What Is and What Should Never Be Fic Recs
The awesome episode of 'What is and What Should Never Be' spawned so many fics and inspired so many writers that it really wasn't hard to find more fics to recommend.
So without further ado, an amazing EIGHT fic recs follow behind the cut.
Dean will break your heart in this fic, but don't worry Sam is there to put it back together again. I love the gentle way Sam looks after Dean and I love how Dean slowly lets Sam know what happened bit by bit, in his own time.
Title: Anywhere But Where We Are
Author: ficwriter1966
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. A short coda to WHAT IS AND WHAT SHOULD NEVER BE. Of the hurt/comfort mode, because y'all seem to like that in a big way. (With a side dish of angst, because you know with me, there's got to be angst.)
The beginnings of daylight did nothing to improve the look of this room.
A great fic that answers the question of how did Sam find Dean? Sam's worry is so palpable and well written as the author explores Sam's thoughts. Sam reflects both on the past and his role within his family whilst trying to find Dean.
Title: Like God's Eyes in My Headlights
Author: musesfool
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Dean is missing. Sam is worried. See Sam worry. Worry, Sam, worry.
After the third time Dean's phone rolls over to voicemail, Sam's sick of the sound, has to grit his teeth against the urge to throw his own phone against the wall in frustration.
Schmoop warning. The boys are pretty touchy feely in this one, but that's ok because they're otherwise perfectly in character as Dean just needs a few moments to ground himself and reassure himself that he's out of the dream. And Sammy being the perfect little brother helps him to do just that.
Title: Reality Check
Author: philote-auctor
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Dean just needs a minute to get his bearings.
The Djinn’s body falls heavily to the side.
A lovely bit of hurt/comfort here. Dean's determination to deal with the aftermath by himself is heartbreaking, as he stubbornly refuses Sam's help. Sam is every inch a good brother, not pushing and offering only his support.
Title: In the Darkness, Light
Author: iamstealthyone
Rating: PG-13 (Genfic.) A bit of cussing. Some violence.
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Dean struggles to move on from his encounter with the djinn.
“You came back.”
Sam is wonderfully possessive and protective of Dean who has clearly lost just that little bit too much blood. Dean rejects Sam's protectiveness, instead focusing on the girl, determined to save her no matter the cost to himself. It's so sad that Dean doesn't get the medical attention he deserves because of the cops.
Title: What Is and What Should Never Be Missing Scene
Author: leonidaslion
Rating: R (language)
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. How much blood did Dean lose to the djinn, anyway?
Dean made it down to the Impala with the girl in his arms before passing out.
Coda or AU? Could be either and that's what I love about this, you're left in a circle of thoughts, is he dreaming? Is this real?
Title: Awakening of dreams
Author: starrylizard
Rating: Mature, Gen, Angst, no sex or bad language.
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be.
Fifty square miles of real estate.
There is such beautiful imagery in this fic, told from the point of view of the girl. The grief, compassion and understanding between Dean and the girl gets you right in the heart. If you don't cry, well, you're tougher than I am.
Title: Someplace Better
Author: eloise-bright
Rating: PG13 (gen)
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. 700 words. Wishful thinking.
The hospital room is full of flowers.
Oh Dean. A short fic that is so sad, Dean's thoughts are so far from the truth. As always it's Sam, (and I love that it's such an unconscious action, literally) that reminds Dean he's needed.
Title: far from this foreign land (you know the way it's supposed to be)
Author: unperfectwolf
Rating: pg
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Coda to episode 2x20, "What Is and What Should Never Be."
Dean wakes up with a start, shooting up and looking wildly around until his eyes fall on his little brother.
As always, if you know of any What Is and What Should Never Be fics you'd like to share leave a comment or make your own post to the community; either is welcomed.
Please remember to give feedback to these fantastic authors!
So without further ado, an amazing EIGHT fic recs follow behind the cut.
Dean will break your heart in this fic, but don't worry Sam is there to put it back together again. I love the gentle way Sam looks after Dean and I love how Dean slowly lets Sam know what happened bit by bit, in his own time.
Title: Anywhere But Where We Are
Author: ficwriter1966
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. A short coda to WHAT IS AND WHAT SHOULD NEVER BE. Of the hurt/comfort mode, because y'all seem to like that in a big way. (With a side dish of angst, because you know with me, there's got to be angst.)
The beginnings of daylight did nothing to improve the look of this room.
A great fic that answers the question of how did Sam find Dean? Sam's worry is so palpable and well written as the author explores Sam's thoughts. Sam reflects both on the past and his role within his family whilst trying to find Dean.
Title: Like God's Eyes in My Headlights
Author: musesfool
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Dean is missing. Sam is worried. See Sam worry. Worry, Sam, worry.
After the third time Dean's phone rolls over to voicemail, Sam's sick of the sound, has to grit his teeth against the urge to throw his own phone against the wall in frustration.
Schmoop warning. The boys are pretty touchy feely in this one, but that's ok because they're otherwise perfectly in character as Dean just needs a few moments to ground himself and reassure himself that he's out of the dream. And Sammy being the perfect little brother helps him to do just that.
Title: Reality Check
Author: philote-auctor
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Dean just needs a minute to get his bearings.
The Djinn’s body falls heavily to the side.
A lovely bit of hurt/comfort here. Dean's determination to deal with the aftermath by himself is heartbreaking, as he stubbornly refuses Sam's help. Sam is every inch a good brother, not pushing and offering only his support.
Title: In the Darkness, Light
Author: iamstealthyone
Rating: PG-13 (Genfic.) A bit of cussing. Some violence.
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Dean struggles to move on from his encounter with the djinn.
“You came back.”
Sam is wonderfully possessive and protective of Dean who has clearly lost just that little bit too much blood. Dean rejects Sam's protectiveness, instead focusing on the girl, determined to save her no matter the cost to himself. It's so sad that Dean doesn't get the medical attention he deserves because of the cops.
Title: What Is and What Should Never Be Missing Scene
Author: leonidaslion
Rating: R (language)
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. How much blood did Dean lose to the djinn, anyway?
Dean made it down to the Impala with the girl in his arms before passing out.
Coda or AU? Could be either and that's what I love about this, you're left in a circle of thoughts, is he dreaming? Is this real?
Title: Awakening of dreams
Author: starrylizard
Rating: Mature, Gen, Angst, no sex or bad language.
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be.
Fifty square miles of real estate.
There is such beautiful imagery in this fic, told from the point of view of the girl. The grief, compassion and understanding between Dean and the girl gets you right in the heart. If you don't cry, well, you're tougher than I am.
Title: Someplace Better
Author: eloise-bright
Rating: PG13 (gen)
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. 700 words. Wishful thinking.
The hospital room is full of flowers.
Oh Dean. A short fic that is so sad, Dean's thoughts are so far from the truth. As always it's Sam, (and I love that it's such an unconscious action, literally) that reminds Dean he's needed.
Title: far from this foreign land (you know the way it's supposed to be)
Author: unperfectwolf
Rating: pg
Warnings: None
Summary: 2x20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Coda to episode 2x20, "What Is and What Should Never Be."
Dean wakes up with a start, shooting up and looking wildly around until his eyes fall on his little brother.
As always, if you know of any What Is and What Should Never Be fics you'd like to share leave a comment or make your own post to the community; either is welcomed.
Please remember to give feedback to these fantastic authors!