Fic: Dictionary for a Dead Language; Epilogue

[britomart_is]

Master Post
Prologue | Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Epilogue


Epilogue.

There are two stocky, no-nonsense women drinking antique Coronas in the booth by the door when the kid walks in, making this officially their busiest night since opening.

"Dude," Dean says. "We're cool. We're like a happening spot. We're legitimate business owners."

Sam rolls his eyes and sips from a can of Tab they found in the back closet next to a bag of pork rinds with a pull-date from 1982. "Pillars of the community. Sure they'll give us the key to the city as soon as they're through with the paperwork." Dean punches Sam in the arm. Sam grins till his cheeks hurt.

The young man is standing in front of the bar, staring at Sam. Dean doesn't like it when people stare at Sam. Sam watches Dean's hand casually drifting to rest under the bar where the shotgun is. "I'd ask you for ID," Dean says mildly, "but I'm pretty sure you were a glimmer in the long-haul trucker's eye the last time anyone was issuing government ID. I can hook you up with a grape Fanta. It's a 1995, good vintage."

Sam wishes Dean wouldn't insult people's parentage, particularly since most people's parents are dead these days.

The kid visibly shakes his head as he snaps out of it. "Sorry. I came because I heard a rumor. Wow."

Dean stiffens. He doesn't like it when people hear whispers and come to try to shoot Sam in the back when he turns around to pour their drinks, either. Sam watches Dean's hand curling tighter around the shotgun and jostles him warningly with a knee. The kid's young, swimming in a coat three sizes too big for him, oughta be at some college party, or dragging all his laundry home over break to use his parents' washer. Sam leans over the bar, tries to look non-terrifying. "What can we help you with?"

"Actually, I've got something for you." When the kid reaches into his coat pocket, Sam's afraid Dean'll shoot him, but the kid produces a harmless scrap of paper. A photo. He hands it to Sam. "I thought you'd want this back."

By the time Sam breaks out of his trance, the kid's gone.

"What is it?" Dean asks suspiciously.

"I don't know," Sam says, handing the snapshot over. "I don't remember it."

Sam watches Dean take in the photo, bites his lip at the softening of Dean's facial expression. Dean looks up suddenly. "Where'd that guy get this?"

Sam shrugs. "Don't know. Glad he gave it back. I like it." Sam takes the picture back, lovingly straightening its dogeared edges. "We look happy."

Dean wraps his arms around Sam's waist from behind as Sam turns to face the back of the bar. "We're happy now."

Sam smiles broadly as he tucks the snapshot into the frame of the mirror that spans the wall behind dusty whiskey bottles. "There."

In the photograph, a garish monument looms with styrofoam solemnity in a grassy field. A man, young and momentarily untroubled, smiles bashfully. There's a sun in the sky, and a bird perched on the Welcome to Foamhenge sign. And there are two brothers, together.

the end

Comments

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad it worked for you!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

<3<3<3 Thank you!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for such a lovely comment!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad it didn't come across as just cruelly crushing your hopes of Sam being restored to himself - really nice to hear that you enjoyed the way it did go.

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! <3

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I usually read things all at once myself, helps me focus!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

♥!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[nachekana.livejournal.com]

okay, it took me a minute to get past cracking up over your icon.

Pretty much my reaction to that icon when I first saw it too! Poor Sammy really wants to be a dragon.

[ash-carpenter.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was a really emotional journey. I was hooked! Rather unsettled too, I must admit. I can see why Dean was ready to accept this new blank-slate brother/partner, but it still hurts that his Sam is lost. Really great build-up and pace.

[orbiting-saturn.livejournal.com]

I generally don't read AU or Sam/Dean fics, but I've been a little bored recently so I'm reading anything that sounds interesting based on the summaries. I'm SUPER glad that I chose to read this one. The bleakness of the story coupled with your graceful writing-style really drew me in. It had a slow, but desperate quality that just got under my skin. There were moments that I just held my breath and moments when I teared up.

I really appreciated the way you handled the sexual relationship between them. Just enough hints at the intensity without making it needlessly pornographic. Not that I'm opposed to porn, I just didn't think this story needed it. I found myself rather disappointed when I finished, because I would have been happy to read another ten or more chapters. Very lovely. Thank you.

[oldbatj.livejournal.com]

Cas very nicely summed it up for all of us "Dean Winchester, I's glad you are getting what you deservr". Yay, Winchester Boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay you!!
Well done. Dean was masterfully written, both in dialogue and thinking.

[katiebugs18.livejournal.com]

Oh this was wonderful. I love the beginning with the book intro and thought the retelling of Sam would break my heart. The image of him lying there, probably half crazy, repeating 'no' is heartbreaking. I can't help but think that it was the loss of the picture - probably his one source of comfort and strength - that caused him to say 'yes'. The comparison of his saying yes to someone committing suicide is both wonderfully literal and metaphorical because while we'll never know, one can't help but wonder how many suicides want to change their mind the moment after they jump. Beautiful job there.

I really like the idea of Lucifer using up everything of Sam that all he was left with was the most base elements that make up a person. And then him slowly learning everything else, from talking to living to Dean. And of course Dean is wonderful here too...picking this Sam over the memory of his brother because this is what's left and this Sam is real.

The ending was perfect with the photo and the boys together and hopeful. Thank you so much for such a wonderful read. :)

[ktnb]

I've been thinking about this story all day after reading it yesterday. I realized I really should tell you how much I loved it. :)

[mimblexwimble.livejournal.com]

Oh god, crying again. It's 6 AM and I'm a mess and really should go to bed now. I will return tomorrow with some well-deserved feedback for this beautiful, beautiful story.

[ruthless1.livejournal.com]

So I finally got to this. And now all the non-existant hairs on my newly shaved legs are standing straight up. Maybe that is not the most eloquent compliment in the world but jaysus - what a story. You really know how to impact the reader - wallop us in fact with the depth of their relationship. This was just wonderful. Thank you so much for writing it.

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad the emotional landscape wasn't totally desolate or too warm-and-fuzzy.

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Glad you stopped by even though it's not your usual cup of tea! Thank you for the lovely feedback, and FYI, your icon makes me happy.

[paula-lirio.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. That was so good. So good.

I know it would be good because, you know, it's you, but I was not expecting this.

It was beatiful and heartbreaking and hopeful. And excellent.

It made me cry and laugh and really feel for Dean. Just amazing.

&hearts

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[sailorstarshine.livejournal.com]

THIS! THIS IS SOSOSOSOSOOOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED!... -cough- Sorry, but WAH! I'm reading this and there is so much GLEE! The Apocalypse happened! Dean and the hunters saved the world, and yeah, the world is kinda scorched but people are surviving and trading kittens for food and and just AH! I love how Sam was just a shell, but he wasn't, he just didn't know he could move by his own free will again. And while I'm sad that Sammy's been lost, he's still Sammy and and -flails- I have no words how to describe how much I love this story!