SPN/J2 Big Bang: Sons o' Desolation (Sam/Dean, NC-17, Master Post)
Title: Sons o' Desolation
Author: joans23
Artist: 07nathalie
Pairing: Sam/Dean
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 21,675
Warnings/Spoilers: Character death.
Notes: Written for spn_j2_bigbang
Summary: He was born on the frontier, raised on the trail, a man molded to his saddle and by his gun. Lawman, gunfighter, outlaw, call him what you will - Dean Winchester was all and none of these. The trail for his father's killer grown cold, Dean rode into the small town of Bond, Kansas. He came looking for work, something to see him through the coming winter before he could continue on his quest for justice. The moment he crossed paths with the young preacher however, he knew he'd found more than he bargained for.
Part One Part Two Art Post PDF
Soundtrack, Author Notes and Thanks:
A few notes:
So, this is it. I have no idea how an idea that started with the first track on the soundtrack ended up here, but it's been one hell of a ride.
When we were just getting to know each other, my artist asked me why place the story in the Old West? Well, this is almost word for word what I told her. See, my dad has always been a big fan of westerns. He used to work shifts at the mine, and would always take a Louis L'Amour or a Zane Grey paperback along for company on those long cold nights. He used to watch any western he could get his hands on too, and there was this stage I went through (I don't know, maybe all kids go through?) where all I wanted was to spend time with my dad, and I ended up watching them with him. It became kind of a thing - the rest of the family couldn't be bothered, but then either he'd find us a good one or I would and we would watch it together. I remember this one made-for-tv movie series in the 80's - Desperado, I think it was called. Looking back now, I recognize that it was perhaps the biggest load of crap, but right there the romance of it all hooked me.
He was also always a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, THE ULTIMATE COWBOY, and to this day I still have the biggest crush on him, lol. But I think my greatest love was born maybe out of The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King. Roland was Clint Eastwood (to me, at least) and he was so wonderfully tragic and heroic and good and broken and everything a MAN should be.
I love the (and yeah, I know it sounds corny using this word since it's in my story's title, sorry) harsh desolation of the landscape. How it was so hard, the ultimate test of being a man, of being able to survive out there. I love that these men, who we as audiences would so greatly romanticize, were so often without love. They loved, but imperfectly. They could not, or would not, have that happily ever after. Maybe they'd get the girl, but their best friend died in the process. They'd save the girl they loved even though she was meant for another. They'd know love, recognize it right there in front of them, but be unable to touch it, to hold on to it. They were good men, made hard by a life most often not of their choosing, and had to pay the ultimate price for it.
Perhaps that's why I've always seen westerns as modern day interpretations of tragedies. They just didn't have to warn for character death in the 16th century. ;) I always knew that if I ever tried to write one, it would not end happy and fluffy and tied up in a neat little bow. I actually wanted to write a western last year, but in the end nerves won out - I was afraid of not doing it right, not as accurately as other lovers of the genre would have it. But this year, before we knew the show would be renewed and there was new hope that there might be another year of Big Bang, I thought it might be my last chance to tackle it. So I bottled up my fears (yes, I didn't let go of them, they're still all here), and took a leap of faith. Maybe it doesn't read like the typical western novel or movie, but then again, one should perhaps strive to be different, to do something ones own way, should one not? I guess the story will always ultimately be about Sam and Dean and their love for each other, but the hopelessness, the tragedy, the loss? For me those could only ever really be part of a western.
Some huge thank yous:
Thank you to kelleigh for heavensdesign and always being there with a shoulder to cry on, a sympathetic ear to moan in, and a boot to kick my ass back into gear. I know people always say that without a certain someone, their story would not have seen the light of day, but never has it been more true than of kelleigh this year. You were there for me every step of the way, dearest friend, and I can never, ever, express what that meant to me.
Thank you to superwicked, my PIC, not only for your immeasurable help with the porn and last minute editing, but for always putting up with my shit and still (and hopefully always) being my friend.
Thank you to kkgee for being my most excellent beta. I don't think, no, I know, I would not have been able to do this without having someone stand by me that I love, respect and trust completely, and that someone is you. When you offered to help me again this year back in Jan when I'd only just signed up, I nearly fainted with relief. With you there waiting for me at the finish line, I knew I could do it. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you to 07nathalie for seeing something in my summary that made you want to work with me. I hope you had fun for your first year taking part, sweetheart, and thank you so much for all the lovely art!
Thank you to all my friends for the support and encouragement throughout, you are the best! Thank you to wendy and thehighwaywoman for once again giving us the chance to be part of this wonderful challenge.
Last one, I promise! Thank you, dear reader, for taking a chance on my story and reading. I hope you liked. <3
Author: joans23
Artist: 07nathalie
Pairing: Sam/Dean
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 21,675
Warnings/Spoilers: Character death.
Notes: Written for spn_j2_bigbang
Summary: He was born on the frontier, raised on the trail, a man molded to his saddle and by his gun. Lawman, gunfighter, outlaw, call him what you will - Dean Winchester was all and none of these. The trail for his father's killer grown cold, Dean rode into the small town of Bond, Kansas. He came looking for work, something to see him through the coming winter before he could continue on his quest for justice. The moment he crossed paths with the young preacher however, he knew he'd found more than he bargained for.
Part One Part Two Art Post PDF
Soundtrack, Author Notes and Thanks:
A few notes:
So, this is it. I have no idea how an idea that started with the first track on the soundtrack ended up here, but it's been one hell of a ride.
When we were just getting to know each other, my artist asked me why place the story in the Old West? Well, this is almost word for word what I told her. See, my dad has always been a big fan of westerns. He used to work shifts at the mine, and would always take a Louis L'Amour or a Zane Grey paperback along for company on those long cold nights. He used to watch any western he could get his hands on too, and there was this stage I went through (I don't know, maybe all kids go through?) where all I wanted was to spend time with my dad, and I ended up watching them with him. It became kind of a thing - the rest of the family couldn't be bothered, but then either he'd find us a good one or I would and we would watch it together. I remember this one made-for-tv movie series in the 80's - Desperado, I think it was called. Looking back now, I recognize that it was perhaps the biggest load of crap, but right there the romance of it all hooked me.
He was also always a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, THE ULTIMATE COWBOY, and to this day I still have the biggest crush on him, lol. But I think my greatest love was born maybe out of The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King. Roland was Clint Eastwood (to me, at least) and he was so wonderfully tragic and heroic and good and broken and everything a MAN should be.
I love the (and yeah, I know it sounds corny using this word since it's in my story's title, sorry) harsh desolation of the landscape. How it was so hard, the ultimate test of being a man, of being able to survive out there. I love that these men, who we as audiences would so greatly romanticize, were so often without love. They loved, but imperfectly. They could not, or would not, have that happily ever after. Maybe they'd get the girl, but their best friend died in the process. They'd save the girl they loved even though she was meant for another. They'd know love, recognize it right there in front of them, but be unable to touch it, to hold on to it. They were good men, made hard by a life most often not of their choosing, and had to pay the ultimate price for it.
Perhaps that's why I've always seen westerns as modern day interpretations of tragedies. They just didn't have to warn for character death in the 16th century. ;) I always knew that if I ever tried to write one, it would not end happy and fluffy and tied up in a neat little bow. I actually wanted to write a western last year, but in the end nerves won out - I was afraid of not doing it right, not as accurately as other lovers of the genre would have it. But this year, before we knew the show would be renewed and there was new hope that there might be another year of Big Bang, I thought it might be my last chance to tackle it. So I bottled up my fears (yes, I didn't let go of them, they're still all here), and took a leap of faith. Maybe it doesn't read like the typical western novel or movie, but then again, one should perhaps strive to be different, to do something ones own way, should one not? I guess the story will always ultimately be about Sam and Dean and their love for each other, but the hopelessness, the tragedy, the loss? For me those could only ever really be part of a western.
Some huge thank yous:
Thank you to kelleigh for heavensdesign and always being there with a shoulder to cry on, a sympathetic ear to moan in, and a boot to kick my ass back into gear. I know people always say that without a certain someone, their story would not have seen the light of day, but never has it been more true than of kelleigh this year. You were there for me every step of the way, dearest friend, and I can never, ever, express what that meant to me.
Thank you to superwicked, my PIC, not only for your immeasurable help with the porn and last minute editing, but for always putting up with my shit and still (and hopefully always) being my friend.
Thank you to kkgee for being my most excellent beta. I don't think, no, I know, I would not have been able to do this without having someone stand by me that I love, respect and trust completely, and that someone is you. When you offered to help me again this year back in Jan when I'd only just signed up, I nearly fainted with relief. With you there waiting for me at the finish line, I knew I could do it. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you to 07nathalie for seeing something in my summary that made you want to work with me. I hope you had fun for your first year taking part, sweetheart, and thank you so much for all the lovely art!
Thank you to all my friends for the support and encouragement throughout, you are the best! Thank you to wendy and thehighwaywoman for once again giving us the chance to be part of this wonderful challenge.
Last one, I promise! Thank you, dear reader, for taking a chance on my story and reading. I hope you liked. <3