Immediately followed by the next seasons, actions can be explained and understood from Sam's perspective, especially if this sort of intervention never happened in canon.

Supernatural does a poor job addressing long term mental health, also long term physical health, but at least they explain away the physical with Angel voodoo. I think that's a difficult thing to address in a show which plays about a line of seriousness attributable to a mature show geared specifically towards an audience wanting something sophisticated and a show which doesn't take itself as seriously.

Considering the large number of fans though who have spoken up about their own mental health problems you'd think it would be a subject better handled.

The story was lachrymose and relatable.

I love the moment when Dean gets it, realizes that it's Sam who thinks these things, not Lucifer talking to him and telling him these things. But they still believe that sooner or later, everything's going to be okay.

I don't know how you're doing that but your writing abilities are something magnificent.

That is a wonderful story. Brutal and dark but then that's the reality of their lives. Thank you for the glimmer of light at the end.
DeansBabyBird

This is so great. I love how it took so long for it all to come out. That it was just so hard to get it all out in the open. Really, really good! xo

I've read this twice now, and it's one of my absolute favorite SPN fics. I love your characterizations and how you split it up into shortish scenes, and the whole idea of Dean trying to protect Sam from himself is genius. Fantastic job :)

Oh my you broke my heart into a million pieces as finally Dean understands what Sam is all about post Hell. Sam defences finally buckle under his big brother's need to understand and be there for him, only for Dean to finally realises the torment that Sam has swallowed whole and the despair that goes with it. Allowing Sam that breakdown, and then having Dean stepping in demanding big brother rights was the final clincher for me. Loved it from start to finish and want to say my thanks for offering up such a rare insight into how those boys really and truly connect as brothers.

(Peeved tho that the writers of the show cannot this remember this aspect of the brothers relationship... sigh..)

Loved how you show hard the boys try to hide their hurts from each other. It's all for protection for the other one and you brought that out in this story. But Dean finally breaking down Sam's defenses was beautiful. You really stayed in character which made this all the more believable. Thanks so much for another amazing story!

You're on a roll. This is so well written. amazing

*sniff* that was so heartbreaking! *hugs* beautiful story hun!

Oh my. *reaches for tissues* where has this talk been all season? Sam, as usual, just breaks my heart. His desperation at the end totally gutted me. I was definitely surprised to find tears springing to my eyes. The hug at the end, the beautiful, beautiful bro moment was just PERFECT. It was definitely what I was hoping for when I first read the summary. Why can't the show give us hugs and talks like this? *pouts and feels deprived* This was seriously genius. Automatic gold star in my book. :)

So sad and tense, and so just-beneath where we've been in S7. Very nice!

Aw... *sniff*