That is odd, although I guess maybe it's just ... two rounds?
Yeah, separate bangs for mini and main. Timing the main long one with the start of the season? Well, I'm not going to turn down good fic, but weird. I guess they couldn't overlap with main bang too much. Some writers signed up with both.
Julie, I thought the relationship and Sam's decision were the weakest part of the dragon fic. I actually liked the conceit pretty well. But both of those characterisations/motivations seem to depend on something outside the story--but neither were actually close enough to canon to rely on that shorthand.
I think if she hadn't tried to convince me of either of those things I'd have given her emotional credit for everything else. Castiel was especially WTF in his relationship reveal.
I've never read Aurora Borealis (I decently liked Aurora, although I haven't finished it yet--it's more beautiful than engaging). I don't know the Peter Beagle canon, so I've avoided it.
Reading Beatty (the Weechester story). I'm concerned that it's too sad and maybe it will become too harsh on John, but right now I want to hug Sam and Dean and then have them hug each other. And then slap Rita. Rum? A nine year-old? Seriously?