I read a lot of Bobby's point-of-views, but it's true that all of the brothers were affected by Jack's death, and this is perfect. I like how, initially, Angel was jealous of Jack for winning over Bobby, but because Jack had won him over so easily as well. Poor Angel.

That was amazing. Beautiful.

I epecially liked the line "But he’d never actually seen someone else holding his heart and bleeding to death." I enjoyed it as a whole, but that part really got to me.

You are brilliant and I hope you keep writing.

aw so sad!*sobs* but i love it!

wow. that was...fabulous. for once i am rendered speechless...wow. fantastic. superb. wonderful. great now im starting to sound like a thesaurus ;p lol. anyways, u should kno that i absolutely LOVED IT :)

hey!

wow!

you are very powerfull with words!

i would not like to get into a fight with you!

jaja!

keep writing!

Great job. Catch ya on the flip side.

You write a lot of lovely little vignettes!

I think I giggled and was teary-eyed at the same time when I read, "All because selfish Jack had to run outside, stealing all the toothpaste, and leave them to howl, “Jack, you’re so selfish!”"

I couldn't imagine losing my little brother, man. I think I'd be heartless after that, too.

i like how you're doing all the different perspectives of Jack's death, Bobby, Jack, Angel. Are you going to do Jerry at all?

That is soo sad. Definatly a tear-jerker. Anyways...awesome fic.

Aww. So sad! I just love when people explore Angel more. I think that he truly does have a lot of hidden issues going on under the surface. Great job!

That was great, but dammit, you made me cry! *wipes at her eyes*

Sniffle...Sniffle...SOB! OMGosh, Whilom, what a beautifully sad way to start the day! Tori told me about this one even before I saw the blurb about it in my email. She warned me it was sad, but I still don't feel I was adequately prepared. Wow.

She's right, you really don't see a whole lot of fics from Angel's POV, yet you wonder about his and Jack's relationship and how Angel might have felt jealous about not being the baby of the family anymore. But what a cruel twist, though - Jack "stealing" Bobby when of course he doesn't even mean to! It was just beautiful how you talk about them giving their hearts to Jack, almost for safekeeping, and then he loses it all when he dies.

I think my favorite line, or at least, the most poignant, was: "He had seen blood before. He was a Marine. He’d seen things. But he’d never actually seen someone else holding his heart and bleeding to death. It was like watching your own self die without being able to do anything to stop it. Simple operations wouldn’t work here. No tourniquets, no First-Aid. Sure, if the paramedics came in time maybe Jackie could die in some comfort."

Ah, so sad, Whilom! Especially that last part - I mean, the best they can really hope for is that he might be able to "die in some comfort." Whew. What an emotional ride, my dear - but it was positively brilliant, nonetheless. Fantastic!

Luv you lots, ttyl!

Halo

magnifique, j'

I see now. You're TRYING to make me cry! Lol. Jk. This was beautiful, Whilom (It really did make me cry, too!). I like how this was from Angel's perspective (you don't see much of those). You worded things brilliantly, about how Jack was stealing all of them. Beautiful job, and a great fic! It's going on my favorites! Ttyl!

Tori

I swear, Whilom, if you make me cry one more time, I'll...something. I'm not quite sure how to threaten someone I respect so much, but you get the point.

I love how you keep referring to the excessive-toothpaste incident and tying it into the events that unfolded later.

"Jack knew things didn’t always change for the better just because you lived at a different address." I think that line might explain the Mercers easily, period. An interesting thought, too.

You know, it's ironic, because I almost alluded to the same concept -Jack stealing Bobby- from Jerry's perspective in "We're Still the Mercers." I might have done so a little, actually. But I thought along those lines, and it's interesting that you did as well. But no, I don't think Jack deliberately stole Bobby. He didn't deliberately steal anyone. They just couldn't resist how freaking cute he was.

"If anyone would keep their hearts intact, it would be Jack. And yet here Jack was, failed in that simple operation. He couldn’t keep his own heart intact, that’s why it was bleeding all over the place." Aw. Now MY heart is bleeding all over the place. That is so sweet and sad.

I always wondered how Angel and Jerry could just stand there looking stricken while Bobby cried his soul out and held Jack, but this story kind of offers an interesting explanation. They just can't feel as much as Bobby because they refuse to let themselves, and they deal with things differently. Hotheaded Bobby can't ever contain his emotions, and this is one instance that proves it. He can't hold back his grief any more than he can his temper, and this is a fascinating glimpse into just how deeply he feels love as well as hate.

I love the "heartless criminals" dissection, too. That's so sweet. They're not whole without Jack, and he's taking the best part of them. It's not like he can exactly help dying, but I can totally see where Angel would subconsciously blame him. He can't help that, either. He's feeling what Bobby's feeling, but can't deal with it the same way. And he knows he'll miss Jack every bit as much, but can't handle that.

"He had been angry at Jack for stealing Bobby. And now he was angry at Jack for stealing him." Really effective wordplay. Heart-wrenching.

I love how Angel has a little mental debate with his mother about the situation. It's written very much as I'd imagine Angel would think it, too.

The last line is particularly poignant. It really sums up the tale in five words, and it's so sad.

I LOVED this piece. Very thought-provoking and sob-worthy. A fine job you've done here, Whilom, and you should be proud, but a little nervous because I still want to smack you a little with the Crowbar for making me get all emotional. You're unsettlingly good at that, you know...

My admiration and love as always,

Brandi