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Oct. 6th, 2020 09:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
weirddreamsSam planned everything. Asking Dean had only been the first step before he would propose to Ruby; the other steps he took included talking to John and Mary how they would feel if he proposed to her (a demon) as well as ring shopping. He also entrusted Dean to hide the ring while he formulated a plan. The plan came into fruition when asked Ruby if she would like to get away for the weekend on a romantic hike as far as they can go into the woods where they would spent most their time camping. Everyone else got the heads up they'd be gone. He and Ruby started out in the morning with their gear but sometime around noon, between the glances and the less than subtle touches and conversation points, he slowed to a stop when they came to the large clearing his brother described. The sun glimmered off the water; the stream itself gave life to the wild flowers and grasses that swayed in the wind before their very sight.
"What do you think? This is a good of a spot as any to set up camp." They should actually be able to enjoy some daylight and time together, right. Not expecting any complaints either, Sam slides his gear off his back to shrug it off on the ground.
"What do you think? This is a good of a spot as any to set up camp." They should actually be able to enjoy some daylight and time together, right. Not expecting any complaints either, Sam slides his gear off his back to shrug it off on the ground.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-10-29 03:49 am (UTC)Not in Itinere at least. It helps give him some assurance that he has to be alive because of how real her tight squeeze on him feels.
She saved him once before when they weren't even dating so what she tells him comes across as an understatement. Of course there is no doubt he could count on her. It's why he can see himself spending the rest of his life with her. "Yeah. I would do the same for you." He means that with every fiber of his being, though his voice is not exactly the strongest to carry the message. He should relax until they can find medical help. There isn't a lot of fuel left in his reserves either.
Lucy needs help more than he does at the moment. He barely can tell Ruby thanks, but doesn't resist the help either. He really shouldn't be sitting up as a matter of fact. "Keep trying," he insists. There's not a lot of evidence for him to think Ruby isn't responsible for reviving him. Lucy deserves the same. Sam once showed Ruby where the CPR books were and he has enough confidence if Lucy can be revived, she can manage to do it.
Recognizing that Dean finally showed up is his own relief and subconsciously, Sam lets him help. "What? Hold on a second. We can't just leave Lucy." He means he can't without knowing if she wakes up or not. There's a lot he feels responsible for right now. John giving the orders is irrelevant.
Cas moves to take Ruby's spot over Lucy's body. He briefly glances over to Ruby, not to look at her with blame but work out if there's anything else (apparently not). Suffice to say he can't give up on Lucy just yet and continues CPR on her with mouth to mouth as he's seen on the Netflix. They can move her only if that doesn't work. Mary gives him space until Cas is ready for the assist to bring her body back with them.
Sam follows the conversation by searching the rubble for the body of their oppressor. He supports Ruby with a sigh of relief in what she's saying if anyone catches it.
Mary meets John's look and agrees, extending her hand for the keys to the Impala. She can get them there the fastest with her driving. "Don't take too long. I will need both of you there." Tammy deserves what is coming to her, but Mary worries her companions (Ruby and Castiel) won't have the clearest heads when they get back. Sam can sit up front with Ruby so there is space for Lucy in the back when they move them.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-10-30 01:57 am (UTC)Ruby had read the CPR books. She considers it part of taking care of her human. She also knows a great deal about the way human's bodies work, but not the why. She's not sure it makes her qualified to do CPR, but it's better than nothing. "We're not leaving anyone," Dean assures Sam. He doesn't want to leave Lucy either. He's keeping an eye on what's going on with Lucy.
Maybe it's Cas's Netflix experience. Maybe it was Ruby's prior CPR or maybe it's a fairytale kiss from her Prince. Itinere would certainly find that appealing. In any case, Lucy takes a shallow gasp then whimpers, one eye slitting open. Her brow furrows a little, pulling at a cut near her eyebrow that makes her wince. "You're not--you're not real." Her voice is a scrape of a whisper, throat raw from screaming.
Ruby has no intention of leaving Tammy here to wreck havoc on anyone else nor is she willing to put her knife through her gut right now (even if anyone has the knife here). Dean is all for grabbing the demon that did this and wrecking a little of his own havoc on her.
Dean puts the keys in Mary's hand. "We'll be right behind you," John assures her as he starts to move some of the rubble. He's not too gentle about it either. Mary is right. Neither Ruby nor Cas are likely to have clear heads.
Dean helps Sam to his feet then lets Mary and Ruby take over. Ruby wraps her arm around Sam's waist. "You can lean on me," she tells him quietly and looks over her shoulder at Castiel. "Can you get Lucy?"
John and Dean get the rubble cleared and Tammy's body pulled free. John pulls a mess of zip-ties out of his pocket. "Let's get her hands behind her back. Bind up her feet as well," he passes a few zip-ties over to Dean. "Once we get her to the truck, we can wrap her up with an iron chain soaked in holy water."
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-10-30 03:47 am (UTC)Given that she had read all the books, Sam would say she is more than qualified to perform CPR. There are times when he's had to work with less. "I can't leave her behind," Sam clarifies. Though already it goes a long way in assurances to hear that leaving her behind isn't even an option. Castiel tending to her sets him at ease.
Some theories out there would suggest there is a lot of magic in love's truest kiss. Whatever the case, Castiel's mouth moves off of hers so she can catch her breath. He places his head lightly to her forehead to check for fever then shakes his head in response, eyes increasingly worried as he looks over her cuts and bruises. "I am very real. You have been through a serious ordeal." From what he can guess she is not running a fever. It may just be the obvious signs of blood loss or prolonged torture.
If asked, Sam would weigh in that not leaving Tammy behind is the only idea. Honestly, it should be up to all of them what they do with her after though.
Mary takes the keys and shifts her attention to Sam and Lucy. She has no doubt John and Dean will be behind them before too long. All three of them are probably going to be needed back at the bunker to level out the clearer thinking.
Sam uses Dean's help to stand but his brows thread together with Ruby's whisper. As far as he is concerned she is as weak as he is after their ordeal, or she should. Mary resolves it a little by helping Sam stay up by taking the side Dean had. They work together to put him in the front seat. Castiel answers Ruby with a positive "I'll manage," sweeping Lucy up into his arms and carefully placing her in the back. He sees that her head is gently lifted into his lap when he slides in after.
The Impala starts up with a jump and they're off. Mary calls out to Carmen once they're back, steering them to the infirmary. "Get them on a bed. I'll get the kit," she directs so there is less confusion. She hands Ruby some gauze and alcohol then does the same for Cas next. "Clean their surface wounds first so there's no infection." The trouble is what they do from there. Mary is no medical expert. The most she can tell is that Sam and Lucy will need stitches and pain drugs or beer to go with the extent of their injuries.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-10-31 02:27 am (UTC)Lucy's eyes well with tears (she thought she'd used them all up ages ago) when Cas rests his forehead against hers. Tears track silent down her cheeks through the dirt and the blood as she nods, far too overwhelmed to use words. She'd devolve into ugly crying if it wouldn't hurt so much.
The decision about what to do with Tammy will be a point of discussion. Ruby knows that John, Castiel, Dean, Mary, and Carmen have been through their own emotional torture fueled by Ruby, Sam, and Lucy's absence. Yes, they all deserve input on Tammy's fate.
Ruby is weak, but she's a demon and weak is relative. That being said, she's glad Mary takes up on Sam's other side to help him to the Impala. Lucy lets out a little whimper when Castiel picks her up but gasps "Imokay" because right now, there is nowhere she'd rather be.
John and Dean aren't far behind the others. John has Tammy slung over his shoulder like a sack of feed and he flops her down into the bed of the truck with just as much care. It's enough to make Tammy stir. "Don't get excited, Bitch. You're not going anywhere," Dean barks at her. "Dean, look in the toolbox. There are a set of chains," John orders. Once Dean finds the chains, he passes it over to John who starts wrapping the chain around Tammy. The iron, the devil's traps engraved on the metal, and the holy water that it was cured in is enough to drag Tammy into consciousness, but it also saps her of any power she's got. "Scream all you like," John tells her. "There's lots more where that came from."
"I'll hop in the back just to make sure she stays put," Dean offers, levering himself into the bed of the truck and sitting down next to Tammy.
Carmen was prepared for the worst case scenario so when she hears the Impala pull into the garage she opens the doors, clearing the way for the processional. Once Sam and Lucy are settled into beds she nods a little at Mary's instructions. They're solid. Fortunately, Carmen has experience with all sorts of wounds thanks to the emergency room in Lawrence. "I'll start IVs on both of them," Carmen says as she moves to gather the equipment. "Ruby, once you've got Sam cleaned up and we've got them both stable, I'd like to take a look at your wounds."
"I can't get an infection," Ruby tells her.
"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't make sure that you don't need stitches or something else," Carmen tells her as she listens to Lucy's heart with her stethoscope and ties one arm with a length of rubber tubing so she can find a vein.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-03 03:31 am (UTC)He is very positive it is how he checks her for fever. She shouldn't cry because nothing else can hurt her now, though the fallen angel can understand the emotions behind why she cries a little now. "You are doing very well." That is a lie for her sake. Anyone can see the bad shape she is in, but what counts is that she is alive. Tears won't do her any good if they seep into her cuts, which is why he lightly daps them away with his tie after resting her in the seat.
Absolutely. It had been hard to sleep at all for Castiel who takes an interest in a human's ability to sleep and do it for himself. Mary just as much. One, let alone two, of their own can't just disappear with things expected to continue as normal. More than likely they will have different ideas, but Tammy deserves what is coming to her.
Weak may be relative to a demon, but Ruby is as much of a victim as Sam or Lucy whether she sees it or not. She is also family. Mary isn't taking any chances with her or Sam in the state they're in. Before closing the door, she makes sure Ruby is comfortable too. Castiel apologizes for causing her pain, tries to be much more gentle carrying her to the infirmary.
Suffice to say no one back at the bunker would complain about Tammy's treatment. The ride back in the bed of the truck may be too comfortable even with the chains around her. For sure, the dungeon has a few upgrades (John may be to thank for that) and is less comfortable.
The most experience Mary has comes from her upbringing where sometimes she saw an uncle come through and stay a week behind a cracked open door. Carmen is a blessing. Whatever she needs, Mary will do it. For now, the best thing she can do is stand back to not get in the way. Castiel and Ruby manage to clean the wounds up sufficiently.
Cas listens in silence to the exchange between Carmen and Ruby, no intention of interjecting at first.
"I agree with Carmen. See that you look after yourself" Their conversations the odd late at night have warmed him to Ruby.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-04 12:59 am (UTC)Everything that's coming to her and more, but Ruby is also very aware that the thing immortal beings like Tammy fear more than anything is the emptiness of actually dying. She'll share that knowledge with them all as well when the time comes.
Ruby appreciates that Mary sees her as family. Ruby is fine. She ends up in the middle of the front seat so that Sam can lean against the door and have a little more room. Ruby hurts, but she's better off physically than Sam or Lucy simply because Tammy had known physical torture wouldn't be terribly effective against her. She'd hurt Sam instead or used Sam to hurt Ruby. Castiel doesn't have to apologize for hurting Lucy. She knows he's not trying to and more than ever intent is important. Besides, breathing hurts Lucy right now. What's important is that it will get better from here.
The dungeon is the best place for Tammy for the foreseeable future. Those upgrades make it even more appropriate for her.
Carmen offers a few instructions for Mary. Once she's got the IVs in both Sam and Lucy, she starts some pain medication then examines them more thoroughly. She sets a couple of Lucy's fingers, bandages wounds, and stitches cuts.
Castiel's agreement with Carmen makes Ruby look up from where she's seated next to Sam's bed. Yes, their conversations have resulted in an uneasy friendship of sorts, at least the beginnings of one, but she's surprised none the less. She nods a little in response. "I'll recharge in a little while. I've got some poultice and ointments that might help Sam and Lucy."
John pulls the truck up into the garage then he and Dean transport Tammy none too gently to the dungeon, tossing her into the cage with the demon trap etched in the floor, chains still wrapped around her. She offers protests, expletives, and threats, but those go ignored for the most part. Both John and Dean are more interested in seeing how Sam, Lucy, and Ruby are doing. They burst into the makeshift hospital ward a moment later. Dean goes to Carmen, one hand resting on the small of her back. His voice is soft and concerned when he asks how everyone is. She responds in kind, assuring him that she's got everyone stabilized for the moment.
John goes to check on Mary then looks down at Sam, one hand brushing against his forehead. "You're okay now, Son," he assures him a bit awkwardly, not sure what to say to Sam, but wanting him to know that he's glad Sam is back.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-04 03:22 am (UTC)The most likely result is sending Tammy into the Empty when the time is right.
The truth is Ruby has earned it, especially with the way the demon ignores herself and helps Sam now. Mary takes comfort that Ruby can watch Sam while she drives. Sam aches all over, but try as he might the last thing he can do is sit up straight so he's grateful for the door to lean against. Tammy had made him do things he didn't want to do to both Lucy and Ruby, most of it fresh in his mind. The car ride back is uncomfortable and a struggle to remain conscious. Castiel will see that she does get better from here. His focus starts with watching that she is still breathing.
There is no way for her to escape the chains and demon trap in the dungeon.
Mary has a fair idea of where everything is in the infirmary and assists without delay. Sam does as he's told after Lucy gets her pain medication and lays down with his head facing Ruby the whole time. He's not the biggest baby but he grunts or winces but bares the alcohol or stitches to clean him up. It could be described as eerily quiet in the room amongst Carmen, Ruby and Castiel, but despite that he begins to nod off when Carmen is done.
John and Dean bursting into the room stir him awake again though. Sam's brows go up, uncertain if he is dreaming. He opens his mouth as if to speak but pauses to cast a look over on everybody in the room, with growing relief abundant. "Dad? Mom? Dean. I knew you guys could find us." Well, the drugs have started to kick in. It should be easier for them to converse.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-05 01:45 am (UTC)It's the best outcome and probably the one that Tammy fears the most.
Well...Sam is a lot more fragile than Ruby. Ruby rests her hand on the back of Sam's neck while Mary drives. Occasionally, Ruby looks over her shoulder at Castiel and Lucy. She's keeping an ear on both Sam and Lucy's heart rates (they're too slow for her liking).
Carmen appreciates the help. It keeps her from running herself ragged. Ruby scoots onto the bed with Sam, stretching out facing him. She's battered and bruised, but unwilling to leave Sam alone while he's awake. It is quiet, but the quiet is good for them. Lucy, Sam, and Ruby have been surrounded by a lot of negative sounds the last few days. When Carmen does speak, it's softly.
Lucy startles awake as well. She looks for Cas and reaches for him. "Course we would, Sammy," Dean assures him. John nods a little. "We would have been sooner but we--we thought you two were just out camping." He feels damn guilty about that too.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-05 03:10 am (UTC)Carmen is the only one of them that had real practical knowledge so the last thing any of them need is her run ragged. Mary looks over John next to her and passes gauze with rubbing alcohol for his hands. They must be a little raw after digging everyone out. She passes some to Dean next. There is not a lot of space left next to Sam; however, he lets her stretch out over his side with only the smallest grunt. It means more to him than the healing process that she stays by his side.
Cas doesn't stray far from Lucy. He pulls up a chair the minute Carmen is done tending to her and answers her startled wake by taking her hand. "Well, it was supposed to be camping." The driest amusement in his tone. With Ruby curled next to him, he can't try to get up. "I'm just--I wasn't sure how else to get your attention." The plan worked though, even if it worked too well. It's a little foggy just how big the blast had been.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-06 03:25 am (UTC)Both John and Dean's hands are a bit scraped and raw from digging through the rubble. They both wash up at the sink then take the gauze from Mary to clean up the cuts and scrapes. Maybe this isn't exactly the hospital approved place for Ruby to be, but she thinks it's the best place for her to be at the moment and until she hears otherwise from Sam, it's where she'll stay until he's asleep, then she'll take a hot bath and soak away everything Tammy put them both through, or at least she'll try. It's more healing for her to be here next to Sam as well. Carmen must realize arguing with them is pointless because she looks over them then nods without saying anything.
"Okay. I've got you both stabilized and on some pretty heavy pain meds," she says, pointing to the IV bags. "Ruby, I still want to look at a couple of your cuts and maybe put some stitches in you. I didn't notice any broken bones, but you'd probably be better at letting me know that."
Ruby shakes her head at Carmen. "No broken bones. Physically, I got off pretty easy," she admits quietly, eyes flickering up to Sam and over to where Lucy lays. She turns her head to face Cas, giving him a loopy smile. "You came to save me."
Sam definitely should not try to get up. That's one benefit to having Ruby curled up with him. Dean smirks at Sam's words. "Well, we could've used that sign that a little sooner there, Sammich."
"What was that? What happened?" John asks.
Ruby is quick to jump in. "Demon stuff. I used my power to create an explosion." Just go along with her, Sam.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-06 04:47 am (UTC)John and Dean will find just themselves with a good pair of gloves come Christmas because Mary will want them prepared for anything that may happen the next time. She's proud of them for not hesitating in doing what was necessary. She hands each of them as much alcohol soaked gauze as they need. Sam can't complain about where Ruby chooses to rest on him; he aches just about everywhere even without her there and he is breathing just fine on his own. Chances are it's more likely someone else will say something. Carmen's look goes entirely unnoticed as a matter of fact. Maybe it's due to the fact he has to concentrate on one person at a time.
Carmen has his attention when she turns the focus Ruby. "She's right. You need to get looked over properly." He nudges his demon girlfriend to go. He shakes his head as if guessing Ruby may protest, again, to him this time around, and silently regrets it as it makes him dizzier. "You shouldn't worry about me. I'll be right here. Promise."
However, as she has said she has no broken bones, he won't push her any more than he already has. His eyes just look into hers quizzically as if asking what she wants to do. Cas squeezes Lucy's hand without realizing it. "We all have been looking for you since we found out." Sometimes he can still be a little obtuse. Nonetheless, the expression on his face gives everything he was worried about away.
Ruby will see that he can't. His head lifts to whomever he speaks to though. Dean earns a nod and a small smile. There is not really any doubt in his mind that he should have sent a sign sooner. But no sense reflecting on that now. "I know."
Sorry Ruby, he can't lie about this (not any longer).
"We both did. What happened back there-- It wasn't pretty. There wasn't any choice left to us." He admits, his heartbeat growing quicker. The silence that follows feels deafening, and it's easier to look over at Ruby than it is to face anyone else right just that second.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-07 03:02 am (UTC)They could both use a pair of good gloves. The pain medication should be taking effect soon, which is part of why he's having a hard time focusing.
At Sam and Carmen's urging, Ruby perches on the side of the bed. There's a gash on her belly that Carmen puts stitches in. Most everything else just needs to be cleaned up. Ruby did suffer less physically than Sam or Lucy simply because it was less effective on her. Once Carmen has given Ruby the all clear, she snuggles back up gingerly with Sam.
Fortunately, Lucy is much smaller than Sam and the pain medicine has definitely taken effect; the squeeze to her hand is a nice pressure rather than pain. "Next time, I'm making you walk me home," she slurs slightly without any judgment. Her tone of voice is teasing rather than scolding. "I wouldn't have made that mistake back in Alabama." Because she'd gotten to feel safe here and had forgotten that bad things do happen.
Oh Sam. She was trying to make it easier on all of them.
Dean looks absolutely terrified at what Sam is implying. "Sam..." he says in a warning voice. In that tone, he's conveying his worry and asking how bad it is. "Do we...I mean...you're not going to start sucking on Ruby---not like that."
John is giving Dean a bewildered look. After a moment, he groans a little and scrubs his hands over his face. "That book. I didn't finish it but I started it." He looks up at Dean then to Sam. "Son...are we going to have a problem?"
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-09 03:11 am (UTC)Christmas isn't too far away in the grand scheme of things. Thanksgiving is actually just around the corner and Lucy, Ruby and Sam should be 100% by then. If he had to guess how much he was given, the dose is probably enough to make a world athlete unable to concentrate. For now, he fights the urge to close his eyes, but it's only a matter of time. Anyone with eyes can see he is exhausted.
Sam remains laying in bed as he promised, but he watches Ruby throughout the whole process. He had no idea of the gash on her belly or the timing around when she received it, but it helps decrease his worry for her to be tended to. He sticks his arm out to wrap around her when she snuggles back next to him. This time she is more successful in being careful that he only winces at his own movement.
Fortunately, Cas can still manage to take her seriously. "Yes. You won't be alone again. I will see to that." What does Alabama have to do with it, he wonders to himself. Castiel acts as if he only now remembers that they should have ever let their guard down despite the appearance of safety in Itinere. "I regret that I wasn't there to walk you home."
The lie has gone on for long enough, Ruby. All it would take is someone looking into the story more to poke holes in it so, really, he is just getting a head of it.
A fraction of the color drains from his face though because they got it in one. "I don't know. It was out of my hands to begin with. It was a lot..." he swallows. His eyes eventually turn to face Dean but not to John, as he's unable to give any certain assurances. He looks inward to try to think of a way out of it but there's no way. He knows the only way to fix this problem is having everybody aware, first of all. "Honestly, it could be a problem." The book barely scratches the surface of the issue, but greatly exaggerates his demon-sex life though (not really). Sam isn't ecstatic about having to talk about it either.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-10 12:42 am (UTC)Carmen wants him to be comfortable and he needs sleep. They all need some sleep.
Sam, possessed by Tammy, actually made the gash and proceeded to try to pull her guts through it. Ruby will be happy if it remains fuzzy. NOw that Sam is resting a little more comfortably, Ruby can relax a little. It won't take long for her to fall asleep next to him once he's asleep.
On one hand, it's a good thing that Cas still takes her serious; it'll be less of a surprise to him later when she wants him within her sight all the time. "I think I'm supposed to tell you I'm an independent woman and I can take care of myself but..." she makes a weak little gesture to herself. "I like having you around more anyway." Her brow furrows a little and she manages a shake of her head. "No. Cassie...it's not your fault. Don't be all regretty. You're prettier when you smile."
She doesn't consider it a lie so much as something to be kept between them, but he's right. If someone wanted to poke holes in the story, they could easily.
Ruby carefully pushes herself into a sitting position for this conversation. "I won't let him do that," Ruby responds. "It's not like I've got a lot of blood to spare and Tammy...we don't have to let Sam go down there. It's not a problem and if it is...I'll take of it. We'll take care of it."
It's pretty obvious by Ruby's speech that she's worried about it. Dean crosses his arms over his chest. "So you didn't give it to him?"
"No--yes, but it was Tammy in me..." she glances to Sam, an apology in her eyes and on her face. "I don't think she meant to at first and then after..." Ruby sighs. "It helped us. I'm not sure how much longer any of us would have lasted." She lifts her chin a bit in that defiant expression that Sam knows so well. "We did what we had to with what we had."
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-10 03:49 am (UTC)He won't be able to fight the urge to close his eyes long.
He felt as well as watched that whole experience with his own hands and through his own two eyes, but with Tammy in control, it was like his whole body was frozen, moving through a dream-like psychosis. The trauma being fuzzy is the least he deserves. He doesn't want her too far from him, if it means anything.
Cas couldn't bring himself to leave her alone even if she wanted him to. He wouldn't be able to. "I promise I won't think of you as anything less than an independent woman for needing a little help; we all do sometimes," he tells her gently. "Let me act as your third arm." He tilts his head with a meaningful look in his eye because he likes her around too, smiling just a little at the corners.
Chances are they would eventually. The pain meds probably make him more talkative, in fact. Though he increasingly finds it hard to follow them as they talk normally. Weary eyes turn to Ruby than Dean and back to Ruby to follow along. The one thing he manages to really catch is the first half of it and Ruby's meaningful look. How she had any reason to look apologetic, he didn't get.
The rest he could fill in the blanks a little.
"It's not her fault, Dean. I made the call to use my powers back there. I made the mistake of letting Astaroth give it to me." While not entirely true, it is from his prospective.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-11 01:21 am (UTC)Keeping that memory fuzzy is one of the things Ruby hopes to accomplish by having Cas alter Sam's memories. It means everything that he doesn't want her too far away from him, especially as his memories haven't been altered. He knows everything and he still wants to touch her.
In that case, it works out for both of them. There's a good chance Lucy will be spending more nights in the bunker even when Cas is an angel if he allows it. She'll set up his room properly with some of her clothes in the closet and her toothbrush in the bathroom.
Lucy can't help the loopy expression at Castiel's words and even more so at the slight smile at the corners of his mouth. To be fair, the drugs are kicking in hard. Her eyes are heavy and she's struggling not to succumb to the painkillers, in part, because she's not entirely sure this is real. "Are you sure you're still real?" she asks, words running together and slurring a little. "Cause even if you're not real, I think I might love you. Big love you, not little love like I love bourbon or cupcakes. Biiiiig love like...I don't know. Big. Huge. Real. Can it be real if you're not real? Does that make me crazy?"
Well, the pain meds certainly make Lucy more confessional so Sam is in good company. Ruby is more ashamed of the things she did and the person she was with Astaroth rather than apologetic. As long as Sam didn't know all the gritty details, she got a marginally clean slate.
And that's why Ruby needs to be careful with what she has Castiel alter and remove because Sam is very good at filling in the blanks and he doesn't like having blanks.
Ruby doesn't argue because it's not entirely untrue and arguing with Sam isn't going to help right now. Instead, she circles his wrist with her fingers, careful not to jostle anything unnecessarily, and squeezes lightly, a sign of solidarity for him if no one else.
Dean pinches the bridge of his nose and runs his hand over his head before nodding. "Okay. We'll keep an eye on you. Get you detoxed, but don't fuck around with this Sam. If you start getting the urge to go all Ripper, say something. You got me?"
For at least the next several days, Dean and John will be taking shifts watching Sam. Once Cas is an angel again, Dean will talk to him about healing Sam and about detoxing him, if that's necessary. Dean narrows his eyes slightly at Ruby. "And if he starts getting peckish, get the hell away. That's not up for discussion."
Ruby gets that defiant look. "I'm not walking out on him or did you forget that wasn't me. You're the dumbass that was fooled by a piss poor imitation."
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-11 03:49 am (UTC)Cas will do what he thinks is best with her trust; though, time will tell if he feels if she should know any part she was involved in at all. Ruby has a better idea about what to do. Sam doesn't need the parts that involve him directly, but the truth is he shouldn't have been forced to see Ruby in that light when he'd already accepted her past. To a degree it will change all of them to be a part of erasing Sam and Lucy's memories. If Sam could weigh in, he'd tell her not to do it, but in the next couple of days it will be more and more evident how troubled he is about it. He does have the habit of being self destructive either way. Castiel will be thankful Lucy doesn't ask too many questions.
Ruby is over thinking it because he knew before the terrible things she did in the past. What matters most is that she is who she is now. It was pretty horrific but he only wants her closer.
Lucy is welcome to stay for as long as she likes even when she heals up. Cas will be the first to invite her to stay, followed by everybody else, most likely. His room is quite small right now but it will expand to their needs.
On the contrary, Lucy does not appear to sound any different to her regular self. The only give away is her struggle to maintain eye contact and punctuate. Habitually, the angel reaches up to touch her forehead with the intention of putting her to sleep, but quickly remembers how his grace is suppressed. "I assure you I am. You require rest," he compensates by patting her head, awkwardly. How would she be able to feel his touch if he weren't real? His hand combs through her hair after hearing her confession, but he can't accept it in her condition. "Maybe you should tell me this when you're sure I'm real. Maybe when you can explain what big love is. But right now do me the favor and close your eyes. Do you feel crazy, or do you feel sleepy?"
Sam is not going to fight sleep much longer on top of being more confessional. Maybe it helps Ruby to know that Sam still can recall the gritty details shared with him, but he still needs her close to him.
The blanks will be harder to fill because Ruby wants none of her role gone.
No one needs to see them bicker over what is true and what isn't, least of all put any real strain on their relationship. It's relaxing when she does that, just the same as when the temple is rubbed in a circular motion, and he squeezes her hand gently in return. Someone should show him a little solidarity.
Sam settles back into bed once Dean gives him the nod, resting his head back on the pillow. "Yeah. I said something now, didn't I. Lock me up if I can't control it. Promise me."
Mary will be on board with helping as it is a task they should stress about all on their own. Ruby probably shouldn't be near Sam during this time, but Sam begs to differ.
He squeezes her hand again, looking at Dean. "She needs to be part of this. I have to be able to do this with her." He has to say how he feels, not realizing how his words start to slur together.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-12 02:37 am (UTC)Closer is something Ruby can do, the only thing she wants to do right now.
Invitations to move into the bunker are something Lucy will have in abundance. She's likely only to keep her apartment over the Houndstooth because it's convenient. That's one of the best things about Itinere: the way it accommodates what they need. Lucy will do some shopping and decorating of Castiel's room (their room) as well. It's something she enjoys doing and connects her to the room so that she feels like it's more hers.
It's a tough subject for Lucy even when is high on pain meds. The light touches to her forehead are comforting; she construes them as affectionate. Clearly, he's not having any problems with logic or reality. That's probably a good thing. She leans her head into his hand when he starts combing through her hair, dimly aware that she probably looks like a nightmare. She huffs a little at his logic. "It's waaaay too scary to tell you this when I'm sure you're real. Real you can break my heart. Possibly fake you can't 'cause you're possibly a figure of my imagination." She means figment, of course. Her eyes droop at his question. "Sleepy. Do crazy people know they're crazy?" She tries to force her eyes open to hold his gaze. Regardless of her effort, she's likely to fall asleep and start snoring soon. This is a conversation they should have when she's sober certainly though it's unlikely she'll bring it up.
It does make Ruby feel better, or it will when she stops to realize that he remembers and he's still here.
Oh, Ruby would love to erase her role as well, but keeping those blanks hard to fill and as small as possible is the best thing for Sam and that's what erasing his memory is about. She can (and has) dealt with the things she did.
They're a team no matter what.
"Oh, I will," Dean assures him with a glance to Ruby. She nods in agreement. He'll get no argument from her there, but she won't allow anyone to separate her and Sam.
Ruby begs to differ as well. She doesn't think that will actually help Sam. They're going to spend the rest of Sam's life together. He'll learn how to deal with this alongside her.
The relief that sweeps through Ruby at Sam's words is almost visible. Regardless of what they've been through, he still wants to do this whole thing with her. Dean opens his mouth to argue then stops. "I don't know how that's going to work, Sammy."
"We'll figure it out," Ruby answers. "I've got a few ideas. The blood isn't his power. It's a crutch...easy street."
John looks back and forth between Dean, Ruby and Sam. "We ought to let Sam and Lucy sleep. We can discuss this later." Once Sam is asleep, John means. They'll have a hard time prying Ruby away from Sam for longer than it takes for her to shower or take a hot bath though.
Re: The plot thickens
Date: 2020-11-12 05:36 am (UTC)Lucy should leave her name the way it is. Besides if Cas and her get serious, he could take her name in place of not having a name to share with her. Lucy deserves to keep her whole identity. The most traumatic thing for Sam was watching Tammy play with Ruby's innards. It's the right thing to do even if he doesn't know it yet or would agree.
Sam will say she can stay, and Mary will be on board as well as Lucy is like a girlfriend to her middle child already. Lucy keeping the apartment is no problem; Castiel isn't insecure enough to read it as a sign she may want to run from their exclusivity. Really, it is already their room. The only thing decorating Castiel's room is the hang in there cat poster Sam did not want and a walkman and mixtape. Any touches Lucy can provide are welcome.
He is very aware Lucy is similar to Dean and he won't rush her to admit anything she is not ready to say for that reason. His fingers fall out from her brushing her hair and he hushes her with a finger to her lips, all the while his affection for her swells. "Close your eyes," he asks of her again. "One way or the other, you will find your answer to if I'm real or not if you sleep." He must be bad at this because she holds his gaze and he holds her back. When she does start to nod off, he pulls the blanket up more to tuck her in. The conversation always was meant to wait and he hopes her dreams take her somewhere nice.
Everything that happened is still in there; so yes, she should stop to realize that he wants her around.
If things had gone to plan this weekend, they'd be more than a team; they'd be engaged.
Sam closes his eyes momentarily, and nods his head. It's all the assurance he needs from the two both of them. Honestly, short of a miracle though, detox is the only place he can see this going.
He scrubs his hands over his face and opens his eyes again, focusing tiredly on Dean. "How are things supposed to return to normal if I can't do it?" That's the burning question on his mind. Mostly, he's afraid the addiction will require Ruby to be removed from his life for a long period of time.
What Ruby says about figuring it out is exactly what he wants to hear. It gives him more solace to hear that the blood isn't the power. Perhaps there is an answer in using his powers without the crutch of demon blood. Yes, there is an answer somewhere.
That sleep John talks about sounds better as his brain struggles to find an answer and his eyelids start to feel heavy again. "Yeah, umm, think on it. That's what we will do." Of course, he assumes he won't be out of the discussion. Sam wouldn't blame Ruby for speaking on his behalf or taking care of herself if she were to leave for any length of time.