Omg. First of all, we are our own harshest critics, and I think you're definitely your own when it comes to this story! If you hadn't said that you'd never written fic before this, I never ever would've guessed.

This makes me really wish that it was possible that a world created in my own head with some person perfect for me could really exist ;_;

Your question about the endings is a really interesting one. I think one of the reasons I kept letting myself get distracted from reading this towards the last few chapters there was because I really, really thought they would end up separated, and I was so afraid of it! In some ways, I think that might've made a lot of sense - I guess in a super realistic, VERY cynical way. I also found myself thinking that if I were Tom (because I seriously related to him SO MUCH in this story), I probably would've just gone into Bill's world and stayed there >.> It basically would have been sort of the equivalent to surrendering his sanity, perhaps, but how tempting, regardless.

I'm reallllly happy it ended the way it did, though :3 This is pretty much the ultimate happy ending, and after how stressed out the last few chapters made me feel (in a good way, I promise!), I needed it!

Oh, you wanted me to be BRUTAL though. Uhhhhh. Hm. The ~worst~ I can give you is that while I think I didn't notice a single epithet at all, you could probably do without referring to Bill as 'the male' in the places where you do so. It wasn't horribly distracting or anything like that, but usually just using 'he' or 'him' in place of that works just fine and sounds a little less formal.

... And that's about as brutal as I can get XD That's literally the only thing I could find, and even it is a total stretch, lol! I know you mentioned fearing that I might find Bill too girly/feminized, but I really didn't at all. He was very naive, for sure, but it fit in perfectly with his character and his situation in this. It made TOTAL sense that he would be exactly how he was, when he was learning about "our world" the same way a child has to.

Really though, this was gorgeous. It's a very weird situation, yes, but I love that about it *____* This is one of the most unique stories I've read, and I really love your narrative. The way you carry us through Tom's days, with and without Bill's companionship, felt so real, as if we were following Tom around. I like that there was a huge difference in the way things are described between the two worlds - I'm not sure if it was even intentional, but the writing just FELT brighter when they were in the garden, and more bleak when Tom wasn't (when Bill wasn't with him, of course - there was a really interesting middle ground when he was).

Oh, and I know people are usually nervous about the smutty scenes, right?? Well, just so you know, these were excellent. Really beautiful details, nice and realistic pacing, and each moment with them felt very different to me from what I've read before. I kept finding myself holding my breath and getting all literally *o*

Really, really well done, and you should be totally proud of this! :3

Author's Response: <333 I think that them ending up separated would've been the most realistic ending, but I couldn't bring myself to do that XD ;-; I'm sorry you felt stressed out in the last chapters but it was the effect I was going for so that makes me happy to hear anyway lol. I hate epithets too so that's why I didn't use them >.> but that actually did make it really hard to distinguish between Tom and Bill. I also discussed with you why Bill was a challenge to write and I'm glad you think I stayed within his character throughout :3 The difference in tone was intentional XD It was brighter in the garden because that's where they would meet. In the beginning chapters before the opening of the portal the real world was supposed to be bleak too, and the middle ground after that was because Tom felt in higher spirits. Yes, I was very nervous about the smutty scenes because I don't like writing them lol <.< But I'm glad they didn't suck heh.

This is art. The detail and the descriptions are gorgeous and wonderful. :)

Author's Response: Thank you XD <3

Tom not being able to go through the portal was painful and then to be rebuffed by Bill was agony. Bill being able to come through on his own was interesting too. I'm glad they made up, and that Bill let himself go to experience his first orgasm. Tom having created the world in which Bill lives and Bill himself is very intriguing, and now it begs to know why he's refused to stay there with Bill. I can only assume that it's because the environment is so stagnant and sterile. I may be completely wrong but that's the only thing I can think of. Though with the portal closed again, maybe none of it is relevant. You still have me guessing, great chapter honey.

Author's Response: It's always nice to see when people are really giving these events some thought! XD Tom not wanting to stay there is partly because of that reason, but it was also kind of a wake up call. Subconsciously he's still grieving and it resulted in his feelings of dissatisfaction being so strong that something was born from them. He just realized he needed to move on and get himself out of the rut he's in.

YES I AM HAPPY WITH YOUR FINAL DECISION. EEP. 

So effing sweet 'n all. I loved it, I LOVED IT TO BITS. Your effing great descriptions and words and whatnot are what made this story perfect. THANK YOU for producing something awesome as this piece was. This should've had more attention, though, because it is totally worth it.

Thank you!

i would have been very unhappy is they were split up, and i dont think its realistic for Tom to live in the painting. They belong in the real world. This was great. any chance of a sequel? =)

Author's Response: Haha, when my friend told me, "GO WITH THE SAD ENDING! I WOULD NEVER SEE THAT COMING." I was like D; and I didn't think I would be the only one XD I ditched the living in the painting idea almost immediately, and there was no way to backtrack to it anyway since I would've needed to build up to since practically the beginning of the fic.rnrnI'm glad you liked it! There's a 99% chance there won't be a sequel, because honestly I have no idea what it would be about @__@ But you never know, anything is possible.

nuh-uh did NOT see it comming! Why is closed??? Hum is it like cause his "Innocence's" taken or something, and then he cant go back??? I'm confused! And kinda exited for the next chapter... x3

Author's Response: I'm glad I took you by surprise XD I will explain this in the next chapter don't worry :3 By the end I hope you won't be confused anymore.

KAFLGKDFÖGK Post. That. Chapter. Now. -uses her mind controlling powers- is it working?
I'm so in love with this story, it's not even funny anymore.

Author's Response: Even if they did work, I would have nothing to post XD I'm currently plotting it out. You'll have it soon I promise. And I'm so glad to hear you like the story <3

well then..... that's either gonna be really good or really bad........ :P this was TOTALLY worth the wait, can't wait to see what happens next!!!!!

Author's Response: Aww, thank you. XD I'll try to not take so long with this next one.

ah! i'm so scared now! i can't wait for more!

Author's Response: I'm glad I'm getting a reaction lol. I'll update soon :)

:D for how good it is D: for what tom did..... i love him, but he's an idiot lol

Author's Response: Yes, yes he is XD His heart was in the right place but... yeah