![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-29 01:49 am (UTC)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!
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-10 06:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-20 12:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-21 08:56 am (UTC)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!
(no subject)
From:Dictionary for a Dead Language
Date: 2011-03-28 12:37 pm (UTC)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
From:no subject
Date: 2011-04-05 10:04 am (UTC)Thanks so much for writing and sharing :D
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-05-27 09:36 pm (UTC)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
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-06-19 10:10 pm (UTC)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.
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-07-16 11:34 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-08-17 10:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-17 05:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-09-17 08:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-26 05:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-02 11:01 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for sharing this! ;)
no subject
Date: 2012-02-24 07:37 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-16 05:11 am (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-05-26 06:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-08-27 10:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-15 12:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-01-08 03:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-02-24 01:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-03-06 07:52 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2013-03-13 02:58 pm (UTC)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!
no subject
Date: 2013-03-14 11:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-03 06:39 pm (UTC)omg my heart is in pieces
but in a good way
wonderful