That was a lovely yet heartbreaking story.
Lovely because there were so many wonderful glimpses of the love and (sometimes exasperated) affection between the boys as they all-too-frequently took care of one another, and heartbreaking because you showed so vividly how much both they and their relationship have changed over the years. As always you had both boys very much in character and there was enough humour laced within the angst to make me chuckle aloud several times. The way you wove the theme of medical supplies - and their use - into the aftermath of the various episodes was masterfully done. I actually enjoyed working out in my head which one it was at the start of every new paragraph.
I could quote a dozen lines that I enjoyed most but in the end I went with this one, as it was so very them and despite the heartbreak behind it, it made me laugh. A lot:
Dean quirked a grin, returning his attention to the first aid supplies. "And I didn't come back with piles." He plucked a smallish box from the stack in Sam's arms and flicked it onto a nearby shelf. "So unless there's something you want to tell me, I don't think we're gonna need that."
The younger Winchester blinked in confusion at the discarded tube of haemorrhoid cream. "Uh..."
"Or acne cream," Dean continued, taking another item from Sam's hands. "And I think we can do without the facial scrub - unless your skin really needs to be apricot fresh."
A blush highlighted Sam's cheekbones.
"Dude, seriously," the green-eyed hunter went on, culling a few more unnecessary supplies from the collection. "How the hell did you survive without me?"
I didn't.... Sam bit his lip.
So true.. Thank you for sharing another terrific and well written story with us. On a final note, I agree completely about the drabble thing. I don't even read them as I find it too frustrating, and I was put out to recently discover they seem to be cropping up in another favourite fandom of mine. I really can't see the fascination *shrugs*
Anyway - great story :)
Author's Response: Hi, Michaela,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review. I know you don't spend much time on the boards any more, so this is a treasured gem for me.
I did try to bring out the bond between these two wonderful but tortured men - the fact that they are there for each other even when things are at their darkest. When the dust settles, they are still brothers - and I hope that when the apocalyptic dust settles, they will both still be standing - shoulder-to-shoulder like they were meant to be.
And thanks for quoting that little bit of dialogue that had so many hidden meanings - the fact that Sam hadn't really survived without his big brother, and Dean noticing the struggle.
Oh, I know what you mean about the drabbles - I've read a few, but they always leave me begging for the whole story.
Jules
