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f0rg3t-me-n0t · 1 year

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A Simple Salt and Burn

Dean Winchester x Reader

Summary: A simple salt and burn turns out to be not so easy after all.

Words: 11,2k

Warnings: angst, language, fluff, reader gets/is hurt, painkillers, friends to lovers

A/N: English isn’t my mother tongue so please excuse any mistakes! :)

Masterlist

~~~

A soft knock on the door made you look up from the book you were currently reading. Sam had bought it for you on their last hunt to help you pass some time while you were taking a little break. You had to heal from a pretty bad wound you had gotten from a werewolf a few weeks ago.

„Yeah?“, you called out and Dean slowly entered your room.

„I‘m not interrupting you, am I?“, he asked, pointing at your book.

„Oh no.“, you shook your head and smiled at the older Winchester. „I just finished the chapter.“

With a relieved sigh, he sat down on the edge of your bed.

„That’s good.“, he said before he went silent and scratched his neck. „So…uhm…“

Closing your book you looked at him.

„What is it?“

„Well…“, Dean cleared his throat and turned a little more to you. „Sam wanted me to ask you if you wanted to join us on a new case...“

You being surprised was an understatement. Never had you even thought to hear that question right now.

It was no wonder that suspicion started to rise right away, so you asked: „But?“

Dean huffed while shrugging.

„I‘m just a little worried that it might be a little too soon for you.“, he confessed.

„Uhhh…“, you frowned. „I don’t know. I’m feeling pretty good right now, to be honest. What kind of case is it?“

„A simple salt and burn.“, the dirty blonde answered.

He still didn’t look very convinced.

„I think that should be alright.“, nevertheless you nodded and pulled your blanket to the side. „Might just be perfect for me. It’s something easy to get back into business again.“

You chuckled and hoped it would loosen the tension.

„You sure?“, Dean stood up after you had made your way to the duffle bag that was laying in the corner of your room.

„Yeah.“, you started to throw various items of clothing in it and turned to him after you had heard him sigh. „I promise. I‘ll be careful, okay?“

And finally, you had persuaded him.

„Alright, I guess.“, Dean smiled a little and nodded outside while he was walking to the door. „Meet us at the Impala in 15 minutes?“

„Sounds good to me.“, you agreed and he left.

Relief spread through your body and you couldn’t help but grin. Finally, the boredom was over. Still, you had to admit that it was right for Dean to worry. Your wound wasn’t completely healed yet, but in a much better condition than before.

You pulled up your tank top a little to reveal the bandage on your belly. Carefully you removed it and looked at the fresh scar. It had been a pretty large and deep cut, but right now it was only a little red and irritated. Not too bad.

„Okay, let’s put on some ointment and get the rest of my stuff.“, you murmured to yourself.

Said and done. After you had taken care of your wound, you remembered the painkillers on your nightstand and threw them in the bag, too. Just in case. Then you collected your toiletries in the bathroom and there was only one thing left to do: throw on some real clothes.

Finally, you made your way over to the garage.

„Hey boys.“, you greeted the Winchesters.

„Hey.“, Sam smiled at you and put the duffle bag that you were handing him in the trunk of the Impala. „How are you feeling?“

„Well rested and excited.“, you answered him with a smirk and he patted your shoulder.

„Glad to hear that.“, the Brunette opened the door to the backseat for you. „I‘m happy you’re back on track again.“

„Yeah, me too.“

You got in the car and looked at Dean who was already in the driver's seat. His glance shifted from his smartphone to you.

„Wait.“, he furrowed his eyebrows. „Is that my flannel? I‘ve been looking for it everywhere!“

Grinning you eyed the brown material on your body.

„After the last load of laundry, it kinda showed up in my drawer, so I thought I’d borrow it.“

Now he chuckled.

„At least I know now that it’s in good hands.“, he said.

This statement made you blush a little. You‘ve had some feelings for the older Winchester for a while now but just couldn’t muster the courage to tell him. Losing your best friend was your worst fear so you decided to stay quiet.

„Okay, let’s go.“, Sam got in the car and you cleared your throat.

„Yup. Let’s kick some ghost ass.“

~~~

After three hours of driving Dean decided to take a stop at a gas station. He turned the Led Zeppelin song that was blasting from the stereo lower and got out of the Impala. Just two seconds later his head appeared again and he looked at you.

„Want something from the shop?“, he asked.

„Uhm…maybe some chocolate?“, you shrugged.

„Alright.“, Dean turned to go but he was stopped by his brother.

„Hey, what’s with me?“, Sam pouted.

„You and me both know, that you’re more into rabbit food than snacks and there’s no green stuff at a gas station.“, this was the only answer the dirty blonde gave him, then he was gone.

Sam huffed while you were laughing.

„Oh wow, that was mean.“, you chuckled.

„Yeah…“, he said sourly.

„Don’t worry, I‘ll share some chocolate with you.“, you leaned forward and nudged his arm.

He snorted while rolling his eyes.

„Thanks, N/N.“

„You’re welcome.“, grinning you sat back and stared out of the window. „Anyways…what’s the case about? I can’t believe I haven’t asked already.“

Sam nodded and grabbed his notebook.

„Yeah, we had a lot to catch up on. You barely left your room in the last three weeks.“, he spoke.

„Right…“, you sighed. „Wasn’t feeling that well…“

„I know. It’s alright. I’m glad you’re doing better.“, Sam waved it off. „So…where is it?“ He flicked through his notes. „Oh yeah. A group of teenagers went missing in a haunted house in Purcell, Oklahoma. Your typical dare. Fact is that only one kid came back and he’s absolutely traumatized. He told the police that a disfigured man let his friends vanish or might have even killed them. They thought he was nuts so they put him in a mental facility.“

„Jesus. Poor kid.“, you murmured. „But it really sounds like a salt and burn.“

Just as you finished your sentence Dean opened the driver's door.

„Look what I found! Beef Jerky with Pizza flavoring!“, grinning from ear to ear he shook the little bag in front of Sam.

Sam only rolled his eyes.

„Oh, here’s your chocolate.“, Dean threw a Hersheys bar at you that you barely caught. „Were you two talking about the case?“

„Yeah.“, you nodded and opened the chocolate bar before taking a bite.

„I see.“, Dean started the car and got back on the road. „So…what’s the plan?“

„First of all we should get a motel.“, Sam suggested. „Afterwards we can talk with the police and Lucas Paulson. He’s the only one from the group who’s not missing.“

„Sounds good.“, you agreed. „Maybe we should also look into the backstory of the haunted house. I mean…surely the police and Lucas can tell us a few things about it, but just to be safe. Then we can visit the house.“

„Alright.“, Dean said. „But let’s do all of the case stuff tomorrow. It’ll be late when we arrive in Purcell. Maybe we could go out for a few drinks? What do you guys think?“

His eyes met yours in the rearview mirror. Sam already shook his head.

„Nah. I think I’m going to do some research.“

Dean didn’t react. His eyes were still on you. Immediately you could feel yourself turning a little red.

„Uh, sure. Why not?“, you gave in.

The older brother smiled.

„That’s my girl.“

Your eyes widened a little but at the same time, you knew or rather told yourself that he didn’t mean anything by it. He was your best friend and you were his. That’s all.

~~~

Finally, you arrived at the Three Oaks Motel. It wasn’t too shabby and they even had a free room for three. A double bed and a single bed. Sam took the single one because the double bed would be too cramped for the other person sleeping there, so you and Dean had no other choice than to take the double. It wasn’t really weird, you’ve had spent a few times sleeping in one bed with Dean when no rooms for three persons were available, but right now with your feelings, it wasn’t the best option.

Sighing you put down your duffle bag on your side of the bed.

„Is sleeping next to me that bad?“, Dean chuckled and threw his stuff next to his nightstand.

„Oh!“, you felt caught. „Not at all…uh…the drive was just long.“

The blonde looked at you with worry.

„Your wound isn’t hurting, is it?“

„No. But my back. I’m getting old.“, quickly you tried to distract him and laughed.

Snorting he shook his head but you didn’t miss that there was still worry in his eyes.

„Okay. Let’s grab some food. I’m starving.“, nevertheless you had a plan to escape the situation. „I saw a diner on our way to the motel. It should be a few minutes away by foot.“

Both Winchesters agreed so you set out. While you were waiting for your burgers and Sam‘s salad you discussed the little information you had about the case and the last werewolf hunt that had left you with that nasty cut on your stomach. The topic was still a little sensitive for you so you tried to talk your way around it. To be honest, the wound really did hurt a bit after the long drive, so after a while, you excused yourself to the restroom to take an Advil.

Sighing you looked at yourself in the mirror. You really hoped you had made the right decision to tag along.

After dinner, Sam made his way back to the motel, and Dean and you went looking for a bar. For a while, you just walked silently next to each other.

„So…“, Dean broke the silence after some time. „You took something for the pain in the bathroom, didn’t you?“

Your steps slowed down and you looked at him.

„Don’t lie. I saw you taking the pills out of your bag back in the motel. And I also noticed you huffing quite a bit before you went to the restroom.“

You both stood still now and you gulped.

„Well…“, you let out a shaky breath. „The cut hurt a little. But it’s okay. Really.“

Dean eyed you with a stern look on his face and blew some air through his nose.

„So you didn’t tell me the truth in the motel.“

He was pissed. At least a bit.

„Why?“, he asked.

You looked to your feet and shrugged.

„I just didn’t want you to worry.“

„But I do. All the time, since that werewolf got you.“

„I know.“, you murmured, then you got louder. „I just couldn’t stand being bored to death in my room anymore. The wound was fine before the ride. I promise. And I…I know I fucked up that werewolf hunt but you need to trust me. I’m fine. Please…“

Dean took a step forward and put his hand on your shoulder.

„I trust you, sweetheart. I just can’t see you hurt.“, he said. „And you didn’t fuck up that hu-“

„I did.“, you didn’t let him finish his sentence. „I ran after that werewolf and that’s why he got me. You even got mad at me for it.“

Now the green-eyed hunter sighed.

„Yeah, I know Y/N. But you just tried to save that girl. And you did, which makes me so proud of you. I was just mad at you because I was scared for you…“, his hand left your shoulder and he turned away from you.

Now you didn’t know what to say. Your mouth opened but nothing came out, so Dean went on.

„So…yeah. It’s not your fault.“, he cleared his throat. „But you need to be honest with me about your wound, okay? I won’t stop you now but I want you to let me know if it’s getting worse.“

For some time you stayed silent, then you nodded.

„Okay.“

„Good.“, the older Winchester set in motion again and you caught up to him. „Now let’s forget about that, deal? I really need some drinks.“

He smiled at you and held his hand out for you.

„Deal.“, you reciprocated the smile and took it.

~~~

The next morning started early. You were really happy that you didn’t drink so much last evening because you didn’t want to mix too much alcohol with the painkiller. Dean on the other hand wasn’t that lucky. He grumpily sat on his bed and slurped on the coffee that Sam had brought from his morning jog.

„So…wanna drive to the police station in 15 minutes?“, the younger Winchester asked.

You nodded, but Dean only glared at Sam.

„Jesus, could you slow down a bit? Some of us are not fully awake yet.“

„Well, sorry. It’s not my fault that you’re hungover.“, Sam snorted, then he went out to grab the suits from the Impala.

Dean grumbled a little and you chuckled.

„Come on, big boy. You’ll be fine.“, you said and patted his shoulder. „Need some Advil?“

„Nah…“, he waved it off. „I‘m good.“

„Alright.“, you shrugged. „Then drink up and get ready.“

The dirty blonde sighed but finally got up and disappeared into the bathroom. Just then, Sam came back and handed you your suit.

„He seems to listen to you more than to me.“, he shook his head.

Grinning you answered: „At least he listens to someone.“

„Yeah. You’re right.“, Sam chuckled, then he started to change into his suit.

After you turned around you did the same. It wasn’t untypical for you to do this. After all the brothers had already seen you enough in your underwear while tending to your wound or that time you all went swimming in a lake near the bunker.

Eventually, Dean returned from the bathroom. His hair wasn’t disheveled anymore and he smelled like deodorant.

„You look better.“, you told him.

„Gee, thanks. Still feel like shit.“, he yawned, then he pulled his shirt over his head and started to throw on his suit.

You couldn’t help but glance at his torso, the anti-possession tattoo, and his soft abs. Gulping you looked away, when you realized, that Deans's gaze had met yours and you could see him smirking from the corner of your eye.

„You good, sweetheart?“, he asked cockily.

„Perfectly fine.“

Exhaling, you walked past him and outside to the car. Your belly was feeling all fuzzy and you could really beat yourself for staring so much. While pinching the bridge of your nose you walked up and down for some time and only stopped, when you heard the two brothers leaving your room.

„Let’s get going.“, Sam hopped into the passenger seat and you got into the backseat without saying a word.

When Dean had finally taken his place in front of the steering wheel, his eyes set on you for some seconds through the rearview mirror, then he started the motor. Shakily you quietly breathed out and decided to look out of the window.

Only a few minutes later you arrived at the police station. After you went in, Dean introduced you to the sheriff, who was talking to one of his colleagues in the lobby.

„Hello. I'm Agent Plant, these are Agent Page and Agent Jones.“, he nodded to you and Sam. „We‘re from the FBI and we’re here for the investigation of the missing teenagers.“

The sheriff looked surprised. You on the other hand tried to hold in a grin because you knew perfectly well that Dean had chosen the last names of Led Zeppelins members.

„The FBI? Why would they deal with this case?“, Sheriff Milner who was a tall man with light brown hair and stubble as a beard asked.

„Uhm.“, Sam cleared his throat. „We’re newbies, so our boss decided it would be best for us to start with something easy.“

Now the Sheriff laughed.

„Easy.“, he snorted. „Well, not so easy if you ask me, gentlemen and dear lady. Come with me.“

He escorted you to his office and handed Sam a file. While Sam was flicking through it he began to tell you about the case.

„So…as you can see we have five missing teenagers, two girls, and three boys. Only Lucas Paulson got away, but he went a little crazy.“, he sighed. „They visited the old Griffin House which is just a little outside of town.“

„We were told that it’s haunted. That right?“, Dean asked.

Sheriff Milner shrugged.

„If you ask me it’s just a story, but I have to admit that the case is…well, weird.“

Now you frowned.

„Weird? Can you tell us a little more about the backstory of the house? To be honest, we didn’t get a lot of information on it.“, you wanted to know.

„Yeah of course.“, the brunette nodded. „60 years ago the Griffin family lived there. A couple with a daughter and a son. They were quite highly regarded, but the son…uhm…he caught interest in satanic rituals.“

„Oh.“, Dean said.

„Yeah. Oh.“, the Sheriff chuckled. „Well, one day everything escalated when he conjured a ritual and the house burned down with the entire family. Since then it has been said that the ghost of the son still haunts the ruins. Many young people go there as a test of courage. Just like in our case.“

„Wow. That’s…“, you didn’t really know what to say.

„Eerie.“, Sam completed the sentence for you and you nodded.

„Yup, you can say that.“, Sheriff Milner agreed. „But they never found satanic shrines, symbols, or weird objects. It is said that he performed the ritual in the basement of the house, but it was completely empty except for a few supplies and tools when the police investigated it. That’s why many say that it’s just a story and that there was something wrong with the furnace in the basement. It makes sense, I guess. That’s where the fire started.“

„Alright.“, Dean spoke now. „But…back to our case. What’s so „weird“ about it?“

Instead of the sheriff, Sam answered: „Maybe the fact that they only found some blood from the teenagers. Not even what could have caused it. Blood only. As if it had appeared out of nowhere. There wasn't even a trace of a fight.“

He must have read about it in the file.

„Completely right.“, the Sheriff nodded. „We have no idea how this could have happened. I mean, yeah. The whole thing looked like a crime scene, there was a lot of blood. But the thing is…everything looked so clean…not one drop of blood was smudged. There were no bloody footsteps or handprints, although, according to Lucas, there certainly should have been some.“

„Huh…“, Dean furrowed his eyebrows. „Well, then we should really ask him about his side of the story.“

„You can do that.“, Sheriff Milner shrugged. „But I wouldn't put too much faith in him. He said it was the ghost of the Griffins' son.“

With those words, he walked to the door and opened it for you.

„If you excuse me now. I have an important phone call in five.“, he smiled apologetically.

„Yeah. No problem. We‘ll call if there are any questions.“, Sam said, then you all walked out of his office and to the Impala.

„Really didn’t expect this.“, you huffed. „No simple salt and burn after all. The son must have been fried enough in the fire, so there must be something else that binds his spirit to the house.“

"You can say that out loud.", Dean ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, let's talk to Lucas and then check the archives to see if we can find out more about the Griffins."

~~~

About 30 Minutes later you entered the mental hospital, which was a few towns away. At the reception, you talked with a nurse who then brought you to the ward where they treated Lucas. Another nurse then took over and guided you to his room.

„Lucas?“, she knocked on his door and entered.

Slowly Dean, Sam, and you followed her and your eyes met a barely 16-year-old boy who stared at you like a deer in headlights. He was in horrible condition and looked absolutely miserable.

„Lucas, those are some FBI Agents. They want to ask you some questions about your friends.“, the nurse introduced you. „Is that okay with you?“

„Uh…y-yeah.“, Lucas gulped and his gaze wandered to the floor.

You knew that this was really uncomfortable for him, but there was no other way. You needed to hear about the night of the disaster.

„Alright.“, the nurse nodded, then she turned to Sam and smiled at him. „I‘ll be outside. Call me if you need me.“

„Yeah, thank you.“, he answered, then you were alone with Lucas.

Right away you could feel the brothers looking at you. They knew you were more sensitive than them so it was best if you did the talking. You took a deep breath.

„Hey Lucas.“, you stepped closer to the blonde boy. „I“m Y/N Page, but you can call me N/N. Those are Agent Plant and Agent Jones. Can I sit next to you?“

You gave him a warm smile when he looked up. He just nodded but you could see him relax a little.

„So…“, you took a seat. „We would like you to tell us what happened if that’s possible. You can take as much time as you need, but it would surely help us with our investigation. We really want to find your friends.“

Immediately Lucas got nervous and he began to tug at his sleeves.

„You would think I‘m nuts…just like the other cops. That’s why I’m here…“, he murmured.

„I won’t, I promise.“, you said and put your hand on his shoulder to make him look up at you. „Try me.“

For a while he didn’t say anything and only chewed on his lip, then he sighed.

„Okay. So…two nights ago my friends and I were hanging out. We drank a little and decided to play truth or dare.“, he told you and took a shaky breath. „After a while, Jake dared Kim to steal something from the basement in the old Griffin House, and yeah, off we went. We were all pretty drunk so we just decided to come inside instead of waiting outside. We were just too curious about everything in there and at first, everything was awesome.“ Now he smiled sadly. „With all of us six shitfaced it wasn’t even spooky anymore… at least until we all had reached the basement. Suddenly it got really cold...like below freezing which was extremely weird. I mean it’s summer.“

Lucas frowned and Dean looked knowingly at Sam.

„And then?“, you asked.

„And…and then.“, the blonde boy seemed to struggle. „Then a man appeared. I don’t know who it was, he was really disfigured, but he started chasing us. A-And then he got Kim. He had this kind of knife and when it touched her there was so much blood…“

His lip trembled and he teared up.

„And that’s the weird part. It touched her, blood spurted out and suddenly she was gone. Not dead gone but gone gone. There was no trace of her besides her blood.“, Lucas exhaled. „After that, the man went after the next person and when he stepped through the blood there was nothing, no footprints, nada. I know that you’re going to call me crazy, but I’m 100 percent sure that he‘s a ghost. I just know it.“

Lucas looked at you desperately.

„Okay.“, you nodded. „I believe you.“

That, he hadn’t expected.

„Wait.“, he gulped. „You do?“

You just nodded again.

„Yes. I believe you, Lucas.“

„But-“, he didn’t know how to go on so you decided to let him into your mostly well-kept secret.

„Well, to be honest, me and those two gentlemen are no FBI agents.“, you told him. „We are hunters and we…well, we hunt monsters.“

Now Lucas was the one who looked at you like you were crazy. At least a little.

„You want to tell me that monsters are real?“, his eyes went wide.

„Yup.“, Dean chimed in. „Vampires, werewolves, you name it.“

„And ghosts.“, you added. „That’s why we are here. We strongly believe that a ghost kidnapped your friends. So no. You aren’t nuts Lucas. Not in the slightest.“

It went silent for a while, but finally, he nodded.

„Alright, good to know.“, he said. „What’s your plan?“

„Well, we wanted to do some more research on the house in the archives and then check on the situation there. We really hope that we find something…or someone.“, Sam explained now.

„I see.“, Lucas hummed. „But…aren’t you scared that the ghost will get you, too?“

Dean chuckled.

„Not really. We‘ve dealt with stuff that was far worse.“

„Okay.“, a little smile formed on the boy's lips. „Uhm…do you need some more information?“

You pondered.

„What did the ghost look like besides being disfigured? Are there any significant details you remember?“, you wanted to know.

„Uhhh…yeah.“, Lucas nodded. „He had a really big mole on his right hand. I saw it when he grabbed Kim.“

„Good. We can work with that.“

A relieved sigh came from the boy.

„Glad to be of help.“, he said, then he gulped. „Good luck then…and…please find my friends.“

„We will. I promise.“, you squeezed his shoulder and stood up. „Thank you for talking to us. We really appreciate it.“

Afterward, you, Sam, and Dean left the room. When you took a look at your watch you noticed that it was nearly 2 pm.

„Wanna grab something to eat first?“, Dean must have noticed it.

„Gladly. It feels like my stomach is about to digest itself.“, you answered and rubbed your belly.

„Then we should really hurry.“, Sam chuckled and you made your way outside.

~~~

„Ugh, I‘m so full.“, Dean leaned back with a pained look on his face and eyed his empty plate.

„No wonder. You ate two burgers.“, Sam snorted while he put the last fork of salad in his mouth.

„I‘m still growing.“, Dean shrugged and you laughed.

„Only in the width.“, you teased him.

The older Winchester narrowed his eyes, but then he couldn’t help but chuckle.

„Fair enough.“

You grinned and grabbed another fry from your plate. Now both brothers started a conversation while you finished your food and when you were done you did a big stretch.

Suddenly there was a painful sting coming from the wound on your stomach. You furrowed your brows and crossed both your arms in front of your chest.

„Dammit.“, you thought. „Hopefully it didn’t tear.“

You stood up.

„I‘m going to the restroom.“, you said and Dean looked at you.

„You alright?“, he asked.

„Shouldn’t have eaten those last fries.“, you made up an excuse even though you felt perfectly fine.

„Oh. If you’re going to puke, just scream and we’re coming.“, he offered cockily and you rolled your eyes.

„Ha, fucking, ha.“

You left and when you were in the bathroom you pulled up your shirt to look at the cut. It was still red, but there was no blood so everything seemed to be fine. Sighing you rummaged through your pants pocket and pulled out a painkiller. Taking medication right away wasn’t something you normally did, but on one hand, your wound really hurt now and on the other hand you couldn't afford to be weak from pain later.

Still, you looked at the pill for a while and pondered.

„It‘ll help.“, you thought and then you took it.

~~~

„Okay, boys. Let’s look for some pictures of the family.“, you said while sitting down at a table in the archives.

Dean grabbed a file from the box that the archivist had given you and started with his search. You did the same and soon the older Winchester found a family portrait. Both of you examined the hand of the son in order to identify him as the ghost.

„Huh…weird. No big mole.“, Dean furrowed his eyebrows.

Next, you looked at the father's hand. He didn’t have it either.

„Maybe the picture doesn’t show it?“, you murmured while squinting your eyes and taking a closer look at the picture.

„I don’t think so…hey, there’s another photograph.“, the dirty blonde snatched another document out of the box.

„William Griffin (18) and Jonathan Griffin (54)“ was written at the bottom

It showed father and son. Just perfect. At least that’s what you thought.

„No mole.“, you sighed.

„That makes no sense.“, Dean huffed.

„Hey! Look at this.“, Sam suddenly exclaimed and you both looked up from the picture.

„What is it?“, you got up and around the table to stand next to the younger Winchester.

„I found a file with some details on the family’s death.“, he explained and pointed to a passage in the text. „Here. It wasn’t just the family, it was also the daughter's boyfriend. Apparently her brother didn’t like him and decided to lure him into the basement in order to kill him during a ritual.“

„What?“, Dean had joined you and his eyes flew over the words. „The hell?“

„Yup. He drugged him, then he put him on fire, and yeah…you know the rest.“

„Damn, that’s really fucked up.“, you ran your fingers through your hair and sighed.

„But that wasn’t all.“, Sam went on.

„Not?“, his brother looked at him confused.

Sam shook his head, while he was grinning a little.

„Look at that.“

He revealed a picture behind the document. It showed a couple. They seemed to be really happy.

„That‘s Eleanor Griffin and her boyfriend Tate Mayham.“, the brunette explained. „And if you look at his right hand…“

„The mole…“, you were astonished.

What a twist of events.

„100 points to you, N/N.“, Sam nodded. „We have our ghost.“

~~~

After doing another hour of research you decided to drive back to the motel. All of you needed a little rest and most importantly you had to prepare before visiting the Griffin House.

With a huff, you sprawled out on your bed and heard Dean chuckling.

„Was it that exhausting?“, he asked while he was sitting down on his side of the bed.

You turned your head to him.

„Not really, I guess.“, you said. „I‘m just a little out of shape.“

„Well.“, he shrugged. „I think you're doing pretty good.“

The green-eyed hunter smiled at you.

„Thanks, Dean.“, you reciprocated the smile and sat up with a yawn. „I‘m going to freshen up a bit.“

With those words, you grabbed some more comfortable clothes and went to the bathroom. Only when the door closed you allowed yourself to quit acting.

„Ow.“, you murmured and pulled up your shirt.

Your wound had started to hurt again some while ago and right now it felt like it was on fire. That was also the reason why you had huffed when you had let yourself fall on the bed. It had been an attempt to mask a painful hiss.

When you saw the cut your eyes went wide. Now there was some blood.

„Shit.“, you exhaled.

You cleaned it with some water and grabbed the ointment that was sitting on the sink. Afterward, you took some bandages from the first aid kit and put them on. It hurt a lot so you couldn’t help but wince. Next, you went on and changed into the clothes you had brought. During that, some of the Advil you had sneaked in your suit's pants fell out of it and you crouched to pick it up.

„Fucking hell.“, you cursed under your breath.

This position made the pain only worse. Nevertheless, you went on to collect the pills and when you got up again you looked at them skeptically. You knew it really wasn't good to take too many painkillers, but you could really use them right now.

Chewing on your lip you thought about what Dean had said to you yesterday. He had wanted you to let him know when you were in pain, but you just didn’t want to worry him. Right before now, it hadn’t even been that bad.

„Okay.“, you took a deep breath. „One last pill. If it doesn’t get better, I‘ll tell him.“

Down your throat it went and you got out of the bathroom.

„As much as I like you in suits, this outfit looks way better on you.“, your heard Dean say and turned to him.

You tried to prevent yourself from blushing by saying: „But only because I’m wearing your flannel.“

The older Winchester grinned.

„Maybe. It really s-“

„Come on, Dean. Stop flirting, we need to make some more rock salt bullets.“, Sam suddenly interrupted him, and to be honest you were kind of disappointed.

You really wanted to know what he had tried to say.

„You’re no fun, Sammy.“, Dean rolled his eyes.

He continued with his work and you were left clueless.

„So…“, you cleared your throat. „Anything I could do?“

„Mhm…“, the blonde hunter thought. „Maybe you could clean my gun. I think there’s still some vampire brain on it from the last hunt.“

„Ew.“, you wrinkled your nose.

„Here you go, princess.“, he smirked and gave you the gun with the white handle.

Sighing you took it from him.

„Thanks…“, you pressed your lips together and started with your task.

~~~

Around 6 pm you all were finally ready and got in the car. During the ride, you thought about the pills again. You really hated that you just couldn’t tell the Winchester brothers about your pain, but what you hated more was Dean being worried about you. He wouldn’t have let you go with them if he knew about your condition. That, you knew for a fact. All you wanted to do was to finally make it up to the two men.

Yes, Dean had already told you that it wasn’t your fault that the werewolf hunt had gone wrong. You only had wanted the best for the girl you had been trying to save. Sometimes shit just happens, but you couldn’t accept it. You still felt horrible for causing so much trouble and nearly getting Sam and Dean hurt, too. To be honest you didn’t really care that you got hurt, but you couldn’t deal with the fact, that your friends could’ve died because of you.

Now you wanted to show them, that you could do better. You wanted to show them, that they shouldn’t worry about you, that you could handle yourself, and that you could get out of this hunt unharmed. That’s what this all was about. You just wanted everything to be normal again. Only you three on the road, hunting whatever monster you could find, and no worried looks from Sam and Dean.

You huffed quietly and looked at your two friends. That’s when you realized that you were close to reaching your destination. Not even a minute later Dean turned off the Impala.

„Okay, let’s do this.“, he said, then he opened the car door and got out.

Sam and you did the same and right away your gaze met the Griffin House. You had seen pictures in the archives of the once beautiful home, but now it was just a ruin, with charred stone walls, some of which were already crumbling and slowly being taken over by plants. The roof was completely gone.

Dean whistled in astonishment before going to the trunk and opening it.

„Here.“, he handed you the shotguns with the rock salt bullets and also grabbed a crowbar. „Just in case.“

He smiled at you, but you had some problems to also do so. You just couldn’t forget about the things that had gone through your head earlier.

„You good, sweetheart?“, the green-eyed hunter asked now while frowning.

„Uh, yeah.“, you nodded. „A little nervous, I guess.“

His face softened and he laid his hand on your shoulder.

„I won’t let anything happen to you.“, he said. „I promise. You’re safe with me.“

You knew, that he meant good with this. It was just the total opposite of what you wanted to happen. Dean shouldn’t have to protect you. Not like last time. Now you wanted to prove, that you could still do it on your own.

„Thanks, Dean.“, you answered nevertheless.

It wouldn’t be good to make him more suspicious of you.

„Alright.“, he let go of you and looked to Sam. „Y/N and I will check the basement. Do you mind going through the rest of the house?“

The younger Winchester shook his head.

„I can manage that.“, he said. „I‘ll join you when I’m done.“

With that, he went into the house.

„Welp.“, Dean sighed. „Let’s go inside, too.“

You nodded so he went ahead and you followed him. The first thing you noticed was the remains of the burned furniture. Trying to imagine what the shelf in the living room had looked like you inspected it a little closer.

„I don’t think that Casper’s hiding in there.“, Dean chuckled.

Glaring at him you showed him your middle finger.

„Oh, you don’t say.“

Now he was mockingly pouting.

„I was just trying to be funny.“, he said.

You snorted.

„Why, yes of course.“, you nodded and smirked. „Your dad jokes are absolutely hilarious. Ha-ha-ha.“

Shortly after you had set in motion again Dean caught up to you.

„Hey! My jokes are no dad jokes!“, now he was really offended.

„Yes, they are.“, you grinned.

„No, they‘re no-“

A loud pang interrupted him. It came from the basement to which the staircase you were standing in front of led to.

„Well, shit.“, you sighed. „I love when this happens.“

„Me either.“, Dean straightened and raised his shotgun. „But we have no other choice.“

Slowly he made his way down. After you had unlocked your gun you did the same and felt your heart rate increase. It wasn’t too dark so you could see pretty well, but you had a really bad feeling about this.

„Dean!“, you hissed.

The green-eyed hunter was almost in the middle of the room now, looking around while pulling out the EMF.

„Huh, maybe it was a rat.“, it showed nothing.

Although this should have calmed your nerves a little the weird feeling didn’t go away.

„Dean. This doesn’t feel ri-“, suddenly the staircase cracked right beneath you and you took a hard fall to the ground.

„Y/N!“, Dean shouted and was with you immediately. „You alright?“

He helped you up as you grimaced in pain.

„Y-yeah. I think so - Ow!“, he had brushed your irritated wound and you jolted back from his touch.

„Dammit!“, he cursed when he noticed. „Did your cut tear?“

The blonde man pulled up your tank top a little only to reveal the bloody bandage.

„What…?“, his eyes met yours, and instantly your heart dropped.

You opened your mouth: „I-“

„You promised.“, he huffed and shook his head in disappointment.

Sighing you looked to the side.

„I know…but-“

„But what?“, Dean snapped. „Why would you do something so stupid? Why would you go on a hunt knowing fully well that you’re hurt?“

After those words had left his mouth it was silent for a while. You knew that he was right and you hated it.

„Why would you do something like that, Y/N?“, he asked again when you didn’t answer.

Chewing on your lip you shrugged. Another huff escaped his lips.

„I want you to tell me. Tell my, Y/N, why would you put yourself in such danger?“

When he said your name you looked up and it felt like his green eyes pierced right through your own. You gulped, knowing that you couldn’t escape the truth now. There was no way out. Sure, you could just be stubborn, but you hated when Dean was mad at you. More than anything. Him being disappointed in you wasn’t something you could handle.

„Alright…“, you murmured quietly. „I… I just want everything to be normal again.“

Dean frowned.

„What do you mean?“

„I mean…“, you took a deep breath. „I just wanted to prove that I could handle it…I wanted to show you that I could finish this hunt without fucking up.“

Dean was still looking at you, but now his gaze got softer.

„Sweetheart…“, he sighed. „I already told you, that you didn’t fuck up.“

„Still.“, you turned away from him and crossed your arms in front of your chest. „I wanted to show you that you don’t need to worry about me…and that I won’t get you and Sam hurt again.“

You only mumbled the last words, but Dean had perfectly understood you.

„This is what this all is about?“, he asked. „Come on. Look at me, Y/N.“

He softly grabbed your shoulder and turned you towards him. Nevertheless, you avoided his eyes.

„Sweetheart.“, Dean put his fingers under your chin and gently lifted your face.

Slowly you obeyed.

„There we go.“, he whispered once your eyes met his own.

Your throat got dry and you could feel yourself starting to tremble from all the nervousness.

„Now I want you to hear me out.“, he continued. „I don’t care if I get h-“

You noticed a shadow from the corner of your eye and your breath started to freeze. Dean went silent and just then a man appeared behind him, a kitchen knife lifted to sink into him.

„Move!“, you pushed the green-eyed hunter to the side and just barely dodged the blade.

Tate Mayham‘s ghost screamed angrily and already swung to the next blow. Now, however, Dean was prepared and aimed his shotgun at him to pull the trigger immediately. The spirit dissolved into a cloud of dust and Dean looked at you, breathing heavily.

„Are you hurt?“

You shook your head. In the next second Tate appeared again and Dean tried to shoot him again but failed. The gun flew out of his hand and he himself bumped into a wall.

„Dean!“, you shouted as you aimed your own weapon toward the spirit.

Tate‘s head turned and with a flick of his hand your gun was taken from you and your back hit the wall behind you.

„Son of a bitch!“, Dean cursed while he was trying to get out of the invisible grasp.

The man smirked and got closer to him. In a panic, you looked around for a solution and your eyes fell on the crowbar that Dean had dropped during the fight. You just needed to get to it.

The distance between him and Tate was getting smaller and you struggled to get away from the wall. The more Tate focused on Dean, the easier it became for you, and eventually, you succeeded. You immediately grabbed the crowbar and sprinted to Dean's rescue.

"Don't!" you heard him call while you were already swinging your arm.

By then it was already too late.

Tate turned to you, pointed the knife at your stomach, and stabbed you. Unbearable pain shot through you and at the same time a feeling you had never felt before, then everything went black.

~~~

„Y/N!“, Dean screamed while your blood splattered all over him.

You were gone, but the ghost was still there. Grinning he looked at the green-eyed hunter whose panic turned into anger.

„You motherfucker! What did you do to her?!“

„She’s mine now.“, Tate answered in an eerie voice. „And you’ll be, too.“

Just as he lifted his knife again a gunshot rang through the room and the spirit disappeared. Sam stood at the end of the staircase, breathing heavily. His eyes widened when he noticed all your blood.

„Where’s Y/N?“, he asked Dean who could finally move again.

„He took her, Sammy.“, his brother said, his voice shaking. „I-I couldn’t stop him.“

His eyes were locked on the red liquid that was all over him and the floor. The sheriff and Lucas were right. It looked like it had appeared out of nowhere and he couldn’t explain why there was so much of it. It made no sense. Yes, he had stabbed you in the stomach, but normally blood doesn’t just splutter out like this.

„Shit.“, Sam breathed out.

„We have to find her. He must have taken her somewhere in the house.“, Dean grabbed his shotgun from the floor and went to the next room of the basement.

It was just a storage room for food and there was no trace of you.

„Dammit!“

He rushed past his brother and back upstairs to the first floor. Sam followed him.

„Dean, I don’t think she’ll be in the rest of the house.“, the younger Winchester spoke. „I already looked through every room and there was nobody.“

„Nobody?“, his brother's steps got slower until he stopped.

„Yes.“, Sam huffed. „Everything seemed normal if you can say that.“

They both went silent for a while and pondered.

„We should go to the car.“, Sam eventually suggested. „I stole some floor plans from the archives. Maybe Y/N‘s trapped in a hidden room.“

„Alright.“, Dean nodded. „If it helps us find her. I won’t leave without her.“

He sternly looked at the brunette.

„I know.“, Sam said just like he knew something, then he set into motion again.

Just when they reached the entrance Tate appeared in front of it. Sam‘s gun flew out of his hands and he crashed into the cabinet next to him, but Dean had been fast enough and already shot the ghost.

„Not now you son of a bitch!“, he hissed. „You good, Sam?“

„Yeah.“, the taller Winchester got up from the floor and followed Dean outside.

Thankfully nothing was left of the door that lead inside the house, so the spirit couldn’t trap them.

„Okay. Where is it?“, Dean asked impatiently as Sam searched through the glove compartment.

„Here.“, he brought the plans to the engine hood and spread them out.

They both looked over them until Sam frowned.

„Wait.“, he snatched the map of the second floor. „I didn’t see that room when I went through the house.“

He pointed to a little room that was located between the parent’s room and Eleanor’s room.

„There were only two doors, not three.“, Sam murmured as he inspected the plan a little closer.

„That must be it.“, Dean nodded. „Let’s go back inside.“

„Yeah, just let me take the sledgehammer out of the trunk. We might need to tear down a wall.“, Sam said and already made his way to the back of the Impala.

Afterward, both men entered the house again. Dean already held his gun ready while Sam went ahead. Soon they were standing in the hallway that led to the parent's bedroom and Eleanor’s room. Sam had been right. There were only two doors.

„They must have bricked up the door that led to the small room.“, Dean spoke.

„Yeah. We should try to destroy it.“

And so Sam took the first swing.

~~~

„Fuck.“, trembling you were holding your stomach.

The blood had already soaked through your tank top and now spread down your jeans. For the first time since the incident had happened, you looked up to check where you were and your gaze fell on five teenagers. They were huddled up in the corner of the small room and looked at you in horror.

„You’re the missing teenagers!“, you realized.

You tried to get up from the floor but your wounds hurt so bad that your legs gave in and you fell down again.

„A-Ah.“, you grimaced and one of the boys slowly approached you.

He was holding his shoulder and blood was all over his clothes, but he didn’t seem to bleed anymore.

„You should sit still. Maybe you’ll stop bleeding then.“, he said. „It worked for most of us. I‘m Jake by the way.

„Y/N.“, you introduced yourself and looked him up and down. „How are you all holding up?“

Now your gaze wandered to the other teenagers again. One of the girls was looking really sick.

„Kim has lost a lot of blood…I- I don’t know if she’ll make it for another day. But the rest of us seems to be alright. We all have pretty bad wounds, though.“

„Okay.“, you nodded and looked back to your stomach.

Blood was still oozing out of you but it seemed to be less than before which was a good sign.

„What are you even doing here?“, another boy asked now.

You turned to him while wincing in pain.

„Well, me and my friends are trying to save you.“, you sighed. „But the ghost got me.“

„But how?“, Jake wanted to know. „I mean…we’re all trapped inside this room. I don’t even know what it’s supposed to be. It’s all full of cobwebs. We found some candles which we lit so we wouldn't sit in the dark but...it's really spooky.“

Now you took a good look around. Your eyes widened and you swallowed. Even through the cobwebs, you could see the skulls and satanic objects laid out. This probably was William‘s altar room.

„Well.“, you sighed. „Sam and Dean will find a solution. I’m sure of it.“

You tried to smile at the teenagers, but it was really hard while being in that much pain.

„But what if he comes back again?“, the sickly-looking girl now asked.

„He came back for you?“, you frowned.

„Yes.“, the other girl nodded. „He…he grabbed Kim and Michael and…I don’t know how to describe it…it was like he tried to suck some parts of their soul out of them. Both of them were totally out of it afterward.“

„Yeah, it…it kinda felt like that.“, a boy said now, probably Michael.

„Well, that must be why he’s so powerful.“, you thought to yourself.

„Alright.“, you cleared your throat. „Did you see anything that’s made out of iron around here?“

„Uh…“, Jake scratched his neck. „We didn’t really want to touch that stuff. To be honest we’re a little scared that it’s cursed.“

Slowly you nodded.

„I feel you. But normally it should be alright. Most people who catch interest in satanic stuff don’t know the real deal.“, you tried to stand up again and huffed in pain.

You were still wobbly on your legs, but it didn’t feel like they would give in again.

„Easy there.“, Jake was right next to you and tried to steady you.

„Why do you know all that stuff?“, the sick girl who should be Kim asked now.

„Well, I think all of you will agree with me when I say that ghosts are real.“, you began to tell. „And me and my friends, we get rid of them…and uh…other monsters. We’re hunters.“

All of them looked at you like you were crazy.

„You hunt those things? Voluntarily?“, Michael furrowed his eyebrows. „That’s completely nuts!“

You shrugged and winced because this movement really hurt.

„Someone‘s gotta do it.“, you sighed. „Sooo…iron. Let’s look.“

Jake went with you and you both checked the altar. The other teenagers slowly approached you.

„What about that?“, Kim pointed to a heavy-looking candle holder.

You reached for it and removed all the cobwebs from it. An amulet with a cross hung around it which you found a little weird. Nevertheless, you could confirm that it was in fact made out of iron.

„Yup. That’s good.“, you said and removed the candle and the necklace and put them on the altar. „The other one should be made out of iron, too.“

You had spotted another candle holder under a whole lot of cobwebs. Jake took it and looked at you in question.

„So, what’s the thing with iron?“, he wanted to know.

„It repels spirits. If the ghost comes back again you can fight him off with it.“, you explained.

Just like your words were a signal the candles suddenly started to flicker.

„Oh no, he’s coming!“, Michael exclaimed and he and the other kids hid behind you and Jake.

With one hand on your wound and the other around the candle holder, you looked around carefully. In the next moment, all hell broke loose. Tate appeared and when he saw the candle holders, all the furnishings flew across the room.

„Where is it?!“, he roared while all the teenagers were screaming in horror.

When his eyes met yours he lifted you into the air and you lost your grip on the candle holder. It fell down as you cried out in pain.

„Where is it?! Where’s my necklace?“, he screamed and that’s when the realization kicked in.

The amulet was the object that still bound him to this house. You had put it on the altar, but now that the whole room was in chaos, you had lost sight of it.

„Where is it?!“, Tate asked again and you could feel the air slowly being cut off from you.

„I-I don’t know.“, you croaked and tried to pull away the invisible force from your neck.

Struggling you kicked around with your feet, feeling your wounds tear open again and blood running down your body.

„You do.“, Tate came closer. „Tell me!“

It was like you could feel his breath on your skin and it horrified you. Something like this shouldn’t happen with a ghost. He should be dead, not breathing.

„TELL ME!“, he shouted, then he opened his mouth and your whole body started to tingle.

Michael was right. It felt like he was sucking your soul out of you.

„D-Do something!“, you begged with your last bit of energy and looked to Jake who just stood there frozen.

His gaze met yours and thankfully it was like you had flipped a switch. The black-haired boy ran to Tate and swung his candle holder through him.

Suddenly the force was gone and you hit the ground hard while an agonizing scream ripped from your throat.

~~~

A loud scream echoed through the house and Deans's eyes widened.

„Y/N.“, he whispered.

The green-eyed hunter knew your scream way too well for his own good and it shook him through his core.

„Shit!“, Sam cursed and let the sledgehammer sink.

He took a quick look at the map to see where the door had been located. Luckily he stood right in front of it and so he swung the hammer forcefully against the bricks. Stone crumbled and the screaming from the inside of the room got louder.

All of a sudden Dean ran to his side, gun ready, and pulled the trigger. Sam turned his head and realized, that Tate was standing in the hallway. He looked furious.

„Go on, Sam! I’ll handle this!“, Dean shouted, so the taller brother went to work again.

Next, the blonde hunter got closer to the ghost.

„You fucking bastard.“, he growled. „What’s wrong with you? Those people did nothing to you! Why are you hurting them?“

He had the shotgun still aimed at Tate and wouldn’t hesitate to shoot if needed.

„He did nothing to help me. Will’s father watched him drench me in gasoline before he put me on fire!“, the spirit shouted.

Dean furrowed his eyebrows.

„Why would he do that? Wasn’t William the one who was into those rituals?“, he asked.

Tate snorted.

„Well, that didn’t stop Jonathan from hating me. He hated, that his little girl loved me more than him, so they got together to kill me.“, he clenched his fists. „What they didn’t expect was that they would pay with their own death. When I died, I immediately came back as a spirit and I just freaked out and the fire got out of control. My Eleanor lost her life too and I just can’t forgive them for it.“

Dean sighed, then he shook his head.

„Still those people aren’t William or Jonathan!“, he said.

„But they mocked my death.“, Tate got closer to him. „They visited this place for fun, not to mourn over me. To them, this place was just a joke, a place for a dare, because someone died in a ritual and they thought that William was still haunting the house. Well…actually I am, so with their first step into it, they made their own grave…and granted me even more power. Maybe I‘ll be able to even defeat death itself…maybe I can bring back my Eleanor and be happy again.“

And after those words, Dean pulled the trigger. All alarm bells were ringing now. This ghost wasn’t just a simple salt and burn, no, he was really dangerous.

The rock salt bullet hit Tate, but nothing happened. Deans's eyes widened.

„It’s working.“, the man in front of him grinned. „ I think what little energy your little girlfriend had left finally made me strong enough.“

With a flick of his hand, Dean crashed into Sam, who had managed to punch a big hole into the wall.

~~~

Your ears were ringing and everything just felt like it was far away.

„Y/N!“, you heard Jake yell dully.

He shook you and you blinked weakly.

„D-Dean…where’s…?“, you managed to mumble.

„The tall one punched a hole in the wall, but the ghost just got them! It’s looking really bad“, he said and you looked at him horrified.

You needed to get to them. Jake tried to help you up, but you screamed in pain. It just felt like your body was on fire.

„Sorry.“, the boy looked around in panic. „What should we do?“

„The necklace.“, you croaked.

It was the only solution you had now.

„Necklace? The one that was hung around the candle holder?“, the black-haired boy stood up.

Nodding you tried to sit up, but it literally felt like you were fighting for your life. Wincing you managed to crawl to the wall that was next to you and leaned against it. During that Jake had told the other teenagers to help search for the amulet.

Breathing weakly, you watched them and a single tear ran down your cheek. You felt useless and were worried sick about Sam and Dean. Especially Dean. On the verge of death, you just wished, that you had told him how you felt about him. Now he might never know.

Almost as if to add more salt to the wound, you could hear Sam and Dean yelling as they fought with the ghost. You knew there was real urgency now for the necklace to be found.

And just then Michael shouted: „I got the necklace!“

Relief spread through your body, but in the next second you were incredibly scared. Tate suddenly appeared and went for Michael who looked at him in horror.

„Fuck!“, you cursed.

A new wave of energy waved through you and you knew that it might be your last, but you didn’t care for now. Now you just wanted everyone to be safe. Even if it might not include you.

Your eyes scanned the room for the candle holder and when you found it, you supported yourself on the wall and stood up. Even though your legs felt like they were made out of jelly you managed to grab the iron object and then you just ran to Tate and stabbed the candle holder into his back. Shockingly, he just didn’t disappear. He screamed in pain and turned to you.

„You bitch!“

Now he lifted you into the air again, strangling you.

Just then Sam and Dean stormed into the room.

„Y/N!“, you heard the green hunter yell. „Let her go!“

The last part already sounded dull, as the oxygen was cut off from you and you were slowly losing consciousness. You only noticed that Tate pushed Sam and Dean into the wall behind them.

„The necklace!“, Michael suddenly shouted. „She told us to look for it!“

From the corner of your eye, you could see him holding up the amulet. Sam immediately knew what had to be done.

„Burn it!“ he yelled and you could just barely hear it.

Your time ran out and you didn’t know anymore if you would make it out alive. Everything slowly started to fade away and just when you thought, that this would be the end for you, you felt your body fall down and heard Tate screaming.

Even though your body hurt like hell all over you didn’t make a sound. You just felt too weak and numb for it.

Dean was right with you as Tate burned to his final death and called your name again and again.

„Come on, sweetheart.“, he said. „You need to keep your eyes open.“

As you looked at him you only saw a blurred version of the man you loved. Still, you smiled.

„You‘re here.“, you whispered.

A tear escaped you and you weakly stretched out your hand for him.

„Don’t do this, Y/N.“, now Deans's voice sounded frightened, you could even feel him tremble. „Don’t die on me. Not today.“

Breathing slowly you laid your hand on his cheek.

„It’s okay.“, you croaked. „You’re safe…you’ll be alright.“

„No.“, Dean shook his head as his voice cracked and he started to cry. „I won’t. Stay with me.“

Your hand slowly sank.

„I need you.“

The darkness gently encased you.

„You can’t go. Not when I haven’t told you how much y-“

~~~

A monotonous beeping echoed through your ears and you grimaced. Everything hurt, but it wasn't as bad as before, didn't feel like hell anymore. You blinked dazedly and finally, you could see that you were lying in a hospital bed. Slowly you sat up as your gaze wandered through the room and eventually, you noticed Dean.

He was sleeping in a chair right next to you. Even though sleep was meant to be something gentle and relaxing, his eyebrows were furrowed and his whole body was tense.

You gulped as all the memories from the last hunt came back to you and you wondered how you were still alive. So much blood had streamed out of your wounds and you could remember how you had felt weaker and weaker, how your vision had gotten darker and how, in the end, you had only felt numb.

Sighing you ran your fingers through your hair, then you gently laid your hand on Deans's shoulder and softly said his name. When he didn’t wake up, you repeated yourself a little louder and finally, you heard him groan as he stirred.

His eyes fluttered open and when he saw that you were awake he opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Shyly you smiled and the next second he was hugging you.

„I thought, I lost you.“, he whispered and leaned a little back to look at you. „Don’t you ever do that again.“

„Wasn’t like I volunteered to nearly get killed.“, you chuckled, but he still looked at you sternly.

„I mean it, Y/N.“, Dean said. „You really need to promise me that you’ll tell me when you’re hurt. And that you won’t ever let me think that you just died in my arms again. The ambulance told me, that they had to reanimate you three times!“

In shock, you just sat in your bed and gulped.

„Alright.“, you finally nodded. „I promise.“

Dean cocked an eyebrow to make sure you meant it.

„I‘m serious.“, you said and with that, he pulled you into his arms again.

„I just can’t lose you.“, you nearly couldn’t understand his words because his voice was barely a whisper.

„You won’t.“, you answered quietly and his face slowly met yours.

While his hand gently touched your cheek he swallowed.

„I…“, he struggled to say the words. „I need you, Y/N. You…you mean so much to me. And I don’t ever want to go through that another time.“

You stayed silent for a few seconds and let those words sink in, then you smiled.

„You mean a lot to me too, Dean.“, you told him. „It’s just…I didn’t want to worry you. I wanted to get the job done and make you believe in me again.“

Now the green-eyed hunter backed away a little and looked at you in confusion.

„Why would you think, that I didn’t believe in you?“, he asked.

You shrugged.

„Both you and Sam just treated me like…like I was weak, like I was a snowflake, in the last few weeks. I get that you care for me, but…I only wanted everything to be normal again.“, you sighed. „No more asking if I’m okay all the time, no more telling me, that you‘ll protect me.“

Dean looked at you for a while.

„I see.“, he nodded. „But…you know…I don’t worry about you because you’re hurt. Well, I mean, part of me does, of course, but…you’re constantly on my mind…because…“ He gulped. „Because I’m in love with you.“

He had laid his hand on your face again and watched your reaction nervously.

„Oh…“, you didn’t ever imagine hearing those words.

„It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way. I know that I’m-“, he started to ramble.

„No!“, you panicked now. „I…I feel the same.“

Deans's eyes widened a little.

„You do?“

„Yes.“, you smiled sheepishly. „I‘ve had these feelings for a while now.“

He started to smile as well, then he gave you that indefinable look and his face moved closer to your own. His eyes kept glancing at your mouth and when you were only a few inches apart, he stopped.

„This okay?“, he whispered.

Instead of answering, you just closed the gap and placed your lips on his. Cautiously at first, then bolder as he reciprocated the kiss. You buried your fingers in his hair as he leaned closer to you and your whole body started to tingle.

Finally, breathing heavily, you broke apart and leaned forehead against forehead.

„I wish I had told you sooner.“, the green-eyed hunter murmured and suddenly the door opened.

Sam stepped in and you both looked at him a little shocked. Clearing his throat, Dean backed off.

„Uhm…did I interrupt something?“, the younger Winchester asked.

„Kind of.“, you chuckled.

„Well, fucking finally.“, he said and closed the door behind him.

„What do you mean?“, Dean frowned.

„The mutual pining was really obvious, you know.“, Sam smirked.

Both Dean and you looked at him flabbergasted.

„Why didn’t you tell us?“, you asked.

„I don’t know.“, he shrugged. „I thought, that you would figure it out sooner or later. And it seems like you did.“

You chuckled.

„Yeah. Yeah, we did.“, you looked at Dean and you just knew that everything was alright now.

#dean winchester x reader #supernatural #dean winchester #dean x you #salt and burn #dean winchester fic #dean winchester oneshot #dean winchester imagine #dean winchester fluff #dean winchester angst

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wiseoldowl72 · 2 years

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Suptober 2022 Day 1 - Maze

Finally I got my very first fiction in the Destiel/Supernatural fandom written and posted. It’s called The Blue Lady and lives on AO3, but I’m going to put it here too.

Suptober Day 1 - Maze

The Blue Lady

Dean and Cas are just chillin’ in their Kansas City Shirtwaist style home kitchen waiting on supper. Now that they’ve finally used their words and Dean has stopped the ever present voices from the past, he and Cas moved out of the bunker into one of Kansas City, Missouri’s southern neighborhoods. The three story home is a fixer-upper, but with good bones and built in the early 20th century. The new husbands are slowly making it their own, while still keeping their hands in the hunting community. It is definitely a boon to have an angel as a husband, mate, lover, and hunting partner.

Jack powered Cas up again after becoming God. Using the grace Dean already had, Jack gifted him with some qualities of an angel’s mate like a longer lifespan, the ability to be more sensitive to the different planes around him, faster healing, and Dean’s favorite, seeing his gorgeous husband’s massive wings anytime he wants. The couple choose to live a normal, mostly human, life knowing that when the time comes they will go to Heaven together reuniting with everyone at the Roadhouse until the end of time.

Sitting at the counter on his favorite stool Cas looks up from the laptop to tilt his head with that thoughtful look Dean loves so much. Seeing that something catches his love’s attention, Dean asks, “What did you find?”

Cas looks up, “I found some information on a salt and burn in a downtown historic hotel.” He lays out the story of the Marriott Muehlebach while Dean is cooking supper. Dean stands at the island chopping vegetables to make a stew since it is the beginning of fall and crisp evenings. Since his hands were occupied, Dean listens and occasionally looks over at Cas while he begins telling the facts and stories he’s found. Cas reads from several organizations, blogs, and online collections, “The original Muehlebach hotel was built in 1914-1915 over the destroyed remains of the original Kansas City First Baptist Church.”

“Over a church, huh.” Dean retorts.

Cas raises his eyebrow at Dean and continues unrattled, “The Muehlebachs, who emigrated from Switzerland prior to 1859, made their money in the Beer and Brewery business, going back to 1868. The Muehlebach hotel was 12 stories and held 500 rooms. It was the jewel of hospitality and opulence in Kansas City’s crown until the late 1960s when it was sold several times over the decades.”

As the stew goes on the stove to cook for several hours, Dean glances at Cas, who is completely absorbed by all the information he’s reading. Launching into another exposition, the angel conveys, “Starting in 1922 the hotel started broadcasting the first regular radio program that could eventually be heard nation-wide and overseas. It was the brainchild of Carleton Coon and Joe Sanders, two employees. They formed the Coon-Sanders Nighthawk Orchestra, eventually becoming a famous jazz band.”

Dean interrupts this history lesson asserting, “The members of that original Baptist church can’t be happy about their space being used by descendents of immigrants, making a fortune from beer, plus employees becoming famous musicians. Their prim and proper attitudes must be making them roll over in their graves or being our unhappy, not wanted guests.”

Cas, ever the professor type, drones on, “Only the best were hired to work at the hotel in public positions. It’s said that even the waiters could speak multiple languages.”

“So you’re telling me that the people who worked there were The Shit during the heyday of the hotel,” chimes in Dean.

Cas rolls his eyes. “It was also called the White House of the West. Harry Truman worked out of the Presidential Suite,” continued Cas, expecting to keep telling the hotel’s unique story.

“Let me see that,” Dean is very tired of listening to Cas do the research and turns the laptop toward him. “All these fucking facts and I still don’t understand who our salt and burn is from this hoity-toity palace.” Dean scans the page, seeing all the black and white facts Cas was reading through, then his eyes landed on the words, “The Legend of the Blue Lady.”

“Bingo!” hollered Dean as if he’d won the lottery. After all that droll, dry exposition he found the ghost and backstory in just a quick scan. “Ok Cas, you went on for over an hour, talking through dinner, washing the dishes, and cleaning up the kitchen. Why in the hell didn’t you just get to the point?” he asked, exasperated.

“I was quite enjoying myself. I didn’t think you’d mind the facts before we got to the unsettled spirit,” Cas replies, quite pragmatically, again with the cute bird tilt of his head and furrowed brow because he truly doesn’t understand Dean’s frustration. Moving on, Dean starts to read the info they really need. This salt and burn is needed because the ghost is getting more agitated as the appearances continue.

“ ‘The Legend of the Blue Lady’ apparently has been around for decades,” Dean reads from the info relating to the Salt and Burn. “She appears as a blonde woman, 30ish, in a blue dress styled like that of the 1920s.”

“Another distinct feature is the wide-brimmed hat she wears with her hair tucked up in it.” Cas contributes, reading over Dean’s shoulder, “She is said to have stayed at the hotel from time to time. She was also thought to be an actress from the Gayety Theater that was next door in the early half of the century. It is suggested that she is searching the Muehlebach hotel and grounds for her lost love.”

“This is interesting,” Dean pokes at the screen, “in 1952 the Muehlebach hotel under the direction of its current manager, Barney Allis, expanded the hotel over the demolished Gayety theater.”

“I hate romantic ghost stories. Something always goes sideways.” Dean complains after hearing what their simple salt and burn was turning into. “Do you have any other ideas or leads Cas?”

Cas shakes his head, but then puts his finger to his lips and adds, “What if it’s not a lover our Blue Lady is looking for. What if she’s unhappy with the management of the hotel for expanding over her beloved theater?”

“Now that’s an interesting theory,” Dean holds his hands out in front of him as if he can’t decide between the two. Over the next several days the men research both options using whatever history on the Gayety and Muehlebach is available.

“Turns out the Meuhlebach is a complex now. It changed hands many times.” Dean says out into the ether. “Wow, I’m done. We’ve spent days figuring out where the original hotel and first addition was exactly.” Dean was irritably complaining to Cas how long it was taking to look for this lady ghost, who may or may not have two reasons to make a fuss.

Now it was time to plan how to get into the oldest part of the hotel, deep inside a very large and very popular conference center. One thing they had to keep in mind was that the original hotel doors were kept locked. That little nugget figured heavily into the upcoming plans.

While Dean was looking into the hotel, Cas turned his focus to the Gayety Theater and who the Blue Lady could be. It was clear that after Barney Allis bought the Muehlebach in 1931, the hotel was run more like a military boot camp.

“Did you know that Allis held surprise inspections for staff to ensure perfection,” Cas turns to Dean. “He was known to rip an offending garment off an elevator operator because a button was tarnished or the jacket was not pressed correctly.” Cas looks curiously at Dean and asks, “What is a ‘Napoleon Complex?’ Allis was accused of it many times.”

Dean laughs, “Remember Zachy-Boy? That’s a Napoleon Complex, except he wasn’t short. I think Gabriel would be a better example when he was being a complete pain in the ass.” Now it was Dean’s turn to have a lightbulb moment, “What if Allis upset our actress with his douchey self and she lost her job?”

Cas lifts his eyebrow and nods at his husband.

“Two city blocks,” Dean says.

They stand in front of the main hotel. Dean shakes his head, a little intimidated at the amount of ground to cover.

“Plus the maze of alleys between the different buildings,” he sighs. “If we can get into some of the old hallways and guest rooms in the original hotel, maybe we’ll find something to solve this little mystery.”

“Dean, please tell me you have a plan to get from point A to point B?” Cas looks at his husband with the usual fear that he will ‘shoot first and ask questions later.’ Even being a powered up angel again didn’t stop Cas from worrying they would end up in the deep end of the pool without knowing it.

They load up Baby late in the day and before they got in the car Dean pushed Cas up against the gleaming metal and proceeded to kiss him deeply as a solid reminder they were in this together. Finally, they took their familiar positions, Dean driving and Cas riding shotgun.

Driving downtown in the evening, Dean absolutely doesn’t want anyone to ding Baby so they park at Barney Allis Plaza with plenty of space for the number one girl in the family. When they leave the Impala, and are finally up on ground level again Cas looks around at the fountains, greenery, park space and says mostly to himself, “This Barney Allis gentleman must have been good for the city if he has all this named after him.”

“I even found a fact about Allis you might not know, Cas,” Dean smirks, “Allis said not to die in a hotel you own. He sold the Muehlebach property in 1962 and then died three months later on the sidewalk in front of the Aladdin Hotel, which is just there,” Dean points, “Across the street from this parking garage, park combo.”

Even after seeing the complex on the maps and photos, the Marriott properties are impressive. Cas and Dean pat their pockets, reassuring themselves that they had their trusty weapons for dealing with a ghost.

Dean stands ramrod straight, his face taking on that “determined hunter” look.

“Remember Dean, we're supposed to fit in like we’re patrons.” Cas says gently.

“Duh Cas, I haven’t forgotten about that part of the plan.” Dean snaps, but relaxes.

A little.

Once past the lobby, Dean tries to figure out the maze they are working in. Once they get into the original hotel it will be more difficult to pose as guests. Thankfully there are sections available for banquets and conferences so they won’t look completely out of place.

“I feel like a mouse in a maze trying to figure out which hallway to go down or maneuvering to avoid staff.” Dean grumbles.

Calm as always, Cas recites, “This addition was put on property of the Gayety Theater. It was demolished in 1950 for the 1952 addition of the Muehlebach Towers. That building was torn down in 1996 to make the building we are in now.”

Dean ignores Cas, needing to focus on the now. He doesn’t care that he is in a building built in 1996, long after the Blue Lady died, and all traces of anything from her time had been obliterated over the decades. He tries to give off a sense of confidence as they slowly start moving through the building.

“I think we go around this way to get to the old Muehlebach.” Dean says, trying to sound more certain than he feels. It looks like a piece of cake to find the old hotel’s event spaces. The two walk slowly down seemingly endless hallways.

“Look Dean, I know this style of architecture. I remember watching buildings being built like this. It’s called Beau Arts and really appears opulent. We’re on the right path to the oldest part of the hotel.” Cas says happily.

They descend a set of stairs and the past unfolds in front of them: mosaic floor, thick wooden counters, the glint of floral and geometric brass trimmings on every fixture. Cas thinks back to when these details were not revival styles, but the real thing. “I really enjoy interacting with humanity, rather than watching,” he mutters under breath.

“Cas look at that! The front desk still has the original room key holder. It didn’t look like much in the photos, but 500 room key slots is cool.” Dean turns in a slow circle, “I don’t think I’ve seen so much brass in one place. I don’t know architectural styles for shit, but this is really fuckin’ amazing.” Dean breathes to re-ground himself. “I’ve never seen anything like it in person. A big brass mailbox –”

“‘Letter box,” Cas corrects him. Dean ignores it.

“...a bronze water fountain with a natural design inside it that still works, and these mosaic floors,” Dean swings his arm in a broad gesture, “Make me feel like I’m in Rome or Greece.”

“You don’t need to know architecture to appreciate it, Dean. It seems we found where we are starting this labyrinthian hunt.” Cas says casually. “This is the old part of the hotel. We need to disappear into the non-public places.” Of course the Blue Lady might be out in the public today, but if they can find an area she likes to frequent so much the better.

“Cas, can you feel her at all? Any left over impressions?” Dean asks, hoping to get a better read on the place.

“None, There has been so much activity in this block that actually I’m feeling quite overwhelmed by the sensations.” Cas replies. Dean hangs his head. He was really hoping Cas could help out here. Who knew that angel senses could get lost in ethereal static leftovers?

“Alrighty then, up we go. As much as I want to stay in the public places, she’s not going to be here. Start looking for the stairs, sweetheart,” Dean calls over his shoulder walking away. “We have 500 rooms and hallways to walk through, staircases to climb.” Dean scoffs, “Hamster…maze…again.”

“Dean, you are not a hamster, beloved, maybe a squirrel or guinea pig. Guinea pigs are cute and smart.”

“Fuck you, Cas.” Dean laughs heartily. “Start walking you freakin’ angel.”

At the end of the hallway Cas sees a door with a rusted sign that says

Stairs

“Stairs,” he supplies helpfully

“Oh joy, and only 12 stories to check.” Dean says in his hunter voice.

Four hours of searching later, Dean leads the way down the fifth floor hallway, his eyes pausing on every door. The room numbers are tarnished but still legible.

“They completely emptied this place out,” Dean muses. “Didn’t even leave the light fixtures.”

Dean stops suddenly. “Babe, come here.”

“512,” Cas reads. “I am feeling a sense of unease. It is a female, but I’m not sure if the energy is anger though.” Cocking his head, Cas continues, “I feel that it’s more of a sense of longing and frustration.” He puts his hand on the door, fingers spread. “Definitely something in this room.”

“Fuckin’ A, let’s get in there and see what we find.” Dean remarks with more emotion than since they started working the maze of floors and hallways. “All the furnishings are gone, wires hanging off the walls. Let’s see if it is holding any secrets.” Dean looks at Cas and begins his search.

Cas catches a glimpse of blue in the detritus left in a corner. “Hey beloved, look over here,” Cas carefully picks up the fabric and closes his eyes. After a moment of concentration, he says, “It’s her’s. Our Blue Lady stayed in this room at least once and left a part of her clothing behind.” The fabric is torn and very old.

“Okay pragmatic one, let’s assume you’re right, we got our location. Odd though we still haven’t seen any manifestation of our girl.”

Dean takes the cloth delicately. As if conjured by the material a soft, plaintive sob is heard. “Great, I had to go and say something, Moaning Myrtle is in the house.” Dean sighs.

“I don’t get a vengeful feeling from our ghost. I feel she’s tired. She took out her anger decades ago, but now can’t rest.” Cas says, zeroing in on the emotions in the room.

“I guess those angel senses are finally switching on,” says Dean sarcastically. “I’m glad this isn’t a physical hunt so far, except for a lot of walking. I’m not as young as I used to be.” His knees crack as he kneels down to examine something. Still not understanding how humans perceive time, Cas gazes at his husband, trying to see the differences from just a few years.

“Hey, look down here. What is this, something paper?” Dean grabs Cas’ attention. He slips the tip of his knife behind the top edge of the baseboard and pulls, revealing a photograph. Cas reaches in quickly and retrieves it.

“Beloved, I think you found our Blue Lady.” Cas turns it and reads text on the back. “This was taken by Orval Hixon, one of the most prominent photographers of performers in the early part of the 20th century in Kansas City.” Cas says. Dean glances down at the floor with a twinkle in his eye remembering that his angel can’t not infuse his speech with facts. One of the many reasons he’s glad he got his head out of his ass and allows himself to love the man fully and completely.

Dean looks at the photo with the decorative paperboard frame protecting the edges of the original photo adhered to a stiff backing. “Cas, you did most of the research on the Gayety Theater and the Blue Lady, does this look anything like her from the descriptions you read.” Dean asks. “I mean, every color looks gray, so…”

“Actually yes. Look close at the pattern on her dress, it’s the same as on the cloth I found. Here’s what we know: the woman in this photo has light hair like in the stories, she’s holding a wide brimmed hat, and she’s dressed like the 1920s. It all matches.”

Cas frowns. “Does she look pleased or happy to you, beloved?” Cas has to admit to himself he really doesn’t have a good grip of normal facial cues.

“She does look pleasant,” Dean murmurs as he turns the photograph over and reads for himself. The penciled letters are faint and barely legible. “Score! Our girl is named Minnie Lantry and it is a publicity photo. I can’t read the rest…”

With his angel’s eyes, Cas reads, “Minnie Lantry. Actress, Dancer, Singer. Currently employed at the Gayety Theater. 1926 taken by Orval Hixton.” In a different and more delicate hand is written, “This is my favorite blue dress and hat. I hope this gets me even more jobs.” Cas turns the photograph to examine it at different angles. “There isn’t any other identifying information.”

The plaintive voice changes as Cas reads, sounding calmer, no longer moaning. It’s as if a precious item was found.

“So many of the theaters were destroyed in the name of profits and business. I can see why Minnie was upset and frustrated with people like Barney Allis for tearing down the entertainment establishments.” Cas looks into Dean’s face. “I’m convinced that it wasn't a lover that the Blue Lady is searching for.”

Dean nods. “The facts are pointing to our douche with the Small Man Complex as the one who caused Minnie’s sorrow and frustration. Both emotions are extremely powerful and could keep a soul here on earth.” He turns toward the door, relieved to be leaving.

“Okay we have all we need from here. Now it’s time to figure out where Miss Minnie is buried so we can burn her bones and give her rest.”

Cas stops him, saying, “Love, please give me the cloth and the photograph. I need to put them in an appropriately warded container so we aren’t taking any chances with possible cursed objects while we research where Ms. Lantry is buried.” Dean nods and hands over the objects.

Back in the lobby, Dean expresses his amazement with the wealth built into the hotel. “I still can’t get over the amount of marble and brass they used. Even the drinking fountains were solid brass.” Light from above draws Dean’s attention to the intricate chandeliers that make the fixtures in his home look so small.

“It’s quite unique that this original hotel was built in just one year, for 2 million dollars and without electricity, or other modern conveniences.” Cas asserts calmly, putting a hand on Dean’s left shoulder. “You needn’t run. Act casual”

“The faster we are driving home the happier I’ll be,” Dean grouses.

For the next couple of days Cas enjoys himself looking into the historic cemeteries in Kansas City.

“Dean, I’ve found her. Minnie Lantry is buried in Elmwood Cemetery. I have a general idea where she is. When do you want to salt and burn her and the photo and cloth?”

“How about tomorrow since it’s a weekday and we probably won’t run into anyone.” Dean replies, looking at the laptop over Cas’ shoulder. “How do we get there?”

“East on…” Cas traces with his finger, “Truman Road. Right there.”

Late the next night, Dean parks Baby on a side street across from the cemetery gates.

“Locked.” Cas needlessly informs Dean.

“Uh-huh. Guess it’s over the fence,” Dean sighs to Cas, “I wish you could still fly us places, I really don’t like wrought iron fences with pointy bits on top.”

Dean checks his inventory of tools: shovel, salt, gasoline, warded container, flashlights, matches, and the two climb the fence.

Looking at a pencil sketch of the roads, Cas points a direction and they begin walking.

“Beloved,” Cas begins, “did you know that this cemetery is the second oldest in the city, founded in 1872. Many notable Kansas Citians are buried here, including –”

Dean interrupts the monologue before Cas can get a good head of steam. “Babe, I know you love facts, but I want to find Minnie. I’m chilly, carrying fifty pounds or so of office supplies, not sure how far I’m walking tonight and I want to get this burn over with. From what I remember of the map online, these graves are packed in here.”

They pause at an intersection. Cas apologizes,” I tried to narrow down where Minnie was in this forty-three acre cemetery. I think you would refer to this as a ‘Find-a-Grave Fail’ since I couldn’t find the specific place.”

“A lot of walking,” Dean shrugs. “What’re you gonna do?”

After a while, Cas begins to lag behind. There are presences clamoring for his attention.

“These mausoleums are The Shit,” Dean says loudly, regaining Cas’ attention. “Hey Cas, I found Waldo!” Dean laughs, pointing at a carved name.

Cas catches up, chuckling at the Waldo reference, having enough children’s books that he gets this joke, at least. “Dean, this cemetery is very unsettled. So many souls are not at rest.”

“We can’t salt and burn the entire place. Come on, let’s check this first place you marked.” Dean rejoins. “At least we’re walking a road and not a hillside filled with mole-holes.”

They walk in silence for a while, each noticing in his own way the differences between memorials. “There’s a huge, ornate mausoleum,” Cas says, then points to a shape barely visible in the dark, “And that’s just a rock with a name. It fascinates me how you humans obsess about permanence in so many different ways.”

“It’s all about the money, for all the good it does them after they’re just bones.”

Cass stops and says, “We’re here. First one.”

“Good, I was about to ask you ‘how much longer’ “ Dean replies tiredly. “I’m just not in fighting shape anymore since we don’t hunt as much.” After another quarter mile Dean says surprised, “Do you see the building built into the hillside and the tall, old maple tree?”

“That’s how I marked this area for Minnie. It’s an older spot in the cemetery with graves from the late 19th Century up through the time frame we’re looking for. The main landmark I focused on is the sandstone building. Being built into the hillside like that, and its size, it’s very possible this could have been a temporary internment vault when the weather was too inclement to bury someone.” Cas affirms.

It is Dean’s turn to be thoughtful. Gratefully, he puts down the supplies and considers the building. “Interesting idea Cas. It’s entirely stone built into the hillside. With all the arches sealed up, do you think it’s used at all anymore?” Dean considers. “You’ve got iron gates padlocked shut over plywood doors there,” he points. “Shed doors there. The others are just filled up with stones. Looks like someone has found their way in,” Dean murmurs, pointing at a person-sized hole in one arch corner. He would love to go exploring there himself, but not tonight. He’s got a shit ton of work left to do tonight and he doesn’t even know if he’s in the right place.

“Dean, come here now!” Cas commands, standing next to the maple tree. “I found her. ‘Millie Lantry’,” he reads, “Born 1900. Give me the shovel.”

No one outside the cemetery hears the sound of the gasoline catching, or sees the fire. The flames do not leap into the air. They flow around the grave and rise slowly, not the conflagration Dean and Cas are used to, but a rising warmth.

Cas sees a figure in the light. Blond haired, wearing a blue dress and wide brimmed hat…

And a smile.

Cas watches her fade. “It’s done,” he says. “She can rest now.”

By the time the dirt is replaced into the grave, Millie Lantry is at peace. “Cas, I’m going to rest over here by the maple tree for a few minutes. Do you mind getting the rest of our various shit together for the walk back?”

“You’re whining,” Cas says fondly.

“Don’t care. I need a few minutes.”

After a while the hunter stands up, pulling himself back together. “That angel strength comes in handy when heavy labor is needed. Thank you sweetheart for your help.”

Dean wipes his jeans to get the dust, dew, and other accumulations off his hands and forearms. “I did think that stone next to Millie’s just laying in the ground with the willow tree on it was pretty. Marble you think?”

Cas remains patiently silent.

“Okay, let’s get out of here, Babe.”

They decide to take the rest of the loop back to the front gates. Since they aren’t carrying as much weight this time they look at the names on the stones as they walk. “Hey, there’s a Muehlebach over there.” Dean calls out to Cas, who is looking on the other side of the road.

“Oh yes, George E. Muehlebach, Jr’s youngest brother, wife and her parents are buried in that plot. Carl Muehlebach was the President and Chairman of the Muehlebach Estate Company when he died in 1946. He lived in the Muehlebach Hotel.” Cas recites. The Patriarch of the family, along with other Meuhlebachs are buried in Calvary Cemetery closer to where we live.”

Even after all these years, Dean is still astounded how Cas just looks at a page once and memorizes everything on it.

“Interestly enough,” Cas continues, “Barney Allis has the most unique of them all. He emigrated from Poland and is buried in the second oldest Jewish Cemetery in Kansas City named Sheffield. It’s so much smaller than this one. It only has 5,500 graves. It is made up of several different Congregations that merged in the early part of the 20th century. His given name also meant Bear in Hebrew according to his gravestone.”

“Ok, I’ll give you that one. Ha! The douche with Small Man Complex was by birth a scary dude. No wonder Millie had that resigned feeling as well. The Gentile cemetery could learn a lot from the Jewish cemeteries.” Dean agrees.

Their conversation takes them all the way back to the front gates. “Time to get out of here. Do you want to go home or…Town Topic is open all night. Burgers?” Dean absolutely knows Cas would never say no to a cheeseburger from a greasy diner, and of course, they also serve pie.

A few days later Dean walks into the bedroom with just a towel around his waist, scratching at his forearms and his hands. He’s just taken a scalding hot shower trying to figure out why he has a rash and is so red. “Hey sweetheart, can you come here for a minute?” Dean says. “I feel like I have fire ants on and under my skin.”

Cas takes one look at him and grabs the smartphone, “Beloved, I do believe you’ve been exposed to something that poisons the body. Let me take a picture and then do a reverse image search.”

Dean scowls while all this is going on. “Things have been going so well. The Blue Lady had her name rediscovered and Ms. Minnie Lantry is at peace. And who in their right mind turns down Town Topic? The hunt went well. I mean, mostly” Dean just grumbles to the room in general.

“Aha,” Cas says mournfully, putting down the phone. “Oh Dean, remember when we were doing the salt and burn? All those leaves on the maple tree and on the vines around it were actually Poison Ivy. Oh beloved.” Cas looks apologetic as he relays the information he found. “I even brought home a handful of them. They were pretty.”

“Son of a Bitch. Fuckin’ Hell, Poison Ivy.” Dean says angrily. He sits on the edge of the bed, scratching.

#suptober22 #my first fanfic #salt and burn #supernatural #kansas city

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