Hopefully without too many veiled threats, but that's something Sam is still helping her with. When Sam is older, he may see the similarities but also denies anything that too similar. Some of the best evenings they've had together is because she is as much of a cuddlier as he is.
Lucy will have to explain the logic behind that one to him. She could start with how he would be spontaneous if he did not pop in unannounced.
Thumbs up go a long way in cooling off Sam. He doesn't imagine Dean will have trouble finding anything if there is anything either. Mary can only go by what she's seen of John in Itinere, but he is very capable. She will always lend her ear, if he needs it. There is also the comics left on the table for anybody still interested in looking at the glimmer of info they might offer.
Oops? Sammy is always leaving Dean to pick up his messes, but the chair tipping over is completely accidental. It doesn't take him long to be right behind Ruby. "Science," Sam guesses. "We want to increase the chances of finding out the most about STARS Labs and this Wells guy, so I think that's the best to start. What do you think?" Because of course her opinion matters to him. Maybe the partially sentient bookshop will play nice.
Mary's eyes follow Dean and she twists herself around as he moves back toward the counter. It does not surprise her, really, that he would know the bookshop attendant. Of all of them, she is aware Dean has been in Itinere the longest. She doesn't want to be the one to interrupt their little reunion and she doesn't have to. Upstairs, leaning over the rail emerges another figure. Tall, dark, obnoxious handsome. "Welcome. You all couldn't have come at a better time," Damon says, not at all sarcastically. He'd mostly like to remind Gracie he's sticking around. Maybe he's still on his best behavior.
Oh, Sam. He should know by now that she doesn't do veiled. They were pretty straight-forward threats and bless Lucy, she's still around.
Her logic might not be like anyone else's logic, but she'll be happy to explain it to him. Mostly, Lucy wants Cas to do what h wants to do, but she also really hopes he wants to spend time with her.
Mary is good to John. Dean will flip through the comic books a little, but he's not really digging into the information. He's thinking forward to other resources. He'll probably get out and talk to people to see if anyone knows more than they do right now about the lab.
It's not that big a mess. Dean doesn't mind in this case "I think Science is a good place to start," Ruby agrees. She takes her free hand and runs it along the shoulder height shelf. She keeps her attention on Sam as they walk along the stacks. She stops in front of the 600s, right where the science and mathematics books are. "We should check the 700s next. It's the Technology section."
Dean knows a lot of people in Itinere, but he's not close to many. It might surprise Mary and John that Gracie is closer to an older Sam than Dean. They exchange the usual pleasantries while Mary and John look on. Sam (the older version) would be thrilled Damon is here (not). Dean likes the guy alright. "It's one of my best qualities," Dean responds. He doesn't miss the sarcasm. It's impossible to miss the bright smile on Gracie's face when Damon joins them. She leans into him, pressing her shoulder against his arm. "The nerds are off wandering around in the shelves," Dean waves his hand in the direction that Sam and Ruby walked off in. He introduces Mary and John to Damon and Gracie.
"I'll have to go say hi to Sam," Gracie says.
"Yeah. He's 18 right now but he'll probably remember you from when he was here when he was younger," Dean warns her.
He does, but at times he does hope she can be a little nicer to others. Bambi is a movie they watched once or twice. He had hope maybe a message in the movie would get through to her. He once had a conversation with her on why it is important to try. Maybe Sam has something to do with Lucy sticking around because he never once told her she couldn't. The conversation Cas and Lucy had semi-recently hopefully lets her know that it's what he wants to do.
John is a good husband and deserves it. It's probably a good call to leave the comics alone because the information to gleam from it is very little, though the next page or two would have shared that Wells wrote a book the library might have. Chances are they will find it anyway. No, but Sam ought to pay attention more to what he leaves behind. He's one unfortunate afternoon away from receiving a ticket for littering a gum wrapper or failing to make his bed yet again.
Ruby clearly knows the sections better than he'd expect which has Sammy light up, smile showing his off pearly whites. "So you've been in this section before," he tries to make conversation. He will piece together in time that this was the place his future self took her to explain technology among other things. "What part of science or math interests you? I like it all. If I have to say what I'm into most, recently it's the discoveries in RNA-sequencing." All his talking though and he still manages to maintain some balance to follow her and scan the books opposite to her side. Every once in a while, he'll pull one out to see the cover and if it's closer to what they're looking for.
Unfortunate would be one word for Dean not being close to many people in Itinere, though now it is less of a concern to anybody. He has family. Carmen. It would surprise Mary at least a little bit to know Gracie is closer to Sam than Dean, but only because Ruby seems to be the light of his life. It's a compliment that Dean introduces her as his mom as it's one of the few first times it's happened. Damon has no problem with Dean either. "Yes. Very interesting. What brings you here?" Damon concedes. Lately the value of customer service has been taught to him. He was actually wondering the same thing. Mostly he wonders where Ruby is because she's always near Sam. "I hate to be the one that brings it up, but I'd double check that your brother didn't piss off the Wicked Witch of Time. It's like there's another version of him running around by the end of the week."
Damon may be the only one tired of seeing Sam but Gracie is always welcomed to say hi to him. He would remember her.
Oops? She'd gotten mad that hunters had killed Bambi's mom. That wasn't the message? She understands that's important to try with people that are important to Sam. When Ruby threatened Lucy, it was incredibly obvious to Lucy that Ruby was just in love. Besides, at that point, Lucy already considered Ruby a friend. Sam is a big part of why Lucy stuck around. Dean is as well. For a while, Dean was a connection to Jill. Now, all of the Winchesters have become family, including Ruby.
"The Dewey Decimal system has been around since the late 1800s. I've been a lot of libraries in my life," she tells him, almost letting slip that she's a lot older than she looks. Instead, she focuses on his next question. His commentary about the RNA sequencing. "I have no idea what that is," she admits, giving him a slightly dazed look. She recovers a little to go back and answer his questions. "Natural sciences. Botony, Biology, Chemistry." They're all a little lik witchcraft and while she knows far more about witchcraft than sh does about any of the natural sciences, she sees how those go hand in hand with witchcraft. While Sam is pulling books out, Ruby is still watching him, leaning a little against the bookshelf.
It had taken Dean a while to settle into Itinere because h wasn't used to staying anywhere long term. Ruby is the light of Sam's life, but he does have other people in his life, and Ruby respects that. Of course, Dean introduces them as his Mom and Dad. He's never had the chance to introduce anyone except Carmen to his Mom so it's still a big deal.
Okay, so Damon wants to get down to business. Dean watches Gracie and Damon together. He didn't realize they were together, but it's pretty obvious even with this brief, subtle interaction that they're more than friends and co-workers. "You know the lab on the outside of town. STAR labs. We're looking for more information about it."
Dean smirks at Damon's words. "I'll see if there's a curse we've got to break," he responds.
Unfortunately, superheroes aren't Gracie's specialty so she can't offer any insight, but she moves to the laptop and starts searching in the database for keywords like STAR Labs. "Some guy named Harrison Wells owns it in a city named Central City. Let me see what I can pull up."
Well, no and yes. Her anger at the hunters showed a side of her that surprised him a little. And he understood that. When he was little, he couldn't bring himself to shoot Bambi's mother either. The point he was trying to get across to her and still tries is that trying with everybody is important. That would make some sense. Sam is guilty of wanting to get to know Lucy and Castiel for the same reason as the two of them are close to his brother. That's kind of the same thing, no?
He nods and smiles wider because nothing in her words suggest to him that she is older than she looks. Instead, it suggests she's a library nerd like him. "That's right. I forget the order sometimes because some of the schools I've been to use their own completely made up one." He's happy to explain the latest discoveries in RNA sequencing. The hardest thing for him is to keep it short and use some layman terms to describe it so she can follow and maybe see why it's exciting. He stops eventually his interest really is where her interest lies. "I studied a little biology and chemistry, but maybe you can show me a little botany sometime." He just wants an excuse to continue hanging out with her. He continues to pull out books to peak at the covers until his peripheral vision catches on to her looking at him.
"Found something?" he just assumes to begin with, but he can see she's not holding anything so it becomes clear what it is. Him.
Itinere bless them with many gifts. Time and patience might been the price Dean had to pay for it. Of course Damon wants to get down to business. The sooner they do, the everybody can leave. He has nothing to contribute about STAR labs and he looks to Gracie on this one.
While they follow her behind her to the laptop, he offers more of his humble opinion. "70/30 sure there's always a curse." To some extent, he still isn't convinced Itinere isn't a sick joke either. In the last few months, though, it's become one thing that he minds less and less everyday. Rather purposely, he brushes up against Gracie from behind and plays a little with her hair. Nothing about a Harrison Wells strikes him as a concern of his.
Well, she could sympathize with Bambi's mom. She' still working on learning that. It's definitely the same thing. At least Sam wouldn't hold it against Lucy if that's why she became friends with the Winchesters initially.
Nothing suggests that now, but once he knows, it's likely that this conversation will be one of those little signs. She is a library nerd. Listening to Sam explain RNA sequencing is actually really hot. She listens to him and fights the urge to grab him by the shirt and kiss him. She nods a little at his suggestion of spending more time together. "Sure. Botany. Anytime," she assures him then gives into that urge and reaches out to grab a handful of his shirt and pulls him to her, leaning in to press her lips against his, her free arm winding around his neck, fingers creeping into the hair at the back of his neck.
Yes, Sam. She's found something.
Time and patience isn't the hardest price to pay, particularly when the reward is so worth it. Do enlighten them Damon about why he wants them to go away.
"Well...you're not wrong," Dean admits. John is positive it's some sort of sick joke and the rug is going to be jerked out from underneath him one day. Until that moment, he's going to enjoy every single thing that Itinere has to offer. Dean once thought that about this place. Now he's not sure if it's a reward, a hiding place or an escape. No matter which one it is, he's decided to take what he can get out of it. Gracie can't help the giddy smile that slips across her lips when Damon brushes up against her. She doesn't move away from him but tilts her head a bit into his touch like a cat while attempting to keep at least part of her attention on what she's doing. "We've got a biography about him in the biography section over there and a book about particle acceleration in the 500s. At least that's where they should be. The lab has been here a while though. It's been empty most of the time that I've been here."
As long as she sees value in learning to improve, Sam won't ever see any reason why she isn't the one for him. No, Lucy befriending his brother because he was another link to her long time best friend is not exactly a devious plot in the making.
Chances are this conversation will be one of those little signs, but the biggest sign would be her small appetite. A library nerd is part of what he always knew he would like in a girl. She checks all the boxes. Sam can't tell what she's holding back, but it looks like she's trying hard to do something which attributed to his full stop, eyes glued to her like he got a new puzzle for his birthday. He figures it out, slowly, by the time her fingers reach out to grab his shirt and steps forward, first with one foot then the other until the gap between them is closed so she doesn't have to be so forceful and so he doesn't stumble into the kiss like he might have last night. His lips meet hers without any hesitation but growing confidence with the fact they're meant to be if they can do this here, his hands come up to her shoulders, hold her firmly, passionately. At the same time, for a flitting moment, it occurs to him that he should only be so lucky that no one can see them so their moment won't be interrupted.
She can tell him later what she found.
No, no, it is not. Lunch. Peace and quiet. Or some version of it is why he wants them to go away. Damon can manage a level of politeness for a brief stint of time.
Of course not. When he is ever wrong? Damon shrugs like there aren't thousands of examples when he has been wrong before. Mary sees some of that concern from John in his eyes some days, and to a certain degree, she fears the same thing will happen one day, but the short times she's been here, she allows herself the hope that things will stay the way they are. She's decided she won't let go of her husband or her boys if she has any say on it. Affection, however slight, spreads in Damon's entire body language, almost making it harder to note the bit of amusement he finds in Gracie's cat like behavior. None of what she does or the fact there is an audience at play makes him want to stop playing with her hair, but as a reward, he scratches the base of her neck a little. With his other hand, he feigns a yawn to stifle with a few pats over his mouth. Boring is the implication here. "Is that everything you want to look up?"
With confirmation, he zips out of sight as if he was never there, returning with the dusty books in hand and dropping them onto the counter from the customer side. "Here you are. The library isn't the place you go to make out. Let Gracie know if you have any other questions." Yes, he saw a certain couple making out in the 700s. Double standards is his middle name. No one ever said Damon's core personality trait was patience.
Does it count if her reason to improve is simply to make him happy?
Demon aside (or in some cases because of her demon-ness), she really is perfect for him, and he for her. He'll eventually come to know (and love) this look because it's her 'trying not to molest you' look. He didn't exactly get her for his birthday, but she is something of a puzzle that he can take his time solving. He's beginning to catch on because yes last night he would have stumbled into the kiss. Sam's ability to learn quickly is one of Ruby's favorite things about him. In time, she'll teach him that there are better places to put his hands. For the moment, her hand slides down his back and dips underneath his shirt to press against the small of his back, urging him even closer to her.
Ruby is pretty sure that Sam will figure out what she found (his boner)
Peace and quiet, of course, that's why he wants them to leave. Ruby and Damon are an awfully lot alike.
Is anyone buying that Damon is never wrong? Didn't think so. Of course, Damon's mention of a curse makes John think that they need to check the bunker over when they leave here. It makes John a bit anxious. Damon...she might have some cat-like behaviors but Gracie is not a cat. Dean frowns a little and considers giving Damon a line of bullshit about other things he wants to look up, but John kind of wants to get back to the bunker now and give it a once over so he confirms that yes, that is all they wanted to look up.
Damon's quick disappearance and return startles John and has him reaching for his silver knife. Dean, ever the peacemaker, takes a step closer to the counter between Damon, he and John. "Dad, hold on. Damon hasn't been making trouble here." Dean doesn't know what Damon is, but he does know that he hasn't caused any problems and that has earned him the right to live in Itinere without being hassled by the Winchesters.
"Hey," Gracie looks up, eyes wide. "There's no need for knives in here. It's a bookstore and Damon is helping," she reminds everyone just in case it slipped their mind in the excitement.
"How well do you know this guy?" John asks and it's a question for Dean and Gracie. Clearly, what he really means is do you know what he is.
"He's a friend of Ruby's," Dean answers quickly. "He's fine."
"Well enough," Gracie assures him.
"Wait--Jesus Christ on a popsicle stick. I'm going to have to go pull Sam and Ruby off one another and I can't do that until you put the knife away, Dad," Dean says, just now realizing that Damon said that someone was making out in the library.
He wouldn't exactly call anything she did last night molestation because she's the more experienced once. If anything, it's a little more like she's the teacher and he's the student. Obviously, he's always picked up on things quickly. Right now isn't any different. His favorite thing about her is this, now. She's unafraid to express herself even in the most inappropriate (high risk?) areas that he can jump to an idea or two all on his own without her teaching him. That is to say his hands have life of their own and loosen their grip on her shoulders to slide upwards with the intention of cupping her face. It's purely accidental when his left hand gropes her breast, less so when he kneads it before his instincts manage to catch up to where he lets go, fingers splayed and backed off.
Boner in the physical sense or in the mental sense, because one, if not both could apply very soon.
Not a lot of people ever take him seriously, but those are the ones that know Damon even a little bit. Hey, it never hurts to check for those nasty little hex bags. Small town and pissing people off is not the most unheard of thing. Good on you, John. Gracie, oh Gracie, maybe he prefers the cat-like behaviors and teasing her is just the way he shows affection. Dean's extra requests would have been might with an eye roll anyway. Mary is also confirms that she is on board with getting back to the bunker as John's anxious behavior is obvious.
Damon will be the first to admit he could have thought it through more, but he's done hiding a part of himself when he doesn't have to. John brandishing a silver knife doesn't scare him like it should. Mary reaching for something he can't see doesn't either, though it goes noted that she also freezes at Dean's request. "No. I have not been making any trouble, Dad," he chimes in.
Helpful. Not really. But he can still speak for himself. Gracie, however, gets a smirk and a wink when her eyes turn on him, wide, because the little bit she has to say is flattering than anything else.
Damon understands when a cue is for somebody else, but he is standing right there John. "Ruby's friend, yes. We're besties. Super close. Going on, what? Two years now." His fingers cross tightly, hand where everyone can see. Please kindly direct the questions to his face from here on, John.
He shudders, a little loss for focus between this and that. "You might want to reconsider. The way things looked like they were headed, even I wouldn't want to go back there again to see what those love birds are up to now."
The changes might be small and gradual but they're real. He's already made an impact on her and the way she treats people.
Teacher and student is a much sexier comparison. Fortunately for Sam (and for Ruby) that's something that won't change. She's better at expressing herself verbally than she used to be, but physical expression is always easier. She also thinks inappropriateness is mostly a human construct to keep other humans from feeling awkward and she's got little use for it. There's absolutely no reason for him to back off. In fact, she'll move one of her hands and grab his wrist, sliding his hand up underneath the hem of her shirt. How far he wants to go up is his call. Her hands go back to slip under his shirt and scratch lightly against his skin.
She's doing something wrong if it doesn't.
Damon is right about the hex bags. Sam and Ruby have ticked a person or two off in this place. It's easy to get lax here because everything is completely opposite their home world, not mention it's a slice of practically happy ever after for the Winchesters. In that case, Gracie will take the teasing and he's free to enjoy the cat-like behaviors. She has been a (crazy) cat lady for a few years so maybe it's rubbed off.
This is a conversation that Damon and Ruby have had before; hiding who and what you are sucks and there's little reason to do so in Itinere. This place rolls with weird like it's a typical Thursday.Damon, has it been mentioned that you're not funny? Or at least John doesn't think so. That's clear in his expression and body language though he doesn't make any move to threaten or strike at Damon. He's comfortable enough with this place's weird (and Dean's endorsement) that he'll hear this out.
Shhh, Damon. They're trying to calm down the hunter. In spite of everything going on, Damon's wink gets a bit of a blush out of Gracie (she should not be in this deep with him--and yet).
Honestly, Dean had meant it more in the 'he's like Ruby and not evil' than anything. Sorry, Damon. John tends to think of non-humans like animals instead of people. It's something that he's working on (you know since his son is in love with a non-human). John lowers his knife a little, slinking the slightest bit out of predator mode. "You're not a spirit." As far as he can tell, Damon is as solid as can be, but a spirit is the first thing he can think of that moves the way Damon did. His gaze goes from Damon to Gracie and back. This, whatever it is, isn't playing by the rules that John knows.
Dean grumbles and scrubs his hands over his face, not quite ready to leave John alone with Damon even if he knows Mary is a good influence on him and likely wouldn't let John attack without cause (and there's a good chance that this isn't a fight John could win, not unprepared). "Yeah...I might come back later with a biohazard suit."
John's attention is snagged for a moment by the secondary conversation here. "We're in a bookstore...in public."
Dean snorts. "Yeah. I can't leave them alone anywhere for more than five minutes," he assures John.
She is making this harder than it has to be. And in another way quite literally harder. Human constructs are all Sam's ever known and feeling awkward about making out in a public bookshop goes hand in hand with everything he knows is right and wrong. He won't resist her hand taking his wrist nor the encouragement to brush his hand up against the bare skin of her thighs, but he brings himself to a stop when his thumb brushes over her panties. What's next is that this place isn't the right place for where things seem to be headed. When her nails scratching the surface of his skin it only makes it harder for him to come to that conclusion in real time. "Shouldn't we, uh, shouldn't we do this anywhere but here," he barely manages to say without breathlessness.
Of course he would love to have the sex with her. He could have never understood "right time, wrong place" more than he does in this moment.
It's easier than one would think. To get under someone's skin. John is being a prime example right this second. Maybe Damon's already done them a favor by reminding them how quickly it is to make the wrong impression or that being too lax is never good. They're unlikely friends in much the same way as her kitten and his crow.
The result of said conversation between Ruby and himself may have actually been one of the causes for his decision to no longer hide it. It goes without saying, really, that it is no fun being private party for one at the boarding house with no one to drink with. Some people have said that, others have laughed at his jokes before. Either way, he's not dissuaded by John's visible body language.
It's just words. John could grow up a little (but so could Damon). The one good thing in all this is it never fails to make Gracie blush (there's a number of reasons he could give her of why she shouldn't be in this deep--but he's happy with her too).
Some lines are harder to read between. The other explanation is that Damon also isn't used to others on the other team defending him. In any case, it goes a ways enough to see that they're ready to talk like regular folk when John lowers the knife. "No. Far better. Starts with a V, ends with an Ampire." Yes, Damon is aware of the differences in the rules between universes. Ruby may have let it slip what vampires and demons are capable in her world. Not much is different, but he could take some insult to being a spirit. This body is 100% his and original.
Is it not helpful that Damon spelled out what he was for everybody though? Ultimately it's Dean's choice what he does. Mary knows enough that it would be foolish to go unprepared into a fight they can't win and places her hand over the silver knife John has to encourage it to go down lower. She shakes her head when John's eyes look to hers, to share that this isn't their call.
Mary is also pulled into the secondary conversation, arches her eyebrows. Maybe she's been one that has been paying attention more but it is nothing new to find out that Sam and Ruby are making out where there shouldn't be.
"We have what we came for. Should we get them or leave." But she'd like it if they stayed together. It's up to a family vote.
John is very, very good at getting under people's skin. Maybe he has, but John is withholding his opinion on Damon for the moment. Don't feel too bad, Damon. He's lived with Ruby under his roof for months now and he's still making up his mind about her. Personally, Dean likes Damon (and Gracie is pretty sure he knows her opinion of him).
Aww, she's glad she could help him come out of the closet. Gracie doesn't usually drink much at their private parties (or anywhere else) but she does party with Damon (and she likes the private part of it). Gracie is also glad that Damon doesn't hide who he is.
John could definitely loosen up, but he thinks he's plenty grown up. He's also plenty paranoid. (She wouldn't let him get those reasons out. Maybe she's in denial or maybe there aren't as many reasons for Gracie not to be in deep with Damon as he thinks there are. Time will tell).
Fair enough, but Damon has friends here and a fresh start whether he realizes it or not. John's eyes narrow and they go to Gracie looking for any obvious bite marks or signs that she needs help. Gracie winds her arm around Damon's waist in response, leaning against him (she's the same height as him in tennis shoes). He's met more than a few vampires and not all of them had seemed like bad people, but they all killed people and ruined lives (to be fair, the same could be said for John, Dean, and Ruby, depending on who you talk to). John looks to Dean and Dean shakes his head ever so slightly. Keep listening, John. "I guess you can get blood delivered here just like pizza."
Gracie feels like that's kind of a personal question, but maybe it is just like ordering pizza to Damon.
Very. Damon is a helper. Both Dean and Gracie relax a little more when Mary encourages John to put the knife down. He finally tucks it back in his jacket. If Mary and Dean are both comfortable enough with the way this thing is going, he'll force himself to be comfortable as well.
Mary probably is the one that's been paying more attention. Dean shakes his head. "I'll go talk to them. It's nothing I haven't seen." Because he bursts into rooms with closed doors.
Maybe she's making this exactly as hard as it needs to be. She also gets (and even agrees) that this isn't the place to have sex. It's a great place to make out though. Sam's decision gets a groaned "Yes," out of her. She sighs and lets her hand drop until her thumb catches in the back pocket of his jeans.
Ruby hears Dean coming their way and makes a decision. "Ok. Come on. Walk behind me. The apartment is just down the street," she responds as she leans in and kisses him hard one more time before turning on her toe and starting toward the door, her hand catching his as she starts toward the front door just as Dean comes around tahe corner. "I'm taking Sam to the apartment. I'll bring him home for dinner," she says loudly enough for everyone to hear.
They can have the sex and he can see their apartment, which he'll find is mostly unchanged from when he was sixteen. It does look more lived in now and Sam's things are scattered around the place.
The last thing Sam was going to do was pull away from her when she took his hand last night. They couldn't get out of there fast enough. At their apartment, the feeling he got walking into it was the same one he got from their room in the bunker. His things and her things in one space gave him a clearer picture to how together they were.
Suffice to say he still had a goofy little grin on his face the whole time. It's maybe why it was harder to pay attention to time and to make it back for dinner as they promised. Sam called Dean to let him know he planned to stay the night and needed to call rain check on dinner for tomorrow night. He was really sorry too. Wanted Dean to tell Mom and Dad that.
Things don't continue as smoothly as that though because he learns she is a demon over the next couple of days and reacts as if she betrayed him. He doesn't want to speak to her, doesn't want to see her, doesn't want to be even the same room as her. At least to begin with. Something Castiel says to him really strikes a cord with him though. She didn't do anything wrong, least of all anything he didn't participate in too. It didn't make her evil. And that starts to sway his opinion back to something remotely level. With space and time, he knows what he has to do.
The apartment is easy to find on his own, but he works himself up to knock on the door. The words he wants to say are all scrambled but he pushes any thought to turn around away. "I just came to say... that I'm sorry. I should have let you tell me your side of things. You're not how I imagined a demon would be." They're almost the same words he used the first time he started to come around. It's visible in his eyes that he wonders the why and how though.
They spend a couple of nights a week (at least) at the apartment. It's home as much as their room at the bunker is. It's a different side of them because this a piece of them that they keep all to themselves.
Ruby loves that goofy grin. She would do a lot of horrible and wonderful things for that goofy grin. That's why the next part hurts so much.
Yeah. Well, Dean gave her an ultimatum. She told Sam or he did. From the moment Sam had said he wanted to stay, Ruby knew she was going to have to tell him that she was a demon. She'd expected him to freak out, but that hadn't made it easier. Once she'd told him, she packs a small overnight bag with a few things she wants to keep with her. (things like her box with Sam's notes). Once in the apartment, Ruby doesn't leave. She watches rom coms and reads her books and tries not to think about whether or not Sam is going to be able to get over what she is this time.
The knock surprises her, but she pauses the movie (10 Things I Hate About You) she's watching and goes to answer the door. She knows before she answers the door that it's Sam and that he's still eighteen. She's wearing a pair of leggings, a flannel shirt, and socks as she swings the door open wide. "I'm not like other demons," she says then takes a step back, holding the door open if he wants to come in.
It seems like more than a couple of nights a week, but the fact that they have a room back at the bunker has him guess that the time is spent evenly between the two. But between the two, the apartment strikes him more as his favorite. Ruby could have probably seen it from a mile away but when he had time to look around, he smiled at each and everything that made it just their space.
He doesn't need or want her to do horrible things to make him happy. It should have just been enough if she were herself. That's why owning his mistake is something he can come to terms with (although it did take the little bit of guidance from an angel).
He doesn't know what to expect when she answers the door. He does step back, however, so he can get a better look at her body language and to listen not just to her words but to what her tone tells him. Honestly, he does not expect to be invited in so he hesitates before he crosses the threshold and turn back to her. "Why is that?" That's one of the things that has been plaguing his mind this whole time.
Okay, so sometimes it's three or four. They do split their time evenly because of Sam's (their) family. For a long time, it was just because of Dean, but that family has grown and it's important.
Ruby has always been genuinely herself even when herself was awkward socially or just plain weird by human standards. (She'll have to thank that angel somehow that doesn't include the words 'thank you' because words are hard. It'll probably involve food because that's a love language she understands).
Her body language is a bit guarded, a bit defensive. She's been hurt and that's obvious in her body language, but it's Sam so he's getting another chance. Even Rifle stays where he's at curled up on the couch, alert but not quite ready to forgive Sam yet. Ruby knows how the dog feels. She closes the door behind him and maintains a certain amount of distance from him for both of their sakes. She figures he probably still needs the space. "I don't know," she answers, arms crossed over her chest. "I'm a freakin' unicorn. I don't know why or how. I didn't do anything to turn out this way and I wasn't given special treatment in Hell, at least not the kind anyone wants. I'm just...different."
Sam appreciates it too. Time spent together and time with their extended
family is important. It seems like lately he is getting along better with
his father because Itinere takes away a lot of the stresses that were at
home.
(No thanks is necessary because all Castiel did was give his honest
opinion. Maybe he couldn't argue with some food.)
Sam can see that she is upset, even a little bit guarded. To be fair, he is
a little guarded too. He is a little bit extra cautious because what he
says next matters and Ruby's language is a puzzle that his head hasn't let
itself wrap around fully yet. He can't assume talking normally to her is
the right answer, but what other way is there. With the space between them,
he assumes that's what she wants and gives her it. Both of them are reading
the signals wrong though. The last thing he wants is space from her. "I'm
sorry," he says, pocketing his hands to keep them closer to himself. "I
don't expect you to forgive me just because I say that. I really don't. I
think... It just hurt when you couldn't tell me upfront. You maybe don't
know how or why, but I want to know everything that makes you different.
I'll listen."
Dean has certainly noticed that Sam is getting along better with their father. Ruby just notices the easy, open way that he is with his family and she envies that in a way. She's only really able to be open and easy with Sam, though she's gotten better at it over time.
(She'll deliver food because it seems like something she ought to thank him for. He didn't have to give his opinion)
She recognizes his caution, but she doesn't understand (yet) that it's because he wants to say the right thing. She's not entirely sure (until he apologizes) whether he's here out of curiosity or to make things better. She doesn't want the space at all. Nothing about that has changed, but she doesn't want to let him hurt her more than he already has nor does she want him to be afraid of her or uncomfortable. They're definitely reading their signals wrong. "If I'd told you upfront you would have shot me. Or stabbed me or tried to exorcise me. You wouldn't have given me the time of day to get to know me." He's free to tell her if she's wrong, but she'd be surprised if she were. "I care. I don't want to see the world turned into another version of Hell. Killing people is just boring and hurting them..." she shakes her head. "Most humans are annoying and careless and obtuse, but they don't deserve to that."
It is great, isn't it. A lot of pressure is off of his shoulders and things are more relaxed when John isn't enforcing a military lifestyle. Ruby just hasn't grown up with them or wanting to bond with a mother figure, with Mary if ever given the chance. She's family, though, and it will come in time.
(No, he didn't. But Castiel has lived long enough with the Winchester's to know that sometimes they can't sort their problems out themselves. They need help.)
She's right. None of what she says is technically wrong because he can't know have he would have reacted if she told him before he even knew her. If his resent actions are any indication, it would show that it wouldn't have gone well at all. For that, his eyes lower and head hangs for a few moments before his gaze comes up to gaze at her again with true blue eyes in the light. "I wouldn't go as far as to say hurt you, but you're right. I can't tell you it would have been any different. You're not anything like the lore." He wants so bad to tell her she's wrong, but he can't lie to her face either, not now, not ever.
"And I needed a minute to think," he explains. "I think I still do. All I ever thought demons wanted to do was hurt people for their entertainment or drag their souls to hell for nefarious reasons. All they were capable of was destruction. But that's not what you did every time I've come here. You're actually fun. You built a slide, you eat food even if you don't have to, you sleep." No, yes, he did catch her sleeping face at some point during one of his visits. "I should say that I can give you a chance now. But I mean only if you're willing to give me another chance first."
It is great, though Ruby's experience with Sam and John has been pretty tense until just a couple of weeks before this Sam showed up (because of her). No, she hasn't, but she knows that Sam wants that and she encourages it with Mary especially any chance she gets. Ruby doesn't want to be the reason Sam doesn't get everything he deserves and wants from life in Itinere.
(Isn't that the truth. That's something they can bond over with a bottle of Lucy's Monster Drunk)
She didn't point it out to make him feel guilty or worse. She simply wanted him to know why she didn't tell him up front. Ruby loves Sam's mood-ring eyes and she knows what that true blue color means. "I'm just going to get a shirt that says Freakin' Unicorn on it and wear it," she jokes in response to his observation that she's not like the lore. "And you're not like all the other hunters I've met," she tells him. It's better that he doesn't lie. She'd see through the lie and this conversation would not continue.
"That's why I came here. You needed to think and I needed to be forced to give you space. If you haven't noticed, that's one thing I'm not good at." Giving him space, she means. She considers his words. "Most of them do like hurting people and the reason souls get dragged to Hell is to power it. They're like duracells for the place. Of course, if a demon doesn't meet his or her monthly quota, there are consequences." She's unable to keep from smiling at him a little. "The slide was fun. Fries are enough reason alone to keep this place up and running and yeah. I don't need as much sleep as you do, but I have to recharge every now and then." Sleep makes a person (or demon) vulnerable, but it's not something she minds in Itinere. In fact, sleeping with Sam is one of the joys of her life in Itinere. She melts a little more at him asking for another chance. She unfolds her arms and holds her hand out. If he takes it, she'll pull him into an embrace, wrapping her arms around him. "Oh, Puppy. Don't tell any other versions of you this, but I'll always give you another chance."
Sammy was wearing rose colored glasses up until a day ago about why John was stand offish about Ruby. Though that was because he didn't want to see it. He can see everything a lot better now-- including, but not limited to Ruby sharing him and being amazing enough to let him try to talk things out. She didn't have to let him in after the jerk he was being.
Why wouldn't he feel guilty? Both of them had a part to play in this and he knows he could have controlled himself and handled it better. It makes sense why she couldn't tell him right away. That Ruby can joke at a time like this helps him feel a little better though. He grins wide. "Technically, you'd be like a Medusa. She was misunderstood too. There's only one of her." Blue eyes mean that he believes what he said and she isn't somebody he could lie to. "I'm not, um, I'm not technically a hunter yet," he reminds her. There is some hope he won't ever be if he doesn't have to but Itinere is so full of evidence to the contrary he tries not to think about it much.
"I didn't mean to make you leave," he offers apologetically. "I mean, I should have forced you to." When she shares what hell is like, he soaks up the information and his eyes give away a troubled sort of fascination. "Does that mean, like duracells, you get used up and discarded too. Is that why Hell needs more souls?" It feels him with a lingering sense of dread to think that's all there is to all the evil in the world and just so Hell can stay powered. He won't let himself ask or think about the things Ruby has done just yet. Her smile helps shift away his sense of dread, back to the fun they've had. "You really like fries," he huffs with a laugh. Other than the one time though he can't recall seeing her sleep, so he nods. "I don't think I've ever seen you sleep more than once." Is that a yes? Or is it a no. She has to spell it out for him because her actions sometimes befuddle him. For a minute, it seems time is frozen while she does nothing. Little does he know that he makes her melt for just asking for another chance. Sam does his best not to fidget, but he does shift his gaze down briefly before catching her hand held to him. Of course he takes it without thinking twice about it, bring his arms around her too. "What do you mean other versions? Won't I know when grow up to be them and remember this."
No, she didn't, but she's been a jerk plenty of times in her life. Besides, she cares far too much about him to let this be over.
Humor is an excellent coping mechanism. She tilts her head at him. "There's more to her than turning people to stone and truly awesome hair?" He wouldn't be the person she loves if he could lie to her. She raises her brows and gives him a slight nod of acknowledgment. Not quite a hunter yet. Telling him about what she is was a big part of accepting that he might stay here in Itinere. It was something he had to know if he were to stay. Ruby can hide what she is for a little while, but she's unwilling to do it for an extended period of time.
She'll share more details about Hell with him. "Sort of," she hesitates, "human souls turn into demons and Hell doesn't run well on demons. It's like Monsters Inc." They'd watched it together. She's got no clue if he's seen it at this age, but she doesn't separate the versions of him very well so it's par for the course that she doesn't think about it. That's definitely not all there is to evil in the world, but it's the mundane of it. He shouldn't think about the things she's done. He's too young for that and while it's important to her that Her Sam knows the things she's done and loves her anyway, it's something that can come for this Sam later if necessary. "What's not to like? They're deep-fried crack." Yes, she does. Little does he know that his fries were the first she'd ever had. She doesn't mean to make him fidget and worry, but she has to be certain before she gives him hope.
He can't see the endearing smile that his words bring to her lips but she might be able to hear it in her voice. "Shhh don't ruin it by being logical," she chides him softly, teasingly. "I don't want you to get used to second chances."
It seems like more than a coping mechanism. Her ability to make him feel comfortable by joking around, that is. He combs his hair back, scratching his head by his ear a little, because he needs a second to think how to appropriately put his reasoning into words. "Yeah. She wasn't the villain at the beginning. She was forced to, um, do something she didn't want to and was punished for it unfairly. Her life changed and her story was told only from the heroes perspective. No one asked her what she felt." He isn't wrong, is he? To think that sounds like Ruby.
Sam glances back at the chairs because maybe they should sit, but he stands and listens because she's worthy of his full attention. He blinks at her example. "Monster Inc?" He hasn't seen it at this age because it does not exist on the screens yet. Then he won't think about those things. He is all about collecting serial killer stats but less ready to actually meet one and talk about the things they've done. Right now, all he does know for sure is that her being a demon doesn't change the feelings that are tight in his chest. "What about other foods?" He genuinely wants to know what else she likes to eat and from day one it's been a puzzle he's tried to crack (no pun intended). If he knew it was her first food, and in fact, the first food they sort of shared together, it'd dawn on him why they were so special. The fact he does fidget at all is a sign that he wants to make amends.
He can't see or hear the smile she has, but the soft, teasing chide, he can hear. "I only need one," he speaks up for himself. He isn't aware of the irony of that statement.
Well, she is more relaxed and vulnerable around him. She's funny when her defenses are down. She also knows him very well and how to set him at ease. She doesn't rush Sam, giving him a moment to think out his answer. "Most stories are told from the hero's perspective. Winners write the history. I'll have to see what I can find at the bookstore about her though." He isn't wrong. It does sound like her.
They probably should sit. They probably will eventually. "We'll watch it some time. you'll see what I mean," she assures him. Good, she doesn't much want to talk about the things she's done either. That's all she can ask for and all that she wants: for him to care about her regardless of what she is. She considers his question. "Pizza and milkshakes. Strawberries. Chocolate," she lists a few of them. She likes being a puzzle for him to figure out. He'll find out about the fries in time.
He's actually going to need at least two, but she doesn't mention that to him. It's not fair to hold what he will do against him. After a moment, she pulls back, keeping his hand in hers. "Come on," she says, tilting her head toward the couch. "Let's sit. You can tell what you've been doing."
She is doing a good job in setting him at ease because he came while still tense and now it has all but faded away. Rushing him never has helped him think anyway. She knows him almost too well. "Well, maybe it shouldn't always be. There's something to learn from the other side too. That's what I want to hear, more of your side." Medusa and Ruby have more in common than even he knows. Still rather apologetically her looks at her with his puppy eyes.
Any time she wants to sit, he will follow. "We can make it sometime soon," he suggests a little too eagerly. To be fair it's the first time he's made a mistake this big and he thinks the only way to make up to her is a grand gesture of making things go back to normal as soon as possible. She has already proven to him that she is more than a demon. Those foods are basically everything he loves too. It feels like he falls in love with her all over again when she lists them and his lips form a goofy smile. "You're just listing everything we had the last few days." It may sound like an accusation, but it's not.
It's not three at least, because in baseball three strikes means he's out. He knows (and will know) he doesn't want to be the outs with her. He can only imagine it'd hurt as much as he hurt her. Her lead is easy to follow and sits on the couch after her, yes next to her, but having to flounder to the opposite side where Rifle doesn't purposely block him. He fidgets because a few days doesn't give him much to tell actually. "Why don't you start." He's much more interested in what she's been doing.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2020-03-07 04:33 am (UTC)Lucy will have to explain the logic behind that one to him. She could start with how he would be spontaneous if he did not pop in unannounced.
Thumbs up go a long way in cooling off Sam. He doesn't imagine Dean will have trouble finding anything if there is anything either. Mary can only go by what she's seen of John in Itinere, but he is very capable. She will always lend her ear, if he needs it. There is also the comics left on the table for anybody still interested in looking at the glimmer of info they might offer.
Oops? Sammy is always leaving Dean to pick up his messes, but the chair tipping over is completely accidental. It doesn't take him long to be right behind Ruby. "Science," Sam guesses. "We want to increase the chances of finding out the most about STARS Labs and this Wells guy, so I think that's the best to start. What do you think?" Because of course her opinion matters to him. Maybe the partially sentient bookshop will play nice.
Mary's eyes follow Dean and she twists herself around as he moves back toward the counter. It does not surprise her, really, that he would know the bookshop attendant. Of all of them, she is aware Dean has been in Itinere the longest. She doesn't want to be the one to interrupt their little reunion and she doesn't have to. Upstairs, leaning over the rail emerges another figure. Tall, dark,
obnoxioushandsome. "Welcome. You all couldn't have come at a better time," Damon says, not at all sarcastically. He'd mostly like to remind Gracie he's sticking around. Maybe he's still on his best behavior.no subject
Date: 2020-03-07 05:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-07 07:05 am (UTC)John is a good husband and deserves it. It's probably a good call to leave the comics alone because the information to gleam from it is very little, though the next page or two would have shared that Wells wrote a book the library might have. Chances are they will find it anyway. No, but Sam ought to pay attention more to what he leaves behind. He's one unfortunate afternoon away from receiving a ticket for littering a gum wrapper or failing to make his bed yet again.
Ruby clearly knows the sections better than he'd expect which has Sammy light up, smile showing his off pearly whites. "So you've been in this section before," he tries to make conversation. He will piece together in time that this was the place his future self took her to explain technology among other things. "What part of science or math interests you? I like it all. If I have to say what I'm into most, recently it's the discoveries in RNA-sequencing." All his talking though and he still manages to maintain some balance to follow her and scan the books opposite to her side. Every once in a while, he'll pull one out to see the cover and if it's closer to what they're looking for.
Unfortunate would be one word for Dean not being close to many people in Itinere, though now it is less of a concern to anybody. He has family. Carmen. It would surprise Mary at least a little bit to know Gracie is closer to Sam than Dean, but only because Ruby seems to be the light of his life. It's a compliment that Dean introduces her as his mom as it's one of the few first times it's happened. Damon has no problem with Dean either. "Yes. Very interesting. What brings you here?" Damon concedes. Lately the value of customer service has been taught to him. He was actually wondering the same thing. Mostly he wonders where Ruby is because she's always near Sam. "I hate to be the one that brings it up, but I'd double check that your brother didn't piss off the Wicked Witch of Time. It's like there's another version of him running around by the end of the week."
Damon may be the only one tired of seeing Sam but Gracie is always welcomed to say hi to him. He would remember her.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-08 10:08 pm (UTC)"The Dewey Decimal system has been around since the late 1800s. I've been a lot of libraries in my life," she tells him, almost letting slip that she's a lot older than she looks. Instead, she focuses on his next question. His commentary about the RNA sequencing. "I have no idea what that is," she admits, giving him a slightly dazed look. She recovers a little to go back and answer his questions. "Natural sciences. Botony, Biology, Chemistry." They're all a little lik witchcraft and while she knows far more about witchcraft than sh does about any of the natural sciences, she sees how those go hand in hand with witchcraft. While Sam is pulling books out, Ruby is still watching him, leaning a little against the bookshelf.
It had taken Dean a while to settle into Itinere because h wasn't used to staying anywhere long term. Ruby is the light of Sam's life, but he does have other people in his life, and Ruby respects that. Of course, Dean introduces them as his Mom and Dad. He's never had the chance to introduce anyone except Carmen to his Mom so it's still a big deal.
Okay, so Damon wants to get down to business. Dean watches Gracie and Damon together. He didn't realize they were together, but it's pretty obvious even with this brief, subtle interaction that they're more than friends and co-workers. "You know the lab on the outside of town. STAR labs. We're looking for more information about it."
Dean smirks at Damon's words. "I'll see if there's a curse we've got to break," he responds.
Unfortunately, superheroes aren't Gracie's specialty so she can't offer any insight, but she moves to the laptop and starts searching in the database for keywords like STAR Labs. "Some guy named Harrison Wells owns it in a city named Central City. Let me see what I can pull up."
no subject
Date: 2020-03-09 02:46 am (UTC)He nods and smiles wider because nothing in her words suggest to him that she is older than she looks. Instead, it suggests she's a library nerd like him. "That's right. I forget the order sometimes because some of the schools I've been to use their own completely made up one." He's happy to explain the latest discoveries in RNA sequencing. The hardest thing for him is to keep it short and use some layman terms to describe it so she can follow and maybe see why it's exciting. He stops eventually his interest really is where her interest lies. "I studied a little biology and chemistry, but maybe you can show me a little botany sometime." He just wants an excuse to continue hanging out with her. He continues to pull out books to peak at the covers until his peripheral vision catches on to her looking at him.
"Found something?" he just assumes to begin with, but he can see she's not holding anything so it becomes clear what it is. Him.
Itinere bless them with many gifts. Time and patience might been the price Dean had to pay for it. Of course Damon wants to get down to business. The sooner they do, the everybody can leave. He has nothing to contribute about STAR labs and he looks to Gracie on this one.
While they follow her behind her to the laptop, he offers more of his humble opinion. "70/30 sure there's always a curse." To some extent, he still isn't convinced Itinere isn't a sick joke either. In the last few months, though, it's become one thing that he minds less and less everyday. Rather purposely, he brushes up against Gracie from behind and plays a little with her hair. Nothing about a Harrison Wells strikes him as a concern of his.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 01:14 am (UTC)Nothing suggests that now, but once he knows, it's likely that this conversation will be one of those little signs. She is a library nerd. Listening to Sam explain RNA sequencing is actually really hot. She listens to him and fights the urge to grab him by the shirt and kiss him. She nods a little at his suggestion of spending more time together. "Sure. Botany. Anytime," she assures him then gives into that urge and reaches out to grab a handful of his shirt and pulls him to her, leaning in to press her lips against his, her free arm winding around his neck, fingers creeping into the hair at the back of his neck.
Yes, Sam. She's found something.
Time and patience isn't the hardest price to pay, particularly when the reward is so worth it. Do enlighten them Damon about why he wants them to go away.
"Well...you're not wrong," Dean admits. John is positive it's some sort of sick joke and the rug is going to be jerked out from underneath him one day. Until that moment, he's going to enjoy every single thing that Itinere has to offer. Dean once thought that about this place. Now he's not sure if it's a reward, a hiding place or an escape. No matter which one it is, he's decided to take what he can get out of it. Gracie can't help the giddy smile that slips across her lips when Damon brushes up against her. She doesn't move away from him but tilts her head a bit into his touch like a cat while attempting to keep at least part of her attention on what she's doing. "We've got a biography about him in the biography section over there and a book about particle acceleration in the 500s. At least that's where they should be. The lab has been here a while though. It's been empty most of the time that I've been here."
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 03:39 am (UTC)Chances are this conversation will be one of those little signs, but the biggest sign would be her small appetite. A library nerd is part of what he always knew he would like in a girl. She checks all the boxes. Sam can't tell what she's holding back, but it looks like she's trying hard to do something which attributed to his full stop, eyes glued to her like he got a new puzzle for his birthday. He figures it out, slowly, by the time her fingers reach out to grab his shirt and steps forward, first with one foot then the other until the gap between them is closed so she doesn't have to be so forceful and so he doesn't stumble into the kiss like he might have last night. His lips meet hers without any hesitation but growing confidence with the fact they're meant to be if they can do this here, his hands come up to her shoulders, hold her firmly, passionately. At the same time, for a flitting moment, it occurs to him that he should only be so lucky that no one can see them so their moment won't be interrupted.
She can tell him later what she found.
No, no, it is not. Lunch. Peace and quiet. Or some version of it is why he wants them to go away. Damon can manage a level of politeness for a brief stint of time.
Of course not. When he is ever wrong? Damon shrugs like there aren't thousands of examples when he has been wrong before. Mary sees some of that concern from John in his eyes some days, and to a certain degree, she fears the same thing will happen one day, but the short times she's been here, she allows herself the hope that things will stay the way they are. She's decided she won't let go of her husband or her boys if she has any say on it. Affection, however slight, spreads in Damon's entire body language, almost making it harder to note the bit of amusement he finds in Gracie's cat like behavior. None of what she does or the fact there is an audience at play makes him want to stop playing with her hair, but as a reward, he scratches the base of her neck a little. With his other hand, he feigns a yawn to stifle with a few pats over his mouth. Boring is the implication here. "Is that everything you want to look up?"
With confirmation, he zips out of sight as if he was never there, returning with the dusty books in hand and dropping them onto the counter from the customer side. "Here you are. The library isn't the place you go to make out. Let Gracie know if you have any other questions." Yes, he saw a certain couple making out in the 700s. Double standards is his middle name. No one ever said Damon's core personality trait was patience.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-11 01:17 am (UTC)Demon aside (or in some cases because of her demon-ness), she really is perfect for him, and he for her. He'll eventually come to know (and love) this look because it's her 'trying not to molest you' look. He didn't exactly get her for his birthday, but she is something of a puzzle that he can take his time solving. He's beginning to catch on because yes last night he would have stumbled into the kiss. Sam's ability to learn quickly is one of Ruby's favorite things about him. In time, she'll teach him that there are better places to put his hands. For the moment, her hand slides down his back and dips underneath his shirt to press against the small of his back, urging him even closer to her.
Ruby is pretty sure that Sam will figure out what she found (
his boner)Peace and quiet, of course, that's why he wants them to leave. Ruby and Damon are an awfully lot alike.
Is anyone buying that Damon is never wrong? Didn't think so. Of course, Damon's mention of a curse makes John think that they need to check the bunker over when they leave here. It makes John a bit anxious. Damon...she might have some cat-like behaviors but Gracie is not a cat. Dean frowns a little and considers giving Damon a line of bullshit about other things he wants to look up, but John kind of wants to get back to the bunker now and give it a once over so he confirms that yes, that is all they wanted to look up.
Damon's quick disappearance and return startles John and has him reaching for his silver knife. Dean, ever the peacemaker, takes a step closer to the counter between Damon, he and John. "Dad, hold on. Damon hasn't been making trouble here." Dean doesn't know what Damon is, but he does know that he hasn't caused any problems and that has earned him the right to live in Itinere without being hassled by the Winchesters.
"Hey," Gracie looks up, eyes wide. "There's no need for knives in here. It's a bookstore and Damon is helping," she reminds everyone just in case it slipped their mind in the excitement.
"How well do you know this guy?" John asks and it's a question for Dean and Gracie. Clearly, what he really means is do you know what he is.
"He's a friend of Ruby's," Dean answers quickly. "He's fine."
"Well enough," Gracie assures him.
"Wait--Jesus Christ on a popsicle stick. I'm going to have to go pull Sam and Ruby off one another and I can't do that until you put the knife away, Dad," Dean says, just now realizing that Damon said that someone was making out in the library.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-11 03:02 am (UTC)He wouldn't exactly call anything she did last night molestation because she's the more experienced once. If anything, it's a little more like she's the teacher and he's the student. Obviously, he's always picked up on things quickly. Right now isn't any different. His favorite thing about her is this, now. She's unafraid to express herself even in the most inappropriate (high risk?) areas that he can jump to an idea or two all on his own without her teaching him. That is to say his hands have life of their own and loosen their grip on her shoulders to slide upwards with the intention of cupping her face. It's purely accidental when his left hand gropes her breast, less so when he kneads it before his instincts manage to catch up to where he lets go, fingers splayed and backed off.
Boner in the physical sense or in the mental sense, because one, if not both could apply very soon.
Not a lot of people ever take him seriously, but those are the ones that know Damon even a little bit. Hey, it never hurts to check for those nasty little hex bags. Small town and pissing people off is not the most unheard of thing. Good on you, John. Gracie, oh Gracie, maybe he prefers the cat-like behaviors and teasing her is just the way he shows affection. Dean's extra requests would have been might with an eye roll anyway. Mary is also confirms that she is on board with getting back to the bunker as John's anxious behavior is obvious.
Damon will be the first to admit he could have thought it through more, but he's done hiding a part of himself when he doesn't have to. John brandishing a silver knife doesn't scare him like it should. Mary reaching for something he can't see doesn't either, though it goes noted that she also freezes at Dean's request. "No. I have not been making any trouble, Dad," he chimes in.
Helpful. Not really. But he can still speak for himself. Gracie, however, gets a smirk and a wink when her eyes turn on him, wide, because the little bit she has to say is flattering than anything else.
Damon understands when a cue is for somebody else, but he is standing right there John. "Ruby's friend, yes. We're besties. Super close. Going on, what? Two years now." His fingers cross tightly, hand where everyone can see. Please kindly direct the questions to his face from here on, John.
He shudders, a little loss for focus between this and that. "You might want to reconsider. The way things looked like they were headed, even I wouldn't want to go back there again to see what those love birds are up to now."
no subject
Date: 2020-03-12 12:09 am (UTC)Teacher and student is a much sexier comparison. Fortunately for Sam (and for Ruby) that's something that won't change. She's better at expressing herself verbally than she used to be, but physical expression is always easier. She also thinks inappropriateness is mostly a human construct to keep other humans from feeling awkward and she's got little use for it. There's absolutely no reason for him to back off. In fact, she'll move one of her hands and grab his wrist, sliding his hand up underneath the hem of her shirt. How far he wants to go up is his call. Her hands go back to slip under his shirt and scratch lightly against his skin.
She's doing something wrong if it doesn't.
Damon is right about the hex bags. Sam and Ruby have ticked a person or two off in this place. It's easy to get lax here because everything is completely opposite their home world, not mention it's a slice of practically happy ever after for the Winchesters. In that case, Gracie will take the teasing and he's free to enjoy the cat-like behaviors. She has been a (crazy) cat lady for a few years so maybe it's rubbed off.
This is a conversation that Damon and Ruby have had before; hiding who and what you are sucks and there's little reason to do so in Itinere. This place rolls with weird like it's a typical Thursday.Damon, has it been mentioned that you're not funny? Or at least John doesn't think so. That's clear in his expression and body language though he doesn't make any move to threaten or strike at Damon. He's comfortable enough with this place's weird (and Dean's endorsement) that he'll hear this out.
Shhh, Damon. They're trying to calm down the hunter. In spite of everything going on, Damon's wink gets a bit of a blush out of Gracie (she should not be in this deep with him--and yet).
Honestly, Dean had meant it more in the 'he's like Ruby and not evil' than anything. Sorry, Damon. John tends to think of non-humans like animals instead of people. It's something that he's working on (you know since his son is in love with a non-human). John lowers his knife a little, slinking the slightest bit out of predator mode. "You're not a spirit." As far as he can tell, Damon is as solid as can be, but a spirit is the first thing he can think of that moves the way Damon did. His gaze goes from Damon to Gracie and back. This, whatever it is, isn't playing by the rules that John knows.
Dean grumbles and scrubs his hands over his face, not quite ready to leave John alone with Damon even if he knows Mary is a good influence on him and likely wouldn't let John attack without cause (and there's a good chance that this isn't a fight John could win, not unprepared). "Yeah...I might come back later with a biohazard suit."
John's attention is snagged for a moment by the secondary conversation here. "We're in a bookstore...in public."
Dean snorts. "Yeah. I can't leave them alone anywhere for more than five minutes," he assures John.
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Date: 2020-03-12 02:41 am (UTC)Of course he would love to have
thesex with her. He could have never understood "right time, wrong place" more than he does in this moment.It's easier than one would think. To get under someone's skin. John is being a prime example right this second. Maybe Damon's already done them a favor by reminding them how quickly it is to make the wrong impression or that being too lax is never good. They're unlikely friends in much the same way as her kitten and his crow.
The result of said conversation between Ruby and himself may have actually been one of the causes for his decision to no longer hide it. It goes without saying, really, that it is no fun being private party for one at the boarding house with no one to drink with. Some people have said that, others have laughed at his jokes before. Either way, he's not dissuaded by John's visible body language.
It's just words. John could grow up a little (but so could Damon). The one good thing in all this is it never fails to make Gracie blush (there's a number of reasons he could give her of why she shouldn't be in this deep--but he's happy with her too).
Some lines are harder to read between. The other explanation is that Damon also isn't used to others on the other team defending him. In any case, it goes a ways enough to see that they're ready to talk like regular folk when John lowers the knife. "No. Far better. Starts with a V, ends with an Ampire." Yes, Damon is aware of the differences in the rules between universes. Ruby may have let it slip what vampires and demons are capable in her world. Not much is different, but he could take some insult to being a spirit. This body is 100% his and original.
Is it not helpful that Damon spelled out what he was for everybody though? Ultimately it's Dean's choice what he does. Mary knows enough that it would be foolish to go unprepared into a fight they can't win and places her hand over the silver knife John has to encourage it to go down lower. She shakes her head when John's eyes look to hers, to share that this isn't their call.
Mary is also pulled into the secondary conversation, arches her eyebrows. Maybe she's been one that has been paying attention more but it is nothing new to find out that Sam and Ruby are making out where there shouldn't be.
"We have what we came for. Should we get them or leave." But she'd like it if they stayed together. It's up to a family vote.
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Date: 2020-03-12 11:51 pm (UTC)Aww, she's glad she could help him come out of the closet. Gracie doesn't usually drink much at their private parties (or anywhere else) but she does party with Damon (and she likes the private part of it). Gracie is also glad that Damon doesn't hide who he is.
John could definitely loosen up, but he thinks he's plenty grown up. He's also plenty paranoid. (She wouldn't let him get those reasons out. Maybe she's in denial or maybe there aren't as many reasons for Gracie not to be in deep with Damon as he thinks there are. Time will tell).
Fair enough, but Damon has friends here and a fresh start whether he realizes it or not. John's eyes narrow and they go to Gracie looking for any obvious bite marks or signs that she needs help. Gracie winds her arm around Damon's waist in response, leaning against him (she's the same height as him in tennis shoes). He's met more than a few vampires and not all of them had seemed like bad people, but they all killed people and ruined lives (to be fair, the same could be said for John, Dean, and Ruby, depending on who you talk to). John looks to Dean and Dean shakes his head ever so slightly. Keep listening, John. "I guess you can get blood delivered here just like pizza."
Gracie feels like that's kind of a personal question, but maybe it is just like ordering pizza to Damon.
Very. Damon is a helper. Both Dean and Gracie relax a little more when Mary encourages John to put the knife down. He finally tucks it back in his jacket. If Mary and Dean are both comfortable enough with the way this thing is going, he'll force himself to be comfortable as well.
Mary probably is the one that's been paying more attention. Dean shakes his head. "I'll go talk to them. It's nothing I haven't seen." Because he bursts into rooms with closed doors.
Maybe she's making this exactly as hard as it needs to be. She also gets (and even agrees) that this isn't the place to have sex. It's a great place to make out though. Sam's decision gets a groaned "Yes," out of her. She sighs and lets her hand drop until her thumb catches in the back pocket of his jeans.
Ruby hears Dean coming their way and makes a decision. "Ok. Come on. Walk behind me. The apartment is just down the street," she responds as she leans in and kisses him hard one more time before turning on her toe and starting toward the door, her hand catching his as she starts toward the front door just as Dean comes around tahe corner. "I'm taking Sam to the apartment. I'll bring him home for dinner," she says loudly enough for everyone to hear.
They can have
thesex and he can see their apartment, which he'll find is mostly unchanged from when he was sixteen. It does look more lived in now and Sam's things are scattered around the place.no subject
Date: 2020-03-13 02:52 am (UTC)Suffice to say he still had a goofy little grin on his face the whole time. It's maybe why it was harder to pay attention to time and to make it back for dinner as they promised. Sam called Dean to let him know he planned to stay the night and needed to call rain check on dinner for tomorrow night. He was really sorry too. Wanted Dean to tell Mom and Dad that.
Things don't continue as smoothly as that though because he learns she is a demon over the next couple of days and reacts as if she betrayed him. He doesn't want to speak to her, doesn't want to see her, doesn't want to be even the same room as her. At least to begin with. Something Castiel says to him really strikes a cord with him though. She didn't do anything wrong, least of all anything he didn't participate in too. It didn't make her evil. And that starts to sway his opinion back to something remotely level. With space and time, he knows what he has to do.
The apartment is easy to find on his own, but he works himself up to knock on the door. The words he wants to say are all scrambled but he pushes any thought to turn around away. "I just came to say... that I'm sorry. I should have let you tell me your side of things. You're not how I imagined a demon would be." They're almost the same words he used the first time he started to come around. It's visible in his eyes that he wonders the why and how though.
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Date: 2020-03-14 01:24 am (UTC)Ruby loves that goofy grin. She would do a lot of horrible and wonderful things for that goofy grin. That's why the next part hurts so much.
Yeah. Well, Dean gave her an ultimatum. She told Sam or he did. From the moment Sam had said he wanted to stay, Ruby knew she was going to have to tell him that she was a demon. She'd expected him to freak out, but that hadn't made it easier. Once she'd told him, she packs a small overnight bag with a few things she wants to keep with her. (things like her box with Sam's notes). Once in the apartment, Ruby doesn't leave. She watches rom coms and reads her books and tries not to think about whether or not Sam is going to be able to get over what she is this time.
The knock surprises her, but she pauses the movie (10 Things I Hate About You) she's watching and goes to answer the door. She knows before she answers the door that it's Sam and that he's still eighteen. She's wearing a pair of leggings, a flannel shirt, and socks as she swings the door open wide. "I'm not like other demons," she says then takes a step back, holding the door open if he wants to come in.
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Date: 2020-03-14 05:48 am (UTC)He doesn't need or want her to do horrible things to make him happy. It should have just been enough if she were herself. That's why owning his mistake is something he can come to terms with (although it did take the little bit of guidance from an angel).
He doesn't know what to expect when she answers the door. He does step back, however, so he can get a better look at her body language and to listen not just to her words but to what her tone tells him. Honestly, he does not expect to be invited in so he hesitates before he crosses the threshold and turn back to her. "Why is that?" That's one of the things that has been plaguing his mind this whole time.
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Date: 2020-03-14 07:43 pm (UTC)Ruby has always been genuinely herself even when herself was awkward socially or just plain weird by human standards. (She'll have to thank that angel somehow that doesn't include the words 'thank you' because words are hard. It'll probably involve food because that's a love language she understands).
Her body language is a bit guarded, a bit defensive. She's been hurt and that's obvious in her body language, but it's Sam so he's getting another chance. Even Rifle stays where he's at curled up on the couch, alert but not quite ready to forgive Sam yet. Ruby knows how the dog feels. She closes the door behind him and maintains a certain amount of distance from him for both of their sakes. She figures he probably still needs the space. "I don't know," she answers, arms crossed over her chest. "I'm a freakin' unicorn. I don't know why or how. I didn't do anything to turn out this way and I wasn't given special treatment in Hell, at least not the kind anyone wants. I'm just...different."
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Date: 2020-03-22 06:04 am (UTC)Sam appreciates it too. Time spent together and time with their extended family is important. It seems like lately he is getting along better with his father because Itinere takes away a lot of the stresses that were at home.
(No thanks is necessary because all Castiel did was give his honest opinion. Maybe he couldn't argue with some food.)
Sam can see that she is upset, even a little bit guarded. To be fair, he is a little guarded too. He is a little bit extra cautious because what he says next matters and Ruby's language is a puzzle that his head hasn't let itself wrap around fully yet. He can't assume talking normally to her is the right answer, but what other way is there. With the space between them, he assumes that's what she wants and gives her it. Both of them are reading the signals wrong though. The last thing he wants is space from her. "I'm sorry," he says, pocketing his hands to keep them closer to himself. "I don't expect you to forgive me just because I say that. I really don't. I think... It just hurt when you couldn't tell me upfront. You maybe don't know how or why, but I want to know everything that makes you different. I'll listen."
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Date: 2020-03-23 12:40 am (UTC)(She'll deliver food because it seems like something she ought to thank him for. He didn't have to give his opinion)
She recognizes his caution, but she doesn't understand (yet) that it's because he wants to say the right thing. She's not entirely sure (until he apologizes) whether he's here out of curiosity or to make things better. She doesn't want the space at all. Nothing about that has changed, but she doesn't want to let him hurt her more than he already has nor does she want him to be afraid of her or uncomfortable. They're definitely reading their signals wrong. "If I'd told you upfront you would have shot me. Or stabbed me or tried to exorcise me. You wouldn't have given me the time of day to get to know me." He's free to tell her if she's wrong, but she'd be surprised if she were. "I care. I don't want to see the world turned into another version of Hell. Killing people is just boring and hurting them..." she shakes her head. "Most humans are annoying and careless and obtuse, but they don't deserve to that."
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Date: 2020-03-23 03:05 am (UTC)(No, he didn't. But Castiel has lived long enough with the Winchester's to know that sometimes they can't sort their problems out themselves. They need help.)
She's right. None of what she says is technically wrong because he can't know have he would have reacted if she told him before he even knew her. If his resent actions are any indication, it would show that it wouldn't have gone well at all. For that, his eyes lower and head hangs for a few moments before his gaze comes up to gaze at her again with true blue eyes in the light. "I wouldn't go as far as to say hurt you, but you're right. I can't tell you it would have been any different. You're not anything like the lore." He wants so bad to tell her she's wrong, but he can't lie to her face either, not now, not ever.
"And I needed a minute to think," he explains. "I think I still do. All I ever thought demons wanted to do was hurt people for their entertainment or drag their souls to hell for nefarious reasons. All they were capable of was destruction. But that's not what you did every time I've come here. You're actually fun. You built a slide, you eat food even if you don't have to, you sleep." No, yes, he did catch her sleeping face at some point during one of his visits. "I should say that I can give you a chance now. But I mean only if you're willing to give me another chance first."
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Date: 2020-03-24 01:10 am (UTC)(Isn't that the truth. That's something they can bond over with a bottle of Lucy's Monster Drunk)
She didn't point it out to make him feel guilty or worse. She simply wanted him to know why she didn't tell him up front. Ruby loves Sam's mood-ring eyes and she knows what that true blue color means. "I'm just going to get a shirt that says Freakin' Unicorn on it and wear it," she jokes in response to his observation that she's not like the lore. "And you're not like all the other hunters I've met," she tells him. It's better that he doesn't lie. She'd see through the lie and this conversation would not continue.
"That's why I came here. You needed to think and I needed to be forced to give you space. If you haven't noticed, that's one thing I'm not good at." Giving him space, she means. She considers his words. "Most of them do like hurting people and the reason souls get dragged to Hell is to power it. They're like duracells for the place. Of course, if a demon doesn't meet his or her monthly quota, there are consequences." She's unable to keep from smiling at him a little. "The slide was fun. Fries are enough reason alone to keep this place up and running and yeah. I don't need as much sleep as you do, but I have to recharge every now and then." Sleep makes a person (or demon) vulnerable, but it's not something she minds in Itinere. In fact, sleeping with Sam is one of the joys of her life in Itinere. She melts a little more at him asking for another chance. She unfolds her arms and holds her hand out. If he takes it, she'll pull him into an embrace, wrapping her arms around him. "Oh, Puppy. Don't tell any other versions of you this, but I'll always give you another chance."
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Date: 2020-03-24 03:04 am (UTC)Why wouldn't he feel guilty? Both of them had a part to play in this and he knows he could have controlled himself and handled it better. It makes sense why she couldn't tell him right away. That Ruby can joke at a time like this helps him feel a little better though. He grins wide. "Technically, you'd be like a Medusa. She was misunderstood too. There's only one of her." Blue eyes mean that he believes what he said and she isn't somebody he could lie to. "I'm not, um, I'm not technically a hunter yet," he reminds her. There is some hope he won't ever be if he doesn't have to but Itinere is so full of evidence to the contrary he tries not to think about it much.
"I didn't mean to make you leave," he offers apologetically. "I mean, I should have forced you to." When she shares what hell is like, he soaks up the information and his eyes give away a troubled sort of fascination. "Does that mean, like duracells, you get used up and discarded too. Is that why Hell needs more souls?" It feels him with a lingering sense of dread to think that's all there is to all the evil in the world and just so Hell can stay powered. He won't let himself ask or think about the things Ruby has done just yet. Her smile helps shift away his sense of dread, back to the fun they've had. "You really like fries," he huffs with a laugh. Other than the one time though he can't recall seeing her sleep, so he nods. "I don't think I've ever seen you sleep more than once." Is that a yes? Or is it a no. She has to spell it out for him because her actions sometimes befuddle him. For a minute, it seems time is frozen while she does nothing. Little does he know that he makes her melt for just asking for another chance. Sam does his best not to fidget, but he does shift his gaze down briefly before catching her hand held to him. Of course he takes it without thinking twice about it, bring his arms around her too. "What do you mean other versions? Won't I know when grow up to be them and remember this."
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Date: 2020-03-25 01:35 am (UTC)Humor is an excellent coping mechanism. She tilts her head at him. "There's more to her than turning people to stone and truly awesome hair?" He wouldn't be the person she loves if he could lie to her. She raises her brows and gives him a slight nod of acknowledgment. Not quite a hunter yet. Telling him about what she is was a big part of accepting that he might stay here in Itinere. It was something he had to know if he were to stay. Ruby can hide what she is for a little while, but she's unwilling to do it for an extended period of time.
She'll share more details about Hell with him. "Sort of," she hesitates, "human souls turn into demons and Hell doesn't run well on demons. It's like Monsters Inc." They'd watched it together. She's got no clue if he's seen it at this age, but she doesn't separate the versions of him very well so it's par for the course that she doesn't think about it. That's definitely not all there is to evil in the world, but it's the mundane of it. He shouldn't think about the things she's done. He's too young for that and while it's important to her that Her Sam knows the things she's done and loves her anyway, it's something that can come for this Sam later if necessary. "What's not to like? They're deep-fried crack." Yes, she does. Little does he know that his fries were the first she'd ever had. She doesn't mean to make him fidget and worry, but she has to be certain before she gives him hope.
He can't see the endearing smile that his words bring to her lips but she might be able to hear it in her voice. "Shhh don't ruin it by being logical," she chides him softly, teasingly. "I don't want you to get used to second chances."
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Date: 2020-03-25 03:47 am (UTC)Sam glances back at the chairs because maybe they should sit, but he stands and listens because she's worthy of his full attention. He blinks at her example. "Monster Inc?" He hasn't seen it at this age because it does not exist on the screens yet. Then he won't think about those things. He is all about collecting serial killer stats but less ready to actually meet one and talk about the things they've done. Right now, all he does know for sure is that her being a demon doesn't change the feelings that are tight in his chest. "What about other foods?" He genuinely wants to know what else she likes to eat and from day one it's been a puzzle he's tried to crack (no pun intended). If he knew it was her first food, and in fact, the first food they sort of shared together, it'd dawn on him why they were so special. The fact he does fidget at all is a sign that he wants to make amends.
He can't see or hear the smile she has, but the soft, teasing chide, he can hear. "I only need one," he speaks up for himself. He isn't aware of the irony of that statement.
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Date: 2020-03-26 01:43 am (UTC)They probably should sit. They probably will eventually. "We'll watch it some time. you'll see what I mean," she assures him. Good, she doesn't much want to talk about the things she's done either. That's all she can ask for and all that she wants: for him to care about her regardless of what she is. She considers his question. "Pizza and milkshakes. Strawberries. Chocolate," she lists a few of them. She likes being a puzzle for him to figure out. He'll find out about the fries in time.
He's actually going to need at least two, but she doesn't mention that to him. It's not fair to hold what he will do against him. After a moment, she pulls back, keeping his hand in hers. "Come on," she says, tilting her head toward the couch. "Let's sit. You can tell what you've been doing."
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Date: 2020-03-26 02:59 am (UTC)Any time she wants to sit, he will follow. "We can make it sometime soon," he suggests a little too eagerly. To be fair it's the first time he's made a mistake this big and he thinks the only way to make up to her is a grand gesture of making things go back to normal as soon as possible. She has already proven to him that she is more than a demon. Those foods are basically everything he loves too. It feels like he falls in love with her all over again when she lists them and his lips form a goofy smile. "You're just listing everything we had the last few days." It may sound like an accusation, but it's not.
It's not three at least, because in baseball three strikes means he's out. He knows (and will know) he doesn't want to be the outs with her. He can only imagine it'd hurt as much as he hurt her. Her lead is easy to follow and sits on the couch after her, yes next to her, but having to flounder to the opposite side where Rifle doesn't purposely block him. He fidgets because a few days doesn't give him much to tell actually. "Why don't you start." He's much more interested in what she's been doing.
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