It was so very nice to sit back and enjoy this, not from a beta's point of view, but from a reader's. And pick up on all the wonderful little subtleties that are dotted through.
Like the fact that both Bobby and Dean referred to Bobby's salvage yard as 'home'. And Bobby reading Sam so easily and cutting right to the heart of what was on Sam's mind, like a true parent would see right through his child no matter how said child tried to hide his thoughts. Bobby's interpretation of his eldest 'son' was also spot-on, and wonderfully done.
I love how Bobby fed Sam a little at a time during their talk, trying to lead Sam to the correct conclusion, then finally hitting him right between the eyes when it was evident that Sam couldn't see past his own mistakes to the heart of his brother's blanket absolution.
And I adored Dean's statement: “You want to make more out of it than it is and you want to beat the hell out of yourself for shit that’s done and over with. Well, I’m not going to hand you that whip.” That was so true - he really nailed his brother's penchant for self-flagellation right on the head. Even though Dean tends to do the same, he can't stand to see the same potentially destructive behaviour in his brother...especially with the added danger of Sam's guilt bringing down another chunk of that oh-so-fragile wall.
And we've seen Dean's capacity to forgive time and time again - no matter what Sam has done, whether inadvertantly or in anger and stubbornness, and Dean has always welcomed him back....even though he did need a teeny-weeny jolt to change his mind that time in season five.... It truly ranks right up there with the forgiveness of a parent to a wayward child - no matter what that child has done, they are still your blood, your offspring, and your heart is still tied to that child.
I truly love Bobby. And I love how he can cut through the Winchester bullcrap and dissemination to get right to the bare bones of any matter. I thought in season two how much of a great father figure he could be for the newly orphaned boys, and I'm thrilled to say that I haven't changed my mind one little bit. I adore your use of him here to get through to a fretting Sam, despite the grief and guilt he himself must have been feeling over Rufus' death and his inadvertant part in it.
Hun, this was a gem. And I can't wait to see what you come up with for that little piece you mentioned you were working on.
hugs,
Jules
Author's Response: What can I say, Jules? You just continually surprise me- even in your reviews. I write something that I'm marginally happy with- you beta it and are so encouraging... and then you come back and review and STILL manage to pick out bits that I hadn't even considered when I wrote the cotton-pickin' thing. LOL
For instance: The whole "HOME" bit... that was an unconscious natural reference to me... not intentionally done at all. The sheer fact that both Bobby and Dean referred to the salvage yard as home now just seemed 'right' - where else do those guys have to go anymore???
Even for Bobby to forgive Sam? Part of the reason I didnt quite focus on the challenge as it was presented was that I couldnt conjure up that conversation (Bobby and Sam's talk about what Sam had done to Bobby) In my mind- all I could hear was much the same as what Dean had said - the whole "we're all each other's got" speech... I figure thats the same way Bobby would feel too- and its all water under the bridge. He's never cutting those boys out- simply cause like them- there's no one else in his life - i.e.- same reason he was trying to make up with Rufus too... They're all running out of family and friends.
So yeah- Bobby get's it. And moreso- Bobby is probably the only person out there that gets Dean... see's past gis acts and knows deep down how much that boy just has the capacity for love.
Likewise, he also knows how damaged Sam is too. The kid who needed love too but in a different way. Who needed validation in a different form and who definately needs forgiveness but is struggling with acceptance.
Bobby can just see it all from an almost omniscent view and can get these two to actually stop, take a breath and realize that they get so wrapped up in the emotion of the situation that they arent 'thinking'.
Anyway- I'm just so glad that you picked up on those nuances- some where intentional- many were accidental...
As for that companion piece- I'm working on it- but Cas wont shut up in light of that last episode hahahahaha... The Man Who Would be King is right now the Man Who Who Wont Quit Talking to My Muse... bad bad bad... I need him to be pre-TMWWBK Cas... he's not cooperating!
Thanks again Jules! You know I luv ya!
Tree
