the atmosphere and... <3

But now about this one in particular:

... Well, I kinda said everything, I have to say about it, above. I think it's just great, that you didn't go through this 'what if the public found out'-topic in the typical way, which means the 'omg, we love each other so much, no matter what they say, who cares, if everyone knows, it's not that bad'-way.

It doesn't have to be the big, undying love with wedding bells, holding hands and whatnot to cause unwanted publicity and I really enjoyed Chester's view on all this. And it's end. The beginning. The middle part. Anna! And Rob... of course... not to forget the fact, that there's no endless crying and stuff in each chapter.

What else to say?

*fav*

Umi

Oh my gosh, this was excellent and so real. Are you considering a sequel? I wouldn't be sad if you didn't but if you did... I would love to read it. Good job!

For what it's worth, I like how you make the fans seem semi-intelligent, instead of sheep who fall for any PR move under the sun. They sit there and analyze the situation, like any hardcore LP fan would do, but a lot of them in this story make interesting, conflicting points. You portray the fans well - I can't see too many of them having a problem with homosexuality (not on LPF, anyway), but I can definitely see disagreements and debate arising.

The way this all turned out really reflects what Linkin Park really is - a well-oiled machine that is resilient and bounces back from anything. Problem is, that machinelike quality means they handle these emotionally exhausting situations with no emotion. They're all hurting in their own ways on the inside, but their goal is to not let anyone see that hurt - emotion is a weakness.

Anyway, that's the impression I got. Despite all their suffering behind the scenes, they manage to go on stage and do a show like nothing's going on?! It's robotic and it's fucking weird...and it's precisely how I picture them in real life. Suppress *everything* for the well being of Linkin Park, of their career and their legacy. It's fucking trippy and fake, but that's LP for ya.

Randomly, I like how Mike's message board posts only trigger more debate and criticism from fans. Celebrities really need to learn that opening their mouths isn't going to make the situation any better than it was before.

The end really struck the right chord to this type of story. The band has had their say, the fans have had their say, the paparazzi have done their job. It's the end of another day and the story will die, people will move on. But the image of Rob lying on the floor crying is such a reminder that while we may get some entertainment and a few good debates out of a gossip story, the parties involved are often scarred forever by it. We move on, but they're stuck on that cold floor with no answers. It's a very sad and unfortunate situation, really. That the band has been changed forever is enough, but in the aftermath of it all, Rob and Mike don't even have each other to turn to because it apparently was just a casual fling. A band destroyed over a relationship that was never even serious to begin with. Anyway, just wanted you to know that the ending was perfect - that there's more left behind in all this than just some scandalous pictures.

You should be proud of this one. The pacing and the plot and characterization, it's all very well executed. And it's more than just an LP story, as it says a lot about society and our reactions to these stories, our obsessions with who's sleeping with who. Kudos. :)

Oh wow. This was pretty powerful. Thinking about a sequel? It feels a little unfinished...like there's more to it, but I could be wrong. If you do write one, I'll feel compelled to read it, definitely. This was captivating and real...I couldn't stop reading it. It was literally an addiction.

It's sad that Rob left, though, and that Mike is struggling with his emotions and his mind...that infamous battle between the heart and the head can get you into trouble. I loved the descriptions though, and Mikes' thoughts...like I said before, I couldn't stop reading it.

This story sometimes feels all to real. I can´t really explain it but somehow I always need to say to me that this is not really happening. Don´t know why...maybe I´m just to addicted to ff and slowly losing my sense for reality....

Anyway I love this story with all its emotion in it.

Keep going!

Gosh the sadness in this story is so beautiful and real it makes me feel like it's happening right now and sometimes it even makes me cry... update soon!

thwew you go, another brilliant chapter! gah, im starting go feel like this is happening for real. i read at the LPMB this random post saying that the band would split any time soon, and i totally thought of this story... thats what you're making me!

-me

yeah, i meant ''first sex scene''

[/that previous wordless review was mine <.<)

HOLY GEE, that was great. i think this is the first scene scene that i dont find hot, but horrible. horrible in the way that they didnt really want it. Fuck Rob. I understand his reasons to leave, but he doesnt have to leave, if that makes sense at all. Joe is such a fucker too, but he has a point. hell, all of them have a point. i just hate how mike has to deal with everything himself. GAH its 2 am and this is probably the most senseless review ive ever made...

as for your style: i love it. i love how you took us from the hotel, to the bridge, back to the hotel and to the band meeting withouth sharp changes. it was just so natural and fluid. i like it. i really like it.

i promise to read the next chapter at a proper time in the day when my mind is clear... lol

--me

Jesus. This is probably your best chapter yet. It took me a fuck of a long time to read it because there are too many god damn distractions here, but I loved every line of it.

First off, I'm glad Rob didn't off himself, lol. I mean...maybe I wish he did, if only to increase the angst factor. But part of me is glad he might possibly have to be accountable for his actions, at some point.

Interesting scene on the bridge. There's a little jealousy issue revealed in this chapter, between Chester and Rob, that I really understood and liked. Chester is obviously pissed at Rob for leaving Mike out in the cold to deal with the press, and he's pissed that it's taken such a toll on Mike. Rob, likewise, is pissed at any sign of Chester giving Mike comfort and help...possibly because despite all this, part of him still feels he should be there for Mike.

We also discover more about Mike and Rob's relationship. I really liked reading about what attracted them to each other in the first place - especially Rob's discovery that he liked Mike for his strengths and found his displays of weakness ugly. They're both blaming themselves, it seems, for something they feel should never have happened, something they think has fucked up everything. Which is funny, because (for the thousandth time) if they'd just lived open and honest lives from the get-go and not tried to cover up their feelings with marriage and girlfriends, this probably wouldn't have blown up as big as it has. Even now, with everything that's gone down, they still think it best to suppress their feelings for each other, and that's rather sad (because Rob/Mike is hot :D).

Speaking of...that sex scene was fantastic. It was cold and off-putting and horrific and...everything it should have been, given the circumstances. I feel like both of them were trying to punish themselves through doing that. Mike wanted the experience to be painful so he would perhaps no longer crave it; Rob, far more the hesitant one, felt it was the least he could force himself to do, after checking out of the mess he'd created. The whole thing was chilling...and then Mike just got up to go to the band meeting, covered in blood and wet clothes - I imagine the rest of the guys must have been startled as hell to see him walk in like that.

I could ramble more, but I think I'll shut up for now. Loved the update. <33

Oh my gosh, that chapter was incredible and of course as your style dictates, hauntingly realistic. Update soon!

I'm loving this fic.. please continue!

*heart begins to pound*

me loves me some cliffhanger action.

this chapter was great, full of energy and great direction; i loved the scene where mike and chester were smoking together.

cannot wait for more =D

Again, it's almost ironic that, in planning so meticulously the answers to interview questions, they never really figure out what to say about Mike and Rob's relationship, itself. And I understand that because sadly, no one's really given Mike or Rob the chance to discuss it between themselves. It seems like their relationship was on ambiguous ground when the pictures surfaced, and now people are demanding to know the future of them as a couple when they don't even know it themselves.

Speaking of where they stand, Rob being MIA all of a sudden probably puts a strain on whatever feelings they did have for each other, as Mike's feeling a bit left out in the cold on all this. On the one hand, I get that people deal with shit like this in different ways; Mike puts on a mask and hides his feelings, Rob runs away from them. But it's still pretty shitty of Rob to leave Mike with all the media dealings. All the press and message board talk is clearly taking its toll on Mike, both physically and emotionally. And now, anguished as he probably is, if Rob goes and tries to do something stupid, it's yet another slap in the face to Mike and the rest of the band, as they're once again left to pick up the pieces.

Sorry for the delayed review. Can't wait for the next chapter. :)

I really like this story. Rob is acting like an ass leaving Mike all alone.

Update soon!

As much as I hate Rob for leaving Mike alone in this, I´m sure he has his reasons. Besides it seems everybody was concerned about Mike, but nobody was concerned how Rob feels. All they ever did was complaining why he didn´t show up.

Can´t wait to see what happens!

where is he? why did he left mike alone? is he going to kill himself?

dont leave me like that!!!?!?!

I just discovered your fic this morning I made the same dream last night ... Mike and Rob being on some pic during some of their making out moment...

how strange is that ? anyways I love the story :)

Gosh, I can't tell you HOW real this fic feels...

The press conference was great, you have a perfect way of describing Mike's state and I love how you bring his beard in again and again. His cold also is perfect in that situation, making it even more dramatic and unbearable for him.

I'm so into this fic, please, please continue soon! *hugs*