FIC: Of Bastard Saints, 36/36

[nilchance]

Title: Of Bastard Saints
Authors: nilchance and beanside
Rating: Adult
Disclaimer: We make no claim of ownership on the Brothers and Daddy Winchester. No infringement is intended, no money is made.
Author Notes: Set after the episode "Devil's Trap."
WARNINGS: Character maiming, violence, more angst than you can shake a stick at.



Okay, before we let you get to the fic, we wanted to say a few words. This has been a hell of ride for us, and we'd like to offer our sincere thanks to everyone who has made it so much fun. The response has been thoroughly overwhelming, between all the feedback and the recs.

We're especially thrilled with the response to our John, since we know he's not exactly the most popular person in fandom. *grin* So, for so many of you to let us know that you enjoyed him really means a lot.

So, from the bottom of our cold, black hearts, thank you! We'll see you soon with the sequel.

nilchance and beanside

****
Dean closed the door behind him carefully, quietly, feeling like a bastard.

He'd left a note on the counter for Dad and Sam. He'd been careful to take the cell phone Dad bought for him last week. He had the feeling Dad had been expecting this.

Still, he was sneaking out before dawn like a fucking criminal. It didn't sit easy. But better that than some bullshit tearful goodbye, having to wish Sam luck at school or look at Dad and tell him that sorry, but Dean just couldn't sit still for anybody. The road called, and Dean couldn't ignore it anymore.

Yeah. Nice way of saying that Dean was running like hell.

Shifting his duffel bag's strap higher on his shoulder, Dean walked towards the Impala. He slid his hand over the arch of her window, patting her absently as he opened the driver's side door. He'd missed that sound.

Dean went to climb in, tossing his bag over into the passenger seat. It hit him in the chest a moment later. Startled, Dean caught it and stared at Sam, slid low in the passenger seat.

With a yawn, Sam rubbed at his face and muttered, "Jerk."

"Sam," Dean said, his voice low, "no. Get your ass back inside."

Sam arched an eyebrow. "Dude, you should've told me that before I put all my stuff in the trunk. Too late now."

"Not funny," Dean snapped. "Get out."

Sam gave him an aggravating, bland look and put his feet up on the dash. "Where are we going?"

"Don't give me the stubborn face. I taught you that look." Dean shook his head. "Sammy, I'm not going to the fucking grocery store here. I'm leaving. I'm going back to hunt."

"Yeah," Sam said, "duh. I need to know what coast, Dean. Otherwise I can't exactly pinpoint 'the land of not here' on the atlas."

Dean's head hurt. A lot. Taking a deep breath, he stared through the windshield. Not looking at Sam, he said, "Okay. I'm sorry I was leaving without saying anything. I left a note." When Sam didn't move, Dean gritted, "Go read the damn note."

"I don't want to," Sam said obstinately. "And I don't need to. You're right here."

Gripping the steering wheel hard, Dean told it, keeping his voice carefully level, "It's over. You don't have to do this anymore. Go live your life. Just... out."

"Dean," Sam murmured. "I'm not leaving."

Dean looked at him. "I'm not saying it again."

"Yeah, like I'm that lucky."

"Sam," Dean said savagely. "Out, or I'm going to kick your skinny ass."

Sam's mouth quirked. Then he twisted in his seat, leaning over into the back to rummage in his bag.

Watching, feeling horribly helpless, Dean told Sam's back, "If this is about what I said back there... y'know. The camping. I didn't mean half of that shit. I want you to have your life-"

With a little 'aha!' noise, Sam slid back down into his seat. There was an envelope in his hands, which he pushed at Dean. "Read it."

Dean stared at him.

"Read it, jackass." Looking perversely pleased with himself, Sam laid his head back against the window. "There aren't even any big words."

Flipping him off mostly out of habit, Dean pulled the letter out of its envelope. He skimmed the first few lines, and then his brain caught 'Sam Winchester' and 'formal withdrawal', and he couldn't think to read. He looked at the words, frozen to his seat for a few long moments.

"I'm not leaving," Sam repeated softly.

Dean raised his head, staring at Sam through narrowed eyes. His throat was tight as he said, "You stupid fucking bastard."

Quirking an eyebrow, Sam said, "They didn't offer Con Job 101, Dean. You want to stop swearing at me?"

"No!" Dean tossed the letter at him, angrily. Then he shoved his duffel bag at Sam, and got a satisfying grunt as it hit Sam in the stomach. "You had a chance, you dumb- you could've-"

"I could've been bored shitless," Sam said dryly. "I could be half alive. I could live a 24 hour con job where there aren't demons out there, and where I'm up nights afraid for you-"

Dean shook his head. "I'm fucking fine, Sam, Jesus Christ-"

"Afraid for Dad. Hell, afraid for me and for whatever person I would've ended up marrying. Belial's not the end of it, Dean, and we both know it." Sam held Dean's eyes, not flinching. "There are other children out there like me. Like Meg. They're going to be very, very pissed that we killed their daddy. Tell me I'm wrong."

"All the more reason not to be around me." Dean tapped his hands on the wheel, restlessly. "I'm the one they'll want to hit. I'm the one who bound him."

"Stop," Sam said fiercely. "Stop the goddamn martyr bullshit, dude. If it's after you, it's after all of us. I'm not losing you twice."

Dean slanted Sam a look. Sam stared back at him, jaw set so tight he was shaking a little, his fists clenched in his lap and his eyes doing that too-bright thing.

"This really fucked you up," Dean said finally, quietly. "You're not okay."

"You're goddamn right it fucked me up. Jesus, Dean, I thought you were-" Sam looked around, grabbing for the leather cord around his neck and fumbling absently with it. "I thought you were gone. There was just this... gap in my life, this empty space, and... yeah. I'm still a little screwed up, okay?"

Dean sighed, looking down at his hands. Then he gripped the wheel, tight enough to see his knuckles through the skin. "Okay."

Sam raised his head, eyes shadowed. "Okay?" he asked, quietly.

"Yeah. Okay. I'm not going anywhere you can't follow, all right?" Dean flexed his fingers. "You don't have to do this."

"I want to," Sam said firmly. Then he cracked a grin. "Besides, I'm losing my mind in there. So. Goddamn. Bored."

"Yeah. Poor Dad. Oh well, soon Missouri'll be home to nag him to death." Dean pried his hands off the wheel, reached out and picked up the cord off Sam's throat. He studied the screw twined with cord, then looked at Sam, who wouldn't meet his eyes. "Dude. If you didn't use this to pick up chicks, I'm going to be so disappointed."

"What?" Sam asked, his nose wrinkling. "Yeah, women love hardware."

With an exaggerated sigh, Dean held up the cord and said, "Hey baby, want a screw?" As he held the cord up, something slid down under Sam's shirt. Dean grabbed it. "Dude! You kept my radio knob?"

Sam gave him a sheepish shrug. "Want your toe tag? It's in my wallet."

"Hey, I bit that wallet! Ugh." Dean wiped his mouth, then his tongue, on Dad's jacket. "Bleh. I got dead drug dealer in my mouth."

"And I have teeth-marks in my wallet," Sam said sourly. "Don't bitch or you're buying me a new one."

"Yeah, yeah." Dean slid the key in the ignition, hesitated for a second. "Sam? Last chance to-"

With an irritated noise, Sam reached out and grabbed Dean's hand, turning the key. The Impala purred to life, and Sam took his hand back. He tossed the duffel bag into the backseat and pulled his seatbelt on. "So. Dad suggested we hit this little town in Colorado," Sam said, rummaging for the atlas. "Leftover zombies.

Dean glanced at the house. Through the kitchen window, he could see a shadow. Dad, waiting to see them pull away safely. With a sigh, Dean snatch the radio knob off Sam's cord and pressed it into place. "Did everyone know I was leaving today but me?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Sam said cheerfully. Having flipped to the right page in the atlas, he reached out and opened the glove compartment. A small mountain of tapes tumbled out at Sam's feet.

"Thought those were dead," Dean said.

"Um. They kind of were. I made new ones. Had a lot of time to kill in the hospital."

While he still thought Dean was dead. Dean rubbed at the ache in his chest. "Uh-huh."

"Don't make a thing out of it," Sam muttered, but he was smiling as he shoved in the tape. "You pulling out or what?"

"Sounds like my prom date," Dean said. He grinned at the disgusted noise Sam made, and at the opening riff to Highway to Hell on the tape player. Putting the car in gear, he let her ease onto the road. Once she was there, he remembered the power under her hood, the smooth ride, and patted her wheel fondly. "We've got one stop to make before we go."

"Whatever," Sam said with a shrug. "We've got time."

Dean flashed him a grin, driving a little faster than was strictly necessary through the deserted streets. Dawn was breaking as they whipped into the parking lot outside the church where their hunt for the demon had ended. Sam turned to give Dean a curious look, but had his question answered as they rolled to a stop in front of the church steps.

Andrew was there in the priest garb and collar, gently ushering in a bevy of blue-haired women through the church doors. One of them had hold of his elbow and was talking his ear off, judging from Andrew's slightly pained look.

With a grin, Dean threw the brake on and eased out of the car. "C'mon, Sammy. Let's get some holy water."

"Yeah," Sam drawled. "Riiiight. Dude, so not blind."

Dean paused halfway up the steps, wincing at the sudden flare of memory that accompanied Sam's knowing little brother smirk. Sudden, graphic memory. It was one thing to know intellectually that he and Andrew had... been together. Known each other biblically. Whatever it was when you screwed a priest, Episcopalian or not. It was another to have it pop in his brain in vibrant technicolor, and wow, Andrew was flexible. And kinky. And loud.

Shaking it off, Dean opened his mouth to say hello. What came out was, "Hi, pumpkin."

Andrew turned sharply, staring at Dean. Then he laughed low in his throat, a promising sound. "Be with you in a minute." Going back to the old woman, he murmured something and patted her gently, helping her up the last step and into the church. He watched for a minute, making sure she got in all right, before spinning around to grin delightedly at Dean. "You would remember that first, you asshole. You look good."

"I'm pretty. You can say it." When Andrew made a rude noise, Dean punched him gently in the arm. "I need holy water. And a blessing, if you've got a second. The car, the weapons in the trunk and Sammy."

"And Dean," Sam said with a sigh, even as Andrew was saying sternly, "And you."

"Whatever," Dean said with a shrug, sliding his hands in his pockets. "Can't hurt."

"Dean, if anybody in this world could use a damn blessing..." Andrew dug in his jacket pocket, coming up with a little bottle of holy water. "Pop the trunk."

Dean tossed Sam the keys, let him pop the trunk. Andrew considered the arsenal inside with a muttered "niiiice", slapping Sam's shoulder absently. Then he cleared his throat, coughed into his fist and intoned, "Oh lord, bless this holy hand grenade..." As Sam snickered, Andrew glanced up at them both and winked. "Just fucking with you."

The car and the trunk got the quick Catholic-lite treatment, a bit of Latin and some holy water, Andrew making vague signs of the cross. Then he thumped the hood and turned to Sam. "C'mere. For you... any preference on pantheon? Because I've got 31 flavors."

"You're in a weird mood," Sam said, smiling.

"I got two hours of sleep. I'm punchy." Andrew shook his head, searching another jacket pocket. "You all are hard on my sleeping patterns. You're lucky I didn't show up naked again."

"Again?" Dean asked. "Well, that explains the senior citizen estrogen brigade."

Andrew ignored him, pulling out a pendant from his shirt pocket. It seemed to be one of about twenty. He rubbed the lint off, then twined the cord around his fingers and looked at Sam. "Come down here or get me a ladder."

Rolling his eyes, Sam leaned down. "What are you hitting me with?"

"Sumerian. Protection ward from one of the old gods." Andrew licked his thumb and pressed it to the pendant, and then the pendant to the center of Sam's forehead. "Hold still. This might sting."

Sam had a second to raise his eyebrows, a silent 'you could've mentioned that'. Then Andrew was speaking, low and quiet and fast, the words blurring into sounds that were lost under the hum of a truck passing on the highway. With a feeling like being snapped by a rubber band, right in the forehead, something rolled over Sam. He blinked away the afterimages as Andrew pulled the pendant away, leaning in to press a light kiss to the center of Sam's forehead.

Andrew murmured, too low for Dean to hear, "Don't let him con you. He needs you."

"I know," Sam said quietly.

"All right." Andrew thumped his shoulder, draped the pendant around Sam's neck and drew back. "You did good. Now go get some holy water. If you see my lousy mutt, take him for a walk around the side of the church."

Read: get out of our hair. Got it. With a smile, Sam rubbed his forehead. "Did that leave a giant kick me sign on my forehead?"

"Not that you can see," Andrew said dryly.

"That's comforting." Catching the bottle as Dean tossed it to him, Sam saluted Andrew with it. Then he looked at Dean. "I'm keeping the keys."

"I figured. Paranoid little bitch, aren't you?" Dean grinned as Sam flipped him off, turning to stride towards the church. "Hey, keep the old ladies occupied while you're in there! More action than you've gotten in months."

As the door closed, Andrew said from dangerously close to Dean, "He's a good kid."

Dean turned to look at him. He could feel the warmth of Andrew's breath on his throat. He swallowed, then smiled his best aggravating, cocky smile. "He does all right. So what do I get, Pig Latin?"

"Mm. No, I was thinking of an old Hebrew blessing," Andrew murmured.

"Hate Hebrew. Never could make sense of it. Can't you use Latin?" Dean asked.

"Nope. I'm set on the Hebrew." Andrew leaned in, touching Dean's cheek lightly. There was an intimacy in the touch that drew Dean's spine tight, and he was grateful when Andrew's eyes fluttered closed.

Andrew chanted, his voice rolling into an odd, harsh cadence. Dean felt the power, pressing down on him, over him like a warm touch. It tightened for a moment, almost choking, then released, laying over his skin with liquid heat.

Andrew leaned up, his lips brushing Dean's gently.

Memories swirled through Dean's head as Andrew's hand curled around his neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. He remembered those hands touching, comforting, stroking slow over his skin. Dean relaxed, purring into the contact.

Surprised, Andrew teased his tongue along Dean's lips, testing.

Power and pleasure shivered through Dean, branding him, sinking into his skin. His hands slid down to Andrew's hips, pulling him closer, letting him deepen the kiss as Dean shuddered at the press of Andrew's lithe body against his.

After a long minute, Andrew pulled back, resting his forehead against Dean's. "Jesus. I really have to do Mass."

Dean blinked at him, lips curling in a vague smile. "Hell of a blessing, Andrew."

"I try." Andrew carefully stepped back, hand lingering on Dean's cheek. He stroked Dean's mouth with his thumb and shivered visibly. "Don't suppose you'd like to stay until after I finish?"

The memory of the last few weeks pushed through his lust fogged brain. Dean remembered the rough heat of other hands on him, scalding fresh burns on his hips, pinning him down. Dean felt his body tense, pulling back a little.

So much for nice, uncomplicated sex. Dammit.

With a sigh, Dean shook his head. "Have zombies in Colorado to deal with," he murmured. "We'll be back soon, though. Month, month and a half. Can I stop by then?"

"You'd better," Andrew smirked. He glanced up as Sam came down the stairs, Andrew's dog in his arms. "Thanks, Sam. Did he do anything?"

"Nah, he was too busy getting fussed over by the ladies," Sam murmured, looking at Dean's slightly befuddled smile and swollen lips. "You about ready?"

"Yeah. You can drive," Dean said, walking carefully to the car.

"Does that mean I get to pick the music?" Sam asked, turning over the engine.

"Don't push it, Sammy." Dean turned up AC/DC as they pulled out onto the highway.


EPILOGUE

Andrew watched as the Impala slid out of sight, then looked down at Darcy, who was sniffing around on the grass. "C'mon, baby. Daddy's got to say mass so we can go the hell back to bed."

A shrill tone made Darcy cock her head, and Andrew slid his phone from his pocket and flipped it open. "Father Murphy."

"They've left the city limits. Should we move on them?" a harsh voice asked, the sound like huge stones grinding together beneath the earth.

Andrew rolled his eyes. "Who's left the city limits?"

A pause. "The Winchester boys," it said slowly. "Sir, maybe you should consider a vacation."

"Their names?" Andrew asked pointedly.

"Sam and Dean?" the voice asked, sounding like nothing more than a child called to task by their teacher.

"Their full names?"

"Uh. I don't-"

"Samuel Gabe, as in Gabriel, and Dean Michael. Or did you miss the flaming sword in the cemetery, you idiot?"

"Yes, sir." At least he had the sense to sound sheepish. "Should we move on them?"

Andrew rubbed the bridge of his nose. "No. Let me make this clear. If they attack, by all means, defend yourself. Do it head on, no bullshit. No tractor trailers, no backstabbing, no dream-walking. But otherwise, leave them alone. Actually, just stay the fuck out of their way. Anyone who touches any of them without just cause will answer to me. And I decide what constitutes just cause. Do you understand?" he asked, voice hard. "They belong to me. I have final word."

"Yes sir." The other man sounded grudging. "May I say something?"

"No. Particularly if it's about objectivity. Now fuck off, and don't call me until it's something important." With a sigh, Andrew snapped his cell phone shut. Then he looked to the sky, shaking his head. "You gave me all the idiots. And you could've warned me that your wrath has freckles."

There was no answer. There usually wasn't.

With a last look down the road, he-- who was called many names: Arawn, Hades, Shiva, Set, Loki and more recently Lucifer, the Adversary, Lord of Lies, the patron saint of the left-hand son, the Prince of Darkness-- went in to say morning Mass.
****
The End.

Comments

[manasseh.livejournal.com]

A consistently great story and you managed to update it every single day? Amazing.

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*blush* Thanks! (And the updating came close to missing, let me tell you. We typed the last words about twelve hours before it was posted!

[shoppinggoddess.livejournal.com]

This story has OWNED MY SOUL for some time now. And it was really really great having something so fantastic to read every single day. :D I'm already dying for the sequel.

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*laugh* We're working on it now! Turned out there was a lot of stuff to work out for the sequels, so it took a little longer to get it basically plotted out.

*grin* Thanks!

[eithne-erin.livejournal.com]

GYAH!!

You all are absolutely evil! Here you had me all gooey and "Awww"ing over the last chapter of family bonding and love. Thinking it'll all be tied up nicely and they might even possibly one day be HAPPY again!

Silly, silly me. Instead we get Andrew being the Prince of Darkness! Cliffhangers! At the end of the story! AAARGH!

Write the sequel soon, pleeease?

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*Grin* We're writing the sequel now, though it took a little longer to plot out than we'd planned. There's also prequels, which kinda explain Andrew a little better. Go figure.

Thanks!

[skylee.livejournal.com]

It's been quite a ride! I've enjoyed reading this every morning, and what an intriguing last chapter. Looking forward to the sequel!

[beanside.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We're working on it now!

[jedi-diplomat.livejournal.com]

Dude! That? That was fucking AWESOME!!!!!! You pretty much melted my brain!

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*laugh* Thanks!

[andromakhe001.livejournal.com]

Which tradition of Michael and Gabriel are you using? Oh by the way, that was awesome. :) So cool, Michael and Gabriel, angels. And Andrew Lucifer. I can't get over it.

And did you guys purposely choose Belial as the demon because of this:

In the Dead Sea Scrolls is the story "The War of the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness," in which Michael is described as the prince of light, leading forces of good against the darkness of evil, who is led by Belial. He is described as the "viceroy of heaven", a title that is said to have formerly belonged to Satan.

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*grin* We're kinda using a bit of everything, to be honest--kind of an "all religions are truth, and a part of others" deal. But yeah, I did know about the Scrolls. Nice to know I'm not the only religion geek around.

Thanks!

[adahy.livejournal.com]

Just sat and read the whooooole thing in one sitting in one day. Eyes started bleeding in the mid 20th chapter. I couldn't tear myself away. I don't think I can write anything more coherant... so I'll just thank so very much for writing and sharing this. This was fantasic!

*Passes out*

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Wow! You have our admiration, because that's a helluva lot of dedication right there. *grin* Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[romalo.livejournal.com]

You can't see me right now but if you could you'd be disgusted at the fact that I am now missing my jaw. I mean come on! Oh. My. God! I so didn't expect Lucifer=Andrew. Gah! *Spazzing* So what the hell did he do to Dean? And Sam? Wow, I'm totally freaking out right now. You'd better post the sequel soon before I combust.

I just cannot get over how AMAZING this chapter was! I simply melted at the Sam and Dean parts since they're always filled with such sweet angst and...sweetness.

Man, I'm so totally jealous! I just love your way with words and how you express everything it just makes my heart stutter! :D This was one of the most incredible stories I have ever read! I can't wait for the sequel! Friggin amazing job!

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Aww... thank you! I'm so glad you liked it, and that the unanswered questions caught your attention.

We're working on the prequels/sequels now. The sequel needed some trimming and editing down, which is why it's taking this long. ;)

[irishdf]

What an incredible ride. That was simply superb. The angst, the tension, the action, the ever-increasing supernatural menace, the family rapprochement, the protectiveness, the threat of deliberate "friendly fire", the confusion, the healing, the questions, the choosing (Sam!!), and the *MYSTERIES* (damn!!!), combine to take our breath away. So kudos on all those fronts. Truly.

There is nothing more that I love, than a good, long, well-plotted, well-characterized story that sings with humour, and angst, and resonance. And you have more than achieved that with "Of Bastard Saints". And the addition of Michael of the Flaming Sword, and Gabriel the Messenger, and Lucifer, at the end, gives us the building blocks for more. I can't wait to see where you take us next, and will be waiting anxiously for the first installment of the sequel. Thank you so much for writing this, and for sharing it with us all. :)

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! *blush*

[http://users.livejournal.com/amy_star_/]

Haven't read any other comments.

Okay, so I love this, right?

But, dudes. Having Lucifer be a Catholic priest has oh so many veiled meanings. For real, yo. Or are you getting meta on our collective asses? At any rate, being Catholic myself (badly lapsed, but I have 15 years of Catholic school behind me) I had a nice giggle.

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

But, dudes. Having Lucifer be a Catholic priest has oh so many veiled meanings. For real, yo. Or are you getting meta on our collective asses? At any rate, being Catholic myself (badly lapsed, but I have 15 years of Catholic school behind me) I had a nice giggle.

Heh. Recovering Catholic, current pagan, myself. 15 years of Catholic school... wow. (I only did 4, but spent a lot of time in the hall.)

Andrew being a priest (Anglican, actually, but we haven't really put that out there too much; for all intents and purposes, his parishes tend to be more the ritualistic, Catholic type, rather than the more Evangelical, informal flavor.) is more a consequence of being around Pastor Jim, who treated him kindly and raised him as a son. But yeah, we did kind of both get a quiet kick out of the Adversary running around in a collar doing confessions and exorcisms. ("Leave this body! I sign your checks, bitch!")

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[wilwarin1.livejournal.com]

You're not hearing it, but I'm applauding you both. Ladies, you rock!!

This:
His boys, John thought, wistful. He'd had the feeling, since the moment the Impala had roared to life two days ago, that his time with them was running out. It wasn't that he blamed them, but he'd miss them.
In a lot of ways, he felt like he'd just found them.

Brought tears to my eyes, I kid you not. Wow!

And the ending? Blew me away. Completely out of left field.

So, sequel? BRING IT ON!! I'll be here. Hell yes!

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*laugh* Awww...I'm glad it worked for you that well.

Sequel's progressing, though it took a little longer to hammer out than we'd planned, but we're getting there!

Thank you for the kind words!

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

You've already received about 10 million well-deserved congratulatory comments but I had to go ahead and add my voice to the cacophony.

Ya'll have created an impressive work with great characters. You're canon voices are so strong that this feels like it could be an episode of the actual show while at the same time your original characters are so engaging that I want to find out more about them. I could read fic just about Katya or the Vikings or, especially, Andrew without any of the Winchesters involved at all and that says a lot about your skill in creating them.

I can't wait to see what comes next, to fall deeper into the great mythos that you've created.

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*grin* Well, actually the prequels are pretty much Andrew, so I'm glad to hear it! The rest of them will be showing up in the sequel, though. Have no fear.

Thank you so much for the kind words!

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, well done! Well done! Bravo!

I've enjoyed this story so much that words fail me. All I can say is that it has been a wonderful ride and a pure joy to be able to see this story continuing each day!

I eagerly await the next story! :)

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*grin* Thank you!

[shotboxer.livejournal.com]

AAAAAHHHHHHHH! OMFG! No WAY! Okay, now you *have* to write the 'what's the deal with Andrew' prequel, because . . . Arawn - married. Lord of the Otherworld, which was a very nice, happy place. Hades - married. Lord the Underworld, which had places of torment, but also the Elysian Fields, etc. Shiva - the Destroyer, but also a bringer of rebirth. Set and Loki I'm less well-versed in, but I know that Loki was a shieldbrother of Odin. And now they're all the same person as 'Lucifer' who apparently can bless people and say mass and who Mary knew about (I assume) and didn't have that much of a problem with? And wasn't Murphy Pastor Jim's last name? So is Andrew related to him in some way? And did Pastor Jim have any idea who 'Andrew' really was? GAH! And Dean as an incarnation of the ArchAngel Michael, aka God's Wrath, even though he's a huge agnostic? Heh. Okay, I love this whole story and I can' *wait* for what you come up with next, but that was just one brainbending ending right there. And the sequel better involve lots of John, because I absolutely *love* your John and the Winchester men really do need more 'family time' because things may be better but they're not anywhere near good or fixed yet. And it's time John got more opportunities to act as a father first and a 'drill sargeant' third or forth. More Soon! I'm *begging* here!

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*grin* This is what happens when pagans collide, I guess. We're kind of going on an "all religions derive from the same truths" deal. And yeah, we'll explain more of that, have no fear. Also, Hern, who is both Lord of the Sun and Lord of Death. Because Lucifer was originally the Morning Star, too.

And yeah, Andrew was Jim's adopted son. We've got a prequel for that story. *grin*

The sequel will involve plenty of John, along with the rest of the crew. I'm glad you like him. We're, as I've said before, unapologetic John fangirls.

And there will be some family time, but as usual for the Winchesters, things don't get fixed until they're thoroughly broken. *grin*

Thanks!

[topaz119.livejournal.com]

I hope y'all had as much fun writing this as we all did reading it. I loved so much of this, but I think my favorite was watching Sam and John HAVE to find a way to be father and son. And Dean, of course. Y'all give great Dean, and I'm so looking forward to the sequel. Thanks so much for sharing!

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *grin* Yeah, we figured Sam and John have their differences, but with Dean on the line, they could manage to find common ground. Snarky, cranky common ground. ;)

[saekokato.livejournal.com]

I have to say that I'm glad I waited until all the parts were up before reading - getting it one piece at a time would have killed me! As it is I'm not really sure that my heart is still beating anyway. This was so awesome!

Ok, Andrew as Lucifer? That's cool and I love the little hints you gave us all the way through the story - like the middle names when John was yelling at each of them in earlier chapters and the hellhound that didn't attack them but went after everything else (let me say that rocked!) and, hell, just everything. And I absolutely loved Dean with blue hair - made me giggle for like ten straight minutes - and how John kept hinting (badly) that he should get rid of it. *giggle* And the Winchester's "Our Father' is absolutely fabulous and your John! OMG! I love John to begin with, but your's seems to just fit so well. I'm taking it as canon, seriously.

I'd keeping reaping on with the praise, but really, I don't think I can be cohereant any longer. *flails with fangirlish love*

Oh, is there going to be Andrew/Dean, um, screwage? 'Cause that'd be hot. Hell, hotter than hot. Even though now I can't help but picture Andrew as the dorky Andrew from Buffy. *see icon* *giggles* Please?

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*blush* Wow, thank you! Yeah, there's going to be Andrew/Dean screwage. Probably quite a bit of it. There's at least a couple prequels where they're going to get it on, plus, it's looking like they will in the sequel, too. Go figure.

We actually considered Andrew from Buffy as a prototype for our Andrew, then finally decided on Jesse Spencer, who plays Chase on House. *see icon nilchance used for this post*

I'm glad you liked John so much. Jess and I both kinda adore him, so it's good to know he worked. Thanks again!

[verabell.livejournal.com]

I loved this whole wild ride you ladies took us on more than I can say! Thank you, thank you, thank you! How much did I love your John? So MUCH! And Mary was wonderful.

This story is such an enjoyable mix of angst, character development, plot, h/c, original characters, and *action*, and you kept the momentum going strong from post to post. And the ending! *glee* Rock on :)

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[jaydeyn-sitari.livejournal.com]

Wha... who... you... wha??? *mind boggled just a smidge at the end there*

I had my first exam this morning, thought I'd celebrate by reading as many chapters as I could get at and far, freaking, out! It bears reiteration: this is a fantastic story, with every element excelling. A fabulously satisfying topsyturvey roller-coaster of emotions thing. Brilliant. Drat, that exam sapped my brain, so I'm all out of adjectives.

But, liek whoa. Andrew? Dudes... dudettes, whichever. WOW.

*g* so poor Lucy got a bad rap, eh? I can dig. :) Okay, so reading the sequel. And if you happen to fall over onto the keyboard and accidentally start something with Andrew in it? That would be just fine. :)

:)
Jaydeyn

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*laugh* Dudettes, actually. I'm glad you liked it so much!

Andrew's already got us writing prequels for him, as well as putting him in the sequels. He's just too much fun not to. *grin*

Thanks!

Sat down yesterday....

[ewanmax.livejournal.com]

...during the tropical storm and read the entire story (all 36 chapters), because maygra recommended it and once I started I was completely hooked. Loved it completely, thought it was truly amazing. Loved the alternate chapters, loved having John play a bigger role in a story, ached for Dean, worried about Sam and generally just enjoyed spending the day listening to the wind and rain all while savoring an incredible job of writing.
Thank you so much.
Colleen

Re: Sat down yesterday....

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*blush* Thank you so much!

[embroiderama]

I was lucky in that the day after finding out that this long, highly rec'd story was out there, my boss was out of the office all day. I spent a huge chunk of my day today reading this story, whenever somebody wasn't absolutely in my face needing something from me, and WOW! what a great workday. I loved the tension of the whole screwed up situation keeping them apart and their separate kind of pain and then the reunion and the big battle and the recovery and everything. Wonderful! Thank you!

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*grin* Glad we could make a work day better! Thank you for the kind words!

[lana-me.livejournal.com]

I love it!

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[khek.livejournal.com]

Wow. Just...wow. And a kicker of an ending!

So...a sequel, huh? How soon? :)

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

The sequel is in the works, delayed a bit because the plot needed ironing out. But a little more editing and we'll be good to go. *grin*

[virtualinsomnia]

Oh, this was brilliant! And now, here I am, waiting on pins and needles for that sequel...

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

The sequel's currently in the works, undergoing a bit of editing, but it should be good to go soon. ;)

[kronette.livejournal.com]

I'll toss in my "holy helldamngoodstory" comment and say:

Holy hell, damn good story! I read it straight through, because I can't bear to read WIPs, but this one was killing me. Thank you, for writing them so beautifully, achingly real.

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

Oh god, your icon. It's so good it hurts me. Love!

Thank you! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it and that it was worth the wait.

[djinanna.livejournal.com]

So like, on top of the whole "curl up in a corner and recover" thing I've had going, I've also had to (and still am/do/whatever) take some time to process the ending of this fic.

I mean - geez. On the one hand, I was thinking stuff like "to live up to the hints, Andrew is gonna have to be somebody/something big", but on the other I was thinking "most writers won't go there, to the really BIG names in cosmology/theology/whatever".

But you did. Arch-angels. The brothers are arch-angels. But are they ... avatars of Michael and Gabriel ... or incarnate manifestations ... or reflections ... or literally the two made human flesh...?

And the same question with Andrew. Is he literally "Arawn, Hades, Shiva, Set, Loki and more recently Lucifer, the Adversary, Lord of Lies, the patron saint of the left-hand son, the Prince of Darkness" and even if so, what does that mean? Where does Andrew, who was raised by Father Jim (did I get that name right?) and grew up with Dean and Sam, stop and "Arawn...etc" start? Is there a difference between the two identities at all, or....

And, questions of "individual" identity aside, what does it all mean cosmologically, culturally, philosophically, religiously, literally ... etc etc. I mean, what is the frame of reference/definition(s) of these entities?!

The arch-angels Michael and Gabriel are mentioned in a number of religions/religious texts, from a wide variety of traditions. The various Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions ... various occult and new age traditions ... etc. And there are multiple traditions referenced in the "Arawn...etc" list describing Andrew.

I mean - Andrew doesn't seem evil (whatever that means within the context of this story's universe), per se, and nothing he says makes him irrevocably a traditional "fallen angel" and "enemy of God and His angels". There are a lot of other interpretations of what Satan, for example, is/could be.

And then I look at the Minnesota segment of the story. Non-Christian cosmologies mingling (Norse and Native American), I mean.

In other words ... I was uncertain, hesitant, about this latest development at first. But on further thought, it really is a grand development of already hinted at themes. Especially if I refuse to take anything at simple or face value, but instead wait for you to slowly unfurl/reveal the significance. It promises to be fascinating reading.

And ... that's not actually even my comment on the last couple chapters. It's just a moment of semi-incoherent rambling. So, more (I hope) soon....

[nilchance.livejournal.com]

The brothers are arch-angels. But are they ... avatars of Michael and Gabriel ... or incarnate manifestations ... or reflections ... or literally the two made human flesh...?

Sam and Dean are... complicated. *grin* They're not the two made human flesh. They're not literally angelic; they are wholly, frustratingly mortal. What Andrew was referring to was more what they could be than what they currently are.

As for what Andrew is, and what cosmology we're going with, it's more in line with the Minnesota Valhalla and the mingling pantheons there. America as a spiritual/cultural melting pot has influenced the Powers That Be to the point that boundaries aren't as clear as they once were. And, well, there's a bit of Dogma (the film) going on, in that "none of the religions have gotten it right", but they've all got a pretty good idea.

Anyway, thank you so much! And I hope your recuperating is going smoothly. ;)