Aww -- this made my month! I'm so glad you liked it!

Bender's was the difficult characterization -- making him remain himself, and yet in a way that would allow him to make it to adulthood alive and out of jail.

Brian's characterization fell into place pretty easily; he's pretty much the kid from the movie + the kind of confidence you get when you get older. I was crazy about Brian and thought the movie gave him kind of a raw deal, so this is my way of rewarding him.

And I'm glad it was hot; that's the whole point!

Thanks so much for commenting in such depth; it makes me happy.