britomart_is ([personal profile] britomart_is) wrote2010-07-06 08:26 pm

Fic: Dictionary for a Dead Language; Epilogue

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

[identity profile] locknkey.livejournal.com 2010-07-13 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
This may not be the most coherent feedback, because I loved this so much - the way you love things that are a mix of joy and pain because they move you so damn much!

- I read the prologue and had to steal myself for the rest - so worth it, but as hear rending as I expected in many places.

- things that made me just so freaking happy: the hoodie, the first hug in the Impala!, the touching, kitten!!!! I also loved the neighbor and the reminder that there are some genuinely loving good people in this world.

- Sam wanting so badly to give Dean what he wants - whether it's breakfast or the Sam that Dean remembers. How could Dean (and the reader) not love new Sam too?

- your Dean voice is exceptional in this. I felt like I was Dean reading this - the broken hollow shell with only the hard, less attractive parts of Dean remaining, to the vulnerable, loving Dean he comes back to. Not for one single second did I get pulled out of this. The depth and desperation and intensity of Dean's love - the fact that there are no lines he won't cross - well that hits every emotional kink I have.

- you killed Sam - When Dean found out about the journals - I realized, like Dean, that the Sam he'd known was gone for good. I love that you owned that - you made them (and the reader) earn their HEA - it was all the sweeter for that. And thanks for giving us the fact that in spite of Sam's memory loss - he is still in personality the person Dean remembers

- I don't care what happens in show - because I can come read this again (and I will and here will be another layer now that I know Sam can't really remember) - the boys deserve a HEA (even if they don't think they do) - so this, gave me one I can have any time I want! *hugs*

- Dean's memories are so strong - a fundamental part of who he is and it rig

- the end - I cried, That juxtaposition of the photo meaning nothing to Sam and the reminder that Sam that lives only in Dean's memories now (which are such a strong and vital part of who this Dean is)- I'm tearing up again just thinking about it.
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[identity profile] britomart-is.livejournal.com 2010-07-25 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
Oh man, I don't know what to say! This was just the sweetest, most amazing comment - thank you for putting so much thought into it, and for taking the time to share! I'll save this to go back to when I'm having a bad day. ♥

[identity profile] locknkey.livejournal.com 2010-08-01 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
It really was an amazing story and maybe one day I'll learn to proofread comment before clicking the button. *sigh* I will blame my incoherent love of this. I will be coming back to it again. :)