fic: Side English

[flawsrevenge]

Title: Side English
Fandom: Supernatural
Characters: Dean, Sam, OMC, John
Word Count: 2300 on the nose
Rating: PG probably.  Maybe even G.
Notes: Wee!chesters, oblique references to "Something Wicked," all about the game of pool.
Disclaimer: None of it's mine, and it the pool is wrong, then you can blame a faulty upbringing.

After he turns 14, Dad makes a

Comments

[ewanspotter]

That last line is just perfect. Brilliant idea (and execution). :D

[flawsrevenge]

Thank you!

[ladymirth]

I know nothing much happened in this story, but it was an intriguing read just the same. Also an interesting take on the origin of Dean's hustling skills, because everyone takes for granted that John was the one who taught the boys those too. I can't remember whether there's canon evidence for that theory though.

Nice work, and well written.

[gwendolyngrace]

I can't remember whether there's canon evidence for that theory though.

There's two places...one canon and one semi-canon.

Canon: Mike Geunther (his garage partner in "Home") comments that "whatever the game--poker, pool--he hated to lose." So we are given there that John played pool (and the implication that he didn't lose often, but not necessarily that he was an excellent player).

Sorta Kinda, but not Really Canon: In the first couple issues of "Origins" John spends time right after the fire hustling pool in a bar in Lawrence, and it's in this occupation that he meets Missouri (which doesn't exactly mesh with other things Mike says (and I think the journals?) in "Home" but isn't a 100% contradiction, either).

So there's an implication that John played, but not necessarily that he was hustler quality. I like the idea of Dean possibly having seen Dad play now and then, but finding his own master and learning from him. Imagine John's face when he realizes that Dean has surpassed his skills!

[flawsrevenge]

I like to think that Dean learned elsewhere, too...and then maybe later John adds his own influence to his skills...when he's old enough to be in bars. ;-)

[flawsrevenge]

I'm sticking with the fact that we've never been told it was John specifically that taught him...until it's Kripked, and then oh well. It was fun to write. Thank you!

[fredsmith518]

enjoyed reading this, nice to have Dean helped in such a way

[flawsrevenge]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

[quellefromage]

I love this. Its the perfect way for Dean to learn pool. Never thought Dad would have the patience. Thanks so much for sharing.

[flawsrevenge]

I see John much the same way. And hey, maybe he'll teach Dean later and Dean will fake not knowing what he's doing...

Anyway, thanks so much for reading!

[gwendolyngrace]

Nicely done. Canon does imply that John taught Dean, but it's not ever given and I do like the idea that even if John might have hustled pool himself, he may not have been the one to teach Dean the tricks. Joe has a faintly seedy air about him you'd expect, not even a Paul Newman-type charm to make him seem harmless, but I like how he responds to Dean's raw talent and invests his time in passing on the trade. I kept waiting to learn that he was a ghost or something -- actually, I'm glad you didn't go that route, it would have felt like a cheat. I like that Dean makes Sam play him after Joe is gone.

[flawsrevenge]

Perhaps it implies it, but then isn't that the job of fanfic writers? To run with that implication? Maybe John teaches him, but I sort of see it like a "here, learn this now" situation. It never occurred to me that Joe should be a ghost...he almost became the husband of the woman that owns the fence, and thus took a greater interest in the boys, but I like to think that there are people are there that'll just help out, no strings attached. Anyway, I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.