Roses in December (6/14)

[ratherastory]

Okay, so I came up with another chapter. I think the plot will actually start moving forward in Chapter 7, so yay! I know some of you have been waiting for that to happen. So have I! ;)

In related news, I know I'm way behind on answering comments for Chapter 5. I am going to get to that ASAP, I promise!

Master Post

Chapter 5

Comments

[embroiderama]

I feel for Sam in the beginning there, struggling to get back to normal and everything's so hard. :\ But I like seeing Dean and Jess getting along.

[ratherastory]

I'm really enjoying having Jess and Dean figure out a way to live together.

Poor Sam. Nothing is ever easy for him in life.

Glad you're still enjoying it!

[annie200]

Loved this chapter. Worried that the charming Brady might demon-out at some point, and really winced for Dean when Jess made comments about John.
You've done a fabulous job with Sam who is totally himself in spite of not being, if you get what i mean. (Way to offer a really inarticulate compliment!)

[ratherastory]

Aww, I knew what you meant! :)

I think everyone is worried that Brady will demon-out at some point.

Thank you!

[annj_g80]

I love the interaction between Dean and Jess. It's so convincing and their voices spot on. There's something pretty intense going on between them and I'm not yet sure whether it's animosity, caution or some twisted kind of friendship based on what they have together: Sam.

I don't wanna be in Dean's shoes, having to talk to Sam about what they do.

[ratherastory]

Thank you so much!

You're right, there is a weird, intense thing going on with them, and I don't think they know themselves what it is. Unusual circumstances, that's for sure.

And I think Dean is dreading that conversation.

[elliemurasaki]

“Only when I'm not engaging in unspeakably depraved acts of evil.” Nailed Brady's character perfectly. And I love how Dean's applying hunting skills to bartending.

[ratherastory]

*evil grin*

Is he being sarcastic and flippant, or is he telling the truth under the guise of sarcasm and flippancy? Who knows? ;)

I tried to work out in my head how Dean would cope with civilian life, and the obvious answer was: he'd treat it like a hunt!

[de_nugis]

I looove your Brady (apart from the way I get all tense and scared whenever he's on stage). He's so likable and so sinister. And now I am afraid he is starting a subtle campaign to drive a wedge between Sam and Dean.

I'm kind of with Jess on the John Winchester question. I've never loved canon John, even though I also thought that show as well as Dean went too far with the negative revaluation in the last two seasons.

[ratherastory]

Thank you!

I am deliberately playing up the ambiguity where Brady is concerned. I'm glad it's working!

I am fascinated with canon!John. I never saw the revaluation as being too negative, though. Flashback!John is a real revelation: he's a good, solid guy who loves his wife and kids to the point of fanaticism, a guy with rock-solid values. It's not hard to see where losing Mary the way he did would break him so hard that he turned into the emotional mess we saw in Season 1 and the Season 2 premiere.

John did the best he could, but an emotionally scarred man trying to raise two small boys in what's essentially a war zone? It's no wonder Sam and Dean are as screwed up as they are.

I've never entirely been able to wrap my mind around John, which is why I'm so fascinated with him.

[de_nugis]

I think my anti-John feelings are coming out strongly here because the thing I can least forgive him for is not calling in Faith.

[ratherastory]

That one bugged me SO MUCH.

I actually asked roque_clasique for that as a prompt on my birthday, and she wrote an awesome coda which helped me come to terms with it a bit.