Parting Shots - gif spam and a little thinky...
This is for the spn_littlebro hc_bingo challenge. It fills the "parting ways" prompt.
I've always been interested in the separations and reunions of the Winchester brothers. That's not to say I like it when they separate, I just think it makes for fascinating tension and dynamics. It also makes for awesome reunion moments. :)
This gifspam primarily focuses the parting shots when Sam leaves Dean (I've also added a couple of reaction shots from Dean and one of my fav reunion moments).
1.01 Pilot
I know that technically Dean leaves Sam as he's the one that drives off, but as Sam is the one who made the decision to stay I see this as a parting shot.
I find Sam's contented sigh interesting. I think this is Sam having everything he wants right now. He's just been hunting with his big brother (and it was awesome!). He has just reconnected with Dean after all these years AND he still have his life in Stanford and a girlfriend to go home to. Possibly the most peaceful we ever see Sam.
1.11 Scarecrow
Sam agrees to hunt with Dean after he loses Jessica, but it's not all smooth sailing. His frustration gets the better of him and decides to go his own way to look for their Dad. He soon realises that being separated is not such a good idea and returns to Dean when he knows his brother is in trouble.
2.10 Hunted
Sneaky Sam. Sam often sneaks away from Dean (more so in season 4). Once again he lets his impatience get the better of him and runs away to look for answers about himself. And once again, Dean meets trouble when they are separated and Sam returns to save him (you'd think he'd have learnt by now!)
2.21 All Hell Breaks Loose I
Oh Sammy's eyes! I love the way he looks briefly at Dean before he dies *sobs*
4.01 Lazarus Rising
More sneaking. :( Sam sneaks off to meet up with Ruby and thus starts a season of Sam going behind Dean's back. "Good intentions" ending with bad bad consequences.
4.21 When the Levee Breaks
I can't even. This is just too painful. I can't say anything except...whaaaaa! :((
5.02 Good God Y'All
I love the way in which Sam leaves in this scene. The hand on the car is one of my most favourite gestures from Sam. It speaks volumes of how he is feeling. It acknowledges everything he knows he is leaving behind.
5.22 Swan Song
Ack! No no no. Sacrificial Sam. I love the way he seems to make absolute peace with what he is doing. He's terrified but accepts his fate.
7.06 Slash Fiction
After all the separations in the past it seems that Sam still finds leaving as the best way to cope with his frustrations. I think this "taking time out" is such a strong and significant part of Sam's character. In Time For a Wedding Dean mentions that Sam has taken off on a hike to camp by himself for a few days. I realise that was probably a plot point, but I don't think it's out of place for Sam. Having time by himself seems like something Sam would do.
I don't think Sam leaves Dean at this point thinking it will be forever. It's just until he's cooled down and accepted what Dean had done.
7.23 Survival of the Fittest
I know that technically Dean does the leaving here. But as Sam did not go looking for Dean I am adding it here as Sam leaving Dean. I will make no further comment on that as I seem to be always making comments on that /o\. Let's just say that at this point in the story Sam make a conscious choice not to look for Dean and therefore he leaves him to rot..um...rest in peace, wherever he is.
Then there's also these...
For every Sam departure there is a Dean reaction. I love how stoic Dean can be when Sam leaves. He is often clearly hurt but he always seems to rally in order to keep his game face on.
6.01 Exile on Main Street
One of my favourites is when soulless!Sam leaves at the beginning of season 6. Dean goes through such a range of emotions (Jensen nails this beautifully I think). From heartache, to putting on a game face to thinking - yeah, I've been left again. Nothing new there.
2.21 All Hell Breaks Loose
Then of course there are the tears. Oh man, I don't know how many times I have watched this scene. Dean's reaction makes me well up every time.
2.10 Hunted
And finally - as it's a h/c prompt we need a little of the "c". So here's one of my favourite reunion moments. As much as I love the hugs, I adore this mutual "I'm Ok, You're Ok", touchy feely moment.
Post is also here at tumblr (but without all the blurb and extra gifs..;D).