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[weirddreams]

There had been a number of people that had come back with them from the Apocalypse world and Sam felt a certain bit responsible to help them settle in, but no one was more important than Ruby. He noticed she ducked out early on and followed as soon he was able. 

His first guess to check in their shared bedroom was the correct one. He sat on the bed, saying nothing. A sympathetic eye and concerned quirk of eyebrow met her gaze when she looked up. He needn't say anything to get across that she had anything to say, his ears were open.

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[peaceonearth]

Ruby was experiencing all the feelings of being overwhelmed that the rest of the otherworlders were feeling, but she was also experiencing familiarity and home. For the last several months, she'd keep her distance from most of the humans because with the horns protruding out of her forehead, she couldn't blend in. She feels like she ought to maintain that distance now; she could practically feel their judgment. On top of all of that, her head is killing her. A dull ache has become normal since the horns started to appear, but it's pounding now.

Her attention is on Sam from the moment he steps into their bedroom, but she doesn't look at him from underneath the fringe of her chopped bangs until he sits on the bed. "My head hurts," she settles on. It's enough truth for the moment.

[weirddreams]

It's not hard for Sam to see that she's overwhelmed like all the others that came back with them that day, but something else that he could relate to from being away from home too long a time or two. He slides carefully into the bed closer to her when she looks up at him.

"How bad is it on a scale from 1 to 10?" The temptation to bring his hand to her forehead is strong but he refrains out of concern and respect for her agency.

[peaceonearth]

She sighs a little, considering his pain scale. She reaches up to lightly touch one of the horns. "An 8. I don't know if it's because of the stress or the new dimension, but it hasn't hurt this much since they started growing." Her eyes are black; she's been struggling for months to keep them green as much as she possibly can. Here, she doesn't have to do that.

"Is everything okay out there? I know it's a lot, having everyone here."

[weirddreams]

He's never had to ask about her pain on the same scale as her social battery before, but his brows furrowed as anything higher than a 5 was a bad sign. "Try your best to relax and get some rest, all right. I will look into any spells that might be able to reverse this." She doesn't have to hide her eyes or horns one bit when it comes to him. He's had a lot of practice a long time ago and is able to look her straight in the eyes without abandon.

"Don't worry about them. They're lost and confused right now but Charlie and I have it handled. We put together a system to sort them out in the next couple of days." Sam is over confident that it will only take a few days to get them settled. More than likely it will be weeks or months before that happens. "Don't worry about it. I have more than enough energy to help you. Welcome home, Ruby."

[peaceonearth]

Yeah, it's a bad sign, but there's not much either of them can do about it. Though, they don't know it yet, the horns will eventually recede, leaving only the shadow of scars there. Until then, the headaches will persist to varying degrees of pain. She nods a little at his insistence. "I don't think I'll be much help focusing right now, but maybe some willow bark tea will help the headache temporarily."

Optimistic is good though. It's a nice reprieve from the hopelessness that had infected that other world. "This is a big change for them." She gives him a crooked, quick, soft smile. "Thanks. It's a little overwhelming right now. Not you," she clarifies quickly. "The world."

[weirddreams]

"If you're all right for the moment, I'll step out and come right back with your tea." If he seems a little cautious, he is. There is a large chance he will come back with a tray and a side of previously locked away magic grimoires to research for a way to help her.

"From the little I know about them, they are... they do seem to need some time to adjust to the world here." It's not the time nor the place to ask but his inquisitive mind does wonder if Ruby made any friends with anyone while she was gone. Jack seemed to be worried and expressed concern for Ruby earlier. Clearly, their bond had grown. He runs his hand down her arm, cupping her hand with his. "I know."

[peaceonearth]

She nods in response. Once Sam is gone, she gets up to put on a pair of leggings and the softest shirt of his that she can find. It's one she's scavenged from the hamper that smells particularly like Sam. She missed him more than she could articulate.

"Yeah. Running water is new. Not to mention the whole being safe thing," she confirms. She and Mary had figured out an uneasy compromise. To call them 'friends' was a bit of a stretch, but they were allies. Maybe here, where racism is in check (at least among their family and friends) they can work on becoming friends. Ruby squeezes Sam's hand a little. "So catch me up on what's going on here."

[weirddreams]

He doesn't stop per se when he comes back into their shared room but his clothes are her body is nostalgic enough to give him pause upon stepping in. He turned to spy her weathered clothing in the corner with a sense of relief filling inside of him. They could move on from the terrible accident of being separated for months soon.

"And you. Is there anything you want to do now that you're home?" It would come as a surprise if Mary and Ruby didn't at least come to some compromise. Unfortunately, Sam still had the sense that his mother was at arms length with the group. He wasn't sure how effective it was but he had already told some newcomers in no uncertain terms that Ruby was to be respected. If they didn't like it, the door was wide open for them to leave. He takes a deep breath when Ruby's hand squeezes his. The feeling he can unwind when he's alone with her slowly fills his psyche. "The truth is, it didn't feel the same without Mary, Jack, or you here. Dean, Cas and I were just three grumpy old men when we didn't know if you all were all right. There isn't really much else to add unless you'd like a breakdown of some of the cases we did."

"It's still a zoo out there right now," he adds after a pause. "Maybe I'll stay in here with you and rest until someone remembers we exist." If he wasn't already, he sinks down into the bed to lay down fully.

[peaceonearth]

She's throwing those clothes away. She spent far too much time in them and they're worn out anyway. She certainly hopes they can move on, though it does concern her. THe horns only intensify that concern; what if he isn't attracted to her? what if they never go away?

"You," she responds glibly. Her body language and expression seem to stutter-stop. If she were prone to apologies, she'd apologize and tell him she said it without thinking, but she isn't so he'll have o see her apology in her sheepish expression and slightly defensive body posture. She and Mary are probably better off than they were before; she and Jack are closer as well. They'd been the only two people who really interacted with her; the only people who hadn't looked at her like they expected her to eat them alive whenever she made an appearance. She'll appreciate his efforts whether they make a difference or not. She's earned enough trust that she doesn't expect anyone to try to kill her, but she doesn't expect to be welcomed during movie night either. "Trust me, it wasn't a party without you either," she tells him. "Sounds like it could have been some sort of grumpy old man sitcom here," she jokes. She shakes her head a little at his offer to tell her about their cases.

"I like that plan," she tells him, hesitating a moment before curling up next to him.

[weirddreams]

From anybody else, it might come across as distasteful to Sam to be objectified so openly. But this is Ruby and they haven't seen each other or spoken to each other in months due to being a reality apart. Suffice to say her honesty captures a chuckle and the look behind his eye can no longer really hide that he was hoping for the same, even if it weren't anytime soon. He doesn't see her any differently even with the horns. She'll always be Ruby to him...so long as her mind is still there. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for her. The two of them could have a movie night together if she wanted as it's been too damn long since they've shared quality time too. "Don't think I need to remind you that you can talk about anything with me. You're home now." He squeezes her hand. It doesn't matter if she wants to talk about it next month or next year, if it will take it off her chest, his ears are open. "Yeah. Something like that. But it would have been canceled long before the end of one season."

Allowing Ruby to set the pace of their interaction, Sam waits until she curls up to him before placing his arm over her. "Me too."

[peaceonearth]

Anyone else isn't his girlfriend so she'd expect him to be turned off by the objectification. They both know that there's genuine love behind the objectification and it's Ruby's way of showing affection. The chuckle and the look in his eyes go a long way toward helping Ruby realize that nothing has changed in the months that they've been apart he hasn't fallen in love with a pretty, normal hunter. Intellectually, she knows that he fell in love with who she was a long time ago and that the wrapping mattered little; however, until now she's always been wrapped in such a pretty package. A move night should go on the schedule, but tonight she'd find the noise and colors a little overwhelming; she'd rather spend a quiet evening with him, possibly reading books to each other if they run out of things they want to say to each other. Once she curls up next to him, her head on his chest, she responds to his offer to talk to him.

"I know." She's quiet a moment longer, fingers gliding over his chest as she traces the letters of their names on his shirt. "This is the first time I've been able to trust myself in months. Something about that world...I struggled every second not to lose myself. If I let my guard down at all, the demon would win and there'd be no me left." She smooths her hand over his chest, erasing all the invisible letters she's traced there. "I'm more me here with you."

[weirddreams]

He's happy to do whatever she needs in the moment and to make suggestions if they run out of things to do.

Right now it's clear she wants to open up about her experience and he listens while he strokes her hair, careful to avoid the horns. "You're strong, that's why. Stronger than the demon in you. I can't imagine what you went through but I'm-- I'm glad you were still able to come home as you are." He pays attention to the strokes that her finger makes and smiles down at her writing their names. "What else can you tell me?"

[peaceonearth]

Right now, she just needs him close. The bath had done wonders to make her feel a little less demon and a little more human.

Yes and no. She feels like Sam wants to hear it an it does help to be able to talk about her experience. Before Sam, Ruby locked everything away and pushed it down. She knows that's not the best way to deal with her feelings and emotions because of him. She hums a little at his assessment. "I think I'm just stubborn and refuse to be what everyone thinks I am," she answers. She's not far off the mark there. "You would have been fine there, but I'm glad you weren't." She looks up at him without moving her head. "What do you want to know?" Does he want to know about the others or the environment or something more specific?

[weirddreams]

It's true he is probably projecting his own feelings onto her. At his core, the last thing he wants her to think is that she can't talk about it. He's there to support her even if all he can do is listen and take whatever weight she will allow off her shoulders. He gives her a fond smile. "Glad to hear some things don't change," he comments. He glances between her horns and herself quickly. "I wish I were there. It's my understanding that you were less than welcome." He hasn't stopped looking at her for a second. "Start with what happened when you first got there." He will get around to asking around the environment and what led up to her condition.

[peaceonearth]

It's okay. It helps her know what he needs from her and that helps her figure her own emotions and thoughts out. "Nothing there would change me," she reassures him. She frowns at his question, rolling her eyes a little. "Yeah. They didn't love me once Bobby dosed me with holy water, but the horns sprouted a little while after that so I couldn't have hidden it much longer." She takes a deep breath, considering what to tell him first. She tells him about finding others, about Jack and Mary. She talks about how she was kicked out and fighting some of the other demons. "I found Mary and Jack, but Michael caught me. Your mom probably saved me by telling him that she knew me. Jack got us out. We ended up back at the refugee camp for a few days and I was allowed to stay if Jack or Mary were with me at all times. It was better when we left." She goes on to tell him about Kevin and how Jack shielded her and Mary from an explosion that killed Kevin. "You shows up not long after that."

[weirddreams]

He listens all the while holding his tongue. There are some mixed feelings he has about Mary previously and alternate Bobby but none of that matters. After all Ruby has to say, he decides, maybe for his sake only, that he would like to hold Ruby quietly for a few moments and think. It comforts him to have her close to him again. What concerns him is the horns. He can relate to what it is like to have headaches and something pulling you to a nature outside of your own. He takes comfort in that she claims it is better on this side.

"Good-- I'm glad all three of you were together in the end. Uh, you remember that potion you made for memory? I think we should try that cure to help you beat this."

[peaceonearth]

Her relationship with Mary is better because of the alternate world, though will likely never be friends. She and Bobby hate each other. That's unlikely to change, but she doesn't need alternate Bobby to like her; she wants Mary to like her because she's Sam's mother. The horns concern her as well from an aesthetic point of view. Sure, the headaches are bad, but she can learn to deal with them. The pull of her baser instincts isn't nearly as strong here.

His suggestion pulls a confused expression from her. "Yeah, but I--how's that going to help?" Clearly Sam has thought this through more thoroughly than she has and sees an angle she doesn't.

[weirddreams]

He can't be sure if it will 100% work, but he can admit one thing. "Call it a hunch, but I think it could help realign you back on this plane. I don't think it will hurt." They won't know if they don't try.

[peaceonearth]

Ruby only hesitates for a half second. "Okay. If you think it will work, I'm willing to give it a shot." She pauses a moment and reaches up to tentatively touch one of her horns. "Can you think of anything to mak these go away?"

[weirddreams]

Sam's body language is that of assurance. "Only one way to find out-- if it doesn't, we'll cross that bridge too." He examines her horns for a moment. He asks for her permission to touch them by reaching for them and stopping for her approval. "Can I?" If there is anything yo be done though, he will need time to research it in lore and other magical grimoire.

[peaceonearth]

That confidence helps Ruby's confidence. She nods a little. "Yeah. They don't hurt." Though they do make her head hurt. She tilts her head a bit toward Sam as well.

[weirddreams]

If there's one thing that Sam believes, it's that there is something out there to help reverse their problems if given the time. He brings his fingers to the top of her horn and runs them down to the base. From what he can tell, they're solid rather than hollow and similar in hardness to bone or antlers of recognizable animals. "Do you feel it when I touch them?" An innocent enough question to gather more mental notes.

He drops his hand down to fix or play with her hair when he's down inspecting them.

[peaceonearth]

They can keep searching until they find it. Together, they're good problem solvers. She'd agree that they were solid and similar to antlers. When he touches the top of the horn, she feels it more through pressure and vibration, but when he gets to the base of the horn, she lets out a surprised sound that's part gasp and part groan, a sound that he might recognize, but not associate with this. Her eyes flicked black a moment before they return to green. "Yeah," she responds, her voice a bit husky and strained. "It's...at the base, it feels very good." If she were the blushing sort, she'd be blushing now.

[weirddreams]

There's very little doubt in his mind that they can accomplish anything. It's another matter he will deal with later on knowing where to start. He keeps his attention locked on her to pull his hands away if she finds any particular stroke or motion uncomfortable. He's able to recognize the sound that escapes from her lips subconsciously, but he needs a moment to truly associate it with pleasure rather than pain. His heartbeat had sped up at first and he took a few breaths once he knew she was all right to let the rhythm return to a steady pace.

"Hold on, it feels good... right here?" He runs his thumb across the base of her horn experimentally once her eyes return to their green. It is as much for his own curiosity as it is potentially teasing her to make sure of her pleasure spot.

[peaceonearth]

That sound (and the feelings that come with it) are a bit of a surprise to her as well. It's not as if she allowed anyone close enough to touch her horns back in the other world.

She bites her bottom lip to silence herself when he runs his thumb across that spot. She nods in response to his question. "Hmmmhuh," she responds, her tone pitched a bit higher.

[weirddreams]

Time slips away from them and before either of them know the little check-up of his got quite physical. Sam suggests they sneak into the kitchen once they've both had some time to cool off and had talked with words rather than actions. If not for her, then for himself as he could use a little sustenance. He turns on the stove to make grilled cheese. "Give me your honest opinion: Monterey Jack or Brie?"

[peaceonearth]

It had been quite the revelation. Suffice to say, she's just fine physically. Ruby could definitely use a little food as well. While she doesn't have to eat often, she hasn't eaten at all since she landed in the apocalypse world. Food had been scarce even for the humans that had needed it. Ruby puts on one of Sam's shirts and follows him out into the kitchen then levers herself up on the counter next to the stove so she can talk to him while he cooks. "Definitely Brie. Do we want tomato soup with it? I can get that warmed up in the microwave."

[weirddreams]

Part of him can't help but glance over in her direction here or there as he gathers the ingredients together. His eyes do more to emphasize how much he's missed her. At the same time, with Ruby on the counter, her legs from the waist to her toes are almost completely visible. Sam appreciates the view. Likewise, he isn't covered by much beyond cloth from his waist to knees. "Actually, it wouldn't feel right without tomato soup. The big cans are over there now."

He motions to a new shelf installed in the kitchen without so much referencing all the other changes made while Ruby wasn't at home. There's plenty of other things moved around in the kitchen. Months went by and so did the activities of the bunker.

[peaceonearth]

Eventually, Ruby will notice all of those changes. For the moment, she's fixated on Sam and the changes that took place or didn't with him. She slips off the counter and grabs a can of soup as well as a couple of bowls. She divides the soup up, giving him the lion's share of it; she knows she won't eat much even though she is hungry. She puts the bowls in the microwave and takes her spot on the counter again to watch him.

"We'll have to send Dean to the store tomorrow. All of these people are going to eat a lot."

[weirddreams]

He also has a few more grays to show for the few months had gone by. He's thankful that her physically age remains the same. He did not need any more surprises on his hands. He smiles as a thank you for her preparation of the soup and adds plates under the bowls to stick the grilled cheese seperately on. He handles them both to sit at the table with her. He positions himself close to her.

He gives a gentle nod in consideration to the food situation. "I think I'll ask Bobby if he wants to go with Dean. He'll have a better idea of what everybody will want to eat.

We should have enough at least to cover breakfast."

[peaceonearth]

The greys are sexy, which she'll tell him if the subject ever comes up. She did notice a few more greys in his beard when she was shaving him. Honestly, she wouldn't mind if her body had aged a bit, but she doesn't mind staying the same age physically either. She certainly feels much older in any case. When he sits next to her, Ruby curls one leg up into the chair and lets her knee rest against his thigh. "They'll probably eat anything, but that's a good idea. Bobby hates me." Unsurprising really.

She nods in agreement. "Dean cooks for an army anyway."

[weirddreams]

It might come up when he plucks them in the morning while brushing his hair. Sometimes he can admit to himself he is curious what she would look like if she aged; there is no doubt in his mind she would be gorgeous as she represents herself mentally.

The brush of her knee against him is a closeness that helps pull his mind more in the present. He makes a face, albeit to acknowledge there is nothing that can be done about Bobby. "How about we start to change some opinions about you tomorrow, too. I promise it wont involve talking to too many people." Unsurprisingly, Sam has faith in her.

Sam chuckles. "That works to our advantage." There just won't be any leftovers or seconds for Dean.

[peaceonearth]

She’ll watch and ask what he’s doing, then get up and walk to him, hands tangling in his hair to search for other greys before she declares them sexy. Maybe one of these days they’ll use one of those filters to see what she would look like over the years if she were to age.

She doesn’t need Bobby’s approval in any world as long as he doesn’t. She’d worried about this world’s Bobby for a while because she knows how much Bobby means to Sam. She’d simply been stating fact and warning Sam that it might be a problem. She gives him a curious look; it’s only because she trusts him that she asks “what did you have in mind?”

She nods. “It does.” Dean will survive without either.

[weirddreams]

He'd be honest from the moment she asked, gravitate toward her, hands dropping from his hairs down around her waist. Sometimes he needs a little external validation. There are filters that age couples up; maybe they will come across one of those.

It definitely would pose a problem had their world's Bobby come back and was openly hostile to Ruby. Sam knows very well he needs to differentiate the two Bobby's and that some space is best for now. "Well, for starters, we're going to need to know exactly how many people there are. I was thinking of conducting a census. I'll need a second pair of eyes and hands. What do you say?"

[peaceonearth]

Ruby suspects that she's one reason the boys worked with Bobby a little less and saw him a bit less over the years. In any case, there's not any love lost on Ruby's part either and she'll be happy to give space. She nods a little at his plan. "I think I can help there. I can tell you a little bit about everyone too. We might want to find out who wants to stay together and who's willing to be split up too. It could help us place everyone in the next few weeks."

[weirddreams]

Yes, Bobby had his boundaries when it came to Ruby. But his love for the boys was the reason he still called them from time to time. Sam considered Ruby his found family as much as Bobby. Most days, Sam missed the surly man. "Any little bit will help." He is happy to take her up on any additional info. "We can't house them all here forever," he agrees. "I was thinking we start with the children that need peaceful homes first and anybody that wants to go with them." He stirs his soup to take another bite. The warm liquid seems to warm his attachment to his goals all the more.

"What are the chances of us getting to work after we finish here?" He's basically asking her if she would be fine with that. Or would she insist they go back to their room.

[peaceonearth]

Their Bobby had tolerated her and even allowed her, at one point, in a couple of rooms in his house. Ruby would deal with his surliness and racism for Sam's sake. This Bobby, however, is a bit of a different story. Ruby nods a little at Sam's comment. "I wouldn't want to," she responds bluntly. "I don't have any ideas for anything peaceful though." For the kids, she means.

Ruby hesitates, self-consciously messing with her bangs to cover the horn nubs a bit more. "I guess I can share you for a little while," she says after a moment.

[weirddreams]

All he does ask is that Ruby try for his sake. Her honesty is refreshing but nonetheless he shakes his head with the smile that plays on his lips. "Just bare with it for a little longer. I already have a few ideas on how to integrate them into society." The smile that follows is one of confidence. He'll share with her how much easier it is to manipulate the system for housing when children are involved. It does theoretically entail hacking into a few sensitive systems.

Sam watches play with her bangs but doesn't stop her as much as he wants to. The unspoken message behind his decision is that he's unbothered by her horns. "How kind of you. Afterwards, I'm all yours." He steps, scoots closer to her.

[peaceonearth]

"Lucky for me, the bunker is a pretty big place and most of them choose to stay out of my way." Yes, Sam, they're scared of your girlfriend, though in this situation she's given them little reason to be other than the fact that she's a demon. Her brows raise a little. "Yeah?" She's interested and not just for the sake of getting everyone out of her home.

If he's not bothered by them (and he proved he wasn't in the least a little while ago) then she refuses to worry that the others are bothered. "That's what I'm counting on. I'm very easy to motivate. Just promise me uninterrupted you time." She pauses, "or fries, but I'll choose you over fries".