I read this when you posted it, and liked it very much, but I still needed to let it sit for a while before re-reading and being able to comment - I'm so HP monofannish, it's so different reading in other fandoms.

Short story long, this was absolutely wonderful - kaa, you are such a good writer :o) !!

it was tough to make him, you know, grow up without losing his essential Benderness. (From your above reply)
You did it so well - Brian, too! Can't decide who(m) I like more - they are both great.

*Checks notes*

Good job on giving Bender's father [some of] what he deserves - was very satisfying to read.

First kiss? Omg, so hot!

In the shower John discovered his cheeks and his stomach and his inner thighs all had tender spots. 'Must be allergic to dweebs,' he said to the mirror. He was halfway through a power steering flush when a thought hit him […] Beard burn,
It's such a little, still so telling thing of having sex with a man, and seeing John discover this - good/funny :o)

Brian arched up against him in a long beautiful wave, rubbing his dick against John's bare stomach where his shirts had ridden up. 'Fuck yes.'
Beautiful writing!

Granted, it was a guy hug, complete with back pounding to knock the queer cooties off
And again :o)

John stood up and turned the key with some of his old Bender flourish, even though one of his knees didn't want to straighten out.
Getting older! Nice touch.

tie with a short-sleeve shirt like the dork he was
ella_bane said it: The words dork, dorky, and dorkily have never been used so well!

John rubbed his hair. 'You want to put "Property of Brian Johnson" on my ass, that make you happy?'

Brian groped him. 'Yeah, right here --'
&
Brian tapped his skull like it was a door. 'What on earth is going on in there?'
Love Brian in these two scenes.

In short: great fic, thanks for writing!