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

[xenachakram12.livejournal.com]

omigod! *waiiiils*

Where to begin? This is wonderful. I kinda wish there had been a camera on me as I read it, because my responses were CLASSIC. I gasped, I started, I threw my hands up over my mouth... Amazing. You surprised me so many times with the plot, the turns, and the emotion. I got teary more than once.

Beautiful characterizations, perfect pacing, and SAMNDEEEEEN. The best way to waste spend time at work EVER.

Great job!

(Edit for LJ thinking I was done before I was. Dammit.)

[esorlehcar.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, this just made me cry and cry. So unbelievably beautiful.

[sylvanelfqueen.livejournal.com]

This was made of so much win! OMG I loved it!

The language you used was absolutely brilliant and fit the mood of the story so well. It felt like I was in Dean's head, reading this thoughts. The imagery was wonderful.

I don't think I can adequately describe how awesome this fic is and how much I loved every word of it! :D

♥ ♥ ♥

[dangerous-puff.livejournal.com]

Oh I loved this SO much - you are a terrific writer. I was thrilled to see you had written a big bang, and was not in the least disappointed. As always, looking forward to reading lots more from you!!!

[oschun.livejournal.com]

This is staggeringly good, right up there with a handful of my most favorite fics ever. It’s really well structured, the pacing is great and you have such a wonderful, succinct way of expressing things sometimes. Great fic!

[wayward-jr.livejournal.com]

Wow...
No words, just wow. An excellent story, thank you! *hugs*

[katsheswims.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. I can't say how much I loved this.

So I guess this was like what the future would be like if Dean never went to the future and never reunited with Sam, but of course 'the end' didn't turn out the same because I can bet Zachariah messed around with it, and Dean did manage to stop Lucifer. (I liked Cas's little cameo)

There were many heartbreaking moments, but I am so glad that things turned out happily for them.

It's sad that Sam never got his memories back, but fitting I suppose.

You never did go into exactly why Sam said yes. I like it that way. I think he did it because he was alone for so long, and it only took one moment for him to give up-he forgot what life was about, why it mattered- and even after that he wanted to take it back, but it was too late.

Keep up the good work.

[elizardbits.livejournal.com]

OH GODDAMMIT HOW DO YOU DO THIS TO ME EVERY TIME

oh Sam. oh Dean. brb so much sobbity.

[livrelibre.livejournal.com]

*wails a little* This was excellent and tore my heart out and put it back together. Good job:)

[getyourguns.livejournal.com]

This was amazing~

[marlivia.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. Thanks

[poisonivy247.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this, you have a beautiful way of writing.
You present things in a way that makes it so easy to feel like there is nothing left and get a snapshot almost of what is happening rather seeing what happens at the end of the end.

This story reminds me of 'The last outpost of all that is,' you mastered the bleakness of what was left so well and i really did like how it ended.

Thanks for sharing!

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

That was really good but it hurt so much. Permanent memory loss is the hardest thing for me, harder than deathfic, so I can't read it as a happy ending, but I can read it as a very fitting, artistically right ending for the Dean and Sam of The End, though I am weak enough to be very, very happy that I can console myself with the thought that that was the timeline that DIDN'T happen.

Beautifully written.

[specialagentldy.livejournal.com]

This is the first big bang fic I have read this year. I loved it. You have a wonderful way of hooking the reader in with your words. I will put this in my memories. Thank you!

[bree-black.livejournal.com]

Definitely in the top three of fics I've ever read in this fandom. Stunning.

[ergo-sum14.livejournal.com]

OMFG.

THIS is the level at which I desperately strive to write. It was PERFECT. Thank you.

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

What a lovely reaction! I'm pleased to hear it!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

*smoosh* Thank you!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so pleased that it worked for you!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it, and a belated welcome to the fandom. :D

Re: Wonderful

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

<3 Thank you!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Lovely to hear that Dean's voice rings true.

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

♥♥

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, sweet, it was a surprise! So glad you enjoyed it!