[ShatterTimed back a bit.]

[hector-aframian.livejournal.com]

Sometime before Dean, Jo and Jack left the farm, he spent a lot of time working on the Impala. Baby didn't like the rough country roads, could use some tuning.

Anyone can catch him there, sprawled under the car in the front yard with his feet sticking out and a handful of tools scattered within reach.

Comments

[hector-aframian.livejournal.com]

"Younger."

Dean's voice is terse and rough.

"Five years."

Look after your brother.

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

Take care of your sister.


"Look after him." Sokka's voice is gruff, ages older than it should be, and he's looking at the car instead of the man he's talking to. "But don't-- if I'd let her go, she would've been killed or worse. I held her back, and she got other people killed.

"Just-- be careful. I don't know what happened, but if it's the same thing, just... just be careful."

[hector-aframian.livejournal.com]

Dean nods once, sharp.






"I gotta get back there."

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

Sokka smiles, just a little, and it's barely even an attempt at convincing. It just-- hurts.

A lot.



"Be grateful you can."

[hector-aframian.livejournal.com]

Dean claps a hand on the other man's shoulder for a moment, rough and awkward, and then turns back towards the farmhouse and abandons the car to Sokka.

"Jo? JO! GETCHA ASS OUT HERE, ALREADY, DAMMIT ---"

[notanoptimist.livejournal.com]

Sokka's smile is still tight, still forced, and his fascination with the car is long gone. He hopes Dean gets back to his brother, he hopes he finds a way to help him, he hopes he comes out of this world with his relationship with his brother intact, unharmed, okay.



His eyes drift toward the farmhouse, toward the windows. Specifically, the kitchen window.






...maybe it's not too late for him, too.