layla-and-amara

[layla-and-amara]

bad mussels.

It was all over. 

Sam, Dean, and Castiel all sat at the table, each with a beer in their hand. Castiel was mostly human since returning from the Empty, and relished the taste of something other than molecules on his tongue. 

"I can't believe that's really it," Sam pondered, taking another sip of his beer. "No more big bad. Just your regular brand of monsters." 

"Seems too good to be true," Cas murmured, and Dean nodded his agreement, finishing his beer. 

"But, it is good. Right?" 

Sam shrugged. "Of course, Dean. We saved the world." Sam chuckled. "Again." 

"I'll drink to that," Dean cheered, grinning at Sam and Cas as he raised a second bottle before slamming it down on the edge of the table to force the cap off. The beer foamed and Dean raced to raise the bottle to his lips as Sam laughed at him fondly. 

Cas stiffened, his arms locking to the table, his fingers splayed out as he bent his head low. Both brothers looked at him, startled. 

"Cas?" Dean barked. "You good?"

"Something's wrong, Dean," Cas struggled, and Dean and Sam both shot up to cross to the other side of the table to help out. "She's in pain." 

"Who, Cas?" Sam asked, bewildered. Dean paled as he realized it could be one of two people. 

"Who, Cas?" Dean repeated, gently. "Is she okay?" 

Cas knew what he meant, and he nodded stiffly. 

"It's Rachel." 

Sam froze, feeling his heart stop temporarily. He hadn't heard that name in years. 

"Rachel," he breathed, standing up. "Wait, what do you mean she's in pain?" he asked, and then turned to Dean, frowning. "And why aren't you more surprised by this?" 

"Dammit, Sammy, not now!" Dean barked, then turned back to Cas. "Can you make it to her?"

Cas nodded. "I think so. I'm not sure how long it'll take me to get back here, though." 

"Okay, well you make your way to her the angel way, and we'll meet you there the human way. Is it a monster? Is she safe?"

"I believe she's safe," Cas assured both Dean and Sam, who was getting paler by the minute. 

"You knew?" Sam asked Dean incredulously. Dean held up a hand, an apologetic frown on his face. 

"Sam, I promise I will tell you everything, but right now we need to let Cas get to her, alright?"

Sam nodded and Dean turned back to Cas. 

"I will borrow her phone and text you when I arrive. I'm sure I can simply hide in plain sight in her apartment for the time being." Dean nodded. 

"Yeah, okay. Well, take this," Dean murmured, grabbing a notebook from nearby and scribbling his phone number onto a scrap of paper before tearing it out and handing it to Cas. "Just in case the trip wipes your memory or something." Cas tucked the piece of paper away into his coat. "Take care of her." 

Cas nodded once to Dean and then to Sam, and was gone. 

Dean let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. 

"How long have you known?" Sam asked quietly. 

"Less than a week, Sammy," Dean admitted. "I only found out for sure a few days ago. Remember how Cas kept just disappearing randomly?" Sam nodded. "Well, turns out he was popping in on the girls in their various times of need."

"So, what's wrong with Rachel right now?" Sam asked softly. Dean sighed, taking another sip of his beer. 

"I'm not sure, but Cas'll tell us when he gets there." 

Dean shuffled his feet a little as Sam took a seat. 

"Have you talked to her at all?" he asked and Dean cleared his throat. 

"Uh, yeah. Actually, that's how I found out. I, uh, hitched a ride with Cas last time he popped in to see her. He saved her from slipping on black ice." 

Sam nodded slowly, sitting back in his chair. 

"How is she?" he asked. Dean was about to answer when his phone rang. 

"Cas?" he answered the call. 

"Sorry, Winchester,” a soft voice replied, sounding worn and weary. “Wrong dark-haired beauty." Dean rolled his eyes but grinned. 

"Rach, how are you doing?" he asked, and Sam straightened in his chair. “You sound like hell.”

“Yeah, I feel like it too,” she mumbled in response. Dean chuckled and then nodded toward Sam. 

“Mind if I put you on speaker?" he asked, and Sam fidgeted nervously. Rachel paused. 

"Is Sam there?" 

“He is.”

“Is she asking about me? Is she okay?” Sam asked quietly, to which Dean waved his hand impatiently to get him to quiet down. 

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Rachel responded a moment later. Dean set the phone down on the table and turned the speaker phone on. 

“Alright Rach,” Dean replied. "You're on speaker, now." 

“Hello Winchesters,” Rachel’s cheerful voice erupted from the small device. Sam’s eyes immediately began to water. 

“Rachel,” he murmured. “How are you feeling? Is Cas there with you?” 

“Yeah, he’s here. I think the trip wore him out. He’s taking a nap in my desk chair.” Rachel moved and they heard her talking to Cas. “I told you that thing was comfy.” She must have turned back to the phone because her voice came back a little stronger. “I’m okay, just feeling a little sick.” 

“Is it the rona?” Dean asked, warily. Sam gave him his signature bitch face as Rachel giggled. 

“Nah, just some bad seafood. I’ll be tip-top in no time. Cas was just sensing my distress because I hate throwing up.” Dean nodded. 

“Oh, that makes sense. He said you were in pain.” 

“Well, yeah,” Rachel replied, deadpan. “I mean, I am.” 

“Well, we’re coming to get Cas and bring him home,” Sam interrupted. “We’ll be there tomorrow, most likely. If that’s okay?” 

“Oh, yeah, that’s fine,” Rachel assured him. “Cas can go all invisibility cloak and chill in my room. He can keep Herbie company while I’m sleeping off this food poisoning.”

“You need us to pick up anything for you? Got enough ice pops?” Dean asked, and Rachel hummed affirmatively as she took a calculated sip of Coke. 

“I’m all set. Pretty lucky that I needed so much dental work right before I got poisoned, I’ve got plenty of ice pops since that’s all I can eat post-dental work.” 

“Well, you should get some rest, Rach,” Sam said. “We’ll see you tomorrow. Call us if you need anything.” 

“Will do,” Rachel promised, stifling a yawn. “I think we’re gonna get some shut-eye. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” 

“Okay, have Cas call me when he wakes up,” Dean instructed. 

“You got it. Bye, Winchesters.” Rachel hung up. 

Sam sat there, staring at the phone as if it would spontaneously burst into flames. 

“You good?” Dean asked as he slowly reached out and took his phone off the table, slipping it back into his pocket. Sam nodded slowly. 

“It was good to hear her voice,” he said suddenly and Dean nodded. 

“Yeah, she doesn’t sound good, though. Food poisoning’s a bitch,” Dean muttered as he fiddled with something on his laptop. 

“Yeah, but at least that’s her problem, you know?” Sam asked and Dean glanced up at him. “I mean, we left so they would be safe, and if the least of her worries is some food poisoning and dental work? I’d take that over vampires or demons any day.” Dean nodded, silently agreeing with Sam. “I don’t know, it just makes me think that, as much as it sucked, we did the right thing by walking away.” 

“Huh,” Dean pondered aloud. “I see your point. I guess we did leave to protect them, and it doesn’t look like anything’s come back to get them in the last five years or so.” 

“Right,” Sam replied. “So, that almost makes it easier, doesn’t it?” 

Dean nodded minutely. “Yeah, almost.” 

Sam nodded, agreeing. “Almost.” 

#lol idk where in the actual narrative this is but whatever #cas is my slumber party buddy now #he's gonna braid my hair and we're gonna talk about the winchesters

[layla-and-amara]

another thing.

Dean sat in his chair, only partially paying attention to the television. Seeing Shonelle again had warmed him to the core, and despite his worry about her current state of health, it had been nice to hear her sass.

Cas sat in the chair next to him, watching the television much more intently and Dean glanced at him, chuckling.

"Cas," he murmured, and the angel tore his blue eyes from the screen to frown instead at Dean. "You ever visit them?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, Dean," he replied, squinting even more. "Visit who?"

"The girls," Dean clarified. "I mean, I know you pop in when they need help, but do you ever just see them to say 'hey' or anything?"

Cas sat there for a moment, pondering. Finally, he muted the television and turned his body toward Dean, tilting his head as he spoke.

"Well, there are moments when I will arrive to see if something is a danger to one of the girls, but then I'll quickly realize everything's fine and come straight back here. I'd hate to be away in case you and Sam needed me," he explained and Dean shook his head.

"Don't worry so much about us," he insisted. "How are they doing, though? When they're not in trouble, how are things going? Living relatively normal lives, I hope?" Cas nodded and Dean relaxed a bit. "Good, that's good."

"Yes, Rachel has a pet rabbit," Cas informed Dean with a soft smile. "She very nearly named him Castiel, which I thought was very flattering." Dean grinned.

"Get out," he chuckled. "What did she name him, then?"

"Herbie," Cas replied. "After the Volkswagen automobile-"

"Yeah, I'm familiar, Cas," Dean interrupted gently.

"And Shonelle has a dog," Cas continued and Dean sat up a little. He glanced around at the various toys that Miracle dragged into the Dean Cave on occasion. "Her name is Pearl."

"Pearl," Dean repeated, smiling. "Hey, Miracle!" he called out.

"Miracle was asleep," Cas whispered as the golden dog came tearing around the corner, bounding into the Dean Cave and right up to Dean.

"Ah, he's awake now!" Dean insisted, playing with the dog, petting his fur. "Aren't you, boy? Are you awake now?"

"Only because you called him," Cas pointed out.

"Hey, you know who needs a nap, boy?" Dean continued talking to the dog in his dopey tone. "I think Grumy Cas over here needs a nap, huh? Does Cas need a nap?" Miracle enthusiastically splayed out on the floor, presenting his belly for Dean to rub, which he did. Cas huffed.

"I don't need a nap," he grumbled.

"You seem pretty cranky to me," Dean joked in his normal voice and Cas sat up straighter, indignant. "What else about the girls?"

"What else would you like to know?" Cas asked, leaning further back into the chair, tucking his pajama-clad legs underneath him, shivering. Dean tossed him a blanket.

"What else do you know?" he asked. Cas spread the blanket out and snuggled underneath it. Being in an underground bunker meant that it got colder than normal, and Cas' grace was starting to wear thin. He could fly, but he also felt human effects that once hadn't bothered him.

"Well, Rachel works from home, and I think she's fated to be with a young man that she's currently 'trying to get over' as she puts it." Dean's eyebrows rose. "I haven't told her that they're meant to be, but I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually. She never did ask how I knew his name before she told me."

"Well, if that ain't gonna break poor Sammy's heart," Dean muttered, frowning. "What about, uh, Shonelle?"

Cas was quiet. Miracle had padded over to him for affection instead, and he was now regarding Miracle, gently patting his head.

"Cas," Dean called, and Cas sighed.

"I'm not sure it's my place, Dean," he replied, letting Miracle nose his way under the blanket. "Shonelle should be the one to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Dean asked, sitting up straight. Miracle jumped up on the chair, snuggling up to Cas. "Hey, no, Miracle. Down." Both Cas and Miracle looked at Dean, horrified. "What? Come on, the chair is gonna get all dirty.

"I will ensure that it's cleaned," Cas insisted, wrapping his arms around Miracle and snuggling him close.

"Great, now my dog is betraying me," Dean murmured before returning to the topic of interest. "Anyway, what's Shonelle gotta tell me? What, is she married?"

"Very nearly, yes."

Dean froze. "Oh." He hadn't been expecting to be right. Very nearly, what the hell did that mean?

"She is engaged," Cas explained, sensing Dean's confusion. "His name is Kyle. They were also fated to be together. I'm glad she found him so quickly."

"Wow," Dean mumbled. "Huh, good for her. So, they've both left the life." Dean nodded and Cas offered a sympathetic smile. "No, that's good. That's great, that's exactly what we wanted. I mean, that's why we left, isn't it?"

"I believe you should let Shonelle tell you before you do that thing where you shut down," Cas murmured in a low voice. Dean looked up at him, affronted. "Dean," he said gently.

"Yeah, okay," Dean breathed. "You're right, you're right. Thanks, Cas."

They both sat in silence for a few moments, the television still muted in the background.

"Do you think we should tell Sam?" Cas asked, and Dean sighed.

"Probably."

Neither moved.

#GIVE CAS AN ANIMAL 2K21

[layla-and-amara]

a thing.

The first time it happens, Dean doesn’t think anything of it. 

It’s a Tuesday morning, and he and Cas are sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee in companionable silence. Cas stiffens mid-sip and abruptly sets his mug down. Dean frowns as Cas straightens up and then stands from the table, the chair scraping back against the stone floor. 

“Angel radio?” he guesses, his voice gruff from sleep. Cas nods belatedly. 

“I have to go, Dean,” he says by way of explanation as Dean hears the flutter of wings and suddenly Cas is gone. 

Dean chalks it up to something in Heaven. Cas returns within the hour and isn’t in pain, and Dean doesn’t ask where he went because he’s not trying to police the guy. 

The next time, it’s a little weirder. 

It’s a chilly day, and Sam is reading a book in the library. Dean is resting his eyes at the table, and Cas is trying to win a game of solitaire. 

The cards flying everywhere is what wakes Dean up and Sam’s head snaps up to find the cards still mid-air and no Cas to be found. 

“Cas?” Sam murmurs, and Dean is on his feet immediately. 

“Cas?” Dean repeats, louder. Both brothers turn to look at each other, bewildered. 

“What the hell?” Sam asks, and the words aren’t even completely out of his mouth when Cas pops back in, the flutter of his wings accompanying him. 

“Cas, where the hell did you just go?” Dean asks, his voice low. Sam sits down at the table, tossing his book aside. 

“My apologies,” Cas mutters, a worried look on his face. Sam offers him a grim smile, and even Dean’s posture relaxes slightly. 

“No worries, man, we just wanted to make sure you’re okay,” Sam replies. 

“I’m fine, I assure you,” Cas says, glancing at Dean who has now returned to his chair and is tipping his head back. 

“Where did you go?” he asks, his eyes closed, his tone slightly more biting than before. 

“I had to take care of something very quickly,” Cas explains, tapping his temple. “Angel radio.” 

“Angels are still talking to you?” Sam asks, brow furrowed. 

“Something like that,” Cas responds. That gets Dean’s attention. 

“What do you mean by that, exactly?” he asks, his head lolling forward, green eyes meeting blue. 

“I just had something to take care of, Dean. Everything is fine, and everyone is safe.” Dean’s a little affronted by that, feeling a bit brushed off. Cas gathers the playing cards from the table and floor quickly and stuffs them in his pocket. “I believe I’ll rest my eyes a little, myself, in my room.” He nods at the two brothers and then makes his way to his bedroom. 

“Is it just me or did that feel vaguely like a teenager moment?” Dean asks Sam. “Do you think you’re the mom in this situation? Cause of your hair?” Sam rolls his eyes but ignores the comment.

“Where do you think he was?” he asks Dean. Dean sits up fully, resting his arms on the table, staring after the doorway Cas left through. 

“I don’t know,” Dean murmurs. “But I’ll find out.” 

The third time’s the charm, and Dean’s ready for it. 

Sam’s on a run (weirdo) and he’s conned Cas into watching the new Star Wars movies for the sole purpose of listing everything that is wrong with them and waxing poetic on why Disney should never have been allowed to touch the franchise. He’s in the middle of a rant in particular regarding the complete lack of plot line involving Finn and Poe when Cas stiffens very suddenly. 

“Cas?” Dean says, watching the angel carefully. “Buddy? You good?” 

“I have to go, Dean,” he says, and Dean quickly reaches out and latches a hand onto Cas’ arm as soon as he hears the feathers. 

“Whoa!” a voice cries out, and Dean opens his eyes to see Cas catching the arm of a girl in a green beanie. Her hair is dark brown with blood red tips, and she’s mid-slip on a patch of black ice in a parking lot next to a white sedan.

“Gotcha,” Cas breathes as he rights the girl and she beams up at him, and Dean’s heart nearly stops. 

“Rachel?” Dean asks, and the girl’s brown eyes snap to his, widening. Cas spins around at the same time, clearly having been oblivious that Dean had hitched a ride. 

“How did you get here?” Cas asks incredulously. Dean ignores him, shouldering past the angel to wrap the girl in a hug. She chuckles and returns the hug, patting him on the back a few times. 

“Hey Winchester, what’s up?” she asks when he pulls away, smiling up at him. Her glasses are red, just like the ends of her hair, and her eyes are ten times brighter than he remembers. She’s still just a kid, he thinks, despite all these years passing. He notes that she hasn’t grown taller, but she seems healthier than he last saw her. 

“Where are we?” Dean asks, glancing around before grinning back down at the 20-something. Rachel chuckles, shouldering her bag and taking Cas’ offered arm as she carefully makes her way across the ice. Dean holds her other arm, and they walk across the parking lot to the sidewalk. 

“This is my apartment building,” she explains, shifting the bag again. Dean looks up at the brick building with little balconies jutting out from every floor. “Garden style. Everyone gets a balcony, which is a pro.” 

“Ah, but the stairs,” Dean realizes, nodding. “That’s a con.”

“Rachel, I can fly you up there,” Cas offers, and Dean gets the feeling from the way Rachel immediately shakes her head that this isn’t the first time he’s offered such a thing. 

“No, Cas, really, it’s fine. I appreciate you saving my noggin, though!” Rachel knocks a fist gently against the top of her head with a grin. “Really owe you for all the times you’ve saved me. Seems to be getting more frequent.” Rachel frowns and tilts her head and Dean bites back a chuckle at the startling similarity between the girl and the angel beside him. “Think someone up there has it out for me?”

“Not while I’m around,” Cas promises, and Rachel nods. 

“You live alone?” Dean asks warily, eyeing the rest of the apartment complex. 

“I have two roommates, but they’re not home right now,” Rachel explains, and she’s about to shift her bag for the third time when Dean just grabs it from her. “Thanks,” she murmurs, and then leads the way up the four flights of stairs to her apartment. 

“The neighborhood is safe, Dean,” Cas whispers to Dean as Rachel reaches the door. Instead of unlocking it, she simply pushes it open, which cause both Dean and Cas to straighten in shock. 

“Thought you said your roommates weren’t home?” Dean asks, following Rachel into the apartment and setting her backpack on the stairs leading up to what looks like a loft. 

“They aren’t,” Rachel replies, peeling her coat off and sliding her hat off of her head, her cheeks rosy from the cold. Dean levels her with a stern look while Cas enters the apartment and shuts the door behind him. 

“Well, I’m not sure the neighborhood is that safe that you can neglect to lock your door,” Cas murmurs, and Dean snaps his fingers in agreement before looking back at Rachel. 

“Guys, come on,” Rachel groans. “Look, I appreciate the help, Cas, but I’m still an adult that can take care of myself. Nothing bad is gonna happen.” Rachel waved her arm to the giant flat-screen TV hanging above the fireplace. “Don’t you think someone’s gonna steal this before they come for me? I think I’m gonna be okay.” 

“Oh yeah? Where’s your salt line?” Dean barks, and Rachel stiffens. She turns to him before turning back around and walking toward the door at the far end of the living room, which Dean assumes leads to her bedroom. She crouches down and gently lifts a square of the carpet, showing Dean and Cas a line of salt carefully laid out underneath. 

“I haven’t forgotten what you guys taught us,” Rachel says, and Dean’s heart skips a beat because that’s the first time she’s mentioned Shonelle since he’s seen her. 

“You get a tattoo yet, then?” Dean asks, smirking, and Rachel rolls her eyes, showing the studs in her ears. Anti-possession symbols. “That’s my girl,” Dean murmurs fondly. 

“Well, my roommates will be home soon, and I know for a fact that if they see me with not one but two attractive men, the questions will never cease.” Rachel smiles apologetically, and Dean chuckles. 

“Hear that buddy?” he nudges Cas. “We still got it.” Cas squints, looking between Dean and Rachel. 

“Got what?” 

“Gotta go,” Rachel replies, and Cas visibly deflates. Dean knows the feeling. He remembers leaving the girls, which was best for them at the time, and feeling like a piece of his own soul had been torn away from him. Cas reaches out and hugs Rachel close, and for the first time in a long time, Dean sees firsthand how human Cas really is. Cas presses a gentle kiss to the top of her head and she giggles, tilting her head up at him. Cas smiles down at her before releasing his hold and taking a few steps back. 

“Alright, kiddo,” Dean mutters, pulling her in for a hug as well. “Stay out of trouble. Call us if you need us. I’m not sure how we got here, but now that I know Cas can give me a ride, I’ll come visit anytime you want.” Rachel chuckles, squeezing Dean tight before letting him go. “Now, I’m serious,” he says, leveling her with another look. “I mean it, any boyfriends get out of line or you see something supernatural, you call us. Call Cas, however you’ve been doing that. We’ll be here in a heartbeat.” 

“I haven’t been calling him,” Rachel says, tilting her head. “He’s just been showing up.” 

Cas shuffles his feet and Dean turns around. 

“We should be going. I hear the Honda,” Cas grumbles, and Rachel gently pushes Dean toward Cas. 

“It was nice seeing you guys again,” Rachel beams, waving as he feels Cas’ hand clamp down on his shoulder. Her bright smile is the last thing Dean sees before he’s back in the bunker, in the Dean Cave. 

“What the hell, Cas?” Dean rounds on him immediately. 

“Please, Dean, she was almost severely injured. I couldn’t just sit here,” Cas argues. 

“Of course not, no,” Dean agrees, and Cas is visibly startled, frowning slightly at Dean. “I wouldn’t ask you not to go. But why didn’t you tell us?” 

“I didn’t think it was of import,” Cas replies. 

“See, I think that’s bull,” Dean grinds out. “And I think you know that.” Cas is silent, so Dean continues. “Because, you know, Cas, you know what it did to me and Sam to just leave them there. It nearly destroyed us.” 

“Which is precisely why I didn’t tell you, Dean,” Cas replies, looking up at him. Dean shuffles back a step as if he’s been hit. “You and Sam were both so distraught over leaving Rachel and Shonelle all those years ago, and once I got wind of what was going on with Shonelle, I didn’t want to worry you-“

“Whoa, back up,” Dean interrupted, holding his hands up. ‘What do you mean, what’s going on with Shonelle? She okay?” 

“Currently, yes,” Cas sighs. “Previously, she had some difficulties with her lungs. I don’t know the extent, but she was very scared, and I almost missed my chance at helping her.” Cas’ voice breaks on the last word and Dean’s stance softens. “After that, I began paying closer attention to both her and Rachel. Every now and then, their heart rates will spike because of anxiety, and I’ve been flying off to help them.” 

“Is she okay now?” Dean asks quietly. Cas nods minutely. 

“Yes, she’s safe. She was a little anxious earlier because she has an interview at Rachel’s company, but it wasn’t anything to be worried over.” Dean’s eyebrows raise. 

“Shonelle and Rachel at the same company?” he whistles low, chuckling in spite of himself. “That company don’t know what’s coming.”

“Indeed, it will be nice for the girls to be together again, but I do feel somewhat sorry for those who will have to endure their combined excitement levels,” Cas agrees with a soft smile. Dean leans forward and places a hand on Cas’ shoulder. 

“Alright, well, new rule is: you tell me.” Cas nods. “I mean it, Cas. Every time you hear from either of them, I don’t care what we’re in the middle of. You tell me, and then you go fix it.” Dean straightens up. “And then you tell me when they’re okay.” 

“Of course, Dean.” Dean clapped the angel on the shoulder. 

“Okay.”

[layla-and-amara]

Pillow Talk

Sam watched as Rachel pulled only the necessities out of her suitcase as he lay on her bed. She would be living out of that same suitcase for another week or so before she would finally unpack her things and officially move back into her own house. That’s just how Rachel was. If it didn’t need to be done right that minute, then it could wait. She took on the same idea regarding their relationship, it seemed. 

“So, I know you don’t want to talk about it,” Sam started. Rachel looked up from her suitcase, frowning, a small smile on her face. 

“Then, don’t talk about it,” she giggled. She shook her head and continued unpacking her shower stuff and pajamas, leaving the rest of her clothes and toiletries in the blue suitcase perched at her bedside. 

“Well, it’s just kind of bothering me, and I think, even though you don’t necessarily want to, we should talk about…. what this is,” he said, gesturing between the two of them. Rachel sighed. 

“Why?”

Sam frowned. “Why?”

“Yeah, I mean, I just like being with you. Why do we have to talk about it? Why can’t we just let this happen and not worry about what it means?” Rachel was now talking to her suitcase, her cheeks reddening with every work she spoke. 

“Do you really think that’s healthy?”

Rachel looked up, smirking. “What part of our relationship seems even the slightest but healthy to you? You kill monsters for a living, and we met when my friend and I got into a scrape with a demon. You and your brother were hurt, so you stayed with us until you were okay and then you left to go hunt more monsters.” She shook her head, her smile turning sour. “You said you wouldn’t leave, you promised you wouldn’t leave, and you did.”

Sam looked at her sadly. He knew this would come up eventually.

“Still wanna talk about it?” Rachel mumbled. Sam shook his head, opening his arms instead. Rachel gratefully slipped into them, curling her head into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing a kiss into her hair. She scrunched herself deeper into his embrace, no space between their bodies. 

“I can’t be a hunter’s girlfriend,” Rachel blurted, looking up at him. Sam nodded, sadly. “It’s not that I don’t want to be, it’s just,” Rachel paused, searching for the right words. “I just can’t live with the constant fear that every time you leave might be the last time I see you. One day, you might not come home.” She shifted, laying on top of him now, her fingers drumming lightly on his chest. He smiled softly, waiting for her to continue. “I mean, I already worry about you, and Cas, and Dean, and even Shonelle.”

“But, we could never be more,” Sam supplied. Rachel nodded, grateful for his understanding.

“Exactly, and I would want to be,” she whispered. “Sam Winchester, I don’t say this to many people, but I would want to marry you.”

Sam grinned, kissing her forehead. “I would want to marry you, too, Rach.” She returned his smile.

“But, think of the children,” she said wryly, and Sam chuckled. 

“I’d have to quit hunting,” Sam said, more serious than a few minutes ago. 

“And, I’d never ask you to do that,” Rachel replied instantly. “Dean would kill me,” she muttered. Sam smiled softly. He brushed a lock of hair from her face, cupping her cheek.

“I would quit for you, though,” he said, seriously, not a hint of the playfulness that was there moments before. Rachel smiled, leaning into his touch. 

“I know, but I’ll never ask you to.”

#layla #ficlet

[layla-and-amara]

Shower Talk

Sam gently knocked on the door, worrying about the girl on the other side. Rachel had gotten home from visiting her friend’s daughter at the hospital only ten minutes ago, quickly explaining she was only back to take a shower and pack an overnight bag.

“Rach, you okay?” Sam asked. Rachel smiled softly. She hated nicknames, but she never seemed to mind when Sam called her ‘Rach’. She cracked the door open, tucking her towel around her body snugly. 

“I’m fine, I promise. Just worried about her, that’s all,” she mumbled. She swallowed back tears, worrying about Kailey, and Sam pushed through into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind him. He pulled Rachel into a hug and she clutched him, trying not to cry.

“She’ll be okay,” Sam whispered soothingly into her hair. Rachel nodded and looked up at him, wearing a thin smile.

Wordlessly, she stepped back and turned the water on for the shower. As she waited for it to heat up, she shed her towel and stepped in and waited. 

It didn’t take long for Sam to follow her in, and she was silently relieved he didn’t question anything. This is how they were, and it was honestly just comforting to have him there, to hold her while she cried in the shower. She could almost pretend the last few months hadn’t happened, that nothing had changed between them. He was still her best friend. 

And just like that, things were normal again for a little while. 

Rachel stood under the hot water, letting it wash away all the tension. “I never understood why people would always claim that showers were soothing.” She turned around, squeezing her sopping wet hair on Sam. “I think I get it now,” she chuckled as he pulled her close and held her under the water for a moment. 

Rachel reached around for her shampoo bottle and Sam took it from her. She shook her head. “Nuh uh, no washing hair.”

“Why not?” Sam chuckled, holding the shampoo bottle just out of reach. 

“It’s too intimate,” Rachel said, crinkling her nose.

“Really? That’s too intimate?”

Rachel didn’t respond and watched as he relented and handed her the shampoo bottle. “Your hair’s all tangled,” he muttered, watching her lather up the shampoo and run her fingers through her hair. 

“Yeah, probably from me constantly tying it up into a knot to keep it out of my face,” she replied, massaging the shampoo into her scalp. 

“You probably shouldn’t do that then,” he responded, resting his hands on her hips. 

“Hair care tips from Sam Winchester,” she giggled. Sam blushed. “There’s a joke here, somewhere.” 

“Shut up.”

Rachel grinned cheekily at him and he returned the smile, laughing softly. It was so nice to just be with him like this and not worry about what it meant for them as a couple - or as not a couple, technically. 

She rinsed her hair and Sam grabbed her conditioner. Before she could say anything, he poured some into his palm and started working his hands through her hair, gently smoothing out every tangle he came across. Rachel looked up at him, watching his face carefully as he concentrated on ridding her hair of tangles while not hurting her. He was so focused. 

“So, tell me about Kailey,” he said softly, still calmly detangling her hair. Rachel sighed. 

“She had a fever of about 102.8 around noon, and they gave her some Motrin, but it didn’t work.” She shook her head, looking down at the shower floor. “Tylenol didn’t work either, so I called Cas,” she mumbled. Sam stopped moving. 

“Wait, you did what?”

“I called Cas and asked him to bring her fever down.” Rachel looked up at Sam apologetically. He looked at her for a moment before continuing his work of detangling her hair. It was mostly detangled by now, but it was soothing, so Rachel didn’t mind. She knew they both needed this after the past two weeks of tense silence. 

“Why didn’t you just ask him to make her better?”

“Kailey was too far gone to just randomly not have pneumonia anymore, and that would not be fun to explain to the doctors, or the inevitable news crew that would come in once they caught wind of the miracle child at Prince William Hospital.”Rachel shrugged her shoulders. “But, the fever was really the only threat, so once that went away, she started getting better. They think she’ll be able to go home tomorrow.” 

“That’s great,” Sam smiled. Rachel grinned, remembering something.

“You know, it was my very first time visiting someone who wasn’t immediate family at a hospital, and I assumed that only family were allowed in, so I told them I was her aunt,” she giggled. Sam laughed with her. 

“Why would they not let you in?”

“Well, I didn’t know! But, the girls had to keep up with the charade, so I was ‘Auntie Rachel’ all day.” She leaned her head back into the spray of the water and rinsed the conditioner out. “I liked it.”

“Well, one day, when Dean and Shonelle have children, you’ll be Auntie Rachel again,” Sam chuckled, hugging her close to him, tucking his head into the crook of her neck. She rested her head against his chest as the water slipped over both of their bodies, thinking of what Shonelle having kids would look like. She found she had to bite back hysterical laughter. 

They stayed like that for a long time, long after the water turned cold and their fingers and toes got all pruney. Sam just held Rachel, and Rachel let him, because they both knew how much the other needed it.

#layla #ficlet #your welcome

[layla-and-amara]

Beer Talk

The thing about some bars is the immediate stench of bad breath mixed with sweat. Bad breath because of the various types of beers and wines that slide down the throat like there is no tomorrow and sweat because everyone is always so close and there is never the right amount of air conditioning.

And I loved it here.

Mainly because no one asked questions. You came, you drank, maybe pick up a few chicks, but besides that all you really have to be is lonely and thirsty. Hell, you could be one and it would still be okay.

But I knew Sam would want to talk. Stupid me decided to text him and because he’s my friggin’ brother he could clearly tell just how bitter I was about the entire thing. I wanted to talk for once because maybe just maybe I would stop thinking about it so damn much.

 We sat at the bar in silence while Sam waved the bartender over. He was a burly type guy that looked like he could devour a dozen pies in one sitting. “Two beers please?”

 The bartender nodded and reached under the counter pulling out two bud lights. I wrapped my hand around the ice cold bottle and popped the top open with the nearest opener. I slid it over to Sam while bringing the drink to my lips.

Finally.

“Dean?”

I put the bottle down slowly. “What Sammy.”

“You know what.”

“Really? And here I thought you just wanted to grab a beer with your big bro.” I forced a smirk.

Sam frowned. “Look, I know you don’t like talking these things out but I can tell you’re pretty bummed out about it. Just tell me what its like being there. Around her.”

 I cringed. It was still painfully awkward the majority of the time. Mainly because we both were holding back because of some inevitable fact that at some point I wasn’t going to be around anymore. And we would have to leave these girls again. I couldn’t touch her, I couldn’t look at her for too long, and dammit I couldn’t kiss her. That was the most painful part of it.

Like hell I was going to tell Sam all that though.

“Why don’t you tell me what’s been going on around Rachel’s place first.”

Sam tucked his hair behind his ears and sighed. "Well, it's definitely different. It took a while for her to even talk to me because she was still angry with me for leaving when I said I wouldn't. I don't know, it's not as easy to be around her now, now that I know what it was like to be with her. But honestly, you and I will probably leave again, with no word on when we'll be back, and it'll hurt her again. So it's better this way." He took a pull off his beer and sighed. "Besides, she's got other guys that take care of her. She's safe. That's all that really matters at the end of the day, right?"

“Right.” Wrong, wrong, wrong. What they should do is go back to the girls and tell  them that they still want to be with them. That they are stupid for coming up with these stupid excuses. Instead, I picked up the beer again and nodded my head. “You are so right.”

 “You’re turn.”

 I took a deep breath. “There isn’t anything much to tell. As soon as I came back she slammed the door in my face. I kept knocking until she opened it again and for three straight days we wouldn’t say a word to each other. And well, I lied.”

 “Lied about what?”

“I lied to you when I said we never brought it up and I lied to her when she asked me if we could ever go back to the way things were. I told her we couldn’t and I didn’t want to. It took awhile but I guess she understood and just started acting like the way she used to. Outgoing with a side of sass. Besides,” I smiled and glanced at Sam. “She never confirmed or denied if she still wanted to ya know be with me.”

Sam nodded and went back to looking forward and drinking. In fact, the rest of the night was mostly silence except for when we talked about the possible cases around town.

The hard honest truth was we were going to leave. And if we did tell these girls how we still feel about them they won’t be so willing to open the door the next time around. 

#amara #ficlet #just gonna toot my own horn

[layla-and-amara]

First Night

“So,” I walked into the living room, handing Sam his tea. I gingerly sat down on the couch across from him. “Fight any good wars lately?”

Sam gulped and smoothed his hair back from his face. “Shonelle told you, huh?” he chuckled uncomfortably. Cas’ eyes widened and he made an excuse about seeing Matthew and headed upstairs. 

“I’m only asking because I know you’ll be straight with me. Don’t sugarcoat it. How much danger are we in?”

“Rachel, you’re not in any danger as long as we’re with you, you know that.”

I nodded. “Is that why you guys came back?” 

Sam paled. He nodded. “To an extent, yes. It’s… it’s kind of our fault that the war has moved here. We were trying to shake a shifter and it latched onto Cas while he was getting ready to take off and he panicked and came here. He immediately went back to Chicago, but the shifter had seen enough and knew we were trying to keep something here away from him. We’re following him and we think he’s in the area.” He scooted closer to me and ran his fingers through my hair, holding my face in his palm. “You and Shonelle are going to be okay. Dean and I will keep you safe, no matter what it takes. I promise you.”

I nodded, fear evident in my eyes. “What about Cas? Will he be okay?”

“He’ll be fine, I promise. We’re both going to stay with you for the next few weeks while we track this shifter down and take care of him before anymore head down. Hopefully we can stop this war before it even begins here.”

I nodded, standing up and collecting my empty cup of tea. “I figured as much. You’re both welcome to stay as long as you need to.” He nodded and stood, holding his empty cup of tea as well. “One thing, I don’t get,” I muttered, stopping in my tracks. Sam raised his eyebrows. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Dean and I agreed we’d try to keep it under wraps as much as possible, but…” 

“Shonelle used her woman powers,” I supplied, raising an eyebrow suggestively. Sam laughed, the light shining in his eyes. I’ll admit, I did miss this. He was one of my best friends, honestly, and it was great to have him back home where he belonged. “Let’s just agree that, since you guys have been gone, I did turn twenty years old and am no longer a child. Like, at all. You can tell me stuff. I can’t promise I won’t freak out initially, but I’d like to know and be able to help if I can.”

“You’re not asking me to help you become a hunter, are you?” Sam’s face was considerably paler than it had been this entire conversation. 

I bit back a laugh. Wouldn’t that be something? Me, a hunter. Or, a huntress? Whatever the terminology, the image of me beheading vampires and traveling with Sam and Dean just didn’t fit. I wasn’t the fighting type. I helped Sam with research. I was going to be a publishing company editor. I wasn’t going to fight monsters for a living. 

“Really? Can you imagine me as a hunter?” I laughed. “I would suck as a hunter. I’d probably run for the hills as soon as there was even a hint of danger.” I walked toward the kitchen and Sam followed. “No thanks, I’ll stick to my books. You guys can fight things.” I placed our mugs in the sink and turned toward Sam. “You know, I bet Shonelle would love a crash course in hunting! You should tell Dean.”

“That’s not funny.”

“It’s kind of funny.” 

#layla #ficlet

[layla-and-amara]

The Fight

“I understand you’re a secretary and you have to be polite to everyone,” Sam began, pushing his hair back away from his face. “But do you have to be overly nice to certain people?”

  I looked up at him from my homework. “Ooh, sounds like you have an example,” I replied, placing my pencil down. I gestured for him to continue. “Like the kid that finished his lessons today.”

“Sam?”

“Yeah, him.” I stared at him in disbelief.

 He frowned. “What?”

“You forgot his name.”

“Yeah, so?”

“It’s the same as yours.” 

Sam sighed. “That’s not the point. The point is that you’re overly nice to people.”

“People like Sam.”

“Yes, people like Sam, and… it’s not safe.” I laughed. “He’s a seventeen year-old kid, I think I’ll be okay.” I turned back to my homework as Sam sighed again and stood up to leave the room.

“Wait,” I said, looking up at him. He paused in the doorway. I smirked. “Sam, are you jealous?” I could practically see his cheeks color from where I was sitting.

“What? Of a kid? Don’t be ridiculous.” I turned back to my homework. “Right, it’s dumb to be jealous of Sam. He’s seventeen. And hilarious. And his family is so sweet. And age means nothing to me.”

He spun around to face me. “You’re doing that on purpose.”

“I’m sorry, what exactly am I doing?”

“So you’re saying I do have a reason to be jealous of Sam?”

“I don’t see why you have a reason to be jealous of anyone; you and I aren’t together.” Silence hung in the air for a few uncomfortable minutes.

I shifted in my seat awkwardly as Sam nodded slowly. “You’re right.” He turned and walked out of the room, but not before I heard him mumble, “and that’s the problem.”

#layla #ficlet

[layla-and-amara]

The Talk

Fuck. I did not want to do this. I stood outside my door staring hard at the handle. I could run away. I could walk outside or turn everything out with a blast of my music. Actually, that sounds like a grand idea. 

 I pulled my phone out of my pocket and pressed play. I didn’t even bother picking a specific song like I usually do. 

  Have you got color in your cheeks? 

 Really fate? Really?

  I shoved my phone in my pocket, took a deep breath, and walked into my bedroom. Dean picked his head up from the tv and gave me a casual grunt.  The noise alone sent my mind into a frenzy of thoughts of scenes that were playing over and over in my head. If my skin wasn’t so dark, I know I would blush.

  “Hey, I’ve got to ask you something.”

  “Okay.” 

   “And you have to be completely honest.” 

  He turned the tv off and looked me in the eye. “Shonelle what is it?”

  “I’m just going to pretend I have lady balls and come right out and ask. Do you… have a thing for me?”

The silence that flowed between us was overflowing. He stood up and walked towards me. “What… makes you ask that?”

  “Well Rachel and Sam--”

  “Of course. You believe everything those two say”?”

  “Usually no, but I’ve been noticing a few things and if you were to tell me you do have a thing for me than--”

  “Then what?”

  “Then I would maybe possibly tell you that I have a thing for you too.”

  I wish I could place what Dean’s thoughts were at this moment. He looked curious and I could tell, for the first time since I met him, that his emotions were softer than usual. I liked it. 

  He pulled me into a hug and I relaxed against him. His hugs always made me calm and well protected. When he let me go I took a sudden step back.

  “Wait is that your way of telling me you don’t feel the same way because then I feel really freaking stupid and--”

  “Shonelle.” His voice was so smooth but it didn’t stop me from rambaling. 

  “You don’t know how hard it is to deal with when you walk around with that amazing ass of yours. Its distracting.”

  The corner of his lips twiched until he fully grinned. “Well thank you.”

  “You’re impossible.” I extended my arm to push his shoulder but he caught my wrist faster than humanly possible and he pulled me closer to him. 

  “Now this,” he grinned. “Is much better.”

  I couldn’t help but smile in return. 

   “Does this answer your question? I wouldn’t just let any beautiful girl this close.”

  “Yeah sure you wouldn’t. But yes, I guess this answers it.”

   He kissed my forehead. “Good.”

#amara #ficlet

[layla-and-amara]

Watchdog Duty

“Are you certain it is safe to be driving at such an increased speed, Rachel?” the breathless angel asked, his hands gripping the sides of his seat tightly. Cas had fought countless wars and helped the Winchesters defeat every big bad they’d ever been up against, but ten minutes in a car with Rachel and he was ready to turn in his wings.

“Relax, Cas, I’ve driven this route, like, a thousand times.” Rachel turned the music’s volume down a bit and rolled the windows up, quieting the small car. Cas seemed to relax a bit, as Rachel instructed, and she slowed the car down to just over the speed limit. Cas frowned as he watched the speedometer dip from 70 to 60.

“I don’t understand,” he began, cocking his head in that adorably innocent way of his. “If it’s a speed limit, why are most of the drivers going over it?”

“Well, it’s different. See, the purpose of the speed limit is to regulate the speed of all the drivers on the current road. So, if the drivers all agree to go five over, then they’re regulated and the speed limit still serves it’s purpose.”

“But, it’s a limit. Isn’t a limit something you’re not supposed to cross?”

“I guess we, as humans, kind of collectively decided we weren’t going to be limited by a stupid sign. We all go over the speed limit, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.” To demonstrate, Rachel pressed the gas yet again, shooting from 60 to 65. “Plus, I left the house later than I planned and I am never late for work.”

Cas nodded. “Where is it you work again? An alcoholic facility, I believe?”

Rachel rolled her eyes at Cas, amused. “It’s a winery, Cas.” She glanced at him. “We grow grapes and make wine and I wash glasses and stock shelves.”

“And you do other things for work. Do you still work as an administrative assistant?”

“Oh, right, you weren’t here for that.” Rachel glanced at Cas quickly to find him staring intently at her. “I, uh, quit the driving school. The boss was kind of a dick. Putt Putt replaced the driving school, so I still only have two jobs as of right now.”

“What did he do? Was he dangerous?”

“No, no, not dangerous! He was just rude. He called me stupid a few times and I didn’t think I had to take that, you know? So, I texted Quentin and asked if Putt Putt was hiring and he said they’d love to have me, so I quit!” I smiled at Cas, who still held a shocked look on his face. “Started at Putt Putt about a week later.”

“He called you stupid?” Cas asked softly. Rachel was anything but stupid. She helped Sam with research when they needed it. She was very bright for her age. Rachel shrugged it off.

“It’s no big deal, Cas, honestly. It hurt at first, but he’s a dick!” Rachel smiled at Cas, trying to reassure him.

A new thought crossed Castiel’s mind. “You’re certain he wasn’t a demon or monster of any kind?”

Rachel shook her head. “I checked, like a good little Rachel. I ‘accidentally’ spilled some Holy water on him after he called me stupid the first time.” Rachel frowned. “It was just so out of character. Up until the last few months, he’d been really nice to me. But, then we moved offices and we all got stressed out and he just got ruder and refused to focus on his customers. I just couldn’t stay there; I could see a billion lawsuits happening in his future.” She glanced at Cas again, who had taken to staring wide-eyed at the road in front of them, glancing at the rising speedometer every now and then. She sighed and slowed the car down again. Back to 60. Cas visibly relaxed.

“Perhaps a shapeshifter?” Rachel shook her head again.

“I ate pudding with a pure silver spoon and he didn’t even flinch when I asked him to put it in the sink for me.” Rachel smiled. “The pudding was a bonus, though.”

“So, not a monster. Just a dick.” Cas deadpanned. Rachel looked over at Castiel in shock.

“Cas! You’ve been hanging out with Dean way too much,” Rachel mumbled, stifling her giggles behind her hand. Cas nodded his agreement.

“I apologize for my outburst,” Cas muttered, looking out the window again.

“No need to apologize, Cas. Let it out! It’s kind of hilarious, to be honest.”

Cas smiled politely but made no move to continue spewing profanities. They drove on in silence until Cas noticed the time.

“What time did you say you were to be at work?” he asked, glancing at the clock on her dashboard.

“12:30.”

“You are aware it is currently 12:22, yes?”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “Yes, Cas, I am aware.” She pointed to her phone, sitting in the cupholder nearest her. “Text my mom for me. Tell her ‘people suck, might be a bit late.”

Cas quickly sent the text, refraining from using the emojis Rachel had helped him discover last time they were in Virginia, and placed her phone back in the cupholder.

“According to my calculations, we are approximately seven minutes from the winery.” Rachel glanced over at Cas again. He seemed calmer, but she doubted he would make it with her usual driving techniques down the winding dirt roads that lead to the winery. “But, it’s alright if I’m a few minutes late.”

Twelve minutes later, Rachel pulls into her employee parking space safely. She puts her car in park and cuts the engine, gathering her things. “Oh, right,” she mumbles, looking up at Cas. “I know you’ve been sent here to watch over me because Sam is super overprotective in an almost annoying way, but you have to be invisible while we’re here. I do not plan on trying to explain to my boss that an angel is casually following me around while I’m working.”

“I’m also supposed to check on Shonelle every so often, per Dean’s request.”

“Okay, are they, like, a thing? Cause they so need to be a thing, it’s not even funny.”

The angel stared back at her blankly. “What?”

“Never mind,” Rachel mumbled, opening her car door. “So, go check on Shonelle. Make sure she’s not getting herself into any trouble. And, before you come back, pop in and check on Sam and Dean. Sam said something about hunting today, and if they really are involved in a war, it could be dangerous.”

Cas nodded, ever the soldier. Rachel grabbed her phone out of the cupholder and when she looked up, he was nowhere to be seen.

#layla #ficlet

[layla-and-amara]

We Don’t Do This

Dean dropped the keys on the table and made his way to Shonelle’s room. The entire apartment was quiet which sent a rush of adrenaline through him. It was usually because of a hunt and the excitement of a kill that gave him this feeling but he knew there was nothing here. 

In fact wasn’t her family  in Maryland today? 

He knocked on the door and heard a grunt on the other side. Knowing Shonelle, she was probably wrapped into something most likely a book or a TV show, and couldn’t take her attention away for too long. 

When he came in she picked her head up quickly, her glasses slipping down her nose. She pushed them back up and smiled. “Hey, do you ever think of me?"

“Wha.. what?” 

“Nothing romantic or whatever. I’m just reading this book about star crossed lovers and I remember once…” She trailed off and shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. Uh, I was just curious forget I said anything.”

He walked over to her bed and sat down. Neither of them talked about their feelings and neither of them brought up things of the past that hurt like hell. But for whatever reason he felt inclined to talk to her about whatever was eating her up. Besides it wasn’t like this was a surprise occurrence. She would bring something random like this up and just as quickly shut it down. “Shonelle, you know you can talk to me right? I mean I’m not some type a therapist like Sam but you can trust me.”

She shook her head again and stood up from her laying down position. 

“How about I mention something of my past. Something that still kind of hurts when I think about it. Would that ease things a bit?”

She shrugged and pouted. If this wasn’t a semi serious moment he’d make fun of the child-like way she did that small action. 

“Years ago, back when Dad was still alive and around we would go on these hunts that involved a bunch of college kids. Dad would be a professor and I would be a student. I met this girl and we… ya know.”

“Had sex?”

Dean smirked. “Naturally, but it was more than that. I told myself that if I really cared about her like I thought I did then she deserves to know the truth. Once I did she accused me of cheating and ran for the hills. I saw her years later and everything's all good now but a part of me wonders what would have happened if I had just let things play out by themselves.”

Shonelle knew exactly who he was referring to. There’s an entire TV show based on his life for Christ’s sake. But regardless, she stayed mute and listened to the rest of his story. 

“I could have dropped everything and went back to her and tried to convince her monsters are real but what would have been the point? She believed me later on anyway when she needed my help but that’s besides the point. Life is messy and crazy as hell but I’d rather keep fighting than lay down and take it.”

She nodded. She really did understand where he was coming from and he was right. She needed to stop thinking of the past and needed to focus on the things that were happening around her. Like Dean for example. She got closer to him and her lips grazed his cheek so lightly it almost didn’t feel real. 

“What was that for?”

“For being you.” She shrugged. “And if you’re going to say my turn I won’t go into details at least not tonight. Just know that I have major trust issues because of being screwed over and used by many different people.”

“Welcome to the club.” He joked and they both laughed. He had to admit he wanted to know what else was bugging her but he knew well enough that it wasn’t going anywhere else. If there is anyone more stubborn than himself it’s got Shonelle.  “So what happens now?”

“I lay back down and read this book to you and you tell me if you think this could be real world or not.”

Dean frowned. Only books he read were the ones based on a case. 

“Hey, its not a classic novel its a book about vampire hunters who also happened to be vampires.” She smiled and Dean shook his head. “It sounds much better than how I’m explaining I promise.”

She laid down and she patted the spot behind her. He laid down behind her and wrapped his friend hand around her waist. They did this sometimes,  more often lately than they ever did in the beginning. Neither of them talked about it and neither of them felt the need to. It was relaxing, calming, warm. Just the three things they needed.

“Okay so this chick is a badass vampire hunter who just so happens to be in love with a vampire.”

Dean chuckled. “Heavy stuff.”

“I’m all about the drama baby, all about the drama.”

#amara #its so fun looking back on these #ficlet

[layla-and-amara]

Worried Not-Girlfriend

“Okay, strange phone number, you have two seconds to state your business before I fake an illness and hang up on you.”

Rach, it’s me. 

“Sam? Oh my god, thank goodness. Are you okay? Shonelle said you broke your arm?”

Yeah, I’m fine, I promise. I’m sorry we left without telling you, but my phone got crushed and it was all pretty sudden. 

“No, I know. Why did you tell Shonelle, though? Why not use your one free phone call to call me?”

Dean said it would just worry you.

“Yeah, and hearing it from Shonelle made it much less worrisome.”

Point taken. I’ll call you next time. 

“There won’t be a next time. If there is a ‘next time’ that includes you leaving unannounced and getting injured in any way, then I’m gonna choose to not acknowledge it. How’s your arm?”

I’m fine. I promise, I’ll be doing cartwheels in just a couple months. 

“Oh, gosh, don’t threaten me.”

I’m fine, Rachel, I promise. Pinky swear.

“Pinky swear, wow, you are serious.”

So, catch me up. What have I missed?

“Well, my car is virtually undriveable. I need my mount and rear struts replaced. It’s gonna cost about $500.”

Want me to see if Dean can take a look at it?

“Nah, it’s fine. I got a mechanic, and Roman actually offered to help out with the payment, so I might take him up on that offer.”

Good kid.

“Yeah, he’s alright. When are you coming home?”

I like that. 

“What?”

Home. 

“Oh my gosh, you’re such a girl.”

I’ll be home on Tuesday, around 8pm. You’re not going to that concert until next week, right?

“Yeah, and I’ll be at the library with my mom on Tuesday, so I’ll leave a key under the mat for you.”

You’ll be at the library? I’m intensely jealous.

“You’re also a nerd.”

You’re the one that watches sci-fi television shows on repeat.

“Hey! So does Dean!”

What are you watching now? Doctor Who?

“Nope. You’ll never guess.”

You missed me.

“Still do.”

You’re watching Gilmore Girls, aren’t you?

“How the hell do you do that?”

I know you.

“Well, then you’ll also know I have class tomorrow, so you should stop keeping me up with your weird mind reading powers.”

You have the TV on too loud.

“I knew there was a secret.”

And I know you. I also know that your class tomorrow doesn’t start until 2, so you’re gonna stay up until Netflix stops automatically playing Gilmore Girls episodes and then fall asleep on the couch. Your mom will wake up tomorrow morning, get mad because you didn’t go to your room, Matthew will be all excited and loud because it’s his first day of school, you’ll be cranky, go upstairs, fall back asleep, end up almost missing your class, and then you’ll be stressed about getting to class and won’t pay attention. Isn’t your first lab tomorrow?

“How do you know so much about me? We haven’t even known each other a year.”

I pay attention.

“Be honest, did you hire a private investigator?”

Babe, we are private investigators. 

“This is true.”

Alright, Dean is throwing as many pillows as he can find at me, so I’ll let you go.

“Tell him to stuff it, and then threaten to do the exact same thing when he mentions Shonelle.”

Look at that. He stopped. 

“Well, I know Dean.”

I’ll let you go anyway. Try to get upstairs into your room before you pass out.

“Yes, sir.”

Goodnight, Rachel. I’ll see you on Tuesday. Love you.

“Love you, too. How many pillows did Dean just throw at you?”

He rolled his eyes and stuffed one over his head. 

“Come home soon, and in one piece, preferably!”

I’ll do my best. 

#layla #ficlet

[layla-and-amara]

the boy I used to be in love with was born today

I became friends with the boy who helped me get over him one year ago

today

life is funny sometimes

#idk what this is #its not even october anymore but #layla

[layla-and-amara]

#amara #this is dark one again

[layla-and-amara]

songs.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that post with the 30 days of songs. One in particular caught my eye: a song that makes you want to fall in love. 

I’m not sure I have one. I have many. 

Basically any song by Kenny Chesney. Or Brad Paisley. A few songs from Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson. A couple from Carrie Underwood. (Can you tell I’m on a huge country kick right now?) Oh, “Tennessee Whiskey” is another one. 

I guess pretty much any country song?

Because, that’s what I want. I’ll swear up and down that I don’t want a boyfriend and that I don’t want to fall in love or anything, but I really do want a love like a country song. 

I want someone to love me so much that they feel the only way to really express their love is to put it into song. I think that’s why I melt anytime I see a guy singing to a girl with this dopey look on his face. I saw that today, when I was driving home. They were sitting outside of Texas Roadhouse and he was crooning some country song and she was rolling her eyes, but you could tell she appreciated it. 

I want that.

I’m not sure I want a boyfriend, but I do want that feeling. I want that to happen to me. I just want that. 

#well I'm back to writing in the moment #I actually did write plans for nano though #just not up for sharing those lol #layla #day ten #whoops

[layla-and-amara]

sex is such a cool thing

the way you move the way they move

the sounds you make the nerves that fire

you are so aware of that person

your person

and you adore that

#amara #idk what day this is #hello I am drunk haha

[layla-and-amara]

you need someone.

She wrinkled her nose at him with a soft smile as he scrolled through the website, his eyes alight with pure joy.

“You need a girlfriend,” she blurted out, holding in a laugh at the incredulous look on his face. 

“What makes you say that?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow. She gestured to the computer screen. 

He was on the Lowe’s homepage.

“You’re geeking out over tools. Come on, why don’t you call Katie? Or Haley?”

He shook his head, closing out of his browser. 

“I don’t need a girlfriend,” he assured her, closing his laptop lid shut. “I should get going.” 

She let him go.

She bounced in the passenger seat as they pulled into the Moe’s parking lot. He side-eyed her, a slight smile creeping onto his face as she beamed at him. Her excitement was infectious. 

“Calm down, Rach, we’re here.”

“I know!” she squealed. “It’s National Taco Day!”

He chuckled as they got out of his car and headed to the door, she at least three steps ahead of him.

“Welcome to Moe’s!” the workers shouted as they walked in the door. 

She grinned up at him again, and he rolled his eyes playfully, gently pushing her toward the line.

They both ordered their tacos and chose a table away from everyone else. She was still bouncing in her seat as she bit into her first taco. 

“How is it? he asked before biting into his own taco. She mumbled something affirmative around a mouthful of food, so he laughed and began to dig in as well. 

They began chatting idly between bites of their tacos and shared a bowl of queso to finish off the amount of chips between the both of them. 

“Happy National Taco Day!” she beamed again once they’d finished eating.

They were walking back to his car when he mimicked her thought.

“You need a boyfriend.”

She stopped and turned, shaking her head. 

“I don’t want one of those,” she replied truthfully.

He changed the subject. 

They sat on bar stools on a Wednesday night, sipping their respective beverages. She had her water in her elephant cup, and he was on his third beer. Trivia was at halftime and their friends were getting food. 

An AC/DC song began playing, and she groaned as he grinned. 

“You’re going to start singing aren’t you? Please don’t start singing.”

Sure enough, he began singing along, much to her dismay. She began to laugh as he got really into it, singing into the remainder of his beer, making all the right faces that should be made when singing along to an AC/DC song. 

She shook her head, grinning at him from laughing so hard as the song ended. 

“You need a girlfriend,” she repeated, and he raised an eyebrow at her. 

“Well, you need a boyfriend,” he shot back. 

They both sat in silence for a moment, the underlying implications quite clear. Halftime ended and their friends came back to the table and the conversation was forgotten before she could reply:

‘Maybe we could help each other out.’

#GOD I WISH #the first two parts are true stories #and part of the third part is true #he did sing an AC/DC song into his third beer to make me laugh at trivia yesterday #whatta dork #layla #day four