[Audio]

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

[Okay, it feels like he's slept for a week. Glance around... this is... creepily like his room as a child. Not that he's complaining, rally. It just feels... weird. At least there's a full-size bed...

Head out of the door, and glancing down the hall. Okie dokie then. This place feels... vaguely familiar, even if he can't remember being here. Back into his room, reach for the phone, and...]

I'm going to guess this is the manor then? Guess it could be worse.

Comments

[Action]

[was_a_hunter]

[As soon as she sees the post, she's rocketing out the door next to him, relief almost oozing from her. She'd been scared that he'd been sent home again after she couldn't find him.]

Dean!

Thank God, you're okay.

[Wrapping her arms around his neck, she hugged him tightly.]

Re: [Action]

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Mom.

[He hugs back just as tightly. Mom's the person who is the exception from the 'no chick-flick's rule. She can get as many as she wants whenever she wants, really.]

Sorry. Didn't mean to worry you.

[Action]

[was_a_hunter]

I'm just glad you're here now and safe.

[Giving a last squeeze, she pulls back with a smile.]

Welcome home, sweetheart.

Re: [Action]

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Thanks.

[and then the grateful smile drops]

...That's not going to happen a lot, is it?

[Action]

[was_a_hunter]

...It really depends on how the Author's feeling.

We haven't really found a way to judge anything yet.

Re: [Action]

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Well, that sounds like fun. [Was that sarcastic enough for you?

There's a long pause before he asks] ...Have you still got my books? [He needs to read the thing from Bobby, at least. He's hoping mom didn't read the journal, even if he knows better. He wants to see how much they got right in that - that's the only reason he picked it up.]

[was_a_hunter]

...Yes.

[Unfortunately for him, she read all of the journal and most of the hunting guide.]

I take it you want them back?

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

[He gives a small nod.] Please. [Need. Need them back.]

[was_a_hunter]

Come on.

[Stepping back, she waved him into her room. An almost exact replica of her bedroom back at home, save for the silver trinket box and letter opener on her dresser.

Moving to a drawer, she pulled the two books from under some of her clothes.]

Here. [Leaning against the dresser, she held them out for him. Though she was almost reluctant to part with the journal.]

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

[He takes a moment to take in the room. It's almost exactly how he remembers it... except for the letter opener and box. He frowns thoughtfully at them as he takes a moment to examine them as she's finding the books.] These are pretty. Real silver? [Not a spark of recognition that he's the one who brought them for her in the first place.

She pulls the two books down, and he replaces the trinket box and letter opener where they were. He takes the books, and doesn't comment on the fact there's signs of the books being read. As much as he'd chew anyone else out, he understands why she would. But if that journal matches up to what's written in Dad's.... well, she really didn't need to read that.] Thanks.

[was_a_hunter]

[Glancing up to see what he was asking about, she smiled. Those were probably the only two things in this room she'd fight over.] Of course. You bought them for me the last time you were here. For Christmas.

[Releasing the books once he takes them, her smile falters a little.] You don't need to thank me. I'm just glad I took them when I did.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

I did? Huh. [He tries to remember, but nothing.] I have great taste. [Because it bothers him he can't remember, but he doesn't want her to know that. The trademark cheeky grin is pulled out to cover his discontent at the fact he can't remember.]

It's not like I could have read them by myself anyway. Besides, you probably could have told me they were about candy and chocolate rivers, and I'd have believed it. [Because he's assuming she's just on about the fact he was four.]

[was_a_hunter]

Of course you do, more so than Bela. I've only been able to wear the earrings she got me once...and that was when I got them. [She knew it was probably bugging him. If she'd been in his situation it would be bothering her immensely that she couldn't remember things.]

More than that Dean. As protective of me as you are, I doubt that I would have gotten to read them otherwise.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Bela's here? [That idea, it's safe to say, does not appeal. At all.]

...There's things in there you shouldn't have to know.

[was_a_hunter]

Was. She was my roommate for a time.

[Sighing softly, she shook her head.] I already know more than you would probably be comfortable with, Dean...even before the books. I just had to confirm some things for myself.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

...Poor you.

[He holds out the hunting guide] This? Probably a crock of shit. Otherwise, me and Sam would have found something like it already. [But he still has to read it. Just in case it's not. The journal, however...] And you shouldn't have read this. I get why you did... but you shouldn't have. There's things I need to have secret. and they could frigging well be in there. Things I know I never would have told you about [Because he doesn't even really like to think about it.]

[was_a_hunter]

It wasn't too horrible. At first.

[Until, you know...she found out why you weren't so hot with her.

Mary has the decency to look thoroughly chastised when Dean starts on about the journal. She wouldn't have done things differently if she had the chance, but she still feels a little bad that she pretty much read it behind his back.]

I had to know how your father raised and treated you...had to know if it was true.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

...You could have asked.

[was_a_hunter]

And would you have told me? Be honest, Dean.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

I don't like lying to you. [That is honest! just... obscure.] It's not like I could have lied about the hunting: you said you already knew about that anyway.

[was_a_hunter]

There were some other things though...some things that...I suppose 'scared me' is the best way to put it, from when you were here before.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Oh? Like what? [...now he's concerned.]

[was_a_hunter]

Like when you reported to me. You went into this soldier mode and I just really didn't like it, Dean.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

[He frowns. He's finding it... really hard to see himself doing that. To his mom, at least.]

...Really?... But there's no way I would have... not for you anyway. [Because things like that are closely guarded secrets.]

[was_a_hunter]

You did though. You were hiding something from me and I wanted to know what.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

[He hangs his head] Sorry.

[was_a_hunter]

[Lifting his chin, she shook her head.]

Don't apologize...it's not your fault, Dean.

["It's your fathers" remained unspoken.]

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

[but it is. somehow.

he doesn't respond, eyes just sliding down to the floor, or as much to the floor as he can go, so he doesn't have to look in those eyes.]

[was_a_hunter]

[And now she felt horrible for even bringing it up.

Moving forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck, something that he couldn't ignore.]

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

[he reciprocates the hug, holding her close and sighing into her hair.] 'M sorry. I don't mean to upset you. I'll be better, promise.

[was_a_hunter]

It's alright~. You don't upset me sweetheart.

[Not while you're non-demon anyway.]

I just want you to be happy. And safe.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

[BECAUSE THIS IS NOT TRUTH WEEK:] I am happy. [That particular lie has been so given, so practised by way of overuse, it's absolutely smooth and flawless.]

[was_a_hunter]

[She didn't need it to be truth week. She remembered how he was before and the lie that he was happy was the biggest load of bull. She wouldn't call him on it though. She would let him keep his lie for now and maybe one day, it would be true.]