Dark Side of the Moon (Supernatural story)

From Fanlore
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Fanfiction
Title: Dark Side of the Moon
Author(s): imogenbynight
Date(s): November 6, 2013
Length: 37,212 words
Genre(s): Sci-fi, Space AU, Slash
Fandom(s): Supernatural
Relationship(s): Dean Winchester/Castiel
External Links: A03
Art Masterpost by thimblings, Archived version
Poster art by thimblings, one of several pieces created by the artist for this fic, as part of the Dean/Cas Big Bang

Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Dark Side of the Moon by imogenbynight is a space AU focused on the pairing of Dean/Castiel. It was created as part of the 2013 Dean/Castiel Big Bang, with accompanying art by thimblings.

Summery

Five months into his six month mission, an accident leaves Flight Engineer Dean Winchester stranded on the moon. It comes down to a man he has never met to bring him home.

Reactions and Reviews

Do you want despair? Do you want to be driven to the edge of an anxiety attack? Do you want to feel hopeless?! Then Dark Side of the Moon is for you! umm... minor character death... and PTSD... and space. Seriously, anyone that hasn't read this needs to. It's my go-to for when I'm depressed and need something to bottom me out so I can start my upswing.[1]

This engaging, well written, and thoroughly researched story has everything you would expect from a fic about space exploration – claustrophobic and atmospheric scenes, acute loneliness of main characters, some eerie horror elements but, most importantly, plenty of canon references that fit perfectly to these extraordinary circumstances. I mean, Cas’ mission to save Dean is just as epic on the Moon as it is on the show. I liked that the author spent some time on separate yet parallel stories for Dean and Cas, with only Charlie as a connecting link between them. We get to learn more about both guys before their fated meeting and then we get to witness the pining and relationship misunderstandings on the scale that only these two are capable of. It seems that some things never change, no matter the kind of circumstances Dean and Cas meet each other.[2]

This story will knock your hat off, emotionally speaking. Dean's an astronaut, working with a close-knit team to set up drilling stations on the moon, when a meteor hits and everything changes in an instant. Alone, stranded, and in shock, Dean starts to lose his grip on reality, with Castiel's voice forming his only tether. The horror of Dean's situation is excellently rendered, with sensory details driving home the harshness of space and human limitation. This story also features an excellent cast of well-rounded minor characters who help the world feel lived-in and real.[3]

I really liked this AU. Settings that haven’t been used before (and this one hasn’t as far as I know) are always a plus. I only wish it was longer![4]

The author’s research really paid off here in conveying not only how NASA and a mission might work, but in what it feels like to be in space by yourself, even if only for a few weeks. I liked the fact that the author established them both as their own characters with their own problems before tackling them as a couple. The only thing I found lacking was that the ending was a bit rushed. It would have been nice to see them talk out their issues a little more rather than bypassing them to jump straight into the big dramatic kiss. A few more lines dealing with the deaths and what they plan on for the future would also have been nice. The supporting characters were fantastic and I like how the author used all of them, especially how Meg was handled. They were all very mature and dealt with their problems accordingly.[5]

Ok, you know how sometimes Aus are good but the people aren’t in character? This is not one of those times. It’s perfect, and falls in line with canon almost flawlessly. The only small problem I have with this fic is Meg (and the fact Gabriel isn’t in it). But whatever, it’s still one of those perfect fics that I will love out of the pure fact its an ASTRONAUT AU *runs and screams* SPPACCEEE[6]

very very interesting and original, both cas and dean are in character and they meet in the middle of the story, but the relationship is so well portrayed that is worth the waiting. you will surely enjoy it, use some kleenex, cos at some points, it hurts.[7]

Example Fanworks

References