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

[wednesday-d.livejournal.com]

Oh my God. I don't even know what to say apart from thank you. This was so achingly beautiful I'm at a loss.

I think I just spent 5 minutes staring at the screen trying to figure out how to discribe all the feelings this fic made me experience. It's like there's a pressure in my heart, heavy but warming it and if this story was something material and tangible I would be clutching it against my chest so tightly...

Well, anyways, the point is, reading this fic was one of the most wonderful, overwhelming journeys ever and I wanna thank you for just making me feel so much, connect with Dean on such a level that every little word, every little action spoke right to my heart. You did an amzing job with this!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

That's so lovely to hear, thank you! I'm so so pleased that you got so much out of the story!

[lafemmechatte.livejournal.com]

this is fucking epic and beautiful. there really are not enough words that can do this justice.

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[hugemind.livejournal.com]

This is awesome and wonderful in ways that I can't even begin to elaborate on! Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop -- the first time I wondered how much I had read was when I was nearing the end of part three. Loved the world-building, the Sam-ness of non-talking Sam, Dean's voice, and, well, everything. :)

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[gordona8.livejournal.com]

Perfect ending! I like how you tied it together with the prolouge. And jeez.
And gotta say. When Sam and Dean left the house I was wondering all kinds of stuff. My brain was scrambling. I don't find fics that do that very often.

Castiel... Pot Biz... AWESOME!

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you! ♥

Dictionary for a Dead Language

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

This fic broke my heart and put it back together again.

Sam's gradual awakening - not to who he was but to a new him - and redefining his relationship with Dean was so painful and hopeful at the same time. And Dean's voice in witnessing and encouraging Sam's healing was pitch perfect. Dean was clinging so hard to his memories of the old Sam and he had to learn to love this new Sam - not an easy process for him. I liked that you didn't shy away from the neglect and the hope that this shell would end on its own. Because when Dean told Sam that he'd take the living man over the dead memory, I was in tears.

And despite all the painful steps (literal and metaphorical) there was also hope along the way (so much love for Neil!) and particularly at the ending. Every move Sam and Dean make together in revisiting old guilt and building fresh hope was so beautifully mapped out that it took away my breath with every step along the road.

painted_pain reads this brilliantly, with the perfect pacing to match the sadness, the tenderness and the hope of this fic.

Thank you both!

Re: Dictionary for a Dead Language

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

I apologize for my late, late response to this lovely comment! Means the world to me to hear your thoughts. And I entirely agree - her podfic reading was beautiful work.

[autumnverse.livejournal.com]

This is one of those stories that will stay with me for a long time to come. So, so beautifully written, gritty yet still full of tenderness, loved it ♥

Thanks so much for writing and sharing :D

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

♥♥ Thank you so much!

[blacksomnatten.livejournal.com]

"Sobs" wow truly enthralling and utterly wonderful. God I think u broke me....
Thanks so much for sharing, you're an amazing writer and u have such attention to detail.
When Sam started talking again and told Dean he was glad Dean was there with him - totally turned me into a crazy, giddy and crying mess.


Simply beautiful!!<3

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, I'm delighted that you enjoyed the story! <3

[shinobi-mi-chan.livejournal.com]

This--just--this fucking story, is brilliant! Seriously! It's gorgeously written, the plot is beautiful and rough and sad and oh my god, I could barely handle reading this, I really couldn't. There were a few little details, or twists and turns, that just blew me completely away. Oh, and I cried.

The interesting thing is that I am not a wincest girl. I like it, sure, but it's not my main ship, so that you could make me feel things with this is a testament to your very impressive writing talent.

But it's just so damn good! Sam and Dean's relationship is brilliantly -- and in my opinion, realistically-- portrayed, and Dean's characterization was spot-on. (His reaction to the loss of "his" Sam, is just... guh. It hurts!) I'm a bit in love with the world you created-- a lovely example of the simple fact that even when the world ends, when it's all over, the world and the people on it will pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and keep on living.

So-- just write a novel so I can buy it, kay? <3 Thanks for a wonderful read.

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

<3<3<3 Thank you so much! This comment makes me very happy. :D

Really pleased that this clicked for you even though you're not a diehard shipper! Particularly nice to hear from you since that's the case.

Yup, people are tough. Not that I've lived through an Apocalypse. But I pretty much think we'd come back around to our silly petty lives and our greasy takeout regardless.

[tootsieroll90.livejournal.com]

oh this was absolutely beautiful! my heart broke over and over as i read it but I'm just glad they are happy in the end :'3

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm crossing my fingers for a canon happy ending, too! We put up with a lot of the heartbreak with these boys.

[missyjack.livejournal.com]

Your wonderful fic has been recced here at spn_themes

[scarletscarlet.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was intense! Beautifully sparse style and so emotionally complex; loved it.

[scintilla10.livejournal.com]

Oh oh. This is such a gorgeous and achey story.

[brassband777.livejournal.com]

Just found your fic. This was totally amazing. In the beginning when Dean was taking care of a comatose Sam, it was heartrending - thanks to your writing, I could really feel Dean's pain. Loved Dean's protective, caring nature when looking after Sam. And adored the happy ending. A fantastic, heartwarming story!

[gidgetgal9.livejournal.com]

You know with all the great big bangs being posted, I had to go through and just put all the ones that looked appealing on my nook. This holiday break I had time to finally make my way through a lot of them and this one just blew me away. I loved your AU, and the new world you created for Sam and Dean and their relationship after the world fell. It was just perfect.
Thanks so much for sharing this! ;)

[megumimuse.livejournal.com]

I got the podfic of this on a whim, not really knowing what it was about. Best. Decision. EVER.
Oh my god you sucked me in so far. I couldn't put it down. This is beautiful. I'm not actually a big reviewer, but I just had to thank you for this amazing work. Wow. Just wow.

[wgracyw.livejournal.com]

Omg...... You're gonna kill me...*sob*
Even if Sam hit the water and regret doing it,
He ALWAYS have Dean. His Dean....
They can be happy by being the only one each other's. Thank you for sharing<3

[alienass.livejournal.com]

Ufff, this was so intense. Really amazing and well-written :DD I loved the evolution of the plot and Sam, and all the angst was so well done, srsly!! It leaves you wanting more :)

[sungaizing85.livejournal.com]

Holy crack, that was beautiful!!!!!! Thank you so much!

[iamala.livejournal.com]

This was really good. I like how it was all about them but not focussed on the whole sex side of it. I liked how you played Dean, trying his best but always willing to do his worst for Sammy if needed. It was realistic and not fluffy but kind of with a feel good factor in the end. Well done.

[angelsofthelord.livejournal.com]

little late to the party, but i just finished, im crying and i cant breathe. this was so amazingly beautiful and i have never read a fic like it before! never stop writing because you're a flawless writer <3

[themasteroftime.livejournal.com]

That was amazing. It was written beautifully and was very emotional and wonderful to read.

[eleke.livejournal.com]

I really really love this fic, and it's been my favorite for years, but was it intended to be all in italics? It makes it difficult to read, and I have to take breaks occasionally due to eye strain.

[britomart-is.livejournal.com]

Hi, eleke -- no, it isn't intentional! It's been a while since I was on LJ and something must have changed in the formatting. Thanks for alerting me, I'll try to fix it -- the italics are really obnoxious, I agree!

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

Very engaging story! The book excerpt at the beginning really drew me in. I was anxious for Sam to get his memories back and to learn why he said yes, but I realise that wasn't the story you were telling! I came to grips with that when I read

Dean swells with joy and pride and anticipation (I'm gonna get my Sammy back, he's not lost, one day he'll remember everything I did for him, he'll remember, really remember that I'm his Dean)

which definitely had the ring of something that was never going to happen!

It's all so vivid, with so many memorable incidents like Dean breaking his leg and Sam discovering dental floss!

[firesign10.livejournal.com]

OMG I loved this so so so much!!! I can't even tell what the parts were, just everything worked together so perfectly. I hurt for them, I cried for them, and I was so happy they got to be happy at the end. Marvelous, just marvelous :-)

[cydsa.livejournal.com]

my heart...

omg my heart is in pieces

but in a good way

wonderful