Criminal Minds: Trompe L'oeil (epilog)

[sodakey]

~ (epilog) ~

The tarmac is patchy wet in places, drying in the cool evening breeze that's taken over. The storm that had raged through the night, now vanished, leaving a ubiquitous film of pale grey cloud cover and a sliver of wind.

Gideon is waiting outside his own vehicle as the team pulls go-bags from the government-issue SUV. Reid's is too heavy

Comments

[mei_yanohi]

This story was absolutely breathtaking. Your writing is so eloquent and hypnotizing, and your understanding of every character makes each portrayal rich and engaging. This all rang so true to the flavor of the series, each detail about the case and the team's voices, the undercurrent of darkness and sorrow and exhaustion, the way you had the reader wondering who the UnSub was in each chapter... (and not to mention that you made it Reid-centric, which is like catnip to me. if I were a cat.)

Long comment short, this story is good and you should feel good.

[sodakey]

Thank you so much. Though it took a long time, this story was just so very fun to write. I really appreciate the feedback that it felt true to character. I hope that's true. It was one of the goals, was to keep this true to the show as much as I could. Reid-centric human-like catnip... I'll totally take that as a compliment.

[sodakey]

Thank you so much. Overall fun to write - even if it took me so long! ;)

I think there are some readers who will be satisfied with the ending. And some readers who will probably really dislike it. But I'm happy for it to be done, and so glad you enjoyed it.

[qultng1]

That is the hardest thing. I never try to burn bridges at all, but that's not always easier.

There's a lot of growth in this fic and I think you showed it beautifully. It's been quite a ride and every step enjoyable.

Gonna miss you and will look forward to any random short things you might get to post.

See you around. *waves*

[sodakey]

A buddy of mine always used to say, "If you're going to burn your bridges, at least use the fire to light your way." I think for Reid and Gideon (and the team) the burning of this bridge would not necessarily be a vindictive act, or create a viciously deep chasm - just evidence of a moving forward, letting go of the fires and resentments of the past and all that... changing focus to new bridges... etc. etc. etc.

Have I beat that to death yet?

;)

Thanks for hanging in there!

[ginny214]

He bends his chin down against the sweater, and holds his breath until he feels the hitch die down, balance from his own feet, steady from his own center. When it settles, he leans back, gripping one hand tight against Gideon's shirt, then carefully letting go.

Absolute perfection. This story is just magnificent, and its conclusion is rich, satisfying, and just as sensitive and gorgeously written as all that came before it. The plot, the characterizations, the dialogue, the breath-taking language -- it's all stunningly well done. Thank you so much for writing this. It's truly a gift to the fandom, and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to read it. A masterpiece!

[sodakey]

Thank you! I've been so distracted these last few months - always something cropping up - that it was hard to get the feel of the characters towards the end. The lines started getting a little blurry. (I wasn't kidding when I said I had a hard time multitasking, lol). I'm pleased that for most it seems to have felt in line with the rest of the story. Though a few have commented to me that they would have liked more of a resolution with Gideon... at the moment I'm just enjoying just having it done and hopefully will now get to a little reading in the fandom... before the next emergency emerges.

[water_soter]

Oh wow, this has left me breathless. It was so sad and beautiful and a perfect ending for your fic. I love how Reid no longer sees him as Gideon but rather as Jason. It is sad, bittersweet moment, where Reid has shown that he is truly stronger than Gideon because he stayed and has stayed through some horrible moments.

[water_soter]

On a separate note, this ending also has a bittersweet moment for me, since this may be the last fic that you will write. I can truly say that the fanfiction and fandom community has lost one of the great writers we have had and you will be truly missed.

[sodakey]

Thank you for these kind sentiments as well. I've rarely been very involved with fandom in depth, but this last year my attempts to maintain or share stories in this world have been so sporadic it's become laughable. Thanks for reading though, and playing along. Good luck with your own writing, and may the muse stay with you always. ;)

[sodakey]

Thank you. I'm a fan of the bittersweet. And I feel Reid and Gideon will always have that connection between them, but can't stay in the past. I think Reid understands mistakes, and doing things that are out-of-character. But he can't make Gideon change, etc. etc.