Far Away Epilogue and Notes

[grianchloch]

They talked, they fucked, they ate too much pie, and they came to some understandings.

Dean didn’t want to give up hunting. Sam reminded him that he’d never asked him to in the first place.

Sam did insist that he go along on hunts with Dean. This took a lot of talking on Sam’s part, and displays of his abilities with guns, knives, hand-to-hand and those extra abilities that had allowed him to kill the demon. Dean eventually agreed that Sam could take care of himself and that they could hunt together.

Sam insisted that Dean look into restoring cars as a way of earning a legal income and Dean was okay with that.

Sam went back to drawing and painting, now that his muse was back, and kept working part time for Ellen on the understanding that there would be times when he had to take time off at short notice.

Dean slowly allowed himself to accept what he’d known all along. That he had a home and that there wasn’t any need to live on the road when he had Sam to come home to.

Sam found him one afternoon, sitting in the sun on the old garden seat. There was a book in his hands, but he wasn’t reading it, just holding it, fingers playing over the spine.

“Hey.” Sam sat down beside him.

“Hey.” Dean replied softly, and Sam got a look at the title of the book.

He smiled as he remembered another warm summers day, sitting with Dean while John read ‘The Little Prince’ to them. Dean slid closer to him, and they sat side by side for a while, fingers lightly touching, staring out towards the tree. Sam felt the exact moment that Dean accepted that his place was there with Sam. He felt the universe click into place and a soft breeze ruffled his hair.

Dean squeezed his hand and smiled at him and Sam knew that it didn’t matter what came now, they’d face it together, no matter what.


THREE WEEKS LATER

Dean and Sam walked down the porch steps to the Impala, both putting a bag into the trunk. Dean grinned at Sam and threw him the keys.

“Are you serious?”

“Damn straight. Only, shotgun picks the music, driver shuts his cakehole.”

Sam laughed out loud as he climbed in behind the wheel and the muscle car pulled away from the farmhouse with Back in Black blasting out of the windows.

THE END!


AUTHOR'S NOTES

Thanks first of all to my fabulous three.

seleneheart not just for the beta, and not just for this story, but for being a friend, a cheerleader when things get tough and an unflapping presence in the middle of major freak outs. Long ago, two horseboys walked into a bar separately and left together and, I'm damned glad they did :)

cocoajava for help with the beta, and for being one of the influences for my earth momma, Aunt Beth. We met over pipeweed and she became a friend and a confidant, a soothing presence who, each summer, gives up her couch to a wandering Brit in need of a place to crash.

muck_a_luck for being herself :) Although she had nothing to do with the story, she deserves a mention as she was the first friend I made on LJ, and I'm glad she's put up with me all these years. We bonded over Gondorian Muffins and I hope, someday, to persuade her to try an avocado.

My amazing artists:

dramaa_princess and eerie_descent

It was a pleasure working with both of you and I continue to be in awe of the wonderful art you both did for my story. Thank you so much!!

And thank you to the wonderful mods of the spn_j2_bigbang community, audrarose, thehighwaywoman, and the lovely wendy for putting so much work into running the comm and for the chance it gave me to write this fic and have such gorgeous art work made for it :)


Notes:

Mr Bun is the property of angstslashhope

Ramirez is all the cats I've owned rolled into one and given to Sammy. Although he's got a real soft spot for Dean. He's a bruiser of a tabby who would be an ideal hunters cat.

Aunt Beth was influenced by all the Earth Mommas I've known, Lesley, Stella and Lori to name a few.

The story was influenced by, and the title came from, Far Away by Nickelback.

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

[CHORUS]
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

[CHORUS]

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go

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Comments

[dramaa-princess.livejournal.com]

wonderful story! i will read it again now that it's posted here.

but i can tell you already that i really love it and i enjoyed to read itwhen i was looking for some inspiration for my art. you did a very good job, hon! the boys having this connection with each other and using Sam's abilities for good things (as saving Dean's butt ^__~) was a great idea.

and they were really cute together as little boys!!

♥

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! One of the things I liked best about the Big Bang process was getting to work with you. It was such a thrill to see what my writing inspired you to create, and, in turn to be determined to make it the best that I could to do justice to the art. Thanks again, hon :)

[applepie-x0.livejournal.com]

:) lovely story!! ♥

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!!

[vamptastica.livejournal.com]

i LOVED it from beginning to end. The glimpses of young dean and sam were especially warm and loving and it was so nice to see them playing and rough housing.

Beth was an awesome extra character and you wrote her so well i could picture her in my mind very clearly.

the love of the boys from younger to older was just how i see it and I loved it all. The arguments, the makeups, the poking at one another, just wonderful.

Awesome awesome story sweetie. :)

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

And it makes me really happy to hear you liked Beth. I loved writing her, so it's good to find out she went down well.

[alasse.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow, this was AWESOME. Seriously, so absorbing and interesting and well-written, I didn't even move while reading it. I really loved the idea of Sam connected to Dean, protecting him - even though they weren't brothers here, the more than friends, more than brothers, most important people in the WORLD for each other feel really came through, and came through beautifully. I loved how you portrayed Sam and Dean, and I really liked Beth and Bobby and John. What a beautiful, beautiful story. Thank you so much.

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you for such lovely feedback! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story :)

And it's good to know that the bond between them came across so strongly, because it was exactly what I was trying to achieve.

[nyoka.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this :)

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[z3s-keep-going.livejournal.com]

omg looooove this ;D nicely done! oh boys..

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it :)

[fromyourashes.livejournal.com]

Lovely.

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[gilesgirl.livejournal.com]

Oh this was SO good!!!!!!!

\o/

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much :)

[elisera.livejournal.com]

Awesome. I loved it. Thank you for writing this!!! One of my favorites this year :-D

[delanach.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Thank you so much!! That's high praise indeed :)

[kliqzangel.livejournal.com]

Loved this! AU's area always my favorites and with Sam/Dean not related boys is right up there at the top.

I love how you wrote them and took time with their relationship. I love Sam's confidence in his abilities and that their natural bond played a part.

This was wonderfully written and I will definately reread!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! It's good to know that the fact they weren't related worked. I was nervous about that side of it, and hoped that the bond between them compensated for it.

I'm awed that you enjoyed it enough to re-read :)

[hils.livejournal.com]

That was amazing! It's the first Sam/Dean fic I've ever read! WHEE!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! Glad to have been able to tempt you over to the dark side :)

Re: What's that about being too long!? Argh... So be it then! I give you "Comment - Part 1"

[delanach.livejournal.com]

This comment is amazing!!

More in the reply to the second part ....

Re: Woooh, the sequel! I give you "Comment - Part 2"

[delanach.livejournal.com]

I'm going to come back to this when I've got a little more online time, but I wanted to say right now how blown away I am by what you've said about my fic. *hugs tight* More v soon!

[maerhys.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful! I enjoyed it on so many levels, but I love love love that Sam and Dean essentially still grew up with each other and fell in love. Your Beth and John were really fabulous, the characterization was very strong. Sam as a psychic out to save Dean, and Dean being self-sacrificing are also amazing elements. I really enjoyed this; the story was fab but your structure and pacing really worked for me as well.

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, on all counts! It's good to know that Sam and Dean worked despite not being brothers. I did think that might put some folk off. And I'm glad you liked Beth and my take on John. They were interesting to write, Beth as a fully original character, and John as a character I haven't delved into before.

And it's really good to know that the pacing worked. Being such a long piece, that was something I was concerned about. Thanks again :)

[mayachain.livejournal.com]

Awesomeness!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

[surevesta.livejournal.com]

This. Was. Wonderful! A very, very fun read! Great job!!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

[darkestnight12.livejournal.com]

That. Was. PERFECT! *dances* I LOVEDITLOVEDITLOVEDIT~! *giggles in glee* Hee hee hee!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

*giggles* I'm glad it made you happy :)

[hunters-retreat.livejournal.com]

Wow. Amazing story! Love how Sam and Dean are connected through it all. Love the way Aunt Beth accepts it, and the rest of Dean's 'family' as her own. Love how open and supportive she was to both the boys.

Love the way Sam and Dean were always close, even when apart, by miles and ages. And I love the way they came together, with their first meeting, to their first kiss, to Dean's loss of memory.

Thank you for sharing this!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[twivamp92.livejournal.com]

I cannot express in words how much I LOVED this story!!
I don't usually read stories where the boys aren't brothers, but this was one intruigued me, so I had to give it a go. and im SO GLAD that I did. I started this at 3last night and I only stopped at 6am because exhaustion won out...but I even dreamed of this story...and then woke up and first thing I did was open the internet and continue on reading.

the evolution of their relationship was just beautiful and amazing and so well done. the way you described their bond was just perfect. the best way for me to think of it is one soul in two bodies. They're friends, brothers, family and they way they grew into lovers was seemless.
My favorite part of the story was their bond. that even as a child, Sam knew he had to protect Dean, and whenever Sam needed him, Dean dropped everything and went to him, no questions asked. and that Dean was willing to give up hunting, give up his life, just so Sam wouldnt have to suffer ♥

Aunt Beth was made of SUCH win. I loved her so much and even got teary eyed when she died. Sam and Dean were nothing short of being her sons and she loved them and protected them as such, and she even accepted them being together without question, like she knew it was meant to be that way all along ♥
I loved that John and Bobby were also included into their 'family' and they all loved eachother as such.

I dunno which parts I loved best, then as kids/teens or them 'now'. I really can't chose because it was all perfect :D

this was seriously one of my favorite big bangs and im adding it to my favorites because I *know* im going to want to read this again.
brilliant story from beginning to end (hell, I wish it didnt have to end, i've become quite attatched to your characters)♥
great job!!!
*smishes*

[delanach.livejournal.com]

All feedback and comments are wonderful to get, but to have someone go into this much detail about what exactly they liked about the story is amazing!

Thank you for all your kind words. I'm thrilled you liked Beth. Introducing an original character is always risky, and I've been pleased with the reaction people have had to her.

but I even dreamed of this story

This made me squeee even more!! And to hear that you wish it didn't have to end just made my day. Thanks again and I'm so very glad you enjoyed it :)

And I've become quite attached to this little 'verse too, so there may be further adventures to come :)

[orphan-project.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this story a lot.

I found a few typos...Like a Jared instead of Sam

The boys are so beautiful together and I love all of your secondary characters. Specially Beth. :3 Over all fantastic work! I loved it!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it :)

And typo fixed! It was all part of the twisty evolution of the fic :)

[akintay.livejournal.com]

The fic is PERFECT.

I love the universe you created and that even with Sam and Dean not being related, their lives revolved around each other from the beginning. The relationship and love between them was really incredible and Dean's struggle with knowing that their connection was actually hurting Sam was great. Also, awesome supporting characters - especially Beth. I was a little upset when she died, but I must admit that it worked really well.

And this is probably one of the most awesome theories on Sam and Dean ever: “Did you know that there’s a theory that in every lifetime, soul mates find each other? In this lifetime, they might be friends, in another, they might be family, in another, lovers.”

Thanks for writing this, I REALLY enjoyed it &hearts

[delanach.livejournal.com]

The fic is PERFECT.

Thank you so much!!

It's great to hear that you liked Beth, as she was a joy to write and I'm never sure how original characters will be taken.

And I'm glad you liked the soul mates theory. It's something I beleive in personally, and it worked so well as part of the story.

so glad you enjoyed reading it :)

[meesasometimes.livejournal.com]

fan..f***ing..tastic!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

*g*

Thank you!!!!!

[rejeneration.livejournal.com]

THIS STORY! THIS STORY!! How _amazing_, ALL OF IT. Such an original concept and so brilliantly done. When you had Sam on that beach giving Dean the agate and your original character Aunt Beth and OH GOD, JOY OF JOYS... little Sammy and Mr. BUN! -grinning- So much wonderful there it's really impossible to comment on. I love how you had the link between the boys and it's that that connected them, such a great way to bring them together and then to hold them together throughout their lives. What you did with the Azazel storyline, too, how you made it so uniquely yours and yet you still hung on to just shards of canon. Fantastic!

And throughout it all you gave us the best love story! Like I said, amazing!!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

*g* Thank you so much!! It's always good to hear what worked in a story, and it was a concern that because the boys weren't related, it wouldn't go down as well as if they were. So I'm glad the connection between them came through. And it was interesting playing around with the canon elements, and using peices that fit with the story.

As for Mr Bun, I loved the original story he was featured in, and he fit so well in this one. If Sammy had to have a soft toy, it was naturally going to be Mr Bun :)

[sionell8.livejournal.com]

Yay, what an original idea! The boys are so darling when they are little, and it was nice to see Dean actually have a home. Nice work!

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

I think one of my favourite aspects of writing this was to be able to give Dean a home. He really needs one.

[erroneously111.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this story, especially the way you show how they grow up together.

[delanach.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it :)